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Elden Ring Nightreign Players Have a New Gank Fight to Worry About Elden Ring Nightreign Players Have a New Gank Fight to Worry About Now that the Nightreign beta is over, players are asking for the gank fight against the Draconic Tree Sentinel and Cavalrymen to be changed, and for good reason. Source link #Elden #Ring #Nightreign #Players #Gank #Fight #Worry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Talented Great Southern group continue Claremont’s strong relationship with GSFLW in bid to find future stars Talented Great Southern group continue Claremont’s strong relationship with GSFLW in bid to find future stars The Great Southern is garnering a reputation for breeding future female footy stars, with a record nine players part of the Claremont Football Club’s women’s squad this year. Source link #Talented #Great #Southern #group #continue #Claremonts #strong #relationship #GSFLW #bid #find #future #stars Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hilarious new Halo Combat Evolved glitch lets players drive the iconic Halo Ring itself Hilarious new Halo Combat Evolved glitch lets players drive the iconic Halo Ring itself A new Halo Combat Evolved glitch has been discovered that allows players to control the iconic Halo ring itself. Source link #Hilarious #Halo #Combat #Evolved #glitch #lets #players #drive #iconic #Halo #Ring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Extreme Drop in Oxygen Will Eventually Suffocate Most Life on Earth Extreme Drop in Oxygen Will Eventually Suffocate Most Life on Earth Earth with a glowing horizon For now, life is flourishing on our oxygen-rich planet, but Earth wasn’t always that way – and scientists have predicted that, in the future, the atmosphere will revert back to one that’s rich in methane and low in oxygen. This probably won’t happen for another billion years or so. But when the change comes, it’s going to happen fairly rapidly, according to research published in 2021. This shift will take the planet back to something like the state it was in before what’s known as the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) around 2.4 billion years ago. “For many years, the lifespan of Earth’s biosphere has been discussed based on scientific knowledge about the steadily brightening of the sun and global carbonate-silicate geochemical cycle,” environmental scientist Kazumi Ozaki from Toho University in Japan said when the study was published. “One of the corollaries of such a theoretical framework is a continuous decline in atmospheric CO2 levels and global warming on geological timescales.” The researchers say that atmospheric oxygen is unlikely to be a permanent feature of habitable worlds in general, which has implications for our efforts to detect signs of life further out in the Universe. Evolution of atmospheric O2 predicted by the model. (Ozaki and Reinhard, Nature Geoscience, 2021) “The model projects that a deoxygenation of the atmosphere, with atmospheric O2 dropping sharply to levels reminiscent of the Archaean Earth, will most probably be triggered before the inception of moist greenhouse conditions in Earth’s climate system and before the extensive loss of surface water from the atmosphere,” the team explained in their paper. At that point it’ll be the end of the road for human beings and most other life forms that rely on oxygen to get through the day, so let’s hope we figure out how to get off the planet at some point within the next billion years. Humans and most other life forms rely on oxygen. (Drazen_/Canva) To reach their conclusions, the researchers ran detailed models of Earth’s biosphere, factoring in changes in the brightness of the Sun and the corresponding drop in carbon dioxide levels, as the gas gets broken down by increasing levels of heat. Less carbon dioxide means fewer photosynthesizing organisms such as plants, which would result in less oxygen. Scientists have previously predicted that increased radiation from the Sun would wipe ocean waters off the face of our planet within about 2 billion years, but the model here – based on an average of just under 400,000 simulations – says the reduction in oxygen is going to kill off life first. “The drop in oxygen is very, very extreme,” Earth scientist Chris Reinhard, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, told New Scientist. “We’re talking around a million times less oxygen than there is today.” What makes the study particularly relevant to the present day is our search for habitable planets outside of the Solar System. Increasingly powerful telescopes are coming online, and scientists want to be able to know what they should be looking for in the reams of data these instruments are collecting. It’s possible that we need to be hunting for other biosignatures besides oxygen to have the best chance of spotting life, the researchers say. Their study was part of the NASA NExSS (Nexus for Exoplanet System Science) project, which is investigating the habitability of planets other than our own. According to the calculations run by Ozaki and Reinhard, the oxygen-rich habitable history of Earth could end up lasting for just 20-30 percent of the planet’s lifespan as a whole – and microbial life will carry on existing long after we are gone. “The atmosphere after the great deoxygenation is characterized by an elevated methane, low-levels of CO2, and no ozone layer,” said Ozaki. “The Earth system will probably be a world of anaerobic life forms.” The research was published in Nature Geoscience. An earlier version of this article was published in March 2021. Related News Source link #Extreme #Drop #Oxygen #Eventually #Suffocate #Life #Earth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Is Best Void Erosion Stage For Farming? The First Descendant Players Give Their Two Cents What Is Best Void Erosion Stage For Farming? The First Descendant Players Give Their Two Cents After talking about the changes coming with the February 13 Update, a new way of releasing content (instead of Season 3, we will get Season 2 Episode 2), new characters, Fellows, and upcoming improvements, The First Descendant devs revealed an expanded roadmap, showing what to expect in the following months. Source link #Void #Erosion #Stage #Farming #Descendant #Players #Give #Cents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

