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Fears council shake-up in England could spell end of independent-run areas Fears council shake-up in England could spell end of independent-run areas Becky Morton Political reporter LGA Marianne Overton is worried that scrapping smaller councils will mean fewer are led by independents A major shake-up of local councils in England could spell the end of areas where independents – with no allegiance to major political parties – are in charge, councillors fear. There has been a steady increase in the number of independent councillors over the past decade, with more than 2,200 across England and Wales. At the moment, groups of independents are involved in running 63 councils, either on their own or in partnership with other parties. The vast majority – 47 – are smaller district or borough councils, many of which are set to be scrapped or merged under government plans. Big city councils and regional mayors are dominated by Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Ministers argue combining smaller councils would make local government simpler and save money by making the delivery of services more efficient. But Marianne Overton, leader of the Local Government Association’s Independent Group, said if councillors represented ******* areas it would weaken the link with communities and make it harder for independents to be elected. Independents argue they can better reflect local views as they do not have to follow the positions of a national party. However, proposals to reorganise local government – which amount to the biggest shake-up since the 1970s – could threaten the representation of independents, opponents say. Mrs Overton told the BBC: “When you have fewer councillors, it means they have ******* areas to cover and it starts to become an impossible task to be a local councillor. “That tilts towards big, national parties.” Mrs Overton, who is an independent councillor on North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, is worried that scrapping smaller councils will mean fewer are led by independents. In Lincolnshire for example, there are currently two independent-run district councils but the larger county council is dominated by Conservatives. “I fear it will be a dramatic loss of ability for local people to get their voice heard,” she said. The government says its plans would streamline services and improve accountability, as well as save money for the taxpayer. But Mrs Overton said existing councils could work together to share services and be more efficient. She added: “Councils are not just an efficient delivery. We also are a democratic organisation that listens to people and changes the services to match what local people want. It’s not all about efficiency.” One council that could be under threat is Castle Point in Essex – one of only two local authorities in England made up solely of independents. Steve Mountford, deputy leader of the People’s Independent Party, which runs the council, said the government’s proposals were “a step backwards for independents”, who he argues have less of a voice in shaping the structure of new councils. Mountford said his party would be “fighting tooth and nail” for survival and was hoping to stand in every seat in any new authority. “We’ve got nothing to lose by stepping up against one of the two parties that are in control when there’s something at a national level that affects local people,” he said. “We’re not doing things to be re-elected, we’re doing it because we live in the borough and we care about it.” Independent councillor John Gallagher runs Malvern Hills District Council in coalition with the Conservatives John Gallagher, the independent leader of Malvern Hills District Council, is also concerned about the plans. Worcestershire County Council has asked the government to postpone May’s local elections so it can submit a proposal for one unitary authority to replace the seven existing councils in the area. “When you make ******* councils that become more remote, you also have larger party machines operating at the ******* level more effectively,” he said. He believes that larger structures would mean a ******* workload and “exclude” independents who are not professional politicians with the backing of a major party. He added: “I think it’s less democracy because if you’re driven by national politics rather than local politics, the local communities would suffer as a result of that because whoever would be running the administration would be toeing the party line.” He pointed out that Worcestershire County Council had been Conservative-run for years, while in Malvern Hills the council is run by a coalition of independents and Conservatives. “If it were to go to unitary county, there would be no district council representation, there would be no independent voices,” he said. “They would be a secondary voice because they wouldn’t be running the administration.” A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Our council reorganisation plans will strengthen local democracy and empower local leaders to meet the needs of their communities. “This will boost local accountability and save taxpayers’ money which can be reinvested into vital public services, as part of the biggest ever transfer of power away from Westminster.” Source link #Fears #council #shakeup #England #spell #independentrun #areas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These ETFs aim to multiply the stock market’s dividends. How they work These ETFs aim to multiply the stock market’s dividends. How they work Two new fund launches from Franklin Templeton aim to satisfy income-hungry investors who are looking for a new type of dividend fund. The money management firm debuted the Franklin U.S. Dividend Multiplier Index ETF (XUDV) and the Franklin International Dividend Multiplier Index ETF (XDIV) in late January. The funds are equity-only funds and don’t use leverage. Instead, the “multiplication” of dividends relative to the broader market is created through custom indexes, with different weighting and inclusion rules than some of the other leading funds in the category. “You’re seeing a greater departure from a simple rules-based portfolio, a simple index construction that’s, say, ranked by dividend yield, to an adoption of more sophisticated design or even active [portfolios], to deliver very precise outcomes,” said Todd Mathias, head of U.S. ETF product strategy at Franklin Templeton. The ETFs are too new to have official payout metrics, but the index for the U.S. fund touts a dividend yield of 4.13%, while the international index shows 7.43%. If the funds deliver those dividend yields, it will put them roughly equal to or above many of their largest competitors. The fees are also competitive, at 0.09% for the U.S. fund and 0.19% for the international fund. For comparison, the S & P 500’s dividend yield is about 1.2%. The higher yield may get investors more interested in the funds, but the approach to portfolio construction could be what determines its success. The custom indexes take stocks with above average dividend yields but then weights them to limit exposure to individual stocks and sectors. Real estate investment trusts are excluded. The indexes are designed to find the sweet spot on the “efficient