AMD B850 Mini ITX motherboard with PCIe slots on both sides teased ahead of Computex
AMD B850 Mini ITX motherboard with PCIe slots on both sides teased ahead of Computex
While agreement on a back connector standard appears to be in flux, and ‘BTF’ products remain thin on the ground, some interesting solutions leaning on a similar philosophy are being developed. A case in point is the Maxsun Terminator B850BKB WIFI, pictured today on ITHome (machine translation), with PCIe slots on both sides. The source says that Maxsun released the teaser images you see ahead of the AMD B850 chipset packing product’s Computex 2025 appearance.
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(Image credit: ITHome, Maxsun)
(Image credit: ITHome, Maxsun)
From what we see, the new Terminator B850BKB WIFI bears little relation to previous BTF style designs. It shoves its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, usually used for graphics cards, round the back. And it has one of its two M.2 SSD slots on the back, too. However, this doesn’t seem to have been done in the spirit of BTF – to enable an ultra-clean cable-managed build.
Instead, the upper side of the motherboard is still bristling with slots that are wiped from the face of other BTF designs we have seen. In other words, the oft-vanquished CPU power and motherboard power connectors, various front I/O, USB, SATA, and fan headers are all still present upper-deck on this design. It actually still has a PCIe slot on the top, too, a shorted PCIE x4 slot. The source reckons that this will be useful for low profile expansion cards. That’s pretty nice on such a compact Mini ITX form factor.
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At the moment, all we know of the Maxsun Terminator B850BKB WIFI comes from the short translated blurb and these teased images. Rooting through the firm’s official product pages, we see only the next-size-up Terminator B850M WIFI, which doesn’t seem to feature any back-connector shenanigans.
Example PC builds would be appreciated
Seeing the new Terminator B850BKB WIFI in its planned environment, in a PC case we might be able to buy at retail, would have been more informative. Making the most from the potential that Mini ITX offers often involves very particular component compromises and creative thinking, so hopefully Maxsun will show how using this motherboard delivers advantages compared to its Mini ITX rivals.
Computex 2025 officially kicks off on Tuesday, running until Friday, so we hope that Maxsun explains this interesting new motherboard, and any other unusual treats it has in store, on the show floor. Stay tuned.
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‘Puts their competitors on their heels’
‘Puts their competitors on their heels’
******** automaker BYD unveiled its boldest concept yet at this year’s Shanghai auto show. As CleanTechnica reported, the Denza Z is a fully electric sports car designed to give the Tesla Roadster and Porsche 911 a run for their money.
Making this news even better is the vehicle’s $40,000 price tag. With its supercar looks, modern tech, and accessible price point, it appears to be ready to shake up the performance vehicle segment in many parts of the world.
The Denza Z’s features include a tri-motor e3 powertrain, an AI-powered steer-by-wire system, and magnetorheological dampers. The combination of these structures enables the vehicle to respond to road conditions in milliseconds. Aside from the coupe version, a convertible version is in the planning stage.
Like other electric vehicles, the Denza Z provides practical benefits that drivers can enjoy every time they take it out for a ride. It requires zero oil changes, which provides significant maintenance savings. It also runs quieter than gas-powered alternatives, emits no tailpipe pollution, and offers notable fuel savings. These benefits highlight why choosing an electric vehicle is more practical than ever.
Despite concerns around battery production and mining, data supports the long-term environmental benefits of EVs. A Reuters analysis noted that in the United States, a Tesla Model 3 needs to be driven around 13,500 miles before it offsets its manufacturing emissions and becomes cleaner than a Toyota Corolla.
The world extracts roughly 30 million tons of minerals per year for more affordable clean energy, which is a fraction of the 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy sources extracted and burned annually. Unlike coal, gas, and oil, those minerals are reusable and recyclable, creating a much smaller footprint.
Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality?
The shift to low-carbon energy may increase mineral demand, but it remains a much more sustainable alternative to the ongoing extraction of dirty energy sources. Technologies including carbon nanotube battery improvements also continue to reduce waste across EV models.
As for the Denza Z, its launch date hasn’t been confirmed. But its blend of performance, design, and price signals a shift. As Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights, told CNN, BYD “puts their competitors on their heels.”
While it’s true BYD doesn’t yet have an extensive track record and thus it’s important to wait for ****** and safety testing results as well as other car expert reviews before getting too carried away, with advances such as this one, the future of high-performance driving looks cleaner and more affordable than ever.
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Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony Cuts Prices On Older Headphones As New Flagship Model Lands – Forbes
Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony Cuts Prices On Older Headphones As New Flagship Model Lands – Forbes
Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony Cuts Prices On Older Headphones As New Flagship Model Lands ForbesSony WH-1000XM6 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra: I compared to flagship headphones ZDNETSony WH-1000XM6 Review: The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones WIREDSony WH-1000XM6 hands-on: back to the fold The VergeI tested both $500+ headphones for 30 days — here’s the surprising winner for noise cancellation Journée Mondiale
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2025 Zeekr X AWD review
2025 Zeekr X AWD review
Jeepers, what’s a Zeekr?
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
This relatively new electrified ******** brand is looking to move into the more premium space, backed by its Geely parent which also owns the likes of Volvo and Polestar.
Kicking off proceedings is the 2025 Zeekr X AWD you see here, the flagship in its city-size small EV range that boasts the sort of power and performance claims you’d expect from high-performance luxury cars.
Zeekr also touts its European design influence, as well as its high level of standard specification and technology. Don’t forget, the Zeekr X is also very closely related to the Volvo EX30, which is a capable little EV in its own right.
In April the entire Zeekr X range received price adjustments, with savings of between $2000 and $7000 depending on variant – the flagship on test was subject to a $2000 reduction.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the Zeekr X RWD
So while the vehicle itself hasn’t changed much since its launch late last year, the value proposition certainly has especially when you consider how quickly the EV market is moving.
Is this newcomer worth a punt?
How much does the Zeekr X cost?
Zeekr recently announced significant price adjustments for its X range, with the AWD variant on test here dropping by $2000. The base RWD had its sticker slashed by a massive $7000.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
*As of April 2025
For reference, the Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, with the equivalent Twin Motor Performance variant priced at $71,290 plus on-roads – almost $10,000 more than the Zeekr.
