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Putin Spurns Zelenskyy Meeting but Lower-Level Ukraine-Russia Talks are Still On Putin Spurns Zelenskyy Meeting but Lower-Level Ukraine-Russia Talks are Still On ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, both countries said Thursday, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey. Zelenskyy said he is sending a team headed by his defense minister from the Turkish capital Ankara to Istanbul to meet a Russian delegation, even though Moscow’s side doesn’t include “anyone who actually makes decisions.” The Ukrainian side would be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and its aim is “to attempt at least the first steps toward de-escalation, the first steps toward ending the war — namely, a ceasefire,” he said. Few had expected Putin to show up in Turkey, and his absence punctured any hope of significant progress toward ending the 3-year-old war amid peace efforts in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders. It also raised the prospect of intensified international sanctions on Russia that have been threatened by the West. Zelenskyy, who flew Thursday to Ankara after challenging Putin to sit down with him, accused Moscow of not making a serious effort to end the war by sending a low-level negotiating team that he described as “a theater prop.” His proposal to Putin came amid a flurry of maneuvering last weekend as each side sought a diplomatic advantage. Zelenskyy said he decided to send the delegation to Istanbul to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine wants to end the fighting. The war has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the U.N. Russian forces are preparing a fresh military offensive, Ukrainian government and Western military analysts say. At least five civilians were killed and 29 wounded in the past day, according to authorities in five eastern regions of Ukraine where Russia is trying to advance. The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said in Istanbul that the representatives were ready to meet Ukrainian officials. “The task of these direct negotiations with Ukraine is to establish long-term peace sooner or later by eliminating the root causes of this conflict,” he said in a brief statement. It was not clear when they would meet. Medinsky said late Thursday that the Russian delegation would be waiting for Ukrainian officials at 10 a.m. Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would confer Friday in Istanbul with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ukrainian delegation, adding that the Russian delegation would be meeting with other members of the U.S. team and that he hoped all sides could get together. “We don’t have high expectations of what will happen tomorrow. And frankly, at this point, I think it’s abundantly clear that the only way we’re going to have a breakthrough here is between President Trump and President Putin,” Rubio told reporters in Antalya, Turkey, where he was attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier welcomed Zelenskyy to the presidential palace in Ankara for their own talks. Zelenskyy heads Friday to Albania for a gathering of European officials. Weekend maneuvers The diplomatic maneuvering began Saturday when European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv and urged the Kremlin to agree to a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward peace. Putin responded early Sunday by proposing direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Then came Zelenskyy’s challenge to Putin for face-to-face talks. After days of silence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov finally said Thursday that Putin had no plans to travel to Istanbul in the next few days. Trump said he was not surprised that Putin was a no-show. He had pressed for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet but brushed off the Kremlin leader’s decision not to attend. “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump told reporters in Doha, Qatar, on the third day of his visit to the Middle East. Trump said a meeting between him and Putin was crucial to breaking the deadlock. “I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until (Putin) and I get together,” he said on Air Force One while traveling from Doha to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying.” Peskov said Putin has no plans to meet with Trump in the coming days. Medinsky, Putin’s aide, is leading the Russian team that also includes three other senior officials, the Kremlin said. Putin also appointed four lower-level officials as “experts” for the talks in Istanbul. Also absent from the talks were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, both of whom represented Russia at talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia in March. The top-level Ukrainian delegation included Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official said. Zelenskyy will sit at the negotiating table only with Putin, said presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Putin met Wednesday with senior government officials and members of the delegation in preparation for the talks, Peskov said. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and National Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu attended. Russia calls the talks a ‘restart’ The Kremlin billed the Istanbul talks as a “restart” of peace negotiations held there in 2022 that quickly collapsed. Moscow accused Ukraine and the West of wanting to continue fighting, while Kyiv said Russia’s demands amounted to an ultimatum, not something both sides could agree on. That delegation also was also headed by Medinsky. Putin’s proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kick-started by Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the war swiftly, although it’s been hard to pull off. The Trump administration in recent weeks indicated it might walk away from the effort if there was no tangible progress soon. Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, met with Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday night in Antalya. Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for Trump’s mediation efforts and thanked the U.S. for its continued involvement, urging Moscow to “reciprocate Ukraine’s constructive steps” toward peace. “So far, it has not,” Sybiha said. On Thursday morning, Sybiha also met with other European foreign ministers, including his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, who in a post on X reiterated the call for a ceasefire and the threat of “massive sanctions” if Russia doesn’t comply. “We’re in a very difficult spot right now, and we hope that we can find the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future,” Rubio said Thursday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Putin of “standing in the way of peace.” “There was only one country that started this conflict — that was Russia. That was Putin. There’s only one country now standing in the way of peace — that is Russia. That is Putin,” he said in a visit to Tirana, Albania. Barrot echoed that sentiment: “In front of Ukrainians, there is an empty chair, one that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he said. Putin “is dragging his feet and in all evidence does not want to enter into these peace discussions.” Source link #Putin #Spurns #Zelenskyy #Meeting #LowerLevel #UkraineRussia #Talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Brain drain back as New Zealand confronts economic woe Brain drain back as New Zealand confronts economic woe The bad old days of brain drain are back for New Zealand, with fresh migration data confirming Kiwis are leaving the country in droves. More than 200,000 New Zealand citizens have left in the three years since borders were fully reopened, in February 2022, and most have