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Medicaid work requirements would reduce health coverage: Senator Medicaid work requirements would reduce health coverage: Senator U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock speaks at the Capitol on April 10 in Washington, D.C. Jemal Countess | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Republican lawmakers may be looking at substantial cuts to Medicaid in upcoming reconciliation legislation. But one method of restricting access to coverage — work requirements — could have disastrous results for Americans, based on efforts in Arkansas and Georgia to implement such policies, according to a new report issued by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. Those rules typically require people to meet certain thresholds, such as a set number of hours of work per month, to qualify for Medicaid coverage. While labeled as “work requirements,” they would be more correctly called “work reporting requirements” because they involve so many rules, forms and other red tape that they can prevent working Americans from accessing coverage, according to Warnock. “These work reporting requirements are not incentivizing work; there’s no evidence of that,” Warnock said in an interview with CNBC.com. “What we see is that this is a good way to kick a lot of people off of their health care — hardworking everyday Americans who are struggling,” Warnock said. A Republican House budget resolution included about $880 billion in spending cuts through 2034 from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In a March report, the Congressional Budget Office found Republicans cannot achieve their budget goals without cutting Medicaid. House Republicans on Sunday released draft legislative language of the reconciliation bill. Work requirements are among the eligibility policies on the table. Based on the current proposal, 9.7 million to 14.4 million people would be at risk for losing Medicaid coverage in 2034 if they are unable to show they meet the work requirements, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., who is chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal in support of the work hurdles. “When so many Americans who are truly in need rely on Medicaid for life-saving services, Washington can’t afford to undermine the program further by subsidizing capable adults who choose not to work,” Guthrie wrote in the op-ed published on Sunday. “That’s why our bill would implement sensible work requirements,” Guthrie wrote. Those requirements would be in line with current policies, according to Guthrie, where working adults, seniors on Medicare and veterans have all worked in exchange for health coverage eligibility. However, Warnock argues that thinking is backwards. By providing health care coverage without those requirements, that will then help encourage people to work because they are getting the care they need to be healthy, he said. “If you provide basic health care to the people who are eligible, you actually have more people working,” Warnock said. “You have a stronger economy.” Expanding ‘failed experiment’ is a ‘bad idea’ Two states — Arkansas and Georgia — have tested work reporting requirements for Medicaid, with subpar results, according to Warnock’s report. “These are two cautionary tales, and the idea of now expanding a failed experiment nationwide is a bad idea,” Warnock said. Georgia, Warnock’s home state, is currently the only one in the country that has Medicaid work reporting requirements in place. The state’s program, Georgia Pathways to Coverage, lets adults qualify if they have 80 hours of qualifying work per month, have income below the federal poverty line and pay mandatory premiums. The program, which was implemented on July 1, 2023, has lackluster enrollment, according to Warnock’s report. Twenty months in, the program has only enrolled around 7,000 people, while nearly 500,000 people need health care coverage in Georgia, according to Warnock. “It gets a big **** ‘F,'” Warnock said of the program. “It’s failed.” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and some other state Republicans have spoken about the program as a success. Georgia is among the states that opted not to expand Medicaid, and therefore make coverage more accessible, following the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Arkansas did implement Medicaid expansion in 2014 and subsequently put work requirements in place from 2018 to 2019. However, those efforts failed, with 18,000 people losing Medicaid coverage in the first seven months and only a small share of people able to get coverage back the following year, according to a 2023 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. More from Personal Finance: Two key issues to watch in House Republican tax debate As student loan collections resume, credit scores tumble Stagflation is a looming economic risk. What it means for your money Low compliance with work requirements may come from a variety of factors that have nothing to do with employment, according to research from the Urban Institute. That may include limited access to the internet or transportation, health limitations or disabilities and low education levels. Others may simply not quite meet the requirements their states have set out. That is the case for Heather Payne, 52, of Dalton, Georgia, who suffered a series of strokes in 2022. As a result, Payne can no longer work as a traveling nurse and has opted to enroll in graduate school to become a nurse practitioner, a role that will be less physically grueling. “I really do love nursing so much, and I cannot continue to do it the same way that I used to do it since my strokes,” Payne said. While Payne is considered a full-time student, she is just short of the hours to qualify for Medicaid under Georgia’s work requirements. As a result, she is paying for private health care coverage with her tuition, which is adding to the debts she will have to pay off once she graduates. Because her health insurance plan doesn’t cover all her care, she estimates she’s incurred “tens of thousands of dollars” in medical debt. Payne, who said she is “not very savvy on politics,” attended President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C., as Warnock’s guest in an effort to draw attention to the coverage gap. The U.S. is one of the few industrialized countries without universal health coverage, which is “really kind of embarrassing,” Payne said. “And instead of trying to go toward that, we’re trying to yank it away from everyone possible,” Payne said. Source link #Medicaid #work #requirements #reduce #health #coverage #Senator Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Lava Shark 5G Design, Colour Options, Key Specifications Surface Online Lava Shark 5G Design, Colour Options, Key Specifications Surface Online Lava Shark 5G could soon join the Lava Shark 4G variant, which was unveiled in India in March. Details of the purported handset have surfaced online, suggesting its design and colour options. The 5G version is said to come with a dual rear camera unit. The smartphone has also appeared on a popular benchmarking website, which hints at the chipset, RAM and operating system features of the Lava Shark 5G. The 4G variant offers a 50-megapixel AI-backed primary rear camera. Lava Shark 5G Launch: All We Know The Lava Shark 5G is expected to launch in India soon, according to a YTECHB report. However, the report does not indicate the expected timeline of the launch. Official-looking promotional renders of the anticipated smartphone have been shared in the report. The phone appears in blue and gold colour options. Leaked renders of the Lava Shark 5G seen in blue and gold shades Photo Credit: YTECHB Two circular camera units are placed on a slightly raised, square camera island at the back panel of the Lava Shark 5G. They are accompanied by a smaller, round LED flash unit, which has a circular design around it. The right edge is seen housing the power button and the volume rocker. Notably, an upcoming Lava handset with the model number Lava LXX516, expected to be the purported Lava Shark 5G, has appeared on Geekbench. The phone scored 742 and 1,911 points on the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. The Geekbench listing of the rumoured Lava Shark 5G suggests that the phone could be powered by a Unisoc T765 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM. It is expected to run on Android 15 out-of-the-box. The report added that the phone may support 64GB of onboard storage. The leaked design renders hint that the handset could carry a 13-megapixel main camera. The 4G variant of the Lava Shark model was launched in India at Rs. 6,999 for the sole 4GB + 64GB configuration. It comes with a Unisoc T606 SoC, a 5,000mAh battery with 18W wired charging support, and an IP54-rated dust and water-resistant build. For optics, it carries a 50-megapixel primary rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. It sports a 6.7-inch 120Hz HD+ display and ships with Android 14 OS. