Pelican Press

Apple Updates Logic Pro for iPad and Mac With Flashback Capture, New Sound Packs and More Apple Updates Logic Pro for iPad and Mac With Flashback Capture, New Sound Packs and More Apple on Wednesday issued an update for the Logic Pro app which adds several features related to music production. The in-house digital audio workstation (DAW) app, which is available for the iPad and Mac, can now recover previous MIDI and audio performances even if you forgot to hit record. It also comes with an updated Stem Splitter that can extract a greater amount of detail from demos and old recordings, as per the company. Users can take advantage of two new sound packs in Logic Pro which are claimed to help amplify music production. Logic Pro App Update Price, Availability The new Logic Pro for Mac 11.2 is available as a free update for existing users and is priced at $199.99 (roughly Rs. 17,000) for new users in the US on the Mac App Store. Apple users can also subscribe to the Pro Apps Bundle for Education which includes Final Cut Pro, MainStage, Motion, and Compressor, for the same price as the standalone Logic Pro subscription. Using Logic Pro for Mac requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later, as per Apple. Logic Pro App Update Features In a newsroom post, Apple detailed the new features and improvements coming to the Logic Pro app following the latest update. One of the most notable additions is a feature called Flashback Capture. It allows artists to recover lost MIDI and audio performances even if they forgot to save during sessions. When Cycle mode is enabled, they can improvise multiple takes and the feature will automatically categorise each pass into a dedicated “take” folder, as per Apple. This feature is said to work using a key command or a custom control bar button. Apple says the Logic Pro app also features an updated Stem Splitter. It allows users to split and extract any audio recording into individual musical instruments such as drums, bass, and vocals. Users can choose to apply individual effects or add new parts before combining them again. Following the update, Stem Splitter can extract “greater detail” from old recordings and demos. It adds support for guitar and piano stems too. As per the company, there’s also a new submix feature that is said to make it easier to export select parts of the audio. For example, creators can remove vocals to create an instrumental music, or remove drums and bass for an acoustic version of a track. Updates have been made to Stem Splitter in Logic Pro Photo Credit: Apple Logic Pro update brings new sound packs too. The Dancefloor Rush features drum-and-bass sounds with 400 dynamic loops, punchy drum kits, and a custom Live Loops grid. Further, two other new sound packs, Magnetic Imperfections and Tosin Abasi, offer “essence of an analogue tape” and a progressive metal guitar with boutique amps, effects, and picking techniques, respectively. Apple says several features have been exclusively introduced for Mac. The Notepad app has received integrated support for Apple Intelligence-powered Writing Tools to help creators compose music lyrics. The new search and select feature is also said to make it easier to find and select tracks by their name or track number. Source link #Apple #Updates #Logic #Pro #iPad #Mac #Flashback #Capture #Sound #Packs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘He’s keen to play’: Kalyn Ponga no certainty to face the Dragons as Knights superstar braces for three games in eight days ‘He’s keen to play’: Kalyn Ponga no certainty to face the Dragons as Knights superstar braces for three games in eight days Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga has declared he’s keen to play, but Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien isn’t ready to make a definitive call on his availability for Friday’s clash against the Dragons just 48 hours after the Origin opener. Ponga was one of many Queensland players to be kept quiet at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, with the representative fullback flying down to Sydney where he wants to take his place at the back against a team just two points ahead of them on the ladder. “I spoke to him this morning and he’s keen to play,” O’Brien said. “Those guys, especially after a loss, they want to get back out there straight away. “It’s important that I meet him this afternoon down in Sydney and get eyes on him and work out what’s right for him, but also what’s right for us given the fact that we trained without him all week and some guys got the job done last week. “There are a few things to consider, but first and foremost I want to make sure that he’s healthy. “He’ll play a big part in the decision whether he’ll play or not. He’s got no pressure from me.” Fletcher Sharpe will shift to fullback if the Knights decide to rest Ponga, with Newcastle in action again next Thursday when they host the Sea Eagles. Sharpe was phenomenal in their much-needed win over the Panthers in Bathurst and is ready to light it up at the back again if required. “If Kalyn doesn’t play, naturally ‘Sharpey’ will go back there,” his coach said. “Until I see him this afternoon, I won’t know. Any team that’s got Kalyn Ponga in it, it gives you a better chance of winning. “But at the same time, I’m mindful that he played last night. Fullbacks cover a fair bit of ground and we’ve got a short turnaround next week so it’ll end up being three games in eight days. There’s a bit to factor in.” The Knights are enjoying a more relaxed week after the pressure on the team was eased with their win over the undermanned premiers. And while O’Brien has enjoyed the positive vibes around town, he knows his side must move on to their next challenge against a Dragons side that always lifts at home. “It was great to see smiles on the players’ faces and good to see some people in coffee shops around town a bit happier with us,” he said. “It was a bit of relief but a bit of confirmation that if we can hang onto the footy and play a certain style, we’re a pretty effective footy team. “That’s done now and we need to go and recreate it.” Source link #Hes #keen #play #Kalyn #Ponga #certainty #face #Dragons #Knights #superstar #braces #games #days Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nova Development Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 review Nova Development Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 review Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Nova Development produces an impressive array of design and productivity software, including a range of 3D home design tools, the top of the line version being “Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12”. Having reviewed all the best interior design software, I wanted to see how the latest version compares to the rest. So let’s take a look at it. Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Pricing & plans Purchase the software online, as you’d expect these days, with a price that’s to be expected for the number of available features, but we were very disappointed to learn that no trial version was available Nova Development Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 at Nova Development for $124.99 This software is PC-only, compatible with Windows 8, 10 and 11. It requires a 64-bit OS, a minimum of 2GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and 30GB of storage, and it can be yours for $125. You may like Sadly, Nova Development does not offer a trial version, so there’s no way for you to check out its wares before purchasing the software. However, they do offer a 60-day money back guarantee, so if you buy it and if it turns out not to be your cup of tea, return it, no questions asked. The easiest way to get this title is by clicking here – although we found the installation to be quite lengthy, even on full fibre, but we got there in the end. Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Interface Designing your project is easy (Image credit: Nova Development) The interface feels somewhat antiquated, but its organization is pretty much perfect, allowing you to select the tool you need with ease The interface feels dated, but the way the information is organised is very clean and easy to understand. The icons at the bottom of the window are used to control your environment. This is where you get to choose which view to work in (2D or 3D), add cameras to your 3D environment, choose which level of your building to work in, along with general controls when moving objects on your canvas, such as restricting movements to right angles, and making sure objects don’t collide with each other. You’ll find a series of tabs at the top, which is where all your design tools are stored, organised by clear categories. Further up is the traditional menu bar which contains links to those aforementioned tools, giving you multiple ways to access the same functions, which is something we greatly appreciate: the software allows you to work how you prefer, rather than forcing you to adapt to a developer’s idea of working. To the right, is the Inspector panel, which changes its content based on the currently selected tool. It’s very clear and simple, although we found the information there to be quite small compared to the other sections. We also found having to navigate through tiny folders inside a tiny inspector got a little frustrating at times. Thankfully there’s a search field at the top, if you know what you’re looking for. Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Building The 3D interface allows you to manipulate and alter your design (Image credit: Nova Development) Considering the complexity of designing a building, using this software is remarkably simple as the developers have clearly gone out of their way to make the creation process as easy as they could manage it Designing walls and rooms is very easy: select the wall tool, click on your canvas, click somewhere else, and one wall has been added between those two clicks. There’s even a function (selected by default) to ensure those walls stay straight, and go off from others at a 90 degree angle. You can add walls by using your mouse or trackpad, or by typing the value you’re after. By default the measurements will be shown in antiquated feet and inches, but you can alter that to the much more precise metric system from the ‘Settings’ section. There’s a lot of little touches we greatly appreciated, like the software being intelligent enough to know when the latest wall you’re adding will enclose a room, or when you reposition an existing wall, any other wall connected to it will also be resized as you do so, saving you tons of time when redesigning and fine tuning your project. Adding doors and windows is just a matter of choosing the one you’re after from the Inspector panel, and dragging it until you’re happy with its position. These objects know they’re supposed to be embedded into a wall and will snap to one in your project as you decide where to put it, even if your cursor veers off a little. Adding a ceiling can be done in a single click if you just want to cover the entire level in one go, but you’ve also got the option of being much more precise, choosing different types of ceilings for each room, say, or even creating partial ceilings. The flexibility and ease of use is impressive. Same goes for when it’s time to add a roof. You’ll likely primarily be working in the 2D environment, but you can also switch to 3D, and not just to appreciate your design in three dimensions: unlike some competing products, you also have design control in that environment as well, and we had a lot of fun with that. Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Wizards A few ‘wizards’ are available to speed up the creation process even more (Image credit: Nova Development) If you need another helping hand, conjure up a wizard to speed up some common design necessities, such as a kitchen, bathroom or deck Despite all the features created to facilitate the building of complex projects, sometimes you may need things to be speeded up somewhat. That’s where wizards come in. This software has a handful of them, to create the bare bones structure of a house, a kitchen, bathroom, a house’s foundations, or even a deck or shed. The wizard won’t do it all for you, of course, but through a series of simple choices, you can apply a template to your project, and then customize it further after it’s been inserted. For instance, the Kitchen Wizard will ask you for the basic shape you’re after (L-Shape, Galley, or U-Shape), its orientation, the generic placement of most units, and the style you’re after. After that, you add it to your plan, resize it to suit, and its job is done. You’re then free to take individual items, such as the sink or fridge, and move it around until you’re happy with its position. It’s a great way to get the basics done in a few seconds, giving you more time to fine tune and personalize your creation. Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Indoor and Outdoor Decoration Landscaping, and creating decks, is all part and parcel of the software (Image credit: Nova Development) The software has a large catalog of objects you can use to furnish your design, and comes with powerful tools to shape the landscape Adding furniture, both indoor or outdoor, is as easy as selecting a door or window: choose the right category, then scroll down the list in the Inspector until you find the item you’re after. We were unable to find a way to customize the available objects though (just like we couldn’t resize a chosen door or window), but there are so many options available you’re bound to find the one that matches your needs. And speaking of outdoor, this software goes beyond your house, and grants you the ability to design the outside, complete with altering the terrain, creating hills, retaining walls, the works, and of course, has a slew of plants and vegetation you can use to bring your design to life. As you’d expect for a program with such versatility, its minimum specs should be seen as that: minimum, and likely not even worth trying to match. As long as your computer swims in RAM and has a powerful processor, it should easily handle the software. Should I buy Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12? Image 1 of 2 Alter the terrain to your heart’s desire(Image credit: Nova Development ) The furniture inventory is vast(Image credit: Nova Development ) Buy it if… You’re on a PC, and you’re looking for a powerful, versatile, yet easy to use software package to design a project in 2D and 3D. Don’t buy it if… You don’t need something with so many options, your PC isn’t powerful enough, and the lack of trial software really puts you off. For more home design tools, we’ve reviewed the best landscape design software and the best architecture software. Nova Development Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12: Price Comparison Source link #Nova #Development #Virtual #Architect #Professional #Home #Design #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly threatened to leak sex tapes of his ex Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly threatened to leak sex tapes of his ex By Jack Queen and Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean “Diddy” Combs routinely beat his ex-girlfriend and during fits of rage threatened to release sex tapes of her to the internet, a stylist testified on Wednesday at the hip-hop mogul’s sex trafficking trial. Deonte Nash, who worked as a stylist for Combs and Combs’ former girlfriend Casandra Ventura from 2008 to 2018, alleged that Combs repeatedly beat Ventura and threatened to release the tapes while raging at her for not being obedient. “He told her she ******* up and he was going to put her sex tapes on the internet,” Nash said, recounting an alleged incident in 2013 or 2014. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on all counts. Last week, Scott Mescudi – the rapper known as Kid Cudi – testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi’s car was one of several violent or ******** acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. On Wednesday, a lawyer for Combs told the judge outside the jury’s presence that prosecutors’ questions to a Los Angeles arson investigator implied that Combs had a role in the destruction of fingerprint evidence, arguing the questions were grounds for a mistrial. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian swiftly denied the request, saying none of the testimony was unfair to Combs. He told jurors to disregard the questions and answers about the fingerprints. Testimony in Combs’ trial in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women, including Ventura, over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fueled ******* performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” Combs’ lawyers have acknowledged that he was at times abusive in domestic relationships, but said the women who participated in Freak Offs did so consensually. Over four days of emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Ventura recounted years of alleged physical and emotional abuse by Combs. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she hated the Freak Offs. She said she participated because she loved Combs and because she feared how he would react if she didn’t. (Reporting by Jack Queen and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller) Source link #Sean #Diddy #Combs #allegedly #threatened #leak #sex #tapes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amer Sports: The New ONON and DECK of Consumer Discretionary? Amer Sports: The New ONON and DECK of Consumer Discretionary? In 2025, among the biggest rebounders is one of the hottest names in the consumer discretionary sector over the past year or so, Amer Sports (NYSE:). Since going public back in Feb. 2024, Amer Sports has seen its shares rise by around 187% as of the May 23 close. This dramatic rise conjures images of the explosive returns seen by other stocks like On Holding (NYSE:) and Deckers Outdoor (NYSE:) in past years. So, can Amer Sport’s incredible run continue, and is the apparel and footwear stock the new On Running and Deckers Outdoor of the current market? To answer that question, let’s break down what Amer Sports does and its financial progress. Amer Sports’ Strong Q1 Earnings Catapult the Stock into Deep Green Territory Although the rebound in its sector has greatly helped Amer Sports’ recovery, the company has done much of the heavy lifting itself. Amer Sports’ extremely impressive Q1 earnings allowed the stock to rise 19% afterward. The company saw sales grow by over 23%, much faster than analysts’ expectations of just under 17% growth. The company over doubled its adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from $0.11 to $0.27, which also massively exceeded expectations. Amer increased the midpoint of its full-year EPS guidance by over 4% and increased the midpoint of its revenue growth guidance from 14% to 16%. Both of these figures were solidly ahead of analyst forecasts. AS: Underlying Drivers Look Just as Impressive As is typically true with hot clothing and footwear stocks, Amer Sports’s success is all about the brands it owns. Amer Sports’s largest and most important brand is Arc’teryx. Arc’teryx makes very high-end outdoor clothing. It is particularly known for its lightweight waterproof jackets, which sell at prices between $400 and $900. The company’s technical apparel segment, in which Arc’teryx is, saw the fastest revenue growth of 28%, accounting for 45% of total revenue. Amer’s promising geographic-based sales also stand out. Greater China sales grew by 43% and accounted for around 25% of total revenue in 2024. Last quarter, the United States made up 26% of revenue, with the company’s “Americas” sales growing by 12%. This demonstrates that the company has a strong presence in the two largest economies in the world, giving it a strong runway to grow its business. The company’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth of 39% also outpaced the 12% growth of its wholesale channel by over three times. This is another very positive sign, as DTC sales cut out middlemen, allowing the company to generate higher margins. The higher DTC growth rate bodes well for the company’s ability to continue expanding margins. Additionally, the company’s second-largest segment, Outdoor Performance, saw its growth rate nearly double to 25%. This segment made up 34% of total revenue. Strong performance by its Salomon footwear and apparel line drove this. The