Pelican Press

*********** forces land in Indonesia for ****** exercises *********** forces land in Indonesia for ****** exercises Members of the *********** Defence Force (ADF) have arrived In Indonesia, with their warship docking at Banyuwangi in East Java for a ****** military exercise involving 2000 personnel from both countries. The Keris Woomera Exercise is the largest combined ****** activity by the two countries’ military under the Australia-Indonesia Defence Co-operation Agreement. “What we aim to do is simply increase co-operation with our neighbours, to increase our prosperity and security to share co-operation with our neighbours,” Commander of the *********** Amphibious Task Force Captain Chris Doherty told reporters. Commander Doherty said both parties would practice a ****** landing operation, live ***** and a non-combat evacuation used for a disaster. The exercise in Indonesia will take place from Wednesday to Saturday after it was opened in Darwin, Australia, on November 3. Indonesia has held military exercises with other countries, including one with the Naval forces of Russia on November 4 in the Java Sea near Surabaya, east of the capital Jakarta. Source link #*********** #forces #land #Indonesia #****** #exercises Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shigeru Miyamoto explains Nintendos yearly new hire talk Shigeru Miyamoto explains Nintendos yearly new hire talk Nintendos iconic developer Shigeru Miyamoto gives a talk to new employees each year to appraise them of the companys values and what it takes to create excellent video games. Source link #Shigeru #Miyamoto #explains #Nintendos #yearly #hire #talk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge says New York can’t use ‘antiquated, unconstitutional’ law to block migrant buses from Texas Judge says New York can’t use ‘antiquated, unconstitutional’ law to block migrant buses from Texas NEW YORK (AP) — New York City can’t use an unconstitutional, two-century-old “anti-pauper” law to block the state of Texas from offering migrants free bus rides to the city from the southern border, a state judge has ruled. The court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by Mayor Eric Adams in January against charter bus companies contracted by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. It sought to bar them from knowingly dropping off “needy persons,” citing an 1817 state law that criminalized bringing an indigent person into the state “for the purpose of making him a public charge.” Justice Mary Rosado said in a sternly worded decision that the law is unconstitutional for several reasons. For one, she wrote, states are not permitted to regulate the interstate transportation of people based on their economic status. The statute also “violates a fundamental right — the right to travel,” she added. Rosado said requiring bus operators to screen passengers based on the possibility that they may need public assistance when they get to their destination would infringe on that fundamental right, and punishing the bus companies for failing to keep poor people out of the city would be improper. The judge concluded by saying that if city officials want to do something, they should turn to Congress rather than ask the court to enforce “an antiquated, unconstitutional statute to infringe on an individual’s right to enter New York based on economic status.” Starting in 2022, the state of Texas began offering migrants free bus rides to cities with Democratic mayors. At least 46,000 were sent to New York, 19,000 to Denver, 37,000 to Chicago and over 17,000 to other cities, according to Abbott’s office. At the time, Adams, a Democrat, said the trips were ******** and amounted to “political ploys from the state of Texas.” It would have been difficult for New York City to sue Texas due to a legal doctrine known as sovereign immunity, so it went after the private charter companies instead. Despite the court loss, the Adams administration said the lawsuit has had its desired effect: Fewer charter buses brought immigrants to the city after it was filed, and none have been identified since June, according to a statement from his office. Adams has not given up on further action, either. “We are reviewing our legal options to address the costs shifted to New York City as a result of the Texas busing scheme,” mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia said in a statement. The New York Civil Liberties Union applauded the court’s decision. “Mayor Adams is not above the law and cannot keep wrongly exploiting the plight of newly arrived immigrants to bolster his own political agenda,” NYCLU senior staff lawyer Beth Haroules said. “Everyone, regardless of their citizenship status or income, has the right to freely travel and reside anywhere within the ******* States.” Abbot said during one visit to New York City that Adams was right to be upset about the surge in migrants but should be blaming President Joe Biden. Adams ultimately did criticize the federal government, saying it had an obligation to help the city pay for housing and providing services to migrants. New York has long provided shelter to more homeless people than any other U.S. city, in part because of a 1981 court ruling requiring it to shelter anyone who asks for it. City officials say they have provided shelter and other services to more than 200,000 immigrants in the past two years, only a fraction of whom arrived via Texas-sponsored buses. As the new arrivals swelled, New York and other cities ended up following Abbott’s lead, offering migrants free bus tickets to other places. New York paid over 4,800 fares for immigrants to travel to Texas, including some who had been bused from there, according to city officials. Source link #Judge #York #antiquated #unconstitutional #law #block #migrant #buses #Texas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These ‘Trump trades’ are on a roll and analysts see more gains ahead These ‘Trump trades’ are on a roll and analysts see more gains ahead Some stocks may be poised for more upside after President-elect Donald Trump’s White House victory. Since Trump’s win, the market has already seen some major gains. In fact, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S & P 500 posted all-time intraday highs during Friday’s trading session, with the blue-chip index topping 44,000 and the broad market index hitting 6,000 for the first time. Stocks in various sectors considered to be beneficiaries also saw gains in the wake of the election, with key names ranging from those in industrials to banks and energy. Those sectors in particular had several winners in the rally following Trump’s 2016 win , and analysts believe gains may likewise be in store this time around – especially for energy. “Based on different approaches to the Energy Transition (ET), we believe a Trump admin would be more favorable to the energy sector and equities,” Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read told clients this week, adding that a second Trump term that “constrains” the ET would benefit refiners, international oil companies (IOCs) and gas exploration and production companies. “We expect a general deregulatory bent from both executive orders and even with legislation – depending on the outcome of the House.” Defense stocks could also see some gains, according to Barclays analyst David Strauss. Even with an increasing federal deficit, he expects the defense budget to continue to increase under a Trump administration, a move that he said should be “broadly supportive” of defense and government services. “We ultimately think a broad government fiscal reform program could be positive for defense, likely freeing up more funding to be put towards weapons development and procurement,” the analyst wrote in a note to clients this week. Semiconductor stocks, which responded favorably to the election outcome, may also continue to benefit, even with Trump’s hardline tariff strategy. The former president has signaled implementing sweeping tariffs, suggesting that he would propose 10% to 20% tariffs on all U.S. imports and tariffs of at least 60% on goods from China. Notably, Wolfe Research analyst Chris Caso believes that these tariffs will likely have a “minimal impact” on semis, given that only a ********* of them are shipped to the U.S. He also notes that there likely won’t be much more done in terms of restrictions for those companies tied to artificial intelligence. In light of this, CNBC Pro screened for stocks that have rallied after both of Trump’s election wins and may still see more upside based on the following criteria: Saw at least a 10% gain from Nov. 7, 2016, to the end of that year after Trump’s first win Saw at least a 2% gain on Wednesday after Trump’s second win Are expected to see another 15% gain from here among analysts Below is the full list of stocks that made the cut. In the energy space, Texas-based oil company ConocoPhillips could be a major beneficiary of Trump’s policies, including the expansion of drilling projects . While it hasn’t been a great year for the stock — it’s down nearly 4% year to date — it rose 4% on Wednesday after the election’s result. Looking ahead, analysts expect ConocoPhillips to see more than 20% upside. That would be above the 14.2% rally the stock saw after Trump’s first win from Nov. 7, 2016, until year’s end. On the whole, Wall Street is majorly bullish on the name, as 21 of the 27 analysts covering