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Amy Hennig’s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Delayed to Early 2026 Source link #Lava #Shark #Design #Colour #Options #Key #Specifications #Surface #Online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vincent Junior: Kununurra man remanded, to reappear in court over alleged Broome assault Vincent Junior: Kununurra man remanded, to reappear in court over alleged Broome assault A 43-year-old Kununurra man alleged to have taken hold of a woman and attempted to ********* assault her on a Broome street has had the matter adjourned for six weeks. Source link #Vincent #Junior #Kununurra #man #remanded #reappear #court #alleged #Broome #assault Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After GTA 6 Releases, You May Not Want to Miss These 4 Video Games After GTA 6 Releases, You May Not Want to Miss These 4 Video Games Rockstar’s announcement of GTA 6′s delay to May 26, 2026, sent fans into a frenzy, though the mesmerizing Trailer 2 certainly helped soften the blow. While this postponement gives 2025 titles some much-needed breathing room, 2026 isn’t exactly a barren wasteland of gaming. In fact, several heavyweight contenders are boldly stepping into the ring alongside gaming’s most anticipated juggernaut. These aren’t just filler titles either—they’re potential game-changers that might actually give GTA 6 a run for its money (or at least fight valiantly for your attention). 1 Onimusha: Way of the Sword Capcom’s revival of the beloved Onimusha franchise marks its triumphant return after nearly two decades of dormancy. Set in Kyoto during the early Edo *******, this Japanese-inspired dark fantasy transforms the normally peaceful historical setting into something eerily twisted by mysterious clouds of Malice. Players will wield the legendary Oni Gauntlet as they hack and slash through hordes of grotesque Genma creatures in blood-soaked combat. The game’s striking visuals and supernatural samurai action provide a refreshing alternative to GTA’s urban mayhem, proving that sometimes a katana can be just as satisfying as a rocket launcher. 2 Fable Playground Games’ long-awaited reboot of the Fable series looks to recapture the whimsical magic that made the original trilogy so beloved. The latest footage reveals a breathtaking fantasy world with towering trees, rolling hills adorned with wildflowers, and a densely packed medieval city teeming with life. For the first time in the series, players will have access to rideable horses, allowing them to explore Albion’s sprawling landscapes in all their glory. Combat appears snappier than ever, featuring one-handed swords, hefty two-handed maces, and devastating magical abilities—including the ability to set traps for menacing Balverines. And yes, you can still kick chickens. 3 Saros Housemarque‘s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Returnal takes their “gameplay-first” philosophy to new heights. Saros puts players in the boots of Arjun Devraj (portrayed by Rahul Kohli), a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for someone on the mysterious off-world colony of Carcosa during an ominous eclipse. Unlike Returnal’s roguelike structure, Saros introduces permanent progression, allowing players to “come back stronger” after each death with an evolving arsenal of weapons and suit upgrades. The PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro exclusive promises to push Sony’s hardware to its limits while delivering the tight third-person action for which Housemarque has become known. 4 Gears of War: E-Day The Coalition’s prequel to the iconic Gears of War franchise takes players back to the most pivotal moment in the series’ lore—Emergence Day. This catastrophic event saw the Locust Horde burst from beneath Sera’s surface, threatening humanity with extinction and setting the stage for everything that followed. Developed in Unreal Engine 5 and starring a younger Marcus Fenix, E-Day seems set for a November 2026 release to coincide with the franchise’s 20th anniversary. This timing not only capitalizes on nostalgia but also positions the game as a potential holiday blockbuster, safely distanced from GTA 6′s spring release window. While GTA 6 will undoubtedly dominate gaming conversations throughout 2026 (and beyond), these four contenders prove the year has much more to offer than just a return trip to Vice City. Whether you prefer supernatural samurai action, whimsical fantasy adventures, haunting sci-fi narratives, or gritty military shooters, there’s something worth marking your calendar for. Which of these games has caught your attention, or is there another 2026 title you’re eagerly anticipating? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Source link #GTA #Releases #Video #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nothing Phone 3 Price, Launch Timeline Teased by Nothing CEO Carl Pei Ahead of Google I/O 2025 Nothing Phone 3 Price, Launch Timeline Teased by Nothing CEO Carl Pei Ahead of Google I/O 2025 Nothing Phone 3 details have surfaced online, almost two years since the launch of the Nothing Phone 2. After revealing that the company was focussing on developing AI features in 2024, the firm didn’t roll out a successor to the Nothing Phone 2 (a premium smartphone). Over the past couple of years, Nothing and its subsidiary CMF by Nothing has launched budget and mid-range devices. These include the Nothing Phone 2a series, followed by the Phone 3a series and more recently even a budget offering by its sub-brand called the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Nothing CEO, Carl Pei in a recent reply to an X user mentioned that the Nothing Phone 3 would arrive by Q3 2025. At a recent event ahead of Google I/O 2025, the company’s founder has given out more details about Nothing’s upcoming premium smartphone. During The Android Show: I/O Edition event, Carl Pei presented a Device Showcase on video (like Motorola and Xiaomi), explaining the philosophy and success of his Nothing brand. After explaining the brand’s journey so far, Pei pulled out and showed what he claimed to be the upcoming Nothing Phone 3. As it is an unannounced device, the phone in his hand was blurred out, and so it is hard to tell what it will look like. According to Pei, the company is “going all-in” and will not hold back when it comes to hardware and software. He states that the phone will be made from premium materials and will have major performance upgrades. All of this will be packaged in software that he claims will “level things up.” The Nothing CEO and founder went on to add that the Nothing Phone 3 will be the company’s “first true flagship smartphone”. We can expect some major upgrades to keep up with the competition, which is now vastly different from the