frontier” for dividend yield and risk, Mathias said. “You look at how the stocks behave together as a total, versus just a collection of stocks that have higher yields,” he said. For example, according to VettaFi, the XUDV fund has more exposure to financials, technology and utilities than the Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF (SCHD) , which is the largest of the competitor funds. The FRanklin Templeton offering also has less exposure to energy and consumer companies than the iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) , another popular fund in this category. The launches come at a time when traditional dividend funds have somewhat fallen out of favor. According to FactSet, four of the six largest high yield dividend funds have suffered outflows over the past year. The 10 largest funds in that category combined for less than one-fifth of the inflows of JPMorgan Premium Income ETF (JEPI) over the past year. JEPI uses derivatives to generate income, a strategy that has become increasingly popular with ETF investors over the past few years. The interest from fund issuers has also slowed. FactSet’s data shows only seven high yield dividend funds have launched since the start of 2024. That could work in Franklin Templeton’s favor, Mathias said. “We’re entering a space that hasn’t seen innovation to this degree in quite a while,” Mathias said. Source link #ETFs #aim #multiply #stock #markets #dividends #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple’s upcoming AR glasses might be dead in the water Apple’s upcoming AR glasses might be dead in the water It’s been a rumor for some time now that Apple had a pair of AR glasses in development, but a new report from Mark Gurman says the company has cancelled the project. Apple has expressed a lot of interest in the AR/VR space, but its first attempt with the Vision Pro didn’t make the splash the company expected. Its over-the-top price and more professionally-focused applications led to fewer sales and a lot of excess stock. The goal was to create a competitor to the Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, but Gurman says the cancellation comes in the wake of an attempt to change and improve the design of the glasses. The first version of the glasses would link with an iPhone, but its limited power meant applications were limited — and the demands of the device also had an impact on phone battery life. Apple pivoted and focused on linking the glasses with a Mac instead, but that was met with poor evaluations. The development team reportedly dealt with frequently-changing goals, adding to the difficulty, until the project was cancelled. The idea of Apple smart glasses has been around for more than a decade. Apple Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Apple has shuttered a project. The company has entertained the idea of a self-driving car for a decade, but Apple gave that project the axe last year. Gurman says Apple also cancelled work on in-house LED displays for the Apple Watch, too. The loss of these projects doesn’t bode well for the future of the already-struggling Vision Pro. Gurman says Apple has a planned successor to the Vision Pro that would improve on the flaws in its original release, although there are employees who “believe there’s a lack of focus and clear direction within the team.” Apple hasn’t completely given up on AR glasses. Several unnamed executives “still hope to eventually create a set of standalone AR glasses someday,” according to the report. Meta doesn’t plan to release its AR smart glasses until 2027, so Apple still has some time to come up with another approach. It would be a welcome addition to the lineup, and a much more affordable way to access Vision Pro-like features. Source link #Apples #upcoming #glasses #dead #water Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Your guide to the busiest week of the season Your guide to the busiest week of the season The corporate earnings season will reach its halfway point with the busiest week of the reporting *******. More than 100 S & P 500 companies are slated to post their latest quarterly reports. Among those are Alphabet, Amazon and Advanced Micro Devices. So far, about 180 S & P 500 members have reported fourth-quarter earnings. Of those, 77% have topped analyst expectations. That’s above the 10-year average beat rate of 75%, according to FactSet . Take a look at CNBC Pro’s breakdown of what’s expected from this week’s key reports. All times are ET. Monday Palantir Technologies is set to report earnings after the bell, followed by a call at 5 p.m. Last quarter: PLTR surged 20% on a strong revenue outlook . This quarter: Analysts polled by FactSet expect a 37% year-over-year jump in earnings. What to watch: Palantir is coming off a monster year, surging 340% in 2024. Can the software company keep that momentum going in 2025? What history shows: Palantir has rallied more than 10% in four of the last five earnings days, according to Bespoke Investment Group. Tuesday Pfizer is set to report earnings in the premarket, with a conference call with management slated for 10:30 a.m. Last quarter: PFE topped earnings estimates and hiked its full-year guidance . This quarter: Analysts polled by FactSet see revenue growth of more than 20% from the year-earlier *******. What to watch: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC in January that the company would be focused on its drug pipeline, which includes trials for three oncology treatments and one weight loss medication. Investors will look for clarity on that front. What history shows: Pfizer has a strong track record on earnings, beating expectations 87% of the time, Bespoke data shows. Alphabet is set to report earnings after the bell, followed by a call at 4:30 p.m. Last quarter: GOOGL earnings beat expectations thanks to strong cloud revenue . This quarter: The Google parent’s earnings are forecast to have grown by nearly 30%, per FactSet. What to watch: Oppenheimer’s Jason Helfstein is optimistic heading into the report following encouraging results from Meta Platforms. “META confirmed Gen AI is driving ad price growth, which should also benefit GOOG, cementing it as an AI winner,” he said. What history shows: Alphabet earnings have topped analyst expectations for seven quarters in a row, Bespoke data shows. Advanced Micro Devices is set to report earnings following the close. Management is slated to hold a conference call at 5 p.m. Last quarter: AMD fell after the company’s forecast failed to impress investors . This quarter: Analysts expect the chipmaker to report year-over-year earnings growth of 40%, per FactSet. What to watch: AMD shares took a 5% hit last week as the artificial intelligence trade showed signs of faltering after the emergence of DeepSeek. On top of that, the stock has dropped 30% over the past 12 months due to growing competition concerns. Investors will look for signs of a turnaround in this report. What history shows: AMD fell in three of the last four earnings days, including a 10.6% drop on Oct. 29. Wednesday Disney is set to report earnings before the open, with a call scheduled for 8:30 a.m . Last quarter: DIS surged on strong streaming growth and solid guidance. This quarter: The company is expected to report solid earnings growth, but