Pelican Press

Trump tariff threat looms large on many ****** countries, not just China Trump tariff threat looms large on many ****** countries, not just China Donald Trump’s victory in U.S. elections has raised the specter of higher tariffs on China — but it may not be the only ****** country that faces this predicament, according to Goldman Sachs. While the U.S. bilateral trade deficit with China has decreased somewhat since the Trump administration, deficits with other ****** exporters have risen significantly and may come under increased scrutiny, Goldman’s Chief Asia-Pacific Economist Andrew Tilton said in a recent note. “With Trump and some likely appointees focused on reducing bilateral deficits, there is a risk that — in a sort of “whack-a-mole” manner–burgeoning bilateral deficits could eventually prompt U.S. tariffs on other ****** economies,” he said. A tariff is a tax on imported goods, but it isn’t paid by the exporting country. So U.S. tariffs will be paid by companies looking to import products into the country, raising their costs. “Korea, Taiwan, and especially Vietnam have seen large trade gains versus the U.S.,” Tilton observed, adding that Korea and Taiwan’s positions are reflective of their “privileged positions” in the semiconductor supply chain, while Vietnam has benefited from the re-direction of trade from China. In 2023, South Korea’s trade surplus with the ******* States reportedly reached a record $44.4 billion, the largest surplus with any country, with car exports making up almost 30% of all shipments to the U.S. Taiwan’s exports to the ******* States in the first quarter of 2024 hit a record high of $24.6 billion, increasing 57.9% compared to the same ******* last year, with the largest export growth stemming from information technology and audio-visual products. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s trade surplus with the U.S between January and September stands at $90 billion. India and Japan also run trade surpluses with the U.S., with Japan’s surplus remaining relatively stable and India’s increasing moderately in recent years, said Goldman Sachs. Going forward, these ****** trading partners might try to lower these surpluses and “deflect attention” via various means, such as shifting imports towards the U.S. where possible, Tilton expects. “Trade policy is where Mr Trump is likely to be most consequential for Emerging Asia in his second term as U.S. president,” Barclays Bank analysts wrote in a note dated Friday. Trump’s proposed tariffs are most likely to inflict “greater pain” on more open economies in the region, with Taiwan more exposed to that threat than Korea or Singapore, the bank’s economists led by Brian Tan wrote. “We see Thailand and Malaysia in the middle, with Thailand estimated to take a slightly larger hit,” the note added. U.S. data shows that the U.S. trade deficit with China narrowed to $279.11 billion in 2023, from $346.83 billion in 2016. Although U.S. trade with China dwindled following the implementation of tariffs in the first Trump administration, trade volumes were channeled to third countries instead such as Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia and Taiwan instead, Mari Pangestu, former minister of trade in Indonesia said last Thursday. “But if you look at the supply chain, actually most of the components are still coming from China. We call it lengthening the supply chain. So in Trump 2.0, two things will happen. He will start noticing that [trade] is still going to China,” she said during the FT Commodities Summit held in Singapore following the announcement of Trump’s victory. “This is going to increase protection. Not just towards China, but to countries that have bilateral deficits with the U.S.,” Pangestu said. Regardless of tariffs, Goldman still expects continued pressure for the relocation of certain supply chains from China to Southeast Asia, India or Mexico in particular. U.S. President-elect Trump has announced his intention to impose a blanket tariff ranging from 10% to 20% on all imports, along with additional tariffs of 60% to 100% on products imported from China. Goldman expects the U.S. to impose additional tariffs averaging 20% of ******** products in the first half of 2025. Source link #Trump #tariff #threat #looms #large #****** #countries #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘WhatsApp screen share scam cost me thousands’ ‘WhatsApp screen share scam cost me thousands’ Supplied Felicity Campbell said she felt ‘*****’ after realising she had become victim to a scam A woman says she felt “*****” when she was tricked into transferring £20,000 to ********** after being persuaded to share her screen on a WhatsApp call. Felicity Campbell has been describing the moment she realised she had been caught in an elaborate scam by someone pretending to be from her bank. The scam started when Mrs Campbell, from Bleasby in Nottinghamshire, responded to a fake TV licensing email and entered her credit card details. When she realised it had been a phishing email, she contacted her bank and cancelled the card – but the deceit did not end there. Five days later, she received a call from a man claiming to be from her bank, she told BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours. “The man on the other end of the line said, ‘this is the Nationwide calling. Did you respond to a phishing email from TV Licensing?’,” she said. “I said I had. And he said ‘we’re a little bit concerned that your online account has been compromised. Have you made a payment of £1,500 to Western Union? And I said ‘no, I definitely have not’.” Screen share Becoming suspicious, Mrs Campbell challenged the man, asking whether he really was from Nationwide – in response, he told her details of her address and recent transactions – all of which were correct. “He said ‘are you sure you have not made a payment of £1,500 to Western Union?’ And I said I have not. And he said ‘OK, well we think your account has been compromised. “’I now need to help you make the account secure.’” The man ended the call and rang back via WhatsApp, asking Mrs Campbell if she was happy to continue. “Reluctantly, feeling a little *****, I have to say, because I wasn’t absolutely sure, but I said OK,” she said. “He then instructed me to press a few buttons on my phone.” These instructions, apparently so he could “guide” her through making her accounts safe, actually led Mrs Campbell to share her screen with the man, which is a function WhatsApp introduced for its calls last year. This allowed him to see what was on her phone, including that she had other accounts, with Lloyds, and Wise – a money services provider that specialises in international cash transfers. For the next hour and a half, the man instructed Mrs Campbell to shuffle different sums of money between these accounts – and also into a separate Western Union account – watching the transactions go through using screen share, all under the guise of helping her. “All the while he’s saying to me ‘we are managing to recover the money, but we’ve got to act fast because it’s going out fast’,” she said. “So I’m seeing them coming in thinking, ‘well the money’s being recovered’, but you know, ******* me, didn’t realise that he was shuffling it all into my Wise account.” At one point he persuaded her to take out a £25,000 loan, apparently to “block” another loan he claimed had been taken out. Mrs Campbell said: “If that one instruction had come in isolation, I would have said….what planet do you think I live on? “But because I’d been groomed and everything was making me feel more and more fearful and more and more insecure, you get swept along by the scammers insistence of acting now.” Supplied Felicity Campbell was conned by a caller pretending to be from her bank When the loan arrived in her account and she was asked to transfer it out, Mrs Campbell decided enough was enough. “On the second transfer I said, ‘OK, I am now really uncomfortable. “’I don’t want to continue this’. And he said, quote unquote, ‘go F yourself, madam’. “And I knew I’d been had. I felt so *****, I can’t tell you.” A total of £20,000 of Mrs Campbell’s money had been transferred from her accounts to Western Union. Western Union told You and Yours that these payments went to named accounts in India. Mrs Campbell has since managed to recover some of the money from her banks. Nationwide has refunded her £6,000, covering the money moved out of that account, and said it was investigating how the ********* got into her bank account to know the details of her transactions. Lloyds is investigating and has refunded £2,000 relating to debit card transactions Mrs Campbell made under the instruction of the *********. It said in cases where funds are transferred between someone’s accounts, responsibility for refunds ***** with the bank from where they were transferred to the fraudster. Wise said it had sent a number of warning messages to Mrs Campbell asking if the payments were being made by her – and that she had pressed the button on her phone confirming they were. Wise also said it had refunded her for about half of the transactions it had allowed to go through after she had reported the ****** – which comes to about £6,000. Source link #WhatsApp #screen #share #scam #cost #thousands Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India’s Gaming Market To Be ******* Than Bollywood by 2029 India’s Gaming Market To Be ******* Than Bollywood by 2029 It has been estimated that there is rampant growth for the Indian gaming sector on the horizon. Per a recent report published by Lumikai, it was predicted that the region would see a CAGR of 20% leading to 2029, causing the market’s valuation to grow from around $3.8 billion today to $9.2 billion by 2029. It was noted that gaming is India’s ‘fastest-growing new media segment’ behind video and OTT media. To The Future India boasts an audience of 591 million gamers, with a split of around 44% – 66% in favour of male players. Mobile games are king in the country, and Lumikai estimated that India is the second-largest consumer of mobile games in the world. That’s why games like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Free ***** do so well in the country. As a side note, if you’re a Free ***** fan and are looking to score some free Diamonds, check out our guide. In recent years, the numbers have shown that Indian gamers (particularly those in the 18 to 30-year-old age group) have boosted their average weekly gaming time by around 30%. We’re also seeing a rapid expansion of the region’s esports industry, with more competitive gamers than ever appearing across the country. Lumikai, a data aggregation firm, revealed that when it started collecting data in 2020, there were just 25 notable gaming companies in India. In the most recent pass, more than 2,300 companies (‘leads’) were recorded in the country. One senior associate at Lumikai, Aditya Deshpande, suggested that the growth of gaming will surpass the value of Bollywood in the coming years. It’s worth stressing that Lumikai is an Indian venture capital firm focused on the Indian market, but external firms have predicted similar growth. Are you excited to see what India can bring to the global gaming market? