Pelican Press

Port forward has fresh perspective after knee injury Port forward has fresh perspective after knee injury Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper says missing nearly all of last season because of a knee injury has given him a fresh perspective on his AFL career. Source link #Port #fresh #perspective #knee #injury Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Watch Jeannie Mai Speak to Police At Jeezy’s Home as Exes’ Divorce War Intensifies [VIDEO] Watch Jeannie Mai Speak to Police At Jeezy’s Home as Exes’ Divorce War Intensifies [VIDEO] Jeannie Mai called police after Jeezy refused to let her into his Georgia home and In Touch has the exclusive bodycam footage of the incident. As In Touch first reported, Jeannie, 46, showed up at Jeezy’s estate on December 9, 2024. A judge issued a court order in November 2024 allowing Jeannie to retrieve items at the rapper’s home, the same home the exes lived in during their marriage. Jeezy, 47, filed an emergency motion pleading for the court to modify the order to not allow Jeannie to walk around his home. He said he did “not feel safe” with Jeannie being allowed to roam his property. Jeannie Mai “[Jeezy] does not feel safe having [Jeannie] in his home. Given [Jeannie’s] history of attempting to destroy [Jeezy’s] career with misleading information, [Jeezy] would have no way of knowing if [Jeannie] is planting listening devices or cameras in his home,” his lawyer argued. Before the court ruled on Jeezy’s emergency motion, Jeannie showed up to pick up her items. She called police after Jeezy’s team told her the rapper, who was not home at the time, refused to allow her entry. In bodycam footage obtained by In Touch, Jeannie can be seen speaking to police while Jeezy’s house manager stands by with the musician’s lawyer on the phone. Jeannie told police, “I have what is has been boxed up and I’m not being permitted in the house to access the further things that are inside the house.” Jeezy’s house manager told Jeannie, “There’s nothing. It’s all in the garage.” Jeannie fired back, “Do you know my personal items that I moved here with?” Jeannie Mai Jeannie added, “I’m just asking you, so you make sure you come from a factual place when talking on record.” Jeezy’s employee asked Jeannie if she was talking about clothing. Jeannie told her was speaking about her furniture. She added, “The furniture I moved here with, three years ago before you even came into the picture.” The rapper’s lawyer, who was on the phone still, injected and asked Jeannie if she received the DropBox link which had a list of Jeannie’s items boxed up. Jeannie said yes she got the link but she was still missing items. Jeezy’s lawyer told Jeannie that they would have to resolve this in court. Jeannie Mai Later, Jeannie said, “I’m here to do that but my security is not being let in, so we haven’t been able to move forward so we’ve wasted another hour of all of these people’s time since I’ve been here at nine o’clock which you guys knew since Friday.” Jeezy’s lawyer denied that they were properly notified. Jeannie then told Jeezy’s lawyer that she could have added her lawyer to the call. Jeannie Mai and Jeezy The parties went back and forth before the police officers and the rest of the parties went to the garage. Jeannie said some of the boxes were damaged. In the end, Jeezy never allowed Jeannie inside the home. A judge has yet to rule on Jeezy’s motion to block Jeannie from being allowed to do a walk-through of the property to check for any property left behind. The case is ongoing. A source close to Jeannie tells In Touch, “[Jeannie] been trying to get her stuff for over a year. She wants this to be over with and he won’t resolve.” Source link #Watch #Jeannie #Mai #Speak #Police #Jeezys #Home #Exes #Divorce #War #Intensifies #VIDEO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Resignation Push Deepens Worries About Effect on Government Services – The New York Times Resignation Push Deepens Worries About Effect on Government Services – The New York Times Resignation Push Deepens Worries About Effect on Government Services The New York TimesResign? Stick it out? Fight? Federal workers mull Trump buyout offer. The Washington PostDOGE: Government employees who take buyout can go on vacation or ‘watch movies and chill’ Yahoo! VoicesTrump’s buyout offer to federal workers is about more than just downsizing government Chicago Sun-Times Source link #Resignation #Push #Deepens #Worries #Effect #Government #Services #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mitch Moses will replace Clint Gutherson as captain of the Parramatta Eels Mitch Moses will replace Clint Gutherson as captain of the Parramatta Eels The Parramatta Eels are officially Mitchell Moses’ team after the star halfback was unveiled as their new skipper at an internal event in front of players, coaches and club legends. Moses said it was a “privilege” to lead the club, with the representative playmaker named as Clint Gutherson’s replacement after the long-term skipper was released to join the Dragons where he has since been named one of their co-captains. It’s a new era at the Eels with rookie coach Jason Ryles cleaning house and hoping to turn things around after their horror 2024 campaign, with Moses to lead the charge after a rollercoaster season where he battled injuries but still led the Blues to Origin victory before he made his Kangaroos debut. “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be named captain,” Moses said. “This club means so much to me, and it’s a privilege to lead this group of players. I have great support around me from the leadership group and coaching staff, and I can’t wait to start the season with them in a few weeks.” Moses joined the Eels midway through the 2017 season and has emerged as one of the most important attacking pieces at the club, with the playmaker never afraid to call out his teammates if he isn’t happy with something on the field. He has been a leading voice in the sheds and on the field for a number of years now, with Ryles impressed with his leadership and willingness to drive his teammates. “Mitch has shown strong leadership qualities both on and off the field, and I believe he is ready to lead our club into the future. With the support of our leadership group, I’m confident he will continue to grow as a leader,” he said. Junior Paulo, J’maine Hopgood and new recruit Jack Williams will form the rest of the leadership group, with the club hoping to keep five-eighth Dylan Brown who has a clause to leave at the end of the year. “Mitch has been an outstanding player for our club, and we are thrilled to see him step into the role of captain,” Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said. “Mitch’s appointment is an important moment for the club as we move into an exciting new era for our football program.”M Moses also captained Lebanon in their 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign. Source link #Mitch #Moses #replace #Clint #Gutherson #captain #Parramatta #Eels Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amid mass deportations, a boat packed with migrants intercepted trying to get into the US Amid mass deportations, a boat packed with migrants intercepted trying to get into the US Even as the Trump administration’s mass deportation of undocumented migrants was unfolding, the U.S. Coast Guard announced it had intercepted a boat packed with migrants off the California coast. A 40-foot panga-style boat attempting to smuggle migrants into the United States was stopped by two Coast Guard cutter crews Monday night about 20 miles off the coast of San Diego, the Coast Guard said in a statement released on Tuesday. “The boarding teams discovered 21 individuals aboard the panga. Initial interviews revealed that all individuals claimed ******** nationality, although subsequent checks identified two passengers as Guatemalan and Salvadoran nationals,” Coast Guard officials said. PHOTO: A boat packed with 21 migrants being smuggled into the country was intercepted on Jan. 27, 2025, by the U.S. Coast Guard about 20 miles off