Nothing Phone 2, a handset that arrived in the premium smartphone segment. Pei also hinted at the price of the Nothing Phone 3, stating that it will cost somewhere “around GBP 800”, which converts to around Rs. 90,000. This is indeed a big hint that the phone will play with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, and Oppo’s Find X8 Pro. Given the company’s focus on design and software experience, Nothing’s Phone 3 is expected to look different from the various glass-laden premium designs we have seen and used on devices at this price point. With no hardware specifications leaked yet, there is indeed going to be a huge performance gap between the Nothing Phone 2 and the Phone 3, given that the former was launched with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. Today’s flagships at this price point offer a multitude of cameras and the most high-end processors available, so it will be interesting to see the specifications of the Nothing Phone 3 when it debuts in the coming months. Source link #Phone #Price #Launch #Timeline #Teased #CEO #Carl #Pei #Ahead #Google Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warren Buffett Says to Buy This Vanguard ETF. It Could Turn $1,000 Per Month Into $228,000 in 10 Years. Warren Buffett Says to Buy This Vanguard ETF. It Could Turn $1,000 Per Month Into $228,000 in 10 Years. The Oracle of Omaha suggests most investors put money in a low-cost fund that tracks the performance of the S&P 500. Investing even relatively small sums of capital on a monthly basis can result in huge wealth over the long term. The best investment strategy is one that people can stick to in both good and bad times. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard S&P 500 ETF › Warren Buffett just announced that at the end of this year, he’ll step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after an illustrious career heading the conglomerate. He has compounded capital at 5,500,000% in the past six decades, making him an investing legend. The Oracle of Omaha might have one of the best track records. However, his advice for the average investor is remarkably simple. Buffett suggests buying a low-cost S&P 500 index fund, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). The simplicity of such a strategy might sound boring. But when you understand that a $1,000 monthly investment in this ETF can turn into $228,000 in just 10 years, you’ll quickly realize just how powerful Buffett’s suggestion can be. Here’s what investors need to know about this effective money-making strategy. Image source: The Motley Fool. In the past decade, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has produced a total return of 219%. On an annualized basis, this translates to a yearly gain of 12.3%. Over the very long term, the S&P 500 has generated a roughly 10% annual return, so the last 10 years has been better, probably driven by near-zero interest rates, the rising popularity of passive investing, and solid economic growth. It’s worth pointing out that past results are no guarantee of future returns. But let’s just assume that the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF registers the same gains over the next decade, which obviously is impossible to predict. If you invest $1,000 each month into this investment vehicle, then after 10 years (equating to a total of 120 investments), you’d be staring at a $228,000 balance in your portfolio. That’s a phenomenal outcome. That’s the magic of dollar-cost averaging. It eliminates the need to try to correctly time the market and buy at one time. Instead, investors allocate money to the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF on a monthly basis. This allows investors to take advantage of multiple price points while building a valuable habit of consistent investing. Everyone wants to be a successful stock picker like Warren Buffett. The truth, however, is that we not only don’t possesss expert financial modeling and business analysis skills, but we lack probably don’t have enough time to do this. Here’s where buying the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF truly shines as a low-maintenance strategy. Story Continues Investors immediately gain broad diversification to the S&P 500, a popular benchmark that contains 500 leading companies that trade on U.S. stock exchanges. The portfolio will have exposure to all sectors of the economy, from information technology and financials to real estate and materials. Betting on the growth of the U.S. economy has worked out well in the past, and it should continue to do so in the future. The focus usually always centers on performance. But it’s also important to know what the cost is. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF carries a tiny expense ratio of 0.03%. Of a $1,000 investment, just $0.30 goes to Vanguard on an annual basis to cover costs associated with administration, marketing, and distribution of its various products. And for such a low fee, the average investor is sure to outperform most active fund managers out there. Studies indicate that many of these highly paid professionals lag the S&P 500’s performance over long periods of time, something Buffett has ridiculed. It might not seem like much. But putting just $1,000 per month into the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF can end up turning into a massive sum of wealth for the disciplined and patient investor. Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $614,911!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $714,958!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 907% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 163% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 Neil Patel has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Warren Buffett Says to Buy This Vanguard ETF. It Could Turn $1,000 Per Month Into $228,000 in 10 Years. was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Warren #Buffett #Buy #Vanguard #ETF #Turn #Month #Years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Haunted House Renovator Review – Thumb Culture Haunted House Renovator Review – Thumb Culture “A simulation game all about cleaning old abandoned homes while encountering and dealing with ghosts. If thats caught your eye, then its out now on Steam” Kyle @ Thumb Culture Source link #Haunted #House #Renovator #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tencent Q1 2025 earnings report Tencent Q1 2025 earnings report ******** tech company Tencent is a gaming giant and the parent company of WeChat, the ubiquitous social messaging app in China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images Tencent on Wednesday reported an annual rise in its top and bottom line in the first quarter fuelled by accelerated growth in its key gaming business. While revenue beat expectations, its net profit fell short. Here’s how Tencent did in the first quarter of 2025 versus LSEG estimates: Revenue: 180.02 billion ******** yuan ($25 billion), versus 174.63 billion yuan expected Net profit: 47.8 billion yuan, versus 52.2 billion yuan expected Revenue rose 13% year-on-year, while net profit was up 14%. This breaking news story is being updated. Source link #Tencent #earnings #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tencent Q1 2025 earnings report Tencent Q1 2025 earnings report ******** tech company Tencent is a gaming giant and the parent company of WeChat, the ubiquitous social messaging app in China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images Tencent on Wednesday reported an annual rise in its top and bottom line in the first quarter fuelled by accelerated growth in its key gaming business. While revenue beat expectations, its net profit fell short. Here’s how Tencent did in the first quarter of 2025 versus LSEG estimates: Revenue: 180.02 billion ******** yuan ($25 billion), versus 174.63 billion yuan expectedNet profit: 47.8 billion