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Impact on credit cards, savings and mortgages Impact on credit cards, savings and mortgages Vishala Sri-Pathma and Abi Smitton Business reporters BBC Jon and Becky Ball say the rate cut may help their mortgage, but hit their savings The Bank of England cut interest rates on Thursday from 4.75% to 4.5%, the lowest level for more than 18 months. Lower rates can reduce the cost of borrowing, but could also mean lower returns on savings. The BBC spoke to borrowers and savers about how the rate cut will affect them. ‘Our mortgage may go up by £125 a month’ The Ball family have lived in their home for 11 years Becky and Jon Ball, both 40, live in Selby, North Yorkshire with their daughters, 12-year-old Sophie and nine-year-old Emily, and their dog Bertie. Becky works in finance and Jon is a truck driver. They have lived in their house for 11 years, and their five-year fixed term mortgage ends in April. They currently face paying an extra £125 per month, with the payment going up from £460 to £585. Becky hopes the rate cut means “our rate that we’ve secured at the minute would go down so that we can jump on to a better rate before April”. “We’ve already had discussions about what to cut back on to make sure we can meet the extra cost.” But Jon says the drop in interest rates will also hit their savings. “It’s swings and roundabouts, you win with one, you lose with another. It’s a really difficult time for everybody.” ‘I’m making £40 less on my savings’ Craig Mountaine in Yorkshire has around £35,000 in savings in both savings accounts and premium bonds. He says when rates were at their recent peak of 5.25% he was earning 4.75% on his savings, so around £180 a month. He is now earning 4%, which he expects to drop to 3.75% once the latest cut is factored in, equating to around £140 a month. “I’m probably looking at losing £40 a month from the peak [to today],” he says. “As a semi-retired 55-year-old that extra income from savings interest allowed me and my wife to live rather than simply surviving.” ‘My mortgage could go up by £1,000 – we need more rate cuts’Gino Rocco Gino says it is becoming unaffordable to live in London Gino Rocco, 59, and his partner Robert have a five-year fixed rate mortgage that is coming to an end in August. They currently pay just over £2,000 a month on their newbuild flat in London Bridge. That could go up by £1,000 depending on the deal they manage to land. He welcomes the cut in interest rates, and hopes they continue downwards in time for when his mortgage is up for renewal. But he knows they will still face a significant increase. “We will have to make changes. I’m aware that for others it’ll be much worse,” says Gino, who works as an in-house solicitor. He adds that his service charge, heating and water bills have also gone up. “It was comfortable but with everything else going up, it’s just about affordable now. “It is not just people on low incomes who are struggling.” ‘The interest rate on my credit card is 23% – a 0.25% cut is not enough’Subbu Subbu is worried about the credit card debt he is accruing Subbu, 48, lives in Dorset with his wife and children. When the interest rate on his mortgage went up from 2.1% to 5%, his monthly repayments increased by £1,000. His current mortgage is up for renewal in 2028, so he is now using a credit card to pay for the increased costs. The interest rate on his credit card is 23%. A quarter percentage point cut in rates is not helpful enough, he says. “It’s really tough at the moment, I find that any excess cash goes on our basic living needs and we really don’t have much leftover at the end of the month.” Subbu is speaking to a broker to release some equity from the house to pay off his credit card. That might mean higher repayments on the mortgage, but he feels that this could be a better solution as it is paid off over a longer ******* of time compared to a credit card. “It’s been very stressful, I don’t know how others manage. I hope that by the time we remortgage again, rates are a lot lower.” Source link #Impact #credit #cards #savings #mortgages Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

More than 100 red-bellied ****** snakes found in Sydney backyard More than 100 red-bellied ****** snakes found in Sydney backyard Iris Zeng BBC News, Sydney Reptile Relocation Sydney The discovery included five adult and 97 baby red-bellied ****** snakes *********** reptile handlers say they have been stunned to rescue 102 venomous snakes from a backyard mulch pile in Sydney. Cory Kerewaro said his business was initially called to rescue “a bunch” of the reptiles after one was reported to have bitten a dog at the property. When his colleague arrived, he discovered 40 red-bellied ****** snakes – four of which gave birth to more live young once he had placed them in a removal bag. Red-bellied ****** snakes are one of the most common venomous species in Australia but have not caused any human deaths on record. The five adult and 97 baby snakes are currently under quarantine and will be released into a national park once the weather cools. Mr Kerewaro said it was as record haul for the snake handlers, who normally catch between five and 15 reptiles per day. He said he recalls colleague Dylan Cooper calling him within 15 minutes to say: “Mate, I’m going to be here a while. It’s a pretty big pile… I’m already over 15 snakes!” “I thought he was stitching me up.” The dog was “alive and well” after the incident which happened on Boxing Day, he added. Female red-bellied ****** snakes often gather in small groups when they are ready to give birth, possibly to protect against predators, according to Mr Kerewaro. They are the only snake of their genus to give live birth, the *********** Museum says on its website. The species is considered to be shy, and bites – though uncommon – can cause swelling, nausea and diarrhoea. Snake catchers are required by law to release the animals close to where they were found. But given the size this discovery, the catchers have been given permission to release the snakes into a national park away from human interactions. Source link #redbellied #****** #snakes #Sydney #backyard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best looks from South Africa’s biggest political event Best looks from South Africa’s biggest political event Danai Nesta Kupemba BBC News Esa Alexander / Reuters Politicians, musicians, and celebrities arrived in their most glamorous looks for one of South Africa’s biggest political events – the State of the Nation Address (Sona), making it almost as much about fashion as politics. Sona is a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament in Cape Town to mark the start of the government’s work for the year, where President Cyril Ramaphosa paints a picture of where the country stands and outlines the road ahead. In his speech, President Ramaphosa talked about the nation’s resilience, earning rapturous applause when he declared, “South Africa will not be bullied.” His stance comes after his US counterpart Donald Trump threatened to cut off funding over South Africa’s land policy. Esa Alexander / Reuters While governance takes centre stage, Sona has evolved into a fashion spectacle over the years, with MPs using their outfits to support local designers and showcase South African talent. The outfits are always a hot topic on social media, and this year is no exception. Nic Bothma / Reuters Praise singer Inako Mateza, this year’s imbongi (traditional praise poet), played a key role in one of the most significant Sona traditions. Through song and dance, she recounted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s life story and history, blending tradition with a personal touch. She ended her performance by addressing the president with his well-known nickname, “Cupcake.” Nic Bothma / Reuters South Africa Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina wore a traditional outfit and spectacular ear-rings. Water was a key part of Ramaphosa’s speech, as he said there would be several investments in water projects to address the shortages affecting the whole country. Nic Bothma / ReutersNic Bothma / Reuters Draped in gold, this snazzy dresser is Gezani Kobane, a member of former President Jacob Zuma’s party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). As MK cements its presence in South African politics as the main opposition party, figures like Kobane are drawing attention both for their political stance and their distinctive style. But Zuma wasn’t in attendance as he was dealing with his ongoing trial on allegations of corruption over an arms deal. He denies any wrongdoing. Nic Bothma / ReutersNic