company sees strong long-term growth potential in its Salomon shoes. They generated $1 billion in revenue in 2024, giving them less than 1% market share in the global $180 billion sneaker market. The company also plans to roll out more Arc’teryx footwear in the second half of 2025, allowing another way to further penetrate this market. Amer Sports: High Valuation Stock With Opportunities and Skilled Management Overall, the success of Amer Sports and the strong pathways for growth and higher profitability make its rapid rise understandable. Wall Street analysts significantly raised their price targets after the May 20 results. Among those tracked by MarketBeat that updated their forecasts afterward, the average price target is just under $41. This implies an upside of only 6% from the stock’s May 27 closing price. Additionally, the company’s relative valuation versus its industry looks elevated. The stock’s nearly 49x price-to-earnings ratio is significantly above the 29x average of a group of the eight largest U.S. stocks in its industry. However, the company also has one of the best earnings and sales growth profiles. Expecting the stock to continue generating returns similar to those of On and Deckers in its heyday may be a bit unreasonable at these levels. If the company hopes to continue substantially beating forecasts, expectations will keep rising. The potential in footwear could allow this to happen. The company’s fantastic execution and ability to make products that resonate with consumers are hard to bet against. Overall, investors should view Amer Sports as a somewhat high-risk, high-reward consumer discretionary play going forward. Original Post Source link #Amer #Sports #ONON #DECK #Consumer #Discretionary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Netanyahu says ****** Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar has been killed – KSL.com Netanyahu says ****** Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar has been killed – KSL.com Netanyahu says ****** Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar has been killed KSL.comView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Netanyahu #****** #Gaza #chief #Mohammad #Sinwar #killed #KSL.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Somerset farmers aim to go green without SFI grants Somerset farmers aim to go green without SFI grants Dave Harvey Business and Environment Correspondent, BBC West BBC Aidan Stanley says people are happy to pay for his low-carbon beef When the government axed the Sustainable Farming Incentive, many farmers said the loss of cash incentives to grow nature-friendly crops would leave them facing a hard choice. That choice was between growing as much food as possible to make a profit, or looking after nature while losing money in the process. But some farmers argue it is possible to do both. Aidan Stanley raises beef cattle entirely on untouched grass pastures at Lilliput Farm near Bath, a practice which substantially reduces carbon emissions. “This is working because of public demand,” he said. So what is he doing to make his farm more sustainable, and how does he make it pay? Can you raise a low-carbon cow? Aidan and his dad Oliver walk me up an old valley just north of Bath. The land has been pasture meadow since royalist forces drew up their lines on Lansdown Hill above us, in the English Civil War in the 1600s. “These oak trees were mostly planted in the 18th Century,” remarks Oliver. The Stanleys’ farming style is as old as the meadow. They allow grass to grow, with wildflowers and among plenty of trees, then move the cattle onto it to graze. The old trees help store carbon, and the meadow has not been ploughed in hundreds of years. “The cattle just eat grass from the pasture and hay made from it in the winter – nothing else,” says Oliver. The traditional Hereford beef cattle graze an ancient pasture near Bath This is more radical than it may sound. Most of us only see cows when they are eating grass out in the fields. But most cows spend a lot more time in barns, eating grain. “Most cattle in the *** is grain-fed for most of its life,” explains Aidan. “In fact ‘grass-fed’ labels [in supermarkets] mean only that a cow has eaten grass for 51% of its life.” So what? Does it matter if cows eat grain? “Because we don’t use grain that saves more carbon on the fertiliser that would have been used in the transport and the processing,” Aidan added. Birds foot trefoil is one of many wildflowers growing in the meadows Is the meat more expensive? Farming like this has its costs, of course. The cows grow more slowly – typically taking three years to reach a full weight before they are slaughtered, compared with just 15 months for conventional beef cattle. And to allow the grass time to grow back, farmers tend to have fewer cattle and more fields than typical beef farms, meaning that per acre, per year, the beef is more expensive. How do they make it pay then? The answer is right next to the field of cows: their own restaurant. Selling their beef direct to the public through a restaurant enables the farm to make a profit “The restaurant makes this work,” explains Aidan. “This is the main outlet for our beef.” At lunchtime the restaurant sells sausages and beefburgers, the latter from the farm’s own cows of course, alongside high-end vegetarian dishes. Sunday roasts are popular with families, and in its first year the restaurant had 22,000 customers. Aidan adds: “As the government withdraws support for sustainable farming it is going to be harder for people to do this, but it’s reassuring that this is working because of public demand.” Can every farm go green without grants? Of course, not every farm can open its own restaurant. And the country need farmers supplying ordinary shops with everyday food. So can other farmers follow these more sustainable systems, and still turn a profit? While visiting the farm, I meet Jimmy Woodrow, who runs Pasture for Life. His organisation persuades farmers to raise cattle entirely on grass, and they have certified Lilliput Farm. He insists that this kind of green farming can save farmers money. Jimmy Woodrow says farmers can go green and save money He explains: “If you’re reducing your costs on things like feed, fertiliser, vet and medical costs, you going to have more profit on each cow. The challenge for smaller farms, is how many animals do you need to make a living? It’s a lot.” And this is where he thinks government does have a role. “There are lots of farmers who are doing a fantastic job for nature, while being profitable, but they need government support if they are to scale up and produce more food,” he says. Since the government closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme in March, they have been consulting on a replacement. Officials told me the “improved SFI scheme” will be launched in the summer. A government spokesperson said: “The scheme will target public funds more effectively to meet the needs of both farmers and the environment.” Source link #Somerset #farmers #aim #green #SFI #grants Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Women’s US Open: Why $12m event comes at a crucial moment for the game Women’s US Open: Why $12m event comes at a crucial moment for the game The ebullient Whan, better than most golf executives, understands such dynamics. He knows how to connect and communicate with players, sponsors and fans alike. When he moved on from the LPGA, Samaan’s regime struggled to maintain momentum. There was an early setback when players failed to turn up for an important sponsor dinner they were expected to attend. The then commissioner “took full responsibility” while Terry Duffy, the boss of the backer in question, CME, was furious. “The leadership needs to work with their players to make sure that everybody has a clear understanding of how we grow the game together.” he said. It was one of a number of setbacks. A proposed merger with the Ladies European Tour looked certain to be completed but came to nothing. Instead, the LET continued to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and the Aramco Series that underpins its schedule. At last year’s Solheim Cup, the park-and-ride system was botched, leaving empty seats in first tee grandstands for the start of the most important event in women’s golf. Samaan needed to issue a public apology behalf of the tour. Players were recently informed that the LPGA’s South Korean rights partners have not paid their bills for 2024 or 2025. The chief marketing and communications officer, Matt Chmura, departed earlier this month after only a year in the job. Amid all this upheaval came Samaan’s resignation at the end of last year. English veteran Mel Reid, an LPGA board member, told the Golf Channel: “She was under pressure from a lot of players.” When asked what should be Kessler’s priorities when he takes over, a former major winner told me: “He will need to rebuild some bridges and show that the LPGA is a place where corporations can do business.” Another insider said that the new commissioner has to reconnect with players and sponsors and “get the tour back to where it was when Mike Whan left it”. Kessler speaks of pillars to underpin his new regime, starting with “building trust; trust with our players, trust with our sponsors, trust with our fans, and trust with our team”. Source link #Womens #Open #12m #event #crucial #moment #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Roger Cook and Paul Papalia open up over struggles of raising child with type one diabetes to raise awareness Roger Cook and Paul Papalia open up over struggles of raising child with type one diabetes to raise awareness Speaking ahead of the Blue Tie Gala fundraising event for Breakthrough T1D next weekend, the senior government figures said their families had both experienced the struggle of managing diabetic children. Source link #Roger #Cook #Paul #Papalia #open #struggles #raising #child #type #diabetes #raise #awareness Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Latest Donald Trump approval ratings: New poll finds changes Latest Donald Trump approval ratings: New poll finds changes President Donald Trump’s approval rating has ticked up slightly, according to a new poll. A YouGov/The Economist poll conducted between May 23 and