it have a strong buy or buy rating. The remaining six analysts have taken a neutral stance. Defense company Huntington Ingalls is a standout stock. In Wednesday’s session following Trump’s second win, the industrial name advanced more than 5%, and analysts forecast about 16% upside to go. In 2016, it surged nearly 24% following Trump’s first win until year-end. However, the Street is still largely neutral on the stock. Among the 15 analysts covering it, 11 have a hold rating, while only two have a strong buy or buy rating. The stock has also had a rough year, plummeting about 22%. Chip giant Advanced Micro Devices is a high-beta stock that could also benefit from a possible extension of the bull market and Trump’s tax cuts. The stock rallied more than 2% on Wednesday after Trump’s second win. Analysts – most of whom are bullish, with 43 of the 52 covering it having a strong buy or buy rating – see an average of more than 24% upside ahead. That would follow a monster rally after Trump’s first win, which saw the stock gain almost 63% from Nov. 7, 2016, until the end of that year. While the stock has been marginally higher this year, it’s plunged more than 14% over the past one month. Source link #Trump #trades #roll #analysts #gains #ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three China stocks that analysts are watching for longer-term opportunities Three China stocks that analysts are watching for longer-term opportunities ******** stocks wrapped up a momentous week marked by a $1.4 trillion debt swap program that fell short of many investors’ calls for more direct government support. For many, the reaction among investors only reinforced the need to look at longer-term opportunities in individual stocks that haven’t changed. The Ministry of Finance signaled at a closely watched press conference Friday that more fiscal support could come next year , while in the near term it focused on addressing local government debt. The relatively muted measures come as China gears up for heightened trade relations with the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose high tariffs on imported goods. Through it all, the CSI 300 stock index in Shanghair managed to rise nearly 6.6% last week, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rallied 3.2%. Stopping further weakness On a macroeconomic level, China is trying to ensure inflation and employment don’t deteriorate further, said Liqian Ren, leader of quantitative investment at WisdomTree. While Ren doesn’t expect a return to rapid growth, she is watching how ******** companies are able to build up their brands and charge a premium, maturing from models that previously competed only on price. “So I think consumer companies like Anta , I think not many people have understood outside China, but it is really becoming the world’s leading sportswear company,” Ren said. “I think they are also going to make a global play soon. But not many Americans know about the brand.” But if Anta continues on its present path, perhaps in 10 years consumers will regard the company the same as “Adidas or other so called foreign sports brands,” Ren said. “That’s one thing that I am personally paying attention to.” Hong Kong-listed Anta sells sportswear under its own brand while owning Fila and high-end brand Descente, among others. The company said in October that Anta-brand retail sales for the third quarter rose by the mid-single digits from a year ago, while that of Fila weakened and other brands surged by as much as 50%. Anta shares are up 18% so far in 2024. China’s efforts to rival foreign brands have not diminished, regardless of the slowdown. Baidu is reportedly scheduled Tuesday to release its own artificial intelligence-connected glasses, vying with Meta’s RayBans product. Xpeng expansion Electric car startup Xpeng in the past week announced its own humanoid ****** , and a new $26,000 car called the P7+ that’s already racked up more than 30,000 preorders for deliveries due to start this month. The products are largely only going to be available in China, at least initially. “For ******** EVs, the door is now closed, and re-shoring is impractical,” Macquarie analysts said in a Nov. 7 report. “Our top pick is XPeng, a China pure play.” “XPeng has no exposure to the U.S. market and no current plans to enter the market,” the analysts said. “Domestic volume has room to ramp quickly, led by new competitive models like the M03 and P7+. The successful launch of the M03 has helped to alleviate investor concerns about supply chain management and product competitiveness.” “Upcoming catalysts, such as the pure-vision ADAS M03 and the launch of a hybrid system car could benefit from domestic confidence/consumption recovery and are unaffected by geopolitical events,” the Macquarie analysts said. About half of Xpeng’s 20,000-plus deliveries in each of the past two months have come from its lower-priced ***** M03 car. In the consumer sector, Macquarie’s top pick is Yum China , which operates Pizza Hut and KFC in China. “YUMC is our top idea in the consumer sector given that it is a pure domestic market play,” the analysts said. “The company’s strategy shift towards franchisee stores and new store format K COFFEE as well as Pizza Hut WoW would be a secular growth driver, which can decouple from geopolitical risk.” Yum China has ramped up shareholder return targets to $4.5 billion in 2026 from $3 billion in 2024, they added. Yum China on Nov. 4 reported third-quarter earnings, showing operating profit grew by 15% year-on-year to $371 million. Xpeng is due to release quarterly results on Nov. 19. In the week ahead, internet giants Tencent and Alibaba both report earnings. The central government is scheduled Friday Nov. 15 to release retail sales and industrial data for October. “You have to be very willing to suffer the negative sentiment to invest in China,” Ren said. There are often “long stretch[es] of negative sentiment which really test a person’s risk-taking.” But she also highlighted that ******** stocks can serve as a hedge to other equity markets. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Source link #China #stocks #analysts #watching #longerterm #opportunities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top Wall Street analysts like these dividend-paying stocks Top Wall Street analysts like these dividend-paying stocks The major averages have been on a sharp upward turn since Donald Trump won the presidential election last week, but investors who want to buffer their portfolio from future market shocks may want to add dividend stocks. To select the right dividend stocks, investors can consider the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts, who have a strong track record and provide useful insights based on a thorough analysis of a company’s fundamentals. Here are three dividend-paying stocks, highlighted by Wall Street’s top ***** on TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. Enterprise Products Partners This week’s first dividend pick is Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), a midstream energy services provider. For the third quarter of 2024, EPD announced a distribution of $0.525 per unit, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase. EPD offers a high yield of 6.9%. The company also enhances shareholder returns through share repurchases. During Q3 2024, EPD made repurchased about $76 million worth of its common units. Following EPD’s Q3 results, RBC Capital analyst Elvira Scotto reiterated a buy rating on the stock with a price target of $36. The analyst noted that the company’s Q3 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $2.442 billion was in line with Wall Street and RBC’s estimates, with increased natural gas marketing contributions offsetting a decline in the margins of the octane enhancement business and crude oil marketing. Scotto highlighted EPD’s robust backlog of organic growth projects, with notable projects expected to come online next year and fuel the company’s growth. The analyst also expects the company to benefit from the recently completed acquisition of Pinon Midstream. “We continue to believe the steady cash flow and EPD’s strong balance sheet (+/- 3.0x financial leverage target) can comfortably handle the spend and drive meaningful long-term growth,” said Scotto. Scotto ranks No. 20 among more than 9,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. Her ratings have been profitable 70% of the time, delivering an average return of 21.6%. See EPD Stock Buybacks on TipRanks. International Business Machines We move to the next dividend stock, IBM (IBM). The tech giant recently reported mixed results for the third quarter. Earnings exceeded analysts’ estimates, but the top line fell short of expectations as the solid growth in Software revenues was partially offset by lower Consulting and Infrastructure revenues. In Q3, IBM generated free cash flow of $2.1 billion and returned $1.5 billion to shareholders through dividends. IBM stock offers a dividend yield of 3.1%. Following investor meetings with IBM management, Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani reaffirmed a buy rating on IBM stock with a price target of $240. The analyst stated that after the meetings, he has a “more constructive view of the durability of the company’s long-term growth and their critical role as an enabler of hybrid IT + AI technologies.” Commenting on IBM’s Enterprise artificial intelligence