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What is the Zeekr X like on the inside?
You definitely can’t accuse Zeekr of cost-cutting, because the cabin of the X presents very well from the get-go.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Soft and padded surfaces, contrast stitching, and subtle flashes of rose gold give the Zeekr X one of the nicer in-car ambiences at this end of the market, and it certainly feels ‘special’ rather than just ‘different’.
Particularly in our test vehicle’s optional Midnight Blue and Polar White ($500) colourway, the little Zeekr makes a great first impression. The fact you can also get this interior in the base RWD for some $13,000 less is pretty cool.
And despite its relatively compact dimensions, the Zeekr X feels quite airy and spacious, particularly compared to the Volvo EX30 with which it shares its underpinnings.
Key touchpoints and general tactility is of a high standard for the class, and the bright and crisp display technology only adds to the ambience. This certainly has a lot of showroom appeal.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Comfort and adjustability is pretty good too, with wide range of electric adjustment for the front seats, and there’s manual adjustment for the steering column. You should be able to find a comfortable perch irrespective of your dimensions.
Storage up front is a bit of a mix bag, with an odd modular row of cupholders lower down in the cabin, augmented by average door bins and a slot for your phone in the centre armrest with in-built wireless phone charger. There’s also a cubby underneath the aforementioned central armrest.
The fold-out plastic pocket under the infotainment display is interesting, though I’m not quite sure what best fits in it. Above it is a quirky pop-out hanger for a small bag or keys, but it’s not really a great spot to store much else.
Further quibbles start to surface once you start digging into the display tech and general useability of the switchgear, too.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Like a lot of new vehicle designs, Zeekr has gone for an almost buttonless approach for the X’s cabin. The only physical switches or toggles are the stalks behind the steering wheel, and the joystick-style controls on said steering wheel, which are accompanied by push buttons for voice control and cycling through the driver cluster widgets.
This more extreme level of minimalism impresses on the showroom floor but can be fiddly in the real world. You’re required to control most functions via the touchscreen or voice inputs, which requires a bit of a learning curve and some vehicle settings are buried in sub-menus which are impractical to toggle on the move.
Further, to activate the semi-autonomous driving system rather than standard adaptive cruise control requires a long press of the drive selector stalk beyond its detent, which I incorrectly attempted for days because the two downward arrow markings had me assuming it was two pulls not one hard one – get your mind out of the gutter.
There’s also limited breadth of displays in the 8.8-inch driver cluster, which despite looking like a similar unit to the one seen in Volvo and Polestar products, lacks the refinement and adjustability of its Swedish stablemates.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
While there are some ergonomic and useability quirks I’m not particularly fond of, I am a fan of the Yamaha sound system. Standard in the AWD and boasting 13 speakers, it’s pretty punchy – I particularly like the ‘Concert Hall’ setting which is reminiscent of the Gothenburg Concert Hall profile in Volvo’s Bowers and Wilkins systems.
The ‘Ice Block’-effect LED ambient lighting is pretty swish, and the multi-colour accent illumination extends to the door trims as well, with a perforated effect to emulate the Ningbo skyline – Zeekr HQ’s home city in the ******** province of Zhejiang.
You can summon the Zeekr X’s AI-powered intelligent voice assistance to perform various functions too, like audio, navigation and climate control. The little character representation of the assistant also pops up in a B-pillar-mounted display when you unlock the vehicle, giving a cheeky smile before displaying ‘Hi’. Cute.
The big 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers over-the-air updates, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offers has graphics and really snappy load times, in addition to online connectivity, but the interface and menus have a few too many layers and can be convoluted when toggling vehicle settings.
Further, I had a persistent issue where Apple CarPlay would intermittently not play sound from my phone – whether it was music or call audio – through the vehicle’s sound system. It was impossible to fix on the fly, without stopping and deleting my phone’s profile from the infotainment and then reconnecting anew.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
In the rear, the Zeekr X offers a more useable area to seat a pair of adults compared to its Volvo-badged cousin. There’s more head, leg and knee room, though this is still a relatively compact vehicle – it’s no limo.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Zeekr X AWD gets a potent dual-motor electric drivetrain that’s shared with the Volvo EX30 Performance.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
As noted earlier, there’s a more affordable single-motor Zeekr X which makes a still-respectable 200kW and 343Nm, for a claimed 5.6-second 0-100km/h dash.
With the same 66kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion battery, the Zeekr X RWD quotes 540km of range on the ADR cycle – based on more lenient NEDC testing – compared to the AWD’s 470km.
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How does the Zeekr X drive?
Having had a pretty positive experience in the Volvo EX30, I had high hopes for this little Zeekr.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
There’s no denying this is a quick little thing. A firm stab of the accelerator sees the nose lift slightly and you’ll shoot towards the horizon – it certainly feels as eager as its sub-4.0-second claimed 0-100km/h time suggests.
But as I’ve found with a number of ********-branded electric vehicles with monstrous power and torque outputs, the chassis setup is a bit too soft for that level of performance. Understandably for what is billed as a premium vehicle, it’s tuned to be on the softer side, but that puts it in a grey area that makes it feel a touch confused as to what it’s meant to be.
I encountered a wide range of conditions while living with the Zeekr X AWD, including driving in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and various freeways and highways in various weather, and I often found it to be a touch wobbly over the sort of pimpled and undulating blacktop that is quite common in Victoria.
The big 20-inch forged alloy wheels shod in 245/45 Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres returned a firm initial impact, and then the body would be a little unsettled, often taking a movement or two more than I’d like to settle.
Having dual-motor AWD should ensure good grip, and in a straight line it definitely hooks up and hustles. However, try to accelerate too soon out of a corner and the Zeekr X can feel like it’s got too much power for its own good.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
It also leaned a bit more than I’d expect a performance-oriented vehicle to do during quicker cornering, so I guess if you adjust your lens to see this more as a luxury muscle car that can dart from the lights and do a quick overtake when needed, that’s probably more appropriate.
