Pelican Press

Subpostmasters hit by Post Office scandal plan to meet over nuclear option Subpostmasters hit by Post Office scandal plan to meet over nuclear option Frustration with slow financial redress could trigger the nuclear option for former subpostmasters who have campaigned for justice since 2009. During a meeting in Kineton, Warwickshire on Sunday 17 November, 150 members of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) aired their frustration at the slow progress in receiving financial redress. JFSA chair Sir Alan Bates said that the vast majority of those who attended have not received their financial redress. “People are frustrated,” he said. This came after the government refused Bates’ request to the Prime Minister for a deadline to be set for full, fair and final redress for all. He told Computer Weekly: “There are concerns about that and everybody is worried about the time it is taking – it could go on for years and we can’t get a deadline from them. “We discussed other options if we didn’t get a deadline for financial redress, and we are going to look at that more seriously and perhaps call a special meeting to agree a way forward.” It was made clear in an earlier circular to JFSA members that legal action was an option, with the group’s ability to raise the necessary funds not in doubt. “We need that guarantee, not excuses, otherwise, as I have often alluded to, we will have to go back to the courts, and I will be meeting with new law firms to discuss ways we can move the issue back to the courts,” said Bates. “But the difference now is that we have the support of the nation behind us, and have no doubt at all that, when the time comes, we will be able to crowdfund whatever funding we will need.” The JFSA was formed in September 2009, after Computer Weekly’s investigation into the Horizon system brought seven subpostmasters together. It has been a fierce campaign group ever since, exposing one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in history, which included: defeating the Post Office in a mutimillion-pound High Court trial, forcing a statutory public inquiry, overturning of hundreds of wrongful convictions, and moving a nation through ITV’s dramatisation of its work. The Metropolitan Police addended a later section of the JFSA meeting to discuss its ongoing investigation into possible ******* committed during the Post Office scandal. A Met police spokesperson said: “…we met with Alan Bates and some of the affected subpostmasters to provide a brief on our progress and next steps. Our investigation team, comprising around 100 officers from forces across the ***, is now in place and we will be sharing further details in due course. Initially, four suspects have been identified and we anticipate this number to grow as the investigation progresses.” Bates told Computer Weekly: “It could be years because there is so much to sift through – just look at how long the public inquiry took. But the main thing is that the police are taking this very seriously and they will go where the evidence takes them, regardless of how high up the chain it goes.” Computer Weekly first exposed the scandal in 2009, revealing the stories of seven subpostmasters and the problems they suffered due to Horizon accounting software, which led to the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history (see below timeline of Computer Weekly articles about the scandal since 2009). • Also read: What you need to know about the Horizon scandal • Source link #Subpostmasters #hit #Post #Office #scandal #plan #meet #nuclear #option Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Holiday lets are pricing us out of homes’ ‘Holiday lets are pricing us out of homes’ BBC Dee Goddard says she is at the point of “giving up” finding a family home in the Derbyshire Dales The Derbyshire Dales takes up much of the Peak District National Park, and sits near four major *** cities – Manchester, Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham. Due to its prime location and natural beauty, it has become a popular spot for families, visitors and tourists alike – particularly since the coronavirus pandemic with less people travelling abroad. But like residents in Cornwall and Yorkshire, families in this similarly idyllic part of England are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder, with a rising number of properties being used as second homes and holiday lets. One family told the BBC that the housing shortage – affecting availability and affordability – has pushed them to the point of “giving up”. The irony is not lost on Dee Goddard, who grew up “down south”, when she says that she originally moved to the area because “we thought it would be a cheaper option”. The 31-year-old has lived in the Derbyshire Dales, in the village of Curbar, with her son and husband Baris for a couple of years. Dee and her husband, who both work at the University of Sheffield, currently spend more than 50% of their income on rent and council tax, excluding bills, so saving for the future – as well as finding a suitable home to buy – has proven “very difficult”. “We have a one-year-old son, we’d love for him to grow up here, all our friends are here, we’re very embedded in the local community, we attend ******* here, but it’s really difficult to find anything that’s affordable,” she says. Dee says before the coronavirus pandemic, it was much easier to find somewhere to raise a family. “I have notifications on my phone of the properties that become available, and there are just so few,” she says. “At the moment it’s just impossible – we’re being priced out.” ‘It’s really quiet’ The average house price in the Dales last year was £350,548, according to the *** House Price Index, compared to £270,733 in the neighbouring High Peak, which is also a tourist hotspot. And recent figures from Derbyshire Dales District Council show there were 35,595 residential properties in the area in May 2024. In October, 1,053 of these were second homes, while 1,302 were holiday lets. However, in some villages in the Dales, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) says second homes and holiday lets make up a quarter of all residential units. The LDRS also recently quoted a report in The Times and Inside Airbnb, which found the district had one of the strongest concentrations of Airbnbs in the Midlands. Dee says: “Tourism benefits everyone – there’s local jobs promoted by tourism – but at what cost? “A couple of the houses near us are all holiday homes, so it’s really quiet. There aren’t people at the play group for me to hang out with, because there aren’t people here. “We have to think about the balance between tourism and people actually living in the villages that give them their soul and heart, because people otherwise are going to be visiting and there will be no village community for them to enjoy.” She added: “I think we’re at the point of giving up already. It’s really sad to think of, because all our friends are here, and you imagine your child going to the school near where you live.” Head teacher Oona Gilbertson says a lack of available