revenue is forecast to expand by just 4%, per FactSet. What to watch: According to JPMorgan analyst David Karnovsky, Disney may be the best-positioned company in a challenged media industry, which will bode well for results. “While we are cautious on the media landscape due to PayTV sub losses and advertising headwinds, Disney is our favorite in the group due to the company’s unique content, improving streaming financials, and parks operation, which provides an avenue to attractively deploy capital,” he said. What history shows: Bespoke data shows Disney has beaten earnings estimates for six straight quarters. Ford Motor is set to report earnings after the bell. Management will hold a call at 5 p.m. Last quarter: F issued weak guidance for 2024 , but third-quarter earnings beat expectations. This quarter: Analysts polled by FactSet expect 20% year-over-year earnings growth from the automaker. What to watch: Barclays analyst Dan Levy isn’t optimistic heading into Ford’s latest report. Last month, he downgraded the stock to equal weight from overweight, noting : “It lacks a compelling case for us to remain OW-rated. Simply, with Ford facing headwinds from volume and price in ’25, it’s unclear that cost actions will be sufficient to offset these drags — this uncertainty leads us to step to the sidelines with an EW rating.” What history shows: Ford beats earnings expectations nearly 70% of the time, per Bespoke. However, the stock averages a 0.7% decline on earnings days. Thursday Amazon is set to report earnings after the bell, with a call slated for 5 p.m. Last quarter: Amazon beat the Street’s expectations on earnings and saw strong cloud growth. This quarter: The e-commerce giant is expected to report earnings growth of nearly 50% year on year, according to FactSet. What to watch: Bank of America analyst Justin Post noted Amazon Web Services and retail margin growth are still intact, meaning the company should outperform expectations. “While AWS growth and Retail margin expectations have increased, we think AI-driven Cloud growth remains a top sector opportunity, while Retail Margin expansion can continue to drive outsized profit growth vs. peers,” he said. What history shows: Amazon has beaten earnings expectations for seven straight quarters. Source link #guide #busiest #week #season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray – Yahoo! Voices What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray – Yahoo! Voices What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Yahoo! VoicesClash gives 53-year-old modified racer chance to live NASCAR Cup dream NBC SportsCook Out Clash at Bowman Gray field almost set after Heat Races On3.com Source link #channel #NASCAR #Clash #race #today #Time #schedule #Cook #Clash #Bowman #Gray #Yahoo #Voices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, February 3 (game #337) NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, February 3 (game #337) Looking for a different day? A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Sunday’s puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, February 2 (game #602). Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints. Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. NYT Strands today (game #337) – hint #1 – today’s theme What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands? • Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Order up! NYT Strands today (game #337) – hint #2 – clue words Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system. COLD KIND BOND BIKE BECK SLACK NYT Strands today (game #337) – hint #3 – spangram What is a hint for today’s spangram? • Over easy NYT Strands today (game #337) – hint #4 – spangram position What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches? First side: left, 4th row Last side: right, 4th row Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. NYT Strands today (game #337) – the answers (Image credit: New York Times) The answers to today’s Strands, game #337, are… POACH BAKE BOIL BASTE PICKLE SCRAMBLE CODDLE SPANGRAM: MAKING EGGS My rating: Easy My score: 1 hint Today’s Strands was an easy one to, er, crack featuring seven of the 100 ways of MAKING EGGS – but not the most popular one (fry). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. It’s a commonly held belief that if you want to learn to cook you should begin with eggs and it’s true that once you’ve mastered the perfect SCRAMBLE you’ll be set for life – from there you can get increasingly fancy. CODDLE is a new one to me and it sounds very doable – basically crack an egg in a ramekin and place it in a shallow pan of water that’s just below boiling point. In other words, a poached egg in a ramekin. See, fancy. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 2 February, game #336) SWIFT WONDER HILL CROSS STYLES KING JONES SPANGRAM: GRAMMY WINNERS What is NYT Strands? Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile. I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day. Source link #NYT #Strands #hints #answers #Monday #February #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited Table of Contents Table of Contents How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on the website How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on Android How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on iPhone and iPad How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited via iTunes Amazon Music Unlimited might be linked to your Amazon Prime account, but it’s not a necessary feature you have to pay for. Indeed, even if you cancel Amazon Music Unlimited, you can continue to enjoy the leaner Amazon Music service for free as part of your subscription. Whether you’re fed up with price rises or something else besides, if you want some tips ditching the Unlimited portion of your music streaming service, here’s how to do it. Looking to sign up to a new music streaming service when you’re done? Here are some of our favorites. How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on the website If you’re on a desktop or laptop, or prefer to use the web interface for Amazon account management, you can cancel your Amazon Music Unlimited account with just a few clicks. Step 1: Navigate to Amazon.com and select Hello, sign in in the top-right, if you are not already signed in. Step 2: Open your account by selecting your account name in the top-right. DigitalTrends Step 3: Select Memberships & Subscriptions from the drop-down menu. DigitalTrends Step 4: Find your Amazon Music Unlimited subscription from the list of Amazon subscriptions. On the right-hand side you should see a Cancel membership button. Select it. Step 5: When prompted for a reason for the cancellation, give it if you wish, but make sure to select Submit and continue to cancel. Amazon may throw up several “Are you sure?” style messages and buttons to select during this process, but if you are sure you do want to cancel, stick to your guns and make sure you’re selecting the button that continues with cancellation. Step 6: When you reach the final page, select Confirm cancellation to finalize it. You will retain access to Amazon Music Unlimited until your next billing date, at which point your account will revert to the standard Amazon Music package — you can read all about them in our Amazon Music explainer. How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on Android You can also use the Amazon Music app to cancel your Unlimited subscription. Here’s how to do it on Android. Step 1: Open the Amazon Music app and select the cog-icon in the top-right, then select Settings. Step 2: Under the “Your Account” subheading, select Amazon Music Unlimited Member. Step 3: Select Cancel Subscription and when prompted, confirm your cancellation. How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on iPhone and iPad To cancel Amazon Music Unlimited on your iOS device, you do so through the general Settings menu. Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and select your name. Step 2: Select Subscriptions. Step 3: Select the Amazon Music Subscription, then select Cancel If prompted, confirm your cancellation. How to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited via iTunes If you signed up to Amazon Music Unlimited via iTunes, you can cancel it through Apple’s support site. Step 1: Navigate to Step 2: Scroll down to My Support and login to your Apple account. Step 3: Look for Billing and subscriptions and select it. Then look through your various subscriptions, and follow the on-screen prompts to cancel Amazon Music Unlimited when you find it. If you signed up through Apple, Google, or a mobile service provider, you may need to contact them directly to have them cancel your account. Interested in signing up to a new music streaming service? Here are some of our favorites. Source link #cancel #Amazon #Music #Unlimited Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Disgraceful that videos seen by Southport killer still online Disgraceful that videos seen by Southport killer still online Violent and extremist videos are still online despite government calls for their removal, the home secretary has told the BBC. Yvette Cooper condemned tech giants for failing to take down disturbing videos, including footage watched by the Southport killer, calling their response “disgraceful” and a clear breach of their “moral responsibilities”. Last week it emerged that Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three young girls and seriously injured 10 others at a dance class in July, had watched graphic footage of a knife attack in Australia and downloaded an academic study of an Al-Qaeda training manual. Cooper told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that, despite her letter to X, Meta, TikTok, Google, and YouTube, much of the harmful content is still available. She said: “I think, frankly, that is disgraceful, because they have a moral responsibility.” In the home secretary’s letter, which was co-written with Technology Cecretary Peter Kyle, Cooper said that, while possession of the al-Qaeda study was ******** under existing anti-terror laws, Rudakubana had been “able to easily obtain access” to it. Kuenssberg asked Cooper why, given her position as home secretary, she appeared to be powerless to stop it. The home secretary said the Online Safety Act, which comes into force this spring, will require social media platforms to remove ******** content. She warned that the government is ready to take further steps if these companies don’t comply. Visibly angry, Cooper said: “They really should be doing more, but this will mean if they don’t, then there will be new penalties brought in. Much stronger action can be taken against them and then further stronger measures on the protection of children later in the year.” Rudakubana, who had been referred to the Prevent counter-terror programme three times between 2019 and 2021 and was known to authorities including the police and social services. Kuenssberg asked who was responsible for stopping individuals like Rudakubana, given that he had been flagged to multiple agencies. The current system of monitoring and intervention is not working and “there isn’t a clear structure for responsibility,” Cooper said. “Different organisations all have partial responsibilities, but that network collectively failed to identify the scale of risk that this young man poses.” Cooper also raised concerns about how young people can be radicalised or influenced by violent content online. She said the inquiry into the Southport case must look at how these influences contribute to violent behaviour. The BBC has contacted X, Meta, TikTok, Google, and YouTube for comment. Source link #Disgraceful #videos #Southport #killer #online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Quordle hints and answers for Monday, February 3 (game #1106) Quordle hints and answers for Monday, February 3 (game #1106) Looking for a different day? A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Sunday’s puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, February 2 (game #1105). Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers. Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc’s Wordle today column covers the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. Quordle today (game #1106) – hint #1 – Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today? • The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*. * Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1106) – hint #2 – repeated letters Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters? • The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 3. Quordle today (game #1106) – hint #3 – uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today? • Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today’s Quordle answers. Quordle today (game #1106) – hint #4 – starting letters (1) Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter? • The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 3. If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier: Quordle today (game #1106) – hint #5 – starting letters (2) What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with? • S • T • S • S Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. Quordle today (game #1106) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1106, are… Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. You’d think getting four letters right on your third go would be a great start but I managed to come up with three other words before SLEET – a frustrating experience you only get from Quordle, as you feel your likelihood of completing all four words slide. On reflection I should have switched my focus to SEIZE, as that was very gettable – but it’s hard to stop plugging away at a word when you have four letters. One day I’ll get the hang of this thing! How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Daily Sequence today (game #1106) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1106, are… Quordle answers: The past 20 Quordle #1105, Sunday 2 February: LOUSY, PENNE, CHUMP, SALVE Quordle #1104, Saturday 1 February: FACET, BLISS, FLUFF, FRANK Quordle #1103, Friday 31 January: PARER, SYNOD, BRAWN, BANJO Quordle #1102, Thursday 30 January: WEEDY, CHIRP, STALE, SUGAR Quordle #1101, Wednesday 29 January: CROWN, SCENE, AGILE, CRANK Quordle #1100, Tuesday 28 January: TOKEN, DAISY, INANE, PLIED Quordle #1099, Monday 27 January: ANGEL, GLOBE, MAYOR, BRAVE Quordle #1098, Sunday 26 January: WATER, ORBIT, BRIDE, TOUCH Quordle #1097, Saturday 25 January: GIVER, GROOM, GUSTO, MAKER