Latest news with #Flint
BBC News
7 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Red panda twins born in Isle of Wight zoo breeding programme
A zoo has announced the birth of red panda twins after introducing the parents in cubs were delivered at Amazon World, Isle of Wight, on 17 mother Xiao, 10, was paired with 10-month-old male Flint after he was imported from Belfast Zoo with a view to breeding "in the next couple of years", the zoo previously species, which lives in the eastern Himalayas and China, is endangered and on the decline, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In a Facebook post, the zoo, near Arreton, said it was "over the moon" at its added: "The cubs are still young and there is always a risk but Xiao has done such a fantastic job so far."The cubs will remain hidden in the nest boxes until at least three months old. "Senior staff have been and will continue to monitor the enclosure, nest boxes and cubs via CCTV installed to make sure all is well."Red pandas are poached for fur, get caught in hunters' wild pig and deer traps and are also under threat from forest clearance, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
"Over the moon!" — Rare and endagered Red Panda twins born at Island zoo
An Isle of Wight zoo has said it is "over the moon" following the birth of rare Red Panda twin cubs. As the mammals are an endangered species, their arrival marks a significant moment for conservation efforts. The cubs were born at Amazon Word on June 17 to mum Xaio and dad Flint. As the cubs are still young and there is always a risk, the zoo has kept the news under wraps — until now. A spokesperson said: "Xiao has done such a fantastic job so far, we are all so proud of her and Flint for helping us play our role as a vital Education and Conservation Centre.." The cubs will remain hidden in the nest boxes until at least three months old and senior staff will continue to monitor the enclosure them via CCTV. Red Pandas are native to the Eastern Himalayas and south western China and are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their population is declining due to many factors, including habitat loss, human interference and poaching. The zoo said: "Xaio and Flint are part of an International Breeding Programme with zoo's in Europe so that together we can maintain a captive population of this amazing species." "You may not be able to see the cubs at this time but we hope if you can, you'll visit us this summer."
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Selling vs buying property: Navigating borrowing power
Flint Mortgage Brokers Buying and selling property at the same time is one of the biggest financial decisions many Australians will ever make. It is also one of the most complex, particularly when it comes to how your borrowing power is assessed along the way. The sequence you choose - whether selling first, buying first, or aiming for simultaneous settlement - will directly affect how much you can borrow, the strength of your loan application, and the amount of financial pressure you might experience. If you are planning your next property move, it is critical to understand how lenders assess your position at each stage and how to structure your approach to avoid unnecessary stress. Selling first: the safest way to protect your borrowing power Selling your current property before buying your next is the most conservative approach. Once the sale is complete and settled, your existing mortgage is paid off and your equity is released, giving you a clean slate to work from. This approach simplifies your borrowing position. Lenders only need to assess your income, expenses, and deposit for the new purchase. There is no overlap between loans, which often results in a stronger borrowing capacity and a smoother approval process. However, selling first does require flexibility. You may need temporary accommodation or storage, and there is always the risk of being priced out if property values rise before you find your next home. Despite this, it remains the most straightforward strategy from a lending point of view. Buying first: more control, but greater financial complexity Buying a new home before selling your current one gives you more control over your next move. It allows you to take your time finding the right property without the pressure of having already sold. But it comes with added financial complexity. If you buy first, lenders may require you to show that you can service both your existing mortgage and the new loan at the same time. That can significantly reduce your borrowing power, especially if your income or expenses are tightly balanced. In these cases, a bridging loan may be necessary. Bridging finance is a short-term facility that allows you to purchase your next home while waiting for your current property to sell. You usually only pay interest during the bridging period, which is often capitalised into the loan. Once your home is sold, the proceeds are used to reduce the debt to your final loan amount. Bridging loans require careful planning. They are best suited to borrowers with substantial equity in their current property - typically over 50 per cent - and confidence in the expected sale price. If your property takes longer to sell or sells for less than expected, the financial pressure can quickly escalate. Simultaneous settlement: ideal but hard to pull off Coordinating the sale of your current home with the purchase of your next so that both settlements occur on the same day is often seen as the perfect solution. In theory, it allows the proceeds of the sale to directly fund the new purchase without needing bridging finance or temporary accommodation. While this approach can work well, it relies on tight timing and cooperation across multiple parties. Any delay in either transaction - from the buyer, seller, or lender - can throw off the entire plan. When it works, it is a smooth and efficient way to transition between homes. But when it does not, the consequences can be costly. Buying with an extended settlement: a smart middle ground One of the most effective - yet underused - strategies is negotiating a longer settlement on the property you are buying. Instead of the standard 30 to 42 days, pushing for a 90-to-120-day settlement can give you the breathing room to sell your current property first, while already having your next home secured. This approach avoids the need for bridging finance and preserves your