yuan, versus 52.2 billion yuan expected Revenue rose 13% year-on-year, while net profit was up 14%. This breaking news story is being updated. Source link #Tencent #earnings #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Detective Dotson Review – Thumb Culture Detective Dotson Review – Thumb Culture “Detective Dotson marks the Steam debut for India’s Masala Games. Taking place against the vibrant backdrop of Holi, we join Dotson, an aspiring actor turned detective, tasked with solving the riddle of his father’s disappearance. Will he crack the case, catch the bad guys, and live his Bollywood dream?” Ritchie @ Thumb Culture Source link #Detective #Dotson #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Doom: The Dark Ages should be avoided by handheld gaming PC fans for now – and it’s down to one issue that I’m finding increasingly frustrating Doom: The Dark Ages should be avoided by handheld gaming PC fans for now – and it’s down to one issue that I’m finding increasingly frustrating id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages is facing crashing issues on handheld gaming PCs The issue appears to stem from outdated drivers on AMD Ryzen Z1-powered handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally It seems that neither AMD nor id Software are reponsible, but rather the handheld PC vendors like Asus and Lenovo The long wait for id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages is finally over, as the Premium Edition, providing two days of early access, is now available – but if you’re using any AMD-powered handheld gaming PC, it’s probably best to steer clear for now. As reported by our friends over at PC Gamer, Doom: The Dark Ages is unplayable on handheld gaming PCs, notably those using AMD’s Ryzen Z1 chips, due to constant crashes. This is evident in the video provided by PC Gamer, which sees the game ****** in a matter of seconds due to an AMD driver failure. I can corroborate the same crashing issues; while booting into the game’s campaign was all fine (on my Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme), it didn’t take any longer than 10 seconds for the game to come to a crashing halt. This would result in either a ****** screen, with the game still audible in the background, or worse, artificating – however, the blame seemingly isn’t on id Software and its new title. You may like (Image credit: ID Software) Since the game requires the latest AMD Adrenalin 25.5.1 graphics driver – which is the first prompt shown upon startup – the crashes are to be expected on these handhelds. And that points directly towards the issue; the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go that use AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme processors are more often than not running on outdated graphics drivers. This lack of driver support from Asus and Lenovo has been an ongoing issue since the launch of these handhelds, resulting in games that either can’t be played at all, or suffer from frequent crashes, as they require newer drivers to function well. I’ve seen this occur with games like Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 and The Last of Us Part 2 – the former tends to have driver crashes in the game’s ‘Zombies’ mode, and the results can’t be replicated on a desktop gaming PC that has access to the latest drivers. It’s leaving some handheld gamers without a solution, as sideloading (manually installing newer drivers) doesn’t always work – and can easily result in ‘Code 43’ errors, which I encountered numerous times. This is one of the main reasons why my Asus ROG Ally is collecting dust It’s bad enough that Microsoft’s Windows 11 and other applications like Armoury Crate have numerous bugs and slow responsiveness; throwing in the lack of driver support from handheld PC vendors literally stops users from playing certain games. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. You could also argue that Doom: The Dark Ages is technically not even released yet (since it’s early access), but these issues don’t appear to stem from the PC port. This is a support issue, and one quick look at the latest graphics driver available on Asus’ ROG Ally support page will show you that the latest driver at the time of writing was in February earlier this year. I’m lucky enough to have a powerhouse gaming PC to dive into games with ease, but for those who bought a Ryzen Z1-powered handheld to be their primary gaming device this just isn’t good enough. Sure, nothing is perfect, but devices that cost a lot should at the very least be supported in the long run. You may also like… Source link #Doom #Dark #Ages #avoided #handheld #gaming #fans #issue #finding #increasingly #frustrating Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rates inch up in response to tariff pause Rates inch up in response to tariff pause Most mortgage interest rates have ticked up today. According to Zillow, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by four basis points to 6.76%, and the 15-year fixed rate has risen by four basis points to 6.07%. The slight inclines can likely be attributed to the U.S. and China pausing the heightened tariffs on each other for 90 days. You might think this news would push mortgage rates down, but economists and investors may view President Trump’s politics as unpredictable. Uncertainty — instead of confidence — can contribute to higher rates. Dig deeper: What determines mortgage rates? Here are the current mortgage rates, according to our latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.76% 20-year fixed: 6.35% 15-year fixed: 6.07% 5/1 ARM: 7.38% 7/1 ARM: 7.55% 30-year VA: 6.31% 15-year VA: 5.72% 5/1 VA: 6.22% Remember that these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form. These are the current mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.84% 20-year fixed: 6.46% 15-year fixed: 6.10% 5/1 ARM: 7.59% 7/1 ARM: 7.76% 30-year VA: 6.27% 15-year VA: 5.88% 5/1 VA: 6.36% Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Refinance rates are usually higher than purchase rates. A mortgage calculator can help you see how various mortgage term lengths and interest rates will affect your monthly payments. Use this mortgage calculator to play around with different outcomes. The Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when calculating your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a better idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest. As a rule of thumb, 15-year mortgage rates are lower than 30-year mortgage rates. When comparing 15- versus 30-year mortgage rates, know that the shorter term will save you money on interest in the long run. However, your monthly payments will be higher because you’re paying off the same loan amount in half the time. For example, with a $400,000 mortgage with a 30-year term and a 6.76% rate, you’ll make a monthly payment of about $2,597 toward your mortgage principal and interest. As interest accumulates over decades, you’ll end up paying $534,939 in interest. If you get a $400,000 15-year mortgage with a 6.07% rate, you’ll pay about $3,391 monthly toward your principal and interest. However, you’ll only pay $210,303 in interest over the years. If that 15-year mortgage monthly payment is too high, remember you can always make extra mortgage payments on your 30-year loan to pay off your mortgage faster and ultimately pay less interest. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in from day one. However, you will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage. An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a set ******* of time. Then the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remainder of your term. Adjustable rates sometimes start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock ******* ends, you risk your interest rate going up. ARM rates have also been starting higher than fixed rates recently, so they’re not as good of a deal as usual. Dig deeper: Adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgage — Which should you choose? Economists don’t expect drastic mortgage rate drops before the end of 2025. In 2024, mortgage rates trended downward from early August to the Sept. 18 Federal Reserve meeting, when the central bank announced a 50-basis-point slash to the federal funds rate. Since that announcement, mortgage rates have mostly increased or held steady. The Fed decreased its rate again at its November and December meetings (by 25bps each time). The trajectory of future mortgage rates will largely depend on the Federal Reserve’s decision on whether or not to cut the federal funds rate at its 2025 meetings. The Fed has not cut its rate at any of its 2025 meetings so far. According to the CME FedWatch tool, there’s about an 88% chance that the rate will also remain unchanged at the Fed’s June meeting. This means rates probably won’t significantly drop in the next couple of months. Dig deeper: Understanding the Fed’s rate decisions — Do we want high or low interest rates? According to Zillow data, today’s 30-year fixed rate is 6.76% for home purchases and 6.84% for refinances. These are the national averages, so keep in mind the average in your state or city could be different. Your rate will also vary depending on your personal finances. Mortgage rates will probably be slightly lower by the end of 2025, but they’re unlikely to nosedive anytime soon. Mortgage rates should go down in 2025, though probably not as drastically as many expected a few months ago. Depending on the economy, inflation, and the Fed, any decreases may be relatively small. Source link #Rates #inch #response #tariff #pause Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump meets with Syrian leader in Saudi Arabia Trump meets with Syrian leader in Saudi Arabia The leader of Syria’s Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital’s landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Abdulaziz Ketaz | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia before heading to Qatar on Wednesday, the White House said, one day after Washington announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on the war-ravaged country. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversaw the meeting, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined by phone. “President Trump thanked President Erdogan and the Crown Prince for their friendship, and told President Al-Sharaa that he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country,” a readout from the White House said. This breaking new story is being updated. Source link #Trump #meets #Syrian #leader #Saudi #Arabia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UnitedHealth Faces Double Blow from Leadership Change and Pulled Guidance UnitedHealth Faces Double Blow from Leadership Change and Pulled Guidance UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:) shares plunged in premarket trading Tuesday after the largest U.S. health insurer announced the unexpected departure of CEO Andrew Witty and suspended its 2025 financial forecast due to surging medical costs. The abrupt leadership change and withdrawn guidance come at a challenging time for the healthcare conglomerate, which has faced a series of setbacks over the past year. UnitedHealth Announces Surprise CEO Exit, Pulls Forecast UnitedHealth Group announced Tuesday that CEO Andrew Witty is stepping down for “personal reasons,” with the company providing no further details on the abrupt departure. Former CEO Stephen Hemsley, who has been with the healthcare conglomerate for 28 years, will return to the top role effective immediately. The transition comes after a tumultuous ******* for the company, which has faced several significant challenges under Witty’s leadership. In April, UnitedHealth posted its first earnings miss since the 2008 financial crisis and lowered its annual outlook, citing higher-than-expected medical costs and “unanticipated changes” in its Optum business that impacted planned 2025 reimbursements. The company has also been grappling with the aftermath of a devastating cyberattack at its Change Healthcare (NASDAQ:) technology unit earlier this year that shut down much of the U.S. healthcare processing system for days, affecting some 200 million Americans. Adding to the company’s troubles was the ******* of Brian Thompson, UnitedHealth’s top health insurance executive, in December 2024. Citing ongoing concerns about surging medical costs, UnitedHealth also announced it is suspending its financial forecast for 2025. The company now expects to return to growth only in 2026, signaling a longer recovery ******* than previously anticipated. The health insurance industry as a whole has been struggling with increased costs since mid-2023 due to a surge in demand for healthcare services, particularly under government-backed Medicare plans for older adults and individuals with disabilities. UNH Stock Plunges in Premarket Trading UnitedHealth Group shares were trading at $344.97 in premarket at 8:34 AM EST, down $33.78 or 8.92% from the previous close of $378.75. The stock has been under pressure in 2025, having already declined 0.50% on Monday and significantly underperforming the broader market year-to-date. With today’s premarket losses, UNH is approaching the lower end of its 52-week range of $376.83 to $630.73. UnitedHealth’s market capitalization stood at approximately $343.58 billion based on Monday’s close, though that figure is set to decline substantially when markets open. The company’s price-to-earnings ratio of 15.85 reflects its recent challenges, with forward P/E at 14.43 based on now-suspended guidance. UnitedHealth pays a dividend yield of 2.22% ($8.40 annually), with the ex-dividend date having passed on March 10, 2025. The company’s premarket decline has also dragged down shares of other major health insurers, including CVS Health (NYSE:) Corporation (down 3.23% at yesterday’s close), Cigna Group (NYSE:) (down 5.31%), and Oscar Health (NYSE:) (down 1.69%). Despite current challenges, UnitedHealth maintains relatively strong financial metrics with a return on equity of 22.70% and $34.29 billion in cash on its balance sheet. The company generated $20.1 billion in levered free cash flow over the trailing twelve months. Analyst sentiment had been cautiously optimistic prior to today’s announcement, with a consensus price target of $547.65, suggesting significant upside from current levels. However, this target will likely be revised downward given the suspended outlook. Wall Street analysts had largely maintained “Buy” or “Strong Buy” ratings, with 7 Strong Buy, 19 Buy, and 1 Hold recommendations in the most recent *******. Year-to-date, UnitedHealth stock has declined 24.81%, substantially underperforming the ’s modest 0.64% decline. The healthcare giant has also lagged over 1-year and 3-year timeframes, down 24.96% and 17.30% respectively, compared to the S&P 500’s gains of 11.90% and 48.70% over the same periods. *** Neither the author, Tim Fries, nor this website, The Tokenist, provide financial advice. Please consult our website policy prior to making financial decisions. This article was originally published on The Tokenist. Check out The Tokenist’s free newsletter, Five Minute Finance, for weekly analysis of the biggest trends in finance and technology. Source link #UnitedHealth #Faces #Double #Blow #Leadership #Change #Pulled #Guidance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Once Upon a Time in Cannes: Quentin Tarantino Had a Blast During Festival’s Opening Ceremony – The Hollywood Reporter Once Upon a Time in Cannes: Quentin Tarantino Had a Blast During Festival’s Opening Ceremony – The Hollywood Reporter Once Upon a Time in Cannes: Quentin Tarantino Had a Blast During Festival’s Opening Ceremony The Hollywood ReporterQuentin Tarantino and Wife Daniella Pick Hug During Rare Red