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Oscar-nominated West Bank feature director says films ‘can be part of change’ Oscar-nominated West Bank feature director says films ‘can be part of change’ Dogwoof/Yabayay Media/Antipode Films Basel Adra with his camera in his West Bank home, an Israeli army bulldozer behind him A ************ and an Israeli sit in a West Bank village at night. They wonder aloud whether Basel will ever be able to freely visit Yuval’s home in Israel, whether Basel’s village will get building permits, and whether they will one day have stability. For years, the friends have been filming the destruction of houses, a well and a school by the Israeli army after a court order declared Basel’s community ********. They tell each other they hope they will change that reality. Now, that scene has reached some of the world’s biggest stages. The film it is in, No Other Land, has been nominated for an Oscar and a Bafta for best documentary feature. It follows the fight over Masafer Yatta, a community of around 20 villages, and the friendship between Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham. In the film Basel is nearly detained after a protest, his father is arrested, and a soldier shoots a community member in the neck while confiscating a generator, leading to the man’s paralysis and death. “It’s scary because yes, the film is succeeding and people are aware of it, but I don’t think there is sufficient action, especially amongst those who have power to change this,” Yuval told the BBC. “I don’t have an illusion that films are going to change the world, but I know they can change individuals, and I know that they can be part of a ******* change, and we really need this now.” Basel and Yuval created the film along with Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor over five years. Basel Adra reflects on the arrests and protests of his childhood in a clip from No Other Land Asked about the man who was paralysed, the IDF said its investigation had found no crime. A spokesperson said that during an operation against “******** construction”, two Palestinians had grabbed a soldier by his weapon and vest, leading to the shot. ************ eyewitnesses told Israeli media they were not contacted as part of the initial investigation and believed the shot was fired intentionally. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Israeli settlements in the territory are considered ******** under international law, though Israel disputes this. They have expanded over the past 55 years, becoming a focal point of violence and conflicting claims over land. On 7 October 2023, ****** attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. That triggered an Israeli military campaign that has killed at least 47,500 people in Gaza, according to the ******-run health ministry. Since then, settler-related violence in the West Bank has increased, with 13 Palestinians killed by settlers, according to the UN. More than 850 Palestinians, many of them militants, have been killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank in the same *******, the ************ health ministry says. The UN says 30 Israelis were killed by Palestinians in the West Bank during that timeframe. In 2024, the UN recorded about 1,420 incidents of Israeli settler violence – the highest number that reportedly led to casualties, property damage or both, since records began in 2006. Additional attacks on Palestinians had occurred since US President Donald Trump’s return to power, Basel said, and the filmmakers feared it could worsen. Trump has lifted sanctions the Biden administration had placed on some settlers. The president’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said Israel has a “title deed” to the West Bank and “there’s no such thing” as occupation or settlements. When asked on Tuesday whether he agreed the US should recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, Trump said he had yet to take a position but that he would make an announcement in four weeks’ time. The debate over Masafer Yatta began in the 1980s when Israel declared the area a closed military firing zone, meaning no one was allowed to live there. According to notes from a 1981 meeting, then-Israeli Agricultural Minister Ariel Sharon offered the military additional training areas to restrict the “expansion of the Arab villagers from the hills towards the desert”. Israel argued residents previously did not live there permanently. The ************ population took their case to Israel’s Supreme Court, arguing communities had lived there for generations and pointing to a 1945 map showing some villages. In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Israel and allowed the demolition of homes and expulsion of more than 1,000 villagers. Scenes from the film show a bulldozer destroying a primary school, a truck pouring mud into a well, and machinery crushing a home as villagers confront the army. A girl cries, and when her mother is asked if she has any other place to go she says: “We have no other land.” The documentary also records intimate human moments, like when the mother, who moves into a cave, kisses her daughter and tells her: “You’re my love… Tomorrow will be a new day.” Dogwoof/Yabayay Media/Antipode Films Basel (left) and Yuval (right) talk in Masafer Yatta The film explores Basel and Yuval’s friendship as well. Though they are around the same age and share similar values, their inequality is ever-present. While Yuval can travel freely in Israel and the West Bank, Basel cannot travel into Israel without a permit, as part of what it says are security measures. In the film, Basel laments that although he studied law, he could only find work in construction in Israel, and when he thinks about it too hard, “I feel this huge depression.” The film does not shy away from the tension created by Yuval’s identity, with one ************ asking him: “How can we remain friends, when you come here, and it could be your brother or friend who destroyed my home?” Yuval told the BBC he felt “responsibility for what is happening to Basel’s community” because “at the end of the day, the fuel in the bulldozers is my tax money”. Last year, Yuval faced a backlash for his acceptance speech for the best documentary award at the Berlin Film Festival, alongside Basel, in which he criticised a “situation of apartheid” and called for a ceasefire in Gaza. US filmmaker Ben Russell, who was there and wore a ************ keffiyeh scarf, said he stood against “genocide” in Gaza. Israel strongly denies the accusation of genocide. ******* Culture Minister Claudia Roth said the statements were “shockingly one-sided and characterised by a deep hatred of Israel”, while Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner posted on social media that it was an “intolerable relativisation” and that “antisemitism has no place in Berlin”. Israel’s public broadcaster called Yuval’s comments antisemitic. Yuval, who said he received death threats, told the BBC he was “very angry” at the label, which was “emptying this term of meaning at a time when antisemitism is rising on the right wing and on the left wing”. He said it was “absurd” to hear the criticism when most of his family was killed in the Holocaust, adding that learning from this history “should tell us to fight against dehumanisation… no matter who is the victim”. Despite winning several international awards, No Other Land is self-distributing in the US because it has not found an official distributor there – rare for a documentary which has been nominated for an Oscar. Getty Images Yuval and Basel accept the documentary award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024 One of the film’s last scenes is from 13 October 2023, when Basel recorded a settler shooting his cousin, whose hands appear empty, in the stomach. In other footage, settlers throw rocks at homes while soldiers watch. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the shooting case was transferred to the state attorney’s office, which the BBC approached for comment. Currently in Masafer Yatta, Basel said settlers have “unlimited power” and there is a “daily level of harassment”. He said there were three major settler attacks in January, including on a 72-year-old taken to hospital after he was hit in the head with sticks, and around 15 people arrested in the two days before 30 January while grazing their sheep or chasing away settlers’ sheep. Israel Police did not reply to a BBC request for comment. The *** has sanctioned three settler outposts and four organisations it says are supporting violence against West Bank communities. Yuval called on the *** to sanction all settlers, believing that would “truly be a deterrent”. A foreign office spokesperson told the BBC the foreign secretary “has been clear with Israeli ministers that they must clamp down on settler violence and end settlement expansion”. “We have regularly taken action against settler violence, including through targeted sanctions, and will continue to do all we can to ensure the rights of Palestinians are protected and that those responsible for violence are held to account,” the statement read. Yuval said: “I really believe there is no other way forward, other than reaching a just, fair political solution where Palestinians can be free, truly free, and our people, both of them, will have security and self-determination. “It really makes me angry, not only that my government is going in the other way, but that the world is allowing it to happen for so long.” In the film, Basel recalls a seven-minute visit by Tony Blair to his village – after which Israel cancelled demolition orders there. “This is a story about power,” he says. Now, Basel gets “strength and power from the people around me”, making him want to not give up. “One water drop doesn’t make change,” he says during a protest in the film, “but keep dropping the water and it will make change.” Source link #Oscarnominated #West #Bank #feature #director #films #part #change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Would you use Google Gemini if it fills with ads? Would you use Google Gemini if it fills with ads? Google CEO Sundar Pichai is teasing that Gemini could one day feature advertisements. It tracks as Google is pretty crafty at inserting ads into most of its offerings You can already see hints of ads in AI overviews in Google Search Google’s Gemini AI might not have ads today, but let’s be real: the idea that Google is looking to bring advertising to AI assistants is hardly surprising. Google has spent decades fine-tuning the art of turning eyeballs into revenue, and Gemini may be next in line, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. During Alphabet’s latest investor call, Pichai gave a not-so-subtle hint that while you can use Gemini for free or pay for a subscription to extra features, advertising will likely come along to boost the company’s bottom line in some way. Google Gemini doesn’t have banner ads popping up mid-conversation at the moment, but it doesn’t take much imagination to picture a time when ads will support the free version of Gemini, and the premium subscription will count its lack of advertisements as one of its perks. It makes sense. AI isn’t cheap to run, and Google has already announced plans to spend $75 billion this year to keep up in the AI race. That kind of money doesn’t grow on trees; it grows on ad revenue. “On the monetization side, obviously, for now, we are focused on a free tier and subscriptions. But obviously, as you’ve seen in Google over time, we always want to lead with user experience. And we do have very good ideas for native ad concepts, but you’ll see us lead with the user experience,” Pichai said during the call. “But I do think we’re always committed to making the products work and reach billions of users at scale. And advertising has been a great aspect of that strategy. And so, just like you’ve seen with YouTube, we’ll give people options over time.” Ads AI If you want a preview of how ads might sneak into Gemini, just look at Google’s AI Overviews. These AI-generated search summaries are already discreetly inserting sponsored results. Search for “best ways to remove grass stains,” and in the AI-generated blurb, you might see a nice little link to buy a specific detergent. It’s not exactly subtle. Google has spent years mastering the art of blending ads into everyday searches, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t do the same with its AI chatbot. Ads through AI are not a unique Google idea, of course. Microsoft has been playing with ads in its Copilot AI chatbot, as has Perplexity with its sponsored follow-up questions. Amazon has pursued something similar, albeit in reverse, by making its Rufus AI chatbot also offer sponsored suggestions for purchases. If Gemini starts recommending products based on your conversations, will you still want to converse with the AI? Mid-chat sponsored messages might annoy anyone into opting out, but maybe you’ll be okay with an ad at the bottom of your chat window. The only thing more inevitable than ads from Google in Gemini is that the company will claim the ads will “enhance the user experience.” You might also like Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Source link #Google #Gemini #fills #ads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

2026 Volvo EX60: Tesla Model Y-sized electric SUV edges closer to production 2026 Volvo EX60: Tesla Model Y-sized electric SUV edges closer to production Volvo’s answer to the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) is starting testing this year, giving the ********-owned Swedish carmaker a much-needed presence in one of the world’s most popular new vehicle market segments. The Volvo EX60 – the electric equivalent to the brand’s most popular model, the XC60 – is set to undergo its first round of testing in 2025, the carmaker confirmed this week, before production of the mid-sized SUV starts in 2026. It’s tipped to be similarly sized to the Tesla Model Y, but likely be closer in terms of fit, finish and price to traditional European rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Audi Q6 e-tron. Like the smaller Volvo EX30 and larger EX90 electric SUVs, the EX60 will be based on a dedicated EV platform, this time called SPA3. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Camera IconXC60 Credit: CarExpert As previously reported, the SPA3 platform builds on the SPA2 underpinnings of models like the EX90, and includes several key upgrades such as enhanced core computing capability. Volvo has said the SPA3 platform is far more scalable than SPA2, and can underpin cars of all sizes – including vehicles smaller than the SEA2-based EX30, and larger than the EX90. It’s expected that while the EX60 will be almost identical in size to the XC60, it’ll follow the formula of the XC90-sized EX90 by getting a fresher exterior design with more closed-off surfaces to make it more aerodynamic and efficient, and to align it more closely with Volvo’s EV styling. In Volvo’s fourth-quarter earnings call this week, the carmaker’s head of global engineering, Anders Bell, said the EX60 won’t be limited by factors which have impeded the XC60. “Because it’s 100 per cent electric, we’ve been able to remove all the old constraints of the combustion engine,” Mr Bell said. Camera IconVolvo EX90 Credit: CarExpertCamera IconVolvo EX30 Credit: CarExpert “We very much took a first-principles approach to it. You will see the highest level of supremely well-integrated technology coming together in these products. “All the work we’re putting into the EX90 will go directly into the SPA3 cars as well. It’s basically the same software stack. “SPA3 is designed from the beginning to be much more scalable, in size and price point and across regions, but also scalable in volume.” While Volvo has previously said it’ll build the EX60 at its Torslanda plant in Sweden, it’s likely to be built elsewhere for other markets. ***********-delivered versions of the EX30 and EX90 are produced in China, coming from Zhangjiakou and Chengdu, respectively. Given the vast operations of Volvo’s ******** parent Geely in its home nation, it’s likely to use one of its many factories to produce the EX60 there for certain markets. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert The EX60 will join a growing lineup of Volvo EVs globally, which includes the EX30, the EX40 (formerly known as the XC40 Recharge), the EX90, the China-only EM90 people-mover and the upcoming ES90 large sedan. Despite announcing in March 2021 that it would only sell EVs globally by 2030, Volvo walked back this target to 90-100 per cent electrified vehicle sales by 2030 – with the new figure including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Speaking to CarExpert in May 2024, Volvo Car Australia managing director Stephen Connor said all new models coming to Australia will be electric, with PHEV powertrains potentially only being introduced to existing models alongside facelifts. “Every new car that we bring will be a battery-electric car. So every new model that comes into the range will be battery-electric,” Mr Connor told CarExpert. “That’s critical for me to emphasise that. If it’s a new model, it will be purely battery-electric; if it’s an existing model or facelift then that’s the current XC60 or XC90 [where there’s scope for non-EV launches before 2026].” MORE: Volvo is the latest brand to walk back ambitious EV goalsMORE: Volvo EX60 will sit beside XC60, battle Model Y and BMW iX3 Source link #Volvo #EX60 #Tesla #Model #Ysized #electric #SUV #edges #closer #production Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Woman, 33, shares 5 colon ******* symptoms she dismissed: ‘I was in shock’ Woman, 33, shares 5 colon ******* symptoms she dismissed: ‘I was in shock’ Radwah Oda was just 30 when she was diagnosed with colon *******, an illness that seemed to come out of the blue. But looking back, she’d been experiencing symptoms for about a year without realizing it. “I was in shock. I didn’t want to believe it. I kept thinking, what did I do wrong?” Oda, who lives in Houston, Texas, tells TODAY.com about being diagnosed in 2021. “I was really healthy. I worked out four to five days a week. I was eating really healthy, so I never assumed it would happen to me. Each symptom that I had, I just assumed it was something else.” The single mom blamed irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and even a tight bra. She kept going to the emergency room with what she thought was a stomach virus. The third time it happened, doctors ordered a CT scan and discovered the tumor. Oda had Stage 4 colon ******* that had spread to her liver. Colorectal ******* used to be considered an older person’s disease, but it’s now the top cause of ******* death in men under 50 and the second in women in this age group, according to the latest statistics from the American ******* Society. Doctors don’t fully know all the reasons early-onset colon ******* is on the rise, but it’s likely lifestyle and environmental factors play a role, says Dr. Daniel Chung, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School. “It’s not uncommon that people ignore (the warning signs), particularly young individuals, because I think people are thinking that when you’re young, you’re not going to have something like *******,” Chung tells TODAY.com. “Being aware of these symptoms is absolutely critical.” Radwah Oda was diagnosed with colon ******* at 30. “People should listen to their body,” she says. “If something does not feel right or look right, contact your doctor.” To spread awareness, Oda recently recorded a viral TikTok video listing five colon ******* symptoms she dismissed. Chung, who is not treating Oda but commenting in general, explains why these warning signs can happen: Narrow stools Oda noticed what she described as “pencil-thin” stools every time she used the bathroom. She thought it was due to constipation. Doctors call this symptom a change in stool caliber. One possible reason: When a tumor grows in the lining of the of the colon, the space through which bowel content moves becomes narrower, Chung says. “It certainly doesn’t automatically mean that it’s ******* because those sorts of things can occur without *******,” he adds. “It’s really a matter of if you notice an abrupt change or if you notice something that persists.” Blood in the stool Oda assumed it was due to hemorrhoids. She noticed darker colored blood, rather than bright red blood. When it comes to colon *******, the color of blood a person sees after a bowel movement depends on where the tumor is located, Chung says. If it’s very low down in the *******, the blood is more likely to be bright red. But if it’s further up in the colon, there’s a chance for the color to change a bit and look darker. “So I wouldn’t say color is necessarily something that you could use as a reliable indicator of whether it’s something to be concerned about or not,” Chung notes. “Any kind of blood would be considered to be abnormal until proven otherwise.” The appearance of blood is not necessarily associated with pain, he adds. Hemorrhoids are a common reason for rectal bleeding, but there’s no way to know for sure unless a doctor examines you, Chung says. Bleeding is “probably the red flag symptom we get most concerned about,” he notes. Never satisfied using the bathroom Every time Oda had a bowel movement, she felt like she still needed to go more, “like I wasn’t empty, and I would keep pushing and pushing but nothing would come out,” she says. She once again assumed it was constipation. This symptom may be due to the combination of the tumor blocking the passage of stool, which makes it more difficult to pass all of it, and the tumor causing the urge to have a bowel movement, Chung says. The urge to go to the bathroom without being able to ********* is called tenesmus. Pain on the lower right side Since the pain was near her right breast, Oda assumed her bra was too tight. It turned out the pain was from the colon ******* metastasizing to her liver, she says. That’s not a typical symptom related to colon *******, but if a person notices a new pain, it should be evaluated by a doctor, Chung says. Oda has undergone surgery and chemotherapy. She is now taking part in a clinical trial. Chronic fatigue Oda was always tired and exhausted. She had to nap several times a day regardless of how much sleep she got during the night. No amount of coffee helped. She also lost 15 pounds, but assumed it was from transitioning from a pescatarian to a vegetarian diet. Unintentional weight loss is always a concerning symptom and could be associated with different types of cancers, so it’s important to bring it up with your physician, Chung says. If the tumor has spread, affected the liver or led to anemia from the bleeding, it could contribute to fatigue, he notes. Diagnosing colon ******* During an office visit, a doctor may order blood counts to check for anemia, check if you have hemorrhoids and ask about family history of colon *******. Oda’s aunt passed away from colon ******* in 1989, the last family history she knows about. A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy can provide important reassurance about whether there is or isn’t something going on, Chung says. Most people should begin screening for colorectal ******* after turning 45, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Oda underwent three surgeries to remove parts of her liver and colon, and received chemotherapy. For a while, there was no evidence of disease, but more spots have since appeared on her liver. Oda is now taking part in a clinical trial for a new form of chemotherapy, with the hopes it will get rid of the *******. She is focusing on her 12-year-old daughter, friends and loved ones; traveling and living a normal life. “I believe that your mental health is really important for your physical health,” Oda says. She works, travels and focuses on loved ones. “Instead of living in fear I just started living in the now, focusing on the good days and surrounding myself with positivity,” Oda says. “******* took over my body and time with doctors and treatment and takes control over a lot of parts of my life, but I will never allow it to take control over my mental health.” This article was originally published on TODAY.com Source link #Woman #shares #colon #******* #symptoms #dismissed #shock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Nintendo patents show the Switch 2 Joy-**** may indeed work like a mouse — and so might a new controller – The Verge Nintendo patents show the Switch 2 Joy-**** may indeed work like a mouse — and so might a new controller – The Verge Nintendo patents show the Switch 2 Joy-**** may indeed work like a mouse — and so might a new controller The VergeNintendo patent confirms Joy-**** mouse functionality rumored for Switch 2 PolygonSwitch 2 Rumored Mouse Functionality: Here’s How It Could Be Used GameSpotCivilization 7 Dev Firaxis Remains Coy on Nintendo Switch 2 ‘Mouse’ Joy-**** IGNNintendo patent explains Switch 2 Joy-Cons’ “mouse operation” mode Ars Technica Source link #Nintendo #patents #show #Switch #JoyCon #work #mouse #controller #Verge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fowler scores late winner as Man City beat Arsenal in semi-final Fowler scores late winner as Man City beat Arsenal in semi-final Watch highlights as Mary Fowler scores an injury-time winner for Manchester City against Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup semi-final. Source link #Fowler #scores #late #winner #Man #City #beat #Arsenal #semifinal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Qld Police appeal to speak to man following shooting in Tallebudgera Valley Qld Police appeal to speak to man following shooting in Tallebudgera Valley Police are hoping to speak to a man who they believe could assist with their inquiries after a man was shot in the head and shoulder. Source link #Qld #Police #appeal #speak #man #shooting #Tallebudgera #Valley Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More than 140,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled: See affected vehicles More than 140,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled: See affected vehicles More than 140,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles are being recalled by Toyota, according to a press release from the company on Thursday. Toyota said that the recalls include certain models of its Tacoma 4-wheel drive vehicles, as well as their Toyota Camry and Lexus RX vehicles. The recalls involves different faults, with Toyota saying that the recalled Tacoma vehicles could have damaged rear brake hoses if there is “enough build-up of mud and dirt inside the rear wheels.” Recalled Camrys and Lexus RX vehicles could have second-row center seatbelts that might have been damaged during manufacturing. The company says it will notify affected customers of both recalls by early April 2025. Replacements for both recalls will be done free of charge. Looking for a recall? Check out USA TODAY’s recall database The NHTSA’s database allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN. What Toyota vehicles are affected? The recall covers some of the following Toyota and Lexus vehicles: Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at *****@*****.tld and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toyota, Lexus recall: More than 140,000 vehicles recalled Source link #Toyota #Lexus #vehicles #recalled #affected #vehicles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live updates: Trump administration plans to slash all but a fraction of USAID jobs, officials say – The Associated Press Live updates: Trump administration plans to slash all but a fraction of USAID jobs, officials say – The Associated Press Live updates: Trump administration plans to slash all but a fraction of USAID jobs, officials say The Associated PressGovernment workers sue to stop Trump from dismantling USAID USA TODAYOpinion | The World’s Richest Men Take On the World’s Poorest Children The New York TimesUSAID NC | Research Triangle International facing uncertainty as U.S. Agency for International Development future in jeopardy ABC11 Raleigh-Durham Source link #Live #updates #Trump #administration #plans #slash #fraction #USAID #jobs #officials #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drone reveals scale of rotten roof Drone reveals scale of rotten roof Jenny Rees Health Correspondent, BBC Wales News BBC The new roof, being replaced in four stages, is the equivalent of 166 terraced houses When experts inspected the roof of the Princess of Wales hospital last October, they found an immediate risk to patients. A “design defect” meant driving rain was being trapped beneath tonnes of concrete tiles, rotting the wooden battens that held them up. “There was no structural separation between the tiles and the patients in the beds down below, so it was pretty serious,” said architect Jeoff Houlker, who believes the situation could have become “catastrophic” over the winter. A critical incident was declared at the hospital in Bridgend, south Wales, and the entire first floor – including the intensive care unit (ICU) – was evacuated. Drone reveals scale of hospital’s rotten roof Almost overnight, Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board lost 10 wards, eight theatre spaces and had to relocate the ICU at a time of huge pressure on Welsh hospitals to tackle lengthy waiting lists. Work on the roof, at a cost of £28m, is being carried out in stages but is expected to be finished by August The rapid “decant of services” meant the nine-bed ICU was given a temporary new home in the space previously occupied by eye theatre. That in turn had to move off-site, to a different hospital – just one example of the huge ripple felt across the entire health board’s estate. Dr Gareth Roberts, clinical lead for critical care, said a big part of the move was keeping patients’ relatives informed and reassured. The roof has now been replaced over the original ICU, but work continues to refurbish the unit itself. Gareth Roberts Dr Gareth Roberts says it was challenging to find a suitable space to relocate the entire intensive care unit Walking around the shell of the ward for the first time since it was evacuated, Dr Roberts admitted feeling a mix of emotions. “I don’t think it’s what the NHS deserves or needs,” said Dr Roberts. “It deserves proactive work rather than reactive. But I’m glad we’ve done everything we have safely, and the last few months have shown we are able to be nimble, safe and dynamic.” Planned care delays Wales-wide efforts to provide more hospital care at home enabled some patients to be discharged, but it is has been hard to escape the impact on planned care. “The areas that have been a particular challenge are endoscopy, where we’ve lost capacity, and planned orthopaedic operations,” said Paul Mears, chief executive of the health board. Mr Mears said they had arranged for some additional capacity at the nearby Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital. “It’s put us back by a few months, but we want to get back on track as quickly as possible because we recognise obviously there are patients who have been waiting a long time,” he added. Paul Mears, chief executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board Head of nursing, Catherine Theron, said it was crucial to reassure staff and the local community that the changes were only temporary. “We had a very short time frame to move everyone immediately,” she said. “It’s really shown the resilience of our teams and the community of this hospital. Everyone has pulled together.” If there is a silver lining to the upheaval, the closure of a large part of the hospital has meant essential updates to fire safety and IT work could be addressed. Large parts of the new roof are also now covered in solar panels which – at full capacity – will serve half the hospital’s energy needs. Catherine Theron stressed that the changes to services were only temporary Across Wales the total maintenance backlog for the NHS estate is approaching £977m – with the vast majority deemed to be high or significant risk. Health board boss Mr Mears said managing the day-to-day business of healthcare alongside building repairs was a constant juggle. “It does mean you have to make difficult choices,” he said, adding they were grateful for government assistance and plans to increase the NHS capital budget next year. “There is always going to be trade-offs. But it’s also about looking at how you can potentially come out of some of the most substandard estate and think about maybe consolidating estate, or creating new, to try and mitigate the risks.” Parts of the new roof are now covered in solar panels which will serve half the hospital’s energy needs The hospital’s roof repair work totals nearly £28m and is being funded by the Welsh government. The first phase of the new 10,000 sq m roof is complete, meaning maternity, neo-natal care and the special care baby unit will return to the site within a few weeks. The full repairs are expected to be finished by August. Source link #Drone #reveals #scale #rotten #roof Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kerbside charging boost to curb electric car concerns Kerbside charging boost to curb electric car concerns Electric vehicle drivers in three states will be able to plug in and charge up at another 250 locations after a $2.4 million funding boost for the technology. The