Pelican Press

Democrat Appears to Win Omaha Mayor’s Race, Ending Era of Republican Leadership – The New York Times Democrat Appears to Win Omaha Mayor’s Race, Ending Era of Republican Leadership – The New York Times Democrat Appears to Win Omaha Mayor’s Race, Ending Era of Republican Leadership The New York Times2025 general election results: Omaha voters pick city councilmembers KETVDemocrats pull off an upset in Nebraska, electing Omaha’s first ****** mayor The Washington PostElection 2025: Gov. Pillen blames Republicans for Omaha mayor’s defeat WOWTDemocrat ousts incumbent Republican in Omaha mayoral race The Hill Source link #Democrat #Appears #Win #Omaha #Mayors #Race #Era #Republican #Leadership #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

10 Most Boring Overwatch 2 Heroes No One Picks Anymore 10 Most Boring Overwatch 2 Heroes No One Picks Anymore There’s no denying that Overwatch 2‘s launch wasn’t the best. Blizzard’s decision to change core aspects of the gameplay and the introduction of new monetization tactics caused a massive uproar. However, over the years, the developer has made various changes to the hero-shooter that’ve somewhat managed to turn the ship around. One of the best parts about Overwatch 2 is its massive roster of 43 playable heroes. Blizzard has designed each character carefully, with powerful skill sets and backstories that make this game an immersive experience. All heroes have been divided into three different subgroups: tank, support, and damage, and players are encouraged to try new styles. However, there’s no denying that some heroes in Overwatch 2 aren’t simply relevant anymore. While they were popular or effective at some point, Blizzard has brought more flashier options. Let’s take a look at 10 Overwatch 2 heroes that no one bothers picking anymore, and why they’ve been abandoned. 10 Soldier 76 Soldier 76 can bounce back with changes to his ultimate. (Image via Blizzard) Overwatch 2 is packed with powerful DPS heroes who have effective abilities. However, Soldier 76 is the simplest of them all. He can sprint and self-heal, allowing him to get out of any sketchy situation. On top of that, he can dish out a significant amount of damage with his assault rifle. What holds back Soldier 76 is his ultimate, Tactical Visor. It’s genuinely a terrible ultimate that can’t even get value from a nano boost. There’s also a lack of burst damage, and the fact that he can’t be played against dive comps, which are running rampant in the meta right now. 9 Hanzo Windowmaker outclasses Hanzo in every aspect of the current meta. (Image via Blizzard) Well, if you’re someone who can hit your shot with Hanzo, he’s the top damage hero choice in the game. However, that’s not an easy feat. Overwatch 2 isn’t the same game anymore, as there are tons of mobility, and one fewer hero to take down, which is an issue for Hanzo. Hanzo suffers from a lack of mobility and a squishy nature. Although his ultimate can wipe out teams on the spot, the fact that he can’t deal with most of the heroes by himself makes him a hard pick. Those who’re looking to play a one-shot character can switch to Windowmaker as she clearly outclasses him. 8 Bastion Bastion’s countless reworks still haven’t helped his pick rates. (Image via Blizzard) Blizzard decided to give a number of Overwatch characters a major overhaul in terms of their kits when moving to Overwatch 2. However, Bastion’s rework was the most drastic one. The robot’s Self-Repair was taken alongside his Sentry and Tank configurations, and it was switched for an Assault and Anti-Literary configuration. Despite these changes, Bastion has remained at the bottom of the sheets. Blizzard has brought tons of changes to the hero since the release of Overwatch 2. Even though the recently released Perk system gave Bastion the ability to heal himself again, he still hasn’t found a place in the meta. 7 Symmetra Symmetra still hasn’t found a place for herself in the meta. (Image via Blizzard) It’s safe to say that if any hero in Overwatch 2 is in desperate need of an overhaul, it’s Symmetra. In the original game, her entire kit was effective as it charged against shields. However, the fact that Overwatch 2 has taken one tank out of the equation means that she’s not that strong anymore. In the current state, Symmetra is always open to being dived from by the more agile characters. Although we’ve seen her being used in some rush comps thanks to her ability to teleport teams directly onto the field at the start of a match, her pick rates are still terrible. 6 Junker Queen Junker Queen needs some small buffs. (Image via Blizzard) Junker Queen was an absolute menace in the beta. Seriously, she could take on both roles of tank and attack at the same time. However, Blizzard quickly nerfed her upon her debut. This proved to be too harsh as the character wasn’t as powerful as before. Although Blizzard has given Junker Queen some additional buffs and changes, she’s become a low-tier hero. She’s not a safe bet as a tank, and players are much better off playing heroes such as Zarya, Winston, Orisa, and Reinhardt. 5 Junkrat Junkrat isn’t a top tier DPS pick anymore. (Image via Blizzard) Junkrat was once the best choice for maps that had confined spaces. However, that’s not the case anymore in Overwatch 2. The sequel nerfed with his trap quite heavily, removing its ability to pin enemies who step into it. This nerf was quite a big one for the character. Although he has a two-hit combo that deletes squishy heroes off the map in a second if pulled off correctly, it still doesn’t make Junkrat any powerful. His ultimate, which can wipe out teams, is also easy to deal with in higher ranks. Most of the top players believe that he’s in desperate need of a rework. 4 Reinhardt Reinhardt doesn’t fit into the fast-paced action of Overwatch 2. (Image via Blizzard) Reinhardt has always been a beloved character in Overwatch. He can soak up enemy fire and help your team go into the fights. His ability to snipe squishes is great, and he has an ultimate that can shut down enemies. However, that’s really it for Reinhardt. The issue with Reinhardt is that his design still screams the 6v6 from the original game. Once his shield breaks down, he’s a slow character with limited tools to deal with enemies. The pace of Overwatch 2 leaves him exposed without consistent support. He’s a classic hero who doesn’t fit anymore. 3 Zenyatta Zenyatta gets outclassed by other supports. (Image via Blizzard) Zenyatta stands as the most challenging support in Overwatch 2 to master. There’s an incredibly high skill ceiling with the character, but those who went through the trouble of learning his skillset were always rewarded as he could thrash any coordinated attack by enemies. Unfortunately, in the current Overwatch 2 meta, Zenyatta isn’t the hottest pick anymore. You’ll see characters such as Ana, Lucio, Mercy, and Baptiste being played in high-level ranked matches, but not Zenyatta. His uniqueness has diminished, and even though Blizzard buffed his Duality perk, he’s still a niche pick. 2 Lifeweaver Lifeweaver is a lackluster support. (Image via Blizzard) Blizzard added Lifeweaver to Overwatch 2 all the way back in April 2023, but he’s never really been one of the top picks. He’s a unique utility-oriented support that can provide cover and vantage points for his teams. He can even rescue players from certain game-ending scenarios. When you compare his skillset to the game’s broader roster, you’ll find that there are plenty of supports that are much more engaging. With the launch of Season 15, Lifeweaver received a much-needed boost thanks to perks, but the changes still couldn’t address the core issues of the character. 1 Mauga Mauga has lost his initial appeal. (Image via Blizzard) Mauga is a tank that can prove to be quite frustrating to deal with. His ability to apply relentless pressure, combined with his high durability, initially made him a formidable foe on the battlefield. Seriously, players needed precise coordination and careful positioning to counter the tank. Mauga isn’t the same powerful beast anymore in Season 16. Several balance changes have reduced his capabilities to fight as a tank, which has led him to be the worst pick in the hero-shooter. He’s a character who needs major buffs to be a solid pick that can turn the tide of any battle when played properly. Source link #Boring #Overwatch #Heroes #Picks #Anymore Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Key omissions as Aussie sides spar for Super leg-up Key omissions as Aussie sides spar for Super leg-up Tom Lynagh will join rival flyhalf Noah Lolesio on the sidelines for the Queensland Reds’ clash with the ACT Brumbies that will shape this year’s Super Rugby Pacific finals series. The standout *********** teams sit fourth and second respectively ahead of Saturday’s Canberra battle, with a home game in the first week of the rejigged six-team finals format the prize for a top-three finish. With three regular-season games remaining, the Reds are five points – equivalent to a bonus-point win – behind the third-placed Crusaders, while the Brumbies are a further two points clear but have played an extra game. The Reds’ pulsating defeat of the NSW Waratahs in Sydney last Friday kept them in the hunt, but came at a cost. Wallabies No.10 prospect Lynagh (concussion), fellow Test contender Seru Uru (knee) and second-row weapon Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) are all unavailable. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will replace Lynagh after a solid second-half foray in Sydney last week and several other cameos this year. Hunter Paisami is also back from a corked hip to team with Filipo Daugunu in the midfield and send impressive rookie Dre Pakeho to the bench. Lolesio has been cleared of serious injury after his scary exit last weekend and is viewed as a short-term loss by coach Stephen Larkham, who will turn to Queensland product Declan Meredith in the No.10. “It’s going to be the two best teams in Australia currently going at it on Saturday,” Larkham said. “All the remaining games for every team are important. “The Reds … like us, would like to finish as high as possible on the ladder. It gives you the best opportunity to go deep into the finals.” The Western Force won’t take Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart or Nic White to Lautoka to face Fijian Drua as coach Simon Cron attempts to navigate a gruelling travel schedule. New Zealand playmaker Alex Harford, an injury replacement player, will wear the No.10, with Ben Donaldson set to come off the bench along with fit-again hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa. The Force are ninth but sit just four points behind the sixth-placed Hurricanes. The Waratahs will be without cross-code sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for at least four weeks because of a fractured jaw suffered in friendly fire in the last round. Andrew Kellaway shifts to fullback and Derby Lancaster will return to the starting side on the left wing. The Waratahs, eighth and level with the Force on 22 points, can keep their finals hopes alive and directly boost the Reds’ top-three hopes with a win against the Crusaders in Sydney. Source link #Key #omissions #Aussie #sides #spar #Super #legup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pakistan’s use of J-10C jets and missiles exposes potency of ******** weaponry Pakistan’s use of J-10C jets and missiles exposes potency of ******** weaponry As India and Pakistan traded missile strikes over the weekend, and the world watched with horror as the two nuclear-armed neighbours erupted into open conflict, military analysts spotted something curious. Pakistan, it seemed, had used ******** jets to shoot down India’s planes. Last week, India launched missiles at Pakistan, in retaliation for a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April that killed 26 people. The conflict escalated with mutual strikes and drone attacks. Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian air force fighter jets with ********-made missiles fired from ********-made J10-C jets. The Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar told parliament the Pakistani-flown fighters had taken down India’s French-made Rafales. Dar said he had informed the ******** and they were pleased. China’s social media celebrated. Related: From missiles to ceasefire: how India and Pakistan pulled back from the brink The use of J-10Cs by Pakistan would mark the first time the ******** planes – and the PL-15 missiles they were carrying – have been used in combat anywhere in the world, giving military analysts a rare glimpse of their capabilities, and China’s military, the PLA, a crucial test case. “Any state producing or buying weapons is keen to see how the product does in real conflict. Tests and exercises can tell most about capabilities of weapons, but the ultimate test is often combat,” said Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). China is a crucial ally of Pakistan. Sipri estimates that it is Pakistan’s biggest military weapons supplier, providing more than 80% of its stock from fighter jets to navy vessels and missiles. Andrew Small, a Berlin-based senior fellow at the ******* Marshall Fund, said China gets particular benefit from seeing its weapons used against western equivalents. “It gives them a chance to assess their performance under far more complex and challenging conditions than usual, and with Pakistan this is not just about the fighter jets themselves, it’s about the missiles, the radar systems, and the whole technology spine of the Pakistani military, from electronic warfare capabilities to satellite systems.” It’s not just western arms that China’s planes are being tested against. India has the support of both China’s biggest rival, the US, and its closest ally, Russia, which supplies 36% of India’s arms imports. But analysts says it has provided a wake-up call about China’s military capabilities as it threatens to annex Taiwan. “We may need to reassess the PLA’s air combat capabilities, which may be approaching or even surpassing the level of US air power deployments in east Asia,” Shu Hsiao-Huang, an associate research fellow at the Taiwan defence ministry-linked Institute of National Defense and Security Research, told Bloomberg. Under the rule of Xi Jinping, China’s military has been modernising and expanding, with a goal to be capable of an air and land invasion of Taiwan by 2027. Hu Xijin, the former editor of the nationalistic ******** state-linked tabloid Global Times, said the incident showed Taiwan should feel “even more scared”. Part of China’s contingency planning is an expectation that the US military and potentially others would be involved in defending Taiwan. Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Center, said the two combat theatres were not directly comparable, as a Taiwan invasion would probably involve more input from the navy, marines and army than this month’s limited conflict between India and Pakistan. “And technically, India did not use American weapon systems during this round,” Sun said. “But the surprising victory of ******** J-10 and PL-15 [missiles] will force people to reconsider the military balance of power in the event of a Taiwan contingency.” The apparent success of the J-10C against the Rafales also boosts China’s reputation as a manufacturer and seller of weapons. While China is the world’s fourth largest arms exporter, more than half goes to Pakistan and the rest is mostly to smaller developed nations. It must work around US sanctions. The share price of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, which makes the J-10Cs, soared on the news. Small said Pakistan was often seen as a showcase for ******** weapons. “A good performance demonstrates to others the benefits of maintaining a close partnership with Beijing as PLA capabilities advance, especially given the rumours that China provided Pakistan, one of its closest strategic partners, with versions of the PL-15 missiles that have a longer range than the usual export variant,” he said. Wezeman said the shooting was too limited to draw a lot of firm conclusions about the state of China’s military, which has also been mired in corruption scandals in recent years. “That said, the clash seems to support a general assessment that ******** weapons are proving to have become a match for western weapons.” China’s military and government have neither denied nor celebrated the J-10C claims. The foreign ministry said when asked that it was “not familiar” with the J-10C situation. But on Tuesday China’s vice-foreign minister Sun Weidong met with Pakistan’s ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi. “China welcomes and supports Pakistan and India achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” a foreign ministry statement said. “China is ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.” Source link #Pakistans #J10C #jets #missiles #exposes #potency #******** #weaponry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