Quordle #1096, Friday 24 January: GRIND, STOCK, SERVE, TOUCH Quordle #1095, Thursday 23 January: RUGBY, SASSY, WORRY, BANAL Quordle #1094, Wednesday 22 January: ******, TRUNK, WOOZY, EATEN Quordle #1093, Tuesday 21 January: CHART, VIGOR, PRINT, SPAWN Quordle #1092, Monday 20 January: SIXTY, THONG, TATTY, ROBIN Quordle #1091, Sunday 19 January: WREST, RINSE, SCOUR, CANNY Quordle #1090, Saturday 18 January: BLARE, ITCHY, BICEP, PIPER Quordle #1089, Friday 17 January: CATCH, WEARY, SWOON, LATHE Quordle #1088, Thursday 16 January: PARTY, BLUNT, TWEED, PLANT Quordle #1087, Wednesday 15 January: RISEN, PLATE, RURAL, ENVOY Quordle #1086, Tuesday 14 January: SWARM, SCRAP, ONION, BELCH Source link #Quordle #hints #answers #Monday #February #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Soviet role in liberating death camps ignored: Putin Soviet role in liberating death camps ignored: Putin Vladimir Putin says it is shameful to ignore Soviet troops’ role in liberating Nazi death camps after Russia was not invited to a commemoration at Auschwitz. Source link #Soviet #role #liberating #death #camps #Putin Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray – Tennessean What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray – Tennessean What channel is the NASCAR Clash race on today? Time, TV schedule for Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray TennesseanClash gives 53-year-old modified racer chance to live NASCAR Cup dream NBC SportsAs NASCAR makes emphatic return, 5 memorable moments in Bowman Gray Stadium racing history Charlotte Observer Source link #channel #NASCAR #Clash #race #today #Time #schedule #Cook #Clash #Bowman #Gray #Tennessean Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Santorini to shut schools as tremors rattle Greek island Santorini to shut schools as tremors rattle Greek island Schools on the Greek island of Santorini have been told to close on Monday following an increase in seismic activity in recent days. Authorities have also advised against “large gatherings in enclosed spaces” across the island – a popular tourist destination known for its whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches. Tremors measuring up to 4.6 in magnitude have been recorded over the last couple of days – with quakes of 4.3 and 3.9 magnitude reported nearby on Sunday morning. Santorini is on what is known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc but the last major eruption was in 1950. Greek authorities have said that the recent movements are not related to volcanic activity and have started to subside. The tremors recorded by geologists are considered minor or light, but authorities have recommended a number of preventative measures in addition to the school closure including to avoiding the ports of Ammoudi and Fira. Big cruise ships often anchor near the Old Port of Fira, with passengers being brought to shore on smaller boats. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600BC, formed the island as it stands today. Source link #Santorini #shut #schools #tremors #rattle #Greek #island Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Victoria wins the battle of the States for honour to hold first ever in-season NFL game in Australia Victoria wins the battle of the States for honour to hold first ever in-season NFL game in Australia WA has been snubbed by American football, with Roger Cook blaming Perth’s isolation for Victoria beating us to the rights to host the first ever in-season game of NFL in Australia. Source link #Victoria #wins #battle #States #honour #hold #inseason #NFL #game #Australia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korean troops pulled from Ukraine war front line after mass casualties North Korean troops pulled from Ukraine war front line after mass casualties North Korean troops fighting for Russia have been pulled from the front line for extra training after crude tactics led to massive casualties. North Korea entered the war in November when Kim Jong-un sent an estimated 11,000 troops to help Russia push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region, sparking fears of a major escalation. But Ukrainian special forces units fighting in Kursk say they have not seen any North Koreans for around three weeks. American officials separately told the New York Times that North Koreans had not been seen at the front for a fortnight, attributing the withdrawal to heavy casualties. The officials said the troops may return after receiving reinforcements and additional training. Ukrainians who have fought the North Koreans have described them as committed fighters who often choose suicide over surrender, but who are hampered by unfamiliar terrain, outdated equipment and poor tactics. A diary recovered from the body of a North Korean soldier in December revealed that infantry had been ordered to act as live “drone bait” so that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could be shot down. A wounded North Korean soldier who Ukraine alleges to have captured in Kursk – Handout/AFP Ukraine took the first two North Korean prisoners of war after repelling an assault on Jan 11. One of the pair, who were wounded, risked his life by refusing to drop his sausage at gunpoint, according to the Ukrainian paratroopers who captured him. Those reports have led some to mock the North Koreans as an ineffective force. But some Ukrainian soldiers have warned against underestimating them. “The Koreans have impeccable marksmanship training, which is crucial given their style of warfare. The statistics on the small drones they have destroyed attest to this fact,” Volodymyr Demchenko, a Ukrainian soldier, wrote on X last month. The human drone bait tactic should “tell you something about their moral resilience in the face of what I believe is the most terrifying anti-personnel weapon available today,” he added. Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have officially acknowledged sending North Korean troops into combat. Russia has used North Koreans as ‘drone bait,’ though neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have acknowledged their presence in combat zones – Vladimir Smirnov/AFP Estimates of North Korean losses vary. Western officials said about 11,000 North Koreans are believed to have been deployed to fight for Russia, of whom about 1,000 have been killed. Last month the Centre for Defence Strategies, a Ukrainian think tank, cited South Korean intelligence estimates putting North Korean losses at more than 300 killed and 2,700 wounded, around 25-30 per cent of the original contingent. On Saturday, a Russian missile killed at least five people when it hit a block of flats in the city of Poltava, in Ukraine. An attack on Ukraine’s ****** Sea port of Odesa, a Unesco World Heritage site, injured seven and badly damaged historic buildings, including a hotel used by journalists. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack was “a deliberate strike” and that Norwegian diplomats had been among those “who were in the epicentre of the strike”. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #North #Korean #troops #pulled #Ukraine #war #front #line #mass #casualties Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil set to make prediction about late winter or early spring – BBC.com Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil set to make prediction about late winter or early spring – BBC.com Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil set to make prediction about late winter or early spring BBC.comGroundhog Day 2025 prediction: See if Punxsutawney Phil says more winter or early spring The News JournalGrading the groundhogs National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationBeneath the surface, Groundhog Day’s deep roots predate Punxsutawney Phil Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Source link #Groundhog #Day #Punxsutawney #Phil #set #prediction #late #winter #early #spring #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Patrick Dorgu: Manchester United sign defender from Lecce Patrick Dorgu: Manchester United sign defender from Lecce Manchester United have signed Denmark defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce on a five-and-a-half-year deal. The deal for the 20-year-old is worth £25m (30m euros), with a potential £4.1m (5m euros) in add-ons. Dorgu has made 57 appearances for Lecce since his senior debut at the start of last season, having joined the club at youth level in 2022. “I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player – this is a very special day for my whole family,” said Dorgu. “I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim. His vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.” Source link #Patrick #Dorgu #Manchester #United #sign #defender #Lecce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Online ‘Terrorgram’ network to be hit with tough counter terrorism sanctions Online ‘Terrorgram’ network to be hit with tough counter terrorism sanctions Tough financial sanctions will be slapped on an online white supremacist network — Terrorgram — by the Federal Government on Monday. Terrorgram is an online network of Telegram channels which promotes white supremacy, anti-Semitism and other racially motivated violence. In the network, Terrorgram openly advocates for the commission of terrorist acts, and users share neo-fascist content, as well as instructions and guides on how to conduct racially motivated violent acts. Under the new sanctions, it will be a criminal office to use or fund Terrorgram, with penalties including up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. The sanctions are the first time an *********** Government has placed counter-terrorism financing bans on an online entity. As part of the sanctions, the Government has also extended the listings of four other groups — National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the decision to place the sanctions on the groups were part of a continued effort to stop the radicalisation of Australians online. “This demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to disrupting the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and preventing them from recruiting and radicalising people online,” she said. “There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or violence.” Hizballah’s new Secretary-General and leading spokesperson Naim Qassem has also been hit with sanctions. “Hizballah is responsible for the deaths of countless civilians in Lebanon, Israel and across the Middle East,” Senator Wong said. Speaking on ABC on Sunday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for major tech companies to step up over young people being radicalised online. “Our kids are on their devices constantly, the same rules should apply online as they do in the real world,” he said “If there’s child abuse material, which I’ve tried for years to get Facebook to take down, if there is that sort of explicit material, if there is terrorist-related advocacy and spreading of that hate message, they have the algorithms. “They have the technology and now the AI to be able to clear it but of course, they don’t, because they’re driven by profit.” Asked about X owner Elon Musk’s responsibility for this radicalisation, Dutton said he “had a battle for over a decade against people like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg and others who were making money out of our kids”. “As [*********** Security Intelligence Organisation director-general] Mike Burgess would point out, a young person sitting in front of a computer screen can be indoctrinated over a week or two because of the constant videos and bombardment of propaganda,” Dutton said. “So there’s obviously the influence of social media, there’s the influence of people who are radicalised here in our own society.” Source link #Online #Terrorgram #network #hit #tough #counter #terrorism #sanctions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lowest 30-year rate since mid-December Lowest 30-year rate since mid-December Interest rates on many mortgage terms have decreased. According to Zillow, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been declining for several days, down three basis points today to 6.55%. This puts it at its lowest point since mid-December when it was at 6.50%. It may seem strange that mortgage rates are going down even though the Federal Reserve didn’t cut the federal funds rate at last week’s meeting. Home loan rates are impacted by many factors, though, and they follow the 10-year Treasury yield more closely than the fed funds rate. The 10-year Treasury yield has been decreasing for the last few weeks. There’s no guarantee that this downward trend will continue, though, so now could be a good time to lock in a rate. This embedded content is not available in your region. Dig deeper: 5 strategies for getting the lowest mortgage rate Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form. Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.55% 20-year fixed: 6.40% 15-year fixed: 5.88% 5/1 ARM: 6.84% 7/1 ARM: 7.09% 30-year VA: 5.99% 15-year VA: 5.40% 5/1 VA: 6.06% Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.59% 20-year fixed: 6.34% 15-year fixed: 5.89% 5/1 ARM: 7.02% 7/1 ARM: 6.81% 30-year VA: 5.95% 15-year VA: 5.59% 5/1 VA: 6.08% 30-year FHA: 6.49% 15-year FHA: 5.88% Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case. Read more: Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? This embedded content is not available in your region. Use the free Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator to see how various mortgage terms and interest rates will impact your monthly payments. Our calculator also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest. The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.55%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading out your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter-term loan. The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.88% today. When deciding between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals. A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year term. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that’s 15 fewer years for interest to accumulate. But the trade-off is that your monthly payment will be higher as you pay off the same amount in half the time. Let’s say you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a 6.55% rate, your monthly payment toward the principal and interest would be about $1,906, and you’d pay $386,109 in interest over the life of your loan — on top of that original $300,000. If you get that same $300,000 mortgage but with a 15-year term and a 5.88% rate, your monthly payment would jump up to $2,512. But you’d only pay $152,189 in interest over the years. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in for the entire life of your loan. You will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage, though. An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined ******* of time. Then, the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remaining 23 years of your term. Adjustable rates typically start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock ******* ends, it’s possible your rate will go up. Lately, though, some fixed rates have been starting lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about its rates before choosing one or the other. Dig deeper: Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages Mortgage lenders typically give the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, great or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So, if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying down some debt before you start shopping for homes. Waiting for rates to drop probably isn’t the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now unless you are truly in no rush and don’t mind waiting until late 2025. If you’re ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to lower your rate. To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage preapproval with three or four companies. Just be sure to apply to all of them within a short time frame — doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score. When choosing a lender, don’t just compare interest rates. Look at the mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders. Learn more: Best mortgage lenders for first-time home buyers According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.55%, and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.88%. But these are national averages, so the average in your area could be different. Averages are typically higher in expensive parts of the U.S. and lower in less expensive areas. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.55% right now, according to Zillow. However, you might get an even better rate with an excellent credit score, sizable down payment, and low debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Mortgage rates aren’t expected to drop drastically in the near future, though they may inch down here and there. Source link #Lowest #30year #rate #midDecember Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump fires CFPB director Rohit Chopra – Axios Trump fires CFPB director Rohit Chopra – Axios Trump fires CFPB director Rohit Chopra AxiosTrump fires head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CNNTrump Administration Fires Consumer Bureau Chief Rohit Chopra The New York TimesElizabeth Warren says Trump will have a ‘fight’ if he destroys the CFPB Boston Herald Source link #Trump #fires #CFPB #director #Rohit #Chopra #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shelling at busy Sudanese market ‘fills morgue with bodies’ Shelling at busy Sudanese market ‘fills morgue with bodies’ Shelling at a busy market near Sudan’s capital has filled a mortuary with bodies, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says. MSF and the Sudanese authorities said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for Saturday’s attack in the city of Omdurman, which killed and injured more than 100 people – a claim the RSF has denied. The majority of those killed at the market were women and children, the Sudanese Doctors’ Union says. The RSF and Sudan’s army have been locked in a civil war that, over 22 months, has killed tens of thousands and sparked what the UN describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. In the past few weeks, the army has stepped up its offensive in Omdurman, which lies across the River Nile from capital city, Khartoum, aiming to regain complete control from the RSF. Eyewitnesses told the AFP news agency that Saturday’s artillery shelling had come from western Omdurman, where the RSF remains in control. Saturday’s explosion caused “utter carnage” at the nearby Al Nao hospital, which was overwhelmed with injured patients, MSF general secretary Chris Lockyear said. The Sudanese Doctors’ Union appealed for nearby medics to assist at the hospital, saying there was an “acute shortage of medical staff”. It added that one shell had fallen “metres away” from the hospital on Saturday. One survivor of the market attack told the AFP news agency: “The shells hit in the middle of the vegetable market, that’s why the victims and the wounded are so many.” Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians, including health workers, and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas. The recent skirmishes have forced emergency response rooms to shut several health centres, affecting the provision of medical services to thousands of residents. Source link #Shelling #busy #Sudanese #market #fills #morgue #bodies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Labor to attempt to legislate three days of subsidised childcare promise in last sitting fortnight Labor to attempt to legislate three days of subsidised childcare promise in last sitting fortnight Originally committed as an election promise, Labor will attempt to legislate its bid to give most *********** families three days of subsidised childcare. Source link #Labor #attempt #legislate #days #subsidised #childcare #promise #sitting #fortnight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tuberculosis toll in Kansas City, Kansas, area rises to nearly 70 active cases – Kansas Reflector Tuberculosis toll in Kansas City, Kansas, area rises to nearly 70 active cases – Kansas Reflector Tuberculosis toll in Kansas City, Kansas, area rises to nearly 70 active cases Kansas ReflectorTwo dead, dozens sickened in Kansas tuberculosis outbreak CNNCDC says Kansas tuberculosis outbreak isn’t the largest. Here’s what KDHE meant The Topeka Capital-JournalKansas City Chiefs game drew lots of travelers. Should you be worried about tuberculosis? USA TODAYNo signs of tuberculosis outbreak found in Kansas City, Missouri KCTV 5 Source link #Tuberculosis #toll #Kansas #City #Kansas #area #rises #active #cases #Kansas #Reflector Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Evan Ferguson: Brighton striker set for West Ham medical before loan move Evan Ferguson: Brighton striker set for West Ham medical before loan move Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is set to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season and will have a medical at the Hammers on Sunday. The 20-year-old will link up with his former Brighton manager Graham Potter in east London and the Hammers will pay a loan fee, Ferguson’s wages and any add ons. The Republic of Ireland international came on as a substitute in Brighton’s 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday as he returned from an ankle injury. But it was just the 20-year-old’s 15th appearance of the season for the Seagulls, with 11 of those coming from the bench, and he has had few chances to impress manager Fabian Hurzeler. His only goal this season, and his first since November 2023, was