moved to Australia. Stats NZ data shows around 117,000 Kiwi citizens have quit the dire economic conditions of their homeland to make a go of it in Australia. More than 40,000 migrated last year alone, representing the biggest drain of Kiwi talent in more than a decade. Bernard Hickey, veteran economic journalist and the founding editor of The Kaka, says current departure rates are akin to an A320 leaving every day, carrying working families with them. “An average 191 New Zealanders fly away every day … with more than two-thirds being workers aged 18-45 and one in every 12 being a baby or toddler,” he wrote. In an interview with AAP, Mr Hickey said the current rates were no surprise given current economic conditions and a fateful decision made in 2023. New Zealand’s economy is mired in recession, with poor growth, rising unemployment, and a government uninterested in providing a fiscal stimulus. In contrast, Australia appears to have pulled off a soft landing from the COVID-19 shock, with an economy yearning for workers. The easiest place to find them? “New Zealand’s the first place you go to when you’ve got a labour shortage because you can bring in people easily and fast, there’s not too much work you have to do with temporary work visas or resiliency applications,” Mr Hickey told AAP. “You just say, ‘jump on a plane, you can come here and work immediately’.” New Zealand has lost thousands of workers from its construction industry, with Mr Hickey also reporting engineers, architects, logistics workers all suffering from mass exits, with service industries also in sharp need. Australia’s “pull factor” has also been turbo-charged by the decision two years ago by Anthony Albanese’s government to allow Kiwis living in Australia to qualify for citizenship after four years of residency. For two decades, Kiwis were denied an easy shot at citizenship’s suite of benefits – such as social security, public service and defence employment and voting rights. Mr Hickey calls the switch a macro-economic “exit valve that just got wider”. “It essentially told all New Zealanders – the ones who were there and were thinking of going back – and the ones who were thinking of coming to Australia, that now they can make the leap,” he said. “This issue is a constant running sore in our political economy.” The exodus of Kiwi citizens to Australia is at its highest level since 2013 and trending up, but still short of its record year: 2012, when 54,478 left. It also only tells part of New Zealand’s migration story, given it has – like Australia – flung open doors to migrants in recent years to prevent skills shortages and chase growth after COVID-19. New arrivals, most commonly from India and the Philippines, boosted New Zealand’s net migration of 26,000 in the year to March 2025, which was down from 104,000 the previous year. Source link #Brain #drain #Zealand #confronts #economic #woe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Realme GT 7, Realme GT 7T Price and Specifications Leaked Ahead of May 27 Launch Realme GT 7, Realme GT 7T Price and Specifications Leaked Ahead of May 27 Launch Realme GT 7 and Realme GT 7T will be announced in global markets, including India, on May 27. While Realme is actively revealing details about the GT series through social media channels, alleged pricing and specifications of the phones have surfaced on the Web. Both models are tipped to feature AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate. The Realme GT 7T is tipped to run on a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Max SoC. Meanwhile, the Realme GT 7 is confirmed to use a MediaTek Dimensity 9400e SoC. Realme GT 7, Realme GT 7T Price (Leaked) A report by Ytechb has suggested the European price and specifications of the Realme GT 7 and Realme GT 7T. The Realme GT 7T will reportedly cost EUR 699 (roughly Rs. 67,000) for the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. The Realme GT 7 is said to come with a price tag of EUR 799 (roughly Rs. 77,000) for the same RAM and storage variant. The Realme GT 7T and Realme GT are tipped to ship with Android 15-based Realme UI 6.0 and a 32-megapixel front camera. Realme has already confirmed that the new GT 7 series will feature a 7,000mAh battery with 120W wired charging. The standard Realme GT 7 will get the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e SoC under the hood. The lineup will debut in IceSense Blue and IceSense ****** colour options. Realme GT 7T Specifications (Expected) The Realme GT 7T is tipped to come with a 6.8-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness. It is said to run on a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Max processor. For optics, the Realme GT 7T will reportedly have a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel Sony IMX896 main sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. For selfies, it could pack a 32-megapixel front camera. It is said to measure 162.42 x 75.97 x 8.25mm and will weigh 202 grams. Realme GT 7 Specifications (Expected) As per the report, the Realme GT 7 will have a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 6,000 nits of peak brightness. The display is said to have Corning Gorilla Glass 7i coating. It will reportedly have a triple rear camera unit comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto Samsung JN5 sensor with 2x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor. It could measure 162.42×76.13×8.3mm and weigh 206 grams. The Realme GT 7 and Realme GT 7T are said to offer several AI features, including AI Ultra Clarity, AI Best Face, AI Lightning Snap, AI Travel Snap, AI Eraser 2.0, and AI Live Photo. Realme GT 7 was launched in China last month with a price tag of CNY 2,599 (roughly Rs. 30.400) for the 12GB + 256GB option. The ******** variant of the phone runs on MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset and features a 7,200mAh battery with 100W wired fast charging support. The Realme GT 7 lineup will be announced on May 27 in select global markets and India. It will go on ***** in India through Amazon, the Realme India e-store and select retail outlets. Source link #Realme #Realme #Price #Specifications #Leaked #Ahead #Launch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Three injured after head-on ****** in south St. Louis Three injured after head-on ****** in south St. Louis ST. LOUIS – Three people were hospitalized early Thursday morning after an overnight ****** along River Des Peres in south St. Louis. The ****** took place shortly before 3 a.m. on River Des Peres Boulevard near Parkway Lane, involving a Chevy Avalanche and a Ford EcoSport. Early indications suggest that the ****** happened after the Chevy Avalanche may have crossed the center line, colliding head-on with the Ford EcoSport. Extreme hail, winds, more possible Thursday and Friday Three people were left injured after the ******, with one sustaining critical injuries. The conditions of the other individuals involved in the ****** are unknown. Authorities shut down nearly a mile-long stretch of River Des Peres Boulevard for an extended ******* of time as they investigated the ******. First responders worked for approximately 30 minutes to extricate one of the individuals out of a vehicle. An investigation into the ****** is ongoing. Accident reconstruction investigators have been called to the scene to determine the cause of the ******. All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Source link #injured #headon #****** #south #Louis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NASA keeps ancient Voyager 1 spacecraft alive with Hail Mary thruster fix – theregister.com NASA keeps ancient Voyager 1 spacecraft alive with Hail Mary thruster fix – theregister.com NASA keeps ancient Voyager 1 spacecraft alive with Hail Mary thruster fix theregister.comOnce ‘dead’ thrusters on the farthest spacecraft from Earth are in action again CNNNASA resurrects Voyager 1 interstellar spacecraft’s thrusters after 20 years: ‘These thrusters were considered dead’ SpaceZombie Voyager 1 Spacecraft Resurrects Its “Dead” Thrusters Over 15 Billion Miles Away YahooAfter 21 Years, Voyager 1 Fires Its Thrusters Again Thanks To Long-Distance Servicing IFLScience Source link #NASA #ancient #Voyager #spacecraft #alive #Hail #Mary #thruster #fix #theregister.