housing for families is a factor in reducing pupil numbers in the village of Eyam in recent years Three miles away, the head teacher of Eyam CE Primary School – Oona Gilbertson – is concerned about falling pupil numbers in recent years. The school currently has 70 children. She says: “We get quite a few people who look round the school, who think they are going to move into the local area. “Then, they cannot find anywhere to rent and certainly cannot find anywhere to buy, and they have to go elsewhere. That makes it difficult to predict how many children we are going to have in the school the following year and that affects the budget.” While there is clearly an appetite from families to buy, plenty of others want to holiday in the Dales and are looking for places to stay. Eyam CE Primary School currently has 70 pupils Among those are self-catered holiday homes, and Justin Heslop – the director of Peak Venues – has about 75 of them across the Peak District. He says: “The self-catering holiday cottage market is essential to the local economy and area. “There are thousands of people who come every week, as we know when you’re at home, you’re not going out to the cafes, pubs, restaurants three or four times a week, but the people that come to holiday cottages do – and I think without those, the businesses would be really struggling.” Visit Peak District and Derbyshire claims tourism is worth £2.89bn to the Peak District and Derbyshire, supporting 28,000 direct jobs. Speaking about his properties, Justin says his firm’s unique selling point is catering for large celebrations. He says: “We realised that there were some big properties that no-one really wants because of energy costs etc., and if you’ve got a party for 30 or 40 people, you can’t do that in your own home, so I don’t think we’re necessarily taking houses off the market for the people that need them.” Justin Heslop, from Peak Venues, started operating holiday homes in 2006 A number of measures and restrictions have been suggested, including Derbyshire Dales District Council voting to increase council tax for people with second homes – but not holiday cottages. Other restrictions – backed by the previous ************* government – would make it mandatory for homeowners to apply for planning permission to turn their property into a holiday let. The district council has urged the new Labour administration to bring this legislation to the House of Commons. Meanwhile, Airbnb has also backed proposed rule changes, but claimed travel via the US online rental platform had generated £26m and supported more than 425 jobs in the Dales last year. Justin believes that measures would balance things out. “A lot of people came into this market in Covid, when there was a lot of demand because people were not going abroad,” he says. “With the registration… it needs to be really thought [out] and not us v them, it wants to be people from my industry and people from the authorities looking at what can be done best.” A holiday home in the Derbyshire hamlet of Hurdlow One district councillor told a recent meeting he was aware of a property owner who spends just two days a year in the area, living the rest of the time in Chicago. Fellow district councillor Peter O’Brien, who represents the Hathersage ward, said the authority had urged the new Labour government and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – who has the housing brief as part of her portfolio – to bring the previously-proposed legislation into operation. He says: “At the moment there is no restriction on anyone turning their house into a holiday home or a second home. In places like Eyam, we have got somewhere between 15% and 20% of the dwellings not in permanent habituation.” He says if people had to apply for planning permission to turn a property into a holiday home, it would “give control” to communities to get the right balance between providing accommodation, housing for local people and encouraging tourism. “Tourism is a vital part of our local economy, but if we let it go too far in that direction, we end up with our communities being hollowed out,” he says. Councillor Peter O’Brien is backing more regulation of the holiday home sector In a statement to the BBC, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We know large numbers of holiday lets can have significant impacts on areas like Derbyshire. That is why we are introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets and removing tax incentives for landlords to protect communities. “However, we recognise that more needs to be done, which is why we are considering additional powers for councils to enable them to respond to pressures created by short-term lets.” In response, Peter O’Brien pledged to continue to press the government to use planning laws to regulate the holiday home industry. For Dee Goddard, she hopes people in the future will not be in her position. “The holiday homes themselves aren’t that bad, it’s just the number of them,” she says. “The question really is – what do the holiday homes lead to? And if they lead to more empty villages, our schools closing down, then it’s not worth it.” Additional reporting by Eddie Bisknell, Local Democracy Reporter The town of Bakewell is one of many holiday locations in the Derbyshire Dales Source link #Holiday #lets #pricing #homes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jefferies says buy this pharmaceutical play, sees more than 100% upside from here Jefferies says buy this pharmaceutical play, sees more than 100% upside from here Aclaris Therapeutics’ recent ***** developments could spell more gains ahead, according to Jefferies. Analyst Roger Song upgraded the stock to buy from hold and hiked his price target by $5 to $7, implying about 123% upside from Monday’s close. The stock has already soared this year, seeing gains of around 199%. ACRS YTD mountain ACRS, year-to-date Song specifically pointed to the strength of its BSI-045B treatment, which is an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) monoclonal antibody for atopic dermatitis (AD). With Phase 2b studies on the ***** expected to begin in the first quarter of next year as well as more guidance in the weeks ahead, the analyst thinks there could be even more gains ahead. “BSI-045B is the 1st anti-TSLP showing clinical [proof of concept] in AD, which is likely supported by [a] differentiated binding profile,” he told clients. “Data supports further development in [a] [placebo-controlled] study for [additional] validation in AD [and] beyond. If success, BSI-045B could be the 1st anti-TSLP in the crowded AD space providing differentiated [mechanism of action] [with] improved efficacy [and] safety.” Song noted that data from the *****’s Phase 2a studies looked “very compelling.” He said the results showed proof that BSI-045B could be a blockbuster ***** if it continues to perform positively in future trials, especially given that other anti-TSLP drugs are being developed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary ********. This comes as the company announced on Monday that it entered into an exclusive