Bothma / Reuters Outside parliament, there is a red carpet for guests and ministers to strike a pose. Dwayne Senior / Getty ImagesRodger Bosch / AFP South African politician and Pondo traditional leader Mwelo Nonkonyana, who now serves on the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa in the Eastern Cape showed off his community’s style, along with a staff. Nic Bothma / Reuters Julius Malema’s party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) arrived in their trademark red overalls. The party has disrupted previous Sonas, but this year they were relatively calm. Malema expressed his disappointment in President Ramaphosa speech and told local broadcaster eNCA, it was just “waffle”. Phando Jikelo / Shutterstock Members of Parliament were dressed to the nines as they listened to the speech. Now the hard work begins. You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #South #Africas #biggest #political #event Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Argentina canal turns bright red, alarming locals Argentina canal turns bright red, alarming locals A waterway in a suburb of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires turned bright red on Thursday, alarming locals. The Sarandí Canal flows through residential neighbourhoods and industrial areas before reaching an estuary, the Rio de la Plata, which borders an ecological reserve. Local media reports suggested the colour may have been caused by the dumping of textile dye, or by chemical waste from a nearby depot. Authorities have taken samples to determine the source of the contamination. Read more: Argentina canal turns bright red Source link #Argentina #canal #turns #bright #red #alarming #locals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Misinformation’ blamed for deal being rejected ‘Misinformation’ blamed for deal being rejected PA Media A number of teaching unions have said the rejection of the latest pay offer for teachers may have been influenced by misinformation on social media. Teachers rejected a 5.5% pay deal on Thursday and are due to begin action short of a strike. The offer said teachers should “commit to a ******* free from industrial action” leading to speculation they would be waiving their right to strike in future. Jacquie White, from the Ulster Teachers’ Union (UTU), and Mark Taggart from the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said this was a misinterpretation and the deal did not prevent future strikes. Mr McTaggart said there had been “misinformation being put out across social media in terms of this deal”. “I would say many members will have seen what was on social media and made a decision based on that,” he said. Ms White said there had been a “perfect storm,” in terms of getting information out to members. “Due to the fact that negotiations were ongoing and intense the initial pay offer went out late on the day on Friday and, therefore, the unions were not in a position to provide that clarification, to respond to members’ concerns. We did put out further information on Saturday and followed it up on Monday,” she said. PA Media Unions had carried out a short consultation with teachers on the offer Teaching unions had received the 5.5% offer from the employers, including the Department of Education (DE), on 31 January. It said schools needed “a prolonged ******* of stability free from industrial action” and it “should only be taken as a last resort in any dispute”. Union leaders subsequently said it did not mean teachers had to waive their right to strike. Mr McTaggart told Good Morning Ulster “unions can’t be tied to a deal which doesn’t allow them to take legal and legitimate industrial action where they need to”. But he added: “That’s what was being implied here.” Ms White said: “The initial pay offer went out late in the day on Friday and unions weren’t in a position to provide clarification and respond to members’ concerns.” Offer was ‘insulting and derisory’ Tanya Wakeley, a teacher St Cecilia’s College in Londonderry, and vice president of the National Education Union in Northern Ireland, said the 5.5% offer was “insulting and derisory”. “We just want the minister to realise the hard work and effort that has gone into teaching over the last x amount of years,” she told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme. That needs to be “appreciated in our pay packet,” she said, adding that the profession was “at crisis point” in terms of workload. “Teachers have been putting sticking plasters on education for too long,” she said. One union prepared to accept offer Unions had carried out a short consultation with teachers on the offer, but it did not provide the necessary backing for the deal. Teaching employers have said they are disappointed and are calling on trade unions to bring forward proposals to resolve the dispute. The pay offer was expected to have cost the Northern Ireland Executive about £49m. BBC News NI understands that members of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) were the only union prepared to accept the offer. Teaching unions had suspended planned action short of strike while negotiations on the pay deal took place, but they will now resume that action from Monday. Source link #Misinformation #blamed #deal #rejected Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Man Crush and Twain’s Angel to settle score in Saturday’s Cyril Flower Stakes at Ascot Man Crush and Twain’s Angel to settle score in Saturday’s Cyril Flower Stakes at Ascot With the score at one apiece, Saturday’s Listed $125,000 Bisley Workwear Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) shapes as the decider between two favourites Man Crush and Twain’s Angel. Source link #Man #Crush #Twains #Angel #settle #score #Saturdays #Cyril #Flower #Stakes #Ascot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Sounds Like a Modern Reboot Rather Than a Reinvention, and That’s Perfect Onimusha: Way of the Sword Sounds Like a Modern Reboot Rather Than a Reinvention, and That’s Perfect SimpleSlave55d ago I would not use Wukong as a barometer for success for any other game outside Wukong. There’s en entire backstory and lore surrounding that game that do not and will not translate to other games. While Nioh and Sekiro and other Soulslike are the games closer to Onimusha, for obvious reasons, and are the ones closer and more realistic to how Onimusha might do in the marketplace. “While you can imagine Sekiro, Nioh, Bloodborne, etc. have given us an iteration of Onimusha and Castlevania, they still aren’t, nor ever will be, those games.” They don’t have to be those games. They just have to take their place in the marketplace and in the conversation. And in this case these games have not only iterated on them older games, but bested them by a country mile. AND, they have given us what Konami and Capcom have failed to give us throughout the years. Konami can’t make a 3D Castlevania game to save their lives. But even if they did, Bloodborne and the rest of the SoulsBorne already took that franchise’s place and gave us THE best and quintessential Castlevania 3D games ever. Untouchable to this day. Now, does that mean Onimusha, or a new 3D Castlevania, will fail because of this? No. But it does mean that it will be compared, and if it’s perceived as inferior it might very well be affected by it. Nothing in that Onimusha trailer showed anything we haven’t seen before. Not even close. And it also didn’t gave an indication as to what type of game it will be. So, as of now, we only have speculations based on the previous entries, which were all over the place I might add. There’s a reason the series tanked and went away. Let’s put it that way. “I just don’t see cause for that concern that other have surpassed the design and it’ll just be another drop in the bucket.” I do. But regardless, even if it’s actually “successful” by our standards, it could still very well end up being just another “a drop in the bucket.” Especially with how unrealistic sales have to be now a days for a franchise to be kept going. So keep that optimism up and make sure to tell you friends about the game for sure. “This game has me more hyped for it than the Elden Ring DLC that was shown. And I’m a huge Elden Ring fan, so that’s telling.” C’mon, lets be realistic and honest with ourselves here. That Elden Ring DLC is nothing more than a FromSoftware take on the whole Fortnite formula. If you really want to compare the hype, then compare it to Elden Ring and to Shadow of the Eldtree and to Bloodborne. Or, more precisely, to Sekiro and Nioh. But Elden Ring, its DLC and Bloodborne were HyperHype. Onimusha’s trailer don’t even have 1 million views 19 hours after