the coast of San Diego, California. (US Coast Guard/X) U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents alerted the Coast Guard at about 10:45 p.m. local time on Monday that a boat was detected, prompting the Coast Guard to launch two cutters to find the vessel, authorities said. The human smuggling boat was intercepted while it was traveling north about 40 miles south of the maritime boundary line, according to the Coast Guard. The individuals aboard the boat were brought to shore and turned over to the custody of Border Patrol agents, according to the Coast Guard. PHOTO: Detained migrants who were intercepted by a U.S. Coast Guard crew on Jan. 27, 2025, and brought to shore and turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. (US Coast Guard/X) “These operations highlight the coordinated efforts between agencies to secure our maritime borders,” the Coast Guard said in its statement. The Coast Guard reported a 400% increase in smuggling cases along the San Diego coast since 2018, including almost 150 cases in the last three months. MORE: Do Americans support Trump’s mass deportations? Monday’s incident came amid a massive nationwide crackdown on undocumented migrants ordered by President Donald Trump. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have rounded up thousands of migrants this week in raids across the nation, including in New York City, Chicago and Miami. In one New York City raid, ICE agents arrested a 25-year-old purported Venezuelan gang member wanted in connection with a home invasion and kidnapping in Aurora, Colorado, officials said. MORE: 25 members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua arrested by ICE The White House said it is targeting migrants accused of violent crimes. But when asked by ABC News at a press briefing Tuesday to clarify how many of the migrants detained in the sweeps had criminal records as opposed to those who were only in the country illegally, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, “All of them because they illegally broke our nation’s laws and therefore they are criminals.” New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the raids during a news conference this week, saying, “My understanding is they had specific names of people who have committed crimes, serious offenders. And those are exactly the people that we want removed from the state of New York.” Amid mass deportations, a boat packed with migrants intercepted trying to get into the US originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source link #mass #deportations #boat #packed #migrants #intercepted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fed hits pause on interest rate cuts amid Trump’s flurry of economic plans – CNN Fed hits pause on interest rate cuts amid Trump’s flurry of economic plans – CNN Fed hits pause on interest rate cuts amid Trump’s flurry of economic plans CNNFed pauses interest rate cuts as inflation, Trump’s plans create uncertainty USA TODAYFederal Reserve Pauses Interest Rate Cuts—First Meeting Without A Cut Since July ForbesHere’s what changed in the new Fed statement CNBC Source link #Fed #hits #pause #interest #rate #cuts #Trumps #flurry #economic #plans #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Coonamble Angus to offer sons of $106,000 sire Coonamble Angus to offer sons of $106,000 sire The Davis family, of Coonamble Angus stud in Bremer Bay, will offer a catalogue of 111 grass-fed Angus bulls at their Annual On-property ***** on Tuesday February 25, starting at 12pm. Source link #Coonamble #Angus #offer #sons #sire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Destroyer Has Become First U.S. Navy Ship To Deploy Artificial Intelligence System Destroyer Has Become First U.S. Navy Ship To Deploy Artificial Intelligence System The Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) became the first warship to deploy with a program-of-record artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Its creators say the system will help the fleet predict and tackle maintenance needs in a far less disruptive fashion. The system aims to reduce surprise equipment casualties while ensuring that more of the fleet is available should an all-out war break out, requiring a surge of forces. Known as Enterprise Remote Monitoring Version 4 (ERM v4), the system is the shipboard aspect of a Pentagon program called Condition Based Maintenance Plus, which in part aims to leverage machine learning to help ship crews, ashore commands, logistical nodes, and other units keep more assets ready to fight, Zac Staples, a retired Navy officer whose Austin-based company, Fathom5, created the system, told TWZ Wednesday. Staples spoke at the annual WEST conference in San Diego this week, which TWZ attended, about his company’s innovation before chatting with TWZ. A Navy overview of how Enterprise Remote Monitoring and Condition Based Maintenance work. (U.S. Navy) “Right now, you’ve got about a third of the Navy that is deployed, a third of the Navy that’s in some depot-level maintenance, very difficult for them to get put back together in surge, but that other third is in various stages of material and training readiness to deploy,” he said. “Anything, particularly AI, that tells us exactly what we need to do to keep a ship ready before its readiness dips directly contributes to having a much larger battle fleet ready to defend the interests of the nation.” The AI system arrives in the fleet as the Navy continues to suffer severe maintenance delays and readiness issues, even as it races to prepare for a potential war with China. And while the sea service is experimenting with AI in a large variety of ways, Staples said ERM v4 is the first program-of-record platform deployed in such a fashion aboard a Navy ship. It intends to replace the legacy Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS), which has been in use since the 1990s, according to the Navy. On the Arleigh Burke class USS Fitzgerald, ERM v4 evaluated about 10,000 sensor readings per second coming from the ship’s hull, mechanical and electrical (HME) systems, with AI algorithms making maintenance recommendations that directly feed into the ship’s maintenance planning system, he said. In one instance, ERM v4’s analysis identified a so-called “long lead item,” or ship part, that was nearing failure and would take a long time to receive after ordering, Staples said. ERM v4 alerted the crew to the part’s degradation far enough in advance for them to order a replacement and pick it up at the pier, “to make a repair that, otherwise, probably would have put a particular system out of commission for a bit.” Staples declined to identify the part, deferring to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), which did not respond to TWZ questions by deadline Wednesday. But according to Staples, ERM v4 gave sailors visibility on an impending failure that they wouldn’t have been aware of otherwise. “A lot of systems on the ship are operated until failure, then repair or replace,” he said. “This gave the crew, and then the shoreside maintenance community, visibility of an impending failure, so that the reliability stayed higher.” The Enterprise Remote Monitoring Version 4 (ERM v4) seeks to help sailors better monitor and anticipate parts condition on their ship. (U.S. Navy) Staples likened the evolution of Navy maintenance from an interval to a condition-based system to advances in car oil changes. Previously, drivers were told to just change their oil every 3,000 miles. But newer models monitor mileage, oil viscosity and temperature, and alert the driver when the oil needs to be changed. Navy officials have acknowledged that taking on some precautionary maintenance, instead of waiting for scheduled maintenance times to analyze a ship and make repairs, comprises a sea change in how the service has traditionally handled such work. “There are numerous challenges, both internally and externally, in front of us as a program,” Mathias Haegele, a mechanical engineer with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, said in 2023 when discussing condition