license agreement with Biosion for worldwide rights, excluding greater China, to both that ***** and its other anti-TSLP ***** known as BSI-502. Jefferies isn’t the only firm that’s bullish on Aclaris. Seeing the deal as “transformative,” Piper Sandler analyst Christopher Raymond upgraded its rating to overweight from neutral and upped its target by $10 to $13. That reflects around 314% upside ahead, as of Monday’s close. “While atopic derm (the primary indication for at least one if not both assets) is an increasingly crowded field, we think the mechanisms and data generated to date are intriguing enough to indicate that ACRS has found some truly differentiated assets, allowing for the potential to carve out meaningful patient share in this large and growing segment,” he said. “Coupling this with a full schedule of meaningful catalysts well into next year, we think ACRS shares have meaningful room to run here, and are thus now buyers.” Following the moves, shares of Aclaris soared more than 13% in the premarket. The stock has also gained almost 164% in the past one month. To be sure, the stock closed Monday at $3.14, meaning it could be subject to sharp moves in either direction given its low price. Its market cap of $224 million, per FactSet, is also relatively smaller than other biotech companies. Source link #Jefferies #buy #pharmaceutical #play #sees #upside Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A pedestrian has been ******* by a man who was allegedly armed with a ****** and driving erratically A pedestrian has been ******* by a man who was allegedly armed with a ****** and driving erratically A man who was allegedly armed with a ****** and driving erratically has been arrested after a pedestrian was hit and ******* during a ‘traumatic’ incident. Source link #pedestrian #******* #man #allegedly #armed #****** #driving #erratically Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AI maths assistant could help solve problems that humans are stuck on AI maths assistant could help solve problems that humans are stuck on Most mathematicians have been reluctant to start working with artificial intelligence, but a new tool developed by researchers at Meta may change that Source link #maths #assistant #solve #problems #humans #stuck Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The son of Norway’s crown princess is arrested on suspicion of *****, police say The son of Norway’s crown princess is arrested on suspicion of *****, police say COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been arrested again, this time on suspicion of *****, police said Tuesday. Marius Borg Høiby is the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, and the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship. He has no royal title or official duties. Borg Høiby was arrested late Monday in Oslo on a preliminary charge of having had “******* ************ with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act.” A preliminary charge comes before a formal charge and allows authorities to detain suspects during an investigation. Police did not say when the alleged ***** occurred, but only that “the victim must have been unable to resist the act.” Norwegian media said Borg Høiby denied the accusation. Hege Salomon, the lawyer for the woman who was allegedly ******, said “she is having a hard time.” She told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that police, not the woman, had brought the case. The woman was not identified. The royal palace had no comment, the news agency NTB said. On Aug. 4, police officers responded to a disturbance in downtown Oslo and briefly detained Borg Høiby. He faced preliminary charges of bodily harm and ********* damage and was released. Details were unclear but police said there was “a relationship between the suspect and the victim.” More preliminary charges have since been filed against Borg Høiby, including violating several restraining orders and driving without a valid driver’s license. In all, the cases involve four women and one man. The case was top news in Norway, where the royals are popular. Borg Høiby, 27, lives with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on ***** charges. Source link #son #Norways #crown #princess #arrested #suspicion #***** #police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alien: Rogue Incursion shouldn’t be confined to VR Alien: Rogue Incursion shouldn’t be confined to VR Loved what was shown at SDCC. Leading VR developer Survios today announced that Alien: Rogue Incursion, the single-player, action-horror VR game set in the Alien universe, will launch on December 19, 2024 for PlayStation VR2, PCVR via Steam, and Meta Quest 3. Source link #Alien #Rogue #Incursion #shouldnt #confined Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wild cavefish can somehow survive with almost no sleep at all Wild cavefish can somehow survive with almost no sleep at all Several populations of ******** tetra fish that live in darkness have independently evolved to need hardly any sleep, but the reason why is a mystery Source link #Wild #cavefish #survive #sleep Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tech funding in Europe stabilizes after years of decline Tech funding in Europe stabilizes after years of decline On Monday, British tech lobby group Startup Coalition warned in a blog post that there was a risk Reeves’ tax plans could result in a tech “brain drain.”. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) Oli Scarff | Getty Images Venture capital investment in ********* technology startups is projected to decline for a third straight year, according to VC firm Atomico — but there are signs that things are finally stabilizing as valuations improve and interest rates fall. Europe’s venture-backed startups are expected to secure $45 billion of investment by the end of 2024 — slightly lower than the $47 billion they raised last year, Atomico said Tuesday in its “State of ********* Tech” report. Still, Atomico said this shows that ********* tech funding levels have finally “stabilized” despite worsening global macroeconomic conditions leading to three consecutive years of declines. The firm stressed that the continent’s tech ecosystem is in a much better place than it was a decade ago, with funding this year still set to eclipse the $43 billion startups raised between 2005 and 2014. In the ******* spanning 2015 to 2024, ********* startups have bagged $426 billion, dwarfing the sum of investment deployed into tech firms the decade prior. Tom Wehmeier, head of insights at Atomico, told CNBC that Europe still has a few key areas of improvement to address before it can produce companies of similar scale to the largest tech firms in the U.S. and China. “There’s frustrations about the continued challenges faced when it comes to regulation, bureaucracy, access to capital and this idea of scaling across the fragmented ********* marketplace,” Wehmeier said in an interview. For example, pension funds in Europe face barriers to investing in venture capital funds and therefore aren’t gaining much exposure to the continent’s