Keep in mind this small electric SUV weighs a smidgen under two tonnes, and doesn’t do a great job of hiding it. A heavy feel in a small car isn’t necessarily a bad thing if it feels lighter on its feet than its kerb weight suggests – but the X doesn’t really do that.
Further, the car’s general all-round refinement when it comes to sound insulation and fluid steering feel gives you this kind of vibe. Drive with a more sedate approach and it’s a pretty comfortable and easy thing to live with day-to-day.
I generally drove one- or two-up in this car, so didn’t get much of an idea of comfort levels in the rear on the move. However, videographer Sean Lander complained that during filming at the Lang Lang proving ground, the rear suspension was much firmer than at the front – which he found quite jarring over some of the private test roads.
The relaxed and premium ambience is also often interrupted by intrusive and annoying alerts from the suite of driver assistance systems on hand, which appear to be in need of another layer of polish.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
The driver attention monitor is both overbearing and intrusive, constantly chiming at you to look ahead even if you’ve quickly averted your gaze to the side mirror, or over your shoulder to do a head check. Glance at the touchscreen for too long – which is home to just about every function – and you’ll get similarly annoying alerts.
As Matt Campbell found in his initial drive review in January, the speed sign recognition system often gets things wrong too, and the lane-keep assist can tug the wheel a little too hard, and at times can be inaccurate. Things get better when you activate the highway cruise assist function, which centres the vehicle in its lane when using adaptive cruise control.
All told, the Zeekr X is fine on the road in good conditions, but many elements can feel disjointed when you unleash the drivetrain’s full performance, and when the active safety tech is all-in. At least I managed to beat the quoted efficiency claim!
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The Zeekr X AWD on test here gets a higher level of equipment than the entry-level RWD variant.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
2025 Zeekr X RWD equipment highlights:
19-inch alloy wheels235/50 R19 Continental EcoContact 6 tyresTwo-tone exterior paint – ****** roof, mirrors)Frameless side mirrors:Panoramic sunroofVehicle-To-Load (V2L) functionalitySemi-autonomous park assistRain-sensing wipersBlack/grey “leather-free” interior upholstery6-way power driver seat8.8-inch digital instrument cluster14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless phone charger7-speaker sound systemAuto-dimming frameless rear-view mirrorDual-zone climate controlRear air vents (B-pillar mounted)5G-WiFi hotspotConnected services – 5yr subscriptionVehicle over-the-air upgrade capabilityZeekr App functionality
Zeekr X AWD adds:
20-inch forged alloy wheels245/45 R20 Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display6-way power-adjustable passenger seatDriver’s seat memory4-way power lumbar supportHeated, ventilated front seatsHeated steering wheel13-speaker Yamaha sound system‘Ice Block’ LED ambient lighting
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
Options
The only options on the AWD are different interior colours, while the RWD can be optioned with a package that brings its specification in line with the AWD.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Convenience Package: $4000 (RWD)
6-way power passenger seatMemory function – driver seat4-way power lumbar support – front seatsHeating and ventilation – front seatsHeated steering wheel13-speaker Yamaha sound system‘Ice Block’ LED ambient lighting
Standalone options include:
Midnight Blue/Polar White interior: $500Mulberry/Rose interior: $500
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
Is the Zeekr X safe?
The Zeekr X was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2024 testing by sister firm Euro NCAP.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Standard safety equipment includes:
7 airbags incl. front-centreAutonomous emergency brakingAdaptive cruise controlAutomatic lane change capabilityBlind-spot monitoringDigital video recorderDriver attention monitoringDriver fatigue monitoringEvasive Manoeuvre AssistFront, rear cross-traffic alertLane centring assistLane-keep assistPedestrian warning soundSurround-view camerasTyre pressure monitoring
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Zeekr X cost to run?
Zeekr Australia is backing its models with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private buyers, but commercial and fleet customers will only get a three-year, 120,000km warranty.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
For reference, the Volvo EX30 gets five years of free scheduled servicing thrown in.
To see how the Zeekr X stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Zeekr X
There are a lot of good ingredients here, but they don’t come together as well as they could in the Zeekr X AWD.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
It looks really cool, has a swish and practical cabin, and offers supercar levels of straight-line performance. But in the real world, the at-times unsettled ride and overzealous safety systems don’t reflect its $63,000 price tag.
For me, there’s just a bit too much going on and a lack of general useability. When compared to Volvo-badged vehicles with similar componentry and technology on board, it appears the Swedes have paid a little more attention to detail.
The RWD with the Convenience Package makes a lot more sense, at nearly $10,000 less for virtually the same spec minus the dual-motor drivetrain – which still gives you strong performance, plus more range.
But the Zeekr X is a strong first attempt from a new brand which, unlike a lot of other ******** marques isn’t trying to mimic anything else on the market from a design standpoint.
If Zeekr leveraged the experience of software and chassis engineers from its friends at Volvo, this little EV would be a real cracker.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr X AWD Credit: CarExpert
Interested in buying a Zeekr X? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Zeekr X
ProsSharp looks, plush cabinMassive performanceLoaded with kitConsFrustrating tech quirksRide can get wobblyExpensive servicing
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Scientists sound alarm on ‘silent killing machines’ that are devastating wildlife: ‘This is very serious’
Scientists sound alarm on ‘silent killing machines’ that are devastating wildlife: ‘This is very serious’
Scientists are sounding the alarm that water canals around the globe are responsible for animal drownings, which is harming populations.
What’s happening?
While water canals are a solution for irrigation and flood protection, among other issues, researchers have observed the problems they cause for animals.
The canals are designed in a way that makes it easy for animals to fall in, but difficult to climb out. They also divide animal habitats, fragmenting the populations of species and making it harder for them to reproduce successfully.
According to Mongabay, more than 200 animals of 35 species were spotted dead in the last six months in a study by Diego Gallego-García and José Sarasola. Both researchers are from Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research and the National University of La Pampa.
Why are these deaths concerning?
While animal deaths have been decreasing over time, researchers fear that animal populations near canals have been speeding up their decline.
“We may be witnessing a defaunation [rapid extinction of wildlife] process along the canal,” Gallego-García said to Mongabay. “This is very serious for the conservation of wildlife species and a problem that has so far been kept silent.”
Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City?
Not only could the effects of biodiversity loss ripple out into our food chains, but ecosystems run the risk of being severely damaged. We may not be able to see the immediate effects, but suffering and degradation still happen.
“It is an urgent issue,” Gallego-García told Mongabay. “[Canals] are silent killing machines for wildlife, still greatly underestimated worldwide.”
What’s being done about water canal deaths?
Several solutions have been suggested to address these deaths. For example, bridges and other methods of crossing could help animals make their way over the canal.
But as Gallego-García pointed out to Mongabay, “They are not used by all species and are not effective solutions for preventing deaths and the fragmentation of natural habitats.”
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Covering the canals as well as holistically redesigning future canals may be better solutions. But it is up to local and national governments to determine how this will be feasible. While this damage is largely silent, it affects humanity and the environment as a whole. Remedying this now will prevent further destruction down the line and protect vital animal populations.
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Huge turnout in Romania’s cliffhanger election – Financial Times
Huge turnout in Romania’s cliffhanger election – Financial Times
Huge turnout in Romania’s cliffhanger election Financial TimesRomania could be next to elect a right-wing populist: What to know The Washington PostFar-Right Parties Bid for Power in Europe’s Election ‘Super Sunday’ NewsweekIn Transylvania, fear haunts Romania’s troubled democracy politico.euWill Romania vote take country away from European mainstream? BBC
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This Vietnam vet, 91, took out a $900 loan online only to find out it was set at a shocking 682% interest rate
This Vietnam vet, 91, took out a $900 loan online only to find out it was set at a shocking 682% interest rate
Alan Culbert just wanted to buy some presents for his grandkids and fix up his car. Since the Harvard-educated 91-year-old veteran and Bay Area resident didn’t have the cash, he took out a $900 loan from Plain Green Loans, unaware that it would lead him toward potential financial ruin.
According to a story from ABC 7News, the Montana-based lender Culbert borrowed from was one of a few companies that accepted his online loan application. Culbert was happy to see the lender advertise an easy borrowing process, with “better rates,” and an “excellent” 5-star rating. He took the money, paid back the $900 within two months, and thought he would move on with his life — but that didn’t happen.
“I had no idea there was going to be an interest charge,” Culbert said. Sadly, there wasn’t just an interest charge — it was 682%, and Culbert was left with $2,646.69 in interest costs, accounting for more than half his monthly income.
If you’re wondering how this is legal, it’s because the loan came from a native tribe. Here’s why that simple fact left Culbert in a tough spot with no clear idea of what to do next.
Culbert’s loan came from the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy’s Reservation, but it could have come from one of many native tribes that offer high-interest rate loans. The tribes argue that they have sovereign immunity and are thus governed by federal — not state — lending laws.
That creates a problem because the federal government doesn’t limit what rate lenders can charge outside of a 36% limit on loans offered to active-duty service members. This wouldn’t have protected Culbert, who is a veteran, and, because tribal governments are independent of state governments, California’s 10% cap on most consumer loans didn’t protect him either.
Some states have recognized this issue and taken steps to ensure their residents can’t be charged so much to borrow. Connecticut, Arkansas, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia have mostly eliminated tribal loans, and Minnesota put a 36% cap in place, while also making it impossible to collect excess fees.
Story Continues
Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison also filed suit against three separate entities, including officers of the tribal entities.
“Sovereign entities, like states or tribal governments, generally you can’t sue them under a theory of sovereign immunity. But you can hold them accountable if you name their leaders,” Ellison said. “When we brought the lawsuits against three separate entities, we named the tribal entities’ officer and said, ‘You got to stop doing this.’ And as a result, we were able to stop that lending.”
Read more: You’re probably already overpaying for this 1 ‘must-have’ expense — and thanks to Trump’s tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here’s how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now
Ellison made clear he’d be happy to share his tips for ending these predatory loans with California. If the Golden State takes action and can achieve the success that Minnesota did, people like Culbert could be spared a lot of heartache.
For his part, Culbert isn’t sure how to proceed. He tried reaching out to the company and explaining he was a veteran, but Plain Green Loans wasn’t sympathetic to his plight. In fact, Culbert said their response was: “‘Sorry, too bad. You signed a loan agreement, and you owe all this money. It will ruin your credit history, and we will proceed with collections.”
With the media spotlighting his plight, Culbert will hopefully find some relief. Still, the veteran is wondering how this could have happened in the first place. “I don’t see how that can be legal, and they can charge that much in this state,” he lamented.
Since tribal loans are effectively banned in only a small ********* of states, vulnerable borrowers risk being contacted by one of these lenders when they apply for a loan of their own. If they take it, they could find themselves facing the same frustrations Culbert is experiencing.
To avoid this fate, anyone borrowing should:
Independently research the lender to determine if they are reputable
View aggressive sales efforts on the part of lenders as a significant red flag, especially if the lender is offering tribal loans
Insist on reviewing a written document that outlines the full terms and conditions of the loan before agreeing to borrow, including the interest rate and total payoff costs
Hopefully, borrowers can avoid predatory lenders by doing this research. Still, vulnerable individuals, like Culbert, will continue to be at risk of such practices until more states (or even the federal government) implement greater control and transparency over tribal loans.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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Trump's Gulf tour reshapes Middle East diplomatic map – Reuters
Trump's Gulf tour reshapes Middle East diplomatic map – Reuters
Trump’s Gulf tour reshapes Middle East diplomatic map ReutersFinley: Trump Doctrine: Mind your business, we’ll mind ours The Detroit NewsInside Trump’s Trip to the Middle East: Adulation and Not a Whiff of Protests The New York TimesBrooks and Capehart on Trump’s Middle East policy shifts PBSTrump’s Aerospace Deals Were Big on Numbers and Slim on Details Bloomberg
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Celtic rainforest in Wales facing extinction crisis, ecologists warns
Celtic rainforest in Wales facing extinction crisis, ecologists warns
Ben Porter
Temperate rainforest, seen here in the Vale of Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, is found in areas subject to the influence of the sea
An “extinction crisis” is happening in Britain’s temperate rainforests where some of the world’s rarest mosses, lichens and liverworts are vanishing, ecologists have warned.