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Thai magnate surrenders over building collapse in quake Thai magnate surrenders over building collapse in quake A building company boss and engineers are among more than a dozen people facing charges over the collapse of a Bangkok high-rise during a massive earthquake. Source link #Thai #magnate #surrenders #building #collapse #quake Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ING Wholesale Bank Chief On Tariffs Impact on Dealmaking ING Wholesale Bank Chief On Tariffs Impact on Dealmaking ING Wholesale Bank Chief On Tariffs Impact on Dealmaking Source link #ING #Wholesale #Bank #Chief #Tariffs #Impact #Dealmaking Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump and Abu Dhabi ink partnership to build massive AI data center complex in UAE – CNN Trump and Abu Dhabi ink partnership to build massive AI data center complex in UAE – CNN Trump and Abu Dhabi ink partnership to build massive AI data center complex in UAE CNNWhite House announces AI data center campus partnership with the UAE CNBCTrump’s Rush to Cut AI Deals in Saudi Arabia and UAE Opens Rift With China Hawks BloombergTrump faces chip backlash The HillU.S. Unveils Sweeping A.I. Project in Abu Dhabi The New York Times Source link #Trump #Abu #Dhabi #ink #partnership #build #massive #data #center #complex #UAE #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Billionaires fall as King rises Billionaires fall as King rises Getty Images The King is now estimated to be worth £270m more than his late mother the Queen The number of *** billionaires has fallen while King Charles’ personal wealth has jumped to equal former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. The annual list of the ***’s 350 richest people revealed the biggest decline in billionaires in the paper’s history. Meanwhile in the past year, the King’s wealth has grown by £30m to £640m, increasing his rank 20 places to 258 with Sunak and Murty. Topping the list for the fourth consecutive year is the Hinduja family behind the Indian corporation Hinduja Group, which, despite a decline in fortune, is recorded to be worth more than £35bn. The continued slump of the number of billionaires for the third year running, from 165 to 156, comes after criticism on tax changes by the new Labour government. The number of billionaires slid to 156 this year from 165 in 2024, representing the sharpest decline in the Sunday Times Rich List’s 37-year-history. “Our billionaire count is down and the combined wealth of those who feature in our research is falling,” Robert Watts, compiler of the Rich List told PA Media. “We are also finding fewer of the world’s super rich are coming to live in the ***.” He said he was “struck by the strength of criticism for Rachel Reeves’s Treasury” when speaking to wealthy individuals for the publication. Mr Watts said: “We expected the abolition of non-dom status would anger affluent people from overseas. “But homegrown young tech entrepreneurs and those running centuries-old family firms are also warning of serious consequences to a range of tax changes unveiled in last October’s budget.” The Labour government abolished the non-dom tax status in April, which is where *** residents whose permanent home or domicile for tax purposes is outside the ***. Last year, former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed plans to scrap the tax status before successor Rachel Reeves sped up the process. Who are the richest people in the ***? 1. Gopi Hinduja and family (£35.3bn, down £37.2bn) 2. David and Simon Reuben and family (£26.87bn) 3. Sir Leonard Blavatnik (£25.73bn) 4. Sir James Dyson and family (£20.8bn) 5. Idan Ofer (£20.12bn) The King’s rise in wealth has also made him richer than his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The new figures estimate Charles to be worth £270m more than his mother, with the majority of his fortune benefiting from the investment portfolio he inherited from her. The late Queen was said to be worth £370m in 2022 compared to Charles’ current fortune of £640m. Coming in second after the Hinduja family, at almost £27bn, were the Reuben brothers, who made their fortune through property and technology. A close third was Sir Leonard Blavatnik, a Ukrainian born British-American businessman who built up a sizeable net worth of almost £26bn. Among other notable figures to make the list were Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And pop star Dua Lipa, 29, is the youngest person to feature on this year’s list. She comes in at 34 on the list with an estimated wealth of £115m. Source link #Billionaires #fall #King #rises Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two NRL trainers from the Panthers and Cowboys are set for bans after squirting water on ****** Two NRL trainers from the Panthers and Cowboys are set for bans after squirting water on ****** The NRL has come down hard on two clubs and their trainers for trying to gain an unfair advantage after their actions were caught on camera. Source link #NRL #trainers #Panthers #Cowboys #set #bans #squirting #water #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘These people have no shame’ ‘These people have no shame’ As the glitterati descended on Cannes for the 2024 Global Gift Gala, it wasn’t a film or fashion moment that caught the internet’s attention — it was a boat. In a recent post on social media platform X, user Vicky @mtllatina commented on a post about Jeff Bezos’ 417-foot megayacht, Koru, docked along the French Riviera. Bezos’ partner, Lauren Sánchez, is set to receive a Global Gift Women Empowerment Award for her work with the Bezos Earth Fund and This Is About Humanity. “SPOTTED at Cannes: the Bezos yacht has arrived,” the post read. “Lauren Sánchez will receive the Global Gift Women Empowerment Award…” The luxury vessel, while impressive, has drawn significant backlash online — and not for the first time. At an estimated $500 million to build and $25 million a year to operate, Koru is more than just a symbol of wealth. It’s also a major source of pollution. According to estimates reported by the New York Post and Indiana University researchers, the yacht releases more than 7,000 tons of heat-trapping pollution annually — about 447 times more than the average American does in a year. This kind of high-consumption lifestyle contributes directly to the overheating of our planet. Superyachts run on dirty energy, and their fuel-intensive engines, air conditioning systems, and helicopter pads often remain active even when the boat is anchored. The environmental cost becomes even more stark when these yachts are used for short, unnecessary trips, particularly when cleaner, more efficient alternatives exist. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? “These people have no shame,” an X user added to the polarizing thread. Another quipped and edited the original headline by saying, “Breaking : rich people shuffle money, gifts and awards amongst themselves for the purpose of tax evasion and ego feeding.” Luckily, innovations in green transportation are rapidly advancing. Solar-powered yachts by companies like Silent Yachts, hybrid electric boats, and sustainable fuels are all gaining traction. On land and in the air, more people are turning to electric vehicles, high-speed rail, and sustainable aviation solutions like hydrogen-powered aircraft. Even for non-billionaires, opting for public transit, rideshare programs, or offsetting travel pollution through trusted platforms can meaningfully reduce personal pollution. And when it comes to climate philanthropy, actions that align with values often speak the loudest. As public scrutiny grows, the conversation isn’t just about extravagance — it’s about accountability, and the very real impact our choices have on the planet we all share. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #people #shame Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Opinion | House Republicans are about to wreck Trump’s nuclear-powered dream – The Washington Post Opinion | House Republicans are about to wreck Trump’s nuclear-powered dream – The Washington Post Opinion | House Republicans are about to wreck Trump’s nuclear-powered dream The Washington PostSome Republicans are angry about climate law cuts. Will they tank the GOP megabill? PoliticoThe Proposed House Budget Kills Credits for New and Used EV Purchases Car and DriverRepublican push to cut green tax credits would raise utility bills, new data shows The GuardianWays and Means Brings the Hammer Down on Energy Credits Rhodium Group Source link #Opinion #House #Republicans #wreck #Trumps #nuclearpowered #dream #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sutton’s FA Cup final & Premier League predictions v Barry Can’t Swim Sutton’s FA Cup final & Premier League predictions v Barry Can’t Swim As you all know, it’s not often I’m wrong about anything but you may remember me saying in a previous predictions article that I thought I held the record for the fastest senior goal at Goodison Park for my effort after 12.94 seconds for Blackburn in 1995 until Abdoulaye Doucoure scored after 10.18 seconds for Everton against Leicester in February. It turns out the fastest goal before Doucoure was actually by Bournemouth’s Colin Clarke, after 11 seconds in a League Cup tie in 1985, but I still hold the record for the fastest away goal there in a men’s league game and no-one is taking that away from me, because I don’t think Southampton will score at all on Sunday. Saints will probably be too exhausted from their celebrations after last week’s draw with Manchester City to ruin the party as Everton’s men’s team play their last game at Goodison after 133 years. I have not got a problem with the Southampton fans celebrating reaching 12 points and avoiding equalling Derby’s record for the worst Premier League points tally because they have had to endure an awful season, but it is absolute amateur hour from their players to react the way they did afterwards. People will say it was down to emotion but how low is your bar if you see that as an achievement? The team should have thanked the supporters, and cleared off down the tunnel. Everton got taken apart in the first half by Fulham last time out, but were much better in the second half and went to win 3-1 at Craven Cottage. It would be typical for them to mess up on their big day, but they won’t. I fancy Beto to get a goal, and the Toffees to sign off with a win. Sutton’s prediction: 2-0 Barry Can’t Swim’s prediction: One big last send off at Goodison Park, Moyesey in the dugout, the noise will be amazing, the players will be up for it. I hope they give it the send off it deserves. 5-0 Barry Can’t Swim on Everton’s best player this season: It’s hard to say, but I’d probably go with Jordan Pickford. He’s so consistent and reliable and gives the back-line confidence. Also, while he’s not our player of the season, I think Beto deserves a lot of credit for the impact he’s made since Moyes came in too. He was totally written off but has scored a fair amount of goals. Who would he sign in the summer? I actually think wing-backs are a priority, and a right winger. Oh, and a forward too. We’ve got a bit more creativity now in midfield but I’d like to see more attacking full-backs like we used to have under Moyes in the past. It’s going to be a really exciting summer for us. Source link #Suttons #Cup #final #Premier #League #predictions #Barry #Swim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Beveridge reflects on ‘complex individual’ Smith’s move Beveridge reflects on ‘complex individual’ Smith’s move Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge insists he isn’t bothered by what might have been as he watches Bailey Smith pull together a career-best AFL season with his new club. Smith has lit up the competition with Geelong this year, starring alongside fellow speedster Max Holmes in Chris Scott’s revamped engine room. The 24-year-old is averaging personal best numbers for disposals (30.8), contested possessions (10.5), tackles (5.9) and clearances (4.8) in his new colours. But as Smith’s first encounter with the Bulldogs since his high-profile exit looms at GMHBA Stadium next Thursday night, Beveridge isn’t interested in mulling an alternate universe where the midfielder stayed at Whitten Oval. “I don’t have moments at all,” Beveridge said on Friday. “As Bailey will tell you, he’s a complex individual. “And with the combination of things that happened in the two years prior to him exiting our football club, I think he just wanted a fresh start. “That was his prerogative, we understood it and everyone’s comfortable with it.” Smith set the tone for an explosive reunion earlier this month when he took an unprompted swipe at the Bulldogs for playing in front of a tiny crowd in Ballarat while he shone in an MCG blockbuster against Collingwood. It brought about a response from Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who said it was nice to know the Dogs are still on Smith’s mind. Bontempelli also poked fun at Smith twice being fined by the AFL for flipping the bird at rival supporters while in Cats colours. On the field, the Bulldogs have put Smith’s departure behind them and grown their midfield depth, setting themselves up for a finals tilt. The midfield brigade, led by the experienced Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore, has been re-energised by the rise of Ed Richards and Joel Freijah, among others, as well as the arrival of Matt Kennedy. “The evolution of our team and our aspirations to be the best, we’re pretty comfortable with our trajectory at the moment,” Beveridge said. “And I’m sure Geelong’s really happy with the way Bailey’s going on the field. That’s really important. “I’m really happy personally that his well with himself and he’s playing good footy. “But there’s no ongoing considerations around what could’ve been.” Smith sat out his final season at the Bulldogs in 2024 after sustaining a serious knee injury, before requesting a trade last October. A four-club deal was eventually struck with Carlton and St Kilda, landing the Bulldogs pick 17 and Kennedy while Smith and Jack Macrae exited. “There wasn’t any negativity around the separation from my point of view and the club’s point of view,” Beveridge said. “That all happened pretty amicably regardless of the conjecture over ‘was the pick low enough’ and all that sort of stuff. “That’s probably something people will continue to talk about.” Source link #Beveridge #reflects #complex #individual #Smiths #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US considers more ******** companies for ‘entity list,’ source says US considers more ******** companies for ‘entity list,’ source says By Karen Freifeld WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Commerce Department is considering placing more ******** companies, including ChangXin Memory (CXMT), on its restricted export list, a person familiar with the matter said. The Bureau of Industry and Security is also looking at adding subsidiaries of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. to the “Entity List”, the person said. Bilateral meeting between the U.S. and China, in Geneva Timing of move has been complicated by a recent trade deal between the