fast-growing startup ecosystem, Wehmeier said. ********* pension funds allocate just 0.01% of the $9 trillion worth of assets they manage into venture capital funds based in the continent, according to Atomico’s report. The 2024 publication marks the 10th anniversary since Atomico began compiling its annual report, which is produced in partnership with data firm Dealroom. Europe’s first $1 trillion tech firm? According to Atomico there are signs that the sector is improving. In the U.K., for example, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves last week ***** out plans to consolidate 86 separate local government pension pots into eight “megafunds” to boost investment in domestic assets. British tech advocacy group techUK said the reforms “should address barriers to greater availability of pension fund capital and encourage a vision that sees more investment into *** tech science start-ups and scale-ups.” Reforms to pension schemes are either underway or being discussed in several other countries across Europe. “These changes could result in billions more being made available to ********* scale-ups — and that’s something that could be the difference between the best and brightest companies scaling from here in Europe, versus being forced to relocate,” Wehmeier told CNBC. Atomico said it’s optimistic about the next decade in ********* tech. The VC firm, which was established by Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström, is predicting the entire ********* tech ecosystem combined could be valued at $8 trillion by 2034, up from around $3 trillion currently. Atomico also predicts that Europe will mint its first-ever trillion-dollar tech company in a decade’s time. While Europe is home to several so-called “decacorns” valued at $10 billion and above, including Arm, Adyen, Spotify and Revolut, it has so far ******* to produce a company valued at $1 trillion. That’s unlike the ******* States, where several of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” technology companies are now worth over $1 trillion. They include Google parent company Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook-owner Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. “If we can unlock capital at scale, keep the brightest minds in Europe, maintain that focus on solving really hard problems for society and the economy, that’s how we go and unlock the first trillion-dollar company,” Wehmeier said. Source link #Tech #funding #Europe #stabilizes #years #decline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dynasty Warriors: Origins demo launches Nov 22 Dynasty Warriors: Origins demo launches Nov 22 Play the Battle of Sishui Gate, test weapons and more. Source link #Dynasty #Warriors #Origins #demo #launches #Nov Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Half of male victims do not report incidents Half of male victims do not report incidents Getty Images Almost a third of domestic ****** victims in Northern Ireland are male, according to a Stormont strategy document More than half of men in Northern Ireland who suffer domestic ****** from a partner do not disclose it. That is according to a major new study by Queen’s University Belfast and Northern Ireland’s commissioner for the victims of ******. More than 70% of the men interviewed by researchers said they had considered ******** and the majority had experienced depression or anxiety. The report also said there is a pressing need to provide support to victims who do come forward and efforts made to tackle stigma surrounding this issue. Prof Cherie Armour, one of the authors of the report, said there was a “critical lack of research into the prevalence and health impacts of intimate partner ********* against men and boys”. She said this has an affect on the support available to those in need. Prof Armour explained that the research consisted of a two-part study, which including an online psychological wellbeing survey to which 115 men responded. The second part of the study comprised one-to-one interviews with 10 men about their personal experience of domestic ********* and its aftermath. “The interviews, on average, last 60 to 90 minutes, so that’s a very in-depth conversation that we have with men about their lived experience of these issues,” she told Good Morning Ulster. Prof Armour added that many of the respondents described early “red flag behaviours”, which later escalated into significant domestic *********. What support is there for male victims? According to Stormont’s recent Domestic and ******* ****** Strategy, almost a third of victims of domestic ****** in Northern Ireland are male. Support organisations for male domestic ****** victims have long criticised poor services and lack of funding in the area. Northern Ireland has no refuge for male victims of domestic ******. The new study found that “barriers associated with stigma and trust” were the most common thing that prevented men from disclosing or seeking help. According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), from August 2023 to July 2024 there were four homicides in Northern Ireland with a domestic ****** motivation. The victims were two males and two females. In 2022/23, there were six domestic homicides with four female and two male victims. Those statistics do not include the four women who were ******* in Northern Ireland this summer over a ******* of six weeks. Victims and survivors who contributed to the study found that psychological aggression, coercive control, and physical ******** were the most common experiences. ‘Our child had to see all of it’ Alex’s wife was mentally and physically abusive to him – she punched and bit him during some of the episodes of ****** and threatened to ***** him and herself. “I got to the point I was afraid to come home and our little child was subjected to seeing all of this many times,” he told BBC News NI. “I’ve never felt society understands male domestic *********, the entire judicial system, police and society are all geared towards the female as the victim. “In an ever-changing world these issues are real, however, they are kept quiet as men in general feel isolated and afraid to speak out.” Alex said he had suicidal thoughts during the ****** but that a friend noticed his state of mind and “sat him down”, which helped him overcome the crisis. He added that not enough is being done “to support victims, to police it properly and for prosecution within the courts”. Recently, BBC News NI reported on the 24 women who have been murdered in Northern Ireland in the last four years. In October, Claire Hanna MP told Parliament Northern Ireland “******** one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman, with a femicide rate twice that of Britain”. ‘Crushing stigma’ Commissioner designate for victims of ****** Geraldine Hanna described the findings of the report as “deeply concerning”. She told Good Morning Ulster they “underscore the need for policies and processes that address the unique needs of men and boys and highlights potential gaps in service provision, particularly in rural areas”. Ms Hanna said there was still a “crushing stigma” experienced by men who report domestic ******, which feeds into the response they receive when they ask for help. “The other key stand out, for me, in this is that it helps dispel the myth that intimate partner ********* only happens in male same-**** relationships because that is not the case and women can be abusers as well,” she added. The commissioner designate pointed out the lack of refuges for men fleeing ********* can have a damaging impact on their relationship with their children. PA Media Justice Minister Naomi Long said she would use the report’s findings to help male victims “Hostels are not necessarily a place where children can come and visit their fathers,” she said. Ms Hanna added that many men end up “sofa surfing” after escaping an abusive relationship. and this can put stress on the wider family unit. Justice Minister Naomi Long said she looked forward to using the report’s recommendations to “help male victims feel safer”, while Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the research was a “crucial step” in understanding the specific experiences of male victims. Details of support for domestic ****** are available at BBC Action Line. Source link #male #victims #report #incidents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

XboxEra Podcast Episode 237 | N4G XboxEra Podcast Episode 237 | N4G Another weekend rolls around and the team unite once more to talk about everything Xbox for the XboxEra Podcast Episode 237! Join Jon, Nick and Jesse as they break down all the latest from across the video game industry, with a focus on your favourite platform, Xbox. Source link #XboxEra #Podcast #Episode #N4G Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tech funding in Europe stabilizes after years of decline Tech funding in Europe stabilizes after years of decline On Monday, British tech lobby group Startup Coalition warned in a blog post that there was a risk Reeves’ tax plans could result in a tech “brain drain.”. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) Oli Scarff | Getty Images Venture capital investment in ********* technology startups is projected to decline for a third straight year, according to VC firm Atomico — but there are signs that things are finally stabilizing as valuations improve and interest rates fall. Europe’s venture-backed startups are expected to secure $45 billion of investment by the end of 2024 — slightly lower than the $47 billion they raised last year, Atomico said Tuesday in its “State of ********* Tech” report. Still, Atomico said this shows that ********* tech funding levels have finally “stabilized” despite worsening global macroeconomic conditions leading to three consecutive years of declines. The firm stressed that the continent’s tech ecosystem is in a much better place than it was a decade ago, with funding this year still set to eclipse the $43 billion startups raised between 2005 and 2014. In the ******* spanning 2015 to 2024, ********* startups have bagged $426 billion, dwarfing the sum of investment deployed into tech firms the decade prior. Tom Wehmeier, head of insights at Atomico, told CNBC that Europe still has a few key areas of improvement to address before it can produce companies of similar scale to the largest tech firms in the U.S. and China. “There’s frustrations about the continued challenges faced when it comes to regulation, bureaucracy, access to capital and this idea of scaling across the fragmented ********* marketplace,” Wehmeier said in an interview. For example, pension funds in Europe face barriers to investing in venture capital funds and therefore aren’t gaining much exposure to the continent’s fast-growing startup ecosystem, Wehmeier said. ********* pension funds allocate just 0.01% of the $9 trillion worth of assets they manage into venture capital funds based in the continent, according to Atomico’s report. The 2024 publication marks the 10th anniversary since Atomico began compiling its annual report, which is produced in partnership with data firm Dealroom. Europe’s first $1 trillion tech firm? According to Atomico there are signs that the sector is improving. In the U.K., for example, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves last week ***** out plans to consolidate 86 separate local government pension pots into eight “megafunds” to boost investment in domestic assets. British tech advocacy group techUK said the reforms “should address barriers to greater availability of pension fund capital and encourage a vision that sees more investment into *** tech science start-ups and scale-ups.” Reforms to pension schemes are either underway or being discussed in several other countries across Europe. “These changes could result in billions more being made available to ********* scale-ups — and that’s something that could be the difference between the best and brightest companies scaling from here in Europe, versus being forced to relocate,” Wehmeier told CNBC. Atomico said it’s optimistic about the next decade in ********* tech. The VC firm, which was established by Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström, is predicting the entire ********* tech ecosystem combined could be valued at $8 trillion by 2034, up from around $3 trillion currently. Atomico also predicts that Europe will mint its first-ever trillion-dollar tech company in a decade’s time. While Europe is home to several so-called “decacorns” valued at $10 billion and above, including Arm, Adyen, Spotify and Revolut, it has so far ******* to produce a company valued at $1 trillion. That’s unlike the ******* States, where several of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” technology companies are now worth over $1 trillion. They include Google parent company Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook-owner Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. “If we can unlock capital at scale, keep the brightest minds in Europe, maintain that focus on solving really hard problems for society and the economy, that’s how we go and unlock the first trillion-dollar company,” Wehmeier said. Source link #Tech #funding #Europe #stabilizes #years #decline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Proposal to allow ****** teachings in Texas public grade schools draws intense *****, praise Proposal to allow ****** teachings in Texas public grade schools draws intense *****, praise Austin, Texas — Texas public schools could use teachings from the ****** in lessons as an option for students from kindergarten through fifth grade under a proposal that drew hours of testimony Monday and follows ***********-led efforts in other states to incorporate more religious teaching into classrooms. Teachers and parents gave impassioned testimony for and against the curriculum plan at a meeting of the Texas State Board of Education, which is expected to hold a final vote on the measure later this week. The Board heard from more than 150 people about the new proposed curriculum during more than 8 hours of testimony, CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV reported. Testimony was expected to