stock moves, *** inflation data, earnings stock moves, *** inflation data, earnings *** inflation jumps to higher-than-expected 3% in January Annual U.K. inflation rose to 3% in January, higher than analyst expectations, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a reading of 2.8%. Read more here. — Holly Ellyatt Philips CEO says ******** consumer recovery is ‘when not if’ story Philips CEO Roy Jakobs said Wednesday that recovery in ******** consumer demand was a “when not if” story, after the health-care technology giant reported a double-digit fall in China sales. “We believe [******** demand] will come back, long term it’s attractive, but we’re just not sure when it’s going to happen and when it’s going to hit that inflection point,” Jakobs told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe.” Jakobs said that the importance of health care to the country’s ageing population meant pent-up demand would start to build up, and that he foresees strength in North America sales to continue. On the risks to the business from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Jakobs said Philips had already been reducing its exports from China to the U.S. and had included the impact in its current guidance. He added that “uncertainty around tariffs” was why the company had provided a wide adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margin outlook for 2025 of 30 to 80 basis points. Philips reported a 1% increase in comparable sales growth for both the fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 on Wednesday. Its net loss widened to 698 million euros ($729.9 million) from 463 million euros on an annual basis, with fourth-quarter performance slipping year on year from a 38 million euro profit to a 333 million euros loss. That weaker annual loss was in part due to a nearly 1 billion euro provision after it settled in a long-running U.S. case over its Respironics devices. Jakobs said 2024 had been a “pivotal” year for Philips in which it had reduced liability and improved its fundamentals, including margin expansion and strong cash generation. — Jenni Reid Philips sales slightly higher but miss expectations amid China weakness Dutch health-care technology group Philips on Wednesday reported comparable sales growth of 1% for the fourth quarter and 1% for the full year 2024, as strength in North America was offset by a double-digit decline in China. The quarterly figure was below market expectations, according to Reuters. Sales fell in its Diagnosis and Treatment and Personal Health units, and rose 7% in its Connected Care business. The company said its outlook was for 1%-3% comparable sales growth in 2025, with a mid- to high-single-digit decline in China. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Philips share price. European stocks are outperforming their U.S. counterparts — but for how long?European markets: Here are the opening calls European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Wednesday. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 5 points lower at 8,763, Germany’s DAX up 9 points at 22,868, France’s CAC down 12 points at 8,209 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 58 points higher at 38,686, according to data from IG. Earnings come from BAE Systems, Glencore, Rio Tinto, Koninklijke Philips and Carrefour. Data releases Wednesday include the latest U.K. inflation data. Economists polled by Reuters expect the U.K.’s consumer price index to have risen to 2.8% in January, up from 2.5% the previous month. — Holly Ellyatt Source link #stock #moves #inflation #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin Holds Strong with $1.88 Trillion Market Cap Despite Crypto Dip Bitcoin Holds Strong with $1.88 Trillion Market Cap Despite Crypto Dip The cryptocurrency market was marked by notable developments yesterday, including the closure of a significant deal by MARA Holdings (NASDAQ:) for a wind farm in Texas, a substantial crypto fund rollout by Grayscale in the ecosystem, and a noteworthy transaction involving Tether’s unsolicited bid for a major stake in Adecoagro. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price (BTC) has shown some volatility, with a slight dip in its value, sparking discussions about its future trajectory. As the market absorbs these events, Bitcoin remains a focal point for analysts and traders assessing its role in the broader digital currency space. Bitcoin Holds Steady Amid Slight Dip ’s price recently experienced a slight decline, dropping to $95,578.70, a change of approximately -0.20%. This decrease came as part of a broader market trend influenced by several factors, including outflows from crypto funds and ongoing developments in the regulatory environment. Despite this dip, Bitcoin’s market capitalization stands robust at over $1.88 trillion, underscoring its significant presence in the digital asset sector. The cryptocurrency’s price has oscillated between a daily low of $95,146.31 and a high of $96,899, reflecting the current market’s uncertainty. The recent market activity also includes a noteworthy transaction by Metaplanet, which announced a 10:1 stock split following a remarkable 3,900% price surge. This move has generated considerable interest and speculation about its potential impact on Bitcoin and the broader market. Additionally, the US-listed Bitcoin miners have reportedly accounted for 29% of the global hashrate, signifying the growing influence