U.S. and China, according to the Financial Times, which first reported the news. Companies on the list cannot receive goods or technology exports without a license, which is generally denied. Companies are added for activities viewed as contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. The Biden administration added more than two dozen ******** entities to the list in January, including Zhipu AI, a developer of large language models, and Sophgo, a company whose TSMC-made chip was illegally incorporated into a Huawei artificial intelligence processor. The Commerce Department at that time also strengthened controls on the flow of chips to China to better prevent diversion to Huawei. (Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Stephen Coates) Source link #considers #******** #companies #entity #list #source Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump news at a glance: top court divided on White House’s birthright citizenship restrictions – The Guardian Trump news at a glance: top court divided on White House’s birthright citizenship restrictions – The Guardian Trump news at a glance: top court divided on White House’s birthright citizenship restrictions The GuardianTakeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions CNNSupreme Court justices appear divided in birthright citizenship arguments NPROpinion | The Abrego Garcia Boomerang at the Supreme Court WSJWATCH: ‘What do states do with a newborn?’ Kavanaugh quizzes Trump lawyer on birthright order PBS Source link #Trump #news #glance #top #court #divided #White #Houses #birthright #citizenship #restrictions #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cricket Scotland: How women’s team have gone from team of the year to no fixtures Cricket Scotland: How women’s team have gone from team of the year to no fixtures Scotland women’s cricket team were riding a high in December 2024. Just one month after their first appearance at a World Cup, they had been named as their nation’s team of the year. Less than six months on, they have no fixtures scheduled. Not one in the diary. In fact, they have not played at home since 2023. “From a funding perspective, cricket costs so much to run. Our resources are extremely sparse – we’re almost running on fumes to try and have our women’s programme exist,” says director of performance Steve Snell. “To host a series we’re looking at, give or take, between £75,000 and £100,000 and with very little kickback in terms of getting any money back in from that. If we do that three or four times a year against different teams, it gets expensive very quickly.” The women’s game for associate countries, unlike Full Member nations like England, does not have a mandated Future Tours Programme that dictates when fixtures need to happen. With teams having to organise things themselves, even if there is willing from touring countries, such as Pakistan, the prohibitive costs often make it impossible. And for players such as wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce, the situation is a painful one: “Teams are wanting to play us now, which is really exciting, but we’re not able to. “It’s just really frustrating because it’s difficult to know how we keep pushing forward as a team when we don’t have those opportunities to develop.” “We feel pretty helpless. There’s not really much we can do about the situation if we don’t get the financial support that I think we deserve at this point,” agrees bowler Abtaha Maqsood. Cricket Scotland receives approximately £1.3m per year as part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revenue share to fund all their programmes, men’s and women’s. The board has reportedly never made a profit. Compare this with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which receives in excess of £30m from the ICC and has lucrative series for which to sell broadcast rights on an annual basis. The ECB’s latest accounts show a pre-tax profit of £27.9m. More assistance could be offered from England with regular fixtures, says Snell. “I don’t think it’s a huge ask for us to have more interaction from a men’s and women’s perspective in terms of England and England A for men’s and women’s teams.” Source link #Cricket #Scotland #womens #team #team #year #fixtures Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man acquitted over Tinder date’s balcony death claims sex discrimination after being banned by Star over alleged strangulation incident Man acquitted over Tinder date’s balcony death claims sex discrimination after being banned by Star over alleged strangulation incident A man acquitted of the ******* of his Tinder date after she plunged to her death from his apartment balcony more than a decade ago has claimed he was against by The Star after being banned over an alleged strangulation incident. Gable Tostee was accused of throwing New Zealand woman Warriena Wright from the balcony of his Gold Coast apartment in 2014 but was acquitted of all charges following a high-profile trial in 2016. Tostee – who now goes by the name Eric Thomas – has now lodged a complaint to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) following an incident at the casino operator’s Grand Hotel in Broadbeach in 2022. He asked for the ban to be lifted on an interlocutory basis until a further hearing later this year. In the tribunal’s published judgment, Mr Thomas alleges he was discriminated against on the basis of his sex after security staff were alerted to a disturbance at a hotel room on April 28, 2022. Staff found a woman on her back with her dress up over hips and Mr Thomas “over the top of her” fighting. Camera IconGable Tostee has lodged a discrimination case against The Star, alleging he was discriminated against because of his sex after the casino operator banned him following an alleged strangulation incident. 60 Minutes/Channel 9 Credit: Channel 9 According to the judgment, the woman alleged Mr Thomas had strangled her – resulting in him being detained by police when they arrived. Police ultimately did not proceed with action against Mr Thomas after reviewing the evidence against him. In May 2022, The Star issued Mr Thomas with a withdrawal of licence notice, banning him from entering their Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney premises. Mr Thomas wrote back six months later asking them to rescind the ban. While The Star’s Exclusions Review Committee (ERC) approved rescinding Mr Thomas’ withdrawal of licence, members of The Star’s Safety and Security Team discovered that Mr Thomas had previously been known as Gable Tostee and had been the previous subject of adverse media attention. Camera IconTostee – who now goes by the name Eric Thomas – was acquitted of the ******* of Warriena Wright in 2016 after his Tinder date fell to her death from his balcony apartment in 2014. Supplied Credit: SuppliedCamera IconIn his QCAT application, he claims he was subject to different treatment than a woman and the ban has caused him psychological and social harm. Supplied Credit: Supplied “This included recent coverage of a court hearing in which Mr Thomas had pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a blood or breath sample after he had been found naked in his vehicle after a collision and while he appeared intoxicated,” the judgment states. As a result, the ERC opted to continue the ban. In an interlocutory application to the tribunal before a final hearing, Mr Thomas asked for the ban to be lifted – claiming the sole reason for the ban was because there was “no difference between the two participants other than sex, and he received completely different treatment than the other.” He claimed the ban had caused him “tremendous … psychological and social harm” and he had never caused any detriment to The Star in the past. But QCAT senior member Samantha Traves in April refused to rescind the ban. In her