positioning, Daryanani thinks that IBM is capable of addressing the AI opportunity in both its Software and Consulting businesses. He highlighted that IBM’s AI book of business has increased to more than $3 billion, up from $1 billion a quarter ago, with about 80% of the bookings coming from the Consulting business. Daryanani noted the strength in IBM’s Software business and expects this momentum to continue, driven by persistent growth in Red Hat (acquired in 2019), transaction processing growth, demand for AI/data solutions, and mergers and acquisitions. Further, the analyst expects the Consulting business to recover next year. Overall, Daryanani is confident about IBM’s prospects under the leadership of CEO Arvind Krishna. He is optimistic about the company’s ability to grow its profit at a higher rate than revenue, thanks to the increasing Software mix, operating scale and cost optimization efforts. Daryanani ranks No. 316 among more than 9,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 58% of the time, delivering an average return of 12.3%. See IBM Hedge Fund Activity on TipRanks. Ares Capital Finally, let’s look at Ares Capital (ARCC), a specialty finance company that provides financing solutions to private middle-market companies. ARCC recently reported solid third-quarter results, attributing them to strong new investment activity and healthy credit performance. Also, Ares Capital announced a dividend of 48 cents per share for the fourth quarter, payable on Dec. 30. ARCC stock offers a dividend yield of 8.9%. Following the Q3 print, RBC Capital analyst Kenneth Lee reaffirmed a buy rating on the stock and slightly raised the price target to $23 from $22. The analyst’s bullish stance is backed by ARCC’s “strong track record of managing risks through the cycle, well-supported dividends, and scale advantages.” Lee lowered his adjusted EPS estimates for 2024 to $2.36 from $2.39, and he trimmed them for 2025 to $2.13 per share from $2.17 per share to account for reduced yield assumptions and changes in dividend income assumptions. Nonetheless, he is optimistic about the company’s potential due to its solid credit performance and less downside risk owing to a favorable macro backdrop. Lee highlighted that ARCC’s portfolio activity was greater than expected, with Q3 witnessing net additions of more than $1.32 billion, much greater than RBC’s estimate of over $800 million. He also noted the company’s improved credit performance, with non-accruals moving down to 1.3% in Q3 from 1.5% in the second quarter. Overall, Lee thinks that ARCC has the potential to deliver above peer-average return on equity and views its scale as a competitive advantage. Lee ranks No. 34 among more than 9,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 70% of the time, delivering an average return of 17.2%. See ARCC Stock Charts on TipRanks. Source link #Top #Wall #Street #analysts #dividendpaying #stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 88-year-old lorry driver building a rural care home The 88-year-old lorry driver building a rural care home BBC Rosemary Stevenson collects second-hand furniture to sell and raise money At 88, Rosemary Stevenson spends her days loading a lorry with furniture to sell in a tiny village in South Ayrshire. It’s one of the many ways her team have raised more than £1.5m over the last 25 years to support elderly people in Ballantrae. So far, they’ve started up a care agency and a daytime space to entertain elderly people in the coastal village. But her ultimate goal is to build a care home with a dementia unit, which could cost over £500,000 due to rising construction costs. The plan came about after Rosemary noticed that older residents in the village were forced to move away from family and friends to get overnight care. “They’re going away from their families and their grandchildren, it’s not right,” she told BBC Scotland News. “It doesn’t happen anywhere else. “If you live in Girvan and you need a care home, you’re still in the same area. But this place is different.” The BRICC house is used to entertain elderly people and the BRICC shop sells second-hand items next door Rosemary said the council would not pay for overnight care and older people had to go into care homes, which could be as far away as Girvan, Maybole or Ayr. “But there were several people in the village who would not go,” she added. After the council turned down requests to build a care home, the group decided to create a charity – Ballantrae Rural Initiative Care in the Community (BRICC) – to build their own care home. “These people have been in the village all their lives and they do not want to move,” Rosemary added. “It means their families and friends have to travel miles and miles away to visit them, which could mean sitting on a bus for hours.” The founding members at BRICC decided to raise money to look after the growing elderly population in the village One of the founder members of the committee recently had to go into a care home miles away from her family and friends. “It’s upset a lot of us because we’re not there yet,” said Rosemary. “After 25 years, we can’t look after the people here because there’s nowhere for them to stay and the council won’t pay for overnight care.” Since the committee formed, Rosemary has been driving the lorry around South Ayrshire collecting furniture to sell at the BRICC Shop. “I quite enjoy driving the lorry, you feel a lot safer way up there,” she said. “Since we got the charity shop, I’ve been going about South Ayrshire and beyond.” The group hopes to build the care home on the land next to the BRICC House Just before the pandemic, the committee received planning permission to build a care home with 16 beds on land next to the BRICC House. “We were ready to go but Covid stopped us and we didn’t do anything for three years,” Rosemary said. “When we went back to the architect, he said he needed another 15%. “But by the time we raise that, he’ll tell us the same thing again. We’ve got to get help to do this, but who’s going to give us help?” Audrey Houston, 67, runs the BRICC shop. She joined the charity 12 years ago while she was recovering from ******* *******. Audrey Houston joined BRICC when she was recovering from ******* “I’m now in and out in the van emptying houses and bringing furniture back to the shop,” she said. “It’s been really good for me to have something to get up for in the morning, and we get customers coming from all over.” She told BBC Scotland News it was essential for the charity to secure more funds to reach its goal. BRICC had more than 40 volunteers when it launched, but since then many of the older members have become ill or *****. Now there are only about eight people left to keep the charity going. “We just need the funds to get the ball rolling for the care home,” Audrey said. “We want Rosemary to see something happen – this has been her life’s work. “We’re all hoping to go into this care home facility when we’re older. We don’t want to have to leave the village.” A spokeswoman for the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “South Ayrshire has one of the oldest populations in Scotland and our population is expected to continue to age quickly until 2040. “This means that we have more people requiring care and fewer people available to work in care. “This is especially challenging in our more remote and rural areas such as Girvan and Ballantrae. “We will continue to work with all of our providers and partners, including BRICC to adapt our care delivery models and meet people’s needs as best we can.” She said the council has a meeting with BRICC planned for this month to discuss the charity’s plans for the village. Source link #88yearold #lorry #driver #building #rural #care #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three China stocks that analysts are watching for longer-term opportunities Three China stocks that analysts are watching for longer-term opportunities ******** stocks wrapped up a momentous week marked by a $1.4 trillion debt swap program that fell short of many investors’ calls for more direct government support. For many, the reaction among investors only reinforced the need to look at longer-term opportunities in individual stocks that haven’t changed. The Ministry of Finance signaled at a closely watched press conference Friday that more fiscal support could come next year , while in the near term it focused on addressing local government debt. The relatively muted measures come as China gears up for heightened trade relations with the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose high tariffs on imported goods. Through it all, the CSI 300 stock index in Shanghair managed to rise nearly 6.6% last week, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rallied 3.2%. Stopping further weakness On a macroeconomic level, China is trying to ensure inflation and employment don’t deteriorate further, said Liqian Ren, leader of quantitative investment at WisdomTree. While Ren doesn’t expect a return to rapid growth, she is watching how ******** companies are able to build up their brands and charge a premium, maturing from models that previously competed only on price. “So I think consumer companies like Anta , I think not many people have understood outside China, but it is really becoming the world’s leading sportswear company,” Ren said. “I think they are also going to make a global play soon. But not many Americans