based maintenance. “Some of the new and innovative products that we are developing and preparing to deploy are going to require a change in culture and how we interact with our end users to encourage engagement, adoption, and continuous feedback.” The system takes up about half a server rack on a ship, Staples said, and it’s changing how sailors read and report system data as well. “There are still a bunch of systems on the ship that are manually read,” Staples said. “Today, on most ships, you’ve got sailors going around with clipboards, and they’re writing down pressures and temperatures from manual gauges.” But those readings are critical to feeding AI algorithms accurate data to grow and refine the analytics, so ERM v4 has also involved giving sailors smartphone-like devices to take logs digitally. The USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) deployed last year with an AI-powered system that helped the crew forecast failing parts in the hull, mechanical and electrical systems of the warship. (U.S. Navy) “Turns out, they’re much faster at a texting type operation,” Staples said. “The real difference that a lot of people notice is they shift over to digital log keeping for several of the rounds.” All of ERM v4’s maintenance recommendations are back-checked by shipboard maintenance leadership that confirms those recommendations, Staples said, and Fathom5 and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia, the oversight entity for the effort, take in that feedback, which is used to refine the system’s analytic potency. “That feedback from sailors about the accuracy and relevancy of the recommendations is absolutely vital to this [machine learning] ops vision, where AI is actually reliable and trustable on maintaining things,” he said. ERM v4 is also updated four times a year, which helps create a machine learning loop where models are trained and developed in the cloud, deployed aboard a ship, measured for performance and accuracy and then tuned and redeployed “in a very quick succession,” Staples said. By comparison, the Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System (SWFTS), considered the gold standard of continuous update and delivery, is on a two-year cycle, he said. The Navy’s Enterprise Remote Monitoring Version 4 (ERM v4) offers updates and delivery every four months, faster than the Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System’s two-year cycle. (U.S. Navy) While ERM v4’s initial use has been in ship engineering maintenance, such condition-based maintenance would be applicable in the future to combat systems, although Staples acknowledged that that would be “a more complicated place to start the program.” Staples said that ERM v4 will be integrated into the Naval Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (NMRO) system this year, becoming the predictive maintenance and AI layer for that larger logistics and IT portfolio. The system will also deploy four more times in 2025, feeding the AI analytics more data on which to make more refined recommendations. The capability will be getting onto one or two more ships this year, including potentially aboard an amphibious transport dock, he said. “Then we should see a quick scale, starting in 2026, with a dozen or more ships a year,” Staples said. The Navy has for years wanted to better capture and crunch a ship’s HME data in order to make maintenance less disruptive to a vessel’s operations and general readiness. An earlier ERM system was tested back in 2019, according to a USNI News report, which cited now-retired Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, then NAVSEA’s chief engineer and a proponent of the capability. USNI News noted how previous, larger-scale CBM efforts had led to maintenance availability disruptions: “During previous attempts at incorporating CBM, there was a thought that, if major efforts like refurbishing tanks were only done when needed, rather than on a predetermined timetable, the Navy could avoid spending time and money on work ahead of need. However, that also meant that shipyards wouldn’t have a clear work package before a ship showed up at the pier, adding uncertainty and, ultimately, more time and cost into the maintenance availability.” A sailor performs corrective scuttle maintenance while working aloft on the mast of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson. (U.S. Navy) Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Meyer “This time around, Selby sees condition-based maintenance as a way to address smaller maintenance items in such a way that data analysis points a ship crew to components that are experiencing minor performance issues or otherwise showing signs they are about to fail before the failure actually occurs.” While some machine learning has already existed on Navy surface combatants to a lesser degree, particularly within its ever-evolving Aegis Combat System, using a true AI system that was designed from the ground-up, has major benefits. In this case, for keeping ships out to sea and on station. Aside from helping crews spot failing parts faster, a honed AI system for maintenance could also help with logistics and the pre-positioning of certain components before a future degradation is detected. Fleet-wide, it could generally know what parts are more prone to degrade, and when, across numerous classes. It remains unclear how clearly the Navy has captured such data and acted upon in the pre-AI era. Using real time health monitoring and automation to forecast what parts will be needed, and when, has also been a major feature — for better or worse — of the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, as well as other new military weapon systems and is becoming a critical requirement for future platforms. The commercial space has also been very bullish on the concept for all types of vehicles and mechanical systems. Enhanced AI agents are thought to only increase just how effective these systems are and how much efficiency can be gained in complex logistics chains that support all kinds of systems. AI and machine learning are moving at a rapid pace, transforming various sectors of society. Having such a system constantly on watch to flag future ship system failures could go a long way to ensuring that Navy ships can carry out their missions around the world and not have their cruise schedule sidelined by a faulty widget. Contact the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #Destroyer #U.S #Navy #Ship #Deploy #Artificial #Intelligence #System Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump envoy Witkoff in Israel to oversee ceasefire deal – The Washington Post Trump envoy Witkoff in Israel to oversee ceasefire deal – The Washington Post Trump envoy Witkoff in Israel to oversee ceasefire deal The Washington PostAs Trump envoy pushes Gaza ceasefire, Persian Gulf states eye postwar role The Washington PostSteven Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Makes Rare Trip to Gaza The New York TimesTrump Middle East Envoy Witkoff Makes Rare Trip by U.S. Official to Gaza The Wall Street Journal Source link #Trump #envoy #Witkoff #Israel #oversee #ceasefire #deal #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Port Hedland Netball Association: Walking netball to return for 2025 Port Hedland Netball Association: Walking netball to return for 2025 The Port Hedland Netball Association is encouraging people to get involved in the upcoming walking netball season, with a call-out for new players to give the inclusive social sport a go. Source link #Port #Hedland #Netball #Association #Walking #netball #return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Central Ohio car dealerships accused of withholding vehicle titles, altering odometers Central Ohio car dealerships accused of withholding vehicle titles, altering odometers Two central Ohio auto dealerships are facing civil lawsuits filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office, accusing them of altering odometer readings, failing to turn over titles to dozens of customers who purchased vehicles, and several other consumer