Pelican Press

ANF State secretary Romina Raschilla announces nurses union has abandoned its plans to form a political party ANF State secretary Romina Raschilla announces nurses union has abandoned its plans to form a political party The nurses’ union has abandoned plans to establish a political party to contest the State election in March. Source link #ANF #State #secretary #Romina #Raschilla #announces #nurses #union #abandoned #plans #form #political #party Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Democrats press Biden to protect executive branch from Trump’s return Democrats press Biden to protect executive branch from Trump’s return Capitol Hill Democrats are pressing the White House to pull out all the stops to gird the executive branch against President-elect’s Trump’s promised efforts to tear down federal agencies and restructure them to his liking. The lawmakers want President Biden to get aggressive — and creative — with unilateral actions in the final weeks of his administration. The idea is both to protect the Democrats’ policy victories and to fortify the Justice Department, the intelligence agencies and other offices in Trump’s crosshairs. “There’s a lot that the Biden administration can do, and I know that they’ve done some scenario planning,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) said. “It would be a huge political malpractice for them not to anticipate this scenario and have some plans in place.” The Democrats are quick to point out that, with Republicans in control of the lower chamber, no major legislative changes are likely in the postelection, lame-duck session. With that in mind, they see Biden as a kind of preemptive firewall against Trump’s vows to claw back their legislative wins and gut large parts of the federal bureaucracy in a “deep state” purge designed to streamline government and root out his executive branch critics. “I’ve been here long enough to know you can do some really good things in a lame duck,” said Rep. Richard Neal (Mass.), senior Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. The Democrats’ concerns have been fed by reports that Trump is eyeing plans to purge the Pentagon of “woke” generals. And they were fueled further over his picks for top positions in the next administration, including former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as U.S. attorney general, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) to be director of national intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as head of the Health and Human Services Department. All three have vowed major shake-ups to the agencies they would oversee. Trump’s critics are also alarmed by his plans to create a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” led by the wealthy tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. In announcing the endeavor, Trump said it “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” Democrats see those goals as a euphemism for Trump abusing his power to advance his personal interests over those of the country. And those pressing Biden for unilateral action ***** out a menu of potential options for pushing back. Many want the president to launch a blitz of executive orders, finalize eleventh-hour regulations and open the spigots of funding for federal projects that have already been appropriated by Congress. Some of those strategies might be more effective than others, the Democrats acknowledge, but Trump’s imminent return, they add, demands a spaghetti-at-the-wall approach to see what sticks. “We should do everything that we can — everything that we possibly can — and I’d say all of the above,” Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) said. “He’s still the president until the last moment.” Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) singled out one area where Biden could guard against Trump’s promised housecleaning: He suggested tweaking the union contracts for federal employees in order to bolster worker protections from any Trump purge. “Those can be amended,” Sherman said. “It’s just a contract we would have with the union. That’s exclusively an executive branch issue.” Rep. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, argued the importance of seating as many Biden-appointed federal judges as possible in the few weeks remaining in the president’s term — a push that’s already underway in the Senate, where Democrats are set to lose their majority next year. Nadler also wants Biden to explore how to protect the generals Trump might expel at the Pentagon. “That will be terrible for the preparedness of the country,” Nadler said. “What Biden can do about that to prevent it, I don’t know. But he should be looking at it, because that’s a terrible threat to our armed forces.” Ukraine aid is another topic of concern for Democrats, since Trump has been cold to the notion of supplying the U.S. ally another round of military aid as Kyiv fights to repel Russia’s invading forces. Rep. John B. Larson (Conn.), former head of the House Democratic Caucus, said the administration needs to be “doing everything they can to get the [Ukraine] money out the door, that has already been appropriated.” Other Democrats went a step further, urging the administration to allocate not only the Ukraine aid, but also other funding earmarked for Biden-era projects — including those adopted under the infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act — before Trump can come in and claw it back. “Across the board, so much of what we’ve been able to push out under the IRA and the infrastructure law is at risk if we don’t get that money out the door, get it encumbered, figure out bulwarks against either nonimplementation or outright repeal,” Huffman said. “So I think there’s a real serious effort under way in that regard.” Vargas pointed to another area where he thinks Biden could exert some last-minute influence, urging the president to shield certain federal lands from oil, gas and mining development. “I’d try to protect as much land as you can with these guys who are going to come in and try to drill and ********,” Vargas said. “He could set those lands aside, and he should.” There are obvious limitations to Biden’s powers to prepare for Trump’s return to the White House. Aside from the fact that Republicans control the Speaker’s gavel, there’s little time to finalize regulations. And any executive orders Biden adopts in the final months could be quickly overturned by Trump. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) noted Biden should understand the short-lived nature of executive actions, since he used his first days in office in 2021 to repeal a number of executive actions adopted by Trump in his first term. As part of that effort, Biden eliminated Trump’s Schedule F designation for some federal employees, which had made it easier to ***** them. “You’ve got to be careful, because any executive order that he issues can be reversed on the first day, as Joe Biden did four years ago,” Beyer said. Still, Beyer also proposed that forcing Trump to undo popular executive orders might be worth the effort, since it would highlight a stark contrast between the parties when it comes to worker protections and other hot-button issues. “He may do some anyway,” Beyer said, “just to make the point.” Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Source link #Democrats #press #Biden #protect #executive #branch #Trumps #return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Biden to press China's Xi on N.Korea's ties with Russia Biden to press China's Xi on N.Korea's ties with Russia US President Joe Biden will meet Xi Jinping at APEC, where he’s set to pressure his ******** counterpart over North Korea’s ties to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Source link #Biden #press #China039s #N.Korea039s #ties #Russia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meet the Stock-Split Stock That Soared by 11,210% Over the Past 15 Years. Now, It’s Poised to Join Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla in the $1 Trillion Club by 2026 Meet the Stock-Split Stock That Soared by 11,210% Over the Past 15 Years. Now, It’s Poised to Join Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla in the $1 Trillion Club by 2026 Technological advances over the past 20 years have been nothing short of profound, and nowhere is that progress more evident than in the sizes of the world’s largest companies. Two decades ago, General Electric and ExxonMobil were the world’s largest companies by market cap, clocking in at $319 billion and $283 billion, respectively. Now, the list of the largest companies is dominated by businesses at the cutting edge of technology. Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft are each worth more than $3 trillion, and each has spent time atop the chart at some point in 2024. Other tech-centric members of the $1 trillion club include Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Tesla, boasting valuations of between $1 trillion and $2.2 trillion. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » With a market cap of roughly $812 billion (as of this writing), Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) seems ordained to earn membership in this exclusive fraternity. The company offers a wide range of products that are staples in the data centers where most artificial intelligence (AI) systems reside, and Broadcom’s critical technology could push it past the $1 trillion milestone sooner rather than later. Image source: Getty Images. Broadcom is one of the world’s leading custom chipmakers, but also supplies a host of complementary products and services to players in the mobile, broadband, cable, and data center industries. Management estimates that “99% of all internet traffic crosses through some type of Broadcom technology.” This helps explain why its technology is crucial to the expansion of generative AI, much of which resides in data centers and the cloud. Broadcom’s acquisition of VMWare last year also represents a compelling opportunity for the company. Management has said it’s making progress in converting VMWare’s software sales from a perpetual model to a subscription license model, which will continue boosting recurring revenue into 2025. Furthermore, as the integration of VMWare wraps up, Broadcom is guiding for improved operating margins and greater profits. The results paint a compelling picture. In its fiscal third quarter (which ended Aug. 4), Broadcom’s revenue climbed 47% year over year to $13.1 billion, while its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 18% to $1.24. Management is predicting the growth streak will continue, and boosted its full-year revenue forecast to $51.52 billion, which would amount to growth of roughly 44%. This maintained the company’s track record of consistent operating performance and impressive stock price gains, which prompted the 10-for-1 stock split Broadcom completed in July. Story Continues The tech sector’s unmistakable need for Broadcom’s chips and ancillary products — which are critical components in data center operations — gives it an important role to play in the AI revolution. This position will help fuel its next phase of growth. According to Wall Street’s consensus estimate, Broadcom will generate revenue of $51.67 billion in 2024, giving it a forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of almost 16. If the stock’s P/S ******** constant from here, it will need to generate sales of roughly $64 billion annually to support a $1 trillion market cap. Analysts’ consensus estimates are for revenue growth of 44% in 2024 and 17% in 2025. If the company hits those targets, it could achieve a $1 trillion market cap as soon as 2026. However, it’s important to note that estimates regarding the outlook for the AI industry tend to ebb and flow, so how well these forecasts match reality could be impacted by the actual rate of the technology’s adoption. That said, based on the information we have right now, Broadcom could join the fraternity of trillion-dollar companies sooner than later. Management cited AI as one of the driving factors in its fiscal third-quarter success, citing “strong demand from hyperscalers for both AI networking and custom AI accelerators.” Recent commentary from the world’s largest cloud infrastructure providers suggests that demand is poised to continue. Estimates regarding the future market for generative AI continue to ratchet higher. The economic impact of the technology is expected to be between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion annually over the coming decade, according to global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Its report noted that the estimate effectively doubles if it includes the impact of embedding generative AI into software. Broadcom’s strong results have fueled a surge in the stock price, yet it’s still attractively valued at 28 times forward earnings, compared to a multiple of 30 for the S&P 500. However, Broadcom’s stock has gained 11,210% since 2009, compared to just 447% for the S&P, which helps illustrate why the premium is warranted. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Amazon: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2010, you’d have $23,818!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,221!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $451,527!* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 11, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Danny Vena has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and GE Aerospace and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Meet the Stock-Split Stock That Soared by 11,210% Over the Past 15 Years. Now, It’s Poised to Join Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla in the $1 Trillion Club by 2026 was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Meet #StockSplit #Stock #Soared #Years #Poised #Join #Nvidia #Apple #Microsoft #Amazon #Alphabet #Meta #Tesla #Trillion #Club Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

England vs South *******: Steve Borthwick’s team need to raise game once more England vs South *******: Steve Borthwick’s team need to raise game once more Springboks don’t do sympathy. South ******* have an immediate and emotional connection to their own nation. On this trip to the northern hemisphere, the Boks have been granting interviews, signing shirts and coaching kids in a concerted PR push. But there are limits. And when talk turned to England, the charm stopped and the Boks’ offence started. Asked about opposite number Steve Borthwick, there was an initial trace of empathy in Rassie Erasmus’ comments… It didn’t last the paragraph though. “When you lose two games, even if it’s by a point or last-minute try, the pressure does start to build,” said Erasmus of a start to the autumn which has increased England’s run of defeats to four games overall. “I’ve been there and certainly know how quickly that can get to you. Now Steve is a bit under pressure. “It depends on your CEO – they can make you feel like you have got a **** against your head.” The Rugby Football Union has no plans to pull a trigger. While a defeat against South ******* two years ago marked the end of his predecessor Eddie Jones, the RFU has backed Borthwick for the long haul, signing off on central contracts to strengthen his arm only last month. But plans can change. A P45 came only eight months after the same reassurance for Jones. Defeat would drop Borthwick’s win rate – currently 13 victories from 26 matches – to below 50%. England would have lost five successive Test matches for the first time since 2018. A 15-point loss, combined with success by a similar margin for Australia in Cardiff on Sunday, would put England eighth in the world – matching a historic low. Back-to-back world champions South ******* are top of the rankings. But the gap between the two teams on the pitch is rarely as big as on the spreadsheet. Two of their last three matches at Twickenham have been decided by a single point. Their Rugby World Cup semi-final last year was as well. Source link #England #South #******* #Steve #Borthwicks #team #raise #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Team Williams again show why they’re the best in the West as Storyville takes out Champion Fillies Stakes Team Williams again show why they’re the best in the West as Storyville takes out Champion Fillies Stakes Grant and Alana Williams yet again showed why they are the best in the West, presenting Storyville for a scintillating success in the Group 3 $300,000 TABtouch WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, securing a record seventh win in the race. Storyville, a $7 TABtouch elect, entered Saturday’s contest having finished eighth in the Burgess Queen, the conventional lead-up assignment, with several others who beat her home that day ahead of her in the market. Her task was made no easier when the gates opened and Divine Impact ($13) leapt left into her at the start and shuffled the home-bred filly back to last with jockey William Pike committing to a rails run. Diamond Dancer ($6.50) strolled to the front from Ron’s Finalflutter ($4.40) and the pair jammed on the brakes, with many runners resenting the crawling tempo and throwing their heads proudly aloft. Considering the dawdling pace, Storyville had found a surprisingly comfortable rhythm but was still back last when the field began to turn for home. In typical Pike style, the leading jockey began to thread a way through traffic and the three-year-old started to lengthen. Camera IconStoryville wins the 2024 WA Champion Fillies Stakes for jockey William Pike. Credit: Simon Merritt/Simon Merritt / Western Racepix Over the final 250m, the giant Overshare filly took strides seemingly double the size of her rivals, with Pike merely shaking the reins as the big freight train gained liftoff. Storyville burst up the inside of Ron’s Finalflutter, surging clear over the final 100m and storming clear to win by two lengths eased down. Grant Williams said Storyville could back up in next week’s WA Guineas, a race she firmed to $10 for following the victory. “We had a really good wrap on this horse from day dot,” Williams said. “We were probably riding her a bit too confident for her