release. So temper your expectations for now is all. Now, with that said. Nothing that was shown in that trailer was special. But that doesn’t mean or says anything about the game’s quality. My take is on the market and perception, not on how cool a cinematic camera shot is. Because in this day and age? “Cool” Cinematic Trailers are indeed “just another drop in the bucket” and a dime a dozen. So we’ll agree to disagree and we’ll revisit this in about 2 years…IF it stays on target that is. And to be clear, yes, I do want Onimusha to be successful. I like the first 2 games and I would enjoy for the series to make a comeback past just 1 entry. I personally would love for it to be a more “grounded” Resi/Dead Space Samurai Horror type game with a combat style closer to that of Ghost of Tsushima, since that’s the direction I feel would help set it apart from the SoulsBorne genre. But who knows. Regardless, I’m hoping for the best, but I’m keeping my expectations realistic and calling it as I see it. Source link #Onimusha #Sword #Sounds #Modern #Reboot #Reinvention #Perfect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside secret £10m medicinal cannabis factory Inside secret £10m medicinal cannabis factory A £10 million medical cannabis facility in the Midlands, run by Derbyshire-based Dalgety, is the first in the *** with EU GMP certification to cultivate, manufacture, and distribute high-grade cannabinoids. The 30,000 sq ft site, protected by ex-military guards and 150 security cameras, ensures a consistent domestic supply of prescription cannabis, addressing shortages caused by international imports. CEO James Leavesley said their process delivers products to patients in weeks. Dalgety’s first shipment, equivalent to 500 prescriptions, was sent out last month as the firm seeks to break the stigma surrounding medical cannabis. Source link #secret #10m #medicinal #cannabis #factory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Central banks are lowering rates. Fed may not do so Central banks are lowering rates. Fed may not do so The Reserve Bank of India logo outside its headquarters in Mumbai on Feb. 7, 2025. Indranil Mukherjee | Afp | Getty Images On Friday, the Reserve Bank of India trimmed its repo rate by 25 basis points. A day prior, the Bank of England lowered interest rates by 25 basis points, following the European Central Bank’s cut of the same amount on Jan. 30. Many economies seem to be settling into a lower-rate environment as policymakers look to boost economic growth. That’s in stark contrast with the U.S. — it’s unclear if the U.S. Federal Reserve would even deliver on its two rate cuts in 2025, forecast in December, given the uncertainties over the economic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies. Moreover, Trump seems to have backed off from applying pressure on the Fed. Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. dollar began strengthening and hit its highest level in more than two years, as measured by the U.S. dollar index. That’s already affected companies such as Amazon, which blamed the currency for weighing down its expected revenue in the current quarter. The U.S. might have an edge over other economies and stock markets for now, but an edge can cut both ways. What you need to know today India’s first rate cut in nearly five yearsThe Reserve Bank of India cut its repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said in a livestreamed address Friday. The move, which was expected by economists, was the first time in nearly five years the central bank has lowered rates. The RBI forecast real economic growth to come in at 6.4% for the current fiscal year, the country’s lowest in four years, and 6.7% for fiscal year 2025-26. Bank of England trims ratesThe Bank of England lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.5%, its first cut of the year. All members of the monetary policy committee voted to lower rates, but two out of nine had voted for a larger cut of 50 basis points. Central bank governor Andrew Bailey said he expects more cuts this year. The BOE also halved its growth forecast for the U.K.’s economy in 2025 to 0.75% from 1.5%. Disappointing guidance from AmazonAmazon shares fell more than 4% after giving disappointing revenue guidance for the current quarter, citing difficulties posed by a strong U.S. dollar. It also announced plans to spend $100 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, mostly on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The tech giant beat earnings and revenue expectations for the fourth quarter — and is poised to surpass Walmart as the S&P 500 company with the highest quarterly revenue. Consecutive gains for S&P 500On Thursday, the S&P 500 advanced 0.36% for its third consecutive winning day, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.51%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, lost 0.28%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 retreated around 0.6% after the country’s household spending in December unexpectedly jumped on an annual basis, while India’s Nifty 50 was around the flatline after the RBI trimmed interest rates. Trump’s focusing on yields, not ratesThe Trump administration is focusing on using fiscal policy to keep the 10-year Treasury yield low and isn’t “calling for the Fed to lower rates,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Wednesday interview with Fox News. That marks a shift from Trump’s original plan to “demand that interest rates drop immediately.” [PRO] IBM outperforms NvidiaNot Nvidia, not Apple and not Amazon — the best-performing stock in the Dow over the past three months has been IBM, which climbed 27%. However, the tech company needs to do more in the field of artificial intelligence for its stock to continue performing well, according to one chief investment officer. And finally… People shop for clothes at a Calvin Klein store at a mall in Beijing on Feb. 5, 2025. Adek Berry | AFP | Getty Images How Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger got caught in Trump’s trade war with China China has blacklisted the owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, which could force the company to shut down stores and manufacturing in the country, in an early repercussion of Trump’s trade war. While China’s Ministry of Commerce began investigating PVH September for allegedly refusing to source cotton from the Xinjiang region, which has become notorious for its Uyghur detention camps, Beijing officially placed the company on its list of “unreliable entities” on Tuesday. Source link #Central #banks #lowering #rates #Fed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Watch These Amazon Price Levels as Stock Drops on Cloud Revenue Miss, Tepid Sales Outlook – Investopedia Watch These Amazon Price Levels as Stock Drops on Cloud Revenue Miss, Tepid Sales Outlook – Investopedia Watch These Amazon Price Levels as Stock Drops on Cloud Revenue Miss, Tepid Sales Outlook InvestopediaAmazon stock falls after first quarter sales outlook disappoints Yahoo FinanceAmazon reports strong earnings for Q4, but stocks dip due to outlook for the first quarter The Associated PressAmazon issues disappointing revenue forecast, points to weakest growth on record CNBCAmazon Reports 88% Rise in Profits but Says Growth Could Slow The New York Times Source link #Watch #Amazon #Price #Levels #Stock #Drops #Cloud #Revenue #Tepid #Sales #Outlook #Investopedia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history leaves immigrant community on edge Worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history leaves immigrant community on edge BBC Jacob Kasselia lost a member of his congregation in the attack. “He was simply a good man,” the priest said. In the middle of a grand, high-ceilinged church in Orebro, Sweden, Jacob Kasselia, a Syrian orthodox priest, looked up towards the stained glass windows above him, then back down at his hands. He adjusted the gold cross hanging from his neck. “The police say this man acted alone,” the priest said. “But this hate, it is coming from somewhere.” A member of Kasselia’s congregation, 29-year-old Salim Iskef, was among those murdered in Orebro on Tuesday in Sweden’s first school shooting and the worst mass shooting in the country’s history. The gunman killed 10 students at an adult learning centre and then himself. Among the dead are Syrians and Bosnians, according to residents and the embassies of those countries, but the police in Orebro have not given any details of the victims publicly. Kasselia described Iskef as kind and thoughtful, keen to help other members of the community. He came to Sweden with his mother and sister, the priest said – refugees from Aleppo, where his father was killed in the war. Iskef was studying Swedish at the Risbergska school, the target of Tuesday’s attack. “He was simply a good man,” the priest said. “He did not look for trouble. He showed only goodwill. He was a member of our community.” A man lights a candle at a memorial opposite the Risbergska school in Orebro. Ten people were killed in the attack, as well as the gunman. The night after the attack, Kasselia sat with Iskef’s family to console them. Iskef was engaged and due to be married this summer. His fiancee Kareen Elia, 24, was “very badly affected”, the priest said, and was “going through a very difficult, very dark experience”. At a memorial service in Orebro on Thursday night, Elia broke down in screams and tears and had to be carried out of the church. In the days since the shooting, there has been a striking lack of information from the authorities. On Thursday night, police had still not confirmed the identity of the gunman – widely reported by Swedish media to be 35-year-old local Rickard Andersson – nor any details about his motive or the victims. In a statement issued early on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the attack, police said the shooter did not appear to be motivated by any ideology. On Thursday, Anna Bergkvist, who is leading the police investigation, appeared to walk the statement back. “Why they said that, I cannot comment,” she told the BBC. “We are looking at different motives and we will declare it when we have it.” Kareen Elia, 24, the fiancee of Salim Isker, cries at a memorial service for him in Orebro on Thursday. Swedish police are usually cautious about naming suspects during an investigation, but the absence of official information has contributed to a feeling of fear and uncertainty among Orebro’s immigrant communities over the past few days. “We are getting all our information from the media and I don’t know why,” said Nour Afram, 36, who was inside the Risbergska school when the attack began. “We need more information,” she said. “We don’t know why he did it, why did he target this school? Was he sick or was it something else?” Afram was waiting to go into class when she heard people screaming that there was a shooter – something so unbelievable to her she thought at first it was a prank. “We started to run and then I heard the gunshots,” she said. “One at first, then tak tak tak – maybe ten shots. I was so scared I felt like my heart stopped in my chest.” Afram, who immigrated from Syria to Orebro as a child, said she was afraid for the first time to send her three children to school in Sweden. Zaki Aydin, a 50-year-old Syriac language teacher in Orebro, said he was afraid for the first time for his young students, who are mostly from the Middle East. “We are foreigners, we have to be careful now,” he said. Aydin used to have the doors of his classroom and the church building open when he taught. “Now we are closing them,” he said. “And yesterday I asked someone to stand outside to prevent anyone we didn’t know already from coming in.” Nour Afram, who was inside the school during the attack, said she panicked and ran. “The first time in my life I heard gunshots before,” she said. One of the pupils at the school, 18-year-old Gabriel, said a “nightmare had come true” for Orebro. “The problem is we have no motive, only speculation,” he said. “A lot of people my age are frightened to go to school, we feel like Sweden has become like America. The things you see on television have happened here.” In the absence of any official news about the motive, all that the residents here in Orebro know is that the killer appears to have been a reclusive white Swedish man and that he targeted a school with a large immigrant student base. Tomas Poletti Lundstrom, an academic researcher in racism at Uppsala University, who happens to live just a few minutes from the site of the attack and heard police helicopters fly over his home on Tuesday, said Orebro was facing a “deeply horrible time”. “You can really sense it everywhere, it is affecting everyone,” Lundstrom said. “We don’t know the motives of the shooter yet, but we are living in a very racist time and this is a school for a lot of immigrants.” Shootings like the one at Risbergska were “the outcome of how our society looks at the moment, how our politicians talk, and how we talk about one another”, he said. “This is what happens when politicians speak the way they are speaking at the moment.” Members of the Syrian orthodox congregation singing hymns at a memorial service in Orebro. At the cordoned off entrance to Risbergska school early on Thursday morning, people were stopping by to leave flowers, light candles, or simply to stand and take in the scene. From the street, you can clearly see the front door through which the killer was filmed appearing to go from classroom to classroom with a rifle. Among those who came alone and stood for a while by the collection of candles and flowers was the city’s mayor, John Johansson, who had made an official visit to the site the day before alongside the prime minister and the king and queen but stopped there again on his way to work on Thursday to pay his respects. “I hope that the police will find conclusions soon,” Johansson said. “The city needs answers, our society needs answers, and the families of the victims need to know why this happened.” But it was not time to “speculate or rush ahead”, he said. “We do not want to contribute to any false rumours, and so we hope the police will find answers as early as possible.” Tony Estroem, a salesman from Eskilstuna, about 80km from Orebro, also stopped by the school on Thursday morning. “This kind of shooting, at a school, you read about it elsewhere but not in Sweden,” he said. “It looks to be a Swedish guy, and perhaps that is better than if it had been an immigrant responsible,” he added. “Of course it is a terrible event either way, but we do not want to add more fuel to the fire.” Mourners left candles and cards at the site of the shooting. Among them, a hand-written copy of John Donne’s poem, No Man Is An Island. Police have given out some limited information about their investigation. They said that about 130 officers responded to the shooting in total, and that they were met by an “inferno” in the school. They said that they believe the gunman acted alone. Family members, former school friends and neighbours have told Swedish media he had become a recluse in recent years and may have suffered with psychological issues. There have been complaints about the handling of the case. The Bosnian ambassador Bojan Sosic, who also visited the site of the shooting, learned from residents that a Bosnian was among the dead. “I find it odd, to say the least, that the police chooses to withhold information that pertains to foreign citizens from respective embassies,” he said. Others, including members of the Syrian community, said they trusted the police were doing the right thing and only hoped to learn more soon. Kasselia, the Syrian Orthodox priest, said that the wider community “does not know what the police are thinking, but we trust that they have their own plan”. Hundreds of people came to Kasselia’s church on Thursday night from the Syrian, Turkish, Iraqi and other migrant communities. A picture of Salim Iskef, one of the shooting’s victims, sat on an easel. Children from the congregation sung hymns. Iskef’s family, sitting in a pew near the front, were consumed by grief. It is difficult to understand why these sorts of attacks happen even when the motive is known. Without it, it is even more confounding. A few hours before the memorial service began, Kasselia had been sitting in a pew in his empty church, trying to make sense of it. “People die, of course. They become sick, they have some accident,” he said. “But this, how can we understand this? To be shot dead in a school. We could not dream of this. We cannot even describe it. Why?” There was some comfort in hearing from the police that the gunman acted alone, Kasselia said. It left less anxiety of another attack. “But this man had something in his heart, some kind of hate, that he gathered from somewhere,” the priest said. “We cannot say there are not others.” Additional reporting by Phelan Chatterjee. Photographs by Joel Gunter. Source link #Worst #mass #shooting #Swedens #history #leaves #immigrant #community #edge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russell Crowe joined by Robbie Williams and Paul Kelly on the Gold Coast for the 2025 AACTA Awards Russell Crowe joined by Robbie Williams and Paul Kelly on the Gold Coast for the 2025 AACTA Awards Aussie screen stars walked the red carpet