Wednesday, October 15

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Rakon in the red amid global slowdown in rollout of 5G
World News

Rakon in the red amid global slowdown in rollout of 5G

Rakon's revenue has been hit hard, offsetting gains made in the aerospace and defence markets. Photo: 123RF Semiconductor chipmaker Rakon has plunged into the red amid a global slowdown in the rollout of 5G networks. Key numbers for the six months ended September compared with a year ago: Net loss $10.4m vs $0.5m profit Revenue $41.7m vs $61.3m Underlying loss $7.3m vs $5.3m profit No dividend Chief executive Sinan Altug said the half-year period was "exceptionally tough", particularly in the telecommunications and positioning markets. "These markets continued to be affected by macroeconomic conditions that slowed investments in 5G mobile networks globally, and extended timeframes for customer inventory normalisation across both markets," he said. The company's revenue was also hit sh...
Donald Trump vows massive tariff rises on goods from Mexico, Canada and China
World News

Donald Trump vows massive tariff rises on goods from Mexico, Canada and China

By David Goldman, CNN File photo. Donald Trump promised massive hikes in tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China starting on the first day of his administration. Photo: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / Getty Images via AFP Incoming US president Donald Trump promised massive hikes in tariffs on goods coming from Mexico, Canada and China starting on the first day of his administration, a policy that could sharply increase costs for American businesses and consumers. The move, Trump said, will be in retaliation for illegal immigration and "crime and drugs" coming across the border. "On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 percent Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open...
What happened last time Trump imposed tariffs and how do they work? – National
Politics

What happened last time Trump imposed tariffs and how do they work? – National

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Monday proposed tariffs on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico once he takes office. It’s not the first time Canadians have had to deal with exports heading south of the border being taxed.During his first term, Trump imposed a 20-per cent tariff on softwood lumber — part of the ongoing decades-old row over the product — followed a year later by a 25-per cent tariff on steel and 10-per cent tax on aluminum products.Prior to taking office in 2016, Trump had blasted the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and negotiations began in August 2017 when he was in the White House to carve out a new deal with Canada and Mexico, which remained underway by spring 2018 when Trump announced the tariffs on May 31, 2018. St...
Conor McGregor: Tesco among shops ditching alcohol linked to MMA star after rape case | World News
Business

Conor McGregor: Tesco among shops ditching alcohol linked to MMA star after rape case | World News

Tesco is among retailers stopping the sale of alcohol brands linked to Conor McGregor after he lost a civil rape case.The mixed martial arts star was accused of raping Nikita Hand, who was last week awarded €248,603 (£206,000) after a jury found McGregor assaulted her in a hotel. A Tesco spokesperson said it was removing Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey from sale in stores and online.McGregor sold his stake in the drink three years ago for a reported £103m, but his image currently still appears prominently on its website.The 36-year-old fighter also owns the Forged Irish Stout brand. Major Irish wholesaler Musgrave said alcohol linked to McGregor was "no longer available to our store network".It's understood Costcutter, Carry Out off-licences and a wholesaler to Ireland's Spar and Londis st...
Six killed in Pakistan as protesters demand release of ex-PM Khan
World News

Six killed in Pakistan as protesters demand release of ex-PM Khan

By Asif Shahzad, Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam and Charlotte Greenfield for Reuters Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023. Photo: AFP Thousands of protesting supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan stormed the heavily guarded Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Tuesday, escalating their face-off with the government and its military backers for his release. At least six people, including four paramilitary soldiers, were killed during clashes between security forces and protesters, led by Khan's wife, who made it all the way to the edge of the city's highly fortified red zone, before being pushed back by hundreds of security force personnel. The red zone, being guarded by army soldiers, houses the country's most important offices and building...
Government suspends Boissonnault’s former company from obtaining federal contracts
Politics

Government suspends Boissonnault’s former company from obtaining federal contracts

The federal government has suspended Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault’s former medical supply company from obtaining government contracts. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) suspended Global Health Imports (GHI) from bidding or entering into contracts with the federal government, effective Nov. 22, the agency said in a press release.On Tuesday, Catherine Poulin, assistant deputy minister of departmental oversight at PSPC, told a parliamentary committee that the Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) investigation into GHI was a factor in the decision to suspend the company.“We have gone through multiple sources of information, including lawsuits … and the information that has been brought to our attention recently concerning an Edmonton Police Services investigation kind of put us...
Israeli ceasefire deal with Hezbollah to go before cabinet tonight | World News
Business

Israeli ceasefire deal with Hezbollah to go before cabinet tonight | World News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will put a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah to his cabinet shortly.An agreement could bring about an end to fighting that has seen more than 3,500 Lebanese killed and more than 15,000 injured in over a year. In a TV address Mr Netanyahu said: "It's not the same Hezbollah any more. We've attacked strategic targets throughout Lebanon. We pushed Hezbollah back decades."That is why I will bring before the cabinet tonight a plan for a ceasefire."If Hezbollah tries to attack us, we will attack." Middle East latest: Netanyahu to present ceasefire deal to Israeli cabinetMr Netanyahu said there are three main reasons for a ceasefire now: the Iranian threat, "refreshing our forces and rearming our troops".Any potential agreement would also reportedl...
Israel security cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Lebanon
World News

Israel security cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Lebanon

By Maayan Lubell, Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam, Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak soon. Photo: AFP / GIL COHEN-MAGEN Israel has agreed a ceasefire with Lebanon, Israel's Channel 12 television reported Wednesday, clearing the way for an end to a conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year. The accord was expected to take effect on Thursday. The Channel 12 report followed a meeting of Israel's security cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened to discuss a ceasefire deal. Israeli approval of the deal would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to four senior Lebanese sourc...
6 times we fell in love with Rod Stewart: from building model railways to fixing potholes
Life Style

6 times we fell in love with Rod Stewart: from building model railways to fixing potholes

Or then again, it might be because he’s such a stand-up guy. From fixing potholes to mucking around with toy trains, there’s a lot to love about the veteran crooner – and that’s before we get into the seemingly never-ending range of hits that have spanned decades.With Stewart getting ready to play the Legends slot next year, here’s a list of reasons (as if we needed any more) why we love him so.Living in the Essex countryside can be a dangerous game for a man who has a massive sports car collection. “Because of the potholes on our roads, I may have to find new owners for them,” Stewart moaned during one interview, but there’s also the second option: taking matters into his own hands. Stewart has actually carried out road repairs to the potholes around his house in Harlow: the videos of hi...
Fianna Fail doubles down on refusal to form coalition with Sinn Fein | Politics News
Business

Fianna Fail doubles down on refusal to form coalition with Sinn Fein | Politics News

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin says his party has made "a policy decision" not to enter coalition government with Sinn Fein after Ireland's general election.Current polling shows the three largest parties - Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein - in a three-way tie. In the third of our leader interviews ahead of Friday's vote, Mr Martin told Sky News that Sinn Fein's housing strategy would "crucify first-time buyers".Politics latest: 'It's more worrying for Starmer than he thinks,' says man behind election petitionHe said: "They want to get rid of the help-to-buy scheme and the first home bridge-the-gap scheme. "If you put them together, they can give up to €80,000 to a first-time buyer.""Sinn Fein's housing policies would mean delay, disruption and higher prices at the end of the day," ...