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Sector Rotation: Are Utilities Gaining as Financials Weaken? Sector Rotation: Are Utilities Gaining as Financials Weaken? One of the top-performing sectors YTD has been financials, with the popular financial ETF, The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:), already up 6.5% as of Friday’s close. Conversely, one of the sectors that outperformed for the first three quarters of last year, utilities, represented by the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE:), has lagged financials and performed in line with the benchmark . However, with rotation constantly occurring in the current market and capital flowing out of potentially overbought sectors and into sectors presenting more favorable risk: reward, could utilities gain flow from financials and gain a boost in the coming months? Financials Outperform Early On But Face Selling Pressure The XLF, which tracks the financial sector within the S&P 500, has experienced a strong start to 2025, yielding a year-to-date and outperforming return of approximately 6.5% as of Friday’s close. This performance reflects an optimistic outlook influenced by expectations around policy changes, particularly with Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Along with the upbeat outlook, earnings for many of the ETF’s major players and holdings significantly beat expectations, resulting in significant upward momentum for the sector. For example, on January 15, the ETFs second-largest holding, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:), with a 10.2% weighting, topped EPS by over 17% and sales by 2%, helping the XLF break out of its declining consolidation. However, this initial surge has been followed by early signs of selling pressure, potentially due to the sector swiftly entering overbought territory. Technical analysis suggests a risk of forming a double-top pattern, indicating that the sector might be due for a pullback or consolidation, which would allow recent gains and price action to digest the move. This scenario unfolds against a backdrop where earnings reports have been largely positive and with financial institutions facing a favorable tailwind as they will likely benefit from less stringent regulations thanks to the new White House administration. While YTD net fund flows for the financial ETF are an impressive 4.59%, and momentum is clearly on its side, might the short-term extreme swing to the upside now diminish the risk: reward, setting the stage for another sector to experience fresh flows and renewed optimism? If that were to happen, one sector that could benefit is the utilities sector. Utilities Consolidate in a Major Bull Flag For much of last year, the utilities sector ETF, XLU, led and outperformed the market due to several factors. After breaking its downtrend in early 2024, the sector ETF surged from a low near $60 to a record high of $83.41 in late November before returning to its uptrend support line. While the sector has slightly outperformed the benchmark YTD, it’s significantly lagging financials, up only 2.89% YTD. Despite its relative underperformance, the enthusiasm remains, with the fund experiencing 2.45% positive flows YTD. Sentiment remains optimistic for the sector, with holdings in the XLU possessing an aggregate rating of Moderate Buy. The sector’s inherent stability, consistent consumer demand, and defensive characteristics continue to make it a safe haven for investors amidst economic uncertainty. Additionally, the push towards renewable energy, the surge in power consumption from AI and data centers, and recovery from undervaluation in 2023 contributed to its strong performance in 2024 and might continue to do so in 2025. The sector also continues to benefit from the electrification trend, including the rise in electric vehicle usage and increasing electricity demand. Recent comments from President Donald Trump indicate a bullish stance on energy companies. His early actions have made it clear that he aims to rebuild affordable, reliable, and secure energy supplies. From a technical perspective, XLU remains attractive as it consolidates in a developing bull flag just 6.6% away from its 52-week high and right near a swiftly converging 50- and 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). While there’s no telling if the sector will attract flows from other leading sectors, such as financials, one thing is for sure: price action. If the XLU can break above its bull-flags downtrend resistance, near $80, that would confirm a technical breakout and potential rotation back into the sector. Original Post Source link #Sector #Rotation #Utilities #Gaining #Financials #Weaken Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump trade war: Beijing hits back with tariffs and American LNG sales are a top target Trump trade war: Beijing hits back with tariffs and American LNG sales are a top target China has slapped tariffs on a range of US products including sales of LNG. Source link #Trump #trade #war #Beijing #hits #tariffs #American #LNG #sales #top #target Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $383 Million for Florida Production Facility U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $383 Million for Florida Production Facility The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $383 million cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the existing Lockheed Martin contract for development of the next generation of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile to continue the nation’s sea-based strategic deterrence. Under this contract modification, Lockheed Martin will design the upgraded missile, called the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2). The integrated, modernized missile will be carried aboard COLUMBIA-class ballistic missile submarines to ensure the strategic weapon system remains credible through 2084. Most Read on Design & Development Today: The D5 missile, built and upgraded by Lockheed Martin for the Navy, is the most advanced ballistic missile in the world and is currently aboard U.S. OHIO-class and U.K. VANGUARD-class submarines. This year, Lockheed Martin will mark 70 years of support to the Navy developing and sustaining the missiles that are the backbone for the nation’s sea-based deterrence through the company’s Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBM) program. Lockheed Martin’s FBM program is critical to preserving American and allied security with a focus on innovation through advanced digital technology, modern facilities, and a culture of excellence. Lockheed Martin is breaking ground on an approximately 225,000 square foot facility in Titusville, Florida to produce components for the D5LE2 submarine-launched ballistic missile. The new facility expands Lockheed Martin’s presence in Florida’s Space Coast and is expected to add approximately 300 highly-skilled new jobs. The facility is anticipated to be ready for operations in 2027 to meet the Navy’s production needs and support the service for the next 60 years. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking engineering industry news. Source link #U.S #Navy #Awards #Lockheed #Martin #Million #Florida #Production #Facility Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Headhunts in Diablo 4 Season 7 Are a Significant Improvement Over Helltides but Have a Small Problem Headhunts in Diablo 4 Season 7 Are a Significant Improvement Over Helltides but Have a Small Problem Diablo 4 Season 7 came out on January 21, 2025, and has been a well-received update so far. The new Season of Witchcraft brought a lot of new features and changes, a lot of which have already gotten praise from players. This includes the new Headhunts which are world events similar to Helltides. Diablo 4 Season 7 has been going well so far, aside from small issues. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment And in comparison to Helltides, Headhunts have been a breath of fresh air in the best way possible. Players are enjoying the better variety, mob density, and dynamic objectives of Headhunts. There just seems to be one small issue that everyone is facing. Headhunts are better than Helltides but have one issue The experience is just better overall. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment One of the biggest reasons Headhunts have been well-received is the variety they bring to the game. One of the biggest complaints about Helltides was their repetitive nature. The same locations, music, and objectives made them feel stale over time. Headhunts solve this problem by rotating through different areas of Sanctuary. Headhunts are in-game events that work similarly to Helltides. They periodically show up in different areas of the map and last 40 minutes per zone. Players will have to complete Whisper Bounties in these zones. Most of them will involve fighting waves of the new Headrotten enemies and collecting seasonal resources like Restless Rot. It’s not without issues though. Even though it is a big improvement on Helltides, the biggest issue with Headhunts is the abysmally low drop rate of Fugitive Heads. These are items used to craft Occult Gems and have been a real pain to farm. We’re getting all sorts of comments from players saying they’ve gone hours of farming without getting one. Considering how generous the rest of the update is, it’s a bit strange. I’m paragon 170 and only one fugitive head has been dropped, something is wrong. What’s the point of crafting occult gems after I have done everything including torment 4 bosses. Huge mistake here — ChiBass (@Gergoool) February 1, 2025 Comment byu/Guilhaum from discussion indiablo4 Even at the highest difficulty, Torment IV, the drop rate maxes out at just 10%. Players can use the Draught of Whispers elixir to boost the drop rates by 50% for an hour but even those who have tried it are still complaining about its rarity. A lot of players think that there is a bug because the system is either broken or in urgent need of change. Diablo 4 Season 4 has been great, but we need some bug fixes It’s like there was no QA team. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard has a few options to fix this issue, and the several other bugs this season. One simple solution would be increasing the drop rate of Fugitive Heads. It would be nice if this is the case for all difficulties but we’ll accept changes to just higher difficulties too. The devs could also give us other ways to earn them, such as crafting them from other seasonal resources or earning them through milestone rewards. Some players also suggest a sort of pity system. If you’re a gacha player you’ll understand. A pity system would basically be a guarantee, where after a certain number of Headhunt completions, a Fugitive Head is guaranteed to drop. Given the strong player feedback, it wouldn’t be surprising if Blizzard makes adjustments in a future patch. Drop rates aside though, Headhunts are a great addition to Diablo 4 and Season 7 has really made some good changes. As long as Blizzard keeps track of all the player feedback, and fixes all these dang bugs, we’re looking at a job well done. Source link #Headhunts #Diablo #Season #Significant #Improvement #Helltides #Small #Problem Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EU leaders deflect Trump on Greenland and on tariffs – POLITICO Europe EU leaders deflect Trump on Greenland and on tariffs – POLITICO Europe EU leaders deflect Trump on Greenland and on tariffs POLITICO EuropeAfter Tariff Fight With Canada and Mexico, Trump’s Next Target Is Europe The New York TimesEU Struggles With Response to Trump’s Trade Threats BloombergTrump admits Americans could feel ‘some pain’ from his tariffs, but it will be ‘worth the price’ FortuneAfter China, Mexico and Canada, why Trump hinted at using tariffs against European Union The Indian Express Source link #leaders #deflect #Trump #Greenland #tariffs #POLITICO #Europe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ASX drops to 8374 points at close after failed talks between US and China over tariffs ASX drops to 8374 points at close after failed talks between US and China over tariffs China’s retaliation at US tariffs have caused great upset to the *********** markets despite a promising trading day. The benchmark ASX200 index dropped 5.4 points or to 8374 points at the close on Tuesday. The broader All Ordinaries gained five points to finish on 8,633.40. The ASX traded in the positive for most of Tuesday but once China and the US confirmed tariffs would be implemented after failed talks, the market responded quickly by landing in the red in the final hour. Camera IconThe ASX fell at the close on Tuesday. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia China retaliation on the US came in the form of the country imposing tariffs up to 15 per cent on some US imports. Donald Trump on the weekend announced the US would impose a 10 per cent tariff on ******** imports, while China will enforce a 15 per cent tariff on US coal and LNG, and 10 per cent tariffs on crude oil, farm equipment and some autos, effective February 10. Market analyst Tony Sycamore said the ASX had fared well throughout the day as it was confirmed a 30-day pause was in place on tariffs imposed between the US, Mexico and Canada. “The ASX200 has steadied today after US President Trump agreed to postpone tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month after both countries agreed to reinforce their boarders to help curb the flow of ******** drugs,’ Mr Sycamore said. CommSec Laura Besarati market analyst said the tariffs between China and US left investors worried. “(Tuesday was a) better day than the one we had yesterday when we had 1.8 per cent tumble where we had our worst day in months,” Ms Besarati said. “Just as the market was shutting today, we had breaking news … that could be the beginning of a trade war, something investors have been worried about. “We were already fading in afternoon trade but we did see a big sell off right on the close when that news dropped from being up a third of 1 per cent to ending the day at 5 points lower to 8,374 points. “All of the other sectors retreated. “Energy sectors got dragged by lower oil prices after Trump agreed on to