Also known as Celtic rainforests, temperate rainforests are found primarily along the ***’s western coasts.
A survey of Welsh rainforests in 2024 found only 22% were in a good condition due to pollution, fragmentation and invasive species.
“When this tree came down, in a flash we lost a species,” said ecologist Sabine Nouvet about a 500-year-old oak in Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, which fell during Storm Darragh in December.
The tree was home to one of the ***’s best known populations of a rare lichen, the loss of which was “symbolic of the species crisis, the extinction crisis, that we are facing now”, said Ms Nouvet.
Ms Nouvet, a rainforest advisor with PlantLife, a member of the Alliance for Wales’ Rainforests, said the fallen tree’s bark was once home to more than 60 types of lichen.
The rarest was the minuscule rinodina isidioides – its tiny structures, when seen through a hand lens, resemble its common name, skeletal fingers.
It lives only on trees at least 300 years old and in conditions found exclusively in the rain-soaked valleys of western Ireland and Britain.
Skeletal fingers lichen attached to other trees with garden netting could help the species to survive, Ms Nouvet says
Temperate rainforests occur on less than 1% of the planet’s surface and Wales has internationally important examples of the habitat.
The special habitat’s twisted branches, dappled light and moss-covered understorey once covered much of the country, but is now only found in isolated areas including the Woodland Trust’s Coed Felenrhyd near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.
Keith O Brien
An ancient bridge over the Afon Prysor in Coed Felenrhyd, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd
December’s storm “hammered the forests around here”, said Ms Nouvet.
She said at least six ancient trees, described as “grandmothers” of the forest, were lost in Coed Felenrhyd.
The presence of skeletal finger on one of those trees indicated “that this valley has got clean air, it has ancient forest, that this tree was, for some reason, really old and then we lost it”, she added.
Isobelle Hotchkiss
Coedwig Dyfi Site of Special Scientific Interest, near Machynlleth in Powys
There is hope the skeletal finger species can hang on in the valley after clippings were relocated to five other old trees nearby.
Ms Nouvet said the aim was for the clippings to seed the bark below, but the process could take up to a decade.
There is about 33,024 hectares, or 46,000 football pitches, of rainforest left in Wales.
Storms are just one of the threats to ancient woodlands such as Coed Felenrhyd which, according to the State of Wales Rainforest report, cover just 4.3% of country’s rainforest landscape.
Waterfalls like this one in Afon Prysor gorge, in Eryri National Park, create the humidity that temperate rainforest species need to thrive
Much of this rainforest lacks connectivity to similar habitats because it is surrounded by farms or woodlands planted with non-native species.
Some are grazed inappropriately, the survey said, and many are affected by rhododendrons that smother the forest floor in a dense shade that native species cannot tolerate.
Farmer and retired forester Aled Thomas said the Celtic rainforest had been “grazed since the beginning of time”, leading to the formation of these woodlands.
But conservation efforts in the past saw many ancient woodlands fenced off.
“They have grown wild with invasive species coming in so none of the natural flowers associated with this type of woodland have been present,” Mr Thomas explained.
Farmer Aled Thomas says grazing small Dexter cows in parts of the rainforest is helping to restore native species
Mr Thomas grazes small Dexter cattle in Coed y Gribin, a pocket of rainforest managed by the RSPB near Dolgellau.
“They will provide a habitat for a much more diverse species range by their hooves marking the ground, driving in acorns, rolling on the ground and they’ll graze anything and everything,” he said.
“They eat brambles like they are having supper.”
Each animal is fitted with a GPS tracker and an alarm that trains them to keep to areas that need grazing and away from sensitive parts of the forest.
“The landscape has changed dramatically because the cows have been here for about three seasons and you notice there’s very little bracken and there are bluebells coming up.”
Mr Thomas said farms with more woodlands were the key to linking up isolated parts of the rainforest.
“You just don’t need a field for growing cows, you can grow food by grazing in woodland and the benefits from that are huge to the forest and the farm.”
‘People don’t realise it’s here’
Wales has a global responsibility to protect the Celtic rainforest, said PlantLife’s Adam Thorogood.
“We’ve got a really unique situation here in Wales where we’ve got some vital areas of habitat, a type of rainforest we don’t really find anywhere else on Earth.
“People don’t even realise that we have temperate rainforest here… right on your doorstep.
“It’s there to be explored, there to be enjoyed, and there’s a huge diversity of species of plant but also other flora and fauna.”
He said interest from the public in the Celtic rainforest was coming at a time when it was under enormous pressure and significant investment was needed to secure its future.
Natural Resources Wales has been asked to comment.
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Nvidia’s H20 follow-up in China won’t be based on Hopper, says Jensen — Reportedly switching from HBM to GDDR7
Nvidia’s H20 follow-up in China won’t be based on Hopper, says Jensen — Reportedly switching from HBM to GDDR7
Nvidia’s next AI accelerator for the ******** market, following the recent ban on its HGX H20 offerings, will not be based on the Hopper architecture, reports Reuters citing a Taiwanese TV news stream featuring Jensen Huang. Moreover, according to insider scoops obtained by Nikkei Asia, Nvidia is moving from HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), to a GDDR7 based design, although the specific architecture is still up in the air.
The U.S. government effectively banned the export of Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s Instinct MI308 AI chips to China last month, requiring a license with a presumption of denial. After the $5.5 billion loss Nvidia incurred following this change, reports pointed towards a further cut-down H20 variant.
Nvidia’s top-end H100 and H200 accelerators were banned from export to China even before they were launched. To mitigate these regulations, Nvidia introduced the H800 in March 2023, which too was eventually barred from export in October of the same year. Since then, the H20 has been Nvidia’s most advanced offering for the ******** market in the interim, until its recent export prohibition last month.
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When questioned about the follow-up to the H20, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang replied, “It’s not Hopper because it’s not possible to modify Hopper anymore.” The U.S. Government cited the H20’s memory bandwidth and interconnect bandwidth for its potential use in ******** supercomputers, so it would stand to reason that Nvidia would further cut down the memory subsystem.