for the industry’s biggest night of the year at the AACTA Award Ceremony on the Gold Coast. Source link #Russell #Crowe #joined #Robbie #Williams #Paul #Kelly #Gold #Coast #AACTA #Awards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Committee vote on Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI director delayed after Democrats object Committee vote on Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI director delayed after Democrats object A Senate Judiciary Committee vote on advancing Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI director was delayed Thursday after Democrats raised objections. The move will require the committee to take a one week hold before voting on Patel’s nomination but the delay will likely have no bearing on Patel’s ability to ultimately be confirmed. PHOTO: Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 30, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Patel, who has never served as an FBI agent, has become a controversial pick after Democrats questions about his comments that he planned to fire agents and the bureau’s leaders as well as his voicing support for Jan. 6 rioters. MORE: Kash Patel hearing: FBI director nominee pressed on Jan. 6, conspiracy comments Democrats argued they needed the pause to see if they could get more information on Patel contending did not provide the committee with information “essential to our consideration of his nomination.” In a letter to Republican chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, obtained by ABC News, Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, Cory Booker and Adam Schiff wrote that Patel has “repeatedly refused to discuss the testimony he provided to a federal grand jury investigating Donald Trump’s unlawful retention of classified documents, as well as his invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.” “We regret that you have rejected our efforts to inquire into the first-ever invocation of Fifth Amendment protection by a nominee seeking to lead the FBI,” they wrote. MORE: Trump aide offered immunity to testify before grand jury about Mar-a-Lago docs: Sources The senators said that when they asked Patel to disclose information about his grand jury testimony, he said he could not because it was “subject to a seal order” but they said no such order could be identified. They also argued that Patel’s choice to invoke the Fifth Amendment before a grand jury “merits further inquiry.” “Until Mr. Patel discloses the substance of his grand jury testimony, the Committee should similarly draw the adverse inference that he has something to hide; that he invoked the Fifth Amendment because his testimony would have shown that he committed a crime or was in other legal peril, which should be disqualifying for any candidate seeking to be confirmed as FBI Director,” the senators wrote. PHOTO: Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 30, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) During his hearing before the committee last week, Patel testified that he would be impartial but dodged questions about his comments and associations with far-right groups such as QAnon. MORE: How fierce Trump ally Kash Patel could help reshape the FBI or Justice Department Sen. ***** Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, said Thursday that the Democrats asked for another hearing due to those concerns and what he said was Patel’s contradictory testimony. “For God’s sake, to give the most sweeping investigative agency in the United States and the world over to this man to settle political scores is something we’re going to regret. That’s why we asked for a second hearing on this,” he said. Despite Democratic objections, Republicans have warmly received Patel’s nomination. During his hearing, Grassley called Patel’s career a “study in fighting for unpopular but righteous causes, exposing corruption, and putting America First.” No Senate Republican has said they intend to vote against Patel at this time. Calling for a one-week holdover before a vote is allowed under Judiciary Committee rules. Both parties have exercised it regularly when in the *********. The committee will now likely vote on Patel’s nomination next Thursday. Committee vote on Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI director delayed after Democrats object originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source link #Committee #vote #Kash #Patels #nomination #FBI #director #delayed #Democrats #object Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. Treasury yields ahead of key January jobs report U.S. Treasury yields ahead of key January jobs report U.S. Treasury yields were trading in mixed territory on Friday, as investors awaited key January jobs data which will provide fresh insights into the state of the labor market. At 4:07 a.m. ET, the 10-year Treasury yield was down by less than one basis point to 4.436%. The 2-year Treasury yield was last at 4.2328% after rising by over two basis points. Yields and prices move in opposite directions. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. On Friday all eyes will be on January’s monthly jobs report, which includes nonfarm payrolls and unemployment data. Economists polled by Dow Jones are forecasting payrolls growth of 169,000 in January, down from the 256,000 jobs added in December. The unemployment rate is expected to stay unchanged at 4.1%. While the data could signal that jobs creation is slowing, the broader view appears to be that the labor market is holding up well and will not become an issue for the Federal Reserve any time soon. A stable employment picture will be welcomed by markets in light of the Fed likely keeping interest rates on hold for several more months as policymakers wait to see how U.S. President Donald Trump’s fiscal, economic and trade policies, including potential tariffs, shake out. The report comes after payrolls processing firm ADP on Wednesday said that private companies created 183,000 jobs in January. This was higher than December’s revised figure of 176,000 and also exceeded expectations. The latest consumer sentiment report will also be published on Friday. Attention will then shift from this week’s jobs data to another key data point slated for next week — the January consumer and wholesale inflation figures. Source link #U.S #Treasury #yields #ahead #key #January #jobs #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Small Plane With 10 Onboard Goes Missing in Alaska – The New York Times Small Plane With 10 Onboard Goes Missing in Alaska – The New York Times Small Plane With 10 Onboard Goes Missing in Alaska The New York TimesCessna reported missing over Alaska with 10 on board, officials say CNNCrews searching for missing plane in Alaska carrying 10 people Fox NewsRescue crews searching for overdue Bering Air plane with 10 aboard Anchorage Daily NewsSearch underway for overdue passenger flight bound for Nome with 10 aboard Alaska Public Media News Source link #Small #Plane #Onboard #Missing #Alaska #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Six Nations 2025: Warren Gatland’s Wales hope for light amid clouds Six Nations 2025: Warren Gatland’s Wales hope for light amid clouds If he is a man who fears for his future, Gatland was in relatively relaxed mood when he conducted his press conference close to Nice Airport. Gatland refuted Biggar’s “biggest game” comments. This is a coach who has prepared Wales for Grand Slam matches and Six Nations deciders and two World Cup semi-finals. Biggar’s assessment was based on the consequences of another defeat, and the head coach acknowledged the importance of the match and that Wales are desperate for a win. Gatland, who has a set of gates named after him at the Principality Stadium, continues to divide opinion in Wales. There are some who point to his poor record since 2020, who believe his coaching methods are outdated and insist a change is required. There are others who believe he is still the man to turn things around and he is doing the best he can with the quality of the squad at his disposal. His supporters lay the blame for the malaise in Welsh rugby solely at the door of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). There are also those who believe Gatland and the WRU must share responsibility for the respective failures on and off the field. After an independent review, Gatland was given a vote of confidence for the 2025 Six Nations, despite a calendar year where he oversaw 11 defeats. The mood music is the New Zealander might well be moving on at the end of the tournament, barring a miraculous turnaround. Whether victory or defeat this weekend in the Eternal City affects this prospective scenario remains to be seen. Source link #Nations #Warren #Gatlands #Wales #hope #light #clouds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Clarkson *******: Nadi Moussa asked friends to pray for his son in lead-up to alleged stabbing death Clarkson *******: Nadi Moussa asked friends to pray for his son in lead-up to alleged stabbing death Nadi Moussa was allegedly murdered by his son from a previous marriage at his Clarkson home on Tuesday morning. Source link #Clarkson #******* #Nadi #Moussa #asked #friends #pray #son #leadup #alleged #stabbing #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