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that the Grammy nominees for best video game soundtrack have been revealed Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Indias #Gaming #Market #******* #Bollywood Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kate McCarthy praises Fremantle Dockers’ AFLW recruits Aisling McCarthy, Gabby Newton for immediate impact Kate McCarthy praises Fremantle Dockers’ AFLW recruits Aisling McCarthy, Gabby Newton for immediate impact It’s a ‘throw-together’ midfield missing two big names, but former AFLW star Kate McCarthy couldn’t be more impressed by what she’s seen from Fremantle’s engine room – led by a pair of ***** recruits. Source link #Kate #McCarthy #praises #Fremantle #Dockers #AFLW #recruits #Aisling #McCarthy #Gabby #Newton #impact Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fort Collins missed out on big snow, but check out these Colorado snow totals Fort Collins missed out on big snow, but check out these Colorado snow totals As the National Weather Service in Boulder put it in a post on X, the “Yellow orb returns!” Sunday after days of cloudy, cold weather and, in some places, impressive snow totals. Though Fort Collins got less than 2 inches of snow this weekend, several Colorado areas had impressive snow totals. Here’s a look. Check out these Colorado snow totals The highest reported snowfall total was 54.9 inches at a location 7 miles northwest of San Isabel (southwest of Pueblo) just after noon Nov. 9. In the Fort Collins area, the highest reported snowfall total was 12.2 inches at a location about 3 miles north-northwest from Horestooth Mountain at 7 a.m. Nov. 9. Here’s how other areas stacked up. The below snowfall totals were reported to the National Weather Service on Nov. 9. Some areas had multiple reports. Larimer and Weld Counties Fort Collins: 1 to 1.9 inches Loveland: 1.7 to 2.7 inches Estes Park: 4.6 to 7.3 inches Wellington: 1.1 inches Berthoud: 1 to 5.8 inches Greeley: 2.8 to 5.3 inches Windsor: 1 to 6.2 inches Denver and surrounding area: Denver: 8 to 16.4 inches Denver International Airport: 20 inches Boulder: 5.5 to 12.9 inches Longmont: 2.6 to 5.8 inches Colorado ski areas and mountains: Winter Park: 7 inches (reported at 12 a.m. Nov. 9) Vail: 1.2 inches Loveland Pass: 6 inches (reported at 12 a.m. Nov. 9) Berthoud Pass: 6 inches (reported at 12 a.m. Nov. 9) Copper Mountain: 4 inches (reported at 12 a.m. Nov. 9) Eastern Plains and south Limon: 35.5 inches Castle Rock: 21 to 24 inches Pueblo: 12 to 17.5 inches Walsenburg: 27.8 inches Trinidad: 9.9 to 37.5 inches (Curious about the wide range? The two measurements were reported from different areas and at different times. The first measurement listed here was reported at 7 a.m. The second was reported at 10:42 a.m.) Fort Collins weather forecast for Sunday, Monday Here’s the National Weather Service forecast for Fort Collins Sunday and Monday (as of Sunday morning): Sunday: Sunny and a high near 59 degrees. Sunday night’s forecast low is around 30. Monday (Veterans Day): Another sunny day. High near 56. Patchy fog rolls in overnight (after 1 a.m.), with a low temperature around 29. Find the latest National Weather Service forecast on its website. Coloradoan reporter Miles Blumhardt contributed to this report. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Check out these Colorado snow totals, Fort Collins weather forecast Source link #Fort #Collins #missed #big #snow #check #Colorado #snow #totals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Small Caps and Value Stocks Could Lead the Next Bull Run Why Small Caps and Value Stocks Could Lead the Next Bull Run This week: Trumped-up, Nov-April bull season, tech and , risk-on, transports, small caps, surges, generational opportunities, global small value, rainy days, what’s different now Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: Stocks went from de-risking to re-risking this week. We’re now into a typically strong seasonal patch. Crypto/Tech/Transports show speculation revival. US large caps look tired, global/small/value look wired. Stocks tend to do well when it rains in New York. Overall, the mood is well and truly risk-on. Part of this is a reversal or unwinding of the de-risking and caution in late-October, an element of “stealth corrections” resolving to the upside, optimism for a repeat of 2016-17 run in stocks, and a generalized continuation of the underlying market mood of bullish euphoria. But there are a few key conditions that are quite different now vs 2016, and we may need to rethink about how to navigate things in the coming years. 1. 6000 for S&P 500? As , the de-risking we saw at the end of October sure enough did set the scene for a bit of re-risking post-election with uncertainty resolved and hope for a repeat of the 2016-17 run in boosting things. Source: Callum Thomas using MarketCharts.com Charting Tools 2. Return in November lso front of mind is the prospect of the typical year-end rally, and of course we’re now into the Nov-April *******, which has historically been the best-performing part of the year in terms of probability of positive returns and magnitude of returns. It’s basically the other side of the “Sell-in-May” saying you’re supposed to come back in November. Source: Off-Topic ChartStorm – Sell in May? 3. Speculation Awakening While is likely getting a boost from a prospectively more crypto-friendly incoming administration, it does echo and add to the wider speculation revival. It also is in effect a dual-resolution in the chart below to the multi-month stagnation or stealth bear in bitcoin and tech stocks. In other words, sometimes you don’t need to have a correction in price, but a correction in time in order to set the scene for the next leg up. Source: Topdown Charts 4. Transported Higher Another key segment of the market; (a key sentiment/macro barometer in that these stocks are at the cross-currents of multiple macro and (geo)political trends) has made an initial breakout out of a huge triangle formation. The fact that this comes against the backdrop of an underlying overarching uptrend through the ******* in the chart below is quite bullish, and adds to the developing risk-on theme. Source: Weekly Insights – Edition 183 5. Mind the Hype However, as Kantro points out below, at least in the case of small caps relative performance, there have been many false starts and bouts of ********** speculation. While price does tend to move faster than fundamentals, the point he makes with this chart is that you need real fundamental follow-through if things are going to sustainably turnaround for this specific case, but also for wider bullish follow-through (and on that note, check out the bonus chart section!) Source: @MichaelKantro 6. Mind the Surge Another aspect is that we are actually quite progressed in the current cyclical bull market, and in the middle of an extended surge in stocks —which may need to take a bit of a breather at some point. Source: @sentimentrader 7. Generational Opportunities This chart comes from a note by Dan Suzuki which highlights some of the best trades of the past 50 years, and how the latest one (US/tech stocks) is looking extended, and noting how these things don’t just go on forever; this too shall eventually pass. Meanwhile he, like me, sees better opportunities in the coming years for global/small/value, and inflation beneficiaries. Source: @MikeFritzell of ****** Century Stocks 8. Global Small Value stocks Speaking of such, here’s the relative performance chart of Global ex-US Small Value stocks vs US Large Growth stocks. It has been pretty much a one-way street over the past 15-years; a massive relative bear market for Global/Small/Value. And one that has created major relative value gaps. Source: Topdown Charts Professional 9. US Small Caps — Priced for Imperfection Closer to home, even just US small caps are looking good; trading at a 25% discount to large caps, and looking like they are nearing the low point in the long-term cycle of relative performance. Source: @JeffWeniger 10. When it Rains This chart from the excellent Tom McClellan shows an apparent link between New York City rain fall and stockmarket returns, he quips: “Watching the rainfall data for New York City and its relationship to the stock market is one of the funnier relationships I have discovered in the few decades I have been doing this. There is no reason I can think of for why such a relationship should exist, and yet there is a large amount of evidence showing that the two are related.” The takeaway? Maybe be cautious on stocks if you expect a dry spell in NYC! Source: New York Rain and Stocks — Silly, But Accurate BONUS CHART >> got to include a goody for the goodies who subscribed. Then and Now: One thing I’ve been looking at is the differences/similarities in 2016 vs now — as I commented earlier, it seems a lot of folk are focused on the 2016 election of Trump and the subsequent rally in stocks and concluding something like “this is how stocks usually trade under Trump” (i.e. that one time). But aside from the small sample size, there’s a few key issues; specifically, the background context and starting point in terms of valuation and sentiment is entirely different this time. Case in point below. The hurdle is very high for large caps (PE10 valuation ratio is near-double that of 2016). Though interestingly, echoing my previous observations; small caps are actually cheaper now vs back then, so there is an absolute + relative value case for them. But that large-cap PE10 is kind of concerning, a few things need to really go right for large caps to keep chugging on from here. Original Post Source link #Small #Caps #Stocks #Lead #Bull #Run Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scotland to remember fallen on Armistice Day Scotland to remember fallen on Armistice Day PA Media Services of commemoration took place across Scotland on Sunday Scotland will fall silent later to honour those who have ***** in conflicts around the world on Armistice Day. The traditional 11 November two-minute ******* of remembrance takes place at 11:00 on across the country. The day is commemorated every year to mark the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany in 1918. Civic and political leaders ***** wreaths at war memorials around the *** on Sunday. Swinney, whose uncle Cpl Tom Hunter was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after dying in Italy during World War Two in 1945, said: “It is central to our understanding of our freedoms and our democracy today that we understand the sacrifices which were made by previous generation to make sure we could live in the type of society we live in.” Army veteran Derek “Benny” Bennett, who spent 25 years as a member of the armed forces, said the “scars” service personnel carried from “less talked-about” wars were just as real as those experienced by former soldiers who fought in more prominent conflicts. Mr Bennett, 72, who served with the parachute regiment in Northern Ireland, was speaking ahead of the traditional Armistice Day ceremonies set to take place across Scotland. Mr Bennett, originally from Shotton in North Wales, lives in a home run by veterans’ charity Erskine in Edinburgh. He saw active service in Northern Ireland, served in a peacekeeping mission in Cyprus, and as a liaison officer in the Gulf War. He recalled one episode at the height of the Troubles when a rocket fired from an RPG missed his vehicle by “six inches” and another when serving with the Paras on the ground in Cyprus in 1974 during the Turkish invasion. PA Media John Swinney ***** a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance in Edinburgh In 1989 he was deployed to Tel Aviv in *******, where he served as a liaison officer with the multinational force and observers (MFO) during the first Gulf War, attempting to ensure their safety under bombardment from Scud missiles. Mr Bennett was paralysed in 2018 after suffering a spinal cord injury, but said he still carried his experiences prior to leaving the armed forces in 1992. “It’s crucial we remember not just the big wars like the Second World War, the