506-Million-Year-Old ‘Mothra’ Fossil Shows the Weirdness of Early Life – Gizmodo 506-Million-Year-Old ‘Mothra’ Fossil Shows the Weirdness of Early Life – Gizmodo 506-Million-Year-Old ‘Mothra’ Fossil Shows the Weirdness of Early Life GizmodoThis Fossil’s 3 Eyes Are Not Its Most Surprising Feature The New York TimesPaleontologists discover 506-million-year-old predator Phys.orgAncient three-eyed ‘sea moth’ used its butt to breathe YahooManitoba monster is a 500-million-year-old Cambrian predator cosmosmagazine.com Source link #506MillionYearOld #Mothra #Fossil #Shows #Weirdness #Early #Life #Gizmodo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Peterborough charity begins new wellbeing service in Welland Peterborough charity begins new wellbeing service in Welland Kate Moser Andon BBC News, Cambridgeshire BBC Charis Newman from Family Action said she wanted to create a “vibrant hub” in Welland A city charity has begun a service to boost wellbeing and tackle isolation – but wants local people to tell them what it should offer. Family Action runs a community centre off the Welland housing estate in Peterborough. It is planning a project where local people can request help with anything, but also make suggestions for community events and activities. Charis Newman from Family Action said: “We want people to come forward and say ‘we want this’, we really are open to suggestions.” The community centre is also used as a food hub for local families The service begins on 4 June with a coffee morning every Wednesday between 09:00 and 12:00. There, people can get advice on “literally anything”, Ms Newman said, such as writing a CV or filling out forms, or make suggestions on “what they feel they’re missing at the moment”. She said the aim was to involve hard-to-reach families in Welland, which is one of the most deprived areas of the city. “We’ve got some work to do in winning over people’s trust,” she said. “It does feel as though people are a little bit insular, a lot of people felt like it’s difficult to connect with people. “If we just get a few people to start with, then they can see how friendly we all are, and how much we want to help.” The charity is hoping to be able to use the outdoor space outside of pre-school hours Family Action already runs a pre-school out of the community centre, and a weekly community fridge. Helen Terrington, from Family Action, said: “We’re sort of hidden away at the back of the houses, so we want to make sure people know we’re here.” She said they were also open to hear from people who could volunteer for the new service. “We’re really interested in hearing what skills the local community have got, if they’re really passionate about crafting, crochet, if there’s a yoga teacher. “The possibilities are endless.” Source link #Peterborough #charity #begins #wellbeing #service #Welland Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It would mean the world’: Isabelle Kelly on the verge of Origin greatness as veteran trio look to clinch series win at home ‘It would mean the world’: Isabelle Kelly on the verge of Origin greatness as veteran trio look to clinch series win at home Blues skipper Isabelle Kelly doesn’t like to focus on things that haven’t happened yet, but leading her side to a State of Origin series win on home soil would sit at the very top of the things she’s achieved during her incredible career. Kelly was on the wing when NSW finally beat Queensland for the first time in 2016, and it was fitting that she was player of the match and scored a double two years later as the Blues won the first official State of Origin match on a historic night at North Sydney Oval that heralded a change in the women’s game. She’s carved up for the Roosters, the Blues and Jillaroos, with Kelly no stranger to lifting NRLW titles or World Cup trophies. But the superstar centre has the chance to tick off a major bucket-list item at Allianz Stadium – home of her beloved Roosters – with the Blues looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s heartbreak when they blew a 1-0 series lead. Camera IconIsabelle Kelly was the best player on the field in the women’s Origin opener. NRL Photos Credit: The Daily Telegraph Kelly was named skipper ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium and led from the front as she always does with a couple of key plays in attack to once again win the player of the match award. She’s now 70 minutes away from ending Queensland’s recent run of dominance that included a drawn series in 2023 when women’s Origin expanded to two matches for the first time. “I haven’t really reflected on it too much because I don’t like to look too far into the future,” she said on the eve of the Sydney showdown. “But it would mean the world because we’ve created something really unique this year. “It’s been something really special and this is probably the most tight-knit group we’ve had for a very long time. You can see that off the field as well. “It would mean a lot, but there’s a job to be done and we know that Queensland has the type of players that will come out when it’s do-or-die for them.” The women’s game has evolved at a stunning rate thanks to players like Kelly who have raised standards with their athleticism, aggression and fearless desire to win. She’s endured setbacks over the years, including a terrifying throat injury in Origin a couple of years ago, while the reigning Dally M Centre of the Year suffered a shocking elbow injury last year but fought through the pain to lead the Roosters to the NRLW title. She’s not alone, however, with veteran Kezie Apps and the electrifying Jess Sergis some of the survivors from the 2017 Blues side that also featured Simaima Taufa and beat the Maroons thanks to a Sergis hat-trick on debut. Camera IconJess Sergis, Kezie Apps and Kelly have played a huge role in the evolution of the women’s game. Sam Ruttyn Credit: News Corp Australia “It would be huge,” Kelly replied when asked what it would mean to win with some of her veteran teammates who have been there for the entire journey. “I love seeing how far the women’s game has come, and I think it’s progressed at the right time with State of Origin, and I think we deserve this. “We’ve put on a really good product the last few years with State of Origin, so to be able to take the three-game series would be huge, not just for us, but also for the past players as well that have really dug deep and have created this opportunity for us to be able to experience this.” The Blues are one win away from winning back the shield, with the team keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s series where they won in Brisbane but then lost a thriller in Newcastle before they were blown away in the decider. New coach John Strange says it’s “disrespectful” to use it as motivation given he wasn’t there last year, while Kelly says it isn’t her focus going into one of the biggest games of her glittering career. “New coach, new team, basically new spine, new players and we’ve trained really hard and had a lot of confidence instilled in us,” she said. “We’ve learnt lessons but I don’t like to reflect too much back on that … we learnt our lessons there and then and we know what we need to do tomorrow night.” Source link #world #Isabelle #Kelly #verge #Origin #greatness #veteran #trio #clinch #series #win #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ghost in the machine? Rogue communication devices found in ******** inverters Ghost in the machine? Rogue communication devices found in ******** inverters By Sarah McFarlane LONDON (Reuters) -U.S. energy officials are reassessing the risk posed by ********-made devices that play a critical role in renewable energy infrastructure after unexplained communication equipment was found inside some of them, two people familiar with the matter said. Power inverters, which are predominantly produced in China, are used throughout the world to connect solar panels and wind turbines to electricity grids. They are also found in batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers. While inverters are built to allow remote access for updates and maintenance, the utility companies that use them typically install firewalls to prevent direct communication back to China. However, rogue communication devices not listed in product documents have been found in some ******** solar power inverters by U.S experts who strip down equipment hooked up to grids to check for security issues, the two people said. Over the past nine months, undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, have also been found in some batteries from multiple ******** suppliers, one of them said. Reuters was unable to determine how many solar power inverters and batteries they have looked at. The rogue components provide additional, undocumented communication channels that could allow firewalls to be circumvented remotely, with potentially catastrophic consequences, the two people said. Both declined to be named because they did not have permission to speak to the media. “We know that China believes there is value in placing at least some elements of our core infrastructure at risk of destruction or disruption,” said Mike Rogers, a former director of the U.S. National Security Agency. “I think that the ******** are, in part, hoping that the widespread use of inverters limits the options that the West has to deal with the security issue.” A spokesperson for the ******** embassy in Washington said: “We oppose the generalisation of the concept of national security, distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements.” Using the rogue communication devices to skirt firewalls and switch off inverters remotely, or change their settings, could destabilise power grids, damage energy infrastructure, and trigger widespread blackouts, experts said. “That effectively means there is a built-in way to physically destroy the grid,” one of the people said, The two people declined to name the ******** manufacturers of the inverters and batteries with extra communication devices, nor say how many they had found in total. The existence of the rogue devices has not previously been reported. The U.S. government has not publicly acknowledged the discoveries. Asked for comment, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it continually assesses risk associated with emerging technologies and that there were significant challenges with manufacturers disclosing and documenting functionalities. “While this functionality may not have malicious intent, it is critical for those procuring to have a full understanding of the capabilities of the products received,” a spokesperson said. Work is ongoing to address any gaps in disclosures through “Software Bill of Materials” – or inventories of all the components that make up a software application – and other contractual requirements, the spokesperson said. TRUSTED EQUIPMENT As U.S.