1 AI Stock to Buy Before It Soars 335% to $1 Trillion, According to a Wall Street Analyst 1 AI Stock to Buy Before It Soars 335% to $1 Trillion, According to a Wall Street Analyst Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) was the best-performing member of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) in 2024, and the company carried that momentum into 2025. Earlier this week, Palantir announced exceptional fourth-quarter financial results driven by strong demand for its artificial intelligence platform. The stock rose more than 20% on the news, pushing Palantir’s market value to $230 billion. But Dan Ives at Wedbush Securities thinks that number is headed much higher. He recently told Schwab Network Palantir could be a trillion-dollar company within two or three years. That prediction implies 335% upside from its current market capitalization. Here’s what investors should know about Palantir. Palantir specializes in data analytics. Its core software products, Foundry and Gotham, let clients integrate complex information and develop machine learning (ML) models. Its primary source of differentiation is software built around an ontology, a framework that maps digital data to real-world objects and defines the relationship between them. Users can query ontology data with analytics applications to surface insights that improve decision-making. For instance, a bank using Foundry to manage account information across different branches could query its ontology with ML models trained to identify fraudulent transactions and other financial crimes. In 2023, Palantir debuted AIP, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that adds support for large language models to Foundry and Gotham, letting users engage the platforms conversationally. For instance, the bank from my previous example could prompt Foundry in simple text to automatically escalate certain issues and take appropriate action, like freezing accounts suspected of money laundering. International Data Corporation (IDC) recently recognized Palantir as the market leader in decision intelligence software. And Forrester Research recently ranked the company as a technology leader in AI/ML platforms, awarding AIP better scores than similar products from Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. “Palantir is quietly becoming one of the largest players in this market,” wrote analyst Mike Gualtieri. Looking ahead, IDC estimates AI platform sales will increase at 40% annually to reach $153 billion by 2028. Palantir currently ranks second behind Microsoft in revenue share, but the company is growing like wildfire. Dan Ives recently told Yahoo Finance that no other company has a product comparable to AIP. Image source: Getty Images. Palantir reported excellent financial results for the fourth quarter, beating estimates on the top and bottom lines. Its customer count jumped 43% to 711, while the average existing customer spent 20% more. In turn, sales increased 36% to $828 million, the sixth straight acceleration, and non-GAAP earnings surged 75% to $0.14 per diluted share. Story Continues Palantir’s profits have now exceeded expectations in six straight quarters, and the company’s actual earnings during that ******* beat the consensus estimate by an average of 13%. In short, most Wall Street analysts have consistently underestimated the company by a wide margin. But the tide appears to be turning. Mark Giarelli at Morningstar recently wrote, “Palantir’s outstanding fourth-quarter results, rapid growth amid the artificial intelligence arms race, and strategic positioning in the AI-value chain further solidify our base case expectations that this company can be the next software juggernaut.” Since Palantir’s impressive performance in the fourth quarter, numerous analysts have raised their earnings forecasts and fair value estimates. In fact, the average target price on the stock is now $81 per share. That is roughly double what it was a month ago, and nearly triple what it was three months ago, according to data from LSEG. Additionally, Wall Street now expects earnings to increase 37% in 2025, several percentage points faster than what analysts expected before the company reported fourth-quarter results. Even so, the current valuation of 240 times adjusted earnings is still very expensive by comparison. Investors should be very cautious about chasing the stock at its current price. Here is the bottom line: I think Dan Ives is right about Palantir becoming a trillion-dollar company, but I doubt it will reach that milestone in the next two or three years. A decade seems more plausible. I think better buying opportunities will arise in the future, but investors eager to own shares can start with a very small position today, provided they are comfortable with holding those shares through volatility. Before you buy stock in Palantir Technologies, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Palantir Technologies wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $765,024!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 920% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 176% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list. Learn more » *Stock Advisor returns as of February 3, 2025 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. Trevor Jennewine has positions in Amazon and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool 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. 1 AI Stock to Buy Before It Soars 335% to $1 Trillion, According to a Wall Street Analyst was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Stock #Buy #Soars #Trillion #Wall #Street #Analyst Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Google: Post-Earnings Dip Could Be a Buying Opportunity Google: Post-Earnings Dip Could Be a Buying Opportunity Google (NASDAQ:) posted adjusted EPS of $2.15 in Q4, beating street estimates of $2.13. The company has beat earnings estimates in each of the last 8 quarters. Although earnings results came in above estimates by the smallest of margins, at 0.9%. Well below the 8 quarter average of 8.6%. Earnings growth has slowed since Q1 2024, but remains at a solid 30%+ range over the last 3 quarters. Sales minus traffic acquisition costs came in at $81.621 billion for the quarter, which was just barely above street estimates of $81.6 billion. The company has beaten sales expectations for the last 8 quarters as well. Similar to the earnings beat, the sales beat was also the smallest in the last 8 quarters. While the sales growth rate remains in the mid teens. The stock gapped down about 8% after earnings after they guided for capital expenditures of $75 billion for 2025, which was more than the street was anticipating. The CAPEX spend will have a negative effect on earnings. The street is expecting about 14% EPS growth (down from the 30%+ over the last few quarters) and 12% sales growth over the next 4 quarters, slightly more than the market average. The forward PE is now 21.5x, while the price to growth ratio is about 1.5. Not bad relative to the rest of the “mag” stocks. In the chart above we can see that the stock is currently holding its 50 day moving average, which coincides with the two prior swing lows in the area of $181.50. Resistance above will now be the $201 level and of course the open price gap left behind prior to earnings. There is a rising trend line (red line) on the long term chart that could come into play if the short term momentum keeps pushing price lower. Source link #Google #PostEarnings #Dip #Buying #Opportunity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Grading The New York Mets Offseason Moves After Pete Alonso Signing – Sports Illustrated Grading The New York Mets Offseason Moves After Pete Alonso Signing – Sports Illustrated Grading The New York Mets Offseason Moves After Pete Alonso Signing Sports IllustratedSources: Alonso back to Mets for 2 years, $54M ESPNMets’ HR king will be excited to hand crown to Alonso MLB.comWhy Mets lineup needed Pete Alonso as much as Alonso needed the Mets CBS SportsMets