Carpet Outing at Cannes Film Festival People.comCannes Film Festival 2025 Live Updates: Stars Descend on the Croisette Vanity FairHostage ribbon on the red carpet: Daniella Pick and Quentin Tarantino open Cannes with a message YnetnewsQuentin Tarantino, 62, packs on the PDA with wife Daniella Pick, 41, as they make loved-up appearance at Canne Daily Mail Source link #Time #Cannes #Quentin #Tarantino #Blast #Festivals #Opening #Ceremony #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Skoda Elroq: How many of the new electric SUVs are coming to Australia and when? Skoda Elroq: How many of the new electric SUVs are coming to Australia and when? Skoda Australia says it’ll have limited allocation of its new Elroq EV coming Down Under for the remainder of 2025 after its September launch, but this will “approximately double” the following year. Director for the Czech brand’s local division, Lucie Kuhn, told CarExpert at the pre-production drive of the new Elroq that “approximately 350 units” should arrive in 2025, and around double that in 2026. Further, Ms Kuhn said that Skoda Australia is expecting a sales split of “around 50:50” between the entry-level Elroq 85 Select and decked-out Elroq 130 Edition. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert With prices starting from $54,990 and $64,990 respectively, both before on-road costs, both variants will be powered by a rear-mounted 210kW electric motor fed by an 82kWh (net) battery, claiming a 0-100km/h sprint in a near hot hatch-like 6.6 seconds and a combined WLTP driving range of 529 kilometres. That’s more driving range than both the entry-level BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y, and it’s also quicker to triple figures than the BYD. However, the VW ID.4 Pro quotes more range and the Model Y offers quicker acceleration according to official specifications. The European-made Elroq’s base price positioning is smack bang up against the physically larger Sealion 7 (from $54,990), and undercuts the related Volkswagen ID.4 Pro ($59,990) and Model Y RWD ($58,990). Skoda offers smaller battery variants overseas, as well as a dual-motor RS performance variant. While all of these are “under study” for our market, the Czech brand’s local offshoot is yet to properly confirm if and when they’re coming. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert Measuring 4488mm long and 1884mm wide with a 2765mm wheelbase, the Elroq matches the larger Enyaq’s distance between the axles but is around 170mm shorter in overall length, making the smaller Skoda EV closer in exterior dimensions to the likes of the BYD Atto 3 (4455/1875/1615mm). Skoda quotes a boot capacity of 470 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1580 litres with them folded. This is more than an Atto 3 (440-1340L) but less than a Sealion 7 (500L) and ID.4 (543-1575L). Skoda Australia will also be launching the Elroq with its Skoda Choice guaranteed value and finance program (details TBC), as well as a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert MORE: Everything Skoda Elroq Source link #Skoda #Elroq #electric #SUVs #coming #Australia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

UnitedHealth CEO leaves abruptly, company pulls forecast as shares sink UnitedHealth CEO leaves abruptly, company pulls forecast as shares sink (Reuters) – UnitedHealth Group said its Chief Executive Andrew Witty resigned as of Tuesday, and the company suspended its annual forecast due to surging medical costs, sending shares plunging nearly 18% to a four-year low. Chairman Stephen Hemsley, 72, who was CEO before stepping down in 2017, will assume the CEO title once again. Witty chose to leave for personal reasons, the company said, without elaborating. His exit comes only a few weeks after UnitedHealth cut its annual forecast and reported its first earnings miss since the 2008 financial crisis, marking a major setback under Witty’s leadership. “Many of the issues standing in the way of achieving our goals as well as our opportunities are largely within our control,” Hemsley said on a call with investors. UnitedHealth has grappled with several major challenges over the last 12 months, including a cyberattack at its tech unit that affected some 190 million people, a report of an investigation into its Medicare billing practices, and an unexpected surge in medical costs that has hurt its bottom line. The company was also catapulted into the public conscious in December when Brian Thompson, the CEO of its insurance unit, was murdered in New York just before its investor conference. Kevin Gade, chief operating officer at UnitedHealth investor Bahl & Gaynor, said the abruptness of Witty’s exit “certainly is a surprise,” but noted that UnitedHealth had faced unique struggles in recent months. “We’re not likely to hear more on Andrew’s departure but it’s fair to suggest the recent killing of his co-worker, the constant fear of his family’s and his safety and the operational pressures of recent likely led (in) part to this decision,” said Gade. Shares of UnitedHealth fell 20% on April 17 when it cut its forecast. With Tuesday’s losses, the stock is now down more than 38% for the year. Stocks of other health insurers were also hurt after UnitedHealth’s financial hit prompted concerns that high costs could spill over to other companies, but those shares have rebounded. Rivals Humana and Elevance Health have said in recent weeks that they have not seen unusually high demand in their insurance and caregiving operations, and that medical costs have remained in line with their expectations. Those disclosures prompted some analysts to say that UnitedHealth’s issues could be company specific. UnitedHealth said during Tuesday’s investor call that it was seeing more demand for medical care from new members and from people with complex conditions, which was increasing costs. Story Continues “At a certain point, leadership must be held accountable,” Gade said. It had previously said that the need for medical care rose beyond what the health insurer had expected, led by physician and outpatient services. The company expects to return to growth in 2026 and plans to include expectations for higher demand in prices for its Medicare Advantage health plans next year. Before Tuesday’s slump, UnitedHealth’s stock had lost more than 25% of its value over the past 12 months. Tuesday’s announcement also hit shares of other health insurers including Humana and Elevance Health, which lost more than 9%, while CVS dropped more than 6%. Costs have been rising in the U.S. health insurance industry since mid-2023 due to surging demand for healthcare services under government-backed Medicare plans for older adults and people with disabilities. ‘STOPGAP’ SOLUTION Three analysts said Hemsley’s appointment was a temporary solution and that it was unclear if he would hold the role for the long term. “It seems a sort of very sudden move for Witty to leave, it just doesn’t seem like they have a plan. I think putting in Hemsley just seems like a stopgap,” said James Harlow, senior vice president at Novare Capital Management. Hemsley was the company’s chief operating officer during UnitedHealth’s previous turnaround in 1998. He is often credited with creating the Optum health services business that has boosted the company’s growth in the last two decades. That unit was viewed as the more stable part of the business than insurance operations that have been hurt by varying medical costs in recent years, but in April the company said it was facing “unanticipated changes” that affected planned 2025 reimbursements for Optum. Witty, 60, the former CEO of British drugmaker GSK, was named head of UnitedHealth’s pharmacy benefit manager unit Optum RX in 2018 before being promoted to the top role just short of three years later. Harlow said that it was also possible that Witty was being “pushed out” as investors “don’t tolerate consecutive misses and