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Woman, 22, describes the ******* symptom she mistook for growing pains Woman, 22, describes the ******* symptom she mistook for growing pains At 16, Eldiara Doucette felt pain in her right arm that she struggled to describe. “It could have easily been classified with a standard teenage ‘growing pains,’ which is, unfortunately, how a lot of this flies under the radar,” the now 22-year-old from California tells TODAY.com. “I had that pain in my right arm, and it was nothing at the time.” After experiencing arm pain for years, Eldiara Doucette was eventually diagnosed with a sarcoma, a soft tissue *******. By the time she was 18, her pain reached “unbearable levels,” and she visited several doctors. At first, she thought she had carpal tunnel. A doctor ordered an MRI and eventually discovered why Doucette experienced such pain — she had a sarcoma, a soft tissue tumor in her elbow. “When you’re a kid you have this complex of like ‘I am invincible,’” she says. “I didn’t really accept the gravity of the situation.” Pain that gradually increased After the arm pain began, Doucette noticed it slowly became more severe. But she wasn’t sure how to address it. “It was something I felt afraid to talk about,” she says. “I was a very anxious teenager.” But when she went to college in California, the pain became overwhelming. “It was shooting nerve pain out into my fingers and part of my explanation was it felt like someone was breaking my fingers backward,” she says. While Doucette knew she needed help, she didn’t understand how to navigate the medical system, and she didn’t have help. She eventually met with some doctors who dismissed her as her pain worsened. “I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t drive,” she explains. “There is a certain level of pain that a person reaches where all they are is that.” Doucette, then 19, moved back home to Florida and began researching doctors and made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon with “really good reviews.” At the appointment, she broke down. “It was the first time that I even acknowledged it out loud,” she says. “I started sobbing.” At the time, her right elbow appeared swollen, so the doctor sent her for an MRI. When she returned for a follow-up, Doucette was stunned by what he said. “He goes, ‘I’m so f______ sorry nobody took you seriously.’ And I was like ‘Nothing after that is going to be good, right?’” Doucette recalls. “He goes on to say that I have a 5.4 cm tumor, so roughly golf-ball sized tumor in my elbow.” He called the lump a “mass” and mentioned the word sarcoma. “At the time that meant nothing,” she says. “I know to a lot of people sarcoma means nothing because it’s such a rare *******.” She followed up and visited a ******* center where the doctor suspected she had something called a benign schwannoma, a type of non-cancerous nerve tumor, the Mayo Clinic notes. The doctor recommended removing it to help ease Doucette’s pain. When she woke up after surgery, she felt so good, she cried. “I had the usual surgery pain but in comparison it was nothing,” she says. “I didn’t have that nerve pain that was haunting my life.” Before undergoing an arm amputation to treat her synovial sarcoma, Eldiara Doucette asked her friends to write notes on her arms as a kind of goodbye to it. But a week later, a call changed everything. Doctors sent samples of the mass to pathology, and it revealed she did have *******, synovial sarcoma, a rare soft tissue ******* that forms near the joints. “I’m learning the schwannoma misdiagnosis is actually prevalent with sarcomas, specifically synovial sarcoma,” she says. “It was such a roller coaster.” This 2021 diagnosis meant that Doucette needed to undergo 25 rounds of radiation before a second surgery so doctors could clear margins and make sure they removed the *******. Following treatment, she had an MRI every three months to make sure the ******* had not spread. About a year after her diagnosis, Doucette was re-enrolling in college when she went for a scan that spotted “something suspicious.” “A couple of months before my year scans is when I started to notice those symptoms,” she says. “I was in a little bit of perpetual nerve pain because of how much they had to mess with the median nerve — the tumor had grown around it.” The MRI results upended Doucette’s life again. “I had finally gotten back on track,” she says. “There’s something about being in remission that’s inherently scary because when things are good, they can still turn bad. But once they’re bad, they’re bad.” After the MRI, doctors attempted a biopsy without anesthesia, but the mass intertwined with her median nerve and the pain felt intense. “Having a needle pushed into a nerve — it was one of the more traumatic things that I had experienced,” she says. She started sobbing. A nurse holding her hand also started crying and the doctor stopped the biopsy because Doucette experienced so much pain. “It’s one of the more emotional parts of my story,” she says. “It is something I think about all the time.” Doucette underwent the biopsy with anesthesia, and she soon learned her ******* had recurred in 2022. After having surgery to install a port, she started three rounds of chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, also known as the red ****** for its “bright red color.” “I was inpatient in the hospital for six days and every day I’m getting that infusion,” she says. “Then the next two cycles, they were five days long.” After treatment, Doucette’s scans looked clear. “Officially I was *******-free in terms of the labeling of it,” she says. “With my *******, it is so aggressive it can just linger.” Eldiara Doucette held a memorial to say goodbye to her arm after doctors amputated it to treat her rare soft tissue *******. Sharing her story on TikTok helped Doucette process many emotions she’s faced since being diagnosed with ******* originally in 2021. For the next year and a half, Doucette was in remission. She underwent a few arm surgeries to try to help with pain and function. But mostly, she enjoyed life. “It was a beautiful time. I’m glad that I had that opportunity,” she says. “In retrospect, it was almost like a farewell to my arm, which I didn’t know was coming in near the end of my remission.” Synovial sarcoma Breast *******, lung ******* and colon ******* are solid ******* tumors known as carcinomas, which are the most common type, making up anywhere from 80% to 90% of ******* diagnoses, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While much rarer, sarcomas are cancers that grow “in some of the soft connective tissues,” Dr. Aaron Burkenroad, a medical oncologist and hematologist at UCLA Health, who is now part of Doucette’s treatment team, tells TODAY.com. Synovial sarcoma, the type of ******* Doucette has, develops in “the synovium, (which) is actually the lining of the joint.” Sarcomas can develop anywhere, but they most often occur in the arms and legs, he notes. In treating sarcomas, the gold standard is surgery. “The mainstay of treatment is complete surgical resection,” he says. “Even with surgical intervention, there is a risk for recurrence.” If the ******* recurs or spreads to other parts of the body, doctors also consider using chemotherapy. “The standard medical therapy is chemotherapy-based treatments,” he says. “There has been a limited role of other agents, like oral targeted therapies or immunotherapy.” Doctors sometimes misdiagnose synovial sarcoma as a harmless mass for several reasons, including its rarity and making a diagnosis based only on a scan. “Someone will take a look and say, ‘Oh I think this a benign lesion so let’s just cut it out because maybe it’s causing some symptoms,” Burkenroad explains. “When they remove it, they find that, ‘Oh, this is actually a soft tissue sarcoma.’” That means patients, much like Doucette, need to undergo subsequent surgery to make sure they have clear margins. Doucette experienced what’s known as a local recurrence, where her ******* has come back, but in the same spot. Having so many surgeries in one location can lead to problems with pain and mobility. “She certainly had some symptoms