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National rental market worst on record National rental market worst on record Soaring rental costs mean more Australians are struggling to pay their rent as affordability levels fall to a record low. Source link #National #rental #market #worst #record Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Panama releases dozens of detained deportees from US into limbo following human rights criticism Panama releases dozens of detained deportees from US into limbo following human rights criticism PANAMA CITY (AP) — After weeks of lawsuits and human rights criticism, Panama on Saturday released dozens of migrants who were held for weeks in a remote camp after being deported from the United States, telling them they have 30 days to leave the Central American nation. It thrust many like Hayatullah Omagh, a 29-year-old who fled Afghanistan in 2022 after the Taliban took control, into a legal limbo, scrambling to find a path forward. “We are refugees. We do not have money. We cannot pay for a hotel in Panama City, we do not have relatives,” Omagh told the Associated Press in an interview. “I can’t go back to Afghanistan under any circumstances … It is under the control of the Taliban, and they want to kill me. How can I go back?” Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Authorities have said deportees will have the option of extending their stay by 60 days if they need it, but after that many like Omagh don’t know what they will do. Omagh climbed off a bus in Panama City alongside 65 migrants from China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal and other nations after spending weeks detained in poor conditions by the Panamanian government, which has said it wants to work with the Trump administration “to send a signal of deterrence” to people hoping to migrate. Human rights groups and lawyers advocating for the migrants were waiting at the bus terminal, and scrambled to find the released migrants shelter and other resources. Dozens of other people remained in the camp. Among those getting off buses were migrants fleeing violence and repression in Pakistan and Iran, and 27-year-old Nikita Gaponov, who fled Russia due to repression for being part of the LGBTQ+ community and who said he was detained at the U.S. border, but not allowed to make an asylum claim. “Once I get off the bus, I’ll be sleeping on the ground tonight,” Gaponov said. Others turned their eyes north once again, saying that even though they had already been deported, they had no other option than to continue after crossing the world to reach the U.S. The deportees, largely from Asian countries, were part of a deal stuck between the Trump administration and Panama and Costa Rica as the U.S. government attempts to speed up deportations. The administration sent hundreds of people, many families with children, to the two Central American countries as a stopover while authorities organize a way to send them back to their countries of origin. Critics described it as a way for the U.S. to export its deportation process. The agreement fueled human rights concerns when hundreds of deportees detained in a hotel in Panama City held up notes to their windows pleading for help and saying they were scared to return to their own countries. Under international refugee law, people have the right to apply for asylum when they are fleeing conflict or persecution. Those that refused to return home were later sent to a remote camp near Panama’s border with Colombia, where they spent weeks in poor conditions, were stripped of their phones, unable to access legal council and were not told where they were going next. Lawyers and human rights defenders warned that Panama and Costa Rica were turning into “****** holes” for deportees, and said their release was a way for Panamanian authorities to wash their hands of the deportees amid mounting human rights criticism. Upon being released Saturday night, human rights lawyers identified at least three people who required medical attention. One has been vomiting for over a week, another deportee had diabetes and hadn’t had access to insulin in the camp and another person had **** and also didn’t have access to medicine in detention. Those who were released, like Omagh, said they could not return home. As an atheist and member of an ethnic ********* group in Afghanistan known as the Hazara, he said returning home under the rule of the Taliban — which swept back into power after the Biden administration pulled out of the country — would mean he would be killed. He only went to the U.S. after trying for years to live in Pakistan, Iran and other countries but being denied visas. Omagh was deported after presenting himself to American authorities and asking to seek asylum in the U.S., which he was denied. “My hope was freedom. Just freedom,” he said. “They didn’t give me the chance. I asked many times to speak to an asylum officer and they told me ‘No, no, no, no, no.’” Still, he said that leaving the camp was a relief. Omagh and other migrants who spoke to the AP detailed scarce food, sweltering heat with little relief and aggressive Panamanian authorities. In one case, Omagh and others said, a ******** man went on a week-long hunger strike. In another, a small riot broke out because guards