Nikkei Asia claims that Nvidia is eying introducing GDDR7-based Hopper GPUs. It’s important to understand that the GH100 core powering the Hopper family only supports HBM-compliant memory controllers. While the consumer-equivalent Ada Lovelace is a possibility as it supports GDDR memory, Hopper was designed from the ground up as an AI/ML powerhouse.
Nvidia can rework the existing Hopper architecture to work around U.S. sanctions, which isn’t likely, as Jensen has himself directly refuted the idea. Alternatively, Nvidia could shift to Blackwell, with the consumer-focused GB20X (RTX 50) series chips offering support for GDDR7 memory. Then again, Blackwell for consumers lacks support for NVLink, which is essential for multi-GPU scaling.
This uncertainty will likely boost the popularity of Huawei’s Ascend accelerators in China, even if they don’t match the performance of Nvidia’s solutions. The cat and mouse game continues, as Nvidia develops a new solution that will probably be met with another export ban in the future. Anyhow, it’ll be interesting to see how Nvidia navigates these meandering regulations and develops future solutions for the ******** market, as it wouldn’t want to cede market share to Huawei.
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Palm Springs blast ‘terrible sign of the times’, eyewitness says
Palm Springs blast ‘terrible sign of the times’, eyewitness says
STORY: :: An eyewitness describes the moment a bomb exploded near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs
:: Michael Beaumier, Palm Springs resident
“I was traveling by my bicycle on my way to work. And as I was turning the corner off of Indian Canyon where this happened, the explosion happened. It knocked me off my bike, it was that big of an explosion and I could hear windows shattering all around me. A lot of cars on the street screeched to a stop.”
:: Palm Springs, California
:: May 17, 2025
:: Luis Roman/@luisromanvlog
“I think people should be very rightly be shocked by things like this. You know, what they’re telling you is that your individual rights, your right to create a family, your right to live in the community, your right to be yourself is something that somebody is going to push against, that they’re going to suppress, that they’re going to say no to, is incomprehensible and a terrible sign of the times we’re living in. Terrible.”
The explosion killed one person and injured at least four, with the FBI calling it an “intentional act of terrorism”.
Authorities said the bomb, which detonated before 11 a.m. (1800 GMT), was either in or near a car parked outside the clinic when it exploded, adding they had a person of interest in the investigation and were not searching for a suspect.
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Mariska Hargitay reveals identity of her biological father in documentary after 30-year secret – Yahoo News Canada
Mariska Hargitay reveals identity of her biological father in documentary after 30-year secret – Yahoo News Canada
Mariska Hargitay reveals identity of her biological father in documentary after 30-year secret Yahoo News CanadaMariska Hargitay Reveals the Identity of Her Biological Father: ‘Living a Lie’ YahooMariska Hargitay reveals shocking family secret she’s hidden for 30 years in ‘My Mom Jayne’ doc New York PostMariska Hargitay Channels Old Hollywood in Super Rare Family Red Carpet Appearance AOL.comMariska Hargitay Tears Up at Cannes Premiere of ‘My Mom Jayne’ Variety
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Russia launches biggest drone attack since invasion began, says Ukraine
Russia launches biggest drone attack since invasion began, says Ukraine
Danai Nesta Kupemba
BBC News
Reuters
Residents survey the damage to their homes after a Russian drone strike on Saturday night on suburbs outside of Kyiv
Ukraine says Russia has launched its biggest drone attack since the full-scale invasion began, targeting several regions including Kyiv, where one woman died.
Russia had launched 273 drones by 08:00 Sunday (05:00 GMT) targeting the central Kyiv region and Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions in the east, Ukraine’s air force said.
The barrage has come just a day before a scheduled call between Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US President has been urging a ceasefire.
Russian and Ukraine had their first face-to-face talks in more than three years on Friday in Turkey, but it yielded little besides a new prisoner swap deal.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that he and leaders of Britain, France, and Poland would have a virtual meeting with Trump before his conversation with Putin on Monday morning.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia had launched a record number of drones, including Shahed attack drones, of which 88 were intercepted and another 128 went astray “without negative consequences”.
The strikes killed one person on the outskirts of Kyiv, and injured at least three others, officials reported.
The previous largest drone attack from Russia had taken place on the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion on 23 February, when Moscow launched 267 drones.
Reuters
Firefighters at a site outside Kyiv that was hit on Sunday morning
Ukraine officials said Saturday night’s strikes showed Russia had no intention of stopping the war, despite international pressure for a ceasefire.
“For Russia, the negotiations [on Friday] in Istanbul are just a pretence. Putin wants war,” said Andriy Yermak, a top aide to the Ukrainian president.
Volodymyr Zelensky was at the ******** on Sunday where he had a private meeting with Pope Leo following the new pontiff’s inauguration mass. He also briefly met US Vice President JD Vance in Rome.
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A 2,000-Year-Old Sarcophagus Was Just Unsealed—and the Mummy Inside is Mind-Blowing
A 2,000-Year-Old Sarcophagus Was Just Unsealed—and the Mummy Inside is Mind-Blowing
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:
Experts working in the Tomb of Cerberus in Giugliano, an area in Naples, unsealed a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus.
Inside they found the remains of a shockingly well-preserved body lying face-up and covered in a shroud.
Ongoing analysis of the contents of the sarcophagus could yield new social, cultural, and scientific insight into ancient life.
After initially probing a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus in Naples with a micro camera, archaeologists were encouraged enough by what they saw to step inside this sealed tomb for the first time. But once they opened a passage inside the sarcophagus sealed shut for thousands of years, they were shocked by the condition of what they found.
The team of archaeologists, led by Simona Formola, investigating the Tomb of Cerberus in the northwest Naples city of Giugliano discovered a person laying face-up in what they considered an “excellent state of preservation,” according to a translated statement from the Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Naples Metropolitan Area. The individual was covered by a shroud and surrounded by a litany of goods that included several ointment jars and body-cleaning tools often used in the burial process.
The team believes the particular care given to the deceased, coupled with the objects found near the body, suggest the person in the sarcophagus was the family member for whom the mausoleum was originally built.
