Old habits die hard as Angela Merkel keeps tight hold on information in memoirSHANGHAI: From Tencent Holdings Ltd to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, China’s tech leaders delivered underwhelming numbers for a quarter beset by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Whether or not they can win back investors may increasingly hinge on Beijing’s actions. In call after call with investors, China’s Internet pioneers described how the uneven economy was undermining their business and clouding the future. Most offered cautious optimism for how the unprecedented government stimulus unleashed late in the summer would help grease the wheels and pleaded for patience. But the group that once defied Silicon Valley and defined the country’s private economy was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. Just over the past week, the five biggest tech firms erased US$41bil in market value, while a gauge of sector stocks listed in Hong Kong fell into bear market territory. Last Friday, a sell-off in Chinese stocks deepened as concerns over Donald Trump’s imminent return mingled with growing frustrations over the pace of Beijing’s financial stimulus rollout. For investors that were looking to major tech earnings to revive market euphoria, this season now looks like a flop. The business environment “is not only much worse than five years ago, it’s worse than even when China started the Covid zero policy in 2022”, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis. “This sector is obviously supported by China’s industrial policies and intent on winning the tech race with the United States, but at the same time, it’s a problematic sector.” PDD Holdings Inc executives boasted about their cheap hairy crabs instead of offering reassurance for disappointing earnings. Tencent went through its usual pitch about building and sustaining “evergreen” games, without promising any imminent new blockbusters. Alibaba executives spent their time justifying elevated spending to ward off intense competition. Even Baidu Inc, the front-runner in artificial intelligence development, failed to wow with any exciting new projects. “We have not observed a notable improvement in advertisers’ spending patterns, and consumer spending remains subdued,” Baidu’s head of mobile ecosystem, Luo Rong, told analysts on a call last Thursday, dulling expectations for the current quarter. “Having said that, we are particularly encouraged by the strength and timeliness of recent stimulus policies that continue to be rolled out.” Pressure is building for Beijing to offer further measures, as late September’s market rally on the stimulus campaign fizzles. The parade of ho-hum numbers, vague comments about financial policy and warnings contrasted sharply with the pre-Covid era, when Alibaba and Tencent each approached US$1 trillion in market value and analysts talked about the threat they posed to US rivals. Alibaba once fought directly with Amazon.com Inc’s AWS for cloud customers around the world, as it and JD.com Inc talked openly about carving up international markets. Tencent once sketched out ambitions of marrying content with social media and online finance in an unparalleled financial technology and Internet empire. That swagger has vanished since Beijing’s 2020 crackdown on a sector it deemed too powerful. Having once commanded enviable growth rates off the back of China’s burgeoning economy, these companies now face prolonged consumer malaise at home, a lack of obvious growth engines and costly ventures to expand overseas. “October retail sales were boosted by earlier Singles’ Day promotions, so it’s not indicative of the real consumption environment, which companies I spoke to are still cautious about,” said Xin-Yao Ng, investment manager for Asian equities at abrdn plc. “Generally, I hear of a weak November,” he added. — Bloomberg
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Zilinskas scores 32 as IU Indianapolis downs Alabama A&M 88-83Perth South Mayor and former Perth County warden Jim Aitcheson has died, both municipalities announced on Friday. The news came after Aitcheson, a longtime municipal politician, took a leave of absence from both councils last month. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Aitcheson first stepped into public office when he was elected a councillor for Perth South’s Downie Ward in 2006. He served as a councillor for the municipality for roughly 16 years until he was acclaimed as mayor in the 2022 election. Aitcheson also served on Perth County council for 13 years, including a productive stint as warden from 2019 to 2022. Acting Perth South Mayor Sue Orr, who had worked with Aitcheson for the past six years, described the late mayor as a mentor who “became a friend.” Aitcheson had a long-term vision for Perth South that he worked diligently to achieve, Orr added. “(He) Current Perth County Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz, who served as deputy warden under Aitcheson, said it was an “honour to work alongside him.” “His voice and presence will be greatly missed around the council table,” she said in the county press release. Orr said a byelection will not be called. Council will instead be inviting members of the public to put their names forward and, following interviews with the interested candidates, council will appoint a new member. Orr will serve as Perth South’s mayor for the rest of this term. The next municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026. Flags will be flown at half-mast at both the county courthouse and the township’s administrative offices in St. Pauls until the day of the funeral. Beyond his public service, Aitcheson had a career as a banker at Victoria and Grey Trust before he purchased his parents’ farm in 1984. Aitcheson was also a member of the Optimist Club of Downie where he was involved in the construction of the pavilion in the St. Pauls Park in 1994. Aitcheson was married to Lori and was father to three children, Tracey, Kelly and Greg. In a social media post, Kelly Byers described her dad as a “staunch advocate for mental health,” particularly for paramedics who may be struggling with some of the pressures of the vocation, and shared an email she received about his advocacy.