of American mining operations in the crypto landscape. Meanwhile in the Cryptoverse In the realm of blockchain news, MARA Holdings has successfully closed a deal for a wind farm in Texas, a strategic move that aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions in the crypto mining industry. This development is part of a broader trend of integrating renewable energy sources into the blockchain ecosystem, an initiative that has been gaining momentum in recent years. Meanwhile, Grayscale has expanded its reach by introducing a new crypto fund focused on the Solana ecosystem, enhancing investor access to this burgeoning blockchain network. This move is expected to attract more institutional investors to the Solana platform, further solidifying its position in the competitive crypto market. In another significant development, has made an unsolicited bid for a majority stake in Adecoagro, a leading agribusiness firm in South America. This move reflects Tether’s strategic efforts to diversify its investment portfolio while leveraging its financial influence. *** Neither the author, Tim Fries, nor this website, The Tokenist, provide financial advice. Please consult our website policy prior to making financial decisions. This article was originally published on The Tokenist. Check out The Tokenist’s free newsletter, Five Minute Finance, for weekly analysis of the biggest trends in finance and technology. Source link #Bitcoin #Holds #Strong #Trillion #Market #Cap #Crypto #Dip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Six Nations 2025: Why have Townsend’s Scotland had hex on England? Six Nations 2025: Why have Townsend’s Scotland had hex on England? Despite Scotland’s recent dominance, the past seven meetings have been largely tight affairs. The average final score across those matches is 23-19 in Scotland’s favour. Five of the seven meetings have been decided by a score or less. Crucially, Scotland lead the combined try count 19-13 and only once in the sequence have England managed to score 25 points or more – in the extraordinary 38-38 draw at Twickenham in 2019. “It’s almost like Scotland have very much looked forward to this game more than England have in the last number of years,” Laidlaw said. “Scotland have been on the front foot and it’s almost like England have just tried to defend their way to a win rather than using their attack.” BBC pundit and former England international Chris Ashton – who won four from four against Scotland during his Test career – says Steve Borthwick’s current side will be desperate to avoid a record fifth consecutive defeat. “I can’t really comprehend being beaten by Scotland four times in a row,” Ashton told the BBC’s Scotland Rugby Podcast. “That is not something I would want hanging over my head. But there’s not too many in this England team who have experienced all that – maybe three or four. “So I don’t know how transferable it is. But, no matter what, if they get beat, it’s a hell of a tag to have against your name, isn’t it?” Source link #Nations #Townsends #Scotland #hex #England Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Please, Capcom, Fix Onimusha: Way of the Swords Silly Tone Please, Capcom, Fix Onimusha: Way of the Swords Silly Tone TNS: I’m concerned about the Onimusha: Way of the Sword trailer’s tone which, frankly, feels way off compared to where it should be. Source link #Capcom #Fix #Onimusha #Swords #Silly #Tone Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AMC Stock Surges on Bitcoin News—Meme Stocks Making a Comeback? AMC Stock Surges on Bitcoin News—Meme Stocks Making a Comeback? Ever since the COVID-19 days of the meme stock saga, a couple of companies have fallen into a cycle that has been repeating since then. Investors get excited about a potential chance to multiply their wealth, only to find that what they have invested in doesn’t actually justify the value they paid, much less a higher one that will bring them any profits. This episode seems to be happening again. The GameStop (NYSE:) saga that started the retail sector meme stock mania of the early 2020s spread to another name with a similar setup. Shares of AMC Entertainment (NYSE:) followed suit in the way that investors bought into management’s fantasy pitch for a turnaround and revolutionizing movie theatres, even though five years later, nothing has happened. As investors will find out in just a minute, today’s rally in AMC stock is nothing but the latest round of what could be called a “Pump” in the sock price, so that the company can issue more expensive shares to raise capital, and then the market’s sense of logic comes back to bring the stock price down to where it should be, if not lower due to this new share dilution. What’s Behind the Rally in AMC? Over the past trading week, shares of AMC rallied just under 20% from their low level of $3.05 per share to $3.55. The reason behind this jump was a news announcement declaring AMC would invest in to improve and upgrade its payment systems and bring more value to its balance sheet. Now, this may sound similar to a recent breakout in another company that has been diluting shareholders through issuing more stock, only to buy more Bitcoin for its balance sheet and make it seem like the company is worth much more than it actually is. MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:) has broken out over the past 12 months to an obscene performance of 382%, and the basis behind this rally is what matters to investors trying to figure out whether there’s any substance to this recent AMC rally. By diluting shareholders, MicroStrategy used this new capital to buy Bitcoin at the market price, which is already trading near all-time highs (not a great risk-to-reward setup). In exchange, the company has successfully bloated its balance sheet and boosted its book value. If MicroStrategy makes no revenue outside of share dilution, is it really that much