first few runs, which was setting her up to be racing like she is, but (Pike) knows her really well and it’s good seeing that. “(Alana) trains, she breeds, she does everything. “They’re only three once and she’s in really good nick this horse. “If you win the Champion FIllies’ and if she pulls up good, we’ve probably got to have a go at the Guineas. “This blew me away.” Pike praised the training effort of the dynamic duo he regularly combines with. “Three starts ago if you said I was going to sit last and win a mile, I would have said no way,” Pike said. “That’s what these guys are capable of.” Source link #Team #Williams #show #theyre #West #Storyville #takes #Champion #Fillies #Stakes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Park manager shows ‘catastrophic’ damage to Ft. DeSoto Park, details recovery efforts Park manager shows ‘catastrophic’ damage to Ft. DeSoto Park, details recovery efforts PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Several parks and beaches in Pinellas County are still closed, more than a month after Hurricane Milton. State and local leaders are expected to update on the recovery process, on Friday. David Harshbarger, park manager at Fort DeSoto Park said the damage is worse than he expected. “We’ve had flooding issues, but nothing like this where every structure went underwater, every infrastructure piece was underwater,” Harshbarger said. Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field Harshbarger showed 8 On Your Side storm impacts from Helene and Milton. “Helen did most of that damage with the surge. Milton followed it up a week and a half later with lots of damage,” Harshbarger said. At the campgrounds, trees are toppled on buildings, electrical outlets are unusable and more than 200 picnic tables washed away or have to be replaced. Crews have cleared most of the debris. It’s stacked in huge piles on the side of the road, awaiting removal. “We are certainly on the schedule, that’s part of the issue of getting open. You drive through those neighborhoods on the beaches and there’s still trash, there’s still debris. The park is important, but we have to make sure our community is in good shape as well,” Harshbarger said. At the beach, some of the seawall is blown, boardwalks are water-damaged and Harshbarger is worried about ******* debris. “We are going to have to come in and rake some portions of the beach because of how much Milton *******. We can’t have a **** out building a sandcastle and find a rusty nail down in the sand,” Harshbarger said. According to the park manager, it could take up to a year before some areas of the park are accessible to the public. “The second we can get some people safely into the park. We’ll get them to any area we can,” Harshbarger said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Source link #Park #manager #shows #catastrophic #damage #DeSoto #Park #details #recovery #efforts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Northern Ireland 2-0 Belarus: Transition continues to gather pace ahead of big 2025 Northern Ireland 2-0 Belarus: Transition continues to gather pace ahead of big 2025 A sign of the improvement from the young squad even from a month ago was their second-half display against Belarus at home. In the away game in Hungary, Northern Ireland started the first half well, squandered chances and then ran out of steam in the second ******* as they were held to a frustrating stalemate. At Windsor Park however, they raced out of the blocks in the second half after a frustrating first *******, scoring five minutes after half-time through Daniel Ballard with Dion Charles adding a second from the spot. O’Neill was delighted that they did not let their frustrations boil over as they saw out a comfortable win that puts them in the box seat to win the group. “The frustration you could feel it creeping in, we had control of the game, but we weren’t maximising it but second half when you score the game changes, and I thought we managed it very well,” he continued. “Second half, we started really well from the outset, how we pressed and won the ball back we let them know we were going to be all over them with physical pressure.” Now another step on the ladder for this improving young side will be winning away in the Nations League, something they have not managed this campaign so far, but with Luxembourg to come on Monday, they have the opportunity to rectify that. “We want to go and try to win the game, we haven’t won away from home so the game is important in terms of showing that we can win away from home.” Source link #Northern #Ireland #Belarus #Transition #continues #gather #pace #ahead #big Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: there’s something special about this budget-priced air purifier, and I can’t get enough of it Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: there’s something special about this budget-priced air purifier, and I can’t get enough of it Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max: two-minute review The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is a simple-to-use and space-saving air purifier. It’s available from Amazon in the US and the *** at a list price of $69.99 / £79. It’s far from the most high-tech air purifier on the market but it seems to do a good job of purifying the air, despite its lack of bells and whistles and low price point. Replacement Particle and Carbon filters are cheap, costing $21.99 / £18, and should theoretically last a long *******, with BlueAir stating that they can last up to six months of 24-hour use. There are other filter options available, namely Allergenblock and Smokeblock, which offer more tailored protection. An ideal air purifier for desktop or nightstand use, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max measures only 11.4 x 6.8 x 5.9 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm and is impressively lightweight. The reason behind this portable purifier weighing so little is down to the lack of protective casing over the filter itself. The ******** fabric covering doubles as a washable pre-filter over the filter, and other than some structural plastic on the inside, that’s all the base consists of. (Image credit: Future) It’s possible to purchase further pre-filter coverings, and they’re available in a range of different colors, which is always a bonus for me. While this design is innovative and sustainability-conscious, it does mean that the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max could be at higher risk of damage than heavier plastic-covered alternatives. The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is as low on features as it is in price, but that’s fair enough. It has no automated fan settings or particle detection, just three fan speeds that can be cycled through via the fan touch button on the top of the purifier. It is helpful enough to monitor the condition of the filter, however, showing a yellow indicator when the filter is due to be changed soon, and red when it needs changing. The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max was a breeze to set up and operate. The touch buttons were responsive and the air purifier reacted quickly upon switching settings. Even though the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max lacked any kind of contamination indicators, the change in air quality was noticeable when the purifier was in operation. It had a surprising cooling effect on the surrounding environment, but as I was using it on a chilly November morning in the south of England, I consider this to be an indicator of how well the Blue Pure Mini Max was circulating the air. (Image credit: Future) In terms of volume level, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max operated very quietly on the lowest fan speed, so it was no problem sleeping or working next to it. The two higher settings are more noticeable, but still at a satisfyingly low volume, with the top speed giving me a reading of just 47 dB. Overall, you’re getting what you pay for with the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. The price for the air purifier is great, and the filters are good value, especially considering their longevity and the cost savings from the filter subscription plan available in the US currently. In closing, I was pleasantly surprised by the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. I didn’t expect to be impressed due to this mini air purifier’s low price point and lack of features, but the ease of use, good performance, and innovative design really won me over, and could see it sneaking its way into our selection of the best air purifiers before too long. Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: price & availability List price: $69.99 / £79 Available now in the US and *** The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is a simple, desktop-sized, small-room air purifier that’s available in the US, and *** at Amazon for $69.99 / £79. One element that often has the potential to catch people out is the cost of replacement filters compared to the initial cost of an air purifier itself. I’m pleased to say this isn’t the case with the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max, as replacement Blueair Particle and Carbon filters cost just $21.99 / £18, which is particularly good considering the filters can last up to six months, even when used 24 hours a day. This cost can be brought down further still with Blueair’s filter replacement subscription, but at the time of writing the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max and associated filters are only showing up on the Blueair website, so we’ll have to wait for them to become available on the official site to take advantage of this offer in the ***. There are other filter types available too: the Allergenblock filter, designed to reduce our exposure to dust allergens, pollen, and **** dander, and the Smokeblock filter, with double the activated carbon intended to remove wildfire smoke, plus heightened protection against other wildfire emissions. Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5 Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Price $69.99 / £79 Dimensions 11.4 x 6.8 x 5.9 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm Weight 2.5lb / 3.4kg Room coverage 90 sq ft / 20 sq ft Fan speeds 3 Filters HEPASilent and carbon filter Stated filter replacement Up to 6 months of 24 hour use Controls Touch buttons Additional features Removable fabric pre-filter outer layer Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: design and features No display Long-lasting filters Machine-washable fabric pre-filter This is a very simple example of an air purifier, with no app support, visual display, or automatic detection – but at this price point, it’d be unfair to expect much more. The fact that the low-cost filters can last up to six months when running for 24 hours a day is certainly an attractive feature, and one thing the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max can monitor is the filter life, displaying a yellow light on the top of the unit to indicate that the filter will need changing soon, turning red when it actually does. The outer fabric looks nice from a distance, but the finish gives away the budget cost of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max; the fabric is a little loose, and the seam is wiggly and uneven, bulging out where it goes over the tan leather effect Blueair tag. The reason for this looseness becomes apparent as it’s not simply an aesthetic covering; it’s designed to be a washable fabric pre-filter. (Image credit: Future) I’ve never seen a design quite like this, as most air purifiers have plastic casing to protect the inner filters whereas the body of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is simply some structural plastic sitting within the particle and carbon filter, covered in the washable pre-filter. This goes to explain its very light weight of 2.5 lb / 3.4kg but could make it vulnerable to damage. Despite its minor flaws, it’s a nice touch that Blueair made the pre-filter part of the overall aesthetic, which has meant less material and wasted plastic, which we’re always happy to see at TechRadar. It’s also an advantage that they are machine washable and extras can be purchased in a range of colors, just in case you don’t want to wait for one to dry, or want to switch things up occasionally. Not only is it delightfully light, it’s dinky in size, too. Measuring just 11.4 x 6.8 x 5.9 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm. This cylindrical 360-degree design enables the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max to be placed in a variety of spaces, as there’s plenty of opportunity for it to pull air in. (Image credit: Future) There is no display panel on the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max, with only a power button, a fan button, a filter indicator light, and three fan speed indicator lights on the top of the air purifier. The fixed power cable extends out of the lower portion of the white plastic top section of the purifier. I found this placement odd at first but, of course, as the base is simply composed of the filters and plastic frame, this was the only logical place to put it. There’s not much to dislike about the aesthetic of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. The finish along the seam of the fabric pre-filter could be better, and the cable placement looks a little unusual, but all things considered, it lives up to its name. It’s satisfyingly small and lightweight, making it a perfect option for anyone wanting to relocate their purifier regularly, or for those who struggle with maneuvering things. Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: performance No display or smart features Operated quietly Easy to use The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max proved easy to set up and operate. It was essentially just a case of removing the packaging and plugging the air purifier in, job done. The touch buttons were responsive, so it was quick to turn the purifier on and off and to cycle between fan speeds. The reaction speed was satisfyingly quick when changing between fan settings, whereas some purifiers take time to slow down, even when quickly cycling past the highest setting to get back to the lowest. Despite the lack of air quality data to review, the Blue Pure Mini Max made the air around me feel fresher quickly upon first use when running it at fan speed 2. It had quite the cooling effect straight off the bat, which I’ve not encountered with other air purifiers, with cold air blowing quite strongly through the air vents at the top of the unit. This suggested to me that the air was circulating well, but after a while, on a grey November morning in the South West of England, it made the room uncomfortably cold, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you plan to use your air purifier in the winter. (Image credit: Future) In a 13 x 16 ft / 4 x 5 meter room, the sound of the air purifier is noticeable when on its second speed setting if there’s no other sound to drown it out. The pitch of the noise is interesting: it reminded me of the sound of a blowtorch, which is ironic considering it was cooling the room down. Blueair claims that their lowest fan speed is quieter than a whisper, and while I didn’t get a reading as low as they’ve stated, it was pretty ***** quiet at 26 dB. It was barely audible to me from around four feet away. If I listened hard, I could hear a low humming, but it didn’t prove disruptive in the slightest when I was trying to sleep or working away at my desk. Naturally, the higher fan speeds were louder, with fan speed 2 giving a reading of 35 dB, and speed 3, the highest setting, giving a reading of 47 dB. This was of course much more noticeable and made my cats a little wary at first, but compared to other air purifiers, such as the Molekule Air Mini+ whose lowest fan speed was 39 dB, it’s satisfyingly quiet. As with other low-priced air purifiers I’ve tested, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max couldn’t remove cooking smells. It did have some impact on the intensity, however, as I noticed that the cooking odor got a little stronger once I’d switched the purifier off, so I was pleased that it managed to make a small impact at least. Overall, using the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max was a pleasant experience. It was small enough and light enough that I could find a space for it in every room, and it worked at a low enough volume that it wasn’t distracting. Performance score: 4.5 out of 5 Should I buy the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max? Swipe to scroll horizontally Section Notes Score Value for money The low price is reflected in the lack of features, but it’s a great cost for a little purifier that performs well and has filters with a long lifespan that are relatively cheap to replace. 4.5/5 Design & Features This air purifier is perfectly portable thanks to its small stature and light weight. It’s a breeze to set up, with super simple controls, and the removable fabric pre-filter is a great touch. 4/5 Performance This is an impressive air purifier for the cost. It purified well, even managing to reduce cooking aromas, something that more expensive lower-end purifiers fail to do. It’s also delightfullt quiet, so would make the perfect addition to a bedroom or nursery. 4.5/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Molekule Air Mini+ Price $69.99 / £79 $150 / £149.99 $359.99 Room coverage 216 sq ft / 20 sq meters Up to 219 sq ft / 20 sq meters Up to 89sq ft / 27sq m Noise level 26-47 dB 24-48 dB 39 – 62 dBA Filters HEPASilent and carbon filter Pre-filter, HEPA and carbon PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter App support No Yes Yes Fan speeds 3 Auto, 1 – 4 Auto Protect, 1-5 Dimensions 6.8 x 6.8 x 11.4 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches / 220 x 220 x 360 mm 8.26 x 8.26 x 12 inches Weight 2.5lb / 3.4kg 5.95 lb / 2.7 kg 8.26 x 8.26 x 12 inches Controls Touch buttons LED touch display, app or Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Touch panel / app How I tested the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max I used the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max for one week I tested how much of an impact it had on the surrounding air quality I tested its ability to tackle cooking smells I checked how easy was to get the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max set up, how easy it was to operate, and how portable it was. I tested it in different rooms in my home, and observed how quiet it was at night time and whether it ********** my sleep. I assessed its design and structure, paying close attention to quality and any sustainable elements. I reviewed the impact it had on the air quality in my environment, and how well it handled cooking smells. Source link #Blueair #Blue #Pure #Mini #Max #review #special #budgetpriced #air #purifier Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UN climate boss asks G20 leaders for boost as talks lag UN climate boss asks G20 leaders for boost as talks lag The UN is urging G20 leaders send a “crystal-clear” signal in support of climate finance efforts following a lack of progress at the COP29 summit. Source link #climate #boss #asks #G20 #leaders #boost #talks #lag Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