May 26 found that among registered voters, 46% approved of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 52% expressed disapproval. Among U.S. adults surveyed, 44% approved of how Trump is managing things in the Oval Office, while 52% said they disapproved. The survey found that Trump’s overall approval rating increased by a percentage point compared to the previous YouGov/The Economist poll, conducted between May 16 and May 19. In that poll, 45% of registered voters approved Trump’s handling of the presidency and 52% said they disapproved. Among U.S. adults surveyed, 43% expressed approval, while 51% expressed disapproval. Of the respondents who disapprove of Trump’s handling of the presidency, 92% identified themselves as Democrats, 56% as Independents, and 10% as Republicans, according to the new poll. Among those who approve of Trump’s handling of the job, 89% of respondents identify as a Republican, while only 6% identify as a Democrat, according to the poll. A total of 35% of respondents who expressed approval identified themselves as independents. In terms of respondents who identified as women, 56% disapproved of Trump’s management as president, while 40% approved, according to the poll. Respondents who identified as men, however, approve and disapprove of Trump equally at 48%. The new poll also asks respondents about the health of Trump and former President Joe Biden. The question comes a week following the release of CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson’s “Original Sin,” a book that details an alleged “cover-up” of Biden’s mental decline in office. The poll reveals that 57% of Americans, including 28% who identify as Democrats, believe that the Democrats tried to hide information about Biden’s health during his presidency. A total of 42% of Americans stated Trump is being transparent about his health, while 31% said Biden is transparent about his health. The YouGov/The Economist poll conducted between May 23 to May 26 has a sample size of 1,660 U.S. adult citizens and 1,486 registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%. The YouGov/The Economist poll conducted between May 16 to May 19 has a sample size of 1,710 U.S. adult citizens and 1,558 registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%. More on Politics Read the original article on MassLive. Source link #Latest #Donald #Trump #approval #ratings #poll #finds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. markets cheer as ‘reciprocal’ tariffs struck down U.S. markets cheer as ‘reciprocal’ tariffs struck down President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order after delivering remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden on April 2, 2025. Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump has been accused of walking back on his trade policies — a Financial Times columnist succinctly described that apparent pattern as the “TACO” theory, or “Trump Always Chickens Out.” The walk-backs on tariffs has largely been a positive for markets. Now, a federal court has struck down his “reciprocal” tariffs — the same that were put on hold by Trump — lifting U.S. futures. Markets in extended trading were already buoyed by Nvidia’s sales figure in the January quarter. The chipmaker posted a 73% surge in revenue from its data center division, which includes artificial intelligence chips and other related components. Overall revenue jumped 69% to $44.06 billion from $26 billion a year earlier — and would have been even higher if not for restrictions on exports to China, Nvidia said. In other words, demand for AI chips is still booming, despite worries about companies not needing as many advanced chips and corporations spending less because of uncertainty caused by tariffs. And with the courts starting to rein in Trump’s trade policies, it’ll likely boost business sentiment — and Nvidia’s revenue. However, chip export restrictions to China are unlikely to be pulled back, since those rules, in the White House’s view, are more a matter of national security than “negotiation” — which was how Trump characterized his tariff moves. In any case, with recent developments, there could be much less deal-making for Trump to do. What you need to know today Trump ‘reciprocal’ tariffs stuck downThe U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday blocked Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on countries worldwide, which he enacted in April. In its ruling, the court said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump invoked to impose the tariffs, does not authorize a president to levy universal duties on imports. The separate tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China related to drug trafficking also “fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders,” the panel wrote, and ordered a permanent halt to the tariffs at issue in the case. Nvidia posts revenue jump despite China curbsNvidia first-quarter earnings beat LSEG estimates. Earnings per share came in at 96 cents adjusted, higher than 93 cents expected, while revenue was $44.06 billion — juiced by a 73% year-on-year jump in revenue from Nvidia’s data center division — which beat the $43.31 billion forecast. Investors cheered the results, pushing up Nvidia shares by 4.89% in extended trading. Export restrictions to China, however, are weighing on Nvidia. “The $50 billion China market is effectively closed to U.S. industry,” CEO Jensen Huang said. ‘Negotiation,’ not backing out: TrumpTrump on Wednesday pushed back against the “TACO theory.” It describes a pattern which Trump announces new tariffs, sending markets tumbling, and then later pauses or lightens them, causing markets to rebound. When asked by CNBC about the term, Trump said his moves are “called negotiation.” Markets fell ahead Nvidia earningsMajor U.S. indexes slipped Wednesday as the yield on the 30-year Treasury briefly touched 5%. However, U.S. stock futures jumped early Thursday on news that Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs were struck down by a Federal court. Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday. South Korea’s Kospi index was up 1.8% at 1:45 p.m. Singapore time as the country’s central bank cut its interest rate to 2.5% from 2.75%, its lowest level since August 2022 and as expected by a Reuters poll of economists. Investors are growing nervous holding U.S. debtSpreads, or premiums, on U.S. 1-year credit default swaps — which are essentially the costs of insuring exposure to U.S. government debt — were up at 52 basis points as of Wednesday from 16 basis points at the start of this year, and are hovering at two-year highs, LSEG data showed. That suggests investors are growing nervous about the risks of financing U.S. debt. But analysts say rising premiums are more a speculative play or hedge against risk rather than a sign of impending financial crisis and insolvency. Tesla investors want Musk to work moreTesla investors on Wednesday wrote a letter to Robyn Denholm, the board chair, demanding CEO Elon Musk to work a minimum of 40 hours per week at the automaker as a condition of any new compensation plan they may arrange for him. Tesla’s “declining sales” and “a plummeting global reputation” linked to Musk’s role in the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency are are cause for serious concern,” the group of pension fund leaders wrote. [PRO] Bond yields might still pressure stocksHigher bond yields on Wednesday appeared to help put a damper on the stock market’s strong start to the week, with the 30-year Treasury yield pushing back toward the 5% level as the S&P 500 stalled. Analysts are warning the bond market could experience more ruction, which would put a lid on any stock rally. And finally… A Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) C919 aircraft under assembly at the Comac Shanghai Research and Development Center on May 4, 2017. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Xi wants to boost China’s advanced manufacturing prowess — and Trump may not like it Forget the factory lines for socks, sneakers and T-shirts. Trump wants to boost the domestic production of high-tech products, not apparel or footwear, he told reporters Sunday. However, China is doubling down on its efforts to bolster advanced manufacturing, which could put both countries on a collision course. Just last week, ******** President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his plans for manufacturing-led growth during a visit to the northern province of Henan, pressing ahead with a strategy long criticized by the U.S. and major trade partners for deepening global trade imbalances. The manufacturing sector contributed to over 25% of China’s gross domestic product in 2023, according to the World Bank. While China’s push to expand its manufacturing capabilities is part of its goal to achieve self-reliance, especially in high-tech sectors, this could run counter to the Trump administration’s demands that China address its trade imbalances, experts warn. Source link #U.S #markets #cheer #reciprocal #tariffs #struck Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Eastern Conference Final: Hurricanes vs. Panthers game, injury, score updates – WRALSportsFan.com Eastern Conference Final: Hurricanes vs. Panthers game, injury, score updates – WRALSportsFan.com Eastern Conference Final: Hurricanes vs. Panthers game, injury, score updates WRALSportsFan.comPanthers to Cup Final: ‘This year, it’s all business’ ESPNHurricanes beat at their own game by Panthers in Eastern Conference Final NHL.comGame Five GameDay: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes Litter Box CatsHurricanes 3, Panthers 0 Canes Country Source link #Eastern #Conference #Final #Hurricanes #Panthers #game #injury #score #updates #WRALSportsFan.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fundraiser launched for Sophia Rose’s family after 3yo allegedly killed by mum Fundraiser launched for Sophia Rose’s family after 3yo allegedly killed by mum A fundraiser has been launched for the devastated family of Sophia Rose, with the little girl remembered for her “big eyes” and “infectious laugh” in the aftermath of Monday’s nightmare. The GoFundMe, launched by family friend Connor Thompson, has raised nearly $10,000 from a $15,000 target, with a yellow rose posted to the appeal as a tribute to the toddler’s life. “Sophia Rose was a sweet little girl with big eyes and an infectious laugh that could light up the room,” the appeal reads. “Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold. Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. “Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever.” The appeal comes just days after Sophia Rose was allegedly murdered by her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32. Police have charged Ms Flanigan with *******, alleging she stabbed Sophia Rose multiple times at their Moore Park Beach home north of Bundaberg, about 365km north of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon. Camera IconA fundraiser has been launched for Sophia Rose. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Flanigan, a member of the Alive Church in Bundaberg, remains in custody. “In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, a grieving father and little boy and girl is left to cope with the devastating loss of their beloved daughter and sister,” the appeal reads. “Her life was taken far too soon, leaving behind a family and community shattered by sorrow. In this incredibly difficult time, we are reaching out to ask for your support. “Your donations will help this father navigate the overwhelming financial burden of ******** expenses, legal fees, a place to call home and the emotional toll of this tragedy. Camera IconThe fundraiser will help Sophia Rose’s father Jai Ruane as he navigates the turmoil of the week. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia “No amount is too small – every contribution provides a small light during this dark time, allowing him to focus on healing and honouring the memory of his precious daughter.” Burnett MP Stephen Bennett, in a post to social media on Thursday, said the event had rocked the small Bundaberg community. “My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families involved in the several tragic incidents across the region over the last days and weeks,” he said. “These shocking events rock our small communities, but your support for each other is what will get us through and eventually help us heal. “If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to Lifeline, Kids Helpline Official, 13 Yarn, Beyond Blue.” Source link #Fundraiser #launched #Sophia #Roses #family #3yo #allegedly #killed #mum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What F1 is clamping down on with flexi-wings at the Spanish GP What F1 is clamping down on with flexi-wings at the Spanish GP From this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix onwards, the testing regime governing the front wings of Formula 1 cars will be toughened to reduce the amount of permitted flex under load. Under Article 3.15.4 of F1’s technical regulations, the flap areas of the front wings may deflect under load by no more than 15mm. This is now being reduced to 10mm. Aero-elasticity has been an occasional focus of intrigue since the 1990s. It’s impossible for a wing or similar area of bodywork to be infinitely rigid under the loads experienced at speed, so a degree of flex is inevitable. Many teams have exploited – and continue to exploit – this by designing areas of bodywork to deform or flex under load in a relatively controlled manner, potentially cutting drag and enabling cars to achieve higher top speeds. Materials science has reached the stage where it is relatively straightforward to use finite element analysis to lay up the carbon-fibre sheets in a composite component in such a way that they achieve an optimum strength and weight, along with a predictable amount of flex. As the current technical regulations mature and gains become harder to find, subtle tricks involving aero-elasticity have returned to the agenda and become the subject of frequent clampdowns by racing’s governing body. Last year there was a brouhaha surrounding McLaren’s rear wings, which rivals claimed were flexing in such a way that the gap between the two main planes increased slightly while at speed, cutting drag. The FIA introduced new parameters and testing procedures to prevent this so-called ‘mini-DRS’, including high-definition onboard cameras to monitor the rear wings during practice. These were tightened up again before this year’s ******** Grand Prix weekend; footage emerged of the McLaren rear wing appearing to flex during the season-opener in Australia, but FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis had already decided on stricter measures during the pre-season test in Bahrain. Changes to the front-wing testing regime were decided upon in January, though the introduction was delayed until the Spanish Grand Prix to give teams more time to adapt their designs in what is a highly complex area with potentially long lead times from concept through simulation to manufacture. It’s understood some teams – Red Bull being particularly vociferous – argued in favour of bringing in the new tests for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix rather than Spain. Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Advertisement “This phased approach allows teams to adapt without the need to discard existing components unnecessarily,” explained the FIA. “These adjustments are aimed at further refining our ability to monitor and enforce bodywork flexibility regulations, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors to promote fair and exciting racing.” The key challenge with testing is that it’s impossible to measure wing flex while the car is moving. Instead a static load – in this case 1000 Newtons – is applied on both sides of the front wing simultaneously, and the areas under load must not deflect by more than 10mm. One Newton is the force required to make 1kg of mass accelerate in the direction of the applied force at a rate of one meter per second squared. The smaller rear flaps are subjected to a 60-Newton load and may deflect by no more than 3mm at the outboard edge. This is to prevent too much flex being engineered into the so-called ‘fish plates’ which connect these wing elements to the main plane. Naturally there has been much speculation and intrigue surrounding who might have been using such techniques, how much they have benefitted and how much they may be affected by the change in testing regulations. Red Bull have frequently and publicly pointed the finger at McLaren concerning wing flexibility; since the MCL39 has passed all the existing tests, Red Bull’s only recourse has been to share video footage on social media to keep the issue alive. To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website. Source link #clamping #flexiwings #Spanish Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EA Deciding Not to Cash In on Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy With ****** Panther Game Is a Mistake EA Deciding Not to Cash In on Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy With ****** Panther Game Is a Mistake Corporate executives love talking about “meaningful experiences” and “cultural impact” until the quarterly reports start looking scary. EA’s decision to axe their ****** Panther game represents everything wrong with modern gaming’s risk-averse mentality. The cancellation doesn’t just kill another superhero project. It abandons the chance to honor Chadwick Boseman’s transformative portrayal of T’Challa, a character that redefined representation in entertainment. Gaming desperately needs more diverse stories, yet here’s EA running scared from one of the most culturally significant characters in recent memory. The irony tastes bitter. EA’s ****** Panther retreat shows industry cowardice Yesterday’s announcement hit like a corporate sledgehammer. EA cancelled their ****** Panther game and shuttered Cliffhanger Games entirely, citing the need to “focus on more significant growth opportunities.” Translation: they got cold feet about anything that wasn’t a guaranteed money printer. According to IGN‘s reporting, the decision affects multiple teams across EA’s structure, with layoffs hitting Cliffhanger Games hardest. The studio, founded specifically to develop this project, lasted barely two years before being killed by what appears to be corporate anxiety. The timing feels particularly cruel. ****** Panther: Wakanda Forever proved audiences still hunger for T’Challa’s world, even after Boseman’s tragic passing. Gaming could have offered a unique way to explore Wakandan culture and technology, but EA apparently decided that cultural significance doesn’t translate to shareholder value. Excited to bring you new, original stories of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes! @MarvelGames#BlackPanther @CliffhangerDevs#IronMan @MotiveStudio pic.twitter.com/JM6GrbYefq — Electronic Arts (@EA) July 14, 2023 This wasn’t some experimental indie project either. The game promised a third-person action-adventure experience set in one of Marvel’s richest fictional worlds. Early concepts suggested deep exploration of Wakandan society, advanced technology, and the weight of leadership—themes perfectly suited for interactive storytelling. Instead, EA chose the path of least resistance, retreating to familiar franchises where profit margins feel safer. It’s corporate cowardice disguised as business strategy. The Monolith connection makes this tragedy even worse The minds behind gaming innovation, now unemployed. | Image Credit: Monolith Productions The ****** Panther cancellation becomes more infuriating when you trace the talent involved. Cliffhanger Games was led by Kevin Stephens, formerly of Monolith Productions—the studio behind the revolutionary Middle-earth games and their groundbreaking Nemesis System. Monolith’s story itself reads like a masterclass in corporate mismanagement. After creating some of gaming’s most innovative experiences, Warner Bros. cancelled their original “Legacy” project in 2021, triggering a mass exodus of talent. Many of those developers eventually joined EA to form Cliffhanger Games. The cruel irony? Warner Bros. officially shut down Monolith Productions in February 2025 after cancelling their Wonder Woman project. So within months, both DC and Marvel superhero games from the same core talent pool got axed by different publishers. The pattern exposes