refused to give a migrant their phone. The riot, they said, was suppressed by armed guards. Panamanian authorities denied accusations about camp conditions, but blocked journalists from accessing the camp and cancelled a planned press visit last week. While international aid organizations said they would organize travel to a third country for people who didn’t want to return home, Panamanian authorities said the people released had already refused help. Omagh said he was told in the camp he could be sent to a third country if it gives people from Afghanistan visas. He said that would be incredibly difficult because few nations open their doors to people with a Afghan passport. He said he asked authorities in the camp multiple times if he could seek asylum in Panama, and said he was told that “we do not accept asylum.” “None of them wants to stay in Panama. They want to go to the U.S.,” said Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez, Panama’s deputy foreign minister, in an interview with the AP last month. That was the case for some, like one ******** woman who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, fearing repercussions from Panamanian authorities. Upon getting off the bus, the first thing she wanted to do was find a Coca-Cola. Then, she’d find a way back to the U.S. “I still want to continue to go to the United States and fulfill my American dream,” she said. ___ Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Source link #Panama #releases #dozens #detained #deportees #limbo #human #rights #criticism Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Early winter retreat spells trouble for factories and farms Early winter retreat spells trouble for factories and farms Nikhil Inamdar, BBC News, MumbaiGetty Images Data from India’s weather agency shows that last month was India’s hottest February in 125 years A shorter winter has literally left Nitin Goel out in the cold. For 50 years, his family’s clothing business in India’s northwestern textile city of Ludhiana has made jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts. But with the early onset of summer this year, the company is staring at a washout season and having to shift gears. “We’ve had to start making t-shirts instead of sweaters as the winter is getting shorter with each passing year. Our sales have halved in the last five years and are down a further 10% during this season,” Goel told the BBC. “The only recent exception to this was Covid, when temperatures dropped significantly.” Across India as cool weather beats a hasty retreat, anxieties are building up at farms and factories, with cropping patterns and business plans getting upended. Nitin Goel Winter clothes manufacturers say retail clients have been hesitant to pick up even confirmed orders due to soaring temperatures Data from the Indian Meteorological Department shows that last month was India’s hottest February in 125 years. The weekly average minimum temperature was also above normal by 1-3C in many parts of the country. Above-normal maximum temperatures and heatwaves are likely to persist over most parts of the country between March and May, the weather agency has warned. For small business owners like Goel, such erratic weather has meant much more than just slowing sales. His whole business model, practised and perfected over decades, has had to change. Goel’s company supplies clothes to multi-brand outlets across India. And they are no longer paying him on delivery, he says, instead adopting a “***** or return” model where consignments not sold are returned to the company, entirely transferring the risk to the manufacturer. He has also had to offer ******* discounts and incentives to his clients this year. “Big retailers haven’t picked up goods despite confirmed orders,” says Goel, adding that some small businesses in his town have had to shut shop as a result. Getty Images Heat has reduced yields at India’s much-loved Alphonso mango orchards on the country’s western coast Nearly 1,200 miles away in Devgad town on India’s western coast, the heat has wreaked havoc on India’s much-loved Alphonso mango orchards. “Production this year would be only around 30% of the normal yield,” said Vidyadhar Joshi, a farmer who owns 1,500 trees. The sweet, fleshy and richly aromatic Alphonso is a prized export from the region, but yields across the districts of Raigad, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, where the variety is predominantly grown, are lower, according to Joshi. “We might make losses this year,” Joshi adds, because he has had to spend more than usual on irrigation and fertilisers in a bid to salvage the crop. According to him, many other farmers in the area were even sending labourers, who come from Nepal to work in the orchards, back home because there wasn’t enough to do. Scorching heat is also threatening winter staples such as wheat, chickpea and rapeseed. While the country’s agriculture minister has dismissed concerns about poor yields and predicted that India will have a bumper wheat harvest this year, independent experts are less hopeful. Heatwaves in 2022 lowered yields by 15-25% and “similar trends could follow this year”, says Abhishek Jain of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (Ceew) think tank. India – the world’s second largest