IMF, Pakistan wrap up unscheduled talks on $7 billion bailout IMF, Pakistan wrap up unscheduled talks on $7 billion bailout WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it held constructive talks with authorities in Pakistan on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities during an unscheduled staff visit. The unusual visit from Nov 12 to Nov 15 discussed a $7-billion bailout within six weeks of its approval by the IMF board, but came too early for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), due in the first quarter of 2025. “We are encouraged by the authorities’ reaffirmed commitment to the economic reforms supported by the 2024 EFF,” Nathan Porter, the chief of the IMF’s Pakistan mission, who led the talks, said in a statement. The constructive discussions on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities would help to lay the basis for stronger and sustainable growth, he added. The mission did not state the weaknesses, but sources in Pakistan’s finance ministry have said some major lapses prompted the IMF to intervene. Among these were a shortfall of nearly 190 billion rupees ($685 million) in revenue collection during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The ******* also saw an external financing gap of $2.5 billion, while Pakistan ******* in the bid to sell its national airline, a major setback on the path to privatising loss-making state-owned enterprises, required by the IMF. Losses running into billions of dollars in the power and gas sector, the main ***** in the economy, were also discussed, the IMF said, adding that structural energy reforms were critical to restore the sector’s viability. Both sides agreed on the need to continue prudent fiscal and monetary policies, and mobilise revenue from untapped tax bases, the mission added. Pakistan has struggled for decades with *****-and-bust economic cycles, prompting 23 IMF bailouts for the South ****** nation since 1958. (Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington and Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Editing by Leslie Adler and Clarence Fernandez) Source link #IMF #Pakistan #wrap #unscheduled #talks #billion #bailout Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zelensky says war will ‘end sooner’ once Trump becomes US president Zelensky says war will ‘end sooner’ once Trump becomes US president Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is certain the war with Russia will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have done once Donald Trump becomes US president. Zelensky said he had a “constructive exchange” with Trump during their phone conversation after his victory in the US presidential election. He did not say whether Trump had made any demands regarding possible talks with Russia, but said he’d not heard anything from him that was contrary to Ukraine’s position. Trump has consistently said his priority is to end the war and stop what he says is a drain on US resources, in the form of military aid to Ukraine. “It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens,” Zelensky said in an interview with the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne. He added that Ukraine “must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means”. The situation on the battlefield is difficult, with Russian forces making advances, Zelensky said. He said US legislation only allows him to meet with Trump after his inauguration in January. Trump and Zelensky have long had a tumultuous relationship. Trump was impeached in 2019 over accusations that he pressured Zelensky to dig up damaging information on the Biden family. Despite years of differences, Trump has insisted he had a very good relationship with Zelensky. When the pair met in New York in September, Trump said he “learned a lot” from the meeting and said he would get the war “resolved very quickly”. Trump has yet to divulge how he intends to end the war. His Democratic opponents have accused him of cosying up to Russian President Vladimir ****** and say his approach to the war amounts to surrender for Ukraine that will endanger all of Europe. But ******* Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump following his election win, told ******* media that the incoming US leader had a “more nuanced” position on the war than was commonly assumed. Scholz told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that his call with Trump was “perhaps surprisingly, a very detailed and good conversation”. Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives approved a $61bn (£49bn) package in military aid for Ukraine to help combat Russia’s invasion. The US has been the biggest arms supplier to Ukraine – between February 2022 and the end of June 2024, it delivered or committed weapons and equipment worth $55.5bn (£41.5bn), according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a ******* research organisation. Source link #Zelensky #war #sooner #Trump #president Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three ******* after plane crashes into paddock Three ******* after plane crashes into paddock A pilot and two passengers have ***** after a plane crashed into a paddock and caught alight. Emergency services were called to the ****** in Tinamba West in Victoria’s East Gippsland on Saturday afternoon. Police were told the aircraft was circling the area before it crashed and set on *****. The pilot and two passengers, who were the only occupants onboard and are yet to be formally identified, ***** at the scene. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Source link #******* #plane #crashes #paddock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Study Finds Industrial Aerosols May Cause Local Snowfall by Freezing Clouds Study Finds Industrial Aerosols May Cause Local Snowfall by Freezing Clouds Research led by the University of Tartu has revealed a potential link between industrial air pollution and localised snowfall. Observations using both satellite and ground-based radar indicate that industrial facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia may trigger local snowfall by causing ice to form in supercooled clouds. This phenomenon, observed near factories such as copper smelters and coal power plants, results from the release of aerosol particles that interact with clouds in specific atmospheric conditions. Dr V. Toll, an associate professor at the University of Tartu, highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary research in identifying this process. Aerosols and Snow Formation Industries, especially those involved in cement production, metallurgy, and fossil fuel combustion, emit aerosols—tiny solid and liquid particles that significantly affect cloud properties. Aerosols have been shown to increase the number of cloud droplets, thereby brightening clouds and reducing solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. However, the new findings suggest that, in certain conditions, these particles also trigger the freezing of liquid cloud droplets, resulting in snowfall downwind from industrial sites. Weather radar images taken near industrial locations in Canada and Russia show unique plumes of snowfall, a discovery corroborated by satellite data indicating concurrent reductions in cloud cover. Supercooling in Cloud Droplets Cloud droplets can remain in liquid form at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius in a process known as supercooling. Only when suitable particles, such as anthropogenic aerosols, are present can these droplets freeze at temperatures between zero and -40 degrees Celsius. Toll’s team suggests that aerosol emissions, combined with heat and water vapour from industrial facilities, are likely inducing ice formation within clouds, resulting in snowfall. While this phenomenon has been observed at specific sites, it is uncertain whether similar mechanisms affect cloud formation on larger scales. Further Research Required The study, published in Science, underscores the need for further investigation into the role of different aerosol types in ice nucleation processes. Future research will aim to understand whether these localised snowfall events have broader atmospheric impacts and to identify the types of aerosol emissions most effective in initiating ice formation in supercooled clouds. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Briefly Hits $93,000 Before Retreating Amid Price Correction New Global Policies to Cut Plastic Waste and Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2050 Source link #Study #Finds #Industrial #Aerosols #Local #Snowfall #Freezing #Clouds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lake Oswego dad faces $2.4 million suit after prison sentence for drugging drinks at daughter’s sleepover Lake Oswego dad faces $2.4 million suit after prison sentence for drugging drinks at daughter’s sleepover PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Lake Oswego father who was sentenced to prison in June for drugging drinks he served during his daughter’s sleepover is facing a new lawsuit from one of the ****** and her father. The lawsuit, which was first reported by The Oregonian, was filed in Clackamas County on Tuesday against the father, Michael Meyden, and Yukiko Meyden, his ex-wife, according to court documents. The civil lawsuit seeks $2.4 million in damages for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Oswego Lake restrictions lifted after judge determined public access ban was unlawful This lawsuit comes after Meyden was sentenced to two years in prison after agreeing to three felony charges of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance, while lesser charges of applying a controlled substance to the body of a minor and delivery of a controlled substance to a minor were dropped. The incident happened in late August 2023, when Meyden was supervising his pre-teen daughter’s sleepover and encouraged four 12-year-old ****** to drink mango smoothies before they went to bed. As reported by the Associated Press, Meyden planned the sleepover, but the ****** didn’t go to bed at 11 p.m. as he wanted so they could be well rested for the next day. He also wanted them to go to bed so he could get some sleep. Scientists record highest number of steelhead to return to Deschutes River since 1960s According to court documents, Meyden laced the smoothies with Temazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance that is prescribed for insomnia and has a sedative effect. Some of the ****** noticed a white power in their drinks but still drank the smoothies because Meyden pushed them to do so, court documents stated. According to the records, one girl who consumed just a small amount of the smoothie — because she “did not like mangos” — pretended to be asleep because she felt unsafe. Another girl drank two smoothies. Auditor’s office: Rene Gonzalez campaign violated Portland campaign finance laws over a dozen times Meyden was also accused of checking to confirm whether the ****** were asleep later that night, with court documents saying he put his finger under one girl’s nose to see if she was asleep and moved the girl who had consumed two smoothies away from the one who barely drank. The affidavit showed one girl texted her mother later that night, pleading to be picked up. All three of the ****** were eventually picked up from Meyden’s residence and a test conducted at a children’s hospital found they were exposed to Temazepam. Meyden admitted to making the smoothies but denied adding any drugs to them. However, a lab test determined there was Temazepam on the straws. Investigators also found dozens of bottles of the drugs in the defendant’s house, each of which had been prescribed to him. Yukiko Meyden could not be reached for comment, and it is not clear if Michael Meyden retained an attorney for this case. This story will be updated if KOIN 6 receives a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Source link #Lake #Oswego #dad #faces #million #suit #prison #sentence #drugging #drinks #daughters #sleepover Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China willing to be partners, friends with US, ******** envoy says China willing to be partners, friends with US, ******** envoy says The national flags of the ******* States and China flutter at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on April 25, 2024 in Shanghai, China. Wang Gang | Visual China Group | Getty Images China is willing to be partners and friends with the ******* States, China’s ambassador to Washington said, seeking to strengthen dialogue between the world’s two largest economies. China has no plan to surpass or replace the ******* States, Xie Feng said in a speech in Hong Kong on Friday, addressing ******** officials and the U.S. ambassador to China. Beijing is seeking to reset relations with Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January. Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on ******** imports in excess of 60%, but Beijing and ******** companies hope his protectionist policies will also irk U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, giving China an opening to increase its global influence and improve trade ties. ******** President Xi Jinping called on Friday for rejecting unilateralism and protectionism in favour of economic globalisation. However, some analysts say China’s pitch as a counterbalance to a Trump-led ******* States has lost its shine compared to 2016, when Trump was first elected. The Sino-U.S. partnership is never a zero-sum game, Xie said, adding that the two nations have great potential to work together on areas including trade, agriculture, energy, artificial intelligence and public health. Xie emphasised a “tone of dialogue” to address each side’s concerns, saying “it is entirely possible bring issues to the table to communicate frankly, seek solutions on equal footing”. He said Taiwan is the biggest “flashpoint” that could lead to conflict and confrontation between Beijing and Washington and called for clear opposition to “separatists” in Taiwan. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim Taipei rejects. Source link #China #partners #friends #******** #envoy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China willing to be partners, friends with US, ******** envoy says China willing to be partners, friends with US, ******** envoy says The national flags of the ******* States and China flutter at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on April 25, 2024 in Shanghai, China. Wang Gang | Visual China Group | Getty Images China is willing to be partners and friends with the ******* States, China’s ambassador to Washington said, seeking to strengthen dialogue between the world’s two largest economies. China has no plan to surpass or replace the ******* States, Xie Feng said in a speech in Hong Kong on Friday, addressing ******** officials and the U.S. ambassador to China. Beijing is seeking to reset relations with Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January. Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on ******** imports in excess of 60%, but Beijing and ******** companies hope his protectionist policies will also irk U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, giving China an opening to increase its global influence and improve trade ties. ******** President Xi Jinping called on Friday for rejecting unilateralism and protectionism in favour of economic globalisation. However, some analysts say China’s pitch as a counterbalance to a Trump-led ******* States has lost its shine compared to 2016, when Trump was first elected. The Sino-U.S. partnership is never a zero-sum game, Xie said, adding that the two nations have great potential to work together on areas including trade, agriculture, energy, artificial intelligence and public health. Xie emphasised a “tone of dialogue” to address each side’s concerns, saying “it is entirely possible bring issues to the table to communicate frankly, seek solutions on equal footing”. He said Taiwan is the biggest “flashpoint” that could lead to conflict and confrontation between Beijing and Washington and called for clear opposition to “separatists” in Taiwan. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim Taipei rejects. Source link #China #partners #friends #******** #envoy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Maher lands maiden win in Thousand Guineas with Another Prophet holding off flying favourite Maher lands maiden win in Thousand Guineas with Another Prophet holding off flying favourite Australia’s leading trainer Ciaron Maher landed yet another Group 1 success this year by causing a boilover in the $1.5 million Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield with Another Prophet. A $41 TABtouch outsider, Another Prophet raced forward upon barrier release, with jockey Ethan Brown finding the perfect spot one-out and one-back as Too ***** Lizzie ($16) led the pack. Meanwhile, $3.20 favourite Aeliana was strangled back by hoop James McDonald in third last place, nine lengths from the pace. When Too ***** Lizzie tried to slip the field by the 600m, Brown popped three-wide on the Brazen Beau filly to begin a move before her rider finally cut her loose at the 300m mark. Another Prophet claimed the lead with 150m to go and looked the winner with few others making a dent before Aeliana began to hit top stride. McDonald’s mount had trouble gaining clear running into the straight but once clear, produced a barnstorming burst to flash down the outside. But the short Caulfield straight proved her ******, with Another Prophet clinging on to win by a long neck to provide Ciaron Maher with his first win in the race. Camera IconEthan Brown poses with trainer Ciaron Maher after riding Another Prophet to victory. Credit: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images “We thought there was a little bit of improvement in her coming out of her last run and she actually ran a peak last start, so that gave us the confidence going forward,” Maher said. “I was actually just watching Browny and wanting her to drop her head after the first furlong or so. “Once I saw her nose drop, I thought ‘gee, we’re in business here’.” McDonald attributed the defeat to a common flaw of Aeliana’s racing pattern, which ultimately was the difference. “Unfortunately, like she did at Flemington, she hit that flat spot and then here she never got through it,” McDonald said. “She let herself down that way. Had she balanced up better earlier she would have won.” Later, Yulong Investments were given yet another Group 1 across the spring as Kimochi ran on from near the tail to salute in the $1 million Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). The $23 shot duelled it out with $2.70 favourite Another Wil over the final few hundred metres, with the four-year-old mare just edging clear to win by a half-length. Source link #Maher #lands #maiden #win #Thousand #Guineas #Prophet #holding #flying #favourite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GM laying off nearly 1,000 workers, mostly in US, source says GM laying off nearly 1,000 workers, mostly in US, source says By David Shepardson and Nora Eckert (Reuters) -General Motors is laying off nearly 1,000 workers worldwide, mostly in the U.S., as it looks to streamline operations, a source told Reuters on Friday. GM confirmed in a statement it had made job cuts but did not specify a number. “In order to win in this competitive market, we need to optimize for speed and excellence,” the Detroit automaker said. “As part of this continuous effort, we’ve made a small number of team reductions.” GM has been seeking to reposition itself as a leader in electric vehicles and software, which are both costly. The automaker is aiming to cut $2 billion to $4 billion in losses on electric vehicles next year. According to a state filing, the reductions include 507 employees at GM’s tech center in Warren, Michigan. In August, GM ***** off more than 1,000 workers in its software department as it worked to streamline the team. GM also ***** off about 1,700 workers at a Kansas manufacturing plant in September. One of its most significant reductions was in 2023, when about 5,000 GM salaried workers took buyouts to leave. Cost-cutting efforts have intensified across Detroit’s carmakers and the global industry as companies race to make EVs profitably and compete with Tesla and China’s powerful auto companies. Stellantis ***** off thousands of salaried and hourly workers this year, including about 2,450 workers at a Michigan plant in August and 1,100 workers at an Ohio plant earlier this month. Ford Motor cut shifts at its F-150 Lightning electric pickup plant in Michigan, which will be idled through year-end as the company grapples with weaker-than-expected demand for the EV. Global automakers including Nissan and Volkswagen have also warned of significant layoffs. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Nora Eckert in DetroitEditing by Jan Harvey and Matthew Lewis) Source link #laying #workers #source Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What RFK Jr could do on US vaccines, fluoride and drugs What RFK Jr could do on US vaccines, fluoride and drugs Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary President-elect Donald Trump has announced he wants to appoint vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr as the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The position has a broad remit across the US health industry, including food safety, pharmaceuticals, public health and vaccinations. If his post is confirmed by the US Senate, he would be in charge of key health agencies with about 80,000 employees and a trillion-dollar budget. RFK Jr has long expressed views that conflict with scientific evidence, especially on vaccines, and his nomination has provoked opposition from public health experts. But he has also adopted positions with popular support, scrutinising the use of food additives and urging that the power of big pharma be curbed. The nephew of President JFK, he ran for the White House himself as an independent but dropped out and backed Trump. As secretary, Kennedy would be in charge of huge agencies such as the Centers for ******** Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and ***** Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is where he stands on vaccines, food, fluoride and health agencies. Getty Images Vaccines The vast majority of health experts champion inoculations for their long history of success – guarding against dangerous ********* and even eradicating deadly smallpox. But as founder of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy has for nearly two decades been airing debunked claims about jabs. In recent years, he has gained prominence in the US for making the discredited claim that childhood immunisations are linked to autism. But he has denied on several occasions that he is anti-vaccination and says he had his own children immunised. Kennedy has said that if he were to join the Trump administration, he would want to examine government vaccine safety data and share his findings with the public. He recently denied that he would block or ban vaccinations, however. “If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information,” he told NBC News last week. The stock prices of vaccine makers like Moderna, Pfizer and Merck fell after Trump announced his pick. Food and pharmaceuticals Announcing Kennedy’s nomination, Trump said Americans had for too long been “crushed” by food and ***** companies engaging in “deception, misinformation, and disinformation”. Kennedy has long blamed the food and ***** industries – as well as the regulators who oversee them – for Americans’ poor health. He has said that he wants to overhaul the systems that oversee pesticides, herbicides, food additives and pharmaceuticals. He has called for a ban on food dyes and additives, regularly citing Europe’s regulatory standards. “We have 1,000 ingredients in our food that are ******** in Europe that are ******** in other countries and they’re making our kids *****,” he alleged in an NBC News interview. “They’re there because of *********** in our agencies.” An FDA spokesperson told the BBC that it is necessary “to dig deeper and understand the context behind the numbers” when comparing estimates of authorised chemicals between the US and Europe. Both “generally apply the same fundamental scientific approach to safety assessment when evaluating the safety of chemicals in food”, according to the FDA spokesperson. “Different regulatory definitions and different methodologies can influence the results. Without clarity, comparisons can be misleading,” the official added. Last month Kennedy accused the FDA on X of suppressing the use of “psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and can’t be patented”. He said that those who were “part of this corrupt system” should be prepared to “pack your bags”. Both ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine were held up as miracle cures for Covid but such claims have not been supported by science. Fluoride in the water Kennedy recently vowed to remove fluoride – a cavity-fighting mineral – from the US drinking water, which about two-thirds of Americans have in their water supply. Though it is a decision made by state and local health authorities, Kennedy said on X earlier this month that “the Trump White House will advise all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water”. He alleged the chemical found in toothpaste and regularly used by dentists “is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone *******, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid ********”. The US Public Health Service reduced the amount of fluoride it recommended adding to water in 2015, but the federal government has encouraged states since the 1960s to add small amounts of the chemical to water to help prevent cavities and aid ***** health. Recent court rulings have led to the reduction of fluoride in US water, and some experts have questioned the continued need for it in water systems given its wide availability in toothpaste and other dental products. Most of western Europe does not