resume Tuesday, CBS Austin affiliate KEYE-TV said. The curriculum – designed by the state’s public education agency – would allow teachings from the ****** such as the Golden Rule and lessons from books such as Genesis into classrooms. Under the plan, it would be optional for schools to adopt the curriculum though they would receive additional funding if they did so. Some complained that the proposal contradicts the public school mission. “This curriculum fails to meet the standard of an honest, secular one,” educator Megan Tessler said. “Public schools are meant to educate, not indoctrinate.” Others strongly backed the idea. “Parents and teachers want a return to excellence,” Cindy Asmussen, one of those testifying, told the panel. “Stories and concepts in the ****** have been common for hundreds of years,” and that, she said, is a core part of classical learning. Education officials were expected to vote Friday on whether public schools would be given the option to teach the curriculum. The proposal to incorporate religious teaching in Texas public schools mirrors a similar trend elsewhere in the country. In Oklahoma, state officials are seeking to include the ****** into public school lesson plans. In Louisiana, a federal judge recently quashed a requirement to have the Ten Commandments displayed in all public classrooms. Educators, parents and advocates weighed in at the State Board of Education’s final meeting of the year, where many opponents argued that the proposal’s emphasis on ********** teachings would alienate students of other faiths. Those in favor testified that it would give students a more holistic educational foundation. Religious experts and the Texas Freedom Network, a left-leaning watchdog group that monitors the state’s education board, said the curriculum proposal focuses too much on Christianity and dances around the history of slavery. The program was designed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year after passage of a law giving it a mandate to create its own free textbook. *********** Gov. Greg Abbott has publicly supported the new materials. *********** lawmakers in Texas have also proposed displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms and are likely to revisit the issue next year. Source link #Proposal #****** #teachings #Texas #public #grade #schools #draws #intense #***** #praise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA contractor SRG Global shares soar after securing $700m worth of work WA contractor SRG Global shares soar after securing $700m worth of work SRG Global has locked in a sweep of new work including a contract for a major water infrastructure upgrades in South Australia and work in WA with Pilbara Minerals, Roy Hill, Glencore and South32. Source link #contractor #SRG #Global #shares #soar #securing #700m #worth #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Review: Stray (Switch) – A Brilliant Game Lands On Its Feet With A Solid Switch Port| NintendoLife Review: Stray (Switch) – A Brilliant Game Lands On Its Feet With A Solid Switch Port| NintendoLife “Stray won’t challenge you, frustrate you, or take up too much of your time. Perhaps that’s why we enjoyed it so much. It plays like an open-world point-and-click paired with largely on-rails action sequences. Some minor gripes and expected disparities between the Switch port and versions elsewhere aside, as we sauntered around its post-apocalyptic environments on all fours, Stray did an impeccable job of making us want to talk to everyone and explore everything it had to offer – and we had an appetite for more once it was all over. To us, that’s the mark of a compelling adventure.” – Nile Bowie | NintendoLife Source link #Review #Stray #Switch #Brilliant #Game #Lands #Feet #Solid #Switch #Port #NintendoLife Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Historic Delray train depot reopens as new entity after ***** nearly destroyed it in 2020 Historic Delray train depot reopens as new entity after ***** nearly destroyed it in 2020 DELRAY BEACH — In February 2020, the city’s historic train station was nearly destroyed by a *****. It reopened this month after undergoing a comprehensive renovation project. The Delray Beach Train Depot, on Depot Avenue just west of Interstate 95, was set on ***** by four teenagers in 2020, police at the time said. The 94-year-old train station had been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. On Nov. 8, city officials reopened the station, this time as the city’s new Human Resources and Employee Wellness Center. The building’s restoration, though, was aimed at preserving its historical significance. The train station was built in 1927 as part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. It was designed by Gustav Maass, an ********* architect who worked primarily in the Mediterranean Revival style in the Palm Beach area, and became known for just that — its Mediterranean Revival architecture. After servicing Seaboard routes, the station serviced Amtrak passengers starting in 1971, and Tri-Rail commuters later in 1989. Passenger service continued at the station until 1995, when both Amtrak and Tri-Rail passengers switched to using the Tri-Rail’s new Delray Beach station a few blocks south as their Delray Beach stop. Delray Beach train station renovation was a $2.6 million project Firefighters spray water on the train depot that caught ***** on Feb. 25, 2020, in Delray Beach. In 2005, the city purchased the station for $1.6 million. About a year after the station’s 2020 *****, the city approved a $2.6 million plan in January 2021 to fully restore the building. At the time, the city had a $1.8 million insurance claim, and commissioners authorized Public Works Director Missie Barletto to proceed with plans to relocate the city’s Human Resources and Wellness Center into the renovated building. City officials had also considered turning the space into a library, a food hall, an ****** education facility, a green market and/or an indoor sports facility. Renovated Delray Beach landmark will save city thousands of dollars On Nov. 8, 2024, Delray Beach officials reopened the city’s historic train station after a ***** nearly destroyed the building in February 2020. The renovated train depot will now serve as the city’s Human Resources and Employee Wellness Center. Ultimately, commissioners decided that relocating the city’s employee wellness center from Northeast Third Avenue would save the city $53,000 per year in rent. At the center, employees obtain prescriptions, physicals and some medical care. According to a chart Barletto presented to the commission, the project would come close to paying for itself within 12 years. Public Works committed $209,000 to the project, Barletto said. “This station holds a special place in our city’s history, serving as a link to Delray Beach’s growth and development,” Barletto said. “This restoration is a testament to our commitment to preserving our city’s unique cultural landmarks while looking toward a bright future.” Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca ****** for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at *****@*****.tld and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Historic Delray Beach train depot reopens after devastating ***** Source link #Historic #Delray #train #depot #reopens #entity #***** #destroyed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Helldivers 2 files included Super Earth cities, teasing terrifying urban missions Helldivers 2 files included Super Earth cities, teasing terrifying urban missions Old Helldivers 2 builds had Super Earth assets including a massive structure that couldve teased urban missions. Source link #Helldivers #files #included #Super #Earth #cities #teasing #terrifying #urban #missions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lauren Hemp has knee surgery and will miss England friendlies Lauren Hemp has knee surgery and will miss England friendlies Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp has had surgery on a knee injury, ruling her out of England’s upcoming friendlies with the ******* States and Switzerland. Hemp missed City’s past two matches, including Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by title rivals Chelsea, but the club has not specified the nature of the injury or how long she will be out. “Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Lauren the very best on her road to recovery,” City said in a statement. The 24-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Women’s Super League this season, scoring twice and assisting five in seven matches. Manchester ******* midfielder Ella Toone, 25, is also ruled out for England with a calf injury. She missed *******’s 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday – the first time in 96 league games she has not started. “Ella picked up an injury in training the day before the Leicester game. She took a calf injury in a small, bottled session,” said ******* manager Marc Skinner. “She will definitely miss the [next] two games [with *******], she will miss the international window and we will then see if she is back after that.” Source link #Lauren #Hemp #knee #surgery #England #friendlies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Besieged, weary Ukraine marks 1000 days of war Besieged, weary Ukraine marks 1000 days of war From “frozen trenches to burning steppes”, Ukraine is battling for survival on shifting fronts as it reaches 1000 days since Russia launched its 2022 invasion. Source link #Besieged #weary #Ukraine #marks #days #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Konamis Metal Gear Solid Delta just missed the perfect release date Konamis Metal Gear Solid Delta just missed the perfect release date Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has missed its perfect release date, and players still don’t know when its launching. Source link #Konamis #Metal #Gear #Solid #Delta #missed #perfect #release #date Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Schutt’s WBBL masterclass helps Strikers sink Scorchers Schutt’s WBBL masterclass helps Strikers sink Scorchers The Adelaide Strikers have put a severe dent in the WBBL finals hopes of the Perth Scorchers with a 30-run win on Tuesday night. The Strikers posted 6-169, with Laura Wolvaardt (48 from 28 ******), Smitri Mandhana (41 from 29) and Katie Mack (41 from 34) the chief contributors at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval. Perth managed 8-139 after slumping to 4-17 amid a Megan Schutt (3-19) masterclass, leaving their finals chances hanging precariously. With two games left, the Scorchers remain in fifth spot with eight points and they trail fourth-placed Hobart Hurricanes (eight points) by a sizeable run rate difference. Adelaide, champions of the past two tournaments, climbed from bottom of the ladder to seventh – they have six points but just one match remaining. Perth sent Adelaide in to bat and Strikers openers Mandhana and Mack made an instant impact, whacking 40 from the initial four overs. They reached 81 in the 10th over when Mandhana was caught at mid off from the bowling of Sophie Devine (2-28), ending a knock featuring five fours and a six. Just eight ****** later, Mack advanced down the pitch but was beaten by a perfectly flighted delivery from legspinner Alana King and was stumped. Wolvaardt soon took centre stage with her rapid-***** innings featuring three fours and three sixes – two from consecutive ****** from Chloe Ainsworth (1-40). The South ******** was caught on the cover boundary with three ****** remaining and tweaker King finished with another stumping on the last ball, giving her figures of 3-29. Perth’s run chase began terribly with Maddy Darke bowled by Schutt second ball. And in the third over, Schutt struck with consecutive deliveries, dismissing Dayalan Hemalatha (10) and bowling Amy Edgar for a golden duck with a top-shelf inswinger, to boast figures of 3-6. Schutt was denied a hat-trick by Perth stalwart Beth Mooney, who fell in the next over for six as the Scorchers crashed to 4-17 from 3.3 overs. Skipper Devine (35 from 31 ******) and Brooke Halliday (47 from 44) rallied but the task was beyond them. Source link #Schutts #WBBL #masterclass #helps #Strikers #sink #Scorchers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Youtooz PlayStation statues of Astro, Kratos, Ratchet and Sly Cooper have been revealed Youtooz PlayStation statues of Astro, Kratos, Ratchet and Sly Cooper have been revealed Following earlier teases, vinyl statue brand Youtooz has revealed a line of PlayStation-themed figures featuring Kratos, Sly Cooper, Astro and Ratchet. The four vinyl statues, which can be seen below, will be available on the Youtooz website from November 24. Each statue will cost $29.99 and is planned to ship between April 20 and May 20 of 2025. Each statue will measure between 4 and 5 inches in height. According to the pre-order page for the statues, all four characters will only be able to be shipped to Canada, Mexico, Spain, the ******* ***** Emirates, the ******* Kingdom, and the ******* States of America due to “licensing restrictions.” Earlier this year, Sony released a new line of collectable PlayStation action figures featuring some of its biggest franchises. Created in collaboration with toy company Spin Master, The Shapes Collection is a line of collectibles based on PlayStation Studios franchises including **** of War, Horizon and Ghost of Tsushima. “The highly detailed figures deliver the interactive storytelling element of these titles in an all-new way, extending the gaming experience from digital to physical,” said Grace Chen, vice president, global marketing at PlayStation. A Nendoroid figure of Astro, which was originally released in 2021, is also being re-released next year. Source link #Youtooz #PlayStation #statues #Astro #Kratos #Ratchet #Sly #Cooper #revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Conservation Expert Warns Earth Is In Midst Of Sixth Great Extinction, Calls for Immediate Action Conservation Expert Warns Earth Is In Midst Of Sixth Great Extinction, Calls for Immediate Action Dr Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, has raised the alarm over