“The Tomb of Cerberus continues to provide valuable information on the Phlegraean territory near Liternum,” Marian Nuzzo, a superintendent with the Italian Ministry of Culture, said in a statement, “expanding knowledge of the past, and offering opportunities for research of a multidisciplinary nature.”
The team now has a new treasure trove of information to mine. “In recent months,” Nuzzo said, “laboratory analyses conducted on samples taken from the burials and depositional beds have returned a considerable amount of data regarding the treatment of the body of the deceased and the funerary rituals implanted, considerably enriching the panorama of our knowledge.”
The team believes the shroud was likely mineralized due to the unique climatic conditions inside the burial chamber. Fabric analysis is ongoing, but the archaeologists hopes to determine the structure, type, and quality of the yarn used within the tomb. They hope that information will help glean additional social and cultural details.
As DNA analysis of the remains is ongoing, the team also continues to analyze the organic substances, including pollen, found within the sarcophagus. They’ve already learned that the body was likely treated with creams based on Chenopodium—also known as goosefoot—and absinthe, meant to improve preservation.
The ministry hopes continued sampling and analyzing of all the aspects found within the sarcophagus will yield additional details about the surrounding necropolis that can help tell a broader picture of the social and cultural makeup of Naples 2,000 years ago.
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New Jersey, State of Constant Motion, Learns to Live With Immobility – The New York Times
New Jersey, State of Constant Motion, Learns to Live With Immobility – The New York Times
New Jersey, State of Constant Motion, Learns to Live With Immobility The New York TimesOpinion | New Jersey Commuters Get Mugged WSJNJ Transit strike Day 3: Where things stand as the workweek commute looms Bergen RecordNJ Transit Strike: Talks to resume Sunday in effort to negotiate a deal 6abc PhiladelphiaNJ Transit strike continues Sunday as both sides meet with mediator CBS News
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Adams Issues Brooklyn Bridge Ship Collision Statement
Adams Issues Brooklyn Bridge Ship Collision Statement
New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke on Sunday to after a ******** naval vessel carrying 277 people scraped the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, leaving two crew members dead and several others injured. He gave condolences to the family members saying “They are properly being taken care of.”
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FDA approves Novavax COVID vaccine with new conditions – Reuters
FDA approves Novavax COVID vaccine with new conditions – Reuters
FDA approves Novavax COVID vaccine with new conditions ReutersF.D.A. Approves Novavax Covid Vaccine With Stricter New Conditions The New York TimesFDA approves Novavax COVID-19 shot but with unusual restrictions AP NewsRFK Jr.’s FDA Severely Restricts COVID Vaccine Use The Daily BeastAfter delay, FDA approves Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine, but only for older people and those at high risk CNN
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‘Sounds like future to me’: Bono teases new U2 album
‘Sounds like future to me’: Bono teases new U2 album
Bono has teased U2’s new album “sounds like future”.
The 65-year-old singer has shared an updated about the group’s currently untitled follow-up to 2017’s Songs of Experience and cryptically explained it was important for the One hitmakers to “deal with the past” before moving forward.
Asked about the new album, he told Rolling Stone magazine: “Nostalgia is not to be tolerated for too long, but sometimes you’ve got to deal with the past in order to get to the future and to the present. To get back to now is our desire. Get back to this moment we’re in.
“We’ve been recording. And it sounds like future to me. We had to go through some stuff, and we’re at the other end of it.”
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr missed the group’s U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere 40-date Las Vegas residency after undergoing neck surgery but Bono praised his recovery and how he is back better than ever.
He said: “We’ve been playing in the room together, the four of us.
“And I can tell you (Mullen Jr) is completely through whatever storm of injury he’s been through. His playing is at its most innovative. He’s just all about the band. He doesn’t want to talk about anything else, which is kind of amazing.
“By the way, being a band in a room where each individual musician has a role that’s singular and collective is so rare because music is assembled these days.
“And even some of our music we have assembled, and we’ll do that again, but to try and capture a moment of a rock ‘n’ roll band in full flight is at the heart of this record that we’re making that we’ve recorded, but we are not finished.”
The Vertigo singer – who admitted he doesn’t know when the album will be released – was also quizzed on the possibility of a special box set to mark the 30th anniversary of U2’s album Pop.
He replied: “Well, I never thought about that. Actually, I’m sure somebody clever has thought of that. But if they haven’t, I’m not aware of it.
“And the film of the PopMart tour in Mexico is one of the most extraordinary U2 shows ever. I love the imagery around that album. And the only thing that album wasn’t was pop.”
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2 dead after ******** navy training ship hits Brooklyn Bridge
2 dead after ******** navy training ship hits Brooklyn Bridge
Two people have died after a ******** navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night.
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that a ******** navy tall ship, the Cuauhtémoc, lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge around 8:30 p.m.
Several videos of the ****** were shared on social media by eyewitnesses. In them, the ship was seen trying to go under the Brooklyn Bridge, but was unable to clear it. Its three masts hit the bridge and snapped upon impact.
TRENDING STORIES:
Adams said 277 people were on board at the time of the ******. 19 of them were injured. Of the 19, two people died and two others were in critical condition.
NYPD Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles confirmed that no one from the ship fell into the water and that all injuries were sustained inside the ship, CBS News reported.
“…The ship, from what I was informed by the supervisors of the ship, it was disembarking and going to Iceland,” Aramboles said.
An initial investigation revealed that the bridge was not damaged in the ****** and was able to be reopened to the public.
In a social media post, the ******** navy said the Cuauhtémoc was a training ship.
The Associated Press reported that the ship had just a pier in Manhattan and was supposed to be heading out to sea, not toward the bridge.
The ****** remains under investigation.
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Scott Bessent calls Moody’s a ‘lagging indicator’ after U.S. credit downgrade
Scott Bessent calls Moody’s a ‘lagging indicator’ after U.S. credit downgrade
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Moody’s Ratings were a “lagging indicator” after the group downgraded the U.S.’ credit rating by a notch from the highest level.
“I think that Moody’s is a lagging indicator,” Bessent said Sunday. “I think that’s what everyone thinks of credit agencies.”