guidance cuts”. (Reporting by Sriparna Roy and Sneha S K in Bengaluru and Bhanvi Satija in New York; Editing by Tasim Zahid, Devika Syamnath, Tomasz Janowski and Deepa Babington) Source link #UnitedHealth #CEO #leaves #abruptly #company #pulls #forecast #shares #sink Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft to Lay Off Around Three Percent of Workforce in Organisation-Wide Cuts Microsoft to Lay Off Around Three Percent of Workforce in Organisation-Wide Cuts Microsoft said on Tuesday it was laying off less than three percent of its workforce, or around 6,000 employees, as the technology giant looks to rein in costs while funneling billions of dollars into its ambitious bet on artificial intelligence. The cuts will be across all levels and geographies and are likely the largest since Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees in 2023. The company let a small number of staff go in January over performance-related issues, but the new cuts are not related to that, according to CNBC, which first reported the news. Big Tech has been spending heavily on AI as they see the new technology as a major growth engine, while slashing costs elsewhere to safeguard profit margins. Google has also laid off hundreds of employees in the past year, as it looks to control costs and prioritise AI, media reports have said. “We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson said on mail. The company, which had 2,28,000 workers as of June last year, regularly uses layoffs to prioritise staffing in its main focus areas. Tuesday’s move comes weeks after Microsoft posted stronger-than-expected growth in its cloud-computing business Azure and blowout results in the latest quarter, calming investor worries in an uncertain economy. But the cost of scaling its AI infrastructure has weighed on profitability, with Microsoft Cloud margins narrowing to 69 percent in the March quarter from 72 percent a year ago. Microsoft has earmarked $80 billion (roughly Rs. 6,83,255 crore) in capital spending this fiscal year, with most of it aimed at expanding data centers to ease capacity bottlenecks for artificial intelligence services. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria said the layoffs showed Microsoft was “very closely” managing the margin pressure created by its heightened AI investments. “We believe that every year Microsoft invests at the current levels, it would need to reduce headcount by at least 10,000 in order to make up for the higher depreciation levels due to their capital expenditures,” he said. © Thomson Reuters 2025 (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source link #Microsoft #Lay #Percent #Workforce #OrganisationWide #Cuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

In first, judge allows Trump to use Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans – Axios In first, judge allows Trump to use Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans – Axios In first, judge allows Trump to use Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans AxiosJudge upholds Trump’s authority to deport criminal migrants under Alien Enemies Act Fox NewsJudge says Trump may use Alien Enemies Act for deportations in Pa. The Washington PostFederal judge OKs use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans NPRTrump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Venezuelan Deportations to Resume The New York Times Source link #judge #Trump #Alien #Enemies #Act #deport #Venezuelans #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two AFL greats stay away from Sir Doug Nicholls Round Two AFL greats stay away from Sir Doug Nicholls Round Unless something drastic happens, two of the game’s all-time Indigenous greats will remain glaring absentees from the AFL’s showcase Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Adam Goodes, *********** of the Year and two-time Brownlow Medallist, retains close ties with Sydney, but has nothing to do with AFL head office after the crowd booing that marred the end of his stellar career. He has been eligible for induction into the *********** Football Hall of Fame for several years and appears no closer to accepting the honour. Cyril Rioli, the 2015 Norm Smith Medallist and one of only two Indigenous players to play in four premierships, had not been sighted at Hawthorn training in Darwin on Wednesday afternoon despite a club invitation. Rioli, who lives in the Northern Territory, is estranged from the Hawks and the league after the racism allegations that rocked the club in 2022 and led to an out-of-court settlement last year. Sydney coach Dean Cox and Hawks counterpart Sam Mitchell, a teammate of Rioli’s in those four Hawthorn premierships, were asked on Wednesday about Goodes and Rioli. “He’s had as big of an impact on this football club as any player,” Cox said of Goodes. “I think with Adam, he still spends some time coming into the footy club, which is great to see. “Everyone knows the impact he had on the game and what he stood for, which is an unbelievable thing for someone to stand up for what they believe in, and Adam did that.” Goodes and former teammate Michael O’Loughlin run the GO Foundation Indigenous charity, which has strong links with the Swans. But Hawthorn’s efforts to renew ties with Rioli so far appear to have failed. “I know Cyril’s been invited and we’d love to see him, but it’s one of those complicated situations where maybe he’s not quite ready for that,” Mitchell said ahead of Thursday’s game against Gold Coast in Darwin. “Maybe he is – I’m not exactly sure at this point. “But if not, we understand there are some complications. I don’t really have any more information to add to it, unfortunately.” Source link #AFL #greats #stay #Sir #Doug #Nicholls Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

S&P 500 Just Added This Crypto Stock and Its Shares are Soaring S&P 500 Just Added This Crypto Stock and Its Shares are Soaring The added a new member to its ranks, Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:), the leading platform for cryptocurrency trading. Coinbase will start trading on the S&P 500 on May 19. It will replace Discover Financial (NYSE:), the credit card company that is set to be acquired by Capital One Financial (NYSE:) on May 18. Coinbase shares were soaring on the announcement, as the stock was the top performer on Tuesday, rising a massive 25% on the day. When it joins the S&P 500 on May 19, Coinbase will be the first crypto stock ever to be listed on the large-cap benchmark. “We are honored to be included and grateful for this recognition,” Coinbase Chief Financial Officer Alesia Haas said. “This is a major milestone, not just for Coinbase, but also for the entire crypto industry. Joining this prestigious index reflects how far Coinbase and the industry have come and is a signal of where the world is heading.” Oppenheimer Raises Price Target Being part of the S&P 500 can provide a big lift for a stock, as it means it will be included in S&P 500 index funds and be exposed to more institutional investors. It will also raise its visibility and profile from institutional investors in general, even those not investing in index funds. Analysts at Oppenheimer raised their price target by $24 to $293 per share on the news. Oppenheimer said the heightened exposure to institutional investors will be a catalyst to send the stock price higher. Monness Crespi also boosted it target, raising it to $300 per share. Coinbase stock has a median price of $252 per share among analysts. In its first quarter earnings released last week, Coinbase saw a 24% spike in revenue, but fell short of estimates. Coinbase’s outlook for Q2 also came in below what analysts expected. However, its stock price got a lift when it announced the acquisition of Deribit, a global leader in crypto options trading, last week. Coinbase stock is now trading at $259 per share, up 4.3% year-to-date. It is up 29% over the past year