different than buying a leveraged fund that only buys Bitcoin? The answer is no; there’s no difference. Then here’s what happens. MicroStrategy does extremely well when Bitcoin does well, but if Bitcoin pulls back, investors are in for a world of pain. Given that AMC and GameStop are now colliding to pursue a similar strategy, investors would be best served by staying away from the charts altogether, lest they be tempted to buy into any further breakouts, which would have no substance other than a Bitcoin pump. Is There Really no Value? For AMC, as a company, the answer is not really. Through its rights and some fixed assets, the company does have a basement valuation so to speak. Still, there is no path to growing this basement value, and here are some financial figures for investors to take that message home. One of the most important measures in a company’s financials is free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures), since it can give investors a measure of whether further dilution or debt has to be considered moving forward. In the case of AMC, the latest quarterly results suggest this. A net operating loss of $31.5 million would leave the company with nearly $100 million of negative free cash flow after capital expenditures of $60.7 million. The conclusion is that the company cannot make a profit as it currently stands, and buying Bitcoin for its balance sheet (through share dilution) won’t change that. This would also explain why the company has no book value to measure or value from since investors in it have to carry the burden of debts overwhelming the few assets that are still present. In plain English, investors would be buying a company with a negative net worth and one that makes no profit. On that note, any and all breakouts on fantasy news from management and Bitcoin or other technology should be taken with a grain of salt unless investors want to risk being stuck in another meme stock rug pull. Original Post Source link #AMC #Stock #Surges #Bitcoin #NewsMeme #Stocks #Making #Comeback Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fanning misses ton, WA on top of Queensland in Shield Fanning misses ton, WA on top of Queensland in Shield Opening batsman Sam Fanning made 95 to place Western Australia in a strong position against Queensland at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield game. Source link #Fanning #misses #ton #top #Queensland #Shield Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

KARMA: The Dark World to Launch Next Month on PS5 and PC, Will Support PS5 Pro KARMA: The Dark World to Launch Next Month on PS5 and PC, Will Support PS5 Pro Wired Productions and Pollard Studio announced the release date of the first-person psychological thriller game KARMA: The Dark World. Source link #KARMA #Dark #World #Launch #Month #PS5 #Support #PS5 #Pro Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Abercrombie & Fitch Can Double After Corrective Dip – Technical View Abercrombie & Fitch Can Double After Corrective Dip – Technical View For over a quarter of a century after its 1996 IPO, fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:) had been unable to produce reliable shareholder returns. Even the stock’s noteworthy rallies to over $80 and $70 a share in 2007 and 2011, respectively, were soon followed by declines back below the $20 mark. The last such drop in 2022, however, gave way to a much ******* surge to nearly $200 by mid-2024. Alas, the bulls couldn’t maintain momentum and the share price has been cut almost in half to $106 over the last eight months. Is this time different, or should we expect another selloff to the mid-teens like in the past? The Elliott Wave chart below gives us a hint. The weekly chart of Abercrombie & Fitch stock shows that the post-2022 surge has an impulsive structure. It can be marked 1-2-3-4-5 in wave (3) following another impulse pattern in wave (1) and a simple a-b-c zigzag in wave (2). The current near-50% slump should then be wave (4) with wave (5) yet to lift ANF to a new record. Fifth waves are never guaranteed, but the structure of wave (4) looks promising for the bulls. It can be seen as a simple a-b-c zigzag with a triangle in wave ‘b’. Triangles precede the final wave of the larger sequence, in this case wave ‘c’. So if this count is correct, we can expect the uptrend to resume in wave (5) as soon as wave ‘c’ of (4) is over. Upside targets near $220 make sense, which means that Abercrombie & Fitch stock can roughly double from its current level. Once the bulls reach the new high, however, the impulse pattern, which began in 2020, would be complete. According to the theory, a three-wave correction should then take place. Instead of a fresh ‘buy’ signal, we think that the anticipated rally above $200 would be a good profit-taking opportunity. Original Post Source link #Abercrombie #Fitch #Double #Corrective #Dip #Technical #View Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A mysterious ‘****** hole’ in Pacific Ocean that sparked wild rumors online A mysterious ‘****** hole’ in Pacific Ocean that sparked wild rumors online When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A 2021 Google Maps image of Vostok Island was shared widely online alongside ill-conceived rumors about what it could be. | Credit: Google Maps QUICK FACTS Where is it? Vostok Island, Kiribati [-10.06285840, -152.311076] What’s in the photo? A coral island covered in trees that make it look like a “****** hole” Where did the photo originate? Google Maps When was it taken? October 2021 This striking satellite image, taken from Google Maps in 2021, shows a bizarre, jet-******, triangular structure in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. At the time, the mysterious object, which was widely referred to as a “****** hole,” sparked wild rumors online. However, it was quickly revealed to be an uninhabited island covered with dense trees. The