know about the brand.” But if Anta continues on its present path, perhaps in 10 years consumers will regard the company the same as “Adidas or other so called foreign sports brands,” Ren said. “That’s one thing that I am personally paying attention to.” Hong Kong-listed Anta sells sportswear under its own brand while owning Fila and high-end brand Descente, among others. The company said in October that Anta-brand retail sales for the third quarter rose by the mid-single digits from a year ago, while that of Fila weakened and other brands surged by as much as 50%. Anta shares are up 18% so far in 2024. China’s efforts to rival foreign brands have not diminished, regardless of the slowdown. Baidu is reportedly scheduled Tuesday to release its own artificial intelligence-connected glasses, vying with Meta’s RayBans product. Xpeng expansion Electric car startup Xpeng in the past week announced its own humanoid ****** , and a new $26,000 car called the P7+ that’s already racked up more than 30,000 preorders for deliveries due to start this month. The products are largely only going to be available in China, at least initially. “For ******** EVs, the door is now closed, and re-shoring is impractical,” Macquarie analysts said in a Nov. 7 report. “Our top pick is XPeng, a China pure play.” “XPeng has no exposure to the U.S. market and no current plans to enter the market,” the analysts said. “Domestic volume has room to ramp quickly, led by new competitive models like the M03 and P7+. The successful launch of the M03 has helped to alleviate investor concerns about supply chain management and product competitiveness.” “Upcoming catalysts, such as the pure-vision ADAS M03 and the launch of a hybrid system car could benefit from domestic confidence/consumption recovery and are unaffected by geopolitical events,” the Macquarie analysts said. About half of Xpeng’s 20,000-plus deliveries in each of the past two months have come from its lower-priced ***** M03 car. In the consumer sector, Macquarie’s top pick is Yum China , which operates Pizza Hut and KFC in China. “YUMC is our top idea in the consumer sector given that it is a pure domestic market play,” the analysts said. “The company’s strategy shift towards franchisee stores and new store format K COFFEE as well as Pizza Hut WoW would be a secular growth driver, which can decouple from geopolitical risk.” Yum China has ramped up shareholder return targets to $4.5 billion in 2026 from $3 billion in 2024, they added. Yum China on Nov. 4 reported third-quarter earnings, showing operating profit grew by 15% year-on-year to $371 million. Xpeng is due to release quarterly results on Nov. 19. In the week ahead, internet giants Tencent and Alibaba both report earnings. The central government is scheduled Friday Nov. 15 to release retail sales and industrial data for October. “You have to be very willing to suffer the negative sentiment to invest in China,” Ren said. There are often “long stretch[es] of negative sentiment which really test a person’s risk-taking.” But she also highlighted that ******** stocks can serve as a hedge to other equity markets. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Source link #China #stocks #analysts #watching #longerterm #opportunities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two Saudi-led coalition troops ******* in Yemen Two Saudi-led coalition troops ******* in Yemen Two members of the Saudi-led coalition forces have been ******* in an ******* by a Yemeni defence ministry employee in Yemen’s Seiyun, the coalition’s spokesperson Turki al-Malki was quoted by the Saudi state news agency as saying. Al-Malki said Friday’s *******, which also wounded one officer, occurred at a training camp for Yemeni forces in the eastern city of Seiyun in the Hadhramaut province. He added the coalition and Yemeni authorities will jointly investigate the incident to determine motives behind the ******* and bring the perpetrator to justice. While the Houthis did not claim responsibility for the *******, at least one Houthi official praised it as being “the beginning and an indication of a harsh future awaiting the invaders.” Houthi official Hamid Rizq praised the ******* on the social media, claiming it came from “the feeling of oppression” over Saudi troops being stationed in the area. Yemen has been mired in a decade-long war since the Houthis swept into Sanaa from their northern strongholds in September 2014. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after Iran-aligned Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa. Yemen has enjoyed almost two years of relative calm amid direct peace talks between Saudi and Houthi officials. with AP Source link #Saudiled #coalition #troops #******* #Yemen Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rolls-Royce driver sought in multi-car collision that injured four people in Van Nuys Rolls-Royce driver sought in multi-car collision that injured four people in Van Nuys Who would abandon a $400,000 Rolls-Royce on the street in Van Nuys? Evidently, someone involved in a reckless driving incident that led to two wrecks and four people being taken to the hospital. LAPD officers are on the hunt for the driver, who fled the scene of a ****** Friday night. Reported around 9:50 p.m., the collision was triggered by two luxury cars — a Rolls-Royce Cullinan ($389,000 for the base model) and Mercedes GT63 (base price $153,350) — going west side by side on Sherman Way at a high rate of speed, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The Mercedes driver clipped a Honda Civic turning left onto Sherman Circle, ejecting the Honda driver from the car and also injuring the passenger. The Rolls-Royce driver swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid the collision, ran into a Chevy Traverse and crashed into the curb. The driver fled the scene. Read more: Ski-masked robbers target Ferrari, Rolls Royce drivers at Fashion Island As of Saturday afternoon, the police had not yet released a description of the driver, who is being pursued for charges of reckless driving and hit and run. Both people from the Honda sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. The Mercedes driver was hospitalized and arrested on suspicion of reckless driving. According to the Los Angeles ***** Department, a fourth person from the collision was also transported to the hospital. The status of the Chevy driver is unclear. According to the ***** Department, two ****** males were transported in critical condition (both reportedly ejected from the vehicle). Two patients (****** male, ****** female) were transported with non-life threatening injuries. Police did not confirm whether the Rolls-Royce and Mercedes drivers were street racing. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Source link #RollsRoyce #driver #sought #multicar #collision #injured #people #Van #Nuys Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Disney and this home improvement giant are slated to report Disney and this home improvement giant are slated to report The earnings season is winding down, but there are several key companies still on deck to report. Of the nine S & P 500 companies scheduled to post their third-quarter results, Home Depot and Disney are among them. Investors will look to these results for clues on whether the stock market’s postelection rally can continue. Thus far more than 450 S & P 500 names have posted their results. Of those, 74% have beaten earnings expectations, per FactSet. Below is a breakdown of what to expect from some of the S & P 500 members slated to report. All times are Eastern. Tuesday Home Depot is set to report earnings in the premarket. A call with management is slated for 9 a.m. Last quarter: HD said it sees sales weakening amid a more cautious customer . This quarter: Analysts polled by LSEG see a small year-over-year earnings decline for the home improvement giant. What CNBC is watching: UBS thinks same-store sales will be weak for Home Depot, citing weak demand. “Further, we think ongoing pressure on larger projects pushed ***** to engage in smaller projects. Still, newness and innovation likely prompted consumers to trade up in certain categories, providing top-line support,” analyst Michael Lasser wrote Friday. What history shows: Data from Bespoke Investment Group shows Home Depot has beaten earnings expectations for 17 straight quarters. Live Nation Entertainment is set to report earnings before the bell, followed by a call at 9 a.m. Last quarter: LYV reported operating income that beat expectations, while revenue was in line with estimates, per StreetAccount. This quarter: The entertainment conglomerate is expected to report a 10% earnings decline from the year-earlier *******, LSEG data shows. What CNBC is watching: Live Nation has been a clear winner in 2024, up 31% in that time, an Morgan Stanley expects that momentum to continue. The bank last week raised its price target to $140 from $120, implying upside of 13.8%. “LYV ******** our preferred exposure to strong consumer demand for live events and concerts. While less stadium activity in 3Q drives ’24 slightly lower … an improved ’25 outlook drives up estimates & PT,” the bank wrote. What history shows: Live Nation shares have risen after the last four earnings releases, per Bespoke. Thursday Walt Disney is set to report earnings in the premarket, with a call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Last quarter: DIS beat