decision, she said the evidence painted the incident that resulted in Mr Thomas’ ban as one of “domestic violence” and not gender discrimination. “On the material before me, there is no evidence to suggest that the respondents acted the way that they did on the basis Mr Thomas was male,” Ms Traves said. Camera IconStaff at The Star Gold Coast allegedly found Mr Thomas on top of a woman in a hotel room, before she alleged he had strangled her. Police did not pursue further action after Mr Thomas was arrested. Supplied Credit: Supplied The Star submitted it had a right to enforce common law as an occupier to exclude Mr Thomas. Ms Traves said there were “good grounds” for the exclusion due to Mr Thomas’ “lengthy history of being under the influence of alcohol while driving”. “Moreover, The Star would potentially be exposed to liability for any adverse incidents involving Mr Thomas and its patrons and could also suffer reputational damage through any related adverse publicity should Mr Thomas again engage in such behaviour,” she said. “Balance of convenience is not viewed in isolation. It must be addressed in the context of the substantive legal issues in dispute.” The matter is listed for a two-day hearing in Brisbane on November 17-18. In 2022, Tostee pleaded guilty at Brisbane Magistrates Court to failing to provide a breath and blood sample to police after crashing his car on Nerang-Broadbeach Rd in October 2021. The court was told he drifted onto the opposite side of the road in front of another car, striking a concrete barrier before skidding into the scrub, and had to be extracted naked from the wreckage of his car. He was banned from driving for 12 months. Source link #Man #acquitted #Tinder #dates #balcony #death #claims #sex #discrimination #banned #Star #alleged #strangulation #incident Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warren Buffett says he’s handing over Berkshire Hathaway reins after realizing how much more Greg Abel could get done in a 10-hour day Warren Buffett says he’s handing over Berkshire Hathaway reins after realizing how much more Greg Abel could get done in a 10-hour day At 94, Warren Buffett announced he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, emphasizing his strong support for successor Greg Abel, whom he praised for his energy, effectiveness, and leadership. Buffett called it “unfair” to hold Abel back any longer, reaffirming his confidence in Abel’s ability while pledging to remain involved and continue supporting the company’s future. At the age of 94, Warren Buffett said he finally began slowing down. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO shocked shareholders earlier this month when he announced he would be stepping down from the investment giant’s top job and handing the reins to his named successor, Greg Abel. Buffett has now revealed that he decided to step down after he witnessed how much his successor could do in a working day compared to his own output. “I didn’t really start getting old, for some strange reason, until I was about 90,” Buffett told The Wall Street Journal. “But when you start getting old … it’s irreversible.” The ‘Oracle of Omaha’ continued: “The difference in energy level and just how much [Abel] could accomplish in a 10-hour day compared to what I could accomplish in a 10-hour day—the difference became more and more dramatic. “He just was so much more effective at getting things done, making changes in management where they were needed, helping people that needed help someplace, but just all kinds of ways. It was unfair, really, not to put Greg in the job.” Abel was first identified as the unofficial successor by Buffett’s former right-hand man, Charlie Munger, on a call in 2021 with the Berkshire chairman confirming the news a matter of days later. At the May 3 annual shareholders meeting, Buffett announced that he would step down by the end of the year. Speaking to a stunned crowd, Buffett, now 94, said neither Abel nor the board (bar his two children, Susie and Howard) had been aware of his intention to leave the CEO position. Buffett added that the next step was proposing the move to the board the following weekend, who would then convene in a few months to take action. “I think they’ll be unanimously in favor of it, and that would mean that at year-end Greg would be the chief executive officer of Berkshire and I would still hang around and could conceivably be useful in a few cases,” Buffett added. Despite the investment legend’s backing for Abel—and his promise to stay on at Berkshire—the conglomerate’s share price dipped on the news and is now down 4.7% over the past month. The man worth $156.6 billion, per Forbes, is one of Berkshire’s largest shareholders but has reconfirmed his plans to slowly gift them away for philanthropic endeavors. Story Continues Buffett has also pledged ongoing investment in Berkshire, which he views as a sign of confidence in Abel, through financial backing and his time. While he’ll step down as CEO, Buffett will still come to work for the company with a market cap of $1.08 trillion. “My health is fine, in the sense that I feel good every day,” he told the WSJ. “I’m here at the office and I get to work with people I love, they like me pretty well, and we have a good time.” He continued, he could serve as a steadying hand in turbulent economic times: “I don’t have any trouble making decisions about something that I was making decisions on 20 years ago, or 40 years ago, or 60 years ago. “I will be useful here if there’s a panic in the market because I don’t get fearful when things go down in price or everybody else gets scared. And that really isn’t a function of age.” He added: “I’m not going to sit at home and watch soap operas. My interests are still the same.” Abel will oversee Berkshire’s investment strategy while Buffett is still at the company, the chairman added, having proved his investment chops while overseeing the business’s push into infrastructure for generating electricity from green sources. Under Abel’s supervision, Berkshire now ranks as America’s largest regulated utility for wind generation, operating wind farms in Texas, California, and across the Midwest, particularly in Iowa. Berkshire’s strategy under Abel remains to be seen, but the key question on spectators’ lips is how the incoming CEO might spend a near-$350 billion cash stockpile. “He will have ideas,” Buffett said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Warren #Buffett #hes #handing #Berkshire #Hathaway #reins #realizing #Greg #Abel #10hour #day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Here’s What’s in House Republicans’ Big Tax Bill to Deliver Trump’s Agenda – The New York Times Here’s What’s in House Republicans’ Big Tax Bill to Deliver Trump’s Agenda – The New York Times Here’s What’s in House Republicans’ Big Tax Bill to Deliver Trump’s Agenda The New York TimesSenate Republicans put House on notice: We won’t accept your Trump agenda bill without changes NBC NewsGOP plans to advance megabill in peril PoliticoConservative Republicans Revolt Over Domestic Policy Bill, Threatening Its Path The New York TimesTrump agenda hits speed bump in US Congress as hardliners revolt Reuters Source link #Heres #Whats #House #Republicans #Big #Tax #Bill #Deliver #Trumps #Agenda #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eberechi Eze: Crystal Palace forward on tears of rejection ahead of FA Cup final Eberechi Eze: Crystal Palace forward on tears of rejection ahead of FA Cup final Talk to those who have known Eze since he was a boy honing his skills in a small yellow cage in Greenwich, and there is immense pride at how far he has come. “Growing up in south-east London, playing football in cages was a social thing with our mates,” Dajon Golding, a school friend of Eze’s and now a striker at Scottish League Two side Elgin City, says. “Even