screenshot was initially shared on Reddit and, despite being labeled as an island in the caption, accumulated a variety of speculative comments that were published by tabloid media sites at the time. These unusual ideas included a deep pit under the planet and a top-secret military base that had been blurred out. However, it was quickly confirmed that the dark patch was actually Vostok Island, one of the 33 landmasses that make up the Republic of Kiribati in the South Pacific, the BBC reported at the time. The island, which is a coral atoll, has an area of just 0.1 square mile (0.25 square kilometer) and is located around 4,000 miles (6,000 km) east of Australia. The virtually ****** color in the Google Maps image is the result of the island’s densely populated Pisonia trees, which almost completely fill the island’s interior. These trees are dark green, but in such a high concentration, they look much darker from low Earth orbit, according to the BBC. Related: See all the best images of Earth from space From sea level, Vostok Island looks like a typical coral atoll covered with dense Pisonia trees. | Credit: Angela K. Kepler/Wikimedia Pisonia trees are known to grow so closely to one another that they often prevent any other tree or plant species from taking root in between them because they block out so much light, according to the academic news site JSTOR Daily. The dense foliage also lures a variety of seabirds, including boobies, noddies and frigatebirds, according to a 1971 survey. These birds get covered in sticky seed pods and thus help disperse them to other islands. MORE EARTH FROM SPACE —Antarctica’s ‘Deception Island’ is one of the only places on Earth where you can sail into an active volcano —Gravity waves spark pair of perfect cloud ripples above uninhabited islands —Svalbard’s radioactive ‘Bear Island’ surrounded by rare cloud swirls and a giant algal bloom In other parts of the world, some birds have been known to get so stuck with the Pisonia pods that they become entrapped and die, JSTOR Daily reported. As a result, there are sometimes piles of bones beneath the trees. Before being discovered by Russian explorers in 1820, Vostok Island had shown no sign of ever being inhabited by humans, according to a 1966 article in Pacific Islands Monthly, and it has not had any permanent residents since. This is likely because there is no reliable source of fresh water on the island. Source link #mysterious #****** #hole #Pacific #Ocean #sparked #wild #rumors #online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marvel Rivals Seattle-Based Development Team Affected by Layoffs Marvel Rivals Seattle-Based Development Team Affected by Layoffs The development workforce working on Marvel Rivals has been affected by layoffs according to Game Director Thaddeus Sasser. Source link #Marvel #Rivals #SeattleBased #Development #Team #Affected #Layoffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The S&P 500 notches a record amid Trump uncertainty The S&P 500 notches a record amid Trump uncertainty Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 13, 2025. Danielle DeVries | CNBC U.S. President Donald Trump’s whirlwind blitz through the bureaucracy, economic policy and geopolitical affairs isn’t ending. As top U.S. officials meet their Russian counterparts for high-level talks, Trump suggested to reporters that Ukraine was somehow responsible for inciting Moscow’s invasion of the country. On other fronts, however, Trump is leaving things undisturbed. His administration left intact stiff rules — put in place during former U.S. President Joe Biden’s term — overseeing corporate mergers. That could come as a let-down to Wall Street, which had been looking forward to an uptick in deals because of expectations that the Trump administration would be pro-business and less opposed to mergers and acquisitions. But that didn’t disappoint investors much. The S&P 500 set a new closing record on Tuesday. And, further from Trump, the European Stoxx 600 also notched a fresh high. What you need to know today New record for S&P 500On Tuesday, the S&P 500 added 0.24% to close at a fresh high of 6,129.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat and the Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.07%. However, Meta shares snapped their 20-day winning streak. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Wednesday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell around 0.3% but South Korea’s Kospi Index climbed over 1.7%. Separately, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut rates by 50 basis points to 3.75%. Deal-making activity in China ramps upMerger and acquisition deals in China are starting to rebound as Beijing’s stimulus measures start to bear fruit, while pressure from Donald Trump’s tariffs is also driving industry consolidation. Data from Dealogic showed a 78.5% jump in the value of M&A transactions in China in the fourth quarter of 2024, which helped full-year activity rise for first time in five years. HSBC announces share buybackHSBC reported Wednesday full-year earnings that missed analyst estimates compiled by LSEG. Revenue in 2024 for Europe’s largest lender came in at $65.85 billion, down from $66.1 billion the year prior. The bank’s pre-tax profit of $32.31 billion rose 6.5% year on year, but was below the LSEG estimate of $32.63 billion. HSBC also announced a share buyback of up to $2 billion. Strict merger rules left intactThe Trump administration on Tuesday said it will keep using strict guidelines, adopted during former U.S. President Joe Biden’s term, to review proposed corporate mergers. The decision is a victory for the anticorporate wing of the Trump administration, embodied by Vice President JD Vance, but a blow to Wall Street, which had been anticipating more deals under a loosened framework for evaluating proposed mergers. U.S. meets Russia in Saudi