estimates, with the company’s combined streaming services turning a profit . This quarter: The media giant is expected to post earnings growth of more than 30% year on year, according to LSEG. What CNBC is watching: Guggenheim analyst Michael Morris thinks the key for investors will be Disney’s guidance. “Our updated FY25 estimates are 2% ahead of consensus on revenue and operating income, with the largest positive variances at Content, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), and Experiences,” he said last month. What history shows: Disney has not done well following the last two releases, losing 4.5% and 9.5%, respectively. Applied Materials is set to report earnings after the open. A call with management is set for 4:30 p.m. Last quarter: AMAT company reported better-than-expected quarterly results. This quarter: Analysts expect slight year-over-year earnings and revenue growth year on year, LSEG data shows. What CNBC is watching: Applied Materials has lagged the broader semiconductor sector this year, rising more than 18% while the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has soared 48% in that time. Can this week’s report spark a catch-up trade for the stock? What history shows: Applied Materials shares average a gain of 0.8% on earnings days, per Bespoke. Source link #Disney #home #improvement #giant #slated #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Converted electric bike involved in fatal Coventry ***** Converted electric bike involved in fatal Coventry ***** A house ***** that ******* two people in Coventry was started accidentally, a ***** service has said. Crews called to the blaze in the Stoke Aldemoor area on Friday found the bodies of two people inside the property. Following an investigation, West Midlands ***** Service (WMFS) said the cause of the ***** involved a pedal bike that had been converted into an electric bike and stored in the hallway. The people who ***** have not yet been identified. Crews called to The Coppice shortly before 04:40 GMT found a severe ***** in a first-floor maisonette flat, that affected the entire property. WMFS said in a statement: “The cause of the ***** was accidental and involved a pedal bike that had been converted into an electric bike, which was stored in the hallway of the property. “No further information relating to the cause or the victims who sadly lost their lives in this tragic accident will be released at this time. “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic accident.” Four ***** crews were sent to the scene, the first arriving within four minutes. Crews wore breathing apparatus to enter the property and extinguished the blaze by 05:55 GMT. An investigation was carried out by ***** investigations officers and a ***** investigations dog, together with police. Source link #Converted #electric #bike #involved #fatal #Coventry #***** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump’s election win to push up inflation, dent GDP: Chalmers Donald Trump’s election win to push up inflation, dent GDP: Chalmers Donald Trump’s return to the White House will temporarily push up inflation and dent GDP, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed. Source link #Donald #Trumps #election #win #push #inflation #dent #GDP #Chalmers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages China Merchants Group (CMG), the mainland’s leading public port services operator, is pushing a range of automation and digital technologies in its global network, in a major revamp that is expected to cut costs and raise efficiency at these sites. The state-owned conglomerate’s unit, China Merchants Port Holdings, has already initiated these upgrades to its network, starting with operations at the Port of Shenzhen – ranked among the world’s busiest container terminals. On the western coastline of the southern tech hub, CMG’s port unit has turned Mawan, a terminal that used to handle break bulk cargo of grains and sandstone, into a showcase that features remote-controlled quay cranes, autonomous-driving container trucks and a digitally managed flow of goods. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Operating the quay cranes and rubber-tyred gantry cranes used to be the most complicated part for workers at the Mawan terminal, according to She Zhenwu, director of overseas business development at CMG’s port unit. “Now they can operate it all remotely, while sitting in a cosy control room,” She told reporters at a briefing on Thursday in Shenzhen. A bird’s-eye view of Mawan terminal, part of the vast Port of Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province. Photo: SCMP alt=A bird’s-eye view of Mawan terminal, part of the vast Port of Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province. Photo: SCMP> CMG’s upgraded Mawan operation is the latest example of China’s ambition to quickly modernise its vast infrastructure and traditional industries using the latest technologies, including 5G, digital-automation systems and artificial intelligence (AI). Telecommunications equipment giant Huawei Technologies, for example, has pushed automation in Tianjin, northern China’s biggest seaport, with its 5G infrastructure put in place. Huawei has also worked with state-owned Shaanxi Coal Industry to cut by half the number of miners who work 100 metres below ground through the deployment of AI and a 5G mobile network. ******** ports’ digital transformation is in stark contrast to the situation in the US, where concerns about job losses from automation led to a crippling three-day strike last month by dockworkers – the biggest work stoppage of its kind in nearly half a century – that shut down shipping on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Story Continues A tentative deal to end the strike was reached on October 4. It threatened shortages of everything from bananas to auto parts, according to a Reuters report. An aerial view of the Port of Tianjin, where the quay cranes, gantry cranes, stackers and forklifts are all controlled by a remote command centre. Photo: Xinhua alt=An aerial view of the Port of Tianjin, where the quay cranes, gantry cranes, stackers and forklifts are all controlled by a remote command centre. Photo: Xinhua> In the Port of Shenzhen, the core transformation at Mawan is the self-developed digital management system, which covers the operations for containers, break bulk cargo, customs procedure and more, according to She of CMG’s port unit. “The system has helped improve the operational efficiency at Mawan port by 30 per cent, while reducing the number of on-site workers by 80 per cent and security risks by 50 per cent,” She said. Mawan’s smart port system was first put to use in 2022, after renovations started in 2017. CMG’s port unit spent 300 million yuan (US$42 million) on the system’s development in 2024, She said. Investments are expected to continue growing each year. Other smart technologies involved in the automation efforts at the Mawan terminal include Internet-of-Things devices and the BeiDou satellite navigation system, China’s answer to GPS. China’s Ministry of Transport last year ***** out plans to develop a number of world-class smart ports and smart waterways by 2027. At present, the country has 18 automated container terminals, with 27 under construction or renovation, according to official data. The digital management system of CMG’s port unit has also been deployed at its operations in the cities of Shantou, Shunde and Zhanjiang in southern Guangdong province, according to She. It has also been installed in the firm’s overseas ports in Sri Lanka and Brazil. The company has also offered the system to external clients, including port operators in Greece and Italy, She said, adding that a new project is underway in Turkey. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Source link #China #ports #smart #prone #work #stoppages Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

COP29: Will rich nations promise more money for climate change? COP29: Will rich nations promise more money for climate change? Money for climate action broadly falls into three buckets: Loss and damage Two years ago, at COP27, world leaders agreed for the first time to establish a loss and damage fund. This money is to help developing countries recover from the effects of climate change they are already suffering. For example, in the past 12 months alone the developing world has experienced severe climate-related crises – from flooding in Myanmar to ongoing drought in East *******. It took decades to get this fund established because developed nations were wary of framing the payments as reparations and accepting liability for climate change on these terms. Developing nations would like the new finance target to have sub goals where money is set aside for loss and damage and adapting to climate change – which historically has received a third of the funding of mitigation. Mitigation This is money to help developing nations move away from fossil fuels and other polluting activities. This is where most money has been given to date because it can often be profitable. Many countries still have coal power stations that are yet to reach the ends of their lives. They need support to switch to clean energy, such as solar farms. Adaptation This is money to help developing nations prepare for the worst effects of climate change. It is different to loss and damage as it is focused on the future. The needs vary