borrowing power, as lenders only need to assess you based on the final position once your sale completes. It also gives you time to prepare your current home for sale and run a proper campaign, rather than rushing to meet tight deadlines. Not every vendor will accept an extended settlement, but many will if you are transparent, pre-approved, and flexible on other terms. Your borrowing power is not fixed. It changes depending on the timing of your sale, the equity in your current property, and how you structure your move. Choosing the right sequence - sell first, buy first, or settle simultaneously - can make the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful scramble. Before you make your next move, take time to model out each scenario, understand the lending implications, and speak with a broker who can help you navigate the process. With the right plan in place, you can manage your borrowing power confidently and make your property journey a success. Christian Stevens is the founder of Flint - Australia's Leading mortgage Brokers. He is a five-time recipient of the Best Residential Broker in Australia and has been named Australian Broker of the Year three times. In 2024, Flint was recognised as the Leading Finance Brokerage in the country. Christian has helped thousands of Australians build wealth through property. His views are his own and do not constitute financial advice.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Ben agrees to loan switch from TNS to league rivals Flint
Making the move to the Essity Stadium ahead of the big kick-off is Ben Woollam, who has made a loan switch from defending champions The New Saints. Woollam, a 21 year-old-defender, has 40 Cymru Premier appearances under his belt and he has previously enjoyed loan spells at Bala Town and Aberystwyth Town. Flint boss Lee Fowler told the club's website: 'We have signed Woolly on a season-long loan from TNS and I would like to thank Craig (Harrison) and TNS for helping us with this. 'Ben is someone we've been after for two seasons and with interest from another Welsh Prem side in signing him, we are made up he has decided to come here. 'I'm looking forward to working with Ben and I know he will fit in with the lads and we are really pleased to have landed him. 'With Isaac Lee's future looking increasingly likely to be away from the club, this transfer was always planned and we will be looking to add one more face ready for our first game (versus) Holywell.' Flint last week revealed they had received formal offers from EFL clubs for Lee and permission had been granted for him to hold talks with all parties involved. The Silkmen meet Holywell in the Welsh League Cup in early August to open their season.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitmer: Trump promises 'better deal' for Michigan after semiconductor factory falls apart
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said President Donald Trump promised to deliver federal help for a big economic boost in the state after plans for a semiconductor factory near Flint recently fell through, an outcome she and other Michigan Democrats have blamed on national economic uncertainty they say stems from Trump's policies. Whitmer has set a goal of securing a semiconductor facility in Michigan before she leaves office. But that faced a major setback July 16 when Whitmer announced that a company eyeing the state will no longer build a plant in Michigan or anywhere else in the United States. Sandisk was working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which proposed a massive package of corporate subsidies before the company changed course. The company has declined to comment. But Whitmer cited economic challenges nationally, including tariffs, for the decision not to locate a new factory in Genesee County's Mundy Township. "We're hearing from businesses every single day what it means in terms of their ability to make investments and why we're seeing paralysis. It's not a surprise, unfortunately," Whitmer told reporters July 17. The governor said she called Trump a day earlier to share her disappointment with the semiconductor factory falling through. "He said, 'tell the press, we are going to work together to get an even better deal for the state of Michigan,' " Whitmer said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Whitmer's comments came after U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited Michigan to champion Trump's economic policies, zeroing in on the tax and spending law he recently signed. Over the hum of machinery in a small aerospace and defense manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Loeffler championed Trump's tax and spending bill as a boon for businesses and workers. The federal legislation recently signed into law by Trump will incentivize economic growth, she told reporters at NTL Industries, marking her latest stop on a nationwide tour to meet with manufacturers across the country. "This is a pro-small business bill, it's pro-worker," Loeffler told reporters. Asked to comment on businesses that may be reversing course on building in the United States due to Trump's policies, Loeffler said that's not happening. "Well, we sure haven't seen that," she said. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel pushed back in a statement. "We would encourage Loeffler to travel to Mundy Township while she's here to apologize for the thousands of jobs that the Trump Administration killed with its disastrous economic agenda," he said. Democrats have also railed against Trump's policies on the social safety net, including the cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and blasted the tax breaks in the law as a windfall for the wealthy paid for off the backs of poor people. Michigan Politics: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's goal to land a semiconductor factory in Michigan faces a setback Whitmer joined the chorus of criticism even as she courts Trump's support for her federal policy priorities. Whitmer said her administration is still analyzing the impact the new federal law will have on the state budget not only this year but also down the road. "One of the gimmicks Congress did was not make it all come into effect immediately, probably because they don't want people to know how bad it is when they go into the midterms to vote," she said. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer spoke to Trump after semiconductor deal fell apart