related to the tumors and that included things like neuropathic pain,” he says. ‘Very shocking’ In 2024, as Doucette massaged her scar, she felt a “little nodule” on her elbow. “My heart sunk,” she says. “It takes a lot to bother me or (get me) worked up, but I almost instantly started crying.” Her doctor ordered an MRI, followed by a biopsy, which found tumors, including one growing into her bone. “They imaged three new (masses),” she says. “It was very shocking to hear there … (were) more in a short amount of time, too. Because my three-month set of scans before that showed nothing.” At the time, Doucette was waiting for a nerve transplant surgery to try to help with the ongoing problems she faced with her elbow and arm. When the new MRI and biopsy results returned, doctors recommended amputation of her right arm above the elbow. “Amputation is the only way to eliminate that possibility of further local recurrences,” Burkenroad says. “The hope, too, is that by doing this type of extensive surgery it will also eliminate the possibility of recurrence as metastatic disease … but it’s not a guarantee, unfortunately.” Doucette understood amputation could be an option. “I knew it was coming. But my doctor said, ‘We can do this sooner or do it later. I know that some people like to take time and say goodbye,’” Doucette recalls. “I don’t like waiting.” Doctors scheduled her amputation surgery for five days later. Doucette made a plaster cast of her hand and created TikToks, as Bionic Barbie, counting down to her amputation. Right before surgery surgery, friends wrote short “farewell” notes on Doucette’s arm. “I have some pictures of that as my last memory,” she says. When she woke after her amputation surgery, she felt strangely at ease. “I really think that making those videos and processing my feelings day by day really helped me prepare,” she says. “If I had just not thought about it and counted down the days in my head and kept myself distracted in non-arm related ways, then it would have been much more jarring.” Being surrounded by her boyfriend and best friend, also helped. While the amputation will prevent the ******* from returning to her elbow, her doctors recommended additional chemotherapy following surgery. “I’ve had too many recurrences. I am at really high risk for my ******* spreading,” she says. “My oncologist brought up that chemo could be helpful in either delaying another recurrence or hopefully getting that cured for good.” Eldiara Doucette hopes to empower other young adults to take control of their health and advocate when needed. Doucette plans on getting a prosthetic arm and hand and has a GoFundMe to cover the costs. Sharing her story too helps her encourage young people to advocate for their health. “Sarcoma tends to happen in a lot of younger people. We all hear about pediatric *******. We hear about geriatric *******. But young adults are stuck in this awkward middle ground where it’s like being invisible,” she says. “It’s possible to feel normal and feel empowered in the decisions you’re making for yourself and the path you are on even if it is as tragic as *******.” This article was originally published on TODAY.com Source link #Woman #describes #******* #symptom #mistook #growing #pains Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Grateful’ Ukrainians in Seattle rally to heal fractured U.S. relations – The Seattle Times ‘Grateful’ Ukrainians in Seattle rally to heal fractured U.S. relations – The Seattle Times ‘Grateful’ Ukrainians in Seattle rally to heal fractured U.S. relations The Seattle TimesRare Protest at U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Reflects Fears Over Trump The New York Times’An embarrassment and a humiliation’: People rally in Bentonville to support Ukraine 4029tv Source link #Grateful #Ukrainians #Seattle #rally #heal #fractured #U.S #relations #Seattle #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast Eagles star Jake Waterman admits feeling pressure ahead of 2025 season following breakout year West Coast Eagles star Jake Waterman admits feeling pressure ahead of 2025 season following breakout year West Coast star Jake Waterman admits he is feeling the pressure going into 2025 following a breakout season that saw him earn All-*********** honours last year. Source link #West #Coast #Eagles #star #Jake #Waterman #admits #feeling #pressure #ahead #season #breakout #year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fallout 5 Just Got a HUGE Leak Fallout 5 Just Got a HUGE Leak There’s absolutely no denying the fact that Fallout is one of the largest RPGs in the world. Anyone can instantly recognize the series with its unique 1950s aesthetic, diving deep into the era’s obsession and fear of nuclear weapons. Fallout 5 is one of the most anticipated RPGs of the decade. (Image via Bethesda) Unfortunately, it’s been more than a decade since we’ve witnessed bombs dropping and adventuring through our favorite post-apocalyptic world in Fallout 4. Gamers don’t really count Fallout 76 into this equation, as it was a multiplayer title that didn’t even perform that well. Naturally, this has led to everyone itching to know more about Fallout 5, and considering the franchise’s incredible history, a new entry could prove to be one of the best RPGs we’ve ever seen. Although information on the next game is quite scarce, here’s everything we know about Fallout 5. When will Fallout 5 come out? Fallout 5 is still years from release. (Image via Bethesda) IIf you’re someone who is hoping to see another mainline Fallout game anytime soon, there’s some bad news. It’s highly unlikely that Bethesda will drop a release date for Fallout 5 anytime soon. It’s confirmed that the game will eventually happen, but it’s still years away from entering production and then hitting the shelves. As of now, Bethesda is working hard to develop the Elder Scrolls 6. It’s one of the most anticipated titles in Bethesda’s catalog, and considering the failure of Starfield, the studio’s future depends on this game. That’s not all, though; rumors have also suggested that Todd Howard and his team are working on an Oblivion Remake. While chatting with Variety, Howard revealed to fans that it takes Bethesda around five years to realize a Fallout game. While the studio does have plans for future entries, they haven’t started exploring what could happen. Considering all these factors, it’s safe to assume that Fallout 5 won’t be released before 2030 at the earliest. Bethesda won’t begin the work on the title until it’s done with Elder Scrolls 6, and even that game doesn’t have a release date right now. It’s going to be a long wait, but at least we have the Fallout Season 2 to look forward to. What will Fallout 5‘s story and setting be? Fallout 5 should take bold steps when it comes to the story and setting. (Image via Bethesda) Bethesda has confirmed that Fallout 5 will happen down the line, so it’s still not confirmed what the game’s story, setting, or character could look like. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have clues about where the future of the franchise could take us. As Howard was an executive producer on the Fallout Series, he directed the showrunners to avoid a number of subjects that could find their way into the next Fallout game. So, it’s clear that Fallout 5 won’t cover everything that we’re going to see in the TV series. One thing’s for certain, though: the next Fallout will be set in a US state, as the franchise has always stuck to this aspect. If you’re someone who is looking for a Fallout experience on a new land, consider taking a look at the community’s modding work, which has brought Fallout to London. Will Fallout 5 be an Xbox exclusive? The next Fallout might go multiplatform. (Image via Bethesda) In the past, we’ve witnessed all Fallout games dropping on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, eventually making their way onto PCs. However, back in 2020, Microsoft decided to purchase Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, for more than $7.5 billion dollars. What this meant was that Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and other Bethesda titles were now under Microsoft’s wing. With this move, many assumed that the next Fallout entry in the franchise might be an Xbox and PC move. However, last year, Microsoft revealed that a number of Xbox games would be making their way to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles. We’ve seen rumors surfacing online suggesting that even big names such as Halo and Gears of Wars could be making the jump, and even Starfield is a part of that conversation. While chatting with GameSpot, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated that in the future, any Xbox title could make a debut on PlayStation. Could this mean that Fallout 5 will also be a multiplatform release? It’s too soon to say anything, but we’re likely to learn more about this subject when the game enters production. Will Fallout 5 use a brand-new engine? Bethesda needs to upgrade its game engine capabilities. (Image via Bethesda) One of the biggest complaints about Bethesda has been its use of Creation Engine. While the studio has given us some remarkable games with it, its cracks have been getting worse as the years have gone by. Not only do animations and art styles look rough, but the games are also filled with technical problems and loading screens. While preparing for the launch of Starfield and the Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda revealed that it has completely overhauled the infamous Creation Engine. According to Howard, it’s the biggest overhaul in the company’s history. This overhaul came in 2020, but it didn’t look to have much effect, as Starfield was bashed for its poor graphics and performance. All we can hope is that by the time Fallout 5 rolls around, Bethesda will bring even more upgrades to the engine or ditch it in favor of Unreal Engine 5. The Oblivion Remake is supposed to be based on Epic Games‘ engine, and that’s the first time we’re going to see a Bethesda game that does not use Creation Engine. Fallout 5 must use more advanced tools and completely overhaul all the graphics, lighting, and animations we’ve grown up to see in the franchise. What could Fallout 5‘s gameplay look like? Fallout 5 isn’t likely to step away from the roots of the franchise. (Image via Bethesda) Just like its predecessors, it’s expected that Fallout 5 won’t deviate away from the RPG roots. There have been calls for an integration of multiplayer mode in the mainline games, but Bethesda will likely focus on delivering a single-player experience for which the studio has earned a name for. We’re most likely to see open-world exploration returning as a key feature. There could be improvements to existing combat systems, such as V.A.T.S. Fallout 4 introduced crafting and settlement mechanics, which are likely to receive enhancements in the next game. Fallout 5 might also feature the same story-driven quests and faction interactions. However, there’s a high chance that these could end up being more complex than previous entries. What gamers would like to see in Fallout 5? The next Fallout game needs a number of new features. (Image via Bethesda) Now that we’ve covered what we know about Fallout 5 so far, it’s time to take a look at a number of things gamers want from Bethesda in the next title. One of the biggest things Bethesda needs to improve upon is roaming around the wasteland. As Fallout games have continued to evolve, the open-world environments have become *******. If Fallout 5 continues on that path, some type of vehicle for exploration needs to be introduced. It’s not an unrealistic expectation and could bring an entire new storyline. In older Fallout games, karma was a core mechanic that was crucial to experience. However, for some odd reason, Bethesda stripped it in Fallout 4. It’s time for Howard and his team to feature a return of the karma system in the next Fallout title. It could prove to be one of the biggest improvements for the franchise, bringing back the concept of player choices and consequences that actually result in something. With that said, are you excited for Fallout 5? Let us know in the comment below Source link #Fallout #HUGE #Leak Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Earth’s tiniest wild cat species captured on camera for the first time: ‘Rare and sensitive’ Earth’s tiniest wild cat species captured on camera for the first time: ‘Rare and sensitive’ The rusty-spotted cat, the tiniest (and lightest) cat on Earth, has covered new ground. A few weeks ago, it was spotted in West Bengal, a northeastern Indian state bordering Bangladesh. According to the Times of India (TOI), they’re only found in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and are rarely spotted by humans. The Felidae Conservation Fund reports that they’re a near-threatened species. In the past, they were hunted by humans mistaking it as a baby leopard because of its similar coat. Its new appearance spells out good things for the local ecosystem. Anjan Guha, divisional forest officer of Purulia (a district in West Bengal), told TOI: “Such a rare and sensitive lesser cat will only survive in a forest where it gets a favourable ecosystem … The recent movement by tigers, presence of leopards and now this lesser cat also show that the wild food chain is being maintained in the forests here.” The 2023 India State Forest Report showed that green cover in Purulia increased by 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles), according to TOI. Conservation of rare animal species is crucial to healthy, balanced ecosystems. According to the World Health Organization, a balanced ecosystem provides clean air and water to humans and animals alike, stabilizing the climate and limiting the spread of diseases. If ecosystems are out of whack, the amount of fresh water and food is limited, hurting human health. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? While there’s a long way to go, stories like these show that there’s hope for a brighter future. There are conservation successes happening all over the world. In the U.S., scientists are experimenting with cloning endangered species as a means of conservation — and so far, it’s working. In 2024, a clone of the nearly extinct ******-footed ferret successfully reproduced, which is a promising step forward. And in Orkney, an archipelago off Scotland’s coast, invasive stoats were eradicated, bringing the local ecosystem back into balance. The rusty-spotted cat can now be added to the list. Now that they know a little more about its location, conservation efforts can be ramped up. Tiasa Adhya, a member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, a wild cat conservation organization, told TOI, “This new record is a significant contribution to the puzzle.” 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 #Earths #tiniest #wild #cat #species #captured #camera #time #Rare #sensitive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Activision Teases ‘Verdansk Collection’ That’s Set to Drop on March 10 Activision Teases ‘Verdansk Collection’ That’s Set to Drop on March 10 If you head to the Call of Duty merch store, you’ll be met with a pop-up promoting the ‘Verdansk Collection’, which comes with the tagline ‘drop back in’. There’s also a countdown set to expire on March 10, which has many thinking that the return of Verdansk will be formally announced on that day. It has long been rumoured that Verdansk will make a grand return on March 20, five years after it first appeared when Call of Duty: Warzone debuted worldwide. It was Insider Gaming that exclusively revealed the plans to bring back Verdansk, the iconic first map in the insanely popular battle royale game. It’s Coming The prompt on the Call of Duty shop bears an iconic throwback to Verdnask – an image of the damn and the crashed plane in the wastelands beneath. It’s a snowy vista that we’ve all seen time and again, and on March 10, the full ‘Verdansk Collection’ will be revealed, whatever it may contain. Fans have been chomping at the bit to get back to Verdansk since it was removed from the game in 2021. I’ve maintained that we don’t miss Verdansk, but the vibes we experienced playing it with our friends for the first time. The world was a different place back then, struggling under the weight of COVID-19, and Warzone made for a flawless escape from all that. However, it’s not all sunshine and lollipops, as some prolific creators have stressed that even Verdansk isn’t enough to bring them back, given the state of the game. It’s no big secret that Warzone still has issues with performance, network stability, and cheaters. Let’s hope all that is resolved (big hope) by March 10 – and even more so by March 20. Are you looking forward to seeing what the Verdansk Collection contains? Let us know what you’re hoping to see in the comments below. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that daily bonuses are likely coming back to Call of Duty SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Activision #Teases #Verdansk #Collection #Set #Drop #March Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump 2nd term live updates: GOP senator says she is 'sick to my stomach' after White House blow up – ABC News Trump 2nd term live updates: GOP senator says she is 'sick to my stomach' after White House blow up – ABC News Trump 2nd term live updates: GOP senator says she is ‘sick to my stomach’ after White House blow up ABC NewsMurkowski slams Trump administration over Russia-Ukraine war stance: ‘Sick to my stomach’ The HillDid Russia Invade Ukraine? Is Putin a Dictator? We Asked Every Republican Member of Congress The AtlanticDiplomacy Watch: GOP hawks double down against Trump policy Responsible Statecraft Source link #Trump #2nd #term #live #updates #GOP #senator #039sick #stomach039 #White #House #blow #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Phoenix level NBL series, down Hawks in Game 2 Phoenix level NBL series, down Hawks in Game 2 Young American Matt Hurt bagged 30 points to help South East Melbourne Phoenix level their NBL semi-final series against the Illawarra Hawks. Source link #Phoenix #level #NBL #series #Hawks #Game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The ******** EV Maker Threatening Ford and GM The ******** EV Maker Threatening Ford and GM Four years ago, Xiaomi was a successful smartphone business and its car business consisted of nothing more than a plan approved by the board and a vow by billionaire founder Lei Jun to make it work. This year, the company’s assembly lines are set to turn out 300,000 vehicles, and it has already shipped more than 135,000 in less than a year on the market. The wait list for its first car, the SU7, a Porsche look-alike that starts at around $30,000, is around half a year, and Xiaomi’s Hong Kong-listed shares have more than tripled in a year. Lei has done what Tesla, Apple, Ford Motor and General Motors have been unable to do: create a hit, inexpensive electric vehicle—and fast. Tesla took more than a decade from its founding to reach the 300,000-vehicle production level. Fifteen-year-old EV truck maker Rivian made one-sixth that number last year. Lei, a 55-year-old serial entrepreneur, is a household name in China with tens of millions of followers on social media and a Steve Jobs-like flair for hourslong presentations where he touts his products. His latest was on Thursday, where he showed off a new $73,000 version of his car that zips from zero to 60 mph in less than two seconds. He has never lived outside China but from a young age harbored admiration for U.S. tech titans. He has said he was inspired by a 1999 book, “Fire in the Valley,” that described Jobs and other Silicon Valley personal-computer pioneers. He has been called “Lei Jobs” for his casual outfit with jeans resembling the Apple co-founder’s. In addition to marathon livestreams, he has posted more than 20 TikTok-style short videos this year—sometimes pitching products, sometimes just chatting. Lei has carved out his place in an overcrowded ******** EV landscape that has come to dominate the global industry. ******** companies manufacture more EVs than all other carmakers in the world combined, selling mostly to local consumers who—unlike Americans—have flocked to EVs and plug-in hybrids. China’s biggest EV maker, Warren Buffett-backed BYD, now sells more cars than Honda. American automakers such as Ford and GM, by contrast, have scaled back ambitious EV expansion plans, hampered by high battery costs and the slow rollout of EV chargers. Ford’s chief executive, Jim Farley, has said China’s widening lead poses an “existential threat.” Xiaomi—pronounced SHAU-mee—sells its cars almost entirely in China. Other ******** EV makers, though, are piling into global markets, sparking a backlash that has led the U.S., European Union, Brazil and other nations to impose tariffs. While their overall share is still small, ******** EV makers are grabbing a ******* chunk of the car market in Europe and Southeast Asia. One sign of the times: The bestselling car brand last year in Singapore, long a bastion for Japanese carmakers led by Toyota, was China’s BYD. Farley, Ford’s CEO, had a Xiaomi SU7 specially shipped to the U.S. and spent six months last year driving it. “It’s fantastic,” Farley said on an October podcast. “I don’t want to give it up.” The maker of the sporty sedan, he said, was “the Apple of China.” Xiaomi’s rise could probably happen only in China. ******** EV makers control nearly every aspect of manufacturing and can turn to domestic suppliers for most of their materials and parts. That makes their operations more efficient than those of non-******** car manufacturers, which depend on a global supply chain that is susceptible to delays, price fluctuations and logistical hiccups. There’s a wait list for the Xiaomi SU7 vehicle, pictured in November. – Du Jianpo/VCG/Getty Images ******** companies also enjoy government support and the freedom to put aside the quest for short-term profits to satisfy investors. The local government of Beijing, eager for a hometown carmaking champion, pulled strings to fast-track the central-government approvals needed to launch Xiaomi’s carmaking, according to people familiar with the matter. Whatever Lei needed, he could readily find it in his country—including the thousands of construction workers needed to put up a plant the size of 135 football fields in 19 months. “China as a manufacturing base for cars is simply impossible to match in scale, supply chains, materials, regulatory speed and intensity of competition,” said Michael Dunne, who runs a consulting firm focused on the China auto market, in a recent blog post. The Xiaomi smartphone—still the company’s core product, accounting for about half of its revenue—was an attempt to bring a less-expensive version of Apple’s iPhone to the masses. Lei built Xiaomi into the world’s third-largest smartphone maker by unit sales after Apple and Samsung. By the mid-2010s, Apple was researching a possible Apple car, and Xiaomi executives repeatedly pressed Lei to consider the idea as well, say people who worked with him. He said making a car looked too risky and costly. But in January 2021, Lei was startled when a friend called to say that the U.S. Defense Department added Xiaomi to a list of companies that support China’s military, which would prohibit Americans from investing in the company. The designation was later removed, but Lei said in a speech last year that the experience prompted him to reconsider cars as a way to diversify. There was another concern: Some of Xiaomi’s top talent had defected to EV companies. Xiaomi’s board met in March 2021. Lei told directors that the car had become an extension of people’s digital lives. “It’s the future and Xiaomi must be part of it,” he recalled saying at the time. Lei told directors the project would cost some $10 billion. They decided to say yes—on the condition that Lei personally lead the project. Lei Jun checked out cars of various brands at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. – Costfoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images Cities across China vied to attract Xiaomi’s car factory, from Lei’s home province in central China to Tesla’s host city, Shanghai. Beijing’s city government, like the others, offered help with getting land and tax benefits, but it had a trump card: pull with the central government, which had begun holding back approvals for new EV makers to avoid oversaturation. Xiaomi