depending where in the world the country is, but may include: Source link #COP29 #rich #nations #promise #money #climate #change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why do we wear poppies and what do they mean Why do we wear poppies and what do they mean WalkingTractor/BBC Weather Watchers Poppies are synonymous with Remembrance across the *** Across the ***, poppies are worn each year to mark Remembrance events and commemorate those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts. Events and services take place around Armistice Day – 11 November – as well as Remembrance Sunday, and the poppy is a frequent sight throughout. The Royal British Legion and PoppyScotland run two major campaigns to donate funds from the poppies sold to support current and former members of the armed forces and their families. The tradition has its origins in World War One but has become a symbol of remembering those who gave their lives in other conflicts. Here is more on the origin of the poppy, its importance and why they continue to be a symbol of Remembrance in the ***. Why do we wear poppies, and what do they mean? In 1915, ********* doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote his famous war poem, In Flanders Fields, following the devastation he witnessed on battlefields in Ypres, Belgium. The poem describes the delicate red wildflowers that bloomed where more than a million soldiers ***** between 1914 and 1918. Inspired, Anna Guérin, a French teacher turned war effort fundraiser, began selling poppies on designated days from September 1919. She then addressed the *********, ********* and British legions to ask for the poppy to be acknowledged as Remembrance emblem. In 1921, the Royal British Legion ordered a million poppies from Anna Guérin in France and commissioned a further 8 million to be manufactured in Britain. They were made from silk, and were sold on 11 November that year in the first ever Poppy Appeal. The tradition has carried on ever since, though the silk has been consigned to history. In 2023, the legion started making fully recyclable paper poppies. In 1926 in Scotland, Lady Haig opened Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, employing former veterans to make the flowers out of tissue. This is the hub that produces the poppies for Poppy Scotland’s poppy appeal. The Scottish poppy does not feature a green leaf and has four-lobed petals, while England and Wales’s poppy features two. What do the different ********* poppies mean? The red poppy commemorates those who sacrificed their lives in World War One and all conflicts that have happened since. It is said to represent remembrance and hope. A purple poppy is often worn to remember animals that have ***** in service, particularly horses, a large number of which were ******* during World War One. Donations to the Animal Purple Poppy Fund go to charities including the Household Cavalry Foundation and the World Horse ********. A ****** poppy commemorates the contributions of ******, ******** and Caribbean communities to the war effort, as servicemen and servicewomen, and as civilians. The BlackPoppyRose charity was launched in 2010 and aims to end the “ignorance concerning the contribution of Africans and People of ******** origin to a host of ********* wars throughout the ages”. The white poppy represents all victims of war, and are sold by the Peace Pledge Union, which challenges war and seeks nonviolent solutions to war. How do I wear a poppy? The Royal British Legion says there is no “correct” way to wear a poppy – just that you must “wear it with pride”. Most people tend to pin one on a coat lapel. “Wearing a poppy is a personal choice reflecting individual and personal memories,” the legion says. “It’s a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a poppy and how they choose to wear it.” Wreaths, metal pin badges, charms and brooches are also produced every year. Where else do we see poppies? The symbol has inspired several large-scale installations in recent years. A vast display of almost 900,000 ceramic poppies was installed in the Tower of London’s moat 10 years ago. Each poppy represents the life of a British or colonial soldier who ***** fighting in World War One. The poppies were created by artist Paul Cummins, and were sold to the public for £25 each after Remembrance Day in 2014, raising more than £15million for service charities. In Suffolk, a cascade of thousands of knitted and crocheted poppies has become a village centrepiece, while members of Roses of Ryedale Women’s Institute in North Yorkshire have created a life-size model of a soldier, decorated with knitted poppies, to mark Remembrance Sunday 2024. In Scotland, landmarks install red lights as part of a nationwide “light up red” campaign. Source link #wear #poppies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brit cycling sprint star bows out with win in Singapore Brit cycling sprint star bows out with win in Singapore British cycling superstar Mark Cavendish has won his final professional race, at the two-day Tour de France Criterium in Singapore, bringing down the curtain on a glittering 19-year career with a sprint finish. The 39-year-old Briton clinched his 166th career win after crossing the line of the 25-lap 2.3-km course in the Singapore Criterium on Sunday. He wore the number 35, symbolising his record for Tour de France stage wins. Cavendish, the world’s most decorated sprinter, announced his retirement last year before reversing that decision and breaking the all-time record for most stage wins at the Tour de France during this year’s race. “I’m quite emotional,” Cavendish said on Sunday. “I realised in the last five laps it was the last 15km of my career. “I was nervous about crashing or something if I ****** (for the lead). I really wanted that so bad. I’ve always loved this sport. “I’m really looking forward to what the rest of my career holds, just not on a bike, and I’m looking forward to seeing everybody soon.” The Briton won an individual silver medal on the track at the 2016 Rio Olympics and claimed three world titles in the Madison discipline. Cavendish’s career victories included the 35 Tour de France stage wins – one more than Eddy Merckx – plus 17 Giro d’Italia stage wins and three in the Vuelta a Espana. He also claimed the 2011 road world title and was knighted in October. Source link #Brit #cycling #sprint #star #bows #win #Singapore Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Massachusetts releases new high school graduation guidance after passage of ballot Question 2 Massachusetts releases new high school graduation guidance after passage of ballot Question 2 Just days after Massachusetts voted to do away with MCAS-based requirements for high school graduation, new guidance was shared by the state – outlining what this change will soon look like. 2024 Massachusetts election: Voting results for 5 ballot measures The Associated Press reports roughly 59% of the state voted “Yes” on Ballot Question 2 Tuesday. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education claims the earliest we could see this requirement change in some districts could be as early as December 5th. In a letter to superintendents and district leaders, the DESE explained, “As of the date the new law takes effect, students who have not yet earned the CD would be eligible to do so through ‘satisfactorily completing coursework that has been certified by the student’s district.’ Guidance on certification will be forthcoming.” They added, “Students who have already achieved the qualifying MCAS scores in math, ELA, and science by the effective date have earned their CD and are eligible to earn a high school diploma provided they meet their local graduation requirements.” The letter claims students scheduled to take the exam in November can meet graduation requirements through MCAS. The Massachusetts Teacher’s Association campaigned in favor of the ballot question for months. “We’re thrilled it passed,” said Max Page, president of the MTA. “Districts will certify that students have met our high state standards.” Page says districts will now oversee the certification of students based on statewide curriculum standards provided by the state. He asked, “How do we assess those? We do them with educators in classrooms, with grades, with tests, with labs, with research papers, class participation.” Parents outside Dedham Middle School were split about the new norm in Massachusetts. “I think it gave us an advantage,” said Nate, a father of a 6th grader. “There’s no easy way to track performance. A lot of it’s localized. What constitutes strong performance in one school district differs from what you see in another.” Others were thrilled to hear about the ballot results. “I don’t think it’s fair for kids that might have some learning issues,” said Ruth Mederios, a mother of two Dedham Middle School students. “They get assessments all the time from their teachers. That’s what should be saying whether or not they can graduate.” The DESE claims the state will be issuing certification guidance to districts in the near future. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Source link #Massachusetts #releases #high #school #graduation #guidance #passage #ballot #Question Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The young professionals helping to clean up Accra The young professionals helping to clean up Accra Buz Stop Boyz Known as Buz Stop Boys, a group of mostly young professionals and tradespeople are driving a new wave of civic responsibility in Ghana, picking up brooms and shovels to clean up the mounds of rubbish that are an eyesore in cities and towns across the country. Their initiative has won the admiration of local celebrities and politicians – and even caught the attention of some *** teenagers who flew to the capital, Accra, to join the clean-up. “Our goal is not just to clean the streets but to change mindsets,” Buz Stop Boys leader Heneba Kwadwo Sarfo told the BBC. “If we can make people understand that keeping their environment clean benefits everyone, we’ll have a cleaner, healthier, and prouder Ghana.” About 12,700 tonnes of solid waste is generated in Ghana each day, with only 10% disposed of properly. Fed up with the filth and flooding it causes, Buz Stop Boys go around Greater Accra two to four times a week to clear clogged drains and gutters, pavements and roads, as well as to cut over-grown grass. Buz Stop Boyz More than 40 men and women – from midwives to carpenters to military officers – have joined the movement The number of volunteers will vary, depending on who has spare time that day. A civil engineer, Mr Sarfo formed the group in July 2023 with just five people. He called it Buz Stop Boys, knowing the name would resonate with the public. “The rich and poor, everybody knows what a bus stop is,” Mr Sarfo said. His small-scale initiative has now blossomed into a movement, with more than 40 men and women – from midwives to carpenters to military officers – joining. “Social media has been key in getting more people to join our movement,” Mr Sarfo said. “Through our videos, we’ve been able to change the mindset of some people, but there’s still a lot of work to do.” It also led to a group of *** students visiting Ghana during their summer break to help with a clean-up operation in Ablekuma, an area in Accra notorious for its waste disposal issues. Buz Stop Boys British volunteers joined the group on their clean-up missions earlier this year Mr Sarfo saw their visit as an inspiration for more locals to get involved. “Don’t sit back at home and say you don’t care. One thing is key, without [the] environment we are useless, we are nonentities, and we can’t survive on this planet,” he said. Popular musician and human rights activist Sister Derby has thrown her weight behind Buz Stop Boys, praising the activists on her Instagram and X accounts. She told the BBC that she had been touched by their “pure selflessness”, and she and her brother had one day joined them to clean a stretch of a street market in the heart of Accra. Dancehall star and businessman Shatta Wale has also rallied behind the group, helping raise 30,000 cedis ($1,830, £1,415) during a live TikTok. “These boys are the real heroes. They are doing what most of us are too busy or too proud to do. If we all helped them, imagine how beautiful Accra would be,” he said. The donations have been bolstered by those of politicians. Former President John Mahama – who is making a fresh bid for power by contesting elections due in December under the banner of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) – donated 50,000 cedis, while Transport Minister Asensu Boakye – who comes from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) – gave 10,000 cedis. Welcoming the donations, Mr Sarfo said the cash was used to fund their activities – including paying for rubbish disposal and buying fuel for their tricycle to transport rubbish to a refuse site. Politically non-partisan, the Buz Stop Boys’ sole focus is on realising their vision of a cleaner Ghana – one street at a time. “Individuals should take up initiatives because waiting for government hasn’t worked over the decades and the records also show that in the event of an environmental disaster we as citizens suffer the most,” Mr Sarfo said. “It is therefore important for us to rise and help ourselves.” Mark Wilberforce is a freelance journalist based in London and Accra. More BBC stories on Ghana:Getty Images/BBC Source link #young #professionals #helping #clean #Accra Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** strike on Gaza house ****** many, medics and rescuers say ******** strike on Gaza house ****** many, medics and rescuers say Dozens of people have been ******* and wounded in an ******** strike on a house in Jabalia in northern Gaza, ************ medics and rescuers say. The official ************ news agency Wafa and Gaza’s ******-run civil defence agency said at least 30 people had been *******. The civil defence said the ***** included 13 children. The ******* Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck a site in Jabalia where “terrorists were operating”, steps had been taken to mitigate civilian harm and the details were under review. Aid groups say Jabalia and other parts of northern Gaza have been under siege since early October when ******* launched a new ground offensive against ******. ******* is facing a US deadline that expires within days to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on military cooperation. Dr Fadel Naim, director of the Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City, told AP news agency that his facility had received 17 bodies from Jabalia so far, including those of nine women, and the ****** toll was likely to rise. Eyewitnesses described the ******** strike on the building said to have belonged to the Alloush family as an “earthquake”. “We were just sitting peacefully. These are innocent citizens who don’t belong to any military organization or faction,” eyewitness and relative to the victims Hamza Alloush told Reuters. The house “was bombed over the residents’ heads without warning, which led to the martyrdom of everyone inside. Those who were lucky enough to survive were thrown onto the trees, onto the neighbours, and the ******** are still scattered under the rubble”, he said. Videos and images showed multiple bodies wrapped in blankets in the back of cars and ***** to the ground at a hospital. ******* does not allow the BBC and other international media into Gaza to report independently, making it difficult to verify facts on the ground, so we often rely on information from footage and witness testimonies. Another strike in Gaza City ******* a ******** ministry official and seven members of his family, including his wife and children, medics and relatives said. The UN previously said the “darkest moment” of the war in Gaza was unfolding in the northern part of the territory. On Saturday, ******* rejected warnings of famine in northern Gaza from global food security experts, saying the group relied on “partial, biased data and superficial sources with vested interests”. The independent Famine Review Committee (FRC) said there was a strong likelihood of imminent famine and that immediate action was required to ease a catastrophic situation. ******* said it had increased aid efforts, including opening an additional crossing on Friday to get more aid into southern Gaza. The IDF later said it had delivered 11 trucks of food, water and medical aid into Jabalia and Beit Hanoun on Thursday. On Friday the UN’s Human Rights Office said nearly 70% of victims in Gaza within a six-month ******* were women and children. About 80% of victims were ******* in residential buildings or similar housing, the UN agency added. It said the high number of civilian deaths was largely due to *******’s use of weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas, although some deaths may have been the result of errant projectiles by ************ armed groups. ******* has previously said that it targets ****** and takes steps to mitigate risk to civilians by using precise munitions. Meanwhile, efforts to reach a ceasefire have stalled, with Qatar suspending its work as a mediator until ****** and ******* “show their willingness” to negotiate. Gaza’s ******-run health ministry, whose figures the UN sees as reliable, has reported a ****** toll of more than 43,600 people since the start of the war. Many more bodies are believed to remain under the rubble of bombarded buildings. Over the last 24 hours, 51 ***** bodies from ******** attacks had been brought to hospitals, the ministry said. ******* launched its current military offensive in Gaza after ******’ ******* on 7 October 2023 that ******* about 1,200 people in ******* and took 251 hostages back to Gaza. Source link #******** #strike #Gaza #house #****** #medics #rescuers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Whitcomb fires unbeaten Spirit to top of WNBL ladder Whitcomb fires unbeaten Spirit to top of WNBL ladder *********** Opals star Sami Whitcomb has fired again as Bendigo Spirit extended their winning start to the WNBL season with a 95-78 victory over newcomers Geelong *******. Whitcomb produced a game-high 28 points on 62 per cent ********* from the field – including 5-of-9 from long range – in her side’s home win on Sunday at Red Energy Arena. The veteran guard added added seven rebounds, five steals and two assists, continuing her hot start to the new season. Casey Samuels (15 points, six rebounds) and Marianna ***** (10 points, seven rebounds) were also important for the Spirit, who dominated the opening ******* and led throughout the contest. Captain Keely Froling (26 points, 13 rebounds) stood out for Geelong, who refused to lie down and won both the third and fourth periods. Bendigo’s huge lead was cut to 