chargers will be installed on power poles across New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia over the next two and half years in a mix of metropolitan areas and regional towns. The *********** Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced the funding package on Friday, in partnership with EVX Australia which has already installed pole-mounted chargers in parts of New South Wales. The investment comes days after disappointing sales results for electric vehicles in Australia, with numbers more than halving in January. The electric car charging boost, delivered through ARENA’s Driving the Nation Fund, will see 500 charging plugs installed on power poles in more than 60 local council areas. The chargers would deliver slower, AC-based vehicle charging that ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said would have a low impact on the electricity grid and suit motorists who intended to park for longer periods. “Not all electric vehicle owners have the ability to charge their vehicle at home or work,” Mr Miller said. “While sales of EVs are increasing, the expansion of public charging is vital in catering for future demand right across Australia.” The pole-mounted chargers would be installed in city areas, near apartments, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said, in addition to regional towns including Orange, Wagga Wagga, Queanbeyan, Goulburn, and Eurobodalla. “These chargers are a key step to unlocking cheaper-to-run EVs for Australians who aren’t able to charge them at home,” Mr Bowen said. “We need a mix of solutions, not just fast chargers, but more convenient kerbside options around our cities and towns.” Sydney-based firm EVX has previously installed pole-mounted vehicle chargers down the New South Wales coast, from Byron Bay to Wollongong, and launched another 17 chargers in Sydney suburbs in December. The company’s latest project will also serve as an electric car-charging research project, chief executive Andrew Forster said, thanks to partnerships with universities, energy retailers and distributors. “The project will make EV charging more accessible for both residents and visitors to these regions, whilst also critically allowing us to further test, adapt and develop the way we roll out this community charging infrastructure,” he said. Institutions involved in the project, which will investigate flexible energy tariffs, will include the University of Technology Sydney, Ausgrid, Essential Energy, and SA Power Networks. Electric vehicle chargers are currently available in more than 1059 locations around Australia, according to the Electric Vehicle Council’s State of EVs report, with 379 locations offering ultra-fast charging. Adoption of the low-emission cars has slowed down in Australia this year, however, with figures from the council and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries showing sales of new electric vehicles had fallen from more than 8300 in December to fewer than 4000 in January. Source link #Kerbside #charging #boost #curb #electric #car #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kansas City sports reporter dies while in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX Kansas City sports reporter dies while in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX KANSAS CITY, Mo. — KGKC Telemundo Kansas City is mourning the loss of one of its sports anchors who died while in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. Adan Manzano, 27, died on Wednesday in New Orleans while on assignment to cover the Super Bowl for both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, KGKC said in a news release. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com KGKC did not say how Manzano died but said they are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic event. KGKC shared this message about Manzano: “Adan was a true professional and a rising star, who exemplified excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adan and his passion for sports, and the contributions he made to the local community. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri This was Manzano’s third-straight season covering the Super Bowl for Telemundo KC. Tico Sports provided this statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm the death of Adan Manzano Aguilar while in New Orleans on assignment for Telemundo Kansas City, and as a member of our Tico Sports Spanish broadcast team. We are cooperating with law enforcement as they are investigating this tragic event. Adan was a talented and professional broadcaster, providing sideline coverage for the Kansas City Chiefs Spanish broadcast and play by play caller for the KC Current. He was an enthusiastic and energetic team player who was well liked and respected. Adan was a devoted father to his young daughter, a helpful colleague, and loyal friend. He will be greatlymissed by our TICO Family and will live on in our hearts and memories.” Originally from Mexico City, Manzano relocated to Topeka, Kansas, in 2018 and later earned a degree from Kansas State University. He was married to Ashleigh Boyd and had a daughter named Eleanor. Boyd died in a car ****** last April. Manzano was an award-winning reporter, receiving accolades from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters in 2024. KAB posted on social media that the organization was deeply saddened by his loss, and is sharing condolences with his family, friends and colleagues. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also made a statement on social media, saying: “Adan was so young and full of energy, and truly covered almost every event in the community. So very sad to see this news. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.” Copyright 2025 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Source link #Kansas #City #sports #reporter #dies #Orleans #Super #Bowl #LIX Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

List of 'NFL Honors' award winners from 2024 NFL season – NFL.com List of 'NFL Honors' award winners from 2024 NFL season – NFL.com List of ‘NFL Honors’ award winners from 2024 NFL season NFL.com2025 NFL Honors awards: Live updates on MVP, Hall of Fame, and more USA TODAY2025 NFL Honors live updates, highlights: Winners, top moments, red carpet FOX SportsPro Football Hall of Fame 2025 class announced tonight on NFL Honors | Live updates Canton RepositoryBen Johnson wins AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year The Associated Press Source link #List #039NFL #Honors039 #award #winners #NFL #season #NFL.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham: Was this new low for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs? Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham: Was this new low for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs? Tottenham’s issues cannot be analysed without also addressing their injury problems. They currently have 10 first-team players out and that tally could rise to 11 after Richarlison went down clutching his calf in the first half and had to be replaced. James Maddison is a clear miss in the middle of the park and, with Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson on the list of casualties too, Spurs struggled for an outlet. Liverpool overpowered Spurs’ three-man midfield as Yves Bissouma had a tough time, giving the ball away for the hosts’ opener, and Rodrigo Bentancur offered little in defence or attack. “When I look at those three midfield players today, they were a disgrace,” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. “Get after them, be aggressive, maybe forget the ball for the first half an hour. It was just so easy for Liverpool.” Son Heung-min has also been unable to reach the heights he has in previous seasons and rarely looks like the man to come up with a moment of magic. Carragher added: “It goes back to that stereotype we all have with Tottenham. There’s definitely a mental block with the club. “Right now, that is a typical Tottenham team. People say about Ange, the fans have got Spurs back, they’ve got their club back. “Yeah… they’ve got the club back we’ve all watched for 40 years. They’re nice on the eye when things are going well, but they never win a big game and when they get beat, they get beat badly.” Source link #Liverpool #Tottenham #Ange #Postecoglou #Spurs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gold