add fluoride to its water. In England, about one in 10 people has fluoridated drinking water. Removing it altogether could still pose a challenge, however, as the federal government does not have the final authority over that decision. ******* hundreds of health officials Kennedy has long claimed that chronic health issues have worsened due to the inaction of federal health agencies. He said at a rally in Arizona earlier this month that he plans to ***** and replace 600 employees at the NIH – which oversees vaccine research – as soon as Trump takes the White House. The longtime lawyer also said last month that he intends “to have every nutritional scientist” in the health and agriculture departments fired on day one of a Trump presidency because he alleges they are co-opted by corporate interests. He reportedly intends to take a serious look at those who work at other health agencies as well, including the Food and ***** Administration and the Centers for ******** Control and Prevention. Source link #RFK #vaccines #fluoride #drugs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Matthew Hayden says *********** selectors backed themselves into a corner in hunt for David Warner successor Matthew Hayden says *********** selectors backed themselves into a corner in hunt for David Warner successor Matthew Hayden has declared Aussie selectors backed themselves into a corner in the hunt for David Warner’s opening replacement, saying he had sympathy for overlooked duo Cam Bancroft and Marcus Harris. Source link #Matthew #Hayden #*********** #selectors #backed #corner #hunt #David #Warner #successor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gabon votes on new constitution, key step towards democratic rule Gabon votes on new constitution, key step towards democratic rule (Reuters) – Voters in Gabon headed to the polls on Saturday to decide on a new constitution that would pave the way to democratic rule after a coup ousted the Bongo dynasty last year. The new constitution would introduce two-term limits on the presidency, remove the position of prime minister and recognise French as Gabon’s working language. The presidential term would be set at seven years. General Brice Oligui Nguema, the interim president who seized power in a coup last year, is urging voters to agree to the new constitution, which he says embodies the junta’s commitment to charting a new course for Gabon. Military officers toppled the government in August last year. The ousted president, Ali Bongo, had ruled since 2009. His father, Omar, had ruled since 1967. It was the eighth coup in West and Central ******* since 2020. Western powers and regional bodies have pressured military rulers to hold elections within reasonable timeframes. (Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome and Jessica Donati) Source link #Gabon #votes #constitution #key #step #democratic #rule Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shock as Rutland man told ‘there’s a cow in your pool’ Shock as Rutland man told ‘there’s a cow in your pool’ A man who was told a pregnant cow was stuck in his swimming pool said he is over the moon after a successful rescue attempt. The cream of Leicestershire ***** and Rescue was sent to a property in Ketton, Rutland, on Monday after the cow “checked herself in for a spa day”. Ian Blackburn said he was on the phone to a friend at the time when a neighbour informed him of an unexpected visitor at his home. The heifer has now been returned home, and is said to be “fit and well”. Mr Blackburn said a normal Monday took a drastic turn after the unplanned visit. “The doorbell went – I was on the phone at the time to a friend – and Andy the farmer was at the door,” he said. “As I opened the door he said ‘have you looked in your pool recently?’, and I said ‘no, why?’, and he said ‘well, there’s a cow in it’. “It’s not every day that you spend three or four hours trying to recover a ****** from the pool.” After firefighters drained the pool and used a harness to lift her out, the cow was checked over by a vet to make sure she and her calf were healthy before she was returned home. Source link #Shock #Rutland #man #told #cow #pool Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three ******* after small plane crashes into paddock in Victoria Three ******* after small plane crashes into paddock in Victoria Three people have been ******* after a small plane crashed into a paddock before catching *****. Source link #******* #small #plane #crashes #paddock #Victoria Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chipotle lied when it denied viral outrage over portion sizes getting skimpier, investor lawsuit claims Chipotle lied when it denied viral outrage over portion sizes getting skimpier, investor lawsuit claims Chipotle has been unable to escape the viral backlash on the restaurant chain’s inconsistent and skimpy portion sizes. Shareholders are now suing the company in a class-action lawsuit alleging the chain was dismissive of the customer outrage. When Chipotle addressed and tried to rectify inconsistent portions, it cost them profitability and sunk share prices. Shareholders said in a complaint filed Monday that Chipotle “understated” diners’ dissatisfaction with “highly inconsistent (and in the view of some customers, lacking) portion sizes” in its risk disclosure in its 2023 annual report and 2024 first-quarter report. Customer grievances on social media escalated in the spring and summer months, according to the complaint, including one particular video from content creator Keith Lee, whose review of Chipotle—which included complaints of meager amounts of chicken in his burrito bowl—received 19.4 million views on TikTok. The complaint cited Fortune’s coverage of Chipotle customers’ discontent following a May interview with CEO Brian Niccol, who was named as a defendant in the suit alongside John Hartung, chief financial and administrative officer. Niccol told Fortune portion sizes had not gotten smaller and touted the company’s generous portion sizes saying, “it’s kind of who we are.” Niccol left the restaurant chain to become the chief executive of Starbucks in September, and interim CEO Scott Boatwright replaced him as the company’s permanent head, Chipotle announced the same day the lawsuit was filed. The complaint claimed Niccol’s statements were “materially false and misleading when made because portions had in fact gotten smaller in many cases.” Niccol’s comments followed an outpouring of concern on social media that Chipotle was skimping on meat and rice, which sparked the viral trend of diners filming Chipotle staff making their orders to pressure them to pile on toppings. A Wells Fargo analysis in June validated customer complaints, showing that among 75 burrito bowls, there was vast variability in portion sizes, particularly for online orders, with the heaviest burrito bowl weighing 87% more than the lightest bowl. “We don’t comment on litigation and will vigorously defend our industry leading real food,” chief corporate affairs officer Laurie Schalow told Fortune in an emailed statement. Niccol addressed customer concerns over portion sizes in a July 24 second-quarter earnings call, where he said more than 10% of Chipotle’s 3,500 locations had “outlier portion scores” and needed to retrain staff to make portions more consistent. Story Continues “There was never a directive to provide less to our customers,” Niccol said. “Generous portion is a core brand equity of Chipotle. It always has been, and it always will be.” Chipotle’s recommitment to unsparing bowl sizes came at a price to the company. The company reported lower-than-expected revenue in last month’s third-quarter earnings due to expensive ingredients, as well as rectifying inconsistent portion sizes. “The benefit of last year’s menu price increase was more than offset by inflation across several items, most notably avocados and dairy, as well as higher usage as we focused on ensuring consistent and generous portions,” chief financial officer Adam Rymer said in the earnings call. Though foot traffic and same-store sales increased over the quarter, investors were less than impressed, and Chipotle’s stock fell nearly 8% following the earnings report. Ultimately, because Chipotle only later acknowledged the problem with its portions—and fixing the inconsistencies came at meaningful expense to the company and its shareholders—the chain’s true ******** was the speed at which it disclosed its awareness of and addressed the problem, the lawsuit claims. “As a result of Defendants’ wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Company’s common shares,” the complaint said. “Plaintiff and other Class members have suffered significant losses and damages.” The class-action lawsuit is seeking damages for those who bought or traded Chipotle stock or options between Feb. 8, 2024 and Oct. 29, 2024. The plaintiff claims hundreds or thousands of shareholders may be eligible. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Chipotle #lied #denied #viral #outrage #portion #sizes #skimpier #investor #lawsuit #claims Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]