gaming’s fundamental problem: publishers want innovation’s rewards without accepting innovation’s risks. They’ll greenlight projects when market conditions look perfect, then abandon them the moment uncertainty creeps in. Chadwick Boseman deserved better than becoming another casualty in gaming’s profit-obsessed culture. His portrayal of T’Challa inspired millions and redefined what superhero stories could represent. EA’s retreat from that legacy feels like a betrayal of everything the character stood for. What’s your take on EA’s decision? Share your thoughts on whether gaming needs to take more creative risks below. Source link #Deciding #Cash #Chadwick #Bosemans #Legacy #****** #Panther #GameIsaMistake Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rhode: Hailey Bieber's makeup brand sold to e.l.f. in $1bn deal – BBC Rhode: Hailey Bieber's makeup brand sold to e.l.f. in $1bn deal – BBC Rhode: Hailey Bieber’s makeup brand sold to e.l.f. in $1bn deal BBCE.l.f. Beauty to acquire Hailey Bieber skincare brand Rhode in deal valued up to $1 billion CNBCE.l.f. Buys Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Cosmetics Brand in $1 Billion Deal WSJRhode to be acquired by Elf Beauty for $1 billion Vogue BusinessHailey Bieber Is a Billionaire Now: Rhode Sells The Cut Source link #Rhode #Hailey #Bieber039s #makeup #brand #sold #e.l.f #1bn #deal #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Veteran Wallabies duo gear up for Japanese farewell Veteran Wallabies duo gear up for Japanese farewell Suzuka is set to host the end of an era on Friday night, when Quade Cooper and Will Genia play their final match in Japan. The former Wallabies halves are yet to declare whether Hanazono Liners’ season finale will double as the final chapter of their professional careers. But the duo will bid farewell to Japan Rugby League One after playing the Liners’ second promotion/relegation game against Mie Heat. Hanging up the boots together would be fitting for Cooper and Genia, who have partnered in the halves for Australia, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and in Japan. The pair of 37-year-olds, who joined the Osaka-based Hanazono in 2019, boast a combined 190 Tests caps. Playmaker Cooper was given his Wallabies debut by Robbie Deans against Italy at Padua in 2008, while scrumhalf Genia’s international career started a year later. Hanazono skipper Genia, who registered interest in playing for the combined ***********/New Zealand side on July 12 against the touring British and Irish Lions, has been a star performer in his final season with 11 tries. Hanazono must overturn a four-point deficit from the first leg, after a try by Genia’s former Wallabies teammate Tom Banks helped Heat snatch a late 29-25 win in the opening game of the series. Cooper and Genia aren’t the only Australians with important business to conclude on the final weekend of the season, with Israel Folau and Samu Kerevi needing to inspire Uraysau D-Rocks in Saturday’s return match against Shuttles Aichi. The Division Two champions are currently one point ahead, after recovering from a 28-0 deficit to upset D-Rocks 43-42 in the opening match of their relegation series. It is the final chance for Kerevi, who has been one of the league’s standouts, to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt before his squad for the Lions series is named. On Sunday, ex-Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley will chase his second title in Japan as Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay take on All ******* playmaker Richie Mo’unga’s Brave Lupus Tokyo in the Division One decider. Foley, who won a Super Rugby crown with the Waratahs in 2014, was part of the Spears outfit that became Japanese champions. Source link #Veteran #Wallabies #duo #gear #Japanese #farewell Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Poland holds a presidential runoff election, which Trump has sought to influence Poland holds a presidential runoff election, which Trump has sought to influence WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s presidential election has come down to a stark ideological choice: a liberal pro-European mayor versus a staunch nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday. It’s not just a domestic affair. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, and dangled the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. A contest with global implications Trump met with Nawrocki earlier this month at the White House and sent his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to a meeting of the conservative pressure group CPAC in Poland, where she offered a strong endorsement. Noem even dangled the prospect of closer U.S.-Polish military ties in the event of a Nawrocki win — with the implied warning that a Trzaskowski victory could jeopardize Poland’s security. At stake is not only Poland’s domestic course but also the international standing of a key European Union and NATO member on the alliance’s eastern flank, in a region gripped by anxiety over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sunday’s vote will either empower Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a pro-EU reformer, with a presidential ally who can advance his rule-of-law agenda — or saddle him with a rival who could veto legislation and block government initiatives. Trzaskowski’s supporters argue that a pro-European leader would enhance Poland’s global standing during a time of war in Europe. Nawrocki’s backers believe only conservative rule can safeguard national sovereignty and traditional Christian values, and they say Trump’s support would greatly enhance Poland’s security. Growing support for the populist right But the candidate who may ultimately decide the outcome is one who won’t appear on the runoff ballot. Sławomir Mentzen, a 38-year-old far-right politician and beer producer from the central city of Torun, finished third in the first round of voting on May 18, with nearly 15% of the vote. Though eliminated, his supporters — often young, anti-establishment, and deeply skeptical of both Brussels and Poland’s political establishment — have become the most sought-after constituency in the country. Both remaining candidates have gone out of their way to court Mentzen and his base. In recent days, each man traveled to the north-central Polish town of Torun, famous for being the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, to appear on Mentzen’s YouTube channel, where he has built a following with a mix of libertarian economics, nationalist rhetoric, and anti-EU invective. His influence highlights a broader shift in Polish politics, where the far right — once considered a fringe force — is increasingly shaping the national agenda. It’s also part of a larger trend of hard-right parties gaining traction across Europe. The appeal of right-wing forces in changing times Piotr Buras, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations’ Warsaw office, says Poland is part of a larger pattern in which voters turn to populist forces amid rapid social change. But he also cites local factors, such as disillusionment with Tusk’s coalition. That coalition, which spans the ideological spectrum, has struggled to agree on key issues, including liberalizing the abortion law — a campaign promise. Meanwhile, outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda has blocked parts of Tusk’s agenda. Observers say the coalition’s voters must be highly mobilized on Sunday to defeat Nawrocki. Many votes in the first round went to protest candidates. Among voters aged 18–29, over 35% backed Mentzen, and nearly 20% supported a far-left candidate, Adrian Zandberg, according to exit polls. In addition, an extreme right-wing antisemite, Grzegorz Braun, won more than 6% of the votes overall. Buras believes right-wing protest candidates are more appealing today than those on the left because they promise to restore a lost past, while the left promises a better future that many see as unattainable. “The world is changing, society is changing very fast, much faster than anytime in the past,” Buras said. “People are worried and they vote for those who say we can go back to the glorious past.” Campaigning on a YouTube stage Since the first round, Mentzen — co-leader of the Confederation party — has presented both candidates with an eight-point list of demands: no new taxes; defense of cash payments; expanded gun rights; and opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine, among others. Nawrocki, who appeared on Mentzen’s show on June 22, signed on to all eight points — including the controversial Ukraine stance — breaking with his Law and Justice party’s longstanding support for Kyiv’s integration with the West. Trzaskowski appeared two days later. He said he could agree with some points, like fiscal restraint, but rejected others. He strongly defended LGBTQ+ rights and reaffirmed that Ukraine should eventually join NATO, once the war ends, calling it key to Poland’s own security. The YouTube interviews have dominated the political conversation, underscoring how Mentzen, a TikTok-savvy outsider, has upended traditional campaigning. The exchange between Trzaskowski and Mentzen on Saturday was occasionally tense, especially over LGBTQ+ rights, but remained civil and substantive. In many ways it overshadowed a traditional televised debate the day before. The substance of that debate did not seem to change the trajectory of the campaign. The thing Poles discussed most was a brief moment when Nawrocki inserted something into his mouth which he later said was a tobacco pouch. Some have questioned if he is fit to be president if he couldn’t get through a two-hour debate without taking a hit of tobacco. A post-debate meeting over beer After the sometimes sharp exchanges, Mentzen sat down for a beer with Trzaskowski and others in the pub he owns. The informal gathering was documented by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who was there as well. He posted a video on social media Saturday evening showing the group with the words: “For a Poland that unites, not divides.” The video quickly went viral, with commentators speculating about whether it was a spontaneous gesture or a calculated political move. It was also one more example, if more were needed, of how far-right forces in Europe are slowly becoming accepted. For Mentzen, the moment was also awkward. The man who made his name skewering the political elite appeared cozy with establishment figures. Critics on the hard right lashed out, revealing fractures in the movement he helped popularize. After dangling the promises of an endorsement for days, Mentzen on Wednesday afternoon said he wouldn’t offer one to either candidate. “Vote as your conscience tells you,” he told his supporters. Source link #Poland #holds #presidential #runoff #election #Trump #sought #influence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