-China tensions escalate, the U.S. and others are reassessing China’s role in strategic infrastructure because of concerns about potential security vulnerabilities, two former government officials said. In February, two U.S. Senators introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, banning the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing batteries from some ******** entities, starting October 2027, due to national security concerns. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on March 11 and has yet to be enacted. It aims to prevent Homeland Security from procuring batteries from six ******** companies Washington says are closely linked to the ******** ********** Party: Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL), BYD Company, Envision Energy, EVE Energy Company, Hithium Energy Storage Technology Company, and Gotion High-tech Company. None of the companies responded to requests for comment. Utilities are now preparing for similar bans on ******** inverter manufacturers, three people with knowledge of the matter said. Some utilities, including Florida’s largest power supplier Florida Power & Light Company, are attempting to minimise the use of ******** inverters by sourcing equipment from elsewhere, according to two people familiar with the matter. FPL did not respond to requests for comment. The DOE spokesperson said: “As more domestic manufacturing takes hold, DOE is working across the federal government to strengthen U.S. supply chains, providing additional opportunities to integrate trusted equipment into the power grid.” ‘CATASTROPHIC IMPLICATIONS’ Huawei is the world’s largest supplier of inverters, accounting for 29% of shipments globally in 2022, followed by ******** peers Sungrow and Ginlong Solis, according to consultancy Wood Mackenzie. ******* solar developer 1Komma5 said, however, that it avoids Huawei inverters, because of the brand’s associations with security risks. “Ten years ago, if you switched off the ******** inverters, it would not have caused a dramatic thing to happen to European grids, but now the critical mass is much larger,” 1Komma5 Chief Executive Philipp Schroeder said. “China’s dominance is becoming a ******* issue because of the growing renewables capacity on Western grids and the increased likelihood of a prolonged and serious confrontation between China and the West,” he said. Since 2019, the U.S. has restricted Huawei’s access to U.S. technology, accusing the company of activities contrary to national security, which Huawei denies. ******** companies are required by law to cooperate with China’s intelligence agencies, giving the government potential control over ********-made inverters connected to foreign grids, experts said. While Huawei decided to leave the U.S. inverter market in 2019 – the year its 5G telecoms equipment was banned – it remains a dominant supplier elsewhere. Huawei declined to comment. In Europe, exercising control over just 3 to 4 gigawatts of energy could cause widespread disruption to electricity supplies, experts said. The European Solar Manufacturing Council estimates over 200 GW of European solar power capacity is linked to inverters made in China – equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants. At the end of last year, there was 338 GW of installed solar power in Europe, according to industry association SolarPower Europe. “If you remotely control a large enough number of home solar inverters, and do something nefarious at once, that could have catastrophic implications to the grid for a prolonged ******* of time,” said Uri Sadot, cyber security program director at Israeli inverter manufacturer SolarEdge. STRATEGIC DEPENDENCIES Other countries such as Lithuania and Estonia acknowledge the threats to energy security. In November, the Lithuanian government passed a law blocking remote ******** access to solar, wind and battery installations above 100 kilowatts – by default restricting the use of ******** inverters. Energy minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said this could be extended to smaller rooftop solar installations. Estonia’s Director General of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Kaupo Rosin, said the country could be at risk of blackmail from China if it did not ban ******** technology in crucial parts of the economy, such as solar inverters. Estonia’s Ministries of Defence and Climate declined to comment when asked if they had taken any action. In Britain, the government’s review of ******** renewable energy technology in the energy system – due to be concluded in the coming months – includes looking at inverters, a person familiar with the matter said. In November, a commercial dispute between two inverter suppliers – Sol-Ark and Deye – led to solar power inverters in the U.S. and elsewhere being disabled from China, highlighting the risk of foreign influence over local electricity supplies and causing concern among government officials, three people familiar with the matter said. Reuters was unable to determine how many inverters were switched off, or the extent of disruption to grids. The DOE declined to comment on the incident. Sol-Ark and Deye did not respond to requests for comment. The energy sector is trailing other industries such as telecoms and semiconductors, where regulations have been introduced in Europe and the U.S. to mitigate China’s dominance. Security analysts say this is partly because decisions about whether to secure energy infrastructure are mostly dictated by the size of any installation. Household solar or battery storage systems fall below thresholds where security requirements typically kick-in, they said, despite now contributing a significant share of power on many Western grids. NATO, the 32-country Western security alliance, said China’s efforts to control member states’ critical infrastructure – including inverters – were intensifying. “We must identify strategic dependencies and take steps to reduce them,” said a NATO official. (Additional reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by David Clarke) Source link #Ghost #machine #Rogue #communication #devices #******** #inverters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sony shares rise about 2% in volatile trading following share buyback announcement Sony shares rise about 2% in volatile trading following share buyback announcement A file photo of Hiroki Totoki, Sony Group Corporation executive, delivering a keynote address at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, on January 6, 2025. Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images Sony Group shares rose about 2% Wednesday in volatile trading after the Japanese conglomerate announced a 250 billion yen ($1.7 billion) share buyback and operating income beat estimates. Operating income for the last three months of the financial year came in at 203.6 billion yen, beating mean analyst estimates of 192.2 billion yen, though it was down 11% from the same ******* last year. In the earnings report, the Japanese-based electronics, entertainment and finance company announced a stock buyback of shares worth 250 billion yen. Sony also provided details on a partial spinoff of its financial unit. The company plans to distribute slightly more than 80% of the shares of common stock of the spinoff to shareholders of Sony Group through dividends. The financial unit will list its financial operation this year and will be classified as a discontinued operation in Sony’s accounting from the current quarter, the company added. However, Sony’s outlook for the current financial year ending in March was lackluster. The company forecasted its operating profit to rise a slight 0.3% to 1.28 trillion yen, after flagging a 100 billion yen hit from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war. Yet, Sony clarified that the estimated tariff impact did not reflect the trade deal made between the U.S. and China on May 12 and that the actual impact could vary significantly. Source link #Sony #shares #rise #volatile #trading #share #buyback #announcement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump’s big bill – AP News House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump’s big bill – AP News House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump’s big bill AP NewsJohnson attempts to hold together fragile GOP coalition ahead of key committee votes on Trump agenda CNNWhat’s in Trump and Republicans’ giant tax and immigration bill? The Washington PostLive updates: Medicaid, tax hearings get testy; DNC moves toward new Hogg, Kenyatta elections The HillTrump’s Tax and Spending Bill Is Poised to Advance in Congress. What to Watch. Barron’s Source link #House #works #night #Republicans #push #ahead #Trumps #big #bill #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Summoners War: Sky Arena continues its 11th anniversary celebration with a