Coast gun Noah Anderson will be the youngest captain in the AFL in 2025 Gold Coast gun Noah Anderson will be the youngest captain in the AFL in 2025 A leadership change at the Gold Coast will make Noah Anderson the youngest captain in the AFL in 2025. Anderson has been appointed as sole captain at the Sundays, with the 23-year-old taking over from Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts who have shared the role over the last three seasons. The star on-baller was voted in by his teammates and is committed to working every day to bring some success to Gold Coast. The Suns have not played a single AFL final since entering the competition in 2011. “I’m so proud to be able to represent this club as captain after all they have invested in me both as a player and a person,” Anderson said. “The SUNS mean everything to me and I love coming to work every day with this group of players. I am committed to giving everything I can to help lead this club and deliver on our mission to bring success to the Gold Coast.” Miller will serve as a vice-captain alongside Sam Collins, while Ben King, Matt Rowell and Wil Powell round out a six-man leadership group. But Witts opted to step down entirely from leadership roles. Gold Coast footy boss Wayne Campbell said Anderson, the club’s best and fairest in 2023, was “ ready for the responsibility that comes with the role.” “Our club has a great depth of leadership and we are confident Noah will be supported extremely well by the experience Touk and Sam can provide as vice-captains.” he said. “Ben, Matt and Wil thoroughly deserve their elevation to the leadership group. All three have worked hard to develop their leadership capabilities in recent years and it is fitting they be recognised with the opportunity to play an influential role within the group. “Jarrod is our longest-serving captain and we want to acknowledge the role he has played in guiding this football club through a difficult *******. It’s also important to recognise Touk’s impact on our club as captain for the last three years, and he will continue to provide vital experience and support to Noah in his role as vice-captain. “As we head into a new era for our football club, it is important we reflect that transition with a strong leadership group who can lead this club in a fearless new direction.” Gold Coast begin their 2025 season with an Opening Round clash against Essendon at ENGIE Stadium on March 8. Source link #Gold #Coast #gun #Noah #Anderson #youngest #captain #AFL Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Flailing fast! Trump loses in court as MAGA leader blasts Musk as a dangerous phony Flailing fast! Trump loses in court as MAGA leader blasts Musk as a dangerous phony Trump’s attempts to issue orders beyond his authority have spotlighted the constitutional limits on presidential power. Meanwhile, Elon Musk faces mounting backlash from Democrats. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports.(The Beat’s YouTube playlist: Ari: / arimelber Beat merch: www.msnbc.com/Beat5) Source link #Flailing #fast #Trump #loses #court #MAGA #leader #blasts #Musk #dangerous #phony Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

LeBron, Davis reunited — as All-Star teammates – ESPN LeBron, Davis reunited — as All-Star teammates – ESPN LeBron, Davis reunited — as All-Star teammates ESPNNBA All-Star teams chosen during **** draft: Who’s on each team? USA TODAY2025 NBA All-Star Game uniforms and court unveiled NBA.ComLeBron drafted No. 1 by Shaquille O’Neal as Charles Barkley takes all 6 foreign players in first All-Star tournament draft The AthleticHow 2025 NBA All-Star Rosters Look After ‘Inside the NBA’ Draft Sports Illustrated Source link #LeBron #Davis #reunited #AllStar #teammates #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Concern the ***’s AI ambitions could lead to water shortages Concern the ***’s AI ambitions could lead to water shortages Brian Wheeler Senior political reporter Reuters Keir Starmer is pinning his growth hopes on cutting edge tools powered by AI Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to make the *** a “world leader” in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could put already stretched supplies of drinking water under strain, industry sources have told the BBC. The giant data centres needed to power AI can require large quantities of water to prevent them from overheating. The tech industry says it is developing more efficient cooling systems that use less water. But the department for science, innovation and technology said in a statement it recognised the plants “face sustainability challenges”. The government has committed to the construction of multiple data centres around the country in an effort to kick start economic growth. Ministers insist the notoriously power-hungry server farms will be given priority access to the electricity grid. Questions have been raised about the impact this might have on the government’s plans for clean energy production by 2030. But less attention has been given to the impact data centres could have on the supply of fresh, drinkable water to homes and businesses. Parts of the ***, in the south especially, are already under threat of water shortages because of climate change and population growth. The government is backing plans for nine new reservoirs to ease the risk of rationing and hosepipe bans during droughts. But some of these are in areas where new data centres are set to be built. The first of the government’s “AI growth zones” will be in Culham, Oxfordshire, at the *** Atomic Energy Authority’s campus – seven miles from the site of a planned new reservoir at Abingdon. The 4.5 sq mile (7 sq km) reservoir will supply customers in the Thames Valley, London and Hampshire. It is not known how much water the massive new data centres now planned nearby could take from it. The BBC understands Thames Water has been talking to the government about the challenge of water demand in relation to data centres and how it can be mitigated. In a new report, the Royal Academy of Engineering calls on the government to ensure tech companies accurately report how much energy and water their data centres are using. It also calls for environmental sustainability requirements for all data centres, including reducing the use of drinking water, moving to zero use for cooling. Without such action, warns one of the report’s authors, Prof Tom Rodden, “we face a real risk that our development, deployment and use of AI could do irreparable damage to the environment”. Getty Images Data centres – like this Google facility in Hertfordshire – are being built across the country The tech industry tends to be cagey about water consumption. Most *** data centres contacted for this article did not respond to our inquiries. Data centres use fresh, mains water, rather than surface water, so that the pipes, pumps and heat exchangers used to cool racks of servers do not get clogged up with contaminants. The amount used can vary considerably depending on a number of factors including the surrounding environment; sites in colder, wetter parts of the world tend to require less. Dr Venkatesh Uddameri, a Texas-based expert in water resources management, says a typical data centre can use between 11 million and 19 million litres of water per day, roughly the same as a town of 30,000 to 50,000 people. His widely quoted calculations are based on arid, or semi arid, climates and do not take into account recent efficiency improvements or developments in AI. Microsoft’s global water use soared by 34% while it was developing its initial AI tools, and a data centre cluster in Iowa used 6% of the district’s water supply in one month during the training of OpenAI’s GPT-4. Local resistance to data centres is growing around the world, particularly in areas where water is scarce. In Chile, Google stopped building a data centre following concerns about its water use, and it redesigned the cooling system at another in Uruguay following local protests. Getty Images Racks of computer servers can generate a lot of heat In the ***, Thames Water has warned data centres they could face restrictions on use during heatwaves. In 2022, the company said it would review data centres’ water use as it prepared to introduce a hosepipe ban during a summer draught. But Foxglove, a group of campaigning lawyers, found evidence from Thames Water’s