ArabiaU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Tuesday morning in Saudi Arabia, the first formal sit-down meeting between top U.S. and Russian diplomats since January 2022. Both sides emphasized that talks were preliminary. On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine “should never have started it,” referring to Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022. [PRO] Divided over Europe’s outperformance of U.S.The Stoxx 600 index rose 6.3% in January, far higher than the 2.7% gain of the S&P 500. The former’s outperformance has persisted into February, rising more than the U.S. broad-based index month to date. While some analysts are optimistic the trend can endure, others warn that “European investors may need to enjoy it while it lasts” because of one fundamental driver of markets And finally… DeepSeek offices in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2025. Peter Catterall | Afp | Getty Images China’s DeepSeek has taken the world by storm. Here are the brains powering the AI sensation Artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has rocketed into global prominence, but the team behind it is relatively unknown outside China. DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, has been dubbed by some in Western media as China’s Sam Altman. But unlike his Silicon Valley counterpart, Liang has maintained a low public profile. Liang’s team, comprising young graduates from some of the country’s leading universities, is also little known. The team consists of fewer than 140 people, according to ******** state media, though a research paper on its latest R1 reasoning model lists about 200 contributors. Here’s an overview of the people behind the AI sensation and how the startup came into being. Source link #notches #record #Trump #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on autos, chips and pharmaceuticals – CNN Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on autos, chips and pharmaceuticals – CNN Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on autos, chips and pharmaceuticals CNNTrump Floats 25% Tariffs on US Auto, Drug and Chip Imports BloombergCars could get more expensive again as tariff-loving Trump warns automakers: You’re next FortuneTrump teases 25 percent semiconductor tariffs that will go ‘substantially higher’ The RegisterBloomberg Daybreak Europe: Trump Wants More 25% Tariffs Bloomberg Source link #Trump #plans #impose #tariffs #autos #chips #pharmaceuticals #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inflation soars on airfares and private school fees Inflation soars on airfares and private school fees *** inflation rose sharply in January after airfares failed to fall as quickly as expected and private school fees jumped. The unexpected rise to 3% in the year to January, from 2.5% in December, means that consumer prices rose at the fastest rate for 10 months. Private school fees grew by 13%, according to the Office for National Statistics, as VAT was added from 1 January after the government removed the tax exemption. The cost of meat, bread and cereals also contributed to rising prices and inflation is forecast to rise further in the coming months, with higher energy prices pushing up the cost of living for households. Source link #Inflation #soars #airfares #private #school #fees Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Major incident declared over large sinkhole Major incident declared over large sinkhole A council has declared a major incident after a massive sinkhole appeared in a high street in Surrey. The hole first appeared in Godstone High Street late on Monday night, growing to at least 65ft (20m) long by Tuesday lunchtime. A number of homes have been evacuated, with at least one garden falling into the hole. By Tuesday morning, police had told residents in William Way to “get out as quickly as possible” over fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables. Investigations remain ongoing to make the area safe and to repair utilities, Surrey County Council said. Carl Bussey, the council’s assistant director for safer communities, said: “Residents from within the cordon – around 30 properties – are being supported by Tandridge District Council with advice around accommodation.” The operation is now being managed by Surrey Local Resilience Forum, with Surrey County Council as the lead agency. SES Water is to open a water station at 07:30 GMT for those that have lost supply. Road diversions remain in place in the area. Repairs are expected to take several months. Source link #Major #incident #declared #large #sinkhole Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jai Culley: West Coast Eagles call to cut former mid-season No.1 draft pick ‘unfathomable’ says footy great Jai Culley: West Coast Eagles call to cut former mid-season No.1 draft pick ‘unfathomable’ says footy great A football great has labelled West Coast’s call to cut Jai Culley from its list “unfathomable”, with the midfielder now set to be left without a list spot. Source link #Jai #Culley #West #Coast #Eagles #call #cut #midseason #No.1 #draft #pick #unfathomable #footy #great Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Four in five homebuyers to pay more stamp duty from April Four in five homebuyers to pay more stamp duty from April The cost of buying a home in the *** will rise for most homebuyers from April, with new analysis revealing that four in five homeowners England and Northern Ireland will pay more stamp duty. The 2% rate between £125,000 and £250,000 will return in April, in a blow to the *** property market. Currently, only 49% of homeowners are liable for stamp duty, but this proportion will surge to 83% once the revised rules take effect. As a result, many will face a higher stamp duty burden, amounting to an extra £2,500 on purchases that cost between £125,000 and £250,000. The changes will generate an additional £1.1bn annually for the