wheat producer – will have to rely on expensive imports in the event of such disruptions. And its protracted ban on exports, announced in 2022, may continue for even longer. Getty Images Three out of every four Indian districts are “extreme event hotspots” according to one estimate Economists are also worried about the impact of rising temperatures on availability of water for agriculture. Reservoir levels in northern India have already dropped to 28% of capacity, down from 37% last year, according to Ceew. This could affect fruit and vegetable yields and the dairy sector, which has already experienced a decline in milk production of up to 15% in some parts of the country. “These things have the potential to push inflation up and reverse the 4% target that the central bank has been talking about,” says Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist with Bank of Baroda. Food prices in India have recently begun to soften after remaining high for several months, leading to rate cuts after a prolonged pause. GDP in Asia’s third largest economy has also been supported by accelerating rural consumption recently after hitting a seven-quarter low last year. Any setback to this farm-led recovery could affect overall growth, at a time when urban households have been cutting back and private investment hasn’t picked up. Think tanks like Ceew say a range of urgent measures to mitigate the impact of recurrent heatwaves needs to be thought through, including better weather forecasting infrastructure, agriculture insurance and evolving cropping calendars with climate models to reduce risks and improve yields. As a primarily agrarian country, India is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Ceew estimates three out of every four Indian districts are “extreme event hotspots” and 40% exhibit what is called “a swapping trend” – which means traditionally flood-prone areas are witnessing more frequent and intense droughts and vice-versa. The country is expected to lose about 5.8% of daily working hours due to heat stress by 2030, according to one estimate. Climate Transparency, the advocacy group, had pegged India’s potential income loss across services, manufacturing, agriculture and construction sectors from labour capacity reduction due to extreme heat at $159bn in 2021- or 5.4% of its GDP. Without urgent action, India risks a future where heatwaves threaten both lives and economic stability. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook. Source link #Early #winter #retreat #spells #trouble #factories #farms Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Broncos emerge above water in cyclone’s aftermath Broncos emerge above water in cyclone’s aftermath Brisbane have returned to training at their Red Hill base in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred as their prepare for their next away trip against Canberra. Considering the carnage wrought by extensive flooding and winds across the weekend in Brisbane and its environs, the Broncos have emerged in good shape to prepare for Saturday night’s clash with the Raiders. The club’s training facilities did not suffer any significant damage from the cyclonic conditions. A Broncos spokesperson said all players had reported for Monday morning’s training, which was taking place in the gymnasium. Several players lost power to their homes over the weekend, including captain Adam Reynolds and fullback Reece Walsh. Walsh lives on a rural property south of the city and brought in a generator to keep everything working. The Broncos will aim to get a field session in on Monday afternoon, weather permitting. They will fly out of Brisbane for Canberra on Friday, as originally scheduled. Brisbane arrived home in the early hours of Friday morning after thumping Sydney Roosters 50-14 on Thursday night. The Broncos caught a charter flight to Toowoomba, then a bus to Brisbane. Their performance was highlighted by a dominant forward display and brilliant game management and creativity from new halves combination Ben Hunt and Reynolds. Props Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas were both awarded five Dally M points for their powerhouse displays, while Reynolds received two. Commentator Phil Gould took to social media to write a glowing assessment of Brisbane’s display. “They look fit and hungry. They are also skilful and quick,” Gould wrote on X. “The forward pack dominated their rivals, paving the way for the new (but old) halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt to orchestrate a stunning display of attacking football.” Reynolds was with his young family during the cyclonic conditions, but said his thoughts were with the general community before flying back to Brisbane. “Not too many people have been through a cyclone, so for us it was about getting home as soon as possible with our loved ones and making sure they are OK,” he said. “We are thinking of everyone that could be affected through the cyclone.” Source link #Broncos #emerge #water #cyclones #aftermath Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Minneapolis head-on ambulance ****** hospitalizes 5, including 2 paramedics Minneapolis head-on ambulance ****** hospitalizes 5, including 2 paramedics The Brief Officials say an ambulance and a sedan were involved in a head-on ****** in Minneapolis around 4:24 a.m. on Saturday. The ****** sent five people to area hospitals. The two paramedics have been evaluated and released. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – An ambulance ****** in Minneapolis sent five people to the hospital, including two paramedics, just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Minneapolis ambulance ****** What we know A news release from the Hennepin EMS Public Information Office said the ambulance was responding to a non-urgent call without any lights or sirens and was “following normal traffic patterns.” The ambulance, which was an advanced life support unit, was staffed by two paramedics. The ambulance crew then reported at about 4:24 a.m. that they were involved in a ****** and requested help while they began to render aid. Officials say police, firefighters and three additional ambulances then responded to the scene. A total of five people were then taken to area hospitals for evaluation, including the two paramedics, who have since been released from the hospital, Hennepin EMS officials said. The news release states the ambulance was eastbound on Lake Street West in Minneapolis when “a westbound sedan entered the eastbound lanes prior to the ******.” Minneapolis police say three of the people in the sedan were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and no arrests were made. What we don’t know No reason was given for why the westbound sedan entered the eastbound lanes. Further details on the ****** are still being investigated. The Source A news release from the Hennepin EMS Public Information Office and statements from the Minneapolis Police Department. Source link #Minneapolis #headon #ambulance #****** #hospitalizes #including #paramedics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sources: Steelers trading for star WR Metcalf – ESPN Sources: Steelers trading for star WR Metcalf – ESPN Sources: Steelers trading for star WR Metcalf ESPNSeahawks ship DK Metcalf to Steelers in blockbuster deal The Seattle TimesReport: Chargers are ‘top choice’ for star wide receiver Yahoo SportsSteelers to acquire DK Metcalf, sign him to four-year extension NBC SportsFree agency tracker: Steelers acquire Seahawks WR in a trade Niners Nation Source link #Sources #Steelers #trading #star #Metcalf #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Woman dies after shooting as man arrested Woman dies after shooting as man arrested A woman has died after a shooting in Talbot Green in Rhondda Cynon Taf. South Wales Police were called to the Green Park area of the town at about 18:10 GMT on Sunday. The force confirmed a 40-year-old woman was found with serious injuries and died at the scene. A 42-year-old man from Talbot Green has been arrested on suspicion of ******* and is in police custody. A number of crime scenes have been set up in the area as inquiries continue. Road closures remain in place as officers gather evidence. Det Ch Insp James Morris said: “I understand the concern this will cause the local community, and I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night.” Local residents said there has been a significant response from the emergency services, with police vehicles heading to the area at speed with their blue lights on. A police helicopter arrived over Talbot Green at 18:30 on Sunday and circled the area before later returning to base in St Athan. Talbot Green is a town 10 miles north-west of Cardiff. Source link #Woman #dies #shooting #man #arrested Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aussie golfers Pampling, Chalmers lose out to a Kiwi Aussie golfers Pampling, Chalmers lose out to a Kiwi Greg Chalmers and Rod Pampling have endured painful near misses as fast-finishing Kiwi Steven Alker crashed the party in a wild climax to a thrilling 24 hours for *********** golf. As rookie sensation Karl Vilips cherished a maiden PGA Tour victory in just his fourth start after superstar Minjee Lee finished runner-up in China, Pampling and Chalmers both let late final-round leads slip on the Champions Tour in Arizona. The veteran pair had to settle for joint third-place showings behind the triumphant Alker after faltering down the stretch at the Cologuard Classic. Chalmers especially will be bitterly disappointed after the two-time *********** Open champion was accused of going “AWOL with his irons” while hunting a rare wire-to-wire victory. The WA left-hander surged two strokes clear of the field, with Pampling his closest pursuer in second spot, before suffering a spectacular swing meltdown on the back nine. “He’s completely lost it physically,” said one US TV commentator. “He’s got to go back to the fundamentals. He needs a magic word from the caddy. Something. He’s just got to get it together.” Alas, he was unable to. Chalmers bogeyed the 12th and 14th holes and had to scramble for a desperate par on No.17 after failing to find a green coming home until the last. Rubbing salt into the wound, Chalmers narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on 18 to finish one shot shy of the playoff as Alker and American Jason Caron and Alker were left to battle it out. Caron and Alker both stormed home with final-round 66s to charge to 12 under for the tournament before the New Zealander prevailed with a birdie on the first extra hole