global fanart contest Summoners War: Sky Arena continues its 11th anniversary celebration with a global fanart contest New in-game events added to celebrate the 11th anniversary Global fanart competition open until June 8th Earn a tonne of in-game and real rewards Summoners War: Sky Arena is keeping the momentum going on its 11th anniversary, with Com2uS launching new in-game events and a global fanart competition that runs through July. After kicking off celebrations last month with monster giveaways and revamped visuals, the festivities are far from over. Summoners War: Sky Arena’s latest update includes weekly missions live through June 2nd, where you can earn up to 45 Engraved Scrolls and 30 Engraved Summoning Piece Boxes. Each box contains up to 100 Engraved Pieces, which can be used to summon three to five-star Monsters across elements. These missions also reward 6-star Legend Runes and Reappraisal Stones. Alongside that, a new daily mission track lets you rack up over 500 Transcendence Summoning Pieces by July 27th. Once you collect 300, you can use them for a guaranteed 5-star summon. Milestones also unlock items like Devilmons, Mystical Scrolls, and Splendid Blessings of Summon, making this event one of the most generous yet. Com2uS is also calling on artists worldwide to take part in its 11th Anniversary Fanart Contest, open until June 8th. Submissions fall under two themes – celebration of the anniversary itself or reimagining how Sky Island monsters would live in the real world. Out of all entries, 100 will be selected as winners, ten of which will earn $500, a Zeratu figure, and 500 Crystals. Earn some more freebies by redeeming these Summoners War: Sky Arena codes! These events build on last month’s content, which introduced the new 5-star Beetle Guardian, updated artwork for 13 monsters, and the 11-Year Selective Summon Event. That one still stands out for offering fully maxed-out four or five-star monsters at Level 40, fully Awakened, and skill-maxed, an instant power boost for anyone lucky enough to pull something rare. Take part in the celebrations by downloading Summoners War: Sky Arena now for free. Visit the official website for more information. Source link #Summoners #War #Sky #Arena #continues #11th #anniversary #celebration #global #fanart #contest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sony shares rise about 2% in volatile trading following share buyback announcement Sony shares rise about 2% in volatile trading following share buyback announcement A file photo of Hiroki Totoki, Sony Group Corporation executive, delivering a keynote address at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, on January 6, 2025. Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images Sony Group shares rose about 2% Wednesday in volatile trading after the Japanese conglomerate announced a 250 billion yen ($1.7 billion) share buyback and operating income beat estimates. Operating income for the last three months of the financial year came in at 203.6 billion yen, beating mean analyst estimates of 192.2 billion yen, though it was down 11% from the same ******* last year. In the earnings report, the Japanese-based electronics, entertainment and finance company announced a stock buyback of shares worth 250 billion yen. Sony also provided details on a partial spinoff of its financial unit. The company plans to distribute slightly more than 80% of the shares of common stock of the spinoff to shareholders of Sony Group through dividends. The financial unit will list its financial operation this year and will be classified as a discontinued operation in Sony’s accounting from the current quarter, the company added. However, Sony’s outlook for the current financial year ending in March was lackluster. The company forecasted its operating profit to rise a slight 0.3% to 1.28 trillion yen, after flagging a 100 billion yen hit from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war. Yet, Sony clarified that the estimated tariff impact did not reflect the trade deal made between the U.S. and China on May 12 and that the actual impact could vary significantly. Source link #Sony #shares #rise #volatile #trading #share #buyback #announcement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Players Championship 16: Ross Smith throws two nine-darters before whitewashing Brendan Dolan in final Players Championship 16: Ross Smith throws two nine-darters before whitewashing Brendan Dolan in final Ross Smith demolished Brendan Dolan 8-0 to win the 16th Players Championship of the year – having thrown two nine-darters on the way to the final. Englishman Smith, 36, had reached the final in Hildesheim, Germany, with a scintillating run as he won 16 legs on the spin. He is just the third player, alongside Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor, to land multiple nine-darters in the same Players Championship event. The final was a formality as Smith notched up an average of 104.56 and whitewashed 51-year-old Northern Irishman Dolan. “I don’t actually feel I’ve played that well – sometimes luck is on your side,” Smith told the PDC. “I want to win all the time. I will keep working hard to win another major event.” World number one Luke Humphries, world champion Luke Littler and Van Gerwen were among the players to give the event a miss. There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition’s finals held in Minehead in November. Source link #Players #Championship #Ross #Smith #throws #ninedarters #whitewashing #Brendan #Dolan #final Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sydney seat back in play as election counting narrows Sydney seat back in play as election counting narrows The final result in a federal metropolitan seat remains on a knife-edge as further vote counting puts the outcome back in doubt. The Sydney seat of Bradfield had previously been called for Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian over independent challenger Nicolette Boele following a closely fought contest. However, absentee and postal vote counting has narrowed the gap, with Ms Kapterian ahead by 80 votes as of Wednesday afternoon. The margin led commentators to put the seat back in doubt after previously declaring the Liberals had won it. More than 1000 votes are yet to be counted in the electorate previously considered a Liberal stronghold. An automatic recount by the *********** Electoral Commission will be triggered if fewer than 100 votes decide the outcome. Ms Kapterian had been the presumed winner of the seat and was in the Liberal party room on Tuesday when Sussan Ley was elected opposition leader. The coalition has just 41 confirmed seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. Labor has 93, the Greens have one and other independents and minor parties have 11. Bradfield is one of four seats – including Flinders and Calwell in Victoria – that remain uncalled. The complexity of the count in the Victorian seats means it could be some time before the final two candidates in the electorates are known, which will determine the winner. A two-horse race is also taking place in the Queensland seat of Longman, with incumbent coalition MP Terry Young only 122 votes ahead of Labor challenger Rhiannyn Douglas. Vote counting also continues for the Senate, with the final seat in each of the six states still up for grabs. Jacqui Lambie and One Nation’s Lee Hanson, the daughter of party founder Pauline, are in a close contest for the final seat in Tasmania. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts is on track to reclaim his Queensland seat. Labor could pick up an extra seat in South Australia, with 21-year-old Charlotte Walker potentially set to become the youngest senator elected to parliament. Labor’s Michelle Ananda-Rajah, who lost her lower house seat of Higgins after it was abolished, could be set for a comeback in the Senate, with Labor in the lead for the final Victorian slot. As of Wednesday, Labor had 28 seats in the 76-seat Senate. The coalition had 26, with the Greens on 11 and six on the crossbench. Source link #Sydney #seat #play #election #counting #narrows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump expected to meet Syrian leader after announcing he will lift sanctions Trump expected to meet Syrian leader after announcing he will lift sanctions US President Donald Trump has said he will lift sanctions on Syria, ahead of an expected meeting with its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump has agreed to “say hello” to Syria’s interim president on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia as part of his tour of the Middle East, the White House said. The announcement of the lifting of sanctions was met with elation in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where cheering, dancing and celebratory gunfire were heard. The sanctions had previously blocked any foreign financing, including aid, from reaching Syria and were originally intended to put pressure on the dictatorship of now-ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Trump said the policy change would give Syria “a chance at greatness”, telling an investment forum in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, “it’s their time to shine.” Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani celebrated the decision as a “pivotal turning point for the country” in an interview with the country’s state news agency, Sana. The country looks forward to a future of “stability, self-sufficiency and genuine reconstruction after years of a destructive war”, he added. Ninety percent of Syria’s population were left under the poverty line at the end of Assad’s regime and its new government has been pushing for an end to sanctions since Assad was overthrown in December. Al-Sharaa told the BBC in an interview late last year that Syria was not a threat to the world and called for sanctions to be lifted. He also called for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group who overthrew Assad, to be de-listed as a terrorist organisation. It is designated as one by the UN, US, EU and ***, among many others, as it started as a splinter group of al-Qaeda, which it broke away from in 2016. Al-Sharaa repeated these calls at a joint press conference with France’s President Emmanuel Macron last week, saying “these sanctions were imposed on the previous regime because of the crimes it committed, and this regime is gone.” The Syrian leader has promised to protect ethnic minorities since his Sunni Islamist group led the rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December after 13 years of devastating civil war. However, the mass killings of hundreds of civilians from Assad’s ********* Alawite sect in the western coastal region in March, during clashes between the new security forces and Assad loyalists, has hardened fears among ********* communities. There have also been deadly clashes between Islamist armed factions, security forces and fighters from the Druze religious *********. The US’s announcement is a major boost for al-Sharaa, and also marks a significant foreign policy shift for the US, which previously said it would not lift sanctions on Syria until issues such as ********* rights progressed in the country. Trump said his announcement followed a request from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. “Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince,” the US leader said, adding, “I like him too much.” The pair met on Tuesday on Trump’s first stop of his tour of the Middle East, where they jointly announced a $142bn (£107bn) arms deal. Former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who served under former President Barack Obama, applauded the Trump administration’s move to lift sanctions. “I visited Syria three months ago and the country is simply devastated after the 13-year civil war. It needs to rebuild, it needs reconstruction, it needs foreign financing to do that,” he told the BBC. “So removing the sanctions, that will enable international capital flows to go into Syria from Gulf states, from other Arab states and from different aid agencies is absolutely vital.” The tour of the Arab Gulf states will also see Trump visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Source link #Trump #expected #meet #Syrian #leader #announcing #lift #sanctions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump lavishes praise on Saudi crown prince, signaling renewed alliance – Reuters Trump lavishes praise on Saudi crown prince, signaling renewed alliance – Reuters Trump lavishes praise on Saudi crown prince, signaling renewed alliance ReutersSaudis Greet Trump to His Tastes, With Pomp, Opulence and Real Estate The New York TimesColumn | Trump’s Middle East trip coincides with a big week for Turkey’s Erdogan The Washington PostTrump signs ‘strategic economic partnership’ with Saudi Arabia Fox BusinessMideast experts weigh in on Trump’s economic and defense deals in the region PBS Source link #Trump #lavishes #praise #Saudi #crown #prince #signaling #renewed #alliance #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Hull KR & Leeds Rhinos: Super League sides to meet in Las Vegas in 2026 Hull KR & Leeds Rhinos: Super League sides to meet in Las Vegas in 2026 BBC rugby league reporter Matt Newsum: Hot on the heels of the success of Wigan and Warrington’s venture into Sin City in 2025, Hull KR and Leeds are the latest Super League entrants to make the trip over the Atlantic for the now annual Las Vegas event in tandem with the *********** NRL. This time, RL Commercial have been more heavily involved in the process, after Warriors CEO Kris Radlinski and Warrington counterpart Karl Fitzpatrick set the ball rolling for this year’s event off their own backs. Both Hull KR and Leeds, and perhaps importantly from selling the game, brands, have a strong presence. They have shown themselves to be successful off the field of late as well as on it, and should provide the type of match-up which will show Super League in its best light. Rovers could pitch up in Las Vegas as champions and Challenge Cup winners, and this would be another memorable experience for a fanbase that has shown itself to be loyal and high in turnout at major events in recent seasons – one of the key reasons for their inclusion. Leeds still carry a cachet to an *********** audience from their legacy of success, their links with high-profile Australians over the years, and the fanbase again, and while some of the success from the years of annual Grand Final appearances has tailed off, there is a sense the club is now heading in the right direction. Both clubs will take some financial hit on the trip, as did their predecessors, particularly in giving up a home game for one but the hope is there are ways of making the trip pay both tangibly and metaphorically. The aim one day is that all clubs in the Super League will get a chance to show their wares, but right now, these two clubs need to be shrewd and provide a meaningful showpiece, and there will be confidence that neither will wilt in the glare of the Nevada sun. Source link #Hull #Leeds #Rhinos #Super #League #sides #meet #Las #Vegas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Death caps not found in test after fatal mushroom meal Death caps not found in test after fatal mushroom meal A scientist who was the first to examine a beef Wellington sample taken from accused killer Erin Patterson’s home says she found no sign of death cap mushrooms. Source link #Death #caps #test #fatal #mushroom #meal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

High School Students Asked A GOP Representative Why Trump Is Orange And The Answer Has Everyone Absolutely Losing It High School Students Asked A GOP Representative Why Trump Is Orange And The Answer Has Everyone Absolutely Losing It Ah, yes, the great American field trip. You don’t realize it when you’re that age, but it’s truly one of the best parts of school. Jutta Klee / Getty Images/fStop A group of high schoolers went to DC and were greeted by Republican Representative Brian Jack from Georgia. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images In a good ol’ Q&A, one of them asked why Donald Trump was orange and Rep. Jack’s answer to that is going viral: Twitter: @patriottakes Related: Former Nuns — And The People Close To Them — Are Revealing The Unexpected Things That Go On In Convents, And It’s Eye-Opening “Uh, that’s, you know what, it’s, it’s, it’s your perspective. It isn’t certainly mine, I just think he has a great tan,” he said. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images A really great tan, indeed. Related: 41 Fascinating — And Some Disturbing — Photos Of The Human Body That Might Just Make Your Head Explode The comments celebrate these kids’ blunt honesty. @voidyscreamy said: “Those kids are my personal heroes, now and forever, in perpetuity.” @regsoda commented: “You must appreciate the honesty of children.” And @Jodiebebeboy said, “These kids are going places.” @Ellen_ECD summed it up with a quote from the late, great Whitney Houston: “I believe that children are our future….” Also in Internet Finds: 27 Extremely Disturbing Wikipedia Pages That Will Haunt Your Dreams Until The End Of Your Days Also in Internet Finds: 40 Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Creepy Wikipedia Pages Also in Internet Finds: “Something’s Killed Me. Please, Someone Tell My Parents”: 19 Terrifying Stories From People Who Lived In Haunted Houses That Are Gonna Give Me Serious Nightmares Source link #High #School #Students #Asked #GOP #Representative #Trump #Orange #Answer #Absolutely #Losing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Can Brits fill the labour gap caused by a crackdown on immigration? Can Brits fill the labour gap caused by a crackdown on immigration? Immigration officers at Gatwick’s border control. Stefan Rousseau – PA Images | PA Images | Getty Images British businesses are warning the U.K. government that plans to tighten immigration rules on foreign workers — and to instead train and recruit more British personnel — will lead to labor shortages in key sectors. The British government on Monday announced plans to cut migration to the U.K., tightening the rules on who can come to work, study and live in the country. The proposals raise English-language requirements for migrants, as well as the skills and level of education they need to obtain work visas. The government