government, according to property site Zoopla. Read more: Homeowners hit with £243 monthly rise at end of fixed-rate mortgages Only 17% will remain exempt from stamp duty after the changes, which will impact homeowners purchasing properties over £250,000. The changes will have different effects regionally, with the West Midlands seeing the largest increase, with the number of homeowners liable for stamp duty surging by 66%, followed by the East Midlands (55%) and the North West (50%). The impact will vary across the ***. In the North East just 7% of homeowners currently pay stamp duty, but this will rise to 40% from April. Meanwhile, homeowners in London face the highest stamp duty rates, with 97% of sales expected to be subject to the tax by April. The regions most affected by the return of the 2% band are the South West and Eastern England, where the percentage of sales paying stamp duty will increase by 41% and 21% respectively. First-time buyers will also see an increase in the proportion liable for stamp duty. Under current rules, 21% of first-time buyers pay stamp duty. However, by April 2025, this will double to 42%, with the increase most acutely felt by those purchasing homes in London and the South East. Purchases between £300,000 and £625,000 will see an increase in tax liability, with costs of up to £15,000 per purchase. Buying at £350,000 will cost £2,500 per purchase, up from £0 today. Buying a £500,000 home will cost £10,000 in stamp duty, up from £3,750 today and buying at £550,000 will jump from £6,250 to £15,000. Read more: Average *** house price rises to almost £368,000 Yet, 58% of first-time buyers will remain exempt from stamp duty on purchases of homes priced under £300,000, benefiting those buying in areas with lower property values, such as the North East and North West. The number of first-time buyers liable to pay stamp duty will be the lowest in the North East (2%), Yorkshire and the Humber (3%), Northern Ireland (5%) and the North West (5%). Story continues Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “Stamp duty has become a big source of tax revenue, approaching £10bn a year for the government. The reduction in tax reliefs from April will see more homebuyers paying stamp duty.” Donnell added: “Existing homeowners will pay up to £2,500 more for each purchase across a large number of sales. The average seller has made £60,000 in capital gains, so there is flexibility to absorb this cost, but buyers will expect to factor this extra cost into what they offer. “It’s positive that most first-time buyers will still pay no stamp duty from April, but these changes hit those buying over £300,000 in southern England the hardest, where buying costs are already high. This will reduce buying power and market activity at a local level.” Read more: How to complete on a property before stamp duty deadline in March He also warned that stamp duty continues to be a major tax burden, particularly in southern England, where affordability challenges are already pressing. “The case for reforming stamp duty remains, but the question is where to replace the multi-billion-pound tax revenues,” Donnell said. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland. In Scotland — where the tax is referred to as land and buildings transaction tax — buyers are required to pay if the property’s value is above £145,000, or over £175,000 for first-time buyers. In Wales, the stamp duty, known as transaction tax, applies to properties valued over £225,000. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Source link #homebuyers #pay #stamp #duty #April Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rihanna issues first statement after A$AP Rocky's legal victory – Geo News Rihanna issues first statement after A$AP Rocky's legal victory – Geo News Rihanna issues first statement after A$AP Rocky’s legal victory Geo NewsA$AP Rocky is found not guilty in his felony gun trial Yahoo EntertainmentASAP Rocky Found Not Guilty of Shooting Former Friend in Assault Trial The New York TimesKanye West and 50 Cent react to A$AP Rocky’s acquittal after not guilty verdict The Express Tribune Source link #Rihanna #issues #statement #AAP #Rocky039s #legal #victory #Geo #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man jailed for attempted ******* of former PM Fumio Kishida Man jailed for attempted ******* of former PM Fumio Kishida A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted ******* of Japan’s former prime minister Fumio Kishida in 2023. Ryuji Kimura, 25, hurled a pipe bomb at Kishida as the country’s leader approached a crowd for a speech during an election event in the city of Wakayama. Although Kishida was unharmed, the explosion of the homemade device caused minor injuries to a police officer and a member of the public. The attack shocked Japan as it came less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead at an outdoor election campaign event. Kimura, who was sentenced on Wednesday, claimed during questioning his intention was not to kill Kishida, but to object to the country’s election age regulation which prevented him from getting into politics. He further added that he threw the bomb to bring attention to a civil lawsuit he filed in 2022, which was dismissed. Kimura’s defence argued he should not face a charge of attempted *******, as he did not expect the bomb to cause injuries, and that a three-year prison sentence would be reasonable given the extent of those injuries. The court stated, however, that the explosives were powerful enough to cause fatal damage. When handing down the ruling, presiding judge Keiko Fukushima noted that “targeting a serving prime minister caused significant anxiety to society as a whole.” In addition to the attempted ******* charge, Kimura was also found guilty of violating explosives regulations and firearms control laws. His 10-year sentence is five years less than what prosecutors had