strategy documents the following year that the firm still did not appear to know how much water its existing data centre customers were using. Thames Water declined to comment. It signposted its recent five-year plan, which has been approved by the government. This states that it has no legal obligation to service businesses, and can choose to restrict or refuse water to commercial customers; but this was written before the government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, meaning they will face fewer planning restrictions. Thames Water filed an objection to a planning application for a new data centre in a cluster in Slough, near Reading, in 2021. But other proposals in the area have since succeeded: for example in August 2024 the firm Yondr announced that it would be building its third data centre campus there. Foxglove CEO Martha Dark said: “The government must urgently explain how its plans for new data centres will not threaten our long-term supplies of drinking water.” Getty Images The site of a planned new Meta data centre in Spain has raised concerns A government spokesperson said: “We recognise that data centres face sustainability challenges such as energy demands and water use – that’s why AI Growth Zones are designed to attract investment in areas where existing energy and water infrastructure is already in place.” In addition, recent changes made by the water regulator Ofwat would “unlock £104bn of spending by water companies” in the next five years. The data centre industry argues that modern sites are already more efficient. Alternative cooling methods which do not require much water, such as free air cooling and dry cooling, are evolving. Closed-loop cooling, which involves reusing water, will be deployed in Microsoft’s new data centres in Phoenix and Wisconsin. Aaron Binckley, vice president of sustainability at Digital Realty, acknowledged criticism around data centres’ water usage but claimed that the sector was making “significant strides”. His company, which has 300 data centres worldwide, is trialling a new AI tool which analyses operational data and identifies water-saving measures. He says it is predicted to conserve nearly 4m litres of water per year. Clearly, that is currently an expectation rather than a reality, but Mr Binckley says it proves that “AI can drive sustainability as well as technological progress”. In 2024 the Environment Agency wrote in a blog that by 2050, England alone would need an extra five billion litres of water every day – it says this is the equivalent of two million wheelie bins-full – just to serve the population. But the regulator now needs more data in order to factor in new data centres’ future needs. For the time being, it is urging data centres to forecast and plan their water consumption – and to explore their own sources of water, such as water reuse. “Meeting the increased water demand is not just for the water industry to solve,” says a source. Source link #Concern #UKs #ambitions #lead #water #shortages Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

East Fremantle: Ampol service station damaged after car leaves road, smashes through windows East Fremantle: Ampol service station damaged after car leaves road, smashes through windows Police are investigating a chaotic ****** where a car veered off the road before smashing through the windows of a petrol station in East Fremantle. A 42-year-old woman behind the wheel of a silver Toyota Camry escaped serious injury after crashing through the Ampol Foodary on Canning Highway just before 11pm on Thursday. No customers were inside the store at the time and no staff were hurt. The driver was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with minor injuries. Camera IconPolice on the scene in East Fremantle. Credit: night news/supplied Footage posted to social media showed the Toyota wedged between shelving. The car has since been towed away. A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said that there was no major structural damage to the building outside of the smashed glass. Several items inside the service station had to be thrown out. Police are continuing their inquiries. Source link #East #Fremantle #Ampol #service #station #damaged #car #leaves #road #smashes #windows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Senate confirms Trump budget director pick Vought Senate confirms Trump budget director pick Vought Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) nominee for US President Donald Trump, during a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Republican-led U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee Russell Vought as budget director on Thursday, placing the reins of government funding in the hands of hardline conservative who has advocated for reducing Congress’s power over taxpayer dollars. The Senate voted 53-47 to confirm Vought after a marathon overnight session during which Democrats denounced him as dangerous far-right ideologue and blasted Republicans for rubber-stamping Trump’s nomination. Vought, who also headed the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first presidential term, raised concerns among members of both parties by criticizing a 1974 law preventing presidents from unilaterally blocking congressionally approved funding, a practice known as “impoundment”. In his two confirmation hearings, Vought repeatedly said he believed a 1974 law was unconstitutional, a position that even the Republican committee chairmen said they did not fully support. Last week, the White House Budget Office issued a memo freezing hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants and loans. The White House said the freeze was necessary to ensure aid programs were aligned with Trump’s priorities including his executive orders to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The White House rescinded the memo and a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze, but not before the action raised widespread fears about the future critical government-funded services and concerns that Trump could take unilateral action against other government funding. Democrats sought to link Vought’s role in the hard-right Project 2025 policy initiative to a range of administration actions, including the Trump administration’s unilateral actions to essentially shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development and fire prosecutors at the Justice Department. “Whether it’s with federal workers, whether it’s at USAID, whether it’s hurting Justice Department prosecutors, all of that is Russell Vought at work,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on a floor speech. “He’s working to hurt you, Mr. and Mrs. America.” Republicans championed Vought’s experience as budget director and the role they expect him to play in cutting wasteful government spending. “Identifying ways to rein in our spending – and to target government waste – has to be a priority. And I’m confident that Mr. Vought will help lead that charge,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this week. “There is no question that he will be able to hit the ground running.” Source link #Senate #confirms #Trump #budget #director #pick #Vought Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

February 2025 is a packed month for video games, here's why February 2025 is a packed month for video games, here's why The February 2025 games lineup is packed with content like the pirate antics of the latest Like a Dragon title and Obsidian’s next epic RPG. Source link #February #packed #month #video #games #here039s Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