in the draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October – a far cry from the form that shot him to prominence in the 2022-23 campaign and led to him being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year. Ferguson scored a hat-trick against Newcastle aged 18 in September 2023. Only Michael Owen (28), Wayne Rooney (15) and Francis Jeffers (12) scored more Premier League goals before their 19th birthday than Ferguson, while Owen, Robbie Fowler and the late Chris Bart-Williams are the only other players to hit a Premier League hat-trick at his age. West Ham are currently missing injured forwards Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio. Source link #Evan #Ferguson #Brighton #striker #set #West #Ham #medical #loan #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Porsche starts talks to end CFO, sales chief contracts Porsche starts talks to end CFO, sales chief contracts BERLIN (Reuters) -Porsche’s supervisory board has started talks to end finance chief Lutz Meschke’s and sales executive Detlev von Platen’s contracts early, the ******* luxury carmaker said in a statement late on Saturday, as it struggles to boost flagging earnings and weak sales in China. ******* large circulation newspaper Bild was first to report on the talks, with Porsche releasing a statement shortly after that. Porsche declined to give any further comment to Reuters. Both managers have been criticised for the company’s poor performance and weak share price, the newspaper said. In October, the carmaker said it would cut costs as it is struggling with a weakening economy and growing competition in China, the world’s largest automotive market, and a slower-than-expected electric vehicle transition. Porsche’s shares, having initially performed strongly following their debut in September 2022, and even outperforming its parent Volkswagen by market capitalisation, closed on the last trading day on Friday 30% lower than the IPO price. Volkswagen finds itself amidst a massive restructuring and plans to cut more than 35,000 jobs in the future, seeking to regain ground from cheaper ******** rivals amid weak demand in Europe and a slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles. (Reporting by Andrey Sychev and Victoria Waldersee;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) Source link #Porsche #starts #talks #CFO #sales #chief #contracts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Volkswagen sues India to quash ‘enormous’ $1.4 billion tax demand, legal filing shows Volkswagen sues India to quash ‘enormous’ $1.4 billion tax demand, legal filing shows Volkswagen logo is fixed by an employee on a production line for the Golf VIII and Tiguan cars at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany May 23, 2024. Fabian Bimmer | Reuters Volkswagen has sued Indian authorities to quash an “impossibly enormous” tax demand of $1.4 billion, arguing the ask is contradictory to New Delhi’s import taxation rules for car parts and will hamper the company’s business plans, court papers show. Volkswagen’s unit, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, also told the High Court in Mumbai the tax dispute puts at risk its investments of $1.5 billion in India, and is detrimental to the foreign investment climate, according to the 105-page filing which is not public but was reviewed by Reuters. In the biggest ever import tax demand, India in September slapped a $1.4 billion tax notice on Volkswagen for using a strategy to break down imports of some VW, Skoda and Audi cars into many individual parts to pay a lower duty. Indian authorities alleged Volkswagen imported “almost the entire” car in unassembled condition – which attract a 30-35% tax applicable on CKDs, or completely knocked down units, but evaded the levies by misclassifying them as “individual parts” coming in separate shipments, paying just a 5-15% levy. Volkswagen India had kept the Indian government informed of its “part-by-part import” model and received clarifications in its support in 2011, the company says in the court challenge. The tax notice is “in complete contradiction of the position held by the government … (and) places at peril the very foundation of faith and trust that foreign investors would desire to have in the actions and assurances” of the administration, the Jan. 29 court filing states. The Indian finance ministry and the customs official who issued the demand order did not respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours. Volkswagen’s India unit said in a statement it is using all legal remedies as it cooperates with authorities and remains committed to ensuring “full compliance” with all global and local laws. A Volkswagen spokesperson in Germany did not respond to a request for a comment. The ******* carmaker is a tiny player in India’s 4 million units a year car market, the world’s third biggest, where its Audi brand also lags competitors in the luxury segment like Mercedes and BMW. A government source earlier told Reuters that with penalties, Volkswagen India may have to pay about $2.8 billion if it loses the dispute. In 2023-24, VW India reported sales of $2.19 billion, and a net profit of $11 million. The tax dispute comes at a time when Volkswagen is battling to cut costs to better compete with ******** rivals and cope with weak demand in Europe. In December it announced 35,000 future job cuts in Germany. In its biggest market, China, the carmaker has said it will sell some of its operations. ‘Body blow’ for investor sentiment Volkswagen argues it is not liable to pay higher taxes as it did not import car parts together as a single “kit”, but instead shipped them separately, combining them with some local components to make a car. To explain what a “kit” is, it refers to a “practical analogy” of buying a chair online from Amazon, which is then delivered in one shipment with all parts and fixtures needed to assemble the piece of furniture. In the case, authorities alleged Volkswagen’s local unit regularly placed bulk orders for cars through internal software which connected it to suppliers in Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico and other nations. And after the order was placed, the software broke it down into “main components/parts”, roughly 700-1,500 for each vehicle depending on the model, which were shipped separately over time. This, the Indian authorities said, was “a ploy to clear the goods without the payment of the applicable duty.” The company says in the court filing “there is no exclusive utilization of the parts towards manufacture of one specific car.” Volkswagen India also contests the alleged clandestine software use by arguing it only helps dealers convey car orders so that it can track “consumer demand at a macro level”. High taxes and prolonged legal disputes have often been a sore point for foreign companies in India, with Tesla also publicly complaining about high taxes on imported EVs. The tax notice “deals a body blow” to the much-advertised “policy of ease of doing business in India for foreign investors,” the company said. The High Court in Mumbai is due to start hearing the case on Feb. 5. Source link #Volkswagen #sues #India #quash #enormous #billion #tax #demand #legal #filing #shows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]