an accelerating global biodiversity crisis, describing it as the “sixth great extinction.” Speaking during her latest environmental awareness tour in Europe, Dr Goodall emphasised the importance of immediate measures to combat deforestation, restore natural habitats, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. During an interview with BBC, Dr Goodall, now 90, highlighted a pressing need to address habitat destruction. She pointed to deforestation’s impact on biodiversity, specifically in Uganda. The report highlights that her foundation, in partnership with technology company Ecosia, has planted nearly two million trees over five years. The project aims to restore vital habitats for approximately 5,000 chimpanzees while mitigating climate change through carbon dioxide absorption by growing forests, the report adds. Climate Crisis and Closing Windows for Change This warning coincided with the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where global leaders convened to discuss climate policies. The report further highlights that Dr Goodall stressed the narrowing timeframe to address rising temperatures and biodiversity loss. She linked the destruction of forests to shifting rainfall patterns, which disrupt ecosystems and endanger species. Recalling her research in Tanzania over six decades ago, she noted how predictable rainy seasons had been replaced by erratic weather, leading to ecological imbalances. “Forests must be protected, and industries harmful to the environment must face stricter regulations,” she told BBC. Dr Goodall also underscored the dangers of industrial farming, which depletes soil health and accelerates biodiversity loss. Pioneering Research and a Lifelong Mission Dr Goodall’s groundbreaking work on chimpanzees in Tanzania redefined primate research by documenting tool use, social bonds, and territorial conflicts. Reflecting on her career, she recounted a pivotal moment with a chimp named David Greybeard, who displayed trust by squeezing her fingers. These experiences have shaped her advocacy for coexistence with wildlife. Despite challenges, including early scepticism of her research methods, Dr Goodall ******** a steadfast advocate for environmental reform. She urged governments and individuals to adopt tougher legislation to secure a sustainable future, emphasising that humanity’s survival depends on immediate action. Source link #Conservation #Expert #Warns #Earth #Midst #Sixth #Great #Extinction #Calls #Action Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

4 Reasons to Buy Vici Properties Stock Like There’s No Tomorrow 4 Reasons to Buy Vici Properties Stock Like There’s No Tomorrow Vici Properties (NYSE: VICI), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns casinos and entertainment properties across the U.S. and Canada, is often considered a stable dividend play. Over the past five years, its stock has risen nearly 30% as its reinvested dividends lifted its total return to almost 70%. Some investors might be reluctant to buy Vici as it trades near its all-time high, but I believe it’s still a compelling buy for four simple reasons. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Image source: Getty Images. REITs buy a lot of real estate properties, rent them out, and split the rental income with their investors. To maintain a favorable tax rate, they need to distribute at least 90% of their pre-tax earnings to their investors as dividends. That’s why many REITs pay such high dividends. Vici currently pays a forward dividend yield of 5.5%, compared to the 10-Year Treasury’s 4.4% yield. Over the past two years, many REITs struggled as rising interest rates made it tougher to buy new properties, generated more headwinds for their tenants, and drove yield-seeking investors toward risk-free CDs and T-bills. But as interest rates decline, those headwinds should dissipate and bring back the bulls. Vici owns 93 properties across the U.S. and Canada. Its top tenants include Caesar’s Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Penn Entertainment, and Century Casinos. Many of the top casino resorts in Las Vegas — including Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and the Venetian — rent its properties. Vici’s massive exposure to the gaming sector might seem risky, but casinos are generally resistant to recessions. It locks its tenants into multi-decade contracts, and the complex real estate regulations for the gaming industry give it a wide moat and limit the ability of its tenants to relocate their businesses. That’s why Vici has maintained an occupancy rate of 100% ever since its initial public offering in 2018 — even as the COVID-19 pandemic rattled the travel, hospitality, and casino gaming markets. Most of Vici’s long-term leases are linked to the consumer price index (CPI), so it can consistently raise its rent to keep pace with inflation. That makes it more resistant to inflationary headwinds than other REITs that don’t provide CPI-linked leases. To top it off, Vici is a triple net lease REIT, which means its tenants are responsible for covering all of a property’s real estate taxes, insurance costs, and maintenance fees. Story Continues REITs aren’t usually valued by their earnings per share (EPS) since they keep issuing new shares to fund their real estate purchases. Instead, they gauge their growth with their funds from operations, or the cash generated by their core operations excluding any gains or losses from property sales. From 2018 to 2023, Vici’s adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share grew at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which also cuts through a lot of that noise, rose at a CAGR of 32%. At $32 a share with an enterprise value of $50.7 billion, Vici’s stock still looks cheap at 15 times last year’s AFFO per share and 17 times its adjusted EBITDA. Realty Income, one of the world’s largest REITs, trades at 14 times last year’s AFFO per share. Vici has raised its dividend every year since its public debut six years ago. It’s committed to returning at least 75% of its AFFO to its investors as dividends. That hefty dividend should become a lot more attractive to income investors as interest rates decline. Vici isn’t a high-growth stock, but it’s a great play for income-oriented investors who want predictable long-term returns. Therefore, I believe it’s a good idea to load up on this stock before the Fed cuts interest rates again and drives even more investors back to REITs. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $368,131!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $42,611!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $444,355!* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 Leo Sun has positions in Realty Income and Vici Properties. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Vici Properties. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 4 Reasons to Buy Vici Properties Stock Like There’s No Tomorrow was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Reasons #Buy #Vici #Properties #Stock #Tomorrow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]