Falklands, Afghanistan, or Iraq, but all the conflicts and peacekeeping missions that don’t always make the headlines,” he said. “I know people who have suffered, and I personally know that the scars – whether seen or unseen – are just as real for those who served in less talked-about places. “The impact on those who were there is the same, and their sacrifices deserve the same respect and remembrance.” Westminster’s SNP leader Stephen Flynn appeared alongside the other leaders of the *** parties and every living former prime minister at London’s Cenotaph commemoration. King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior royals also appeared at the ceremony. Source link #Scotland #remember #fallen #Armistice #Day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grammy Nominees For Best Video Game Soundtrack Reveal Another Popularity Vote Grammy Nominees For Best Video Game Soundtrack Reveal Another Popularity Vote The 2025 iteration of the Grammy Awards is fast approaching, and once again, the nominees for ‘Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media’ have been revealed. Put simply, it’s the award that crowns the best soundtrack from a video game that has emerged in recent months, but the line-up is slim and PlayStation has dominated this time around. Games Nominated for a Grammy Ubisoft and PlayStation are dominating the nominee roster this year for the ‘Best Video Game Soundtrack’ category at the Grammy Awards: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora **** of War Ragnarok: Valhalla Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Star Wars Outlaws Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the **** Overlord Bear McCreary (**** of War) is a regular nominee at this point—he’s had his name thrown into the **** during every Grammy Awards ceremony where this category has existed. The category was only opened up in 2023, and previously, it was won by Ubisoft’s *********’s Creed Valhalla in 2023 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor in 2024. Could Ubisoft go for the triple header and win again this time with Star Wars Outlaws or Avatar? Unfortunately, fans have had issues with this category at the Grammy Awards since it debuted in 2023. Back then, the likes of Call of Duty made it into the running, which rankled with gamers worldwide. It seemed then – and it still seems now – that indie titles with better soundtracks are being snubbed for the big, mainstream names. It reached a point where one of the voting board members took to social media to explain how things work behind the scenes. He explained that low participation led to few nominations and that the vast majority of the voters on the board were film composers who rarely – if ever – interacted with the video game world. This year, the only game that isn’t one of the ‘******* hitters’ is a remake of a game that was released in 1980, which feels almost shoehorned in to hit a diversity requirement. Do you want to see more diversity in this category at the Grammy Awards? Let us know in the comments. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that the PS5 Pro is selling better than the PS4 Pro Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Grammy #Nominees #Video #Game #Soundtrack #Reveal #Popularity #Vote Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump announces “border czar” will be Tom Homan, former head of immigration enforcement Trump announces “border czar” will be Tom Homan, former head of immigration enforcement President-elect Donald Trump says Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration. “I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders,” he wrote late Sunday on his Truth Social site. Tom Homan on 60 Minutes on Oct. 27, 2024. 60 Minutes Homan was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border and Trump’s pledge to launch the largest deportation operation in the country’s history. In addition to overseeing the southern and northern borders and “maritime, and aviation security,” Trump said Homan “will be in charge of all Deportation of ******** Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” a central part of his agenda. He says he had “no doubt” Homan “will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.” Such a role does not require Senate confirmation. In an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Homan said the military wouldn’t be rounding up and arresting immigrants in the country illegally and that ICE would move to implement Trump’s plans in a “humane manner.” “It’s going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it,” he said. “When we go out there, we’re going to know who we’re looking for. We most likely know where they’re going to be, and it’s going to be done in a humane manner.” On 60 Minutes on Oct. 27, 2024, nine days before the election, Homan defended what at the time was candidate Trump’s vow to institute a mass deportation plan. “I hear a lot of people say, you know, the talk of a mass deportation is *******.” Homan said. “It’s– it’s– it’s threatening to immigrant community. It’s not threatening to the immigrant community. It should be threatening to the ******** immigrant community. But on the heels of [a] historic ******** immigration crisis. That has to be done.” Earlier this year, at the National Conservatism Conference, in Washington, Homan expressed frustration at the news coverage of a mass deportation operation. “Wait until 2025,” he said, adding that, while he thinks the government needed to prioritize national security threats, “no one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” He also said: “You’ve got my word. Trump comes back in January, I’ll be in his heels coming back, and I will run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” More Source link #Trump #announces #border #czar #Tom #Homan #immigration #enforcement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why our miners sank on China’s $2.1 tr stimulus Why our miners sank on China’s $2.1 tr stimulus Bailing out indebted local governments does nothing for miners in the near term but it actually may hurt them in the longer term. Here’s why … Source link #miners #sank #Chinas #stimulus Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Math Is Starting to Work Against Long-Term US Stock Returns The Math Is Starting to Work Against Long-Term US Stock Returns The (SPY) is up +27.04% YTD as of 11/8/2024. The 2023 total return for the S&P 500 was +26.19%. If the S&P 500 ******** exactly where it’s trading the last 6 weeks of the year (highly unlikely), then the arithmetic average of the last two years return for the main benchmark is +26.6%. (That’s a well-above average return). If we average 2022, through 2024, and the SPY ends 2024 where it’s trading today, the average return falls to 11% since, 2022’s S&P 500 return was -18.17%. The point being, readers / investors could make a good case the average return for the S&P 500 in 2025 will “revert to the mean” and could very likely be lower than the last two years. Forecasts and predictions are virtually worthless, and yet they populate the mainstream financial media on a daily basis. The point to readers is – I suspect – 2025 will be an average to below-average year for S&P 500 returns, while S&P 500 earnings could be quite robust, especially if the corporate tax rate is reduced. This blog has tracked S&P 500 total returns since the early 1970’s, and the only ******* found that saw more than two years of +20% total returns – meaning only one ******* saw three consecutive years or more of +20% S&P 500 returns – was the ******* from 1995 to 1999, when the “average, annual” S&P 500 return for those five years was +28% per year. (For the Nasdaq, that “average, annual return” was even higher, but unfortunately, YCharts doesn’t have those or returns available, and when Morningstar bought Ibbotson i.e. the Stocks, Bonds, Bills & Inflation yearbook, in 2006, much of that fabulous historic return data disappeared.) Here’s a few more quick averages: S&P 500 return average: +15.65 for years 2018 – 2024; S&P 500 return average: +18.98% for years 2019 – 2024; S&P 500 return average: +16.04% for years 2020 to 2024; Most readers have probably heard the old expression or maxim, “there’s *****, damned *****, and then there’s statistics” which has been around a while, but there’s some truth to the old saying. This blog has tried to keep readers informed of the ” S&P 500 annual return” data through posts like , as well as style-box updates and such, but equity bull markets tend to bury everything in sight. Thinking back on it, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq’s epic bull market that started in August, 1982, with Paul Volcker abandoning the “monetarist experiment” for a return to interest-rate targeting, ended in mid-March, 2000, without any particular economic or market event attached to it. The “average” S&P 500 return for the ******* from 1982 to 1999 was – are you ready for this – +19% per year. There was only one negative year for the S&P 500’s return and that was 1990, i.e. the first Gulf War, and spiking to $40 per barrel. A plausible case could be made for a few more good years of S&P 500 returns if the US corporate tax rate is reduced, and some of the productivity measures are instituted throughout federal government, but if US GDP growth takes off under a pro-business *********** President and Congress, and inflation concerns always accompany faster economic growth (look at the Clinton years in the late 1990’s), the only “relief valve” is the US Treasury market and higher interest rates, and – eventually – what’s bad for the Treasury market (i.e. higher interest rates), will always eventually come home to roost in the US stock market. The S&P 500’s average, annual return from the year 2000 through October 31 ’24 is roughly 7.50%. That’s still a reasonable long-term return. Some investors think a new bull market started in October ’22, but this secular bull began either on March 9, 2009, which means the current secular bull is 16 years old, or in May, 2013, when the S&P 500 made a new all-time-high (and stayed above it March 2000, high) which means this secular bull is just 11 – 12 years old. The math is starting to work against long-term stock returns. The risk–reward is definitely changing more towards risk, particularly for the mega-caps. S&P 500 Data: The S&P 500’s forward 4-quarter estimate fell this past week to $263.39 from last week’s $264.67, and early October’s $266.66; The PE on the forward estimate after this week’s S&P 500 increase of +4.67%, is 22.77x and is the highest since late 2020’s Covid-influenced S&P 500 PE; The S&P 500’s “earnings yield” fell to 4.39%, nearing the June, 2020 low of 4.11% (also heavily Covid-influenced); What’s interesting about the S&P 500’s “upside surprise” data for both S&P 500 revenue and EPS, is that S&P 500 revenue has a +1.6% “upside surprise” rate for Q3 ’24, which is the best beat rate since Q2 ’22, while S&P 500 EPS “upside surprise” or beat rate is +7.8%, also the best surprise factor since Q2 ’22. The S&P 500 PE ratio is nearing multi-year highs (and conversely the “EY” nearing multi-year lows). Given the “upside surprise” data, Q3 ’24 earnings are coming in better than many people might think, with 449 S&P 500 components having reported already. The notable misses are or were Microsoft (NASDAQ:) and Apple’s (NASDAQ:) September ’24 quarter, but while Microsoft lowered their December ’24 rev guidance, Apple was their traditionally cautious selves. Apple iPhone revenue beat their September quarter estimate by $2 billion i.e. $46 vs the $44 bl estimate per Briefing.com. None of this is advice or a recommendation, but only an opinion. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing can and will involve the loss of principal, even for short periods of time. All S&P 500 earnings data is sourced from LSEG. None of this above data may be updated, and if updated, may not be done so in a timely fashion. Readers should gauge their own comfort with portfolio volatility and adjust accordingly. Thanks for reading. Source link #Math #Starting #Work #LongTerm #Stock #Returns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program Source link #Veterans #PTSD #making #progress #service #dog #program Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump announces Tom Homan as incoming border czar Trump announces Tom Homan as incoming border czar Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 11, 2019. Johnathan Ernst | Reuters President-elect Donald Trump announced late Sunday night that Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be his administration’s “border czar.” “I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders (‘The Border Czar’), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” the post continued. “Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of ******** Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.” Homan is a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a ************* group. He was a contributor to Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership book. NBC News has reached out to The Heritage Foundation with a request for Homan’s comment. He touts hardline immigration views and previously vowed to “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen.” Trump frequently espoused hardline anti-migrant views on the campaign trail, at times decrying migrants as “poisoning the blood of our country,” “animals,” “gang members,” and comparing them to the fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter. “They’re rough people, in many cases from jails, prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums,” he said at a March rally of migrants who enter the country unlawfully. “You know, insane asylums, that’s ‘Silence of the Lambs’ stuff.” Homan is the latest person who Trump announced will join his administration. Trump had previously announced that Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager, will serve as the White House chief of staff. Source link #Trump #announces #Tom #Homan #incoming #border #czar Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Honor 300 Pro Tipped to Get Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 50-Megapixel Periscope Telephoto Camera Honor 300 Pro Tipped to Get Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 50-Megapixel Periscope Telephoto Camera Honor 300 Pro will likely be launched alongside the vanilla Honor 300 soon. The ******** smartphone maker has not yet confirmed the launch date, but some details of the lineup have been leaked online. The Honor 300 series is said to come with a 1.5K resolution display and 100W fast charging support. The Honor 300 Pro is expected to run on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The Honor 300 Pro and Honor 300 are anticipated to come with upgrades over the Honor 200 Pro and Honor 200, respectively. Honor 300 Series Specifications (Leaked) Tipster Digital Chat Station (translated from ********) posted alleged details of the Honor 300 series on Weibo. As per the *****, the upcoming lineup will feature 1.5K OLED screens, which is a nice improvement compared to the full HD+ screens in the previous models. They could run on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The tipster has not explicitly stated which model will use this chipset but the Pro model is expected to carry it. To recall, the Honor 200 has a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC under the hood, while the Honor 200 Pro boasts a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. Like its predecessors, the Honor 300 series is tipped to offer 100W wired charging and wireless charging support. The Pro variant could pack a 50-megapixel periscope sensor as well. The tipster says the presence of an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner has not been confirmed yet. The Honor 200 and Honor 200 Pro were unveiled in China in May this year. They were launched in India in July with an initial price tag of Rs. 34,999 for the Honor 200 and Rs. 57,999 for the Honor 200 Pro. They boast 50-megapixel triple rear cameras and 50-megapixel selfie shooters. They run on Android 14-based MagicOS 8.0. They are armed with a 5,200mAh battery with support for 100W wired fast charging. The Honor 200 has a 6.7-inch full-HD+ OLED curved display, while the Honor 200 Pro features a slightly larger 6.78-inch screen. The vanilla model runs on Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, while the Pro variant has a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Oppo Find N5 Launch Timeline Tipped Again; Key Features Surface Online Zomato’s New Food Rescue Feature Lets Users Grab Cancelled Orders at a Discount Source link #Honor #Pro #Tipped #Snapdragon #Gen #SoC #50Megapixel #Periscope #Telephoto #Camera Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Yannis Ritsos: The Greatest Greek Poet of His Time Yannis Ritsos: The Greatest Greek Poet of His Time Greek Poet Yannis Ritsos.” Credit: Museum of Cycladic Art When Yannis Ritsos passed away on November 11, 1990, the world of poetry lost one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. A prominent and prolific Greek poet with international appeal, Ritsos belonged to the so-called 1930s generation. Epitaphios, Romiosini and Moonlight Sonata are three of his best-known works. In 1975 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature. French poet Louis Aragon once said that Ritsos was “the greatest poet of our age.” When Ritsos won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1975, he said, “this prize is more important for me than the Nobel.” During his life, he wrote more than 100 poetry collections, nine novels, and four theatrical plays. He also wrote countless articles and translated other works. Early life of Yannis Ritsos Ritsos was born in Monemvasia on May 1, 1909. He was the youngest of the four children of rich landowning parents Eleftherios Ritsos and Eleftheria Vouzounara. The same year that he entered high school in Gytheion in 1921, he lost his mother and brother to tuberculosis. In 1924 he published his first poems in the magazine “Edification of Children” under the pseudonym “Ideal Vision.” In 1925 he finished high school and left for Athens with his sister Loula. Meanwhile, his father had become impoverished, and the poet was forced to work for a living, first as a typist and then as a copywriter at the National Bank of Greece. In 1926, he was also infected with tuberculosis and returned to Monemvasia until the fall of the same year, when he was enrolled at the Athens School of Law, without being able to attend. He continued to work as a librarian and as a writing assistant at the Athens Bar Association. In January 1927 he was hospitalized and spent three years at the Sotiria Sanatorium. While there he met several Marxists and intellectuals of his time and wrote several poems published in the Pyrsos Encyclopedia’s literary annex. In October 1931 Ritsos returned to Athens and assumed the direction of the artistic division of the Labor Club, where he directed and acted in plays. His health improved gradually, and so did his finances. In the following year, his father was admitted to Dafni Psychiatric Hospital, where he ***** in 1938. In 1933 Ritsos collaborated with the left-wing journal “Pioneers” and worked as an actor in a theater troupe. In 1934, he began writing articles for Rizospastis, the Greek ********** Party newspaper, and he also became a member of the party, to which he remained loyal until his ******. He published his first collection of poems called Tractor under the nickname Sostir (an anagram of his last name, meaning savior). In 1935 he released his second collection of poetry, entitled “Pyramids,” and was recruited as editor-in-chief of Govostis publications. The greatest poet of his time On May 9, 1936, a workers’ strike in Thessaloniki led to ******* riots. The following day, Ritsos saw a photo in Rizospastis showing a mother crying over her ***** son, who had been ******* by police in the riots. That episode was the inspiration for one of his most popular poems, Epitaphios, which had a publishing run of 10,000 copies. During the Ioannis Metaxas dictatorship (1936-1940) the last 250 copies were burned by the regime at the Columns of Olympian Zeus in central Athens. Exhibition photo, Tribute to the poet of Romiosini, Yannis Ritsos. Credit: Museum of Cycladic Art In 1937 he was hospitalized again at the Parnitha Sanatorium. At the same time, overwhelmed by the illness of his beloved sister Loula, he wrote “My Sister’s Song,” some of the most beautiful lyrics in modern Greek writing. In 1938 “Spring Symphony” was published and Ritsos was hired at the National Theater. Two years later, he was hired as a dancer at the National Opera. During the ******* Occupation, Ritsos was bedridden most of the time, but he participated in the educational activities of the National Liberation Front (EAM). After the defeat of the leftist Greek People’s Liberation Army (ELAS) in December 1944, he followed the guerrillas to Lamia, where he met their leader, Aris Velouchiotis. He then went to Kozani where he staged his play “Athens in Arms.” In 1945 he wrote “Romiosini” (“Greekness”), considered to be another of his masterpieces, to which Mikis Theodorakis composed the music for an opera in 1966. During the Civil War (1946-1949) he was exiled because of his leftist activities, first in Limnos (1948), then Makronisos (1949) and Agios Efstratios (1950-1951). In 1952 he returned to Athens and became a member of the ******* Democratic Left (EDA). In 1954 he married pediatrician Fillitsa Georgiadou of Samos and they had a daughter, Eri, in 1955. In 1956 he traveled to the ******* Union as a member of a delegation of intellectuals and journalists, and in the same year he was honored with the State Prize Award for “Moonlight Sonata.” When French poet and writer Louis Aragon (1897-1982) read it, he said he felt “the violent jolt of a genius” and determined that the creator was “the greatest poet of our time.” In 1960 Mikis Theodorakis wrote music for “Epitaphios,” marking the beginning of the time when Ritsos’ works became known to the general public. In 1962, Ritsos visited Romania and met with Nazim Hikmet, whose poetry he translated into Greek. He then went to Czechoslovakia where he completed the “Anthology of Poets of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the ******* Democratic Republic.” In 1964 he ran as a member of the EDA in the national election. The last years of the poetic genius When the coup d’état occurred on April 21, 1967, his friends advised the poet to hide, but he did not leave his home. He was arrested and detained at the Faliro Hippodrome and was later taken to the camp for political prisoners on Gyaros, later being transferred to Leros. In 1968 he was hospitalized in Agios Savvas in Athens and then sentenced to home arrest at his wife’s home on Samos. In 1970 he returned to Athens, but after his refusal to compromise with the regime he was again exiled to Samos until the end of the year. In 1973 he participated in the Polytechnio uprising. After the fall of the dictatorship in 1974, he spent most of his time in Athens, where he continued to write at a great pace. In 1975 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Thessaloniki and was honored with the