protection violations. The lawsuits — one filed in Franklin County and the other in Delaware County — accuse each dealership of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, the Certificate of Motor Vehicles Act, and the Odometer Rollback and Disclosure Act. The suit filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court accuses Johnathan Paul Kirkham, operator of Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars, 525 N Sandusky St. in Delaware city, of failing to properly transfer titles to consumers who bought vehicles from the dealership. According to Yost, there are 32 title-related complaints in connection with Starfleet, and the state will use $138,135 from the state’s Title Defect Recission Fund to reimburse eligible consumers while the Attorney General’s Office pursues legal action against Kirkham’s. Way 2 Go Auto Sales, 4660 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, operated by Kofi Bimpeh, is accused of failing to provide vehicle titles, altering odometer readings, and misrepresenting rebuilt salvage vehicles in a lawsuit filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. The Attorney General’s office reports they received 20 complaints related to title issues, misrepresentations about salvage vehicles, return policy issues and odometer discrepancies with vehicles. Way 2 Go Auto Sales and Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Listed phone numbers for both dealerships appeared to be disconnected. “Ohioans work hard and deserve to get what they pay for,” Yost said in a prepared release. “Whether it’s a deliberate title delay or outright fraud, my office will pump the breaks on dealership scams.” *****@*****.tld @ShahidMeighan This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio AG Dave Yost files lawsuits against central Ohio car dealerships Source link #Central #Ohio #car #dealerships #accused #withholding #vehicle #titles #altering #odometers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump, Oracle CTO Larry Ellison (R), and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son (2nd-R), speaks during a news conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, which would make it the startup’s top backer, CNBC has confirmed. The deal has not been finalized yet, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be named because the negotiations are confidential. The FT was first to report on SoftBank’s potential investment. In November, OpenAI allowed employees to sell about $1.5 billion worth of shares in a tender offer to SoftBank, people familiar with the matter told CNBC at the time. One source said that SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son was persistent in asking for a larger stake in the startup after putting $500 million into OpenAI’s last funding round. SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle are partnering in a joint venture called Stargate that was unveiled at the White House by President Donald Trump last week. The plan calls for billions of dollars to be invested in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure. OpenAI, which to date has counted on Microsoft as its key investor, is moving toward a for-profit structure. Founded in 2015 as a nonprofit, OpenAI is creating a public benefit corporation to oversee commercial operations, removing some of its nonprofit restrictions and allowing it to function more like a high-growth startup. That means it needs more capital and more compute to compete in the generative AI arms race, a market that analysts say could reach $1 trillion within a decade. “The hundreds of billions of dollars that major companies are now investing into AI development show what it will really take for OpenAI to continue pursuing the mission,” OpenAI’s board wrote in a blog post last month. OpenAI has been valued at $157 billion valuation by private investors. In late 2022, the company launched its ChatGPT chatbopt and kicked off the ***** in generative AI. OpenAI closed its latest $6.6 billion round in October, gearing up to aggressively compete with Elon Musk’s xAI as well as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Anthropic. Meanwhile, a ******** rival is blowing up in the U.S. DeepSeek, an AI startup lab out of China, saw its app soar to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings this week and roiled U.S. markets on reports that its powerful model was trained at a fraction of the cost of U.S. competitors. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described DeepSeek’s R1 model as “impressive,” and wrote on X that “we will obviously deliver much better models and also it’s legit invigorating to have a new competitor!” SoftBank didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. WATCH: Stargate project shows that SoftBank is in unique position Source link #SoftBank #talks #invest #billion #OpenAI Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Meta earnings reward investors who bid up shares to five straight record closes – CNBC Meta earnings reward investors who bid up shares to five straight record closes – CNBC Meta earnings reward investors who bid up shares to five straight record closes CNBCMark Zuckerberg reveals thoughts on DeepSeek as Meta’s AI spending under scrutiny New York Post Forget DeepSeek. Zuckerberg says Meta will spend hundreds of billions on AI. MarketWatch Source link #Meta #earnings #reward #investors #bid #shares #straight #record #closes #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aussie shares near record high as Fed eyes long pause Aussie shares near record high as Fed eyes long pause The local share market is nearing its all-time high as traders digest a Federal Reserve decision and earnings results from a trio of the “magnificent seven” tech giants. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 47.7 points, or 0.56 per cent, at 8,494.7 at lunchtime Thursday, less than 20 points from a record peak set on December 3. The broader All Ordinaries was up 48.8 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 8,749.5. Overnight the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold, as was widely expected, with Fed chairman Jerome Powell signaling that the US central bank might leave interest rates where they are for a meaningful *******. Following his press conference Comerica economists revised their expectations for US rate cuts, now forecasting just one this year rather than two. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Meta beat earnings expectations but Tesla’s fourth-quarter revenue came in slightly below analysts’ predictions. Closer to home, all of the big four banks are now predicting that the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates next month, after NAB on Thursday revised its call following Wednesday’s cooler-than-expected fourth-quarter inflation readout. “We still expect the cutting phase to be gradual,” NAB’s economics team wrote. At midday, seven of the ASX’s 11 sectors were higher, and four were lower. Energy was the biggest gainer, up 1.2 per cent as Woodside and Whitehaven Coal gained similarly. In the financial sector, Zip Co had plunged 22.9 per cent to a four-month low of $2.52 after the buy now, pay later company reported a drop in the second-quarter out of Australia and New Zealand and less-than-expected cash earnings of $35.3 million. Credit Corp was down 8.7 per cent to a two-week low of $16.65 after the debt collector reported slightly softer collection trends than expected in the second half. The big four banks were all higher, with CBA up 0.6 per cent, NAB gaining 1.0 per cent and Westpac and ANZ both growing 0.2 per cent. In the heavyweight mining sector, BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue were all up 1.0 per cent. In the technology sector, Appen had sunk 10.7 per cent to $2.34 after the AI dataset training company reported it brought in $66.7 million revenue in the fourth quarter, down seven per cent from a year ago. The *********** dollar was buying 62.39 US cents, from 62.44 US cents at close of business Wednesday. Source link #Aussie #shares #record #high #Fed #eyes #long #pause Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine Discloses New Method To Defeat Russian Fiber-Optic-Controlled FPV Drones Ukraine Discloses New Method To Defeat Russian Fiber-Optic-Controlled FPV Drones A storied Ukrainian military drone unit said it has developed a way to counter an increasingly deadly weapon — Russian first-person view (FPV) drones that use fiber optic cables instead of radio waves to connect with their controllers, making them impervious to jamming and other forms of electronic warfare. The Magyar Birds Brigade claims it has devised a system using mobile radars to provide early warning for incoming FPV drones several kilometers away. Once they detect the threat, the unit then launches its own drones to intercept the Russian ones before they can reach their targets. “…the first options for [the] detection and destruction [of Russian FPV fiber optic guided drones] exist and are already being used” by the brigade, claimed its commander, Robert Brovdi, who uses the callsign “Magyar.” Brovdi posted a video on his Telegram channel purporting to show one of his drones destroying a Russian fiber-optic-guided FPV drone. Notable is the large spool on the back of the Russian drone. It contains an extremely thin but strong wire linking the drone with its controller. This capability has turned an already fearsome weapon into something much harder to defeat. Because their communications are not degraded when flying very low to the ground or even in structures, they can also hunt just feet off the ground and into enclosed areas as long as their data cable stays intact. While Brovdi touts the system, he does not specify what kind of mobile radar his unit is using. It is likely a microwave radar system, like those that operate in Ku-band for counter drone applications. The radar’s short wavelength is optimized to sport small, relatively slow-moving drones. The drawback is that they have very limited range measured in just a handful of miles. So these sensors are great for detecting and tracking drones, but they don’t provide much early warning and craft can move in and out of their detection range quickly. Still, if one of these radars can be pushed forward to the front, it could provide critical detection of incoming FPV drones over a defined area and a fix on where a rapidly reacting counter-FPV drone can find it. The Magyar Birds’ system is the latest development in what has become a leap-frogging duel between Ukrainian and Russian FPV drones and countermeasures. As the FPV drones became more prominent on the battlefield, they now rival the importance of traditional artillery. Both sides have also been using drones to take out other drones. This capability first emerged in the skies over Ukraine in October 2022 when a Ukrainian Mavic drone swatted down a Russian one. One of the first such battles was captured in this video you can see below. Last summer, videos emerged of Ukraine using its FPV drones to take out larger, more expensive Russian surveillance and strike drones. Today, Ukraine has multiple types of drones dedicated to hunting other drones, and Russia is developing and deploying similar systems. You can see one of those encounters in the following video. Interception of the ���� Russian UAV kamikaze “Lancet” using an FPV drone with air detonation. The work of the “Signum” unit of the ���� 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. pic.twitter.com/Z4L6aVrY4H — �� MilitaryNewsUA ���� (@front_ukrainian) June 19, 2024 FPV drones hunting fiber-optic FPV drones in part takes advantage of the latter’s greatest advantage and turns it into a vulnerability. While the cables prevent them from being jammed, the extra weight of the large spools needed to operate over long distances slows them down and makes them less maneuverable. That’s something the Magyar Birds noted in the video the unit posted. The size and weight of the spools used on fiber-optic-guided FPV drones make them slower and less maneuverable. (Magyar Birds Screenshot) In his Telegram post, Brovdi urged Ukraine to rush mobile radars capable of detecting small drones to the front lines. “The army must promptly and massively re-equip with mobile versions of radars every 2-4 km of the front line and with calculations of conventional FPV fighters to destroy enemy FPVs intercepted by mobile radars on fiber optics,” he suggested. These same radars are in extreme demand around the globe as the threat from drones even in peaceful areas explodes. They can even be found on super yachts. These same systems provide awareness of drone activities around military bases and other critical installations, and many of these types of locales still lack them. It’s also worth noting that these sensors, especially commercial grade ones, are vulnerable to detection and attack themselves as their emissions can be detected, triangulated and rapidly targeted. While deploying such sensors on land vehicles, from crewed to uncrewed ones, could help in terms of survivability, these systems will still be highly vulnerable. Given that Ukraine is fighting across a 600-mile front in its own country plus the territory it is battling for in Russia’s Kursk region, it seems at best this could be used as a point-defense system to defend key areas or to help pave the way for limited advances, at least for now. Still, their need points to a near future where advanced counter-drone sensors will be absolutely critical wherever troops are present, and especially on an active battlefield. Contact the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #Ukraine #Discloses #Method #Defeat #Russian #FiberOpticControlled #FPV #Drones Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

While signing Laken Riley Act, Trump says he’ll send ‘worst criminal aliens’ to Guantanamo – The Associated Press While signing Laken Riley Act, Trump says he’ll send ‘worst criminal aliens’ to Guantanamo – The Associated Press While signing Laken Riley Act, Trump says he’ll send ‘worst criminal aliens’ to Guantanamo The Associated PressTrump moves to prepare Guantanamo Bay for 30,000 ‘criminal ******** aliens’ Fox NewsTrump wants to send 30,000 unauthorized migrants to Guantanamo Bay USA TODAYTrump to build mass detention camp for deportees at Guantánamo Bay The Washington PostTrump Says U.S. Will Hold Migrants at Guantánamo The New York Times Source link #signing #Laken #Riley #Act #Trump #hell #send #worst #criminal #aliens #Guantanamo #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says US will send some migrants to Guantanamo Bay Trump says US will send some migrants to Guantanamo Bay Watch: Trump directs construction of Guantanamo Bay detention centre for 30,000 migrants US President Donald Trump has ordered the construction of a migrant detention facility in Guantanamo Bay which he said would hold as many as 30,000 people. He said the facility at the US Navy base in Cuba, which would be separate from its high-security military prison, would house “the worst criminal ******** aliens threatening the American people”. Guantanamo Bay has long been used to house immigrants, a practice that has been criticised by some human rights groups. Later on Wednesday, Trump’s “border tsar” Tom Homan said an existing facility there would be expanded and run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He said the migrants could be transported there directly after being intercepted at sea by the US Coast Guard, and that the “highest” detention standards would be applied. It is unclear how much the facility will cost or when it would be completed. Cuba’s government swiftly condemned the plan, accusing the US of torture and ******** detention on “occupied” land. Trump’s announcement came as he signed the so-called Laken Riley Act into law, which requires undocumented immigrants who are arrested for theft or violent crimes to be held in jail pending trial. The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan migrant, was approved by Congress last week, an early legislative win for the administration. At a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Trump said the