It could be a good time to buy It could be a good time to buy Mortgage rates have decreased for the third week in a row. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dropped by six basis points to 6.89%, and the 15-year fixed interest rate is down by seven basis points to 6.05%. Now could be a good time to buy a house. Interest rates have gone down, and they could increase later as Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China develop. You would also beat the bustle of the spring home-buying season, and while this likely means fewer houses on the market, it also usually means less competition. Read more: Should you lock in a mortgage rate — and if so, when? Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.54% 20-year fixed: 6.32% 15-year fixed: 5.82% 5/1 ARM: 6.64% 7/1 ARM: 6.89% 30-year VA: 6.02% 15-year VA: 5.40% 5/1 VA: 6.54% Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. Learn more: 5 strategies to get the lowest mortgage rates Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form. Here are today’s mortgage refinance interest rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.55% 20-year fixed: 6.24% 15-year fixed: 5.81% 5/1 ARM: 6.77% 7/1 ARM: 6.32% 30-year VA: 5.94% 15-year VA: 5.51% 5/1 VA: 6.11% 30-year FHA: 6.41% 15-year FHA: 5.81% As with the purchase mortgage rates, these are national averages we’ve rounded to the nearest hundredth. Refinance rates can be higher than purchase mortgage rates, but that isn’t always the case. This embedded content is not available in your region. Yahoo Finance has a free mortgage payment calculator to help you see how various mortgage rates will impact your monthly payments. Our calculator goes even deeper by including factors like homeowners insurance and property taxes in your calculation. You can even add private mortgage insurance costs and HOA dues if they apply to you. These monthly expenses, along with your mortgage principal and interest rate, will give you a realistic idea of what your monthly payment could be. A mortgage interest rate is a fee for borrowing money from your lender, expressed as a percentage. There are two basic types of mortgage rates: fixed and adjustable rates. A fixed-rate mortgage locks in your rate for the entire life of your loan. For example, if you get a 30-year mortgage with a 6% interest rate, your rate will stay at 6% for the entire 30 years. (Unless you refinance or sell the home.) An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for the first few years, then changes it periodically. Let’s say you get a 5/1 ARM with an introductory rate of 6%. Your rate would be 6% for the first five years and then the rate would increase or decrease once per year for the last 25 years of your term. Whether your rate goes up or down depends on several factors, such as the economy and U.S. housing market. At the beginning of your mortgage term, most of your monthly payment goes toward interest. As time passes, less of your payment goes toward interest, and more goes toward the mortgage principal or the amount you originally borrowed. Dig deeper: Adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgage — Which should you choose? Two categories determine mortgage rates: ones you can control and ones you cannot control. What factors can you control? First, you can compare the best mortgage lenders to find the one that gives you the lowest rate and fees. Second, lenders typically extend lower rates to people with higher credit scores, lower debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, and considerable down payments. If you can save more or pay down debt before securing a mortgage, a lender will probably give you a better interest rate. What factors can you not control? In short, the economy. The list of ways the economy impacts mortgage rates is long, but here are the basic details. If the economy — think employment rates, for example — is struggling, mortgage rates go down to encourage borrowing, which helps boost the economy. If the economy is strong, mortgage rates go up to temper spending. With all other things being equal, mortgage refinance rates are usually a little higher than purchase rates. So don’t be surprised if your refinance rate is higher than you may have expected. Two of the most common mortgage terms are 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Both lock in your rate for the entire loan term. A 30-year mortgage is popular because it has relatively low monthly payments. But it comes with a higher interest rate than shorter terms, and because you’re accumulating interest for three decades, you’ll pay a lot of interest in the long run. A 15-year mortgage can be great because it has a lower rate than you’ll get with longer terms, so you’ll pay less in interest over the years. You’ll also pay off your mortgage much faster. But your monthly payments will be higher because you’re paying off the same loan amount in half the time. Basically, 30-year mortgages are more affordable from month to month, while 15-year mortgages are cheaper in the long run. According to 2023 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, some of the banks with the lowest median mortgage rates are Citibank, Wells Fargo, and USAA. However, it’s a good idea to shop around for the best rate with not just banks, but also credit unions and companies specializing in mortgage lending. Yes, 2.75% is a fantastic mortgage rate. You’re unlikely to get a 2.75% rate in today’s market unless you take on an assumable mortgage from a seller who locked in this rate in 2020 or 2021, when rates were at all-time lows. According to Freddie Mac, the lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.65%. This was the national average in January 2021. It is extremely unlikely that rates will dip this low again anytime soon. Some experts say it’s worth refinancing when you can lock in a rate that’s 2% less than your current mortgage rate. Others say 1% is the magic number. It all depends on what your financial goals are when refinancing and when your break-even point would be after paying refinance closing costs. Source link #good #time #buy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Atomic Heart – Enchantment Under the Sea Review – Twisted Voxel Atomic Heart – Enchantment Under the Sea Review – Twisted Voxel Atomic Heart – Enchantment Under The Sea is an electrifying continuation of the game’s saga, delivering dynamic combat and an engaging narrative. Source link #Atomic #Heart #Enchantment #Sea #Review #Twisted #Voxel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Roblox CEO talks growth goals post-earnings: ‘huge market out there’ Roblox CEO talks growth goals post-earnings: ‘huge market out there’ In a Thursday interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki reflected on the most recent quarter and described the company’s progress towards its goal of getting 10% of all the gaming content in the world on the platform. “There’s a huge market out there. We saw NFL Universe, which is a fully-licensed sports game, show up on Roblox and get in the top 25. We saw SpongeBob hit the top 25,” he said. “We’re only hitting 2.4% of the total gaming market space on Roblox. That’s a lot of room.” Roblox posted earnings Thursday morning, and its bookings and daily active users data came in below estimates. Shares plunged throughout the session, finishing the day down a little more than 11%. But Baszucki said the company is “well on our way” to meeting its content goal, saying Roblox beat the guidance it had shared. Baszucki pointed to some of Roblox’s recent ventures, including brand integration with popular movies Wicked and Beetlejuice. Both the National Football League and the National Basketball Association are on the platform, he continued, as well as content from popular YouTube creator Mr. Beast. Baszucki also said Roblox is using artificial intelligence to make the platform safer for users, a significant portion of which are children. The platform is exploring immersive experiences beyond traditional gaming, Baszucki continued, including a foray into digital ecommerce with Shopify. According to him, this kind of technology can be used in other areas of entertainment and in academic settings. “Shopify is a new experiment for us, but we really are focused on this long term vision that immersive 3D is a new way for people to come together with safety and civility, and it’s not just for gaming,” Baszucki said. Jim Cramer’s Guide to Investing Source link #Roblox #CEO #talks #growth #goals #postearnings #huge #market Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Already Recouped Its Budget A Day After Release Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Already Recouped Its Budget A Day After Release Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is out on PC and consoles following the launch of the original nearly a decade ago. The game is off to a strong start, peaking at 175K concurrent players on Steam. Built on a modified version of the Cry Engine, it retains the look and feel of its predecessor. Source link #Kingdom #Deliverance #Recouped #Budget #Day #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]