win staring contest with Scott Boras, bring Pete Alonso back on short-term deal Yahoo Sports Source link #Grading #York #Mets #Offseason #Moves #Pete #Alonso #Signing #Sports #Illustrated Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Google Pixel 9a Price in Europe, Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Anticipated Debut Google Pixel 9a Price in Europe, Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Anticipated Debut Google Pixel 9a is expected to launch in the coming weeks, and the launch date for the company’s next midrange smartphone in Europe has been leaked online. It is expected to go on ***** in the region on the same date as the US. We also have a clearer picture of how much the Pixel 9a could cost in Europe, according to a report. The handset is expected to arrive with Google’s Tensor G4 chip, and a 48-megapixel primary camera. Google Pixel 9a Price in Europe, Launch Date (Expected) A Dealabs report (in French) claims that Pixel 9a pricing will start at EUR 549 (roughly Rs. 50,000) for the base model with 128GB of storage and EUR 649 (roughly Rs. 58,000) for the 256GB variant. In the ***, the handset will cost GBP 499 (roughly Rs. 54,000) and GBP 599 (roughly Rs. 65,000) for the 128GB and 256GB storage options, respectively. In Europe, the 128GB model will be available in four colourways — Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain. On the other hand, the 256GB model will only be available in Iris and Obsidian colour options. According to the report, the successor to the Google Pixel 8a will be launched in Europe on March 19, the same day that the handset is expected to arrive in the US. The phone is also expected to go on ***** on March 26, which is also when it is likely to be available for purchase in the US. Google Pixel 9a Specifications (Expected) The purported Pixel 9a is expected to arrive with Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, the same processor that powers the Pixel 9 series of smartphones. It is expected to feature 8GB of RAM along with up to 256GB of inbuilt storage. The handset is expected to sport a 6.3-inch Actua display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Recent reports have also suggested that the Google Pixel 9a will be equipped with a 48-megapixel primary camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera. It could arrive with a 5,100mAh battery that offers 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging support. It is expected to run on Android 15 and could come with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Source link #Google #Pixel #Price #Europe #Launch #Date #Leaked #Ahead #Anticipated #Debut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Six Nations 2025: Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony returns for Scotland game Six Nations 2025: Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony returns for Scotland game Peter O’Mahony has been recalled to the Ireland team for Sunday’s Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Munster flanker, who was not included in the matchday squad for last week’s win over England, is handed his first start since last summer’s tour of South Africa by interim head coach Simon Easterby. Wing Mack Hansen and tight-head prop Finlay Bealham have been passed fit to start, while Robbie Henshaw replaces Garry Ringrose at outside centre. Sam Prendergast is again given the nod at fly-half with Jack Crowley to be used off the bench. Hooker Dan Sheehan and back row Jack Conan are kept among the replacements despite eye-catching displays off the bench against England. Easterby says Sunday’s trip to Murrayfield presents a “significant challenge” to his side. “We have taken confidence from the win over England this week and there are undoubtedly areas for improvement,” he said. “Selection was a real challenge again which reinforces the competition for places. As we approach round two, it’s about improvement and building momentum. We know that we will need to start the game strongly and meet their physical challenge.” Source link #Nations #Irelands #Peter #OMahony #returns #Scotland #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

iOS 18.3.1 Update for iPhone With Minor Changes Reportedly in Development Ahead of Release iOS 18.3.1 Update for iPhone With Minor Changes Reportedly in Development Ahead of Release Apple released the iOS 18.3 update for iPhone last month and is likely to roll out the next big update with major changes to Apple Intelligence in April. However, the Cupertino-based technology giant is working on another update that may precede iOS 18.4, according to a report. iOS 18.3.1 for iPhone is reportedly in development at Apple as a minor update which could be aimed at addressing bugs and introducing fixes for security vulnerabilities. iOS 18.3.1 Update for iPhone Citing website’s analytics logs, MacRumors highlighted that the iOS 18.3.1 update for iPhone in is in the works. It is likely to be released in the next few weeks, the report states, claiming their logs as a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS updates. However, it won’t be a major introduction and is expected to carry similar changes as the iOS 18.2.1 update which was released in the second week of January. It is reported to bring fixes for any bugs reported in previous updates, alongside security fixes for vulnerabilities. The update may build upon the changes introduced by Apple with the iOS 18.3 update. The company rolled back Apple Intelligence-powered Notification Summaries for News and Entertainment-related content following flak received from BBC, which approached Apple about false information being added to AI summaries. Meanwhile, the iPhone maker continues to work on the iOS 18.4 update which is likely to arrive in April. Past reports suggest it will include a newer version of Siri that the company has been marketing since WWDC 2024. In addition to its existing capabilities, it is expected to have the capability of tapping into a user’s personal data and reading the screen’s contents to provide query responses. Further, it may also be able to analyse emails, messages, photos, calendar events, files and other data to shape answers relevant to the questions. Other changes which are expected to be part of the update include more emojis and support for additional languages. 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. Qualcomm Says Arm Has Withdrawn License Breach Notice Source link #iOS #18.3.1 #Update #iPhone #Minor #Reportedly #Development #Ahead #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboard Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboard NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is testing how far Republicans are willing to go in supporting his supercharged “Make America Great Again” agenda, tearing down government agencies and taking actions fundamentally at odds with once-traditional party principles. For now, Republicans are marching largely in lockstep. They are backing Cabinet nominees with troubling histories, turning a blind eye as he halts spending they appropriated and defending policies once anathema to mainstream GOP thinking — policies that would have drawn alarm if Democrats had been responsible. “They’re pushing the envelope of what their power looks like. It’s a normal part of a transition,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. While there have been isolated voices of dissent, the Republican resistance that emerged when Trump first ran for office has largely been sidelined. That means the president, backed by Republican majorities in the House and Senate, is proceeding largely unchecked as he reimagines the federal government and greatly expands the power of the presidency. “If there was any doubt about it, the Republican Party’s complete acquiescence to Donald Trump, I think, was on full display this week,” said Charlie Sykes, a longtime conservative commentator turned prominent Trump critic. Sykes described it as “complete surrender.” In his view, “Republicans have just made the calculation that pretty much nothing is worth antagonizing Trump at this point.” A new MAGA agenda The defense has come as Trump has embraced a series of proposals that go far beyond anything he did during his first term or promised on the campaign trail. Last week, he threatened trade wars with Mexico and Canada, two of America’s top trading partners and closest allies. His tariffs are on hold for 30 days, but he has damaged the U.S. relationship with Canada, one of the nations with which the U.S. shares its most sensitive intelligence. On Tuesday, he suggested the U.S. seize control of Gaza, perhaps by force. He campaigned for the White