new Guantanamo executive order would instruct the departments of defence and homeland security to “begin preparing” the 30,000-bed facility. “Some of them are so bad we don’t even trust the countries to hold them, because we don’t want them coming back,” he said of migrants. “So we’re going to send them to Guantanamo… it’s a tough place to get out.” According to Trump, the facility will double the US capacity to hold undocumented migrants. The US has already been using a facility in Guantanamo – known as the Guantanamo Migrant Operations Center (GMOC) – for decades and through various administrations, both Republican and Democrat. In a 2024 report, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) accused the government of secretly holding migrants there in “inhumane” conditions indefinitely after detaining them at sea. A nearby prison has, for decades, held detainees taken into US custody after the 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001. At its peak it held hundreds of prisoners, and several Democratic presidents including Barack Obama have vowed to close it. There are 15 prisoners there currently. The Trump administration will reportedly ask Congress to fund the expansion of the existing detention facility as part of a spending bill Republicans are working to assemble. When asked by reporters at the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said only that the money would be allotted through “reconciliation and appropriations”. News of the facility’s expansion was met with swift condemnation by the Cuban government, which has long considered Guantanamo Bay to be “occupied” by the US. “In act act of brutality, the new government of the US has announced it will incarcerate, at the naval base at Guantanamo, located in illegally occupied Cuban territory, thousands of forcibly expulsed migrants, who will be located near known prisons of torture and ******** detention,” Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel wrote on X. Source link #Trump #send #migrants #Guantanamo #Bay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sky Blues to bolster ALM defence, Costa could return Sky Blues to bolster ALM defence, Costa could return Sydney FC are closing in on a target to bolster their defensive stocks, while an injured Douglas Costa could feature against Adelaide United. The Sky Blues are in need of a central defender after rising Socceroos star Hayden Matthews sealed a move to English Championship club Portsmouth. Alex Popovic was the next cab off the rank after Matthews in their 2-0 loss to Victory, but the centre-back is nearing the end of his loan spell from Gwangju FC. With ample time left in the January transfer window set to close on February 12, coach UfukTalay was confident Popovic would remain at Sydney and hinted at a looming signing. Matthews’ replacement will have to be an *********** player, with the Sky Blues having used all their five visa spots. “We’ll have someone locked in – very close to that,” Talay said on Thursday. “He won’t be available for the game on Saturday, but hopefully available for the game next week (against Western Sydney) “We want to bring someone with experience, is a good leader as well, and I think he covers those bases and also can actually play the game. “For us, he’s a left-footed player. We need a left-side central defender.” Facing second-placed Adelaide at their Allianz Stadium home on Saturday, Sydney could call upon the services of crafty winger Costa if need be. The high-profile off-season signing has been missing from action since their round 10 win over Melbourne Victory after re-injuring his hamstring. Costa was originally slated to return for their AFC Champions League 2 match on February 12 against Bangkok United. “He’s tracking well. He joined the team this week (in training),” Talay said. “He’s still not 100 per cent but we’ll see whether we utilise him this weekend, put him on the bench and hopefully have him available for the Wanderers game.” Coming off a bye after stunning Sydney for their first win of the season, Brisbane Roar will look for their second when they host Western Sydney on Friday. On Saturday, league leaders Auckland will play a new-look Macarthur FC side without breakout star Jed Drew before Central Coast go toe-to-toe with rivals Newcastle Jets in another chapter of the F3 derby. Perth Glory play Melbourne Victory in the final game of the round also on Saturday, with Wellington enjoying a bye. Source link #Sky #Blues #bolster #ALM #defence #Costa #return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

4 Feet Expected in California, PNW, Tetons 4 Feet Expected in California, PNW, Tetons An active and unsettled pattern will bring several rounds of snow to the western US through the next week, with a few especially strong surges poised to deliver significant snowfall to portions of California and the Northern Rockies, moderate to heavy accumulations in the Pacific Northwest, and lighter amounts in Utah and Colorado. Overall, temperatures will trend mild at times in the southern half of the West with higher snow levels, while intermittent colder surges keep some valleys and lower passes wintry, especially across the northern tier. Looking further out, medium-range outlooks favor continued unsettled conditions with above-normal precipitation potential over much of the West. CaliforniaThe GFS is showing staggering totals for Tahoe this week. These totals are probably a bit overblown, especially for lower elevations, but this week will certainly be prolific at upper elevations nonetheless. Credit: WeatherBell Photo: WeatherBell/Powderchasers Friday System into the Weekend: Light precipitation will begin to move inland on Friday morning, mainly impacting the northern and central Sierra with rising snow levels initially around or above 5000–6000 ft. Steadier snowfall will develop late Friday into Saturday as a surge of Pacific moisture arrives. Snowfall will be heaviest over the higher peaks of the northern Sierra, but many central Sierra locations should see moderate amounts by Saturday morning. Winds will increase over the ridges, creating periods of gusty conditions and blowing snow at higher elevations. Saturday Night–Monday Surge: By late Saturday and into Sunday, a more pronounced plume of moisture will focus on the Sierra, bringing a prolonged ******* of moderate to occasionally heavy snowfall. Snow levels may fluctuate between 5500–7500 ft, with periods of rain in some lower elevations. Above this level, snowfall rates could be significant, especially for resorts along the Sierra crest. Winds remain breezy, which could reduce visibility. Lighter precipitation may extend southward into the Mammoth area Saturday night into Monday. Tuesday–Wednesday *******: While snow amounts may taper slightly early next week, additional surges of moisture are possible into Tuesday and Wednesday, especially across northern and central California. Snow levels may remain relatively high, but additional accumulations are expected in the higher terrain. Winds could remain gusty over exposed ridges at times, impacting the ski experience. Extended Outlook: Medium-range outlooks continue to hint at a moist flow pattern off the Pacific, especially for the northern half of the state, keeping snow threats in play. Higher-elevation resorts stand to benefit most, but any cooler incursions could drop snow levels more substantially if a storm tracks a bit farther south. Temperatures look near or slightly above normal, with unsettled conditions persisting. California Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals (Mid-mountain) NOTE: these totals are highly elevation-dependent, so lower-mountain totals will differ drastically from the totals below. Sugar Bowl – 37–63” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Palisades Tahoe – 33–56” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Kirkwood – 31–53” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Mammoth – 17–29” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Heavenly – 15–26” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Northstar – 