and has an average annualized return of 64% over the past three years. Further, Coinbase has a reasonable P/E ratio of 21. Original Post Source link #Added #Crypto #Stock #Shares #Soaring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Analysis-Tesla’s refresh to best-selling Model Y SUV starts on rocky road Analysis-Tesla’s refresh to best-selling Model Y SUV starts on rocky road By Abhirup Roy SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Tesla investors had pinned their hopes on a refresh of the company’s flagship compact SUV to reinvigorate sales. But rock-bottom financing deals for the Model Y and its easy availability suggest that this expectation is unrealistic. The electric vehicle maker is offering financing deals as low as 0% on the spanking new version of the Model Y. While other automakers including Kia and General Motors are offering similar deals on some EV models, such offers within weeks of a model rolling out are rare. Early signs of weak demand for the restyled Model Y- launched in January – come amid stiff competition and customer aversion to CEO Elon Musk’s divisive politics. “Why would you discount and have all these incentives and offers literally out of the gate?” asked Loren McDonald, chief analyst with EV data firm Paren. “That just doesn’t make sense when your margins are already at multiyear lows. That suggests very strongly that there is a demand problem.” Global sales data on the refreshed Model Y is not yet available, leading analysts to pursue clues on how Tesla is marketing the vehicle and whether it appears to be in short supply. Supplies are not tight. The refreshed version is available immediately in many parts of the world, with some units already available in Tesla’s inventory. That is a far cry from the long wait times typically seen for the previous Model Y, which was the highest-selling car in the world last year. In fact, overall Tesla sales in Europe continued to plunge in April across key countries, data showed this month. Sales in China dropped over 8% last month, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed on Sunday. “Short delivery wait times, low-interest loan offers, and weak April registration numbers in China and Europe all point to soft demand for the refreshed Model Y in key markets,” researcher Troy Teslike, who follows Tesla, told Reuters. A slow kickoff for the Model Y – which Tesla has blamed on retooling needed at its factories for the revamp – piles fresh pressure on the company to launch its long-promised cheaper models. After Tesla reported its first drop in annual deliveries last year, Musk pulled back his forecast of a 30% increase in vehicle sales this year and said simply that Tesla would return to growth. Last month, Tesla said it would revisit that forecast in three months in light of “shifting global trade policy.” After a 13% drop in first-quarter vehicle sales, analysts expect Tesla deliveries to fall again this year. Story Continues Musk’s embrace of far-right politics in Europe, and his work as U.S. President Donald Trump’s ally, cutting federal jobs and humanitarian aid, have alienated Tesla’s largely liberal customer base. It has also prompted global protests, and, according to data, a record number of trade-ins. Musk himself holds there is no pullback in demand other than some caused by broader economic concerns. Tesla finance chief Vaibhav Taneja, however, said last month that “unwanted hostility towards our brand and our people had an impact in certain markets.” Tesla did not respond to an email seeking comment for this story. NOT NEW The revamped Model Y’s most striking feature is a light bar that stretches across the front of the car, much like the Cybertruck, which too has failed to find many buyers. The car drives more smoothly and quietly than its predecessor, according to Tesla, and comes with a rear-seat touch screen and ambient lighting. The new Model Y is selling at roughly the same price as the previous version, although Tesla regularly raises and lowers prices. In the United States, Tesla has Model Y promotions such as a 1.99% interest rate or zero down payment and is offering a $2,000 discount for existing Model Y customers. In some European countries, the company is offering the Model Y at 0% interest rate, with two years of free charging at its high-speed Superchargers. In China, a key market for Tesla, where local competition has been denting sales, the company is promoting a five-year 0% interest rate before June 30. Those offers are far lower than the competition. The average U.S. interest rate on new vehicles in April was 7.1%, according to Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, a national vehicle research and shopping site. For EVs that are sold through dealerships it was 5.5%. A 1.99% interest rate on the Model Y would save a customer anywhere from $4,500 to over $6,600, according to Edmunds’ calculations. The Model Y now has nearly 30 competitors in the United States, according to Paren’s McDonald. “No one’s looking at that vehicle thinking, ‘Oh, that’s totally different and new,’ and I think that may be part of the issue,” Caldwell said, referring to low demand. Earlier this month, Tesla introduced a cheaper, rear-wheel drive option for the Model Y – a sign that signaled Tesla’s efforts to find new consumers. “If you’re not going to have as much from a product story, at least you have something from a pricing story to talk about,” Caldwell said. (Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Marie Mannes in Europe; Editing by Peter Henderson, Sayantani Ghosh and Matthew Lewis) Source link #AnalysisTeslas #refresh #bestselling #Model #SUV #starts #rocky #road Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Diddy trial: Cassie Ventura's 5 most explosive claims against rapper – Fox News Diddy trial: Cassie Ventura's 5 most explosive claims against rapper – Fox News Diddy trial: Cassie Ventura’s 5 most explosive claims against rapper Fox NewsCassie Ventura gives testimony at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial about violence, ‘freak offs’ NBC NewsTakeaways From Cassie’s Opening Testimony in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial The New York Times Source link #Diddy #trial #Cassie #Ventura039s #explosive #claims #rapper #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese non-commital on Premier Roger Cook’s wish list for WA Prime Minister Anthony Albanese non-commital on Premier Roger Cook’s wish list for WA An awkward handshake turned into a back-slapping embrace, as Anthony Albanese met with Roger Cook to celebrate his emphatic re-election. Source link #Prime #Minister #Anthony #Albanese #noncommital #Premier #Roger #Cooks #list Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brits renting spend nearly £700 on décor to make rentals feel like home Brits renting spend nearly £700 on décor to make rentals feel like home Renters are spending almost £700 on ‘removable’ décor to help their house feel more like a home during their tenancy. A study of 1,000 private renters found they are enhancing their spaces with adhesive tiles (16 per cent), hooks for hanging plants (17 per cent), and removable wallpaper (16 per cent). While 14 per cent are installing wireless stick-on wall sconces, and 23 per cent have added smart lighting in the home. It also emerged 70 per cent have made updates to personalise their property – with 86 per cent saying the time and money spent is worth it. But it’s not just about aesthetics – 28 per cent are also focused on making their home more energy efficient. Of those, 38 per cent have got a smart meter installed to better manage energy use, with 31 per cent switching to energy-efficient appliances, and 22 per cent choosing their preferred energy provider, according to the research commissioned by Smart Energy GB. Source link #Brits #renting #spend #décor #rentals #feel #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]