also said migrant workers would have to live in the U.K. for 10 years in the country before they could apply to stay indefinitely. The government said its new proposals “back British workers over cheap overseas labour” and would link migration policy with skills to boost economic growth. But businesses fear that Brits can’t — or won’t — fill the gap created by likely worker and skills shortages, particularly in sectors traditionally heavily-reliant on migrant staff, such as health and social care. Can Brits fill the gap? It was already a “struggle” to recruit British workers and was “very, very unusual” to attract home-grown workers into the social care sector, one care home manager in the South of England told CNBC. “It’s been years, a good couple of years that we haven’t had any British applicants, English applicants,” the care home manager, who could only speak anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter, told CNBC on Tuesday. “I hear lots of things like, you know, Morrison’s [supermarket] pay more, McDonald’s pay more. You hear all those comments out in the community. The pay isn’t great for care, so it is a struggle,” the source said. “I would say probably 70% of our workforce on the care team are from India. Without those girls, our residents … wouldn’t have had anyone to look after them …What do you put in place [to fill that workforce]? You can’t make people work. You can’t make people look after these residents.” The government has come under increasing pressure to tackle the thorny issue of immigration amid record migration figures. The strong performance of Nigel Farage’s right wing, anti-immigration Reform *** party in opinion polls and in recent English local elections has increased the need for the government to act quickly, however. Announcing the plans Monday, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the strategy “will finally take back control of our borders and close the book on a squalid chapter for our politics, our economy, and our country.” He added that immigration reforms would end what the government described as the country’s “failed experiment in open borders” that saw migration soar to almost one million a year, noting it would ensure that “people coming here earn the right to stay in the country.” Migration pressures The government said in its blueprint on immigration that steep increases in net migration in recent years had been caused by “a big increase in overseas recruitment including a shift towards lower-skilled migration, with a substantial increase in worker visas issued below degree level.” For example, it said it had seen a sharp increase in the number of people arriving via the health and social care visa route to work in below degree-level jobs, from 37,000 in 2022 to 108,000 in 2023. Net migration hit a record high of 906,000 in the year to June 2023, but fell in subsequent twelve months to 728,000, according to the Office for National Statistics. A care assistant helps a care home resident with his morning routine. Catherine Falls Commercial | Moment | Getty Images The government said Monday that it will now “end overseas recruitment for social care visas” although visa extensions would be permitted until 2028. Care England, which represents independent social care providers, warn that the immigration plans could have “serious consequences for a sector already under immense pressure.” It noted that the care industry currently has 131,000 vacancies. “Let’s be clear – this decision is not a solution,” Care England’s Chief Executive Martin Green said responding to the government’s plans Monday. “It is a political gesture that treats the symptoms but ignores the disease. Rather than investing in the sector and solving the recruitment crisis, the Government is closing the door on one of the only workforce pipelines still functioning. Social care is not low-skilled work. It is high-skill, low-pay work that deserves respect, proper recognition, and meaningful investment.” Green said, “While concerns around exploitation must be addressed, the proposed solution – ending overseas recruitment entirely – removes a vital workforce supply without establishing a viable domestic alternative.” ‘Home-grown talent’ Business industry leaders say the move to boosting training and skills among British workers is welcome, but warned that labor shortages were likely to become more acute. “Employers are clear: boosting training in the U.K. is essential, but so is a controlled, affordable and responsive immigration system that keeps investment flowing to the U.K.,” the U.K.’s Recruitment and Employment Confederation Chief Executive Nick Carberry commented Monday. Businesses will now have to carefully consider the detail of proposals to limit visas for skilled jobs below degree level, the Confederation of British Industry said. “Labour shortages can’t be solved by training alone. With the U.K.’s workforce set to shrink in the future as our population ages, it’s more important than ever that we support the business investment needed to underpin tech adoption and training,” Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI’s chief executive, noted. A caregiver and resident. Izusek | E+ | Getty Images Businesses are keen to unlock more “home-grown talent,” said Jane Gratton, deputy director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce. “However, it’s vital that the pace of change in the immigration system does not cut off access to global talent before the U.K.’s wider labour market problems are properly addressed,” Gratton noted. Firms need access to the right skills to grow the economy, she said, and for some businesses that will include bringing people from outside the U.K. “This is usually as a last resort when they have tried all they can to recruit from the local labour market,” Gratton said. Source link #Brits #fill #labour #gap #caused #crackdown #immigration Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Menendez brothers resentenced to 50 years to life, eligible for parole – ABC News Menendez brothers resentenced to 50 years to life, eligible for parole – ABC News Menendez brothers resentenced to 50 years to life, eligible for parole ABC NewsMenendez Brothers Resentenced to Life With Parole, Paving Way for Freedom The New York TimesResentencing Brings Menendez Brothers Closer to Freedom Time MagazineErik and Lyle Menendez are now eligible for parole after judge resentences them NBC NewsJudge grants resentencing bid by Menendez brothers for 1989 shotgun murders KSL News Source link #Menendez #brothers #resentenced #years #life #eligible #parole #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jeju Air ****** victims’ families file criminal complaint Jeju Air ****** victims’ families file criminal complaint Some families of those killed in a Jeju Air plane ****** last December have filed a criminal complaint against 15 people, including South Korea’s transport minister and the airline’s CEO, for professional negligence. The 72 bereaved relatives are calling for a more thorough investigation into the ******, which killed 179 of the 181 people on board – making it the deadliest plane ****** on South Korean soil. The ****** was “not a simple accident”, they allege, but a “major civic disaster caused by negligent management of preventable risks”. Nearly five months on, authorities are still studying what may have caused the plane to ******-land at Muan International Airport and then burst into flames. The police had already opened a criminal investigation before this latest complaint, and barred Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae from leaving the country, but no one has been indicted over the incident. One of the relatives, Kim Da-hye, denounced the “lack of progress” in investigations. “We are filled with deep anger and despair. Having taken this extraordinary measure of filing a criminal complaint, we will not give up and will continue to pursue the truth,” Mr Kim said in a statement to the media. Among the 15 people named in the complaint were government officials, airline officials and airport staff responsible for construction, supervision, facility management and bird control. The complaint filed on Tuesday raises questions around the circumstances of the ******, including whether air traffic control responded appropriately and whether the reinforcement of a mound at the end of the runway violated regulations. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, took off from the Thai capital of Bangkok on the morning of 29 December, and was flying to Muan in South Korea. Five minutes after the pilots made contact with Muan International Airport, they reported striking a bird and declared a mayday signal. The pilots then tried to land from the opposite direction, during which the aircraft belly-landed without its landing gear deployed. It later overran the runway, slammed into a concrete structure and exploded. Earlier this year, investigators said they found bird feathers in both engines of the jet, but did not conclude the extent to which the bird strike was a contributing factor. Since the incident, some bereaved families have also been targeted by a torrent of conspiracies and malicious jokes online. These included suggestions that families were “thrilled” to receive compensation from authorities, or that they were “fake victims”. As of March this year, eight people have been apprehended for making such derogatory and defamatory online posts. Source link #Jeju #Air #****** #victims #families #file #criminal #complaint Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nubia Z70S Ultra With Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 64-Megapixel Telephoto Camera Goes Global Nubia Z70S Ultra With Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 64-Megapixel Telephoto Camera Goes Global Nubia Z70S Ultra has been unveiled in select global markets alongside the Nubia Pad Pro. The smartphone comes with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with up to 16GB of RAM and a 6,600mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. For optics, it carries a 50-megapixel triple rear camera sensor including a 64-megapixel telephoto shooter. The handset is claimed to meet IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. An Ultra Retro kit for the Nubia Z70S Ultra is said to be available soon. Nubia Z70S Ultra Price, Availability Nubia Z70S Ultra price in the US starts at $779 (roughly Rs. 66,500) for the 12GB + 256GB option, while the 16GB + 512GB variant is priced $869 (roughly Rs. 74,200). It is available for pre-order in the country till May 28. The phone comes in Antique Brown and Classic ****** colour options. The company claims that the Nubia Z70S Ultra Retro kit will be available soon. Meanwhile, in the ***, the phone is priced at GBP 659 (roughly Rs. 74,900) and GBP 769 (roughly Rs. 87,400) for the 12GB and 16GB versions, respectively. In select European countries, the customers will have to shell out EUR 769 (roughly Rs. 73,600) and EUR 869 (roughly Rs. 83,100) for the 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB configurations, respectively. Nubia Z70S Ultra Specifications, Features The Nubia Z70S Ultra sports a 6.85-inch 1.5K (1,216×2,688 pixels) BOE Q9+ OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up to 960Hz touch sampling rate, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, 100 percent DCI-P3 colour gamut, and 2,592Hz PWM dimming rate. It is powered by a 3nm octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 onboard storage. It ships with Android 15-based with Nebula AIOS 1.5. In the camera department, the Nubia Z70S Ultra gets a 50-megapixel custom 35mm 1/1.3-inch Omnivision OV50H primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) support. It is accompanied by a 50-megapixel 120-degree OmniVision OV50D ultra-wide camera, a 64-megapixel 1/2-inch OmniVision OV64B periscope telephoto shooter with OIS alongside a flicker and laser sensor. The handset is equipped with a 16-megapixel under-display front camera sensor. It is equipped with a physical mechanical shutter button with dual-stage control. The Nubia Z70S Ultra packs a 6,600mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. Connectivity options include 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, GLONASS, NFC and a USB Type-C port. It carries dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra support. For security, the phone has an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is claimed to meet IP68+IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The handset measures 164.3×77.1×8.6mm in size and weighs 228g. Source link #Nubia #Z70S #Ultra #Snapdragon #Elite #SoC #64Megapixel #Telephoto #Camera #Global Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Decolonising health to provide better care for patients Decolonising health to provide better care for patients The way forward in health is respecting Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing through a holistic and decolonised approach to care, researchers say. University of Adelaide senior researcher Kim O’Donnell said there’s currently an emphasis on a biomedical approach to health care, which treats individual parts rather than a person as a whole. Dr O’Donnell said decolonising health care means a more holistic approach, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. “Decolonised healthcare looks like what Aboriginal Community Controlled Health organisations were established for in the first place in the early 70s,” the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman told AAP. “That is to provide a suite of healthcare in the one place that’s led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “That makes the journey much better and much safer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and comes from the place of health being delivered in a holistic way.” University of Adelaide and Flinders University researchers worked with five Aboriginal primary health care services across Australia, on the seven-year project, funded by the National Health and Medicine Research Council. The resulting report, presents key findings from the project about the effect and limitations of dominant health models for Indigenous people, and makes recommendations to decolonise care. Dr O’Donnell said the dominant system was not developed and structured to include Indigenous people, and continuous poor health outcomes have led to First Nations people losing trust in this system. “There’s still the assumptions that people have, that deficit view of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that we’ve all got chronic diseases, we can’t manage our lives,” she said. The report said decolonising practice can only be founded on a strong Aboriginal work force, recommending support for recruitment, retention and professional development of Aboriginal primary health care practitioners. Also among the recommendations are ensuring funding models for Aboriginal primary health care are flexible enough to respond to community needs, respecting Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing in policy, and promoting strengths-based approaches to care. “It’s important to ensure primary health care is delivered in decolonising ways, delivered in a way that gives voice to our own organisations and these ways of working are protected and supported by policymakers,” Dr O’Donnell said. Source link #Decolonising #health #provide #care #patients Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It’s very difficult for farmers to decide … where to plant’ ‘It’s very difficult for farmers to decide … where to plant’ While many people have enjoyed unusually sunny spring days in England, farmers are worried that the lack of rainfall is affecting their crops. With no sprouts emerging from the parched ground and little rain forecast heading into May, farmers fear the worst: a failed harvest that could devastate livelihoods and disrupt food supply chains. “Agriculture really depends on seasonal weather patterns, and those have clearly changed a lot, so it’s very difficult for farmers to decide what to drill, where to plant their crops,” Paola Tosi of the University of Reading told the BBC. What’s happening? The United Kingdom has had the driest start to a year in four decades, with precipitation of around 8.1 inches during the first quarter, according to Met Office data shared by Insurance Journal. This is the lowest since 1985, threatening grain crops and increasing wildfire risks. Local farmer George Brown expressed concerns regarding spring barley on his farm in Newbury, Berkshire. “But we’ve got large chunks — especially on top of the hills — where it’s absolutely barren still, waiting in rows to germinate,” he told the BBC. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? Regional farmers are not just dealing with the lack of rainfall. They also experienced heavy rain that waterlogged fields in autumn. These drastic fluctuations of too much rain and little to no rain significantly impact planting schedules and crop development — making it harder for farmers to plant and increasing the risk of lower yields. Why is this concerning? Unpredictable weather isn’t just an inconvenience — or, in the case of the U.K., an opportunity to enjoy sunny, rain-free days. It’s a direct threat to food production and farm sustainability. Crops such as wheat and barley depend on seasonal patterns to grow properly, and disruption leads to poor harvests or even total loss. For small farms, one bad season could have long-lasting financial consequences. Crop losses from large farms mean food shortages and higher prices at the grocery store. Inconsistent weather also increases the chances of soil degradation and negatively impacts biodiversity. What’s being done about it? In response to these challenges, farmers in the U.K. and worldwide are turning to more resilient crop varieties and experimenting with planting techniques that retain moisture in dry conditions. Others are investing in better soil health practices, including cover cropping and reduced tillage, to make their land more resilient to extreme conditions. As the climate continues to shift, long-term solutions — backed by research, funding, and policy — will be key to helping farmers weather the change. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #difficult #farmers #decide #plant Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]