from a young age, Ebs always said he would play at the high level. A lot of us said that. We had big dreams and were naive. “But it’s a testament to Ebs that he has achieved it.” Eze’s younger brother Chimaechi, who plays for Palace’s Under-21 side,, external says he is a source of inspiration. “As a little brother seeing all the setbacks he has gone through, if I am in that situation I don’t know if I could have continued,” he adds. “So him showing that for the family helps everyone to push on when going through tough times. He is 100% an inspiration. He has shown you can always change the narrative.” Despite his elevation to the England team, scoring against Latvia in March, Eze has not forgotten where it all started. “I just got in contact with the two guys who taught me how to play football [in the cage], Gabriel and Rafael,” he adds. “They are the reason I play football the way I do now. “They showed me all the skills and I owe so much to them.” Lisa Shaw, Eze’s former teacher at Fossdene Primary School in Charlton, has seen how he had stayed connected with his roots. She tells the story of him inviting children from his old school to watch Palace train. “He sent a fleet of cars to pick them up. It was very generous,” she says. “The children look up to him. He has had a lot of setbacks in his career but he was resilient. That’s why he’s such a good role model.” Will Eze score another wonder goal in Saturday’s showpiece final – like he did in the semi-final? “I think he felt at peace when that went in,” adds Golding about Eze’s stunner against Villa. “Words cannot describe how proud I am to call Ebs my friend. I am super proud of his journey and what he is going to achieve in the future. “I have seen all the highs and the lows he has been through – and it is breathtaking.” Source link #Eberechi #Eze #Crystal #Palace #tears #rejection #ahead #Cup #final Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Prison cell’: Landlord leaves bizarre list of showering rules in Adelaide rental advertisement ‘Prison cell’: Landlord leaves bizarre list of showering rules in Adelaide rental advertisement A rental advertisement on a local Facebook page has raised eyebrows after leaving a bizarre list of rules stuck to the tenant’s shower. The advertisement was shared on an Adelaide rental Facebook page, offering a “full-furnished” bedroom to rent, complete with amenities such as hot water and in close vicinity to the Adelaide Airport and CBD. However, some of the images accompanying the rental listing had potential renters raising their eyebrows. Camera IconThe bedroom for rent. Reddit Credit: SuppliedCamera IconThe kitchen came complete with a CCTV camera in the corner. Reddit Credit: Supplied A photo of the bathroom featured the corner shower with three pieces of A4 paper stuck to the glass doors with a long list of instructions for the tenant. “Please help!” the signs read, followed by a list of rules tenants should follow while staying at the property. Some of the instructions included closing the door “slowly” and “slightly” to prevent the doors from breaking. “If (pulled) fast all pulleys and hooks are broken,” the sign read. Camera IconThe landlord’s list of instructions for the showers had people scratching their heads. Reddit Credit: SuppliedCamera IconOthers had an issue with the state of the bathroom. Reddit Credit: Supplied Other instructions required tenants to mop up the floor after using the amenities and stand in a specific position while taking a shower. “Please stand your back to tile walls … (with) your face directly to doors – so water not drop to outside/floor,” the sign read. The listing has since been removed from the Facebook group but was reshaped on Reddit by a shocked local. Online, many remarked that the bathroom was in rough shape and required a deep clean, with some highlighting the mould visible on the silicone inside the shower. The landlord’s rules weren’t subjected only to the bathroom, with pieces of A4 paper taped to the entryway to the kitchen and living areas. Camera IconThe rules were also plastered on walls in the kitchen and living area. Reddit Credit: Supplied Others took issue with the “extremely concerning” CCTV camera found in the corner of the kitchen ceiling. “My prison cell was nicer, but I didn’t get a whole bookcase,” a person wrote. Some described the property as “scary”, while others lamented the state of the rental market. “(The) sad part is people are jumping on these opportunities because there is nothing else,” a comment read. Source link #Prison #cell #Landlord #leaves #bizarre #list #showering #rules #Adelaide #rental #advertisement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sailing from Oregon to Hawaii after quitting his job turns a man with a cat into social media star Sailing from Oregon to Hawaii after quitting his job turns a man with a cat into social media star HONOLULU (AP) — Midway while sailing across the Pacific with just his cat named Phoenix, Oliver Widger reflected on why he thinks his many followers — more than a million on TikTok and Instagram — are drawn to his story of quitting his 9-to-5 job and embarking on a journey from Oregon to Hawaii. “The world kind of sucks and, like, I don’t think I’m alone in how I felt with my work,” Widger, 29, told The Associated Press on Wednesday via Zoom. “You can be making $150,000 a year and you still feel like you’re just making ends meet, you know what I mean? And I think people are just tired of that and working really hard for nothing and want a way out.” People are inspired by someone who found a way out, said Widger, who is among a growing number of people who have undertaken such voyages in recent years. Being diagnosed four years ago with a syndrome that carried a risk of paralysis made him realize he hated his job as a manager at a tire company, a job requiring him to be clean-shaven and wear pressed shirts. He heard about people who sailed from California to Hawaii and decided that was the life for him. He abruptly quit his job with “no money, no plan” and $10,000 of debt. “I knew one thing: I’m buying a sailboat,” he recalled. “I’m sailing around the world.” He liquidated his retirement savings, taught himself to sail mostly via YouTube and moved from Portland to the Oregon coast, where he spent months refitting the $50,000 boat he bought. Now, Widger is harnessing the power of social media to fund his round-the-world sailing dream. Since he set sail in April, followers have been tuning into his “Sailing with Phoenix” social media posts to view videos of him and his feline first mate battling the waves and bouts of seasickness, enjoying dazzling sunsets, recounting tricky boat repairs or just reflecting on life at sea. As he discussed his journey with the AP, a netted bag carrying bottled water and snacks swung wildly over his head as the boat rocked. He recalled highlights of the voyage so far, including marveling at the speed dolphins cut through the water and finding flying fish on the deck. There have been stretches when there were no birds in sight for days. It can be a struggle to sleep when the boat is creaking while being buffeted by waves or to steady a boiling pot for the MREs he has been subsisting on. There have been harrowing moments like when a rudder failed and the boat tilted sideways in the surf for three hours as he made repairs, and the time he locked himself in the engine compartment and pried his way out with a wrench. Widger acknowledged he is relatively inexperienced as a sailor, but he has implemented safety measures and communication backup plans, including a satellite phone and an emergency beacon. Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Harms of the U.S. Coast Guard in Hawaii hasn’t been following the journey closely, but said he is relieved to hear Widger has the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, known as an EPIRB. It’s a critical tool for rescuers to locate a mariner’s position during an emergency, especially in the Pacific, the largest ocean, Harms said. Widger’s journey provides a good opportunity to educate the public about sailing safety, such as the importance of wearing a personal flotation device whenever topside on the boat, monitoring the weather closely and registering emergency tools like the EPIRB, Harms said. “That’s a really critical piece for anybody that’s getting motivated by his story to go set off on their own adventure,” Harms said. Until his arrival, likely in Honolulu, Widger is making sure everything is in place to avoid Phoenix having to undergo Hawaii’s animal quarantine. A mobile vet will sign off on Phoenix’s health when they arrive, he said. Widger wasn’t aware of the deadly danger of cat ****** to the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, but he has been keeping all his trash, including kitty litter, on board. Even though he said he is legally allowed to throw it overboard, seeing so much plastic in the ocean motivates him not to. In addition to managing the practicalities of daily life on a boat, he is coping with going viral in the middle of the ocean by creating social media content and making decisions about merch his fans want to buy. He credits it all to his neck issue, which “shook up my world and it changed my perspective on everything.” He also hopes he can be an inspiration for anyone who’s in a rut. “Everything I’ve done I thought was impossible,” Widger said. “Sailing around the world is such a ridiculous dream. Whatever your dream is, just go, just do it.” Source link #Sailing #Oregon #Hawaii #quitting #job #turns #man #cat #social #media #star Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Stellar Blade Is Finally Coming To PC Next Month, And None Of Us Are Prepared Stellar Blade Is Finally Coming To PC Next Month, And None Of Us Are Prepared The levels of praise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have been off the charts since it launched a few weeks back, and now that more people are rolling credits on the RPG, it’s getting some additional Game of the Year talk. Case in point: Kim Hyung-tae, director of Stellar Blade and founder of its developer, Shift Up, has taken to social media in order to express his love for Sandfall Interactive’s debut. Source link #Stellar #Blade #Finally #Coming #Month #Prepared Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japan assets saw record inflows in April as investors fled U.S. markets Japan assets saw record inflows in April as investors fled U.S. markets A man walks past an electronic board showing the Nikkei 225 index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on April 7, 2025. Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images Japan saw record foreign inflows into its equities and long-term bonds in April as investors fled U.S. markets following President Donald Trump’s trade salvo against friends and foes alike. Overseas investors bought 8.21 trillion yen ($56.6 billion) worth of equities and long-term bonds in April, according to government data. The net inflows were the largest for a calendar month since Japan’s finance ministry started collecting data in 1996, according to Morningstar. “Trump tariff shocks likely changed global investors’ outlook on the U.S. economy and asset performance, which likely led to diversification away from the U.S. to other major markets including Japan,” said Yujiro Goto, Nomura’s head of FX strategy in Japan. Now, with the U.S. softening its trade stance and striking deals, including with China, the confidence in U.S. assets is getting restored. So, what does that bode for Japanese assets? It was quite an exceptional month, when you consider everything that has happened in the global macro economic environment. Kei Okamura Neuberger Berman Most of the 8.21 trillion yen of net inflows also occurred in the first week right after April 2, according to the ministry’s data. Following Trump “reciprocal” tariffs announcement the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield spiked by 30 basis points (April 3 to 9) while Japan’s 10-year yield fell by 21 basis points (April 2 to 8). While equities globally saw a sell-off in the immediate aftermath of Trump tariffs, for the full month, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose over 1%, compared with the S&P 500, which dropped by a little under 1%. Japanese assets are generally considered a haven, whose appeal rose as the “sell-U.S.” narrative gained ground in April, said Rashmi Garg, senior portfolio manager at Al Dhabi Capital. The inflow was largely driven by institutional investors rather than retail investors, said Nomura’s Goto. Pension funds and other asset managers likely bought equities aggressively, while Japanese bond purchases were largely driven by reserve managers, life insurers and also pension funds, according to Nomura. “It was quite an exceptional month, when you consider everything that has happened in the global macro economic environment,” said Kei Okamura, Neuberger Berman’s SVP and Japanese equities portfolio manager. “That obviously had an impact in the way global investors were thinking about the asset allocation towards the U.S … they needed to diversify,” he told CNBC in a phone call. The road ahead Al Dhabi Capital’s Garg expects inflows to slow down given the breakthrough in U.S.-China tariff talks, and also as deals with other countries are likely. Britain in fact became the first country to ink a deal with the U.S. last week. While historic monthly inflows may not continue, market watchers still have a positive outlook on Japanese assets and continue to see strong inflows. Trump’s unprecedented actions and policy flip-flops have dented U.S. credibility and confidence in its assets, and this could still result in global fund managers investing less in the U.S. markets in favor of others, explained Vasu Menon, OCBC’s managing director of the investment strategy team. “Given such a backdrop, demand for Japanese assets may remain healthy even if it is not as a strong as the April level,” he said. Japan’s ongoing talks with the U.S. with regards to tariffs have also raised some optimism over cutting the 24% “reciprocal” tariffs on Japan, Menon said. Japanese shares will also benefit from the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s corporate governance reforms, which has prioritized shareholder returns, Asset Management One International wrote in note. The TSE’s corporate governance reforms, which kickstarted in March 2023, warrant listed companies whose shares trade below a price-to-book ratio of one to “comply or explain.” The initiative aims to boost Japan Inc.’s appeal to both foreign and domestic investors. This reform program has led to likely record levels of share buybacks in Japan, which improves both earnings per share and support share price, Asset Management One International said. While the dollar has regained some strength following April’s sell-off, the potential for it to weaken further and the Japanese currency to strengthen “makes sense” for investors to look at Japanese equities especially as the economy rebounds, said Neuberger Berman’s Okamura. “So this trend has legs. Japan will likely continue to see good flows,” Okamura said. Morningstar’s Makdad sees more net inflows into Japanese equities than in the past decade amid the improved corporate governance. That said, he does not see the same heft of net inflows into short-term Japanese Treasury bills as when the Bank of Japan was implementing negative interest rates as the arbitrage opportunity for some foreign investors that existed then is no longer present now. Source link #Japan #assets #record #inflows #April #investors #fled #U.S #markets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]