Moody’s said last week that the downgrade from Aaa to Aa1 “reflects the increase over more than a decade in government debt and interest payment ratios to levels that are significantly higher than similarly rated sovereigns.”
The treasury secretary asserted that the downgrade was related to the Biden administration’s spending policies, which that administration had touted as investments in priorities, including combatting climate change and increasing health care coverage.
“Just like Sean Duffy said with our air traffic control system, we didn’t get here in the past 100 days,” Bessent continued, referring to the transportation secretary. “It’s the Biden administration and the spending that we have seen over the past four years.”
The U.S. has $36.22 trillion in national debt, according to the Treasury Department. It began growing steadily in the 1980s and continued increasing during both President Donald Trump’s first term and former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Bessent also told moderator Kristen Welker that he spoke on the phone with the CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillon, who the treasury secretary said told him the retail giant would “eat some of the tariffs, just as they did in ’18, ’19 and ’20.”
Walmart CFO John David Rainey previously told CNBC that Walmart would absorb some higher costs related to tariffs. The CFO had also told CNBC separately that he was “concerned” consumers would “start seeing higher prices,” pointing to tariffs.
Trump said in a post to Truth Social last week that Walmart should “eat the tariffs.” Walmart responded, saying the company has “always worked to keep our prices as low as possible and we won’t stop.”
“We’ll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins,” the statement continued.
When asked about his conversation, Bessent denied he applied any pressure on Walmart to “eat the tariffs,” noting that he and the CEO “have a very good relationship.”
“I just wanted to hear it from him, rather than second-, third-hand from the press,” Bessent said.
McMillon had said on Walmart’s earnings call that tariffs have put pressure on prices. Bessent argued that companies “have to give the worst case scenario” on the calls.
The White House has said that countries are approaching the administration to negotiate over tariffs. The administration has also announced trade agreements with the United Kingdom and China.
Bessent said on Sunday that he thinks countries that do not negotiate in good faith would see duties return to the rates announced the day the administration unveiled across-the-board tariffs.
“The negotiating leverage that President Trump is talking about here is if you don’t want to negotiate, then it will spring back to the April 2 level,” Bessent said.
Bessent was also asked about Trump saying the administration would accept a luxury jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, infuriating Democrats and drawing criticism from some Republicans as well.
The treasury secretary called questions about the $400 million gift an “off ramp for many in the media not to acknowledge what an incredible trip this was,” referring to investment commitments the president received during his trip last week to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“If we go back to your initial question on the Moody’s downgrade, who cares? Qatar doesn’t. Saudi doesn’t. UAE doesn’t,” he said. “They’re all pushing money in.”
When asked for his response to those who argue that the jet sends a message that countries can curry favor with the U.S. by sending gifts, Bessent said that “the gifts are to the American people,” pointing to investment agreements that were unveiled during Trump’s Middle East trip.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized Bessent’s comments about the credit downgrade, saying in a separate interview on “Meet the Press.”
“I heard the treasury secretary say that, ‘Who cares about the downgrading of our credit rating from Moody’s?’ That is a big deal,” Murphy said.
“That means that we are likely headed for a recession. That probably means higher interest rates for anybody out there who is trying to start a business or to buy a home,” he continued. “These guys are running the economy recklessly because all they care about is the health of the Mar-a-Lago billionaire class.”
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Scott Bessent calls Moody's a 'lagging indicator' after U.S. credit downgrade – NBC News
Scott Bessent calls Moody's a 'lagging indicator' after U.S. credit downgrade – NBC News
Scott Bessent calls Moody’s a ‘lagging indicator’ after U.S. credit downgrade NBC NewsBessent Calls Moody’s ‘Lagging Indicator’ of US Fiscal Health Bloomberg.comMoody’s Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating Below Triple-A The New York TimesHow Will Dow Jones Futures Open After U.S. Debt Rating Downgrade Hits QQQ; Broadcom, Meta Eye Buy Points Investor’s Business DailyUS credit rating downgrade could add to pressure on government debt The Guardian
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Walthamstow ****** victim Bryan Woolis identified 10 years after death
Walthamstow ****** victim Bryan Woolis identified 10 years after death
A man who died after being hit by a car a decade ago has finally been identified, thanks to the efforts of a South Yorkshire officer who worked on the case in his spare time.
Bryan Woolis, previously thought to be named Brian Wallace, died just metres from his home in Walthamstow, London, when he was struck by a Mercedes on 22 January 2015. No records of his identify could be found.
Insp Nik Dodsworth took up the case after learning of Mr Woolis’s possible links to Sheffield.
He said: “It was a sad thing to have a man die and be buried without being correctly identified.”
The Star newspaper first shared an appeal in January 2024 from Locate International, a *** charity dedicated to locating the missing and naming the unidentified.
Insp Dodsworth said the article spurred him into action.
“They had two good quality photos of the victim, but despite this, he had still not been identified,” he said. “I found that quite sad.”
Going through old case files Insp Dodsworth had sourced from the Met, he found a partial DNA match for the man.
He consulted the Police National Computer database, which returned the man’s true identity – Bryan Alwyn Woolis.
Insp Dodsworth then found the online obituary of the man’s father, Alwyn Woolis, who died in Derbyshire in 2016. He had three children, including Bryan.
Mr Woolis had lived a quiet life by choice, and had not seen his sister since the early 2000s when she moved from London to look after their father, Insp Dodsworth said.
“Despite not being close, she experienced grief at Bryan’s death,” he added.
“She had heard a rumour that Bryan had died of natural causes but could not find anything to corroborate this.”
As it was not considered unusual not to hear from Mr Woolis for long periods of time, he was not listed as a missing person.
Insp Dodsworth said people dying without being formally identified is “not as uncommon as you might expect”.
The driver was given a suspended sentence after the incident, but the case remained open due to the unidentified victim.
Locate International is working to secure a new headstone for Mr Woolis’s grave at Manor Park Cemetery in London with the correct spelling of his name, which Insp Dodsworth said “has to happen”.
He added: “I got a sense of satisfaction from getting to the bottom of this mystery, putting a name to the victim of a tragic road traffic collision from 10 years ago.
“I am glad that they [the family] finally have some closure on this tragic incident and can begin to rebuild.”
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