12 points midway through the final quarter before they steadied late in the game. “We’re building and we feel really good together,” Whitcomb told Nine post-game. “We just have a lot of really hard-working, unselfish players. “A lot of times that turns into getting good shots and we have a lot of really great shooters, so when we make them it’s pretty good. “Obviously we’d love to not have the lapses that we had in the second half, especially in that fourth quarter, but they’re all things we can work on.” Sunday’s win completed a perfect round for Bendigo, who beat the UC Capitals 99-76 away on Friday night behind Whitcomb’s 25 points and 22 from *****. Caps captain ***** Melbourne (22 points) and 2021 WNBA top draft pick Charli Collier (17 points, 11 rebounds) provided resistance for the hosts. Geelong posted the first win of their debut season on Thursday night, toppling the reigning champion Southside Flyers 90-87 at home. Elissa Brett (15 points) put ******* in front with 16 seconds left before she and Haley Jones (19 points) sealed the result from the foul line. Froling (18 points) was also important against a Flyers outfit led by import forward Naz Hillmon (27 points), Alice Kunek (25) and Bec Cole (20). Southside bounced back on Saturday, giving new coach Kristi Harrower her first win in charge with an 83-75 triumph over the Sydney Flames. Cole (24 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double and Hillmon (19 points, nine rebounds) went close in outstanding performances for the Flyers. Cayla George (22 points, 14 rebounds) continued her strong start to the season for the Flames. Townsville ***** (2-0) are the league’s only other unbeaten team after their 84-80 road win over the Perth Lynx in the round-two opener on Wednesday. Alicia Froling (25 points, 10 rebounds), Courtney Woods (25 points) and Lauren Cox (18 points, four blocks) dominated as a revamped ***** line-up made it two wins from as many starts this season. Perth recovered on Saturday with a 92-78 win over Adelaide Lightning, with all five of the visitors’ starters posting double-figure points tallies. Captain Anneli Maley (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Laeticia Amihere (17 points) impressed for the Lynx, while Opals guard Isobel Borlase top-scored for the Lightning with a game-high 24 points. Round three tips off on Wednesday when Sydney host Bendigo at Quaycentre. Source link #Whitcomb #fires #unbeaten #Spirit #top #WNBL #ladder Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aftermath of Russian drone ******* on Odesa, Ukraine Aftermath of Russian drone ******* on Odesa, Ukraine Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight on Saturday, damaging a residential area, Ukrainian authorities said. High-rise buildings and private houses were damaged in the *******, the mayor of Odesa, Hennadii Trukhanov, said, adding that there were no victims but several people were injured. Source link #Aftermath #Russian #drone #******* #Odesa #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Newspoll: Peter Dutton surges as Coalition maintains lead over Anthony Albanese and Labor Newspoll: Peter Dutton surges as Coalition maintains lead over Anthony Albanese and Labor Peter Dutton has surged ahead of Anthony Albanese on voter approval, as a Newspoll shows the Coalition’s primary vote reaching a new high point. The new poll published in The *********** shows the Opposition Leader leading the Prime Minister on net voter approval for the first time since Labor won the 2022 election. A bruising political month for Mr Albanese — which included intense scrutiny over his relationship with Qantas and former boss Alan Joyce — wore down voter support for the Prime Minister, with his disapproval climbing to 55 per cent. With his approval holding at 40 per cent, Mr Albanese’s net support slumped to ****** 15 points, a new low. A growth in Mr Dutton’s approval to 40 per cent saw his net support climb to ****** nine — the first time he has eclipsed Mr Albanese. The Opposition Leader has also closed the gap on Mr Albanese as preferred prime minister — trailing by just four points, 41 per cent to 45 per cent. The poll shows the Coalition holding its lead against Labor on a two-party preferred basis — 51 per cent to 49 per cent — after it overtook the Government for the first time since 2022 in the last poll. The Coalition’s primary vote broke 40 per cent — up two points — while Labor’s vote grew to 33 per cent. Both the Greens (11 per cent) and One Nation (5 per cent) saw their primaries drop. The poll came after more than a week of stories heavily focused on allegations that Mr Albanese accepted more than 20 free upgrades from Qantas on personal flights. The Prime Minister denied the allegations. In an attempt to shift debate, the Prime Minister held a US-style pre-election rally in South Australia, announcing his government would slash HECS debts by 20 per cent. Labor’s deputy leader Richard Marles used the rally to turn up the heat on Mr Dutton, amid growing popularity, saying the country would “lose” if the Liberals were elected. The next election, due by May next year, is currently projected to elect a hung parliament. Source link #Newspoll #Peter #Dutton #surges #Coalition #maintains #lead #Anthony #Albanese #Labor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stunning Footage Reveals Ocean Floor Absolutely Teeming With Spider ****** Stunning Footage Reveals Ocean Floor Absolutely Teeming With Spider ****** Off the coast of Chile and Peru, along the entire western length of South America, the seafloor takes a sharp, steep plunge deep into the Pacific Ocean. Known as the Chile margin, the region is defined by three tectonic plates sliding underneath the continental plate of South America. This process generates some interesting activity. At the junctions where the plates meet, volcanic activity bubbles up from below the seafloor, infusing the deep ocean with warmth and chemicals. And where such hydrothermal activity runs rampant, so too does an entire ecosystem, far beneath the waves. From aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too), a team of marine scientists led by Jeffrey Marlow from Boston University in the US, Patricia Esquete from the University of Aveiro in Portugal, and Eulogio Soto from the Universidad de Valparaíso in Chile, has ventured to explore these ecosystems, mapping the diversity and distribution of marine life that swarms the depths below. The 55-day expedition commenced on 11 October, and already the wealth of data is jaw-dropping. And, as part of their data collection, the researchers are obtaining spectacular videos of sights usually off-limits to humans, using the remotely-operated underwater vehicle, SuBastian. “As marine organisms ****, they sink to the seafloor, where they are ******* in the sediment – decomposing and enabling the slow buildup of methane. Eventually, the gas escapes upward through cracks and fissures, forming methane seeps,” the Institute explains. “Tiny single-celled organisms, chemosynthetic microbes, convert methane into energy to grow, forming carbonate rocks in the process. These seeps are known to be essential habitats, and the microbes consuming methane ensure this greenhouse gas ******** locked in the seafloor and out of our atmosphere.” Since the expedition is still underway, science results may be some time away yet, but we are being treated to some of the videos. An incredible compilation hints at much more treasures to come. Highlights include a seafloor absolutely teeming with spider ******; Lamellibrachia tubeworms so abundant they form a reef-like structure around which entire food webs thrive; skates, sea stars, and anemones; and a mother Gonatus onyx squid, carrying her eggs around on a membrane like a blanket, which after months of careful incubation is shaken vigorously to help her young hatch and swim free. A separate video posted to Instagram shows a polychaete worm rippling along the seafloor, its bristles shimmering with iridescence. These invertebrates are extremely diverse and fill important ecological roles, serving as predator, prey, and clean-up crew for ocean detritus. The expedition is set to continue until 5 December. Until then, the researchers will look for previously undiscovered seeps and vents, with a focus on the region called the Chile Triple Junction. This is the point at which the Nazca and Antarctic plates are subducted beneath the South ********* plate. Where the two former plates meet a ridge runs perpendicular to the subduction zone; it’s the only place in the world where an ocean ridge is being subducted beneath a continental plate. This means even more ocean life discoveries await in some of the ocean’s most dynamic geophysical environments. You can follow along with the expedition on the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s YouTube and Instagram pages. Related News Source link #Stunning #Footage #Reveals #Ocean #Floor #Absolutely #Teeming #Spider #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former WA senator Chris Evans unveiled as new Anti-Slavery Commissioner Former WA senator Chris Evans unveiled as new Anti-Slavery Commissioner A former long-serving WA Labor senator and minister will lead the Federal Government’s ****** to stamp out modern slavery and worker exploitation. Source link #senator #Chris #Evans #unveiled #AntiSlavery #Commissioner Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]