House promising to end “forever wars” and the U.S. entanglement in the Middle East. He has proposed taking over Greenland, riffed on Canada becoming the 51st state and threatened to put the Panama Canal back under American control. He is pursuing state ownership of social media companies such as TikTok, perhaps through a government-owned U.S. sovereign wealth fund. That kind of intervention, if coming from Democrats, would almost certainly have been branded as a socialist move. After years of railing against unelected bureaucrats, Republicans are standing by as billionaire Elon Musk and his aides aim for the equivalent of a hostile takeover of government. That Trump-authorized team has seized taxpayer data, gained access to sensitive databases and government payment systems, and taken steps to close the U.S. Agency for International Development, which many Republicans long criticized but also saw as part of the U.S. efforts to counter China and Russia abroad. What’s wrong with a president who wants loyalty? “The American people said we want a different direction,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., when asked about the moves against USAID and other agencies. “I don’t find that outside the spirit of our system, and the courts will have to decide whether it’s outside the literal boundaries of the president’s authority.” As for the trade taxes, he added, “Most Republicans aren’t tariff fans, but they do understand why populism is the flavor of the day.” ″A lot of people, they talk about Trump loyalty like there’s something wrong with a president that wants loyalty. And quite honestly, I would submit that loyalty is a pretty big and pretty important part of running a country,” he added. Polling finds shifts in public’s views on tariffs and intervention overseas Polling has shown voters have grown more opposed to expanding tariffs over the past four years. About half of voters (49%) in the November election favored increasing taxes on goods imported to the United States from other countries, compared with 6 in 10 voters in the 2020 presidential election who supported higher tariffs. Republican voters still largely favor the policy. There’s also a shift against American intervention. Only about 2 in 10 (19%) voters in November said they wanted the U.S. to take a “more active” role in solving the world’s problems. Republican voters, in particular, have shifted toward advocating a “less active” role. About half (53%) wanted the U.S. less involved, compared with about one-third in 2020. Cabinet coming together and the White House sees a ‘strong, united and thriving’ GOP Even Trump’s most controversial nominees appear to be sailing through. This week, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a doctor who leads the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, voted to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary despite Kennedy’s long history of anti-vaccine activism. Cassidy is up for reelection next year and has faced pressure from home-state Republicans to back Kennedy. Cassidy has made clear he had serious concerns about Kennedy’s record. “Unlike the fractured and chaotic Democrat Party, the Republican Party stands strong, united and thriving,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said. “There is nothing to resist -– President Trump received a clear and overwhelming mandate from the American people to Make America Great Again.” Cracks in support? There has been some limited pushback from key allies. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Trump should reconsider stripping security protection from former government officials who are under threat from Iran due to their involvement in the strike on Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized Trump for pardoning Jan. 6 rioters who had been convicted of attacking police, and he said Trump’s proposal for a U.S. takeover of Gaza was “problematic.” “The idea of Americans going in on the ground in Gaza is a nonstarter for every senator,” Graham told reporters Wednesday. On the tariffs, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, pleaded with Trump for an exemption for potash used in fertilizers to spare Iowa family farmers. And Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been especially outspoken. Otherwise, Republican senators this week have played down the potential negative impact of Trump’s actions and stressed the importance of uniting behind him. “I hope my colleagues will be supportive of him when it comes to his tariffs,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., warning of potential “danger” if foreign countries see Trump facing political backlash from members of Congress or state lawmakers. Tough sell for Democrats as they make their case for GOP help Democrats are scrambling to curtail Trump’s power grabs and are appealing to Republicans to join their cause. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said Democrats are mounting an “all hands on deck approach” to fighting Trump’s executive orders and they are contesting Musk’s access to sensitive payment systems at the Treasury Department. She wants GOP colleagues to help push back. “In the Congress we have to stand up and speak out,” she said. “And if it’s only the Democrats doing that, we have a problem because the Republicans have the majority in both the House and the Senate. Some of them have got to stand with us and call this out.” But Republicans deny that Trump is overstepping and say his team is within its authority to “pause” programs. The Constitution, in Article 1, gives Congress the power to collect taxes, pay debts and provide for the defense and general ******** of the country. “We don’t see this as a threat to Article 1 at all,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said. “We see this as an active, engaged, committed executive branch authority doing what the executive branch should do.” ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Lisa Mascaro and Linley Sanders in Washington and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., contributed to this report. Source link #Trump #unleashes #supercharged #MAGA #agenda #Republicans #aboard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zepto, Skoda Partner to Offer Kylaq Test Drives in 10 Minutes in India Zepto, Skoda Partner to Offer Kylaq Test Drives in 10 Minutes in India Zepto has partnered with ******* automaker Skoda’s Indian arm to offer test drives of its newest compact SUV in India, the Skoda Kylaq. The hyperlocal delivery platform has released a commercial teasing its new service which enables customers to experience test drives of the vehicles in just 10 minutes. This announcement comes amidst reports that Zepto will offer quick vehicle purchases through its platform, with the company later clarifying that “No, we’re not delivering cars in 10 minutes”. Skoda Kylaq Test Drive via Zepto Zepto announced 10-minute test drives of the Skoda Kylaq in India via a LinkedIn post. While denying rumours about the possibility of purchasing a vehicle through the quick commerce app, Zepto added that customers will be able to get test drives of the Skoda Kylaq starting February 8, stating that it is the “fastest, most convenient way possible”. Skoda India later posted a TV commercial (TVC) via its X (formerly Twitter) handle which shows a Zepto delivery personnel taking a test drive vehicle from the Skoda dealership to a customer in a flatbed pickup truck. Although it is introducing this initiative with the Skoda Kylaq, the company is expected to expand it to include other vehicles in the ******* automaker’s fleet, such as the Kushaq, Kodiaq, and Slavia. Notably, Kylaq is Skoda’s first compact SUV in India which debuted in December. With prices starting from Rs. 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom), it is expected to compete against other competitors such as Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and ***** Nexon. Details about the new partnership between Skoda and Zepto remain limited but this service is likely to be available in the 10 Indian cities where Zepto operates. This includes Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. Other Newly Added Services Alongside vehicle test drives, the quick commerce app recently commenced 10-minute deliveries of Vivo smartphones, such as the Vivo Y18i and Vivo Y29 5G in India. It also partnered with Asus to introduce select computer peripherals such as the Marshmallow Keyboard KW100, Marshmallow Mouse MD100, and MW203 multi-device wireless silent mouse in a few cities. Source link #Zepto #Skoda #Partner #Offer #Kylaq #Test #Drives #Minutes #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]