hold off on those tariffs, given these two countries are the biggest foreign oil suppliers to the US.” The bottom performing stocks in this index were Audinate Group and Lynas Rare Earths, down 4.51 per cent and 3.81 per cent respectively The medical sector fared well however, with Nufarm up 3.37 per cent and Appen 9.77 per cent. Pro Medicus hit a record high of 5.18 per cent after signing a seven-year contract of $53m. The *********** dollar fell 0.67 per cent to 61.84 US cents at the close. Source link #ASX #drops #points #close #failed #talks #China #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stuck in the app trap? Why more software isn’t the answer to business growth Stuck in the app trap? Why more software isn’t the answer to business growth I’ve always been fascinated by the promise of futuristic technology. Watching films with smart houses, robotic assistants, and virtual reality, I often imagine a world where all the hard work is handled by automation: press a button, problem solved instantly. Within the context of the business world, I see a similar emergence of new technologies with the ability to help businesses thrive. Struggling with inventory tracking? There’s an app for that. Need to drive more sales and manage customer relationships? There’s an app for that, too. From paying your team to marketing your services, to invoicing your customers and paying your bills, every business challenge now has a dedicated tool ready to assist. But when does relying on multiple disconnected technologies shift from boosting your business to undermining productivity? For many growing businesses, the tipping point begins when the ‘app bloat’ sets in – being bogged down by too many disconnected digital tools that don’t work together, leading to more inefficiencies and wasted time. According to a recent study, 98% of businesses report that their digital tools are not sufficiently optimized to support long-term scale — meaning these businesses are stuck in the dreaded app trap with no real results. Investing in another app to get organized may be tempting, but the truth is simple: adding more software doesn’t solve the problem. Sandy Edwards Social Links Navigation Mid Market Product Leader for Intuit QuickBooks. Finding the Right-Sized Solutions Can Be a Challenge When a business is starting out, it makes sense to solve operational challenges by adopting tools that address specific operational challenges, such as managing inventory, activating marketing campaigns, or tracking sales. However, as a business grows, the demand for a scalable, integrated solution increases. . Without a cohesive software investment strategy, businesses risk focusing on short-term fixes instead of long-term integration and efficiency. Over time, businesses can accumulate a patchwork of specialized apps – each designed to solve a specific problem, but not designed to work seamlessly together. The survey found that businesses use an average of 10 different digital solutions to manage operations. This fragmentation often leads to operational inefficiencies, forcing teams to manually transfer data between systems which increases the risk of errors and impacts productivity. For instance, a retailer may use different apps for inventory tracking, supplier management, and financial forecasting. This forces retail leaders to spend hours manually data entry, leading to delayed insights, outdated inventory data, and higher operational costs. These inefficiencies add up quickly. Respondents reported spending an average of 25 hours per week on manual data entry and reconciliation across apps. That’s valuable time that could be better spent on strategic initiatives to drive growth. The financial impact is equally significant. According to the survey, businesses overspend an average of $3,000 per month on unused or rarely used apps, amounting to $36,000 annually in unnecessary costs. Optimizing the tech stack to reduce waste and eliminate inefficiencies is not just a cost-saving measure; it’s a critical step for businesses seeking sustainable growth. Staying Ahead with Artificial Intelligence and Automation Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly become an essential tool for businesses of any size looking to scale operations efficiently, with nearly 9 in 10 businesses (95%) agreeing that AI is crucial for success in today’s economic climate. AI’s ability to automate repetitive tasks like data entry, customer support, and reporting allows businesses to shift focus from administrative burdens to strategic growth. By streamlining processes, AI frees teams to innovate and explore new opportunities instead of being weighed down by manual workflows. With AI-powered solutions, businesses can achieve more with fewer resources, creating the capacity to grow without adding complexity. Beyond automation, AI tools deliver predictive analytics that empowers businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions. For example, a restaurant chain can leverage AI to analyze customer preferences and spending patterns by region, helping marketing teams craft location-based campaigns tailored to customer trends. Integration is Key to Growth As technology advances at record speed, growing businesses need to stay agile and adaptable. That means focusing on future-proofing the business for sustainable, long-term success instead of investing in the latest shiny tool on the market. To unlock new growth opportunities, these businesses need an integrated digital business solution that empowers smarter, faster decisions, boosts productivity and increases capacity for success. When it comes to a connected platform solution, the survey found that 95% of businesses see the value in integrating apps and software for scaling their business. By consolidating tools into a unified system with robust integration capabilities, businesses can rely on a single source of truth accessible across departments, significantly reducing manual data reconciliation. This kind of visibility also allows teams to make faster, better-informed decisions to stay competitive in the market. Here are three ways businesses can drive better integration: Prioritize multi-functional platforms: When selecting software, ensure it ticks all the boxes of the business. Does it easily integrate different functions like finance and marketing? Platforms that offer all-in-one functionality can streamline workflows and connect various aspects of the business, ensuring smoother communication and data flow between departments. Re-evaluate your tech stack regularly: Conducting consistent audits of software investments can help identify redundancies and underutilized tools that are driving up costs and slowing operations. Removing this excess will streamline the tech stack and help business leaders gain a better understanding of where they can automate further. Invest in employee training: Ensuring everyone on your team understands how to use the solution will maximize the benefit of the platform, foster collaboration, and reduce the reliance on outdated apps. As it turns out, the futuristic tech-driven world we envisioned still needs a little fine-tuning. While today’s technology can make things easier, businesses still need to be savvy about what technologies actually help move their business forward. With a smart, integrated system, escaping the app trap and unlocking sustainable growth is within reach. We’ve compiled a list of the best online collaboration tools. This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: Source link #Stuck #app #trap #software #isnt #answer #business #growth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