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jarvis Walker's 20 points helped IU Indianapolis defeat Trinity Christian 106-49 on Saturday. Walker shot 7 for 12, including 6 for 10 from beyond the arc for the Jaguars (4-5). Paul Zilinskas shot 5 for 9, including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc to add 15 points. DeSean Goode had 14 points and shot 4 of 5 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line. The Trolls were led in scoring by Tylan Harris, who finished with 11 points. Kaden Eirhart added nine points for Trinity Christian. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press
Hybrid Cloud Storage Software Market Is Booming So Rapidly with Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, OracleNEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train used his shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed in the blaze, a prosecutor said Tuesday. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, made his first court appearance and was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court. He appeared briefly before a judge and wore a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hooded sweatshirt. He did not speak. He will remain jailed ahead of his next court date on Friday. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Police said Tuesday that identification of the victim was still “pending at this time.” Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who was sitting motionless in the train car and may have been sleeping, and used a lighter to set her clothing on fire. Zapeta then used his shirt to fan the flames, leading to her becoming engulfed in the fire, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said on Tuesday. Zapeta then sat at a bench on the subway platform and watched, according to police. Rottenberg added that under interrogation Zapeta said he didn’t know what happened, noting that he consumes alcohol. But he alleged that Zapeta identified himself to interrogators in images related to the attack. Video posted to social media appeared to show the woman standing inside the train ablaze as some people look on from the platform, and at least one officer walks by. NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta said Sunday that several officers had responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be" while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. They were eventually able to douse the fire, but “unfortunately, it was too late,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said — the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Zapeta was taken into custody Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after police got a tip from some teenagers who recognized him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. The shelter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta had been previously deported in 2018 but at some point reentered the U.S. illegally. In a statement, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman” that would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The crime — and the graphic video of it that ricocheted across social media — deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system in a city where many residents take the subway multiple times each day. Overall, according to authorities, crime is down in the transit system this year when compared to last year — major felonies declined 6% between January and November of this year and in 2023, data compiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority show. But murders are up, with nine killings this year through November compared to five in the same period last year. Earlier this month, a Manhattan jury acquitted Daniel Penny in the death of an agitated subway rider that the former Marine placed in a chokehold last year. The case became a flashpoint in ongoing debates over safety, homelessness and mental illness on the system. Policing the subway is also difficult, given the vast network of trains constantly moving between the system’s 472 stations, with each stop containing multiple entry points and, in many stations, multiple floors and platforms. On Sunday, police at the station where the woman burned to death were patrolling a different area and responded after seeing and smelling smoke, authorities said.
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Spencer Knight made 20 saves, Mackie Samoskevich scored with less than a second left in the second period, and the Florida Panthers got four goals in the third to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-0 on Saturday and complete a two-day sweep. Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues and Adam Boqvist also scored for Florida, which won 6-3 at Carolina on Friday. The Panthers have won three straight — that streak following a stretch of six losses in seven games for the Stanley Cup champions. It was Knight's fourth career shutout, his first since Nov. 9, 2022 — also at home against Carolina. Spencer Martin made 23 saves on 28 shots for the Hurricanes, who have dropped four of their last six games (2-3-1). It was Martin's fourth consecutive start for Carolina. Hurricanes: This was the first time all season that the Hurricanes failed to get a point in the game immediately following a loss. Carolina was 4-0-1 after a defeat entering Saturday. Panthers: A big day for Samoskevich — his alma mater Michigan beat Ohio State in football on Saturday, that game ending just before the Florida-Carolina game started. The Panthers are 5-0-0 when he scores this season. Sam Reinhart had each of the four most recent Florida goals at 19:59, before Samoskevich got his Saturday. The Panthers scored two goals 11 seconds apart in the third to make it 5-0, and Yaniv Perets replaced Martin in the Hurricanes' net with 8:12 remaining. It was the second NHL appearance for Perets, who came on once in relief for Carolina last season. Ekblad's goal was his first in a span of 1,045 regular-season shifts since Feb. 20. Carolina starts a two-game homestand Tuesday against Seattle. Florida goes to Pittsburgh to start a two-game trip on Tuesday. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans didn’t need to see what Baltimore’s Derrick Henry is doing this season to be reminded of just how dangerous he can be. He ran all over the Texans for years while playing in the AFC South for the Tennessee Titans. Henry and the Ravens (10-5) visit AFC South champion Houston (9-6) on Wednesday, looking for a win to keep their AFC North title chances alive. Baltimore has clinched a playoff berth for a third straight season but needs wins in its last two games and one loss by the Steelers to capture the division. Henry, who ranks second in the NFL with 1,636 yards rushing, has had some of his greatest success against the Texans. Four of the 30-year-old’s six career 200-yard rushing games have been against Houston, including a career-high 250 in the season finale in the 2020 season to surpass 2,000 yards. “You talk about fast, explosive, physical — he’s looking probably the best he’s looked in his career,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s found that fountain of youth ... he’s a great player. It’s fun to see guys rebound and bounce back the way that he’s done this year.” Dealing with Henry along with all the challenges that quarterback Lamar Jackson presents makes the top-ranked Ravens one of Houston’s more difficult matchups. “You talk about MVP, (Jackson’s) definitely the MVP in my mind just for what he’s doing not only in the run game but also throwing the football,” Ryans said. “The accuracy, the decision-making, like, he’s playing unbelievable ball right now, so it’s going to be a really tough challenge for us this week.” Another challenge for the Texans is moving on after Tank Dell sustained a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s loss to Kansas City. His injury is another blow to a receiving group that already was without star Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in Week 8. “The position we’re in, it’s not a lot of times where you can sulk in your feelings for very long,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “You’ve got to just keep rolling. I think that’s a testament to just life in general. Everybody has stuff on their plate. Everybody is going through something. And just because we’re in this position, doesn’t mean you get to feel sorry for yourself.” Houston will rely on Stroud to keep the passing game rolling despite the loss of Dell, who ranks second on the team with 667 yards receiving. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Stroud’s growth in Year 2 and knows that dealing with him will be difficult for his team, which ranks 31st in the NFL by allowing 254.9 yards passing a game. “He’s just a supertalented guy... he’s surrounded with some good weapons, and he gets the ball out quick,” Harbaugh said. “He handles pressure well, he can move, he’s athletic, scrambles and makes plays.” Jackson is a big fan of Beyoncé, though he didn’t know the title of his favorite song of hers, saying it was “To the left,” which is just the first lines of her hit “Irreplaceable.” And he doesn’t think playing in Wednesday’s game should stop him from seeing her halftime show on Christmas . “I’m going to go out there and watch,” he said. “First time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game — that’s dope. I’m going to go out and watch. Sorry Harbaugh, sorry fellas." He later clarified that he was kidding about sneaking out at halftime to get a glimpse of Queen Bey. “I was just thinking about just seeing Beyoncé for the first time,” he said. “Not saying it like that; no disrespect, because I know how people can take things. Next question.” Houston receiver John Metchie could have a chance for a big game with Dell out. Metchie is playing in his second NFL season after missing his entire rookie year while undergoing cancer treatment. He has just 182 yards receiving this season, with his best game coming against Detroit, when he had a career-high 72 yards receiving and his only NFL TD. Stroud is looking for Metchie and fellow reserve Xavier Hutchinson to help make up for Dell’s absence against the Ravens. “Those guys have another opportunity to show who they are and I know that they can do it,” Stroud said. “I see them in practice do it every week. So, I’m excited for them and it’s a good opportunity for them to step up.” Jackson is up to 6,023 yards rushing for his career. The NFL record for a quarterback is 6,109 by Michael Vick, so Jackson could break it with a big game on Wednesday. Jackson also leads the NFL in passer rating and is in the conversation for his third MVP. Although it sounds like that’s a discussion he’d rather not get involved in. “No other choice but to hear it,” Jackson said. “They (are) tagging me in it. You don’t (have) to tag me. You can talk about it all you want, but you want to tag me to get like clickbait because you know sometimes I (will) say something back like, ‘That was stupid.’ It is what it is. I don’t care, though. I really don’t care about the talk.” AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Owings Mills, Maryland, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe Myer family’s mansion at 62 Clendon Rd, Toorak is still on the market. Melbourne mansions expected to test the city’s home price records in 2024 have been left lingering on the market as buyers shied away from big price tags, some as much as $100m. Four homes hit the market with hopes of a sale over $50m in spring, but none appear to have sealed a deal. The wealthy family behind the Myer retail empire is still waiting for a buyer for their famous Toorak estate Cranlana, which is on target to smash Melbourne’s residential price record if it sells within its $96m-$105m asking range. RELATED: 250+ days and counting: Gloomy wait costing Vic famous faces’ millions Epic mansion breaks Melb’s 2024 house price record Property shake-up coming in 2025 Located at 62 Clendon Rd, the sprawling eight-bedroom estate’s first expression of interest campaign closed on November 11 without a purchaser with the search likely to tip into 2025. Forbes Global Properties Australia director Robert Fletcher, who played a part in selling Victoria’s priciest home in 2024 – 2 Macquarie Rd, Toorak for about $70m – said the top-end of real estate was a market for patience. “Our business is predicated on taking the time, if it’s required, to get great outcomes,” Mr Fletcher said. “We deal with families that don’t need to act in desperation. They can act when it’s an appropriate or desired outcome. Time is your friend in this market.” Noorlim Estate at 205 Wahring Murchison East Road, Wahring has a $15m+ price tag. One home Mr Fletcher is managing the listing of is the sprawling five-bedroom house at 7 Martin St, Brighton, which has been on the market since August 2024. Other homes, such as the Toorak mansion being sold by Nathan Buckley’s ex-wife Tania, are also waiting for a buyer even after a $1m-plus price cut. After a 100-day hiatus from the market, Buckley’s property was relisted in October with a $15m-$16.5m price guide – down from $16.8m-$18m. Tania Buckley’s Toorak mansion. But Kay & Burton international division head Jamie Mi said since the Toorak digs had returned to the market, it’s generated a lot of new buyer interest. And a striking Brighton mansion with a $39.9m-$43.89m asking price on the suburb’s waterfront is still waiting for a buyer after more than a year on the market. 16 Moule Ave, Brighton is listed with a $39.9m-$43.89m price tag. Named Teychel, the residence sits on about 4500sq m of land. The five-bedroom mansion ‘Teychel’ at 16 Moule Ave has had just two owners in its 100-year history. It was first listed for sale in April 2023 but was withdrawn and relisted in April 2024. However, Kay & Burton managing director Ross Savas, who is managing the listing, said the luxury property market continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with exceptional performance in the $10m-$50m range, thanks to international buyers. “Many (vendors) who don’t need to sell are choosing to wait, and I firmly believe 2025 will present opportunities for them to achieve their goals,” Mr Savas said. 4 Denistoun Ave, Mt Eliza on market for $16.5m-$18m. There’s a infinity-edge swimming pool and spa as well as a glass-fronted pool pavilion. Another property that had its price guide slashed was a Mt Eliza clifftop manor named Pelican. First listed in February for $18.5m-$20.35m, the five-bedroom compound at 4 Denistoun Ave , featuring an expansive pool pavilion designed as a luxury car showroom, was marked down to $16.5m-$18m later in the year. Ms Mi added the market usually began to die down at this time of year but a lot of international prospective purchasers who were only just arriving in Melbourne were making cash offers. 621 Tucks Rd, Shoreham is listed with a $21m-$23m price tag. There are two separate homes on the one title. She said top-end stock was at an all-time low. In Melbourne’s bayside suburbs, Marshall White partner Ben Vieth said there had been a slowdown of buying activity for homes priced $10m-plus, likely due to cost of living pressures and a lack of families choosing to upgrade. Property Home Base director and buyer’s advocate Julie DeBondt-Barker said there were a lot of home sellers who were trying to test the market who weren’t being realistic in terms of their price expectations. 16 Moule Ave, Brighton – $39.9m-$43.89m – April 2023 4 Denistoun Ave, Mount Eliza – $16.5m-$18m – February 2024 Tania Buckley’s Toorak Mansion – $15m-$16.5m – March 2024 (Relisted October 2024) 60-66 Domain St, South Yarra – $10.5m-$11.5m – May 2024 (Relisted December 2024) 7 Martin St, Brighton – $16.5m-$18m – August 2024 205 Wahring-Murchison East Rd, Wahring – $15m+ – August 2024 63 Kalimna Dr, Mornington – $11m – August 2024 6 Kilsyth Ave, Toorak – $15.195m – August 2024 43 Campbell Rd, Deepdene – $14m-$15.4m – August 2024 63 Kalimna Dr & 2 Caraar Creek Lane, Mornington – $18.5m – $11m – August 2024 3640 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea – $25m – September 2024 145 Musk Creek Rd, Flinders – $12m-$12.75m – September 2024 29 Drake St, Brighton – $14.5m-$15.5m – September 2024 34 Were St, Brighton – $18m-$19.8m – September 2024 4 Tintagel Court, Mount Eliza – $11.8m-$13m – September 2024 34 Gordon St, Deepdene – $12.8m-$13.8m – September 2024 17 Iona Ave, Toorak – $17m-$18.5m – September 2024 6 Flete Ave, Armadale – $17.5m-$19.25m – September 2024 62 Clendon Rd, Toorak – $96m-$105m – October 2024 Red Hill South House – $12m – November 2024 621 Tucks Rd, Shoreham – $21m-$23m – November 2024 3786 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea – $17m-$18.7m – December 2024 Source: CoreLogic, realestate.com.au Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Celebs being dealt harsh multimillion-dollar reality check Fingerprint scan to enter resort-style Frankston home named after a moon Moonee Ponds museum-like house has secret bar sarah.petty@news.com.au