13–26” total Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)) Mt Rose – 11–19” Sat Day (02/01)–Wed Night (02/05) Northern RockiesECMWF model is showing very optimistic totals for central Idaho, parts of Montana, and the Teton through February 5, 2025. Photo: WeatherBell/Powderchasers Dry Through Thursday: High pressure and lingering inversions keep many mountain valleys dry and cool through Thursday. Sheltered valleys in Idaho and Montana will have chilly mornings with patches of fog, while higher elevations stay mild. Friday–Sunday Storm: By Friday, a southwesterly flow draws in ample Pacific moisture. Snow will spread into the Idaho mountains first, then expand across western Montana and northwestern Wyoming. Higher elevations, especially near and along the Continental Divide and favored west-facing slopes, will see steady snowfall late Friday through Sunday. Snow levels may briefly rise above most valley floors, though some valleys may see wet snow or mixed precipitation, especially Friday morning. Winds strengthen and may be gusty in the mountains, further impacting visibility and creating areas of blowing snow. Monday–Wednesday Unsettled Pattern Additional surges of moisture remain possible into early next week, but the heaviest snowfall may shift north or vary depending on the exact path of each wave. Generally cooler air arrives by midweek, which should lower snow levels again and allow on-and-off snow showers in mountain passes. Extended Outlook Late-week guidance indicates continued potential for moisture streaming into the region, with a good chance for additional snowfall in the higher terrain. Temperatures may moderate at times, but brief cold incursions remain possible if a deeper trough sets up. Many ensemble solutions favor continued unsettled conditions for the 6–10 and 8–14 day periods. Norther Rockies Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals Brundage – 28–48” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Grand Targhee – 21–36” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Sun Valley – 20–34” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Jackson Hole – 19–33” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Schweitzer – 15–26” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04) Bogus Basin – 13–23” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Whitefish Mountain – 6–12” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Day (02/04) Bridger Bowl – 6–12” Sat Night (02/01)–Wed Night (02/05) Big Sky – 5–11” total Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Pacific Northwest ECMWF (left) and GFS (right) both showing significant totals for snow accumulation into next week. Both models are optimistic about low-land snow as well, particularly early next week. Credit: WeatherBell Through Thursday: A ridge hangs on and keeps most of Washington and Oregon dry with periods of high clouds. Light winds and cold nighttime lows persist, especially in sheltered valleys. Snow levels remain relatively high where any minor moisture intrudes. Friday–Saturday Storm: A moisture-laden system arrives on Friday, quickly spreading light to moderate snow across the Cascades by morning. Snow levels start low enough in the early day to bring accumulations to passes, with precipitation ramping up into Saturday. Some valleys east of the Cascades may start with snow but transition to rain or a wintry mix if enough warmer air moves in. Stronger southwest winds on Saturday could enhance snowfall on wind-favored slopes while also creating breezy conditions over ridges. Sunday–Tuesday Additional Waves: On-and-off surges of moisture continue through early next week. Each wave could deliver moderate additional snowfall to the Cascades, with a chance of more robust totals if a deeper plume of Pacific moisture pivots inland. Snow levels may fluctuate but are likely to stay in a range that impacts the passes with periodic fresh accumulations. Extended Outlook: Medium-range guidance favors an ongoing unsettled pattern for the Northwest, potentially with more Arctic air dropping south later next week. That might lower snow levels further, but exact timing remains uncertain. Overall, an active scenario continues into mid-February with repeated chances for mountain snowfall. Pacific Northwest Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals Timberline – 27–47” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Mt Baker – 27–46” Thu Night (01/30)–Tue Night (02/04) Mt Bachelor – 25–42” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05) Crystal Mountain – 19–33” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04) Stevens Pass – 18–31” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04) Snoqualmie Pass – 17–30” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04)) Whistler – 16–28” Thu Day (01/30)–Sun Night (02/02) Utah The GFS snowfall forecast for the Wasatch. The numbers here feel a bit high, but the general pattern feels about right: higher totals in the north, tapering off as you go south. Credit: WeatherBell Dry Through Late Week: High pressure and stable conditions dominate through Thursday, with inversions in some valleys resulting in cold nights. Upper elevations remain mild with mostly sunny skies and minimal winds through midweek. Saturday–Sunday Storm Starting late Friday night into Saturday, a moderate surge of Pacific moisture pushes into northern Utah. Snow levels look fairly high initially, so the central and southern valleys may miss out on significant accumulations. The Wasatch Range north of roughly I-80 will have the best chance for fresh snow, especially Saturday into early Sunday. Totals may be modest, but enough for refreshes on the slopes. Late Sunday–Monday Minor System: Another minor wave may brush northern Utah later Sunday or Monday, but precipitation looks lighter. Snow levels remain in the mid to higher elevations, with only the highest passes likely to see new accumulations. Winds could become breezy at times over ridgelines. Extended Outlook: Through next week, signals show mild flow continuing, with the greatest chances of precipitation generally north of the state. Warm southwest flow may occasionally sneak moisture into the Wasatch. Periodic light to moderate snowfall events may continue, but widespread heavy accumulations look less likely in the short term. Utah Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals Powder Mountain – 7–13” total (7–12” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05)) Solitude/Brighton – 6–12” total (6–11” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05)) Alta/Snowbird – 5–11” total (5–10” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05)) Park City/Deer Valley – 4–9” total (4–8” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05)) Related: La Niña Returns With 12-20 Inches of Snow in the Forecast Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. Source link #Feet #Expected #California #PNW #Tetons Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside Rihanna’s Support at A$AP Rocky’s Trial: Everything You Didn't See (Exclusive) – PEOPLE Inside Rihanna’s Support at A$AP Rocky’s Trial: Everything You Didn't See (Exclusive) – PEOPLE Inside Rihanna’s Support at A$AP Rocky’s Trial: Everything You Didn’t See (Exclusive) PEOPLEA$AP Rocky’s former friend testifies about alleged shooting as rapper faces decades in prison ABC NewsRihanna Plans to Attend A$AP Rocky Criminal Trial Wednesday TMZWhat to know about the A$AP Rocky trial The Washington Post Source link #Rihannas #Support #AAP #Rockys #Trial #Didn039t #Exclusive #PEOPLE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mineral Resources’ stock falls on lacklustre December quarter report and ASIC probe risks Mineral Resources’ stock falls on lacklustre December quarter report and ASIC probe risks Shares in Mineral Resources have copped another hit as the mining major’s lithium and iron ore operations disappoint and a regulatory investigation intensifies. Source link #Mineral #Resources #stock #falls #lacklustre #December #quarter #report #ASIC #probe #risks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fight