got the go-ahead. Lei told his team to speak to potential customers one-on-one rather than rely on market surveys. He was sometimes spotted in Xiaomi’s underground garage, inspecting cars he had never driven. He would approach the owner, strike up a conversation about its pros and cons, and find a way to borrow it for a day or two. He also insisted that all the executives in Xiaomi’s auto division, himself included, take professional racing training. His conclusion: People wanted an affordable and sporty sedan, costing less than a Tesla and with a range of more than 400 miles. And it must connect seamlessly with Xiaomi’s smartphones and other smart devices. Lei turned to his network of contacts developed through making smartphones as well as Xiaomi-brand home appliances. Xiaomi and Lei had invested in dozens of companies with technology critical to EVs, including autonomous-driving systems, batteries and automotive chips, according to corporate filings. Lei said the founders of fellow EV startups Xpeng and NIO offered him tips in the hopes that Xiaomi could give the entire EV industry credibility. To keep the price down, Lei decided Xiaomi should make barely any profit on the cars to start and hope for future profits by selling car software and other services, according to people with knowledge of his strategy. Several suppliers said they felt squeezed, but the firms Lei was pressuring often owed their start, in part, to his investments or early support. Plus, association with Lei was a badge of honor that could open doors with other clients. Drawing on its R&D team of tens and thousands of people and profits from the smartphone business, Xiaomi invested in production technology that could save money in the long run. To assemble a car at Xiaomi’s factory, more than 700 robots work in unison. – VCG/Getty Images Foremost was an idea borrowed from Tesla. Xiaomi called it the hypercasting machine, which employs large-scale, high-pressure aluminum die-casting to create car frames. Automakers traditionally forge dozens of parts separately and weld them together. The Xiaomi machine, several stories high and two basketball courts long, creates a car frame as a single piece in 100 seconds, taking molten metal heated to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit and dunking the shape into 45-degree water to harden it. To assemble the car, more than 700 robots work in unison in what is known as a dark factory—so automated that, in theory, the lights could be shut off. With a following of tens of millions on social media, Lei used his personal brand to market the car, bypassing conventional advertising. The wait list was already ballooning when the SU7 went on ***** last spring. Lei has faced criticism for the car’s resemblance to a Porsche. In an interview with local media in April, Lei said it was common for cars to resemble one another and pointed to distinctive features in the SU7 such as the headlight design. “But people are saying we look like McLaren,” Lei said wryly. Recently, Lei was spotted driving a Ferrari Purosangue, a $400,000 Italian SUV, which prompted fans to speculate he might create a more affordable version of the Ferrari. Wan Ni, a BMW 3 series owner, said she wanted to go electric because of high gas prices and was planning a test drive of the Xiaomi SU7, drawn by the design and vibrant colors. Lei says women account for half of Xiaomi car customers and are driving the brand’s growth. He recently said he doesn’t want Xiaomi perceived as merely a low-price brand. On New Year’s Eve, Lei streamed a 4 ½-hour show live on social media, showing off his leviathan casting machine and talking about how he wants to push the brand toward the higher end, as Apple has done with its products. Xiaomi is still a fraction of the size of the world’s top automakers that make millions of vehicles a year. “My current priority is to simply get a seat at the table,” he said. “Unlike Steve Jobs, I’m more pragmatic and willing to show humility.” Lei Jun looks at ******** startup Li Auto’s Li L6 SUV during a car show in Beijing in April. – VCG/Getty Images Write to Yang Jie at *****@*****.tld Source link #******** #Maker #Threatening #Ford Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wildfires Break Out in the Carolinas, Prompting Evacuations – The New York Times Wildfires Break Out in the Carolinas, Prompting Evacuations – The New York Times Wildfires Break Out in the Carolinas, Prompting Evacuations The New York TimesNorth Augusta crews battle flames as fire danger flares across S.C. WRDWMultiple wildfires erupt in the Carolinas, force evacuations CBS NewsMassive wildfire prompts evacuations, road closures in Carolina Forest WMBFForestry Commission airdrops ‘not possible’ over Carolina Forest wildfire wpde.com Source link #Wildfires #Break #Carolinas #Prompting #Evacuations #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter hails Hands Oval as “one of the best” community football grounds he has seen West Coast coach Andrew McQualter hails Hands Oval as “one of the best” community football grounds he has seen Bunbury’s credentials as an AFL venue have received a resounding tick of approval. Key stakeholders have come out in support of Hands Oval’s dry run in Saturday’s pre-season clash between West Coast and North Melbourne, months before it hosts a match for premiership points in June. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter even hailed the surface as “one of the best” community football grounds he has ever seen. More than 7000 fans watched West Coast beat the Kangaroos by two points. Both sides will return to the region in round 13 as part of a deal struck between North Melbourne, the State Government and City of Bunbury last year which will see the Kangaroos play a home game at Hands Oval, as well as another at Optus Stadium, for each of the next three seasons. A $19.5 million upgrade of Hands Oval was officially marked as complete earlier this year and a further $5.7 million in upgrades are now in progress before the home-and-away clash. McQualter said it “was great to come down here to Bunbury and play”. “I love community football grounds and I think this is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I love it, I think it’s brilliant. I love the idea of coming down to the South West to play. We’ve got a couple of local players from this area so I know they got a bit thrill of coming down here,” he said. Camera IconA friendly rivarly between West Coast and North Melbourne fans in Bunbury. Credit: Amber Lilley/South Western Times/South Western Times “We can’t wait for the match during the season when we’re down here.” South West Football League general manager Jason Crowe said the first AFL game at the home of the league since 2011 was a “huge success”. “Just going by the comments I’ve received, a lot of people were saying how well organised it was, how easy it was to get in, transport, car parking, all that sort of stuff. All the hard work paid off,” he said. “There was a little bit of commentary, ‘it looked a bit empty’ … it was always going to be that we go with a lower attendance with this one to get most things right instead of having an epic fail by having 13,000 people in there and we couldn’t cope. We erred on the side of caution in that regard to ensure those who were in there had the best experience. “Both clubs were over the moon, they were really happy. The AFL gave the ground a really big tick of approval as one of the best community grounds they’ve ever played on as far as the surface. We’ve ticked quite a few boxes. Crowe said the lessons learned from the day would be invaluable ahead of the two teams returning for the home and away game in June. “(Saturday) was like a training run to put all of our plans in place and how we actually fulfilled those plans, and I think we fulfilled them all pretty well,” he said. Camera IconSouth West Football League general manager Jason Crowe with City of Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel. Credit: Amber Lilley/South Western Times/South Western Times “Now we’ve got some data and stuff we can go on for the next game … there’s just a few minor things we’ll have to change.” The contest