Alfred de Vigny French poetry award. The following year he was awarded the Lenin Prize in Moscow. In the ensuing years, he gave lectures at various universities, including Birmingham (1978), Karl Marx of Leipzig (1984) and the University of Athens (1987). In 1986, he was awarded the UN Poetry for Peace Prize. Yannis Ritsos ***** on November 11, 1990, leaving behind 50 collections of unpublished poetry. He was ******* three days later in his hometown of Monemvasia. Source link #Yannis #Ritsos #Greatest #Greek #Poet #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Energy smart meter issues creating north-south divide Energy smart meter issues creating north-south divide BBC Smart meters enable people to monitor their electricity and gas use The way smart energy meters work in northern England and Scotland is causing issues for customers, BBC Panorama has been told. The body that represents energy companies, Energy ***, has confirmed for the first time there is a regional divide – because of the way meters send usage data back to suppliers. The technology used in the north can affect whether smart meters work properly – and could leave customers having to submit manual readings and receiving estimated bills. The issues have also been confirmed by meter engineers who have spoken to the BBC. In the Midlands, Wales and southern England, all meters use wireless cellular technology – similar to mobile phones – to send data to energy providers. If a signal is not strong enough, it can be boosted by an aerial. But in northern England and Scotland, meters instead rely on radio frequencies and no such fix is available. It is a legal requirement, the government says, for suppliers to make sure smart meters are working and it expects suppliers to “resolve all issues at a much faster pace”. The mass roll-out of smart meters began 12 years ago, with the goal of helping people save money on their bills, while lowering carbon emissions as part of the government’s net zero plan. By showing how much energy households are using, and how much it is costing, meters are intended to encourage people to use more energy at times of day when it is cheaper – because there is a surplus while most are in bed and factories are closed. As more energy comes from renewable sources, smart meters will form a vital part of a “smart grid”, allowing consumers’ demand for energy to match the available supply, minute-by-minute. Hartesh Battu says he has had six different smart meters and none of them have worked The cost of installing smart meters across Great Britain is estimated to be £13.5bn, according to the government. There are 36 million such devices in England, Wales and Scotland – but recent government figures show 3.5 million of them are not working properly. As a rule of thumb, smart meters in the northern region designed to connect to the radio signal have two small indicator lights on the communications hub, fitted to the top of the smart meter. The hubs fitted to smart meters in central and southern regions, receiving the cellular signal, usually have five of these indicator lights. Northern Ireland’s energy market is separate with its own rules and regulator – and a consultation on a proposed smart meter roll-out is taking place. Hartesh Battu, a doctor from Glasgow, has had six different smart meters, fitted by two energy suppliers, none of which have worked. “I just think it’s astonishingly bad in terms of the technology,” he told us. “I do feel like, ‘how could billions of pounds be spent on something so bad?’” He told the BBC he had wanted a smart meter so he could save energy on his bills and take advantage of a night-time rate that would make it cheaper to charge his electric car. His current energy supplier, Octopus Energy, told him the problem was down to signal issues in the area and may be because he lived “far up north” – reasoning that left him feeling deeply unimpressed. “I just thought that was a bit bonkers because I live in Glasgow, I’m hardly up in Shetland, I’m not rural at all.” When the mass roll-out started, the decision to use radio signals across northern England and Scotland – rather than the mobile technology further south – was because it was thought the signals would be able to travel far across the hills and mountains, reaching more rural communities more easily. But Energy *** admits there are problems regarding how the radio signals transmit. “There are issues in the north,” chief executive Dhara Vyas told us. She said there were “live conversations” within the industry about increasing the network range in the north of England and Scotland. This technological divide has been experienced by smart meter engineers who have spoken anonymously to Panorama. One engineer, “Ahmed” told us there were more problems in northern England and Scotland on average, adding that the technology further south was more up to date. “You can end up going to someone’s house at the bottom of a mountain in the north and the radio frequency can’t get through. But there could be a good 3G signal nearby and that could get through – the customer doesn’t know that,” he said. Another engineer, “Steve” working for a major energy supplier in Merseyside, who has experience of installing meters in homes on both sides of the regional divide, told us it was “far easier to complete a successful installation” in the south and Midlands where he could use the cellular network. The truth about smart meters Smart meters are supposed to make paying our energy bills easier and cheaper. But is that the whole story? Watch now on BBC iPlayer – or on BBC One on Monday 11 November at 20:00 (20:30 in Wales and Northern Ireland). The original roll-out of smart meters is a “textbook example of a project ********”, Sir Dieter Helm, a former government advisor on energy policy, told Panorama. He believes the Coalition government made several mistakes that led to the roll-out taking too long and costing too much money. The decision to divide the communications network in two was one such error, he says, which meant there “were bound to be problems and right from the word go”. Energy suppliers do not have direct control over the communication network – in both the north and south. Instead it is run by an organisation known as the Data Communications Company (DCC) and is operated by outsourcing company, Capita. Panorama contacted Dr Battu’s energy supplier, Octopus Energy, about the problems he was having with his meter. The company said the situation was “frustrating” because government regulations dictated it must use the radio-wave technology to provide a signal to Dr Battu’s meter – and that it was not permitted to access the local 3G signal instead. However, in what they described as “a highly unusual move”, Octopus told us that it had in fact decided to break the rules and fix his meter by connecting it to the mobile network. It added that “regulation has not moved with technology”. Meter engineer, “Alan”, agrees with Octopus that the rules are too rigid. When he encounters problems in the north with radio-wave technology, especially in built up areas, he says he wishes he could access the cellular network. “It shouldn’t be an either-or. We should be able to use both.” Capita told the BBC it advised energy suppliers against using alternative technological solutions, because that would mean there was no contractual or consumer protection for the meter user to ensure service was maintained or problems addressed. It said the network it runs provides 99.3% coverage across Great Britain, adding that it was “fully committed to resolving connection issues”. In a statement it added: “The DCC is actively working with government to provide a future-proof 4G technology solution for the whole of Britain.” Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis says someone has to make the smart meter system work Most energy users pay a little bit extra on their bills towards the cost of installing and fixing smart meters. That is supposed to be offset by the savings they could make and the environmental benefits. And the latest figures show that nine in 10 smart meters are working fine. But a recent survey by Citizens’ Advice suggests one in five households have had to regularly send manual meter readings because their smart meters haven’t worked properly. Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis told the BBC he was supportive of the concept of smart meters, but the reality had not matched up. “I find it incredibly frustrating how bad the roll-out has been, it has taken far too long, it has cost billions. All our bills are higher because of it, and we haven’t yet reaped the benefit because it hasn’t been done right. Somebody needs to grab the bull by the horns and make the smart meter system finally work.” The government told Panorama that “while over 90% of smart meters are operating normally’’ the number not working properly was “still too high” and, as a result, “many households are missing out on cheaper, flexible tariffs”. It also said that a recent customer experience survey by Ofgem “found no statistically significant differences” in the proportion of customers reporting that their meter was not sending readings to their suppliers for areas in, or predominantly in, the north. Most experts agree smart meters can help to deliver lower bills and lower carbon emissions. But if the tech problems continue, that could put people off having them and undermine the government’s goal of getting them into every home. Source link #Energy #smart #meter #issues #creating #northsouth #divide Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zomato’s New Food Rescue Feature Lets Users Grab Cancelled Orders at a Discount Zomato’s New Food Rescue Feature Lets Users Grab Cancelled Orders at a Discount Zomato has rolled out a new feature for users in India which aims to minimise food wastage caused by cancelled orders. The feature, dubbed Food Rescue, lets users grab orders cancelled by others from nearby restaurants at discounted prices for a limited time. The food delivery platform says orders will be received by customers in a short time and in their untampered packaging. However, only select food items will be eligible for this service, with items such as ice-creams or shakes excluded. Zomato’s Food Rescue Feature In a blog post, Zomato announced that recently cancelled orders will be visible to customers on the app within a 3-kilometre radius of the delivery partner. The orders will be available to claim for only a few minutes and the original customers, as well as those in their immediate vicinity, will not be able to grab their respective orders. If the payment for the cancelled order has already been made online, the amount paid by the new customer will be shared with them and the restaurant partner. Zomato says the platform will only keep the required government taxes from the fee. As per the food delivery platform, 99.9 percent of its restaurant partners wish to sign up for this initiative. With Food Rescue, they will not only receive compensation for the cancelled order but also a small share of the amount paid by the customer who has grabbed it. Furthermore, delivery partners will also be compensated fully for the entire trip, Zomato says. To minimise the misuse of this feature, the original customer will continue to have to pay a cancellation fee to cancel the order; 100 percent of the total amount. Zomato confirms that items sensitive to distances or temperatures, such as ice creams, shakes, smoothies, and other perishable items, will not be eligible for this initiative. It also emphasizes that customers who prefer vegetarian food will not see non-vegetarian orders. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Oppo Find N5 Launch Timeline Tipped Again; Key Features Surface Online Source link #Zomatos #Food #Rescue #Feature #Lets #Users #Grab #Cancelled #Orders #Discount Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Does the Economic Modern Family Say Now? What Does the Economic Modern Family Say Now? Considering where the Economic Modern Family was just a few weeks ago, clearly, euphoria has spread since the election. There are though, key levels to watch, not to mention a couple of Family members that look good but not quite as euphoric as the , and behaved since last Tuesday. The Fed lowered rates as well this week. We will look at the long bonds and what might have been a key reversal. What does that mean for the Family? NOTE: Weekly charts except for TLT and BTC/USD, both Daily charts Beginning with what I still consider to be the Empress if you will, of everything going forward, Granny looks poised. Nonetheless, we have learned to wait for the evidence rather than anticipate and act too fast. The 10-month consolidation and trading range breaks out over 80.00. XRT did close on a new weekly high this past week, surpassing the closing level the last week of March 2024. And that was the top, hence patience still please. But, with a rate drop, new administration, the promise of “fixing” the economy, it is the consumer that must buy (literally and figuratively), into the promises. (Incidentally, I suggest you listen to my recent media appearances-links below- as I talk a lot about the consumer, rates, tariffs, tax cuts, inflation, stagflation, reshoring, etc.) So, for now, XRT over 80 is my main focus. As for Granddad (), the look is a bit different. On new 2024 highs, IWM is not quite clear of the all-time high made in 2021. However, I am less concerned about that and way more concerned about XRT and what that does in the coming days and weeks. I still find intriguing. With a new weekly close high for 2024 (and highest close since 2022), IBB looks great after 4 and ½ months of consolidating. , also looks amazing. Sister is strong and never really weakened to any disturbing point. Even so, 260 ******** the level to clear and the whole chip space is hardly my first choice, or even 2nd or 3rd as far as the next member of the Family to rally. Before we finish the rest of the Family, a word on long bonds. After the September rate cut, the long bonds reacted initially well, and then proceeded to sell off as yields rose. Now, after this week’s rate cut, yields softened again and the left a reversal bottoming pattern. While the Real Motion momentum is nothing to write home about and the performance versus the benchmark ******** risk on for the market, should yields soften more, it could be helpful to XRT, IWM and IBB. So, keep watching. As far as the rest of the Family As we have predicted, after the 4-year halving, rallies late October. And so, it has. Is it because of Trump? That didn’t hurt. Yet I believed this would happen regardless. If 74k holds, we are looking at 90k next target. Circling back to the next member, , told us before anyone else that this rally was coming when the price plowed above 71.00. The good ole Dow theory. So now, IYT is on new all-time highs and while other Family members have yet to get there, we cannot be bearish with a strong transportation sector. Finally, my favorite character in the Family, or our Prodigal Son. I purposely condensed the chart to show you the action from March 2023, when KRE crashed. KRE is back to the scene of the ****** at the 65 level. Above there, we see 75 area as the next resistance. Now, can the whole kit and kaboodle fall apart? Of course. But there will be signs. Here are the top 5 An island top or huge reversal day on high volume in any of the outperformers One sector (most likely Granny) will fail to take out the range high and reverse. Yields scream higher again CPI (this coming week) comes in way hotter than expected Full scale war-unlikely but has to be mentioned Nevertheless, for now, all systems are go and you have a blueprint to follow for this week. ETF Summary (Pivotal means short-term bullish above that level and bearish below) S&P 500 (SPY) 610 here we come Russell 2000 (IWM) 227 support 244 the area to clear Dow (DIA (BME:)) Another new all-time high Nasdaq (QQQ) 500 support 530 resistance Regional banks (KRE) 65 pivotal Semiconductors (SMH) 260 pivotal Transportation (IYT) 71 now key to hold Biotechnology (IBB) Looks strong-especially now over 147-150 next level Retail (XRT) 76 support 80 to clear iShares iBoxx Hi Yd Cor Bond ETF (HYG) 79.50 pivotal Source link #Economic #Modern #Family Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Catfish ******* used my photo as bait for others – victim Catfish ******* used my photo as bait for others – victim PSNI Alexander McCartney is one of the world’s most prolific online **** offenders Warning: This story contains distressing details relating to extreme child ****** and ********. A teenager blackmailed into sending explicit images to catfish ******* Alexander McCartney has told of her anger that he used her photograph to trap other young ******. Emily (not her real name) was targeted by McCartney in 2018. At the time she was 14 and living in Oregon, in the US. “I had sent ***** photos with my face in them,” she said. “That’s how it started.” McCartney, one of the world’s most prolific online **** offenders, was jailed for at least 20 years in October. Emily is among three of his young victims to have spoken to the makers of a BBC Three documentary Teen Predator/Online *******. McCartney pleaded guilty to a litany of child **** offences and the manslaughter of 12-year-old Cimarron Thomas, who took her own life minutes after an online chat with him in 2018. More than 3,500 victims were identified in Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the US as well as the ***. McCartney, who is from Northern Ireland, posed as a teenage girl called Chloe to trick Emily and others into sending photographs. He would then use a pre-typed message to reveal himself as an online predator. “My heart dropped out of my chest,” said Emily. “And I just felt my whole world collapsing around me. It was very scary.” Family handout Cimarron Thomas, 12, lived in West Virginia but was abused by McCartney from a room in Northern Ireland Despite the scale and breadth of McCartney’s offending only four children went to the police. Emily did not tell anyone about her ****** until she was contacted by US Homeland Security in 2021. “It tore some of my innocence out sending those photos,” she added. She also felt trapped, paranoid and was living in ***** of encountering “Chloe” face-to-face. “I don’t remember the timeline. I just remember it ended,” she said. “I never knew if they’d contact me again or if they knew where I lived.” McCartney created a profile on Snapchat using Emily’s picture. “He used my image to catfish other ******. And that does make me ******,” she said. ‘Beyond the realms of my head space’ Exclusive footage from McCartney’s police interviews has also been made public for the first time. It shows him slumped over the desk and with his head in his hands – a stance he also adopted during recent court proceedings. He replied “no comment” to almost all questions. Det Sgt Neil McInnes of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), who led the investigation, revealed how McCartney’s phones and computers contained “page after page” of photographs showing young ****** in various states of undress “doing all different things to themselves”. Some 232,000 images were found on just one device. “The first download shows me the largest number of first generation images to be captured on a device, certainly within the ***, potentially worldwide,” he said. “It’s beyond the realms of my head space. It’s huge.” Teen Predator/Online ******* – BBC iPlayer Neil McInnes led the investigation The documentary details how the PSNI worked with law enforcement agencies abroad to bring McCartney to justice. “Ivy”, from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, told police there what had happened after her cousin came to her aid. She told the documentary-makers how McCartney entrapped her when she was 12 and at a vulnerable point in her life. “I was very much a nerd,” she explained. “The type of **** that would remind the teacher we had homework. It was hard making friends. “Everyone had started getting into crushes and relationships but I had never experienced anything to do with that. So I felt pressured to start figuring things out. “A girl added me on Snapchat – someone my age.” She described how she felt “weirded out and flattered at the same time”. After receiving pictures, she sent “a very tame ******* image, and that’s when everything switched”. When McCartney began to blackmail her, she was “confused and scared and in disbelief” and “didn’t know what else to do but comply”. ‘Bit of a loner and a weirdo’ McCartney began committing his ******* when he was a teenager at school, and continued when he went to university to study computer science. One of McCartney’s former friends, Lee, recounted how McCartney was “super-interested” in computers and “always figuring stuff out”. “I didn’t give it a second thought. But definitely, looking back at it – you think you know who somebody is, and you don’t,” he said. “To people outside our friendship group, he could have been seen as a bit of a loner and a weirdo. “It’s very easy to profile what a predator is like. But he wasn’t like that when he was with us.” Lee said the shock of learning what McCartney had done has had a profound effect on him. He said he looked back “at every little interaction I had with him, racking my head about it”. “I’m sure everybody else who knew him has done the same,” he added. “I hate everything about this situation. It’s a nightmare to think about and I’m just glad nobody else is going to get hurt.” Detectives, prosecutors and victims told the documentary-makers how important it was that anyone suffering online ****** should feel able to report it. “Violet”, from Virginia Beach in the US, came forward to a police officer based in her school. She said she thought that catfishing was “such a light term for this situation”. “To me, being catfished means you are on a Tinder profile and your pictures look different to what you look like in real life,” she said. “That is not what this was. I reported him (McCartney) and he got caught.” She wanted to encourage other victims to speak out “because you never know the magnitude of what you are dealing with”. Ivy, from New Zealand, said: “There are definitely too many ****** who have been through something similar to what I have been through and have just never spoken up. “Talking about it definitely helps. “I like who I am nowadays.” Teen Predator/Online ******* is available on BBC iPlayer. It is a co-commission for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three by DoubleBand Films. If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support. Source link #Catfish #******* #photo #bait #victim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oppo Find N5 Launch Timeline Tipped Again; Key Features Surface Online Oppo Find N5 Launch Timeline Tipped Again; Key Features Surface Online Oppo Find N5 is expected to arrive soon as a successor to the Oppo Find N3, which was unveiled in October 2023. The purported book-style foldable has started doing rounds of the rumour mill. A tipster has hinted at the expected launch timeline of the smartphone alongside some of its key features. The handset is expected to launch in select global markets as the OnePlus Open 2 since the OnePlus Open model was a rebranded version of the Find N3. Oppo Find N5 Launch Timeline (Expected) The Oppo Find N5 is expected to launch in the first half of 2025, that is between January and June, according to a Weibo post by tipster Smart Pikachu. An earlier ***** claimed that the phone may arrive in the market by the first quarter of 2025. The preceding Oppo Find N3 was introduced in October 2023. Oppo Find N5 Features (Expected) As per the tipster, the Oppo Find N5 will likely come with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The handset is expected to carry a 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit placed inside a circular module. It is expected to support wireless magnetic charging and adds that the phone will likely be “compatible with Apple ecology.” This could suggest a MagSafe type of charging solution. The Oppo Find N5 is expected to get a thinner and lighter build than the Oppo Find N3 as well as an “enhanced metal texture.” It was earlier tipped to come with “record-breaking” thinness of around 9.xmm. Notably, the glass back version of the preceding Oppo Find N3 measured about 11.7mm in thickness, while the leather edition measured about 11.9mm. Previous leaks suggested that the Oppo Find N5 will get 2K resolution displays and a 50-megapixel Sony primary sensor. Alongside a waterproof build, the handset is expected to get an alert slider as well. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. iPhone 16 Plus Survives Durability Test, Shows Better Scratch Resistance Compared to Other Phones Source link #Oppo #Find #Launch #Timeline #Tipped #Key #Features #Surface #Online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jack Robinson crowned WA male Surfer of the Year as Olympic performance rewarded Jack Robinson crowned WA male Surfer of the Year as Olympic performance rewarded Jack Robinson lifting *********** surfing to new Olympic heights has seen the Margaret River local crowned as WA’s male Surfer of the Year. Robinson was acknowledged at the WA Surfers of the Year Awards with the 26-year-old winning both the Ian Cairns Male Surfer of the Year and Mike McAuliffe Performer of the Year awards. He had an incredible season winning two World Surf League Tour events including a dream home title at the Margaret River Pro and Hawaii’s Sunset Beach. His performances saw him qualify for a third consecutive World Surf League Finals where he finished as the fourth-ranked surfer in the world. However, the high point of his year was no doubt in Tahiti where he took home the silver medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Australia’s best-ever result in surfing, which saw him claim both coveted awards. “It’s amazing, I’m super grateful,” Robinson said. “You know, it’s where I grew up, and I know a lot of people say that, but I feel it when I come back here. It really grounds me every time I come home; I never forget it. So cool to see all the talent and everyone showing up here today.” Camera IconSilver Medalist Jack Robinson of Team Australia poses on the podium. Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane praised Robinson for setting new benchmarks. “Jack’s success is an inspiration to surfers everywhere, especially here in Western Australia,” Lane said. “He’s not only an outstanding competitor but also a role model for the next generation of surfers coming through. His dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship set a new standard for excellence in our sport.” Margaret River teenager Willow Hardy won the Jodie Cooper Female Surfer of the Year Award, after the 18-year-old helped Australia to Gold at the ISA World Junior Championships and currently sits second in the World Surf League Qualifying Series. Young **** Ruby Berry, also from Margaret River, won the Murray Smith Junior Surfer of the Year for winning two 10,000-rated events and is currently the top ranked under 18’s prospect in the country. Source link #Jack #Robinson #crowned #male #Surfer #Year #Olympic #performance #rewarded Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

East Tzoumerka: A Green Sanctuary in the Pindos Mountains East Tzoumerka: A Green Sanctuary in the Pindos Mountains As I wander through the rugged mountains of Greece, my thoughts drift to the growing debate over overtourism and its often detrimental effects, a conversation that has gained momentum in recent years. It strikes me that the less “developed” a destination is—untouched by the heavy hand of mass tourism—the more genuine its hospitality and the richer the experiences it offers. East Tzoumerka epitomizes this rare charm. This secluded corner of Greece demands a long, challenging journey, no matter where your adventure begins. Yet, for those in search of tranquility and reflection amidst breathtaking, mountainous vistas, East Tzoumerka extends a warm welcome, promising a retreat into nature’s embrace. Theodoriana from above – drone shot. Theodoriana from above – drone shot. Administrative borders here often follow the natural divides carved by mountain ridges and rivers. Within the broader region of East Tzoumerka, you’ll find villages with rich history, natural beauty, and plenty to see, taste, and experience, all within close reach of each other. Villages like Neraida, Lafina, Koryfi (also known as Kapro), Skarpari, and Glistra embody a simplicity and depth rarely found elsewhere. Standing on the western bank of the Acheloos River across from the village of Koryfi, one might wonder why it belongs administratively to Trikala and Kalambaka rather than its more “natural” home in the Athamanika Mountains and the municipality of Central Tzoumerka. All these villages share one defining feature: the Acheloos River. The continuous flow of Greece’s most significant river creates a unique microclimate that has multiple benefits for the surrounding land and life. The hanging footbridge over the Acheloos River. The hanging footbridge over the Acheloos River. The Souda twin waterfalls. The Souda twin waterfalls. Unique Nature Experiences in East Tzoumerka In East Tzoumerka, you’ll encounter experiences that bring you closer to nature, such as crossing the Acheloos River via the hanging footbridge west of Glistra (and taking care while doing so). Here, you can immerse yourself in the icy waters of the Acheloos at the natural beach beside the bridge. You’ll also see the massive, controversial Acheloos diversion project from Mesochora to the Glistra hydroelectric station, one of many undertakings that have had an unfortunate impact on the Acheloos ecosystem. You’ll taste delicious meats in Kapro and savor fresh trout at Petrino. And prepare to be captivated by the twin Souda waterfalls, which are accessible via a nearby trail from Theodoriana. Equally breathtaking are the waterfalls and natural pools along the Marks stream. Here, you’ll find hiking and climbing trails of various difficulty levels, such as the path to Katafidi—the highest peak of Tzoumerka at 2,393 meters—the challenging, scenic ascent to Kryakoura peak (2,150 meters), and the trail along Marks stream, which is currently being extended to include a small Via Ferrata section. Pinakouli peak at sunrise. Pinakouli peak at sunrise. The trails around Theodoriana go through a lush, forested landscape with dozens of cool springs, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 25-30°C. The dense forest cover reaches its natural boundary at 1,700-1,800 meters, giving way to an impressive subalpine and alpine terrain. Here, you’ll find grass-filled plateaus like Pano and Kato Kostilata, numerous springs, unique geological formations, and sharp mountain ridges with panoramic views across the Pindos range, the Ambracian Gulf, and the plains of Arta. The refuge with the mountains of Central Pindos in the background. The refuge with the mountains of Central Pindos in the background. Accommodation and Warm Hospitality in East Tzoumerka Though lodging options are few in East Tzoumerka, you’ll find authentic places to stay that add to the whole experience. The Stavros Refuge, located high above Theodoriana and catering mostly to hikers and mountaineers, is a great choice. The view of the surrounding peaks is breathtaking, but after it rains, it becomes truly magical—almost dreamlike. Sunrise and sunset have their own magic, casting the lofty summits of Tzoumerka, Kryakoura, and the distant central Pindos in colors that seem to belong to another world. Theodoriana (center-bottom) and Kryakoura (the distant mountain) as seen from Stavros Refuge. Theodoriana (center-bottom) and Kryakoura (the distant mountain) as seen from Stavros Refuge. The management of the refuge recently converted a smaller outbuilding into a charming wooden guesthouse, complete with a loft and a wood-burning stove. Mornings here are unforgettable: a warm coffee on the eastern-facing glass terrace fills you with a sense of peace and belonging. And the hospitality of managers Sakis and Georgia is beyond words—best experienced firsthand, with laughter, song, and local meats expertly slow-cooked over an open *****. Their friendliness extends far beyond their accommodations, as they work tirelessly to keep trails clear and create new paths for visitors to explore. East Tzoumerka and Theodoriana see fewer visitors than the northern or western regions, making them a hidden gem for anyone looking for a destination that truly values their presence. Time spent here is richly rewarding. In 2009, Lefteris Tsouris and his colleague Vyron Giannakopoulos founded Geopsis, a company dedicated to mapping and improving the trails of Greece’s mountain regions. Discover all these trails and sights on the Geopsis digital map of Central Pindos: Geopsis Map Source link #East #Tzoumerka #Green #Sanctuary #Pindos #Mountains Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

East Tzoumerka: A Green Sanctuary in the Pindos Mountains East Tzoumerka: A Green Sanctuary in the Pindos Mountains As I wander through the rugged mountains of Greece, my thoughts drift to the growing debate over overtourism and its often detrimental effects, a conversation that has gained momentum in recent years. It strikes me that the less “developed” a destination is—untouched by the heavy hand of mass tourism—the more genuine its hospitality and the richer the experiences it offers. East Tzoumerka epitomizes this rare charm. This secluded corner of Greece demands a long, challenging journey, no matter where your adventure begins. Yet, for those in search of tranquility and reflection amidst breathtaking, mountainous vistas, East Tzoumerka extends a warm welcome, promising a retreat into nature’s embrace. Theodoriana from above – drone shot. Theodoriana from above – drone shot. Administrative borders here often follow the natural divides carved by mountain ridges and rivers. Within the broader region of East Tzoumerka, you’ll find villages with rich history, natural beauty, and plenty to see, taste, and experience, all within close reach of each other. Villages like Neraida, Lafina, Koryfi (also known as Kapro), Skarpari, and Glistra embody a simplicity and depth rarely found elsewhere. Standing on the western bank of the Acheloos River across from the village of Koryfi, one might wonder why it belongs administratively to Trikala and Kalambaka rather than its more “natural” home in the Athamanika Mountains and the municipality of Central Tzoumerka. All these villages share one defining feature: the Acheloos River. The continuous flow of Greece’s most significant river creates a unique microclimate that has multiple benefits for the surrounding land and life. The hanging footbridge over the Acheloos River. The hanging footbridge over the Acheloos River. The Souda twin