S&P 500: Strong Recovery From Yesterday’s Early Selloff Is a Sign of Strength S&P 500: Strong Recovery From Yesterday’s Early Selloff Is a Sign of Strength Yesterday, the moved lower by about 75 basis points, an improvement from the sharp drop at the open. The market was initially digesting news of tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. However, by the end of the day, it appeared that tariffs on Mexico and Canada had been put on hold for at least 30 days, which the market welcomed. As a result, the S&P 500 rebounded from a low of about 5,925 to close at 5,995—a strong recovery from the initial selloff. The equal-weight also declined about 55 basis points. The broader market sentiment regarding tariffs seems to view them as an inflationary event. This was evident in the bond market, where moved higher while ten-year yields remained flat, leading to a flatter yield curve. The declined by three bps to 30 bps, while the 30s-3ms spread remained unchanged. Technically, not much has changed, but the market still appears to be in a consolidation phase, with the potential for the yield curve to steepen. It is difficult to say what might trigger that steepening. The at the end of the week would typically be a significant catalyst, but other factors—such as tariffs—add complexity and uncertainty to the outlook. Nonetheless, yesterday’s market reaction gives us insight into how investors perceive tariffs and their potential inflationary impact. FX Market Remains Volatile In the FX market, we saw significant volatility. The dropped sharply, testing the 1.02 support level before rebounding to around 1.035. The also experienced significant swings, climbing above 1.47 before settling around 1.44. The saw similar volatility, reaching as high as 21.20 before returning to 20.30. For those who don’t follow FX closely, these are huge moves in currency markets. The day’s other big news came at 3 PM with the Treasury’s quarterly refunding announcement. The Treasury announced plans to borrow $815 billion in privately held net marketable debt for the March quarter, assuming a cash balance of $850 billion. This figure was about $9 billion lower than the previous estimate from October. The Treasury expects to borrow just $123 billion for the June quarter, again assuming an $850 billion TGA balance. However, whether these cash balance targets are met will depend on negotiations over the debt ceiling. The longer those negotiations drag on, the more likely the TGA will be depleted. The following key update comes Wednesday morning when the Treasury will provide details on issuance—whether it will concentrate more on short-term bills or extend issuance toward longer-duration debt. This is important because Scott Bessent was previously critical of excessive bill issuance. A shift toward longer-duration debt could put upward pressure on long-term interest rates, reinforcing the technical patterns that suggest further yield curve steepening. Original Post Source link #Strong #Recovery #Yesterdays #Early #Selloff #Sign #Strength Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police officer stabbed outside restaurant in Virginia; suspect arrested Police officer stabbed outside restaurant in Virginia; suspect arrested The Brief A Fairfax County police officer was stabbed outside a restaurant in Fair Lakes, Virginia. The officer suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” and is recovering at a hospital. A suspect has been arrested in connection to the stabbing. FAIR LAKES, Va. – A Fairfax County police officer was stabbed Monday while responding to a call about a suspicious person, authorities said. The alleged attack took place near the Aroma Restaurant Bar & Banquet. The department said it received a call around 2:30 p.m. reporting a man threatening to kill someone in traffic. Once officers arrived, an altercation occurred, and one officer was stabbed in the upper body. The department said the officer suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. A suspect was arrested at the scene. Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau are investigating the incident. No further details were immediately available. The Source The information in this report comes from the Fairfax County Police Department. Source link #Police #officer #stabbed #restaurant #Virginia #suspect #arrested Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China hits back as Trump’s tariffs go into effect – CNN China hits back as Trump’s tariffs go into effect – CNN China hits back as Trump’s tariffs go into effect CNNChina Strikes Back After Trump Imposes 10% Tariff on Goods The New York TimesChina hits back at Trump’s tariffs with its own levies on U.S. imports The Washington Post Source link #China #hits #Trumps #tariffs #effect #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nature Positive laws to be formally scrubbed from Senate agenda Nature Positive laws to be formally scrubbed from Senate agenda The much-maligned proposal for an independent Federal environmental watchdog will be formally put down on Wednesday when both the Government and Opposition move to take it off Parliament’s agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepped in again last week to reassure voters and miners the Nature Positive legislation would not be going ahead before the election. He had already cut it out of a package of dozens of bills that were passed late last year. But the legislation had still been included for debate on Thursday in a draft Senate program issued last week. It prompted WA Premier Roger Cook to lash out at east coast latte-sipping Labor colleagues. However, Labor senator Anthony Chisholm will move on Wednesday to take it off the agenda for good — while having a swipe at the Coalition, Greens and One Nation in passing. His motion notes the previous Coalition government cut 40 per cent from the environment department and average decisions on new projects were 116 days late. Shadow environment minister Jonno Duniam has also lodged a motion to eject the Nature Positive legislation from the Senate. He decried the Government’s move as a short-term political fix. “The Government might be withdrawing their anti-WA nature positive bills from the Parliament now, but this doesn’t take away from the fact that the Prime Minister hasn’t ruled out bringing them back in the next term of government,” he said. “If the Prime Minister really wants to do the right thing, he would rule out bringing back these dreadful laws — including in a deal with the Greens and Teals in the next term of Parliament.” Source link #Nature #Positive #laws #formally #scrubbed #Senate #agenda Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Macron’s brigade shows how not to fight in Ukraine Macron’s brigade shows how not to fight in Ukraine It was supposed to be the showpiece of Nato’s support for the war in Ukraine – the first of 14 almost entirely Western-trained and equipped brigades that would push back the advancing Russian army. In reality, the 155th Separate Mechanised Brigade was, in the words of one Ukrainian war correspondent, “from its first days, complete organisational chaos”. Announced during D-Day commemorations in Normandy last June by Emmanuel Macron, the brigade was given the finest French military instructors and weaponry at a cost of more than €900 million. But before the 155th ever fired a shot in anger, it was dogged with scandals and claims of rampant mismanagement. At least 1,700 troops had gone AWOL, including dozens in France, its commander had been fired, and it was fast becoming a major headache for both Volodymyr Zelensky and Macron. Now, the 155th – also known as the “Anne of Kyiv” brigade after the 11th century Kyiv princess who became a French queen – has disintegrated, with its few combat-ready troops sent to reinforce other units. The shambolic formation of the 155th was enough for Mr Zelensky to pull the plug on any future Western-sponsored brigades. Also known as the ‘Anne of Kyiv’ brigade, the 155th has disintegrated, with its few combat-ready troops sent to reinforce other units According to John Foreman, former *** defence attaché to Moscow and Kyiv, what began with “noble” intentions quickly became a “failed experiment, borne out of a flawed concept”. During the beginnings of its formation, many argued that Ukraine was wasting time and precious manpower creating new brigades, rather than reinforcing existing ones that were exhausted and in desperate need of fresh troops. Mr Foreman said the woes of the 155th are emblematic of the greater difficulties that Ukraine’s military is facing. He pointed to mistakes in its mobilisation process – that it is failing to recruit enough men or stop them deserting – as well as an unresponsive high command and increasing frustration among Western partners. What happened to the 155th “is indeed a crime, but it is not a crime of soldiers and officers,” said Yuriy Butusov, a prominent Ukrainian journalist and founder of news website Censor.net who first began chronicling the brigade’s problems in November. He noted that all seven new brigades that Ukraine raised in 2024 suffered similar fates when first deployed, blaming Kyiv’s political and military leadership for what he deemed a “poorly organised political project”. ‘In France, I was taught absolutely nothing’ In July and August, more than 2,500 of the 155th’s best-trained soldiers were taken to replenish other brigades, according to Butusov’s investigation, while reports that fresh recruits had deserted began to circulate. At the start of October, what was left – roughly 1,900 soldiers – were sent for training in France. “I made a commitment,” wrote Macron alongside footage of Ukrainian troops in shiny new uniforms, training in the sunshine. “The Anne of Kyiv brigade will be trained and equipped thanks to French solidarity,” he added on X. According to records, only 51 of the soldiers had more than a year of military service experience, 459 had less than a year, and the majority (1,414) had served for less than 2 months. At least 150 were sent without having passed basic training. Once in France, instructors faced the near-impossible task of training an entire brigade almost from scratch. One current officer from the 155th told Radio Free Liberty: “In France, I was taught absolutely nothing.” Sébastien Lecornu, the French minister of the armed forces, is pictured signing the flag of the ‘Anne of Kyiv’ brigade in November last year France’s ministry of defence confirmed that a total of 55 soldiers deserted, which it told The Telegraph was “within the norm” for cases of desertion during the training of foreign soldiers. The 155th’s return to Ukraine was disorderly: some officers stayed behind for extra training, trained specialists were syphoned off into other brigades, troops reassigned to positions they had not trained for, its command structure was reorganised and it was stripped of some of its new heavy weaponry. The result was that soldiers ran en masse. The disjointed, only partially-trained brigade was then thrust into one of the most brutal stretches of the 700-mile front in late December around Pokrovsk, a fortress city in the Donbas under threat of being encircled by Russian forces. France had come through on its promises, delivering Caesar howitzers, armoured vehicles and anti-tank missiles. But crucially, Ukraine failed to provide either drones or electronic warfare systems – both essential to basic survival in the war. On first contact with actual combat conditions, it crumbled. Some of the most inexperienced subunits were sent out first, and they suffered heavy losses, including reports that prized Leopard 2 tanks were wasted in disorderly assaults. Soldiers of the 155th brigade were equipped with Caesar howitzers and the prized Leopard 2 tank – GENYA SAVILOV/AFP Within days, the 155th’s recently-replaced and highly regarded commander, Col Dmytro Ryumshin, was sacked. Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigations then opened a criminal investigation into the chaotic formation of the brigade, which Zelensky personally took over in January in an apparent attempt to calm the anger of the French. In January, General Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, acknowledged “inadequate management”, “mistakes in recruitment”, and “imperfect training planning”. He stressed that France had “fully fulfilled its obligations to Ukraine”. On Jan 20, Col Ryumshin of the 155th was arrested and charged with wartime negligence, including allegations he failed to report mass desertion. His lawyer called the case “politically motivated” after his bail was set at $2.1 million. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Sergey Filimonov, commander of Ukraine’s 108th Battalion, said he knew “of 10 such brigades” that suffered similar problems to the 155th. He wrote in the Kyiv Independent that: “Nato’s training methods often fail to align with the realities of modern warfare” in Ukraine. Filimonov added the case of the 155th shows that: “Foreign training, unless adapted to Ukrainian conditions and integrated within [existing] unit practices, is not only ineffective but dangerous.” ‘Clear warning to the *** and other Nato allies’ Other Ukrainian commanders have consistently complained that switching Ukrainian tactics from the Soviet-style doctrine its officer corps grew up on to Nato-style thinking cannot be done in a few months. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army tank commander, called the story of 155th a “clear warning to the *** and other Nato allies”. He argued the solutions should be that all military training carried out by Kyiv’s allies – including the *** – should be moved back to Ukraine and that the creation of entirely new brigades should be stopped. Lt Col Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of the Ukrainian national guard’s Azov Brigade, put it more bluntly. “Can it be idiocy to create new brigades and equip them with such equipment, having incomplete existing ones?” he asked. The commander of Ukraine’s ground forces acknowledged ‘inadequate management’ and ‘mistakes in recruitment’ within the highly anticipated, French-trained brigade The 157th, also created in 2024, was recently hastily deployed to Pokrovsk, despite reports it was not yet combat ready and is taking on heavy casualties – echoing the problems that beleaguered the 155th. Ukraine’s military command now appears to be listening. At the end of last month, Zelensky reportedly ordered an end to the creation of new combat brigades. Mike Kofman, a military analyst, told The Telegraph: “The scandal with the 155th was simply the most egregious case amongst the problems associated with the new brigades, which many in Ukraine believe should not have been formed in the first place.” The rest of the new, but incomplete brigades, are likely to be disbanded or “used as piecemeal, with individual battalions parcelled out to other experienced units on the front,” Mr Kofman said. This is the fate that has befallen the 155th. It is not operating as a brigade, but largely being used as reinforcements for other combat-capable units. Several of its battalions are reported to be fighting well, but officers in the 155th say they are still training recruits while on the job. After a long spell of silence over the fate of the brigade, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s military chief, coyly announced days ago that the 155th is “gradually acquiring certain combat capabilities”. Referring to certain “negative aspects and difficulties” the brigade had faced, he said that “conclusions have been drawn that will be taken into account”. The 155th paid a heavy cost for those conclusions, Mr Foreman said. “It was destined to fail. They were lambs sent to the slaughter.” France’s ministry of defence called the “Anne of Kyiv” brigade “a unique project, co-constructed with the Ukrainians, whose effectiveness has been lauded and has never been called into question by our Ukrainian partners”. It added that Ukraine retains the sovereign right to choose how to deploy their forces. Ukraine’s ministry of defence has also been asked for comment. Source link #Macrons #brigade #shows #fight #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NBA Trade Deadline: Warriors Interested in Kevin Durant Reunion – Sports Illustrated NBA Trade Deadline: Warriors Interested in Kevin Durant Reunion – Sports Illustrated NBA Trade Deadline: Warriors Interested in Kevin Durant Reunion Sports IllustratedKevin Durant to the Warriors? Devin Booker to the Spurs? 5 superstar trades we want to see Yahoo SportsWarriors trade intel: Latest on their pursuit of Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant The AthleticNBA trade rumors: Kevin Durant aware of discussions as Suns listen to calls on superstar CBS SportsJake Fischer Latest: Is it the Warriors’ turn to strike gold before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline? Marc Stein | Substack Source link #NBA #Trade #Deadline #Warriors #Interested #Kevin #Durant #Reunion #Sports #Illustrated Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Reserve Bank interest rates: Deluge of economists picking Feb RBA cut grows Reserve Bank interest rates: Deluge of economists picking Feb RBA cut grows Donald Trump’s threat of a trade war has pushed another top economist to predict the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates later this month. Source link #Reserve #Bank #interest #rates #Deluge #economists #picking #Feb #RBA #cut #grows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China counters with tariffs on US products. It will also investigate Google China counters with tariffs on US products. It will also investigate Google Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways BEIJING (AP) — China countered President Donald Trump’s tariffs on ******** products with tariffs of its own on multiple U.S. imports Tuesday as well as announcing an antitrust investigation into Google and other trade measures. China said it would implement a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars imported from the U.S. The tariffs would take effect next Monday. “The US’s unilateral tariff increase seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization,” the statement from a Ministry of Finance office said. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also damages normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.” 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. In addition, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said Tuesday it is investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. The announcement didn’t mention the tariffs but came just minutes after Trump’s 10% tariffs on China were to take effect. U.S. tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico also were to go into effect Tuesday, though Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on his threats against Mexico and Canada as they acted to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. Trump planned to talk with ******** President Xi Jinping in the next few days. In addition to the tariffs, China announced export controls on several elements critical to the production of modern high-tech products. They include tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium, many of which are designated as critical minerals by the U.S. Geological Survey, meaning they are essential to U.S. economic or national security that have supply chains vulnerable to disruption. The export controls are in addition to ones China placed in December on key elements such as gallium used in manufacturing. The Commerce Ministry also placed two American companies on an unreliable entities list: PVH Group, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and Illumina, which is a biotechnology company with offices in China. The listing bars them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and from making new investments in the country. ___ Wu reported from Bangkok. Source link #China #counters #tariffs #products #investigate #Google Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diageo removes medium-term guidance on U.S. tariff uncertainty Diageo removes medium-term guidance on U.S. tariff uncertainty Bottles of Diageo-owned Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky in a supermarket in Chelmsford, ***, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Bloomberg | Getty Images Spirits maker Diageo said Tuesday that it is taking measures to deal with the potential impact of U.S. tariffs and has removed its medium-term guidance due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. “We are taking a number of actions to mitigate the impact and disruption to our business that tariffs may cause, and we will also continue to engage with the U.S. administration on the broader impact that this will have