E.l.f. Beauty to Acquire Hailey Bieber’s Rhode in $1 Billion Deal – WWD E.l.f. Beauty to Acquire Hailey Bieber’s Rhode in $1 Billion Deal – WWD E.l.f. Beauty to Acquire Hailey Bieber’s Rhode in $1 Billion Deal WWDRhode: Hailey Bieber’s makeup brand sold to e.l.f. in $1bn deal BBCE.l.f. Beauty to acquire Hailey Bieber skincare brand Rhode in deal valued up to $1 billion CNBCE.l.f. Buys Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Cosmetics Brand in $1 Billion Deal WSJRhode to be acquired by Elf Beauty for $1 billion Vogue Business Source link #E.l.f #Beauty #Acquire #Hailey #Biebers #Rhode #Billion #Deal #WWD Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Luke Littler: Premier League Darts finalist’s career so far in his own words Luke Littler: Premier League Darts finalist’s career so far in his own words Littler’s popularity and stardom extends far wider than a darts audience. He was invited into Tottenham midfielder James Maddison’s box, external during his first World Championship campaign and did a Hot Lap around Silverstone with Lando Norris before the British Grand Prix in 2024. He is an avid Manchester United fan and has visited their training ground to play darts against the players, while he has attended matches as a guest, meeting Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruno Fernandes, external, and he paraded his World Championship trophy earlier this year. “Another good one. Lando Norris helping me put my helmet on before the Hot Lap at Silverstone, where he drove me around in a very fast McLaren! “I never thought I would be in a car with one of the best F1 drivers there is at the minute but he took me round in the car, I played some darts with him as well – just a really good experience. “Then at the Spurs game last season, on my way to the car I saw Bruno, external [Fernandes] and I had to get a selfie with him. “He’s one of my favourite players. He’s not missed a game through injury yet, provides goals and assists and he’s definitely helped us the past few seasons. This year he’s helped us avoid relegation! “Meeting the United squad last year and Carrington, meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, external – they’re crazy experiences and I thank Man Utd for the opportunity. “Harry Maguire was the best darts player, Christian Eriksen was a good thrower, but just playing darts with them was crazy.” Source link #Luke #Littler #Premier #League #Darts #finalists #career #words Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Stop giving concessions’: Major warning on first-home handouts ‘Stop giving concessions’: Major warning on first-home handouts Potential first-home buyers are falling further behind due to the very schemes designed to get them into a home. Independent economist Saul Eslake said the best thing the government could do to help first-home buyers would be to remove concessions that allow them to buy a home. “The question isn’t what they should be doing, it’s what they should not be doing,” he told NewsWire. “What they have to stop doing is things that needlessly inflate demand for housing. “Stop giving out what I call second-home vendor grants as I call them because that is where the money ends up.” Camera IconAustralia’s housing market has almost instantly reacted to interest rate cuts. NewsWire/ Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia “Stop giving stamp duty concessions, all they do is allow people to pay the vendor what they would have paid to the state government and back away from the mortgage deposit guarantee schemes and shared equity schemes,” he said. Mr Eslake said these policies, which are designed to help first-home buyers, simply end up inflating house prices. “While a shared equity scheme sounds like a good idea, in practice, if you’re willing to buy a $400,000 house and the government says ‘hey, we will give you 20 per cent’, then buyers say ‘oh good, I can now afford a $500,000 house’. “So a $400,000 house becomes a $500,000 house, so it’s more a matter of just stop needlessly inflating demand.” One of the key election policies the Albanese government ran on was its expansion of the First Home Guarantee scheme, which is sometimes called the 5 per cent deposit scheme. This program allows first-home buyers to purchase property with a deposit as little as 5 per cent, with the government effectively guaranteeing the other 15 per cent, allowing first-home buyers to avoid paying lenders’ mortgage insurance. But in an updated version of the scheme to come into effect at the start of 2026, caps of $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples will be removed. The PropTrack April Home Price Index showed national house prices hit a new record high over the month of April, increasing by 0.2 per cent monthly or 3.7 per cent compared with the same time last year. Australia’s Cash Rate 2022 Helia chief executive and managing director Pauline Blight-Johnston said the main risk to the latest policy was the removal of the income caps to get government help. “Our belief is that we will achieve the most as an economy if the government help is directed towards those that need it the most, and those that are able to help themselves through private enterprise do so without the taxpayers’ dollar,” she told NewsWire. “At the end of the day, our view is that taxpayers’ dollars should go to those that really need the help to get into the market, such as essential workers or others that are really struggling.” Ms Blight-Johnston said expanding the HGS didn’t address the fundamental underlying issue for those struggling to buy their first home – a shortage of affordable supply. She fears that the government’s housing schemes just worsen housing affordability by fuelling demand and driving up prices. Camera IconAs *********** house prices hit record highs for a fifth consecutive month, it is harder for first-home buyers to get into the market. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia Instead, she pointed to first-home buyers using lenders’ mortgage insurance as a “really powerful tool” that is often misunderstood. “People think of it as a fee …. But if you think of it differently as a wealth creation tool and it allows you to get into a home earlier, on average people that use LMI get in around nine years earlier and around $100,000 better off after five years because they got into the market earlier,” she said. Ms Blight Johnston said mortgage holders would typically pay 1 to 2 per cent as a premium above their usual repayments if they took on LMI. “If you think property goes up on average 4 or maybe 5 per cent a year, if it is going to take you more than six months to save the deposit, the extra 15 per cent — as LMI takes the deposit down from 20 to 5 per cent – you’re going to be ahead by getting into the market earlier and paying the premium.” Mr Eslake said LMI could increase demand for property if it acted like a reduction in interest rates. “We know whenever interest rates go down, people borrow more and pay more for the house they buy which results in higher prices,” he said. Source link #Stop #giving #concessions #Major #warning #firsthome #handouts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Markets ask how soon Nippon Steel will benefit from $15 billion bid for U.S. Steel Markets ask how soon Nippon Steel will benefit from $15 billion bid for U.S. Steel By Katya Golubkova and Anton Bridge TOKYO (Reuters) -Nippon Steel investors and analysts are asking if its $15-billion deal to buy U.S. Steel, backed but not yet approved by President Donald Trump, is positive for the near term, even if its hopes for strong U.S. demand materialise. Such a merger would create the world’s third-largest steel producer by volume, after China’s Baowu Steel Group and Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, data from the World Steel Association (WorldSteel) shows. The “planned partnership” would create at least 70,000 jobs and add $14 billion to the U.S. economy via Nippon Steel’s additional investments, Trump said last week. While full details of the deal remain unclear, U.S. Steel shares surged 21% on the news and Nippon Steel gained 7%. Nippon Steel did not exclude issuing new shares to fund the takeover, Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori said in December, after having already raised some funds through hybrid financing and asset sales. “If the new equity is issued, investors will rightly be asking: is this the best possible use of capital at this moment?” said Fiona Deutsch, lead analyst with Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR). The company had pledged an investment of up to $4 billion in a new coal-dependent blast furnace, said Deutsch, whose climate activist group holds less than 1% of Nippon Steel’s shares. That plan, part of a wider investment commitment of $14 billion, comes “at a time when the global steel sector is shifting towards low-carbon alternatives”, she added. Nippon Steel shares were up 1% by 0405 GMT, outperforming the overall Nikkei index which was up 1.6%. Unveiling the deal in late 2023, Nippon Steel offered $55 for each share of U.S. Steel, for a premium of 40% at the time. U.S. Steel shares closed at $53.3 on Wednesday. “There’s a lot of immediate negative effects, even though the long-term effect may be positive,” said an adviser to institutional investors on strategies for Nippon Steel. He cited the dilution as a further deterrent, besides the high offer price and additional investment commitments. Nippon Steel did not reply to a Reuters request for a comment. “In the short term, there are concerns about financing,” said Shinichiro Ozaki, a senior analyst at Daiwa