was largely defined by a strong breeze blowing towards the northern end of the ground, where 15 of the 20 goals in the game were kicked. North Melbourne assistant coach Xavier Clarke said the wind was tricky but not an issue. “That’s reality, we can’t control the conditions. It’s a beautiful ground, they’ve done a great job getting it ready,” he said. “We look forward to getting back here again during the season. It’s a great set up. “It’s great to see the crowd turn out, the ground’s terrific, we can’t control conditions but it was great to see everyone turn out.” West Coast forward Jake Waterman said he had enjoyed having a “little taste of what’s to come.” “It’s a great day down here, there are so many great supporters in the South West,” he said. “It’s massive for the South West that we’re coming down here to play for premiership points. I’m excited to get back down here and take on the Kangas again.” North Melbourne’s Robbie Hansen Jr, one of eight WA products on the Kangaroos’ list, said the club had loved their time in the South West and were impressed with the Hands Oval’s facilities. “It’s a bit different to the last time I was here, they didn’t have the grandstand,” he said. Camera IconNorth Melbourne fans Basil Heart, Valerie Ugle and Rex Collard in Bunbury. Credit: Amber Lilley/South Western Times/South Western Times “It was a good ground to play on, the atmosphere was actually unbelievable. The grass was unbelievable.” Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel said his overwhelming feeling after seeing thousands of fans stream through the gates was one of pride. “It’s been talked about for a long time, but to see the teams out there now, it’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s almost a bit surreal, in a way. “It’s built to a capacity to allow for the AFL. Realistically, we didn’t expect to have that six months later, we were probably thinking more about getting WAFL games involved. “Everything’s aligned and here we are.” Draped in a North Melbourne scarf, Mr Miguel said he had no qualms over jumping on the Kangaroos’ bandwagon. “A few people have given me a bit of stick about that, but let’s be honest, if North Melbourne hadn’t looked to sell some home games, we wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “My way of saying thank you is joining up for a $110 country membership and showing I support them.” Source link #West #Coast #coach #Andrew #McQualter #hails #Hands #Oval #community #football #grounds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How Trump and Musk’s agenda is shaping up to be full-on class warfare How Trump and Musk’s agenda is shaping up to be full-on class warfare When it comes to the House GOP budget, Trump’s new “Gold Card” visa for wealthy foreigners, or any other policy coming out of the White House, there is a common denominator: good for the extremely wealthy, bad for everyone else. MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin is joined by Francesca Fiorentini, Co-Host of the “America Unhinged” podcast and Imara Jones, Founder and CEO or TransLash Media to discuss the all-out class warfare being waged by the GOP and what can be done about it. Source link #Trump #Musks #agenda #shaping #fullon #class #warfare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charli xcx Wins Big BRIT Awards; Host Danny Dyer Slams Chappell Roan – Variety Charli xcx Wins Big BRIT Awards; Host Danny Dyer Slams Chappell Roan – Variety Charli xcx Wins Big BRIT Awards; Host Danny Dyer Slams Chappell Roan VarietyCharli xcx and Maura Higgins Wear Naked Dresses on 2025 BRIT Awards Red Carpet PEOPLECharli xcx’s’ Brat reign continues, as she clears the decks at BRIT Awards ABC News​Charli xcx, ***** and Ezra Collective’s Brit awards cap a vintage year for adventurous pop | Alexis Petridis The Guardian Source link #Charli #xcx #Wins #Big #BRIT #Awards #Host #Danny #Dyer #Slams #Chappell #Roan #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dominant, wasteful Reds too strong for Phoenix in ALW Dominant, wasteful Reds too strong for Phoenix in ALW Gun import Lucia Leon has scored a brace to deliver Adelaide a 3-1 away win over Wellington and keep the Reds in the hunt for the A-League Women premiership. The Reds dominated throughout at Porirua Park, but were often wasteful in attack and consistently denied by Wellington’s brilliant Portuguese goalkeeper Carolina Vilao. But a second-half double to Dominican Republic international Leon allowed the Reds to leap to 33 points, seven behind leaders Melbourne City and two behind Melbourne Victory. Finals aspirants Wellington (20 points) sit four points outside the top six. Adelaide, despite missing Emily Condon (knock), had a remarkable 31 shots at goal (14 on target) to Wellington’s six (two) and took the lead after just four minutes when defender Ella Tonkin headed home the opener. From there, Vilao thwarted multiple Adelaide chances while Chelsie Dawber clattered a strike off the crossbar in the 33rd minute. Wellington hit back in the 41st minute. Olivia Fergusson pounced on a loose pass, spotted Adelaide goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins off her line and coolly dobbed a wonderful long-range finish to equalise. Leon restored Adelaide’s lead with a cracking long-range strike in the 56th minute. Adelaide received a penalty in the 78th minute after Tiana Jaber attempted to clear the ball and instead caught Dawber with a kick to the head. But Vilao made a big save to deny Fiona Worts, who clattered a header off the bar from the subsequent corner. Leon made the result a certainty in the 86th minute when Wellington failed to clear a corner and she hacked home her second. Brisbane Roar host Sydney FC later on Sunday night to wrap up the round. Wellington host Western Sydney next Sunday while Adelaide take on Central Coast next Saturday. Source link #Dominant #wasteful #Reds #strong #Phoenix #ALW Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal judge rules Trump’s firing of head of special counsel was unlawful, will maintain his job – Fox News Federal judge rules Trump’s firing of head of special counsel was unlawful, will maintain his job – Fox News Federal judge rules Trump’s firing of head of special counsel was unlawful, will maintain his job Fox NewsJudge Rules Trump Can’t Fire Head of Federal Watchdog Agency Without Cause The New York TimesTrump Firing of Whistleblower Agency Head Unlawful, Judge Rules Bloomberg Source link #Federal #judge #rules #Trumps #firing #special #counsel #unlawful #maintain #job #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tropical Cyclone Alfred puts AFL season opener between Brisbane and Geelong in doubt Tropical Cyclone Alfred puts AFL season opener between Brisbane and Geelong in doubt AFL bosses are sweating on a cyclone in Queensland that is threatening to derail Thursday’s season opener between Brisbane and Geelong. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is predicted to hit the region this week, with the Bureau of Meteorology was forecasting up to 40mm of rain in Brisbane on Thursday. It means the Lions could face a wet reception as they get set to unfurl last year’s premiership flag, but there is a possibility the game could be postponed. “We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and be in step with Government advice,” an AFL spokesperson said on Sunday. The game is set to mark the first time Brisbane has hosted the opening match of the season since 2005. Source link #Tropical #Cyclone #Alfred #puts #AFL #season #opener #Brisbane #Geelong #doubt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Indian businessman wins *** extradition appeal over torture concerns Indian businessman wins *** extradition appeal over torture concerns LONDON (Reuters) – An Indian businessman on Friday won his appeal against extradition from Britain, with London’s High Court ruling there was a risk of torture or other mistreatment in his homeland. London-based Sanjay Bhandari, 63 and described by his lawyers as a defence sector consultant, is wanted in India on charges of tax evasion and money laundering. He previously sued French defence and technology firm Thales in France, claiming payment for his help in obtaining a fighter jet maintenance deal in India, which Thales denied. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. After being picked up at India’s request, British ministers ordered Bhandari’s extradition in January 2023. But he successfully appealed to the High Court, which ruled that extraditing him would breach his human rights because of the high risk of mistreatment in custody in India. The court’s ruling contains stinging criticism of the Indian justice system, saying torture is used to obtain confessions, prisoners are at high risk of extortion and inmates have been killed by or in front of prison officers. India’s High Commission in London and Bhandari’s lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The judges, Timothy Holroyde and Karen Steyn, said in a written ruling that the use of torture to obtain confessions was endemic. “It is apparent that the acceptance in India of torture or other serious mistreatment as a method of evidence-gathering extends beyond the police and investigating bodies, such that it is unlikely that the appellant (Bhandari) could look to prison officials for protection from the organisations that are engaged in investigating him,” their ruling said. They also referred to conditions at New Dehli’s Tihar jail, where Bhandari would be held and where his lawyers said there was a culture of violence and extortion. The court cited a prisoner’s ******* in front of guards in 2023. (Reporting by Sam Tobin; additional reporting by Catarina Demony; editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Source link #Indian #businessman #wins #extradition #appeal #torture #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘Saturday Night Live’ Skewers Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Showdown With A Cameo From Mike Myers As Elon Musk – Deadline ‘Saturday Night Live’ Skewers Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Showdown With A Cameo From Mike Myers As Elon Musk – Deadline ‘Saturday Night Live’ Skewers Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Showdown With A Cameo From Mike Myers As Elon Musk Deadline’SNL’ Cold Open Takes On Trump/Zelenskyy, Mike Meyers as Elon Musk Variety‘SNL’ Spoofs Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Showdown With Cameo From Mike Myers as Elon Musk Hollywood Reporter‘SNL’ Cold Open: Mike Myers Crashes Zelenskyy Meeting as Elon Musk | Video Yahoo Entertainment‘SNL’ Cold Open: Mike Myers’ Elon Musk Clumsily Waves Chainsaw Around Trump’s Head Rolling Stone Source link #Saturday #Night #Live #Skewers #TrumpZelensky #Oval #Office #Showdown #Cameo #Mike #Myers #Elon #Musk #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Government’s tradie bonus scheme lures hundreds from eastern states and dozens from New Zealand Government’s tradie bonus scheme lures hundreds from eastern states and dozens from New Zealand Hundreds of eastern states tradies and dozens of Kiwis have seized on $10,000 sweeteners to move to WA, it can be revealed. The State Government opened applications for qualified building and construction workers on the first day of the new year in a bid to ramp up housing supply. Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk — who is locked in a fierce battle with an independent to hold onto her seat of Fremantle — revealed there were 268 applications in the first 49 days of the scheme. Of these, 205 are from other states or territories, largely New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and 63 are from New Zealand. Fifty-five have been approved, 180 are still being assessed and 33 were knocked back for being ineligible. There are 58 eligible occupations, with foreign applicants required to meet visa conditions. “It’s encouraging to see such a positive response to our Build a Life in WA incentive, which will help to get more boots on the ground so we can get homes built sooner for West Australians,” Ms McGurk said. Camera IconHousing approvals grew in December but not by enough to reach the Albanese’s 240,000 new homes a year target. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia “Since the scheme opened in January, we’ve seen the most interest from carpenters, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, and construction project managers.” The program provides a $5,000 payment for when a skilled worker gets a job with a WA employer and then another $5000 when they complete six months employment in the State’s building industry. As housing shaped up as a major election issue, WA Labor released a series of programs to boost housing and rental stock. In addition to the tradie incentive, the Government also offered grants to turn vacant homes and short stay rentals, such as Airbnbs, onto the long-term rental market. There have been 473 properties added to the long-term market from the short-term scheme and another 199 added under the vacant property scheme. Perth’s rental vacancy rate hit 2 per cent at the start of 2025 after dropping to a suffocating 0.7 per cent a year earlier. A balanced market typically has a vacancy rate between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent. Source link #Governments #tradie #bonus #scheme #lures #hundreds #eastern #states #dozens #Zealand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rates dropped by 28 basis points in February Rates dropped by 28 basis points in February Most mortgage rates have decreased again today. According to Zillow data, the current 30-year fixed interest rate is 6.27% — down 28 basis points since the beginning of February. The 15-year fixed rate is 5.57%, which is 31 basis points since this time last month. So, will mortgage rate keep dropping? It’s hard to say. There are a lot of economic and political unknowns right now, and various factors could push rates up or down. Overall, housing experts don’t think home loan rates will nosedive in 2025. Since rates are down over the last month, this could be a good time to buy a house. Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form. Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.27% 20-year fixed: 5.98% 15-year fixed: 5.57% 5/1 ARM: 6.53% 7/1 ARM: 6.62% 30-year VA: 5.72% 15-year VA: 5.18% 5/1 VA: 5.91% Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. Learn more: 5 strategies for getting the lowest mortgage rates These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.27% 20-year fixed: 5.88% 15-year fixed: 5.58% 5/1 ARM: 6.73% 7/1 ARM: 6.84% 30-year VA: 5.68% 15-year VA: 5.33% 5/1 VA: 6.09% 30-year FHA: 6.06% Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case. You can use Yahoo Finance’s free Yahoo’s free mortgage calculator to see how various interest rates and term lengths will impact your monthly mortgage payment. It also shows how the home price and down payment amount play into things. Our calculator includes homeowners insurance and property taxes in your monthly payment estimate. You even have the option to enter costs for private mortgage insurance (PMI) and homeowners’ association dues if those apply to you. These details result in a more accurate monthly payment estimate than if you simply calculated your mortgage principal and interest. There are two main advantages to a 30-year fixed mortgage: Your payments are lower, and your monthly payments are predictable. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has relatively low monthly payments because you’re spreading your repayment out over a longer ******* of time than with, say, a 15-year mortgage. Your payments are predictable because, unlike with an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), your rate isn’t going to change from year to year. Most years, the only things that might affect your monthly payment are any changes to your homeowners insurance or property taxes. The main disadvantage to 30-year fixed mortgage rates is mortgage interest — both in the short and long term. A 30-year fixed term comes with a higher rate than a shorter fixed term, and it’s higher than the intro rate to a 30-year ARM. The higher your rate, the higher your monthly payment. You’ll also pay much more in interest over the life of your loan due to both the higher rate and the longer term. The pros and cons of 15-year fixed mortgage rates are basically swapped from the 30-year rates. Yes, your monthly payments will still be predictable, but another advantage is that shorter terms come with lower interest rates. Not to mention, you’ll pay off your mortgage 15 years sooner. So you’ll save potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the course of your loan. However, because you’re paying off the same amount in half the time, your monthly payments will be higher than if you choose a 30-year term. Dig deeper: 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages Adjustable-rate mortgages lock in your rate for a predetermined amount of time, then change it periodically. For example, with a 5/1 ARM, your rate stays the same for the first five years and then goes up or down once per year for the remaining 25 years. The main advantage is that the introductory rate is usually lower than what you’ll get with a 30-year fixed rate, so your monthly payments will be lower. (Current average rates don’t necessarily reflect this, though — in some cases, fixed rates are actually lower. Talk to your lender before deciding between a fixed or adjustable rate.) With an ARM, you have no idea what mortgage rates will be like once the intro-rate ******* ends, so you risk your rate increasing later. This could ultimately end up costing more, and your monthly payments are unpredictable from year to year. But if you plan to move before the intro-rate ******* is over, you could reap the benefits of a low rate without risking a rate increase down the road. Learn more: Adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgage First of all, now is a relatively good time to buy a house compared to the last couple of years. Home prices aren’t spiking like they were during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, if you want or need to buy a house soon, you should feel pretty good about the current climate. Mortgage rates aren’t predicted to fall drastically throughout 2025 like people were expecting a few months ago. Now could be just as good a time to buy as in a couple of months from now, especially since rates fell a bit in February. The best time to buy is typically whenever it makes sense for your stage of life. Trying to time the real estate market can be as futile as timing the stock market — buy when it’s the right time for you. Read more: Which is more important, your home price or mortgage rate? According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.27% right now. But keep in mind that averages can vary depending on where you live. For example, if you’re buying in a city with a high cost of living, rates could be higher. Mortgage rates are expected to go down in general in 2025, though they probably won’t significantly drop anytime soon. Mortgage rates have been dropping over the last couple of weeks, and they’re down overall since February 1. In many ways, securing a low mortgage refinance rate is similar to when you bought your home. Try to improve your credit score and lower your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Refinancing into a shorter term will also land you a lower rate, though your monthly mortgage payments will be higher. Source link #Rates #dropped #basis #points #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Monster Hunter Wilds Launched With a Typo in Its Configuration File on PC, Players Claim Fixing It Improves FPS and Performance – TheGamePost Monster Hunter Wilds Launched With a Typo in Its Configuration File on PC, Players Claim Fixing It Improves FPS and Performance – TheGamePost Monster Hunter Wilds Launched With a Typo in Its Configuration File on PC, Players Claim Fixing It Improves FPS and Performance TheGamePostMonster Hunter Wilds Review IGN‘My air fryer is more optimized than this’: Monster Hunter Wilds players are suffering from performance issues Polygon‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ Is Already Steam’s 6th Biggest Game Ever, With A Catch ForbesMonster Hunter Wilds live launch coverage: Server status, hunting tips, and all the latest release day news PC Gamer Source link #Monster #Hunter #Wilds #Launched #Typo #Configuration #File #Players #Claim #Fixing #Improves #FPS #Performance #TheGamePost Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former bikie turns in Peake performance to win NZ Open Former bikie turns in Peake performance to win NZ Open Former bikie Ryan Peake has gone bogey-free for 55 holes to win the New Zealand Open in remarkable fashion. Source link #bikie #turns #Peake #performance #win #Open Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rubio signs declaration to expedite delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel Rubio signs declaration to expedite delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday he had signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel. The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel, Rubio said in a statement, adding that it “will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats.” Rubio said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel to its Middle East ally, now in a fragile ceasefire with ****** militants in their war in Gaza. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. The Pentagon said on Friday that the State Department had approved the potential ***** of nearly $3 billion worth of bombs, demolition kits and other weaponry to Israel. The administration notified Congress of those prospective weapons sales on an emergency basis, sidestepping a long-standing practice of giving the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees the opportunity to review the ***** and ask for more information before making a formal notification to Congress. Friday’s announcements marked the second time in recent weeks that President Donald Trump’s administration has declared an emergency to quickly approve weapons sales to Israel. The Biden administration also used emergency authority to approve the ***** of arms to Israel without congressional review. On Monday, the Trump administration rescinded a Biden-era order requiring it to report potential violations of international law involving U.S.-supplied weapons by allies, including Israel. It has also eliminated most U.S. humanitarian foreign aid. The January 19 Israel-****** ceasefire agreement halted 15 months of fighting and paved the way for talks on ending the war, while leading to the release of 44 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and around 2,000 ************ prisoners and detainees held by Israel. Hours after the first phase of the agreed ceasefire was set to expire, Israel said early on Sunday it would adopt a proposal by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza for the Ramadan and Passover periods. Israel and ****** have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, casting doubt over the second phase of the deal meant to include releases of additional hostages and prisoners as well as steps toward a permanent end of the war. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by William Mallard) Source link #Rubio #signs #declaration #expedite #delivery #billion #military #aid #Israel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Head of federal watchdog agency fired by Trump should remain on the job, judge rules – CNN Head of federal watchdog agency fired by Trump should remain on the job, judge rules – CNN Head of federal watchdog agency fired by Trump should remain on the job, judge rules CNNFederal judge rules Trump’s firing of head of special counsel was unlawful, will maintain his job Fox NewsJudge Rules Trump Can’t Fire Head of Federal Watchdog Agency Without Cause The New York Times Source link #federal #watchdog #agency #fired #Trump #remain #job #judge #rules #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is coming: thousands on alert Tropical Cyclone Alfred is coming: thousands on alert Tropical cyclone Alfred is tipped to make landfall as a category two system and coastal communities have been put on alert amid concerns about strong flooding. Source link #Tropical #Cyclone #Alfred #coming #thousands #alert Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]