breaks out at township meeting south of Chicago Fight breaks out at township meeting south of Chicago A large fight broke out during the public comment ******* at a township meeting south of Chicago. It started after an activist appeared to walk toward Supervisor Tiffany Henyard, after swearing at her. At one point, witnesses said Henyard herself got involved Source link #Fight #breaks #township #meeting #south #Chicago Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Weight saving and aero optimization feature in the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 – Ars Technica Weight saving and aero optimization feature in the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 – Ars Technica Weight saving and aero optimization feature in the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Ars Technica2025 Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 Touring Keep the Experience Intense Car and Driver2025 Porsche 911 GT3 First Drive Review: Still Sensational? MotorTrendPorsche 911 GT3 (992.1) Review 2025 Top Gear Source link #Weight #saving #aero #optimization #feature #Porsche #GT3 #Ars #Technica Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Economic case is not there’: Major call on February rate cut ‘Economic case is not there’: Major call on February rate cut A leading economist has stood by his call on the Reserve Bank holding rates in February despite encouraging progress on inflation. Source link #Economic #case #Major #call #February #rate #cut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House Republicans fail to clinch deal on tax cuts, despite Trump’s urging House Republicans fail to clinch deal on tax cuts, despite Trump’s urging By David Morgan MIAMI (Reuters) – A three-day meeting of U.S. House Republicans, meant to jumpstart President Donald Trump’s $4 trillion tax cut agenda, ended on Wednesday without a deal as party fiscal hawks refused to move ahead unless the plan reduced the $1.8 trillion federal deficit. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson called the meeting of his conference this week in the hope of reaching consensus on a budget blueprint while they huddled at Trump’s Doral resort in Miami. 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. The hardliners’ opposition — and concern about the nation’s growing $36 trillion debt, which Congress will need to act on this year — could block the tax cut plan in a House where Republicans hold a slim 218-215 majority that is expected to fall soon to 217 seats. “The Republican Party has to stick together,” Trump told the group at the start of its meeting on Monday. “It’d be different if we had a … 30-person majority. But we don’t. We have to help leadership.” With Republicans also holding a 53-47 Senate majority, Trump is pushing lawmakers to extend his 2017 tax cuts that are due to expire at the end of this year, provide funds to tighten border security, deport undocumented immigrants and bolster military spending. The cost of the tax extension alone would surpass $4 trillion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a non-partisan think tank. Trump has also called on Republicans to enact legislation to eliminate federal taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits. Republicans can currently afford to lose the support of no more than one House member if they want to pass the tax cuts over what is expected to be united Democratic opposition. This week’s meeting showed Republican opposition was wider spread. The leader of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus warned that the plan could fall short of achieving enough savings to make a meaningful dent in the deficit, a key goal among fiscal conservatives. “That will stop the process,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris told Reuters. “There’s a broad group of Republicans in the conference who believe we have to be very serious about deficit reduction.” HARDLINERS FOCUSED ON DEFICIT Harris said his roughly three-dozen Freedom Caucus members want a budget resolution that calls for a $3 trillion cut in federal government spending over the next decade, and that hardliners would oppose a plan that identified only half that number of cuts or less. “That would show that we’re not really serious about deficit reduction,” Harris said. The Freedom Caucus has repeatedly bucked party leadership over the past two years and just last month rejected a Trump demand to eliminate the federal government’s statutory debt ceiling before he took office. But since he took office, Congress has taken Trump’s side on tough votes — most notably when 50 Republican senators voted to confirm former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary in the face of widespread criticism of his personal conduct. House Republicans have circulated options amounting to trillions of dollars in potential spending cuts to programs including Medicaid and government-sponsored health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Those possibilities have raised concerns among lawmakers who worry about the effects on services in their districts, including hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding. “Before I agree to vote for a budget resolution, I want a better understanding of where these cuts are going to come from and how it will affect my district,” said Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis. “I understand we all need to make tough decisions … but I don’t want New York to be disproportionately affected. This needs to be fair.” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has blasted the Republican tax plans as “a contract against America” which he warned would hurt working families, the middle class, seniors and veterans and undermine the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor. LIMITED OPTIONS Trump has limited the options for Republicans by ruling out cuts to the Medicare and Social Security programs for the elderly — which represent about a third of the $6.75 trillion federal budget — leaving Republicans to consider cuts to Medicaid, government-subsidized healthcare under the Affordable Care Act and other alternatives. “You can talk about specifics in Medicaid. You can talk about specifics in discretionary spending. But it’s really not going to be much when you consider the overall budget,” said Representative Rich McCormick, a deficit hawk. Representative Blake Moore, a member of Speaker Johnson’s leadership team, predicted that Republicans would face frustration in trying to pay for a 2017 Trump tax cut extension costing more than $4 trillion over a decade. “We want to offset that as much as possible. Getting to that sweet spot is going to be very, very difficult,” the Utah Republican said. “Republicans are going to be eternally frustrated that we can’t do more to make sure that we reduce our deficits.” In fact, some say the current debate takes House Republicans into waters where they have not ventured before in recent memory. “Getting it down to a consolidated list that we can all agree on – virtually to the single member – is something we haven’t historically done,” said Representative Darrell Issa. “The problem is that everything we’re dealing with has a constituency.” Some Republicans said the cost of the Trump agenda should be seen within a broad context of savings that would include revenues from Trump tariffs, his freeze on federal grants and loans, revenue gains from expanded fossil fuel production and anticipated economic and job growth. Representative Tom Emmer, the chamber’s No. 3 Republican, dismissed the debate about spending cuts as preliminaries leading up to next month’s anticipated floor vote on a House budget resolution. “We need to get everybody on board when the day comes to vote on something. Up until then, people can disagree. They can agree to disagree. They can push whatever agenda they think is best,” the Minnesota Republican said. (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell) Source link #House #Republicans #fail #clinch #deal #tax #cuts #Trumps #urging Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]