sought. While violent attacks are extremely rare in Japan, anxiety around politicians’ security has surged in the wake of Abe’s assassination in 2022. The attempted attack on Kishida, which came less than a year later, raised questions as to why there was not a tighter security presence around the country’s leader at that time. Source link #Man #jailed #attempted #******* #Fumio #Kishida Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Sector is Performing 3 Times Better Than Tech Stocks This Sector is Performing 3 Times Better Than Tech Stocks Financial stocks have outperformed tech stocks over the past 12 months and YTD. Financials have beaten all sectors except for one over those time periods. Can the outperformance continue? It has beaten the tech sector over the past 12 months and YTD. have been the dominant performers over the long term, but in the past year or so, there has been a shift. As technology stocks have surged in recent years, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence, their valuations have become extremely high. In many cases, the prices have shot so high, they are unsustainable, relative to earnings. That has caused some stocks in the technology sector to correct or drop by at least 10%. At the same time, the shift in the market has been good for other stocks, particularly those in sectors that had been beaten down and devalued, like financials. have endured some difficult years. Banks struggled in 2023 during the banking deposit crisis, brought on by high interest rates. Investment banks were challenged by high inflation and two of the worst years ever for mergers and acquisitions. But over the past year or so, investors have been seeking out values, and have found them in the financial sector, as the economy has improved, and inflation rates have dropped. In fact, financials have outperformed technology stocks in recent months. Financials Are the Second Best Performing Sector Over the past 12 months, large-cap financial stocks have returned 33.7% on average, according to Fidelity Investments data. That is better than any other sector, except communication services, which has a one-year return of 37.2% as of February 18. The information technology sector has an average return of 28.1% over that *******. Within financials, consumer finance stocks have performed the best, up 54.8%, while banks are right behind with an average return of 51.3%. Those returns are better than any industry within IT, including semiconductors, which have an average return of 51.2% over the past 12 months. The performance gap becomes even wider when looking at returns year-to-date. Financial stocks within the are up 7.0% YTD, second only to at 8.8%. IT stocks this year have returned just 1.6%, with up just 3.4%. IT is the second worst performing sector YTD, ahead of only stocks, which have returned 0.9% YTD. The S&P 500 overall is up 4.0% YTD. As mentioned, a lot of it has to do with investors looking for good values in an improving economic environment. And with financials still mostly undervalued, and tech stocks still mostly overvalued, the outperformance of financials could continue in the near-term. Original Post Source link #Sector #Performing #Times #Tech #Stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NAB’s share price belting adds to banking’s horror week as margins compress NAB’s share price belting adds to banking’s horror week as margins compress NAB has added to banking’s horror week, with its shares recording their biggest loss in five years as investors took fright at another weak profit result. Australia’s biggest business lender surrendered as much as 8.5 per cent on Wednesday, extending its value losses over the past week to $15 billion, after the lender revealed cash earnings had fallen 2 per cent to $1.7 billion in the first quarter. The result reinforced investor concern that bank margins are declining under competition pressure, coming days after Westpac and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank also reported lower earnings. Bank stocks had been running hot, with the big lenders recording strong gains since mid-2023. However, NAB shares are off 11.4 per cent in the past five trading sessions, while Westpac has shed 7 per cent and Bendigo Bank 18.4 per cent. All up, the financials index has given up nearly 5 per cent since last week, weighing on the S&P-ASX200, which is 1.4 per cent lower. NAB on Wednesday called out a “small decline in net interest margin” in the quarterly profit fall, blaming it on higher funding costs and competition in lending and deposits. Revenue for the quarter was 3 per cent better, but that was offset by higher credit impairment charges and other expenses. Citi analysts said the profit result was “thereabouts” market forecasts, but “we think the market will come away concerned by revenue growth . . . and underlying asset deterioration”. NAB’s expenses rose 2 per cent on “higher personnel and financial crime-related costs, along with increased technology spend”. Like its rivals, NAB is taking comfort in better economic conditions, despite elevated living costs that are still crimping household spending. Tuesday’s interest rate cut is seen alleviating some of that pressure. “The economic outlook is improving, but cost of living and interest rate challenges persisted during the first quarter,” NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine said. “While most customers are proving resilient, we have maintained prudent balance sheet settings to allow us to support customers while keeping our bank safe,” he said. “We remain optimistic about the outlook and are well-placed to manage our business for the long term and deliver sustainable growth and returns for shareholders.” NAB shares finished $3.21 lower at $36.30. Source link #NABs #share #price #belting #adds #bankings #horror #week #margins #compress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]