waterfalls. The Souda twin waterfalls. Unique Nature Experiences in East Tzoumerka In East Tzoumerka, you’ll encounter experiences that bring you closer to nature, such as crossing the Acheloos River via the hanging footbridge west of Glistra (and taking care while doing so). Here, you can immerse yourself in the icy waters of the Acheloos at the natural beach beside the bridge. You’ll also see the massive, controversial Acheloos diversion project from Mesochora to the Glistra hydroelectric station, one of many undertakings that have had an unfortunate impact on the Acheloos ecosystem. You’ll taste delicious meats in Kapro and savor fresh trout at Petrino. And prepare to be captivated by the twin Souda waterfalls, which are accessible via a nearby trail from Theodoriana. Equally breathtaking are the waterfalls and natural pools along the Marks stream. Here, you’ll find hiking and climbing trails of various difficulty levels, such as the path to Katafidi—the highest peak of Tzoumerka at 2,393 meters—the challenging, scenic ascent to Kryakoura peak (2,150 meters), and the trail along Marks stream, which is currently being extended to include a small Via Ferrata section. Pinakouli peak at sunrise. Pinakouli peak at sunrise. The trails around Theodoriana go through a lush, forested landscape with dozens of cool springs, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 25-30°C. The dense forest cover reaches its natural boundary at 1,700-1,800 meters, giving way to an impressive subalpine and alpine terrain. Here, you’ll find grass-filled plateaus like Pano and Kato Kostilata, numerous springs, unique geological formations, and sharp mountain ridges with panoramic views across the Pindos range, the Ambracian Gulf, and the plains of Arta. The refuge with the mountains of Central Pindos in the background. The refuge with the mountains of Central Pindos in the background. Accommodation and Warm Hospitality in East Tzoumerka Though lodging options are few in East Tzoumerka, you’ll find authentic places to stay that add to the whole experience. The Stavros Refuge, located high above Theodoriana and catering mostly to hikers and mountaineers, is a great choice. The view of the surrounding peaks is breathtaking, but after it rains, it becomes truly magical—almost dreamlike. Sunrise and sunset have their own magic, casting the lofty summits of Tzoumerka, Kryakoura, and the distant central Pindos in colors that seem to belong to another world. Theodoriana (center-bottom) and Kryakoura (the distant mountain) as seen from Stavros Refuge. Theodoriana (center-bottom) and Kryakoura (the distant mountain) as seen from Stavros Refuge. The management of the refuge recently converted a smaller outbuilding into a charming wooden guesthouse, complete with a loft and a wood-burning stove. Mornings here are unforgettable: a warm coffee on the eastern-facing glass terrace fills you with a sense of peace and belonging. And the hospitality of managers Sakis and Georgia is beyond words—best experienced firsthand, with laughter, song, and local meats expertly slow-cooked over an open *****. Their friendliness extends far beyond their accommodations, as they work tirelessly to keep trails clear and create new paths for visitors to explore. East Tzoumerka and Theodoriana see fewer visitors than the northern or western regions, making them a hidden gem for anyone looking for a destination that truly values their presence. Time spent here is richly rewarding. In 2009, Lefteris Tsouris and his colleague Vyron Giannakopoulos founded Geopsis, a company dedicated to mapping and improving the trails of Greece’s mountain regions. Discover all these trails and sights on the Geopsis digital map of Central Pindos: Geopsis Map Source link #East #Tzoumerka #Green #Sanctuary #Pindos #Mountains Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier Bangkok (AP) — China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship, in the clearest sign yet Beijing is advancing toward producing the country’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to a new analysis of satellite imagery and ******** government documents provided to The Associated Press. There have long been rumors that China is planning to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, but the research by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California is the first to confirm it is working on a nuclear-powered propulsion system for a carrier-sized surface warship. Why is China’s pursuit of nuclear-powered carriers significant? China’s navy is already the world’s largest numerically, and it has been rapidly modernizing. Adding nuclear-powered carriers to its fleet would be a major step in realizing its ambitions for a true “blue-water” force capable of operating around the globe in a growing challenge to the ******* States. Nuclear carriers take longer to build than conventional carriers, but once in operation they are able to stay at sea for much longer because they do not need to refuel, and there is more room on board for fuel and weapons for aircraft, thus extending their capabilities. They are also able to produce more power to run advanced systems. Right now, only the ******* States and France have nuclear-powered carriers. The U.S. has 11 in total, which allows it to keep multiple strike groups deployed around the world at all times, including in the Indo-Pacific. But the Pentagon is growingly increasingly concerned about China’s rapid modernization of its fleet, including the design and construction of new carriers. China currently has three carriers, including the new Type 003 Fujian, which was the first both designed and built by China. It has said work is already underway on a fourth, but it has not announced whether that will be nuclear or conventionally powered. The modernization aligns with China’s “growing emphasis on the maritime domain and increasing demands” for its navy “to operate at greater distances from mainland China,” the Defense Department said in its most recent report to Congress on China’s military. How did researchers conclude China has built a prototype reactor for a carrier? Middlebury researchers were initially investigating a mountain site outside the city of Leshan in the southwest ******** province of Sichuan over suspicions that China was building a reactor to produce plutonium or tritium for weapons. Instead they said they determined that China was building a prototype reactor for a large warship. The conclusion was based upon a wide variety of sources, including satellite images, project tenders, personnel files, and environmental impact studies. The reactor is housed in a new facility built at the site known as Base 909, which is under the control of the Nuclear Power Institute of China. Documents indicating that China’s 701 Institute, which is responsible for aircraft carrier development, procured reactor equipment “intended for installation on a large surface warship.” as well as the project’s “national defense designation” helped lead to the conclusion the sizeable reactor is a prototype for a next-generation aircraft carrier. What does China say? ******** President Xi Jinping has tasked defense officials with building a “first-class” navy and becoming a maritime power as part of his blueprint for the country’s great rejuvenation. The country’s most recent white paper on national defense, dated 2019, said the ******** navy was adjusting to strategic requirements by “speeding up the transition of its tasks from defense on the near seas to protection missions on the far seas.” Sea trials hadn’t even started for the new Fujian aircraft carrier in March when Yuan Huazhi, political commissar for China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy, confirmed the construction of a fourth carrier. Asked if it would be nuclear-powered, he said at the time that would “soon be announced,” but so far it has not been. Neither China’s Defense Ministry nor Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to requests for comment. Even if the carrier that has been started will likely be another conventionally-powered Type 003 ship, experts say ******** shipyards have the capability to work on more than one carrier at a time, and that they could produce a new nuclear-powered vessel concurrently. ___ ***** reported from Washington D.C. Source link #Research #reveals #China #built #prototype #nuclear #reactor #power #aircraft #carrier Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former NSW minister Ian McDonald loses appeal over jail sentence for corrupt mine deal Former NSW minister Ian McDonald loses appeal over jail sentence for corrupt mine deal A former NSW Labor minister jailed for corruptly awarding a mining exploration licence to a company chaired by former union boss John Maitland has ******* in his bid to have the conviction overturned. Ian McDonald was sentenced to 14 years in prison with a non-parole ******* of 10 years in 2022, after a judge found there was a high degree of criminality involved in issuing the Doyles Creek mine licence. Maitland, former chairman of Doyles Creek Mining, was acquitted and cleared of all allegations he had been an accessory to the ********* misconduct after both men were granted a retrial by an appeals court in 2019. McDonald appealed his conviction and sentence on seven grounds, including claims the judge had erred in conflating purpose and motive and that his assessment of seriousness was “manifestly excessive”. In their judgment handed down on Monday morning, Justices Leeming, Mitchelmore and Garling ruled that while leave was granted in respect of some of the grounds for appeal, they would ultimately dismiss it. Camera IconFormer Labor MP Ian Macdonald was jailed over the corrupt mining licence. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia “The verdict was not unreasonable in circumstances where the Department advised against the proposal,” the justices said. “The terms on which the licence was granted were considerably more unfavourable to the State of NSW than comparable licences in the same region. “Mr Macdonald knew there was competing interest in exploring the Jerrys Plains area, and there was evidence he had acted with unusual haste in granting the licence.” The justices said it was not enough for MacDonald to show one of the factors relied upon was erroneous for the conclusion to be set aside, but that it had “deprived him of a reasonable possibility of acquittal”. McDonald was serving as Mineral Resources Minister when in 2008 he exercised his powers under the Mining Act to grant an exploration licence to Doyles Creek Mining over the Jerrys Plain coalfields. The allocation was given to DCM without going to tender, with the primary judge finding the “driving force” behind the decision was the “improper purpose of benefiting DCM and its director, Mr Maitland”. Camera IconMacDonald claimed the judge had erred in his ruling. NewsWire / Dylan Coker Credit: News Corp Australia McDonald and Mr Maitland stood trial and were convicted of the offences in 2019, but returned to court in 2022 for a judge-alone retrial after the appeals court ruled against the original judge’s findings. The appeals court overturned the convictions because of a misdirection as to the elements of the offence; two grounds of MacDonald’s most recent appeal – those not granted – made the same argument. In terms of MacDonald’s sentence, the justices ruled that while it “was not lenient” and that he had little prospect of reoffending, it was not so “out of the range” as to conclude the judge had erred. Source link #NSW #minister #Ian #McDonald #loses #appeal #jail #sentence #corrupt #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]