on everyone supporting the U.S. hospitality industry, including consumers, employees, distributors, restaurants, bars and other retail outlets,” Diageo said in a statement accompanying its interim earnings. The FTSE 100-listed company posted a 0.6% decline in first-half reported sales to $10.9 billion, coming in slightly ahead of the $10.7 billion estimated by analysts in an LSEG poll. The drinks maker has come under pressure from investors amid falling sales, management changes, the rise of weight-loss drugs — which may be able to reduce alcohol consumption — and a broader trend toward low- and no-alcohol products. This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly. Source link #Diageo #removes #mediumterm #guidance #U.S #tariff #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump and Netanyahu hold talks as US president warns 'no guarantees' fragile peace in Gaza will hold – The Associated Press Trump and Netanyahu hold talks as US president warns 'no guarantees' fragile peace in Gaza will hold – The Associated Press Trump and Netanyahu hold talks as US president warns ‘no guarantees’ fragile peace in Gaza will hold The Associated PressTrump and Netanyahu set for pivotal talks on Middle East agenda ReutersIsrael-****** Cease-fire Israel Says It Will Dispatch Negotiators to Doha for Second-stage Hostage Deal Talks HaaretzNetanyahu portrays U.S. visit as a triumph despite hurdles over Gaza The Washington PostTrump hosting Netanyahu for White House talks amid Gaza ceasefire VOA Asia Source link #Trump #Netanyahu #hold #talks #president #warns #039no #guarantees039 #fragile #peace #Gaza #hold #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data – The Washington Post Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data – The Washington Post Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data The Washington PostNext Musk DOGE target: Department of Education, according to reports The IndependentTrump administration to take steps to defund Education Department Reuters Source link #Trump #preps #order #dismantle #Education #Dept #DOGE #probes #data #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Review – Best RPG Ever Made Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Review – Best RPG Ever Made Erina Rose writes, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a masterclass in historical RPGs, delivering an unforgettable story, deep role-playing mechanics, and a living world that reacts to your every choice. With improved combat, stunning visuals, and rich, morally complex quests, it’s an absolute must-play—our first ever 10/10.” Source link #Kingdom #Deliverance #Review #RPG Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Millions face council tax rise of more than 5% Millions face council tax rise of more than 5% Millions of households in England are facing council tax rises above the normal limit, after the government allowed six areas to bypass a 5% cap on increases. Usually local authorities with social care duties can only raise council tax every year by up to 4.99% without a referendum, while others can increase it by up to 2.99%. But Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has confirmed that Bradford Council will be allowed an increase of 10%, while Newham and Windsor and Maidenhead will all be allowed a 9% rise – Birmingham, Somerset and Trafford can increase their bills by 7.5%. Rayner said the increases were crucial to “prevent these councils falling further into financial distress”. She said: “We recognise the importance of limited increases in helping to prevent these councils falling further into financial distress – but we have been clear this must be balanced with the interests of taxpayers.” The government blocked several councils from raising taxes above 4.99%, including Hampshire, which had asked to be allowed a 15% increase. A statement on local government funding also confirmed that councils will have access to more than £69bn this year – a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to 2024-25. The agreement means no council will see a reduction in core spending power. More than £2bn of this will come from direct grant funding above revenue received from council tax. The announcement also confirmed councils will get extra money to manage the cost of increases to employer National Insurance contributions. The top-up brings additional funding for next year to around £2bn, on top of £1.3bn announced at October’s Budget. Specific allocations to mayoral combined authorities remain at zero, meaning they are expected to generate funding through other means. Local Government Association chair Louise Gittins said council finances remain “extremely challenging” and the extra money next year “still falls short of what is desperately needed”. She said: “This financial year therefore remains extremely challenging for councils of all types who now face having to increase council tax bills to bring in desperately needed funding next year yet could still be forced to make further cuts to services”. She called for a “more sustainable future funding system” as well as “significant and sustained increases in overall funding” for councils in the upcoming spending review. Source link #Millions #face #council #tax #rise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sun beaming after shooting his way to NBA club record Sun beaming after shooting his way to NBA club record Devin Booker has written himself into the Phoenix Suns’ record books, a three-pointer helping him become the all-time leading scorer for the NBA franchise. Source link #Sun #beaming #shooting #NBA #club #record Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

James Webb Space Telescope Delivers 4K Amazing View Of Spiral Galaxy James Webb Space Telescope Delivers 4K Amazing View Of Spiral Galaxy The James Webb Space Telescope’s s MIRI and NIRCam instruments have captured an amazing view of spiral galaxy NGC 2090. The galaxy is about 37 million light years away in the Columbia constellation. Also, see a view of NGC 2090 from the Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: Space.com | ESA/Webb, ESA/Hubble, NASA & CSA, A. Leroy, D. Thilker, N. Bartmann (ESA/Webb) | edited by Steve Spaleta Source link #James #Webb #Space #Telescope #Delivers #Amazing #View #Spiral #Galaxy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Emilia Pérez Is Being Removed from the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar Campaign – Hollywood Reporter How Emilia Pérez Is Being Removed from the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar Campaign – Hollywood Reporter How Emilia Pérez Is Being Removed from the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar Campaign Hollywood ReporterKarla Sofía Gascón Breaks Down In Unauthorized, Hour-Long CNN Interview: “I Have Been Crucified And Stoned” Yahoo EntertainmentKarla Sofía Gascón’s Off-the-Rails Reaction to Twitter Controversy Has Made Her the Donald Trump of Oscar Season VarietyTrans Oscar nominee Karla Sofía Gascón cries, laments being ‘sacrificed and crucified’ for old tweets Fox News‘Emilia Pérez’ star Karla Sofía Gascón apologizes for old