Securities. “Given that U.S. Steel reported a net loss for the January-March *******, the stock market may worry about the limited likelihood of a short-term return on the investment.” STRATEGIC GOALS Projections that domestic demand will stay weak have pushed Nippon Steel, which is Japan’s largest steelmaker, and others to look to overseas expansion, while they consider shutting some blast furnaces at home. Story continues U.S. Steel is key to Nippon Steel’s goal to raise its global output capacity to more than 100 million metric tons a year from 63 million tons now, as it aims to benefit from demand in India and the United States. Both markets are relatively protected from vast steel exports from China, the world’s top producer, thanks to protectionist measures they have adopted, such as tariffs. In March, Nippon Steel President Tadashi Imai, who also chairs the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, warned that U.S. auto and steel tariffs could cut several million tons from Japan’s annual steel output to below 80 million tons. Ownership of U.S. Steel could provide a shield for Nippon Steel from the impact of tariffs on non-U.S. operations, said Alistair Ramsay, vice president of Rystad Energy. “Should underlying demand in the United States begin and continue to recover, then we would expect the investment to pay off in good time, regardless of the duration of tariffs,” he said. “But that’s a big if, given how far the U.S. market has shrunk over the past few years, never mind this century.” U.S. steel consumption is expected to rise by 2% this year after a drop of 1.5% in 2024, according to WorldSteel. This month, Nippon Steel said it would cut its dividend for the current fiscal year to 120 yen a share, off last year’s 160 yen, and its lowest since 2021, amid a projected fall in profits, but the overall payout ratio would stay at 30%. “For the investor who cares about the share price today, you wouldn’t be looking at factoring in synergies based on what you think might happen in two to three years,” said the adviser, who sought anonymity as the matter is a sensitive one. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova; Additional reporting by Anton Bridge and Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Source link #Markets #Nippon #Steel #benefit #billion #bid #U.S #Steel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 as Apple Leads the Chart: Counterpoint iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 as Apple Leads the Chart: Counterpoint Apple has topped the global list of best-selling smartphones in Q1 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The Cupertino-based company led global smartphone shipments in Q1 2025, with five iPhone models in the top 10. The iPhone 16, launched in 2024, was the top-selling phone, followed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro in second and third place, respectively. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked seventh in the list. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C was the only non-Apple or non-Samsung device in the top 10. iPhone 16 Leads Global Smartphone Sales As per Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1 this year. This marked the return of the standard variant of iPhone to the top spot in the first quarter after a break of two years. The vanilla model drove volume in markets including Japan, and Middle East and Africa. Apple topped in smartphone shipments in Q1 2025, with five iPhone models featuring in the top 10 best-selling smartphones list. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro came in the second and third positions, respectively. The iPhone 16 Pro models made up nearly 50 percent of Apple’s total iPhone sales for the third straight quarter. China’s government subsidies for sub-CNY 6,000 (roughly Rs. 71,000) devices and intense competition from brands like Huawei affected the ***** of the iPhone 16 Pro series in China. Counterpoint states that the iPhone 16e, which was unveiled in March this year, also made the list. It took the sixth position in the top 10 best-selling smartphones. The iPhone 16 Plus managed to grab the 10th spot. Samsung Bags 4 Spots in Top 10 Samsung had one fewer model in the top 10 compared to the same ******* last year. While the overall share of the top 10 smartphones in global sales stayed steady, low-end models saw a rise in their contribution. Samsung’s premium offering, Galaxy S25 Ultra, secured seventh spot on the list, slipping from the fifth position held by the Galaxy S24 Ultra a year earlier. The drop in sales was due to a shorter sales window for the phone during the quarter. The Galaxy S25 series accounts for one-fourth of Samsung’s total smartphone sales in its active sales month. Driven by the popularity in the budget segment and wider availability, Galaxy A16 5G came in fifth on the list. The handset moved one position from the Galaxy A15 5G’s ranking in Q1 2024. The Galaxy A06 grabbed the sixth position on the list. Counterpoint notes that it has moved up four spots in the top-10 list compared to its predecessor in Q1 last year. This growth was boosted by a surge in demand for low-end smartphone across all regions. The Galaxy A55 5G is ranked ninth. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C was the only non-Apple and non-Samsung device in the top 10, with most of its sales coming from emerging regions such as the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. It came in eighth position. Counterpoint expects top 10 best-selling smartphone models to maintain a stable share in the coming months, despite tariff tensions and market uncertainties. This resilience is driven by OEMs increasingly focusing on high-end devices that attract consumers with premium features. Source link #iPhone #Tops #Global #Smartphone #Sales #Apple #Leads #Chart #Counterpoint Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump "TACO" trade: How a columnist's catchphrase caused an Oval Office stir – Axios Trump "TACO" trade: How a columnist's catchphrase caused an Oval Office stir – Axios Trump “TACO” trade: How a columnist’s catchphrase caused an Oval Office stir AxiosTrump was just asked about the ‘TACO’ trade for the first time. He called it the ‘nastiest question’ CNNTrump’s not happy about Wall Street’s name for tariff flip-flops PoliticoTrump says he’s not ‘chickening out’ on trade: ‘It’s called negotiation’ CNBC“Don’t Ever Say What You Said”: Donald Trump Fumes At Reporter For Asking About Wall Street’s Notion That He Always “Chickens Out” On Tariffs Yahoo Source link #Trump #quotTACOquot #trade #columnist039s #catchphrase #caused #Oval #Office #stir #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 as Apple Leads the Chart: Counterpoint iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 as Apple Leads the Chart: Counterpoint Apple has topped the global list of best-selling smartphones in Q1 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The Cupertino-based company led global smartphone shipments in Q1 2025, with five iPhone models in the top 10. The iPhone 16, launched in 2024, was the top-selling phone, followed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro in second and third place, respectively. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked seventh in the list. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C was the only non-Apple or non-Samsung device in the top 10. iPhone 16 Leads Global Smartphone Sales As per Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker, the iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in Q1 this year. This marked the return of the standard variant of iPhone to the top spot in the first quarter after a break of two years. The vanilla model drove volume in markets including Japan, and Middle East and Africa. Apple topped in smartphone shipments in Q1 2025, with five iPhone models featuring in the top 10 best-selling smartphones list. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro came in the second and third positions, respectively. The iPhone 16 Pro models made up nearly 50 percent of Apple’s total iPhone sales for the third straight quarter. China’s government subsidies for sub-CNY 6,000 (roughly Rs. 71,000) devices and intense competition from brands like Huawei affected the ***** of the iPhone 16 Pro series in China. Counterpoint states that the iPhone 16e, which was unveiled in March this year, also made the list. It took the sixth position in the top 10 best-selling smartphones. The iPhone 16 Plus managed to grab the 10th spot. Samsung Bags 4 Spots in Top 10 Samsung had one fewer model in the top 10 compared to the same ******* last year. While the overall share of the top 10 smartphones in global sales stayed steady, low-end models saw a rise in their contribution. Samsung’s premium offering, Galaxy S25 Ultra, secured seventh spot on the list, slipping from the fifth position held by the Galaxy S24 Ultra a year earlier. The drop in sales was due to a shorter sales window for the phone during the quarter. The Galaxy S25 series accounts for one-fourth of Samsung’s total smartphone sales in its active sales month. Driven by the popularity in the budget segment and wider availability, Galaxy A16 5G came in fifth on the list. The handset moved one position from the Galaxy A15 5G’s ranking in Q1 2024. The Galaxy A06 grabbed the sixth position on the list. Counterpoint notes that it has moved up four spots in the top-10 list compared to its predecessor in Q1 last year. This growth was boosted by a surge in demand for low-end smartphone across all regions. The Galaxy A55 5G is ranked ninth. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C was the only non-Apple and non-Samsung device in the top 10, with most of its sales coming from emerging regions such as the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. It came in eighth position. Counterpoint expects top 10 best-selling smartphone models to maintain a stable share in the coming months, despite tariff tensions and market uncertainties. This resilience is driven by OEMs increasingly focusing on high-end devices that attract consumers with premium features. Source link #iPhone #Tops #Global #Smartphone #Sales #Apple #Leads #Chart #Counterpoint Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]