posts and deactivates X account The Associated Press Source link #Emilia #Pérez #Removed #Emilia #Pérez #Oscar #Campaign #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘My son was 18, British and killed fighting for Ukraine’ ‘My son was 18, British and killed fighting for Ukraine’ Steve Jones BBC News, Yorkshire Handout Volunteers from the International Legion who served with James Wilton in Ukraine Being dropped off at the airport often marks the start of an exciting adventure for many 18-year-olds. For James Wilton, who had volunteered to fight for Ukraine just months after finishing college, it would ultimately lead to his death. In July, the teenager from Huddersfield was killed in a drone attack in the village of Terny on the eastern front. “He had his whole life in front of him,” says James’ father, Graham. “I would swap places with him tomorrow just so he could be sat at home having a pint and watching the darts. “I’m 52, I have lived my life. He was 18, who knows what he could have done? He didn’t have a life, that’s the worst part of it.” Steve Jones/BBC Graham Wilton’s 18-year-old son James was killed while fighting in Ukraine According to Graham, James had wanted to join the British Army when he left Royds Hall High School aged 16. Instead he chose to enrol on a course in animal land care at Kirklees College. Aged 17 and nearing the end of his education, Graham says James began to discuss wanting to go to Ukraine to help with the war effort. Neither Graham, James’ mother, or his older sisters Sarah, 21, or Sophie, 22, had wanted the youngest member of the family to go, but they were unable to convince him to change his mind. “I sat down with him and had various conversations about why he wanted to do it, what I thought about it, and in the end he decided it was something he wanted to do,” says Graham, who lived with his only son. “I suppose he thought it was a bit of an adventure and he was going out there to help and hopefully make a difference.” Graham says he reluctantly supported James, adding: “If I hadn’t have done it I would have woken up one morning and he would have gone. “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Could I have changed his mind? No.” Doug Seeburg James Wilton travelled to Ukraine to fight Russian forces after leaving college Handout Graham says his son had ambitions of joining the British Army after school Graham dropped James off at Manchester Airport on 28 April. From there he caught a flight to Krakow then boarded a bus to Ternopil, where he joined up with the International Legion and underwent a basic training programme lasting about four weeks. Graham says his son and his comrades, who hailed from all over the world and had varying degrees of military experience, were “totally ill-equipped” and used as “cannon fodder”. Still, he was unaware of James having any regrets about his decision during their regular telephone conversations, which Graham says were borne out of his son’s desire to hold on to some “normality”. “He met some wonderful people and he would have had a lot of lifelong friends should he have survived.” Graham says his son was on his first mission when he was killed running between two trenches in a field with no cover. They had spoken just the previous night. “He seemed OK. He did say at some point ‘I don’t think I’m going to be here as long as what I might be. It’s a little bit different to what I thought’. “I said: ‘It’s up to you. If anything goes wrong or pear-shaped I’ll come and get you’. That was always an option if he decided he didn’t want to be there.” According to the International Legion website, volunteers, who are paid for their service, can terminate their contract after six months. “The mission he went on, he didn’t have to go. But because his best mate at the time was going he decided ‘well I’m going as well’. “Given the circumstances I would have probably done exactly the same.” Graham made the 1,800-mile trip to Ukraine for his son’s ********. Reflecting on his death, he says James died “doing something he felt strongly about”. “It’s very, very sad and unfortunate that he didn’t get to make as much difference as he would have liked. “What happened to James unfortunately will probably be happening to someone else in the middle of a field in eastern Ukraine. “It’s time people back home actually realised what it’s like out there.” Back at the home Graham and James shared in Lindley, life is “quiet”. “He grew up to be a nice young man and he would get on with anybody. “I’ll go home tonight and he’s not sat there playing Playstation, it’s weird. “We were great. We would sit there and have something to eat and talk about all sorts of stuff. There wasn’t anything, as far as I know, that he wouldn’t tell me, which is why he was open with me when he decided what he was doing.” The night before James left he had spent the night with his father “laughing and joking” and drinking beer in front of the TV. Graham’s grief is still raw. “It’s just so draining. You try not to think about it, you are sort of OK then something comes up and it sets you going again. “He was possibly a younger version of me. Maybe if I was him at a younger age I would have probably done the same thing.” Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Source link #son #British #killed #fighting #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Nintendo Switch 2 in focus as gaming giant posts profit miss Nintendo Switch 2 in focus as gaming giant posts profit miss Nintendo has kept players interested in its ageing Switch console series through key games with characters such as Super Mario and Zelda. Charly Triballeau | AFP | Getty Images Nintendo on Tuesday reported weaker-than-expected top and bottom results for its fiscal third quarter, slashing its forecast for the Switch console ahead of the release of its succesor. Here’s how Nintendo did in its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31 versus LSEG estimates: Revenue: 432.92 billion Japanese yen ($2.8 billion), compared with 498.22 billion yen expected. Net profit: 128.53 billion yen, versus 136.16 billion yen expected. All eyes are on developments regarding the Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the Switch, which was first released in 2017, and has become one of the Japanese gaming giant’s most popular consoles in history. Nintendo last month teased the Switch 2 in a trailer showing off the hardware. Notably, Nintendo announced that some Switch games will be compatible with the Switch 2. The company has yet to announce a price or release date for the new console. Nintendo has attempted to maintain momentum for the Switch by releasing slightly updated versions of it and by boosting the appeal of its characters like Super Mario through movies. However, interest in the nearly 8-year-old console is beginning to wane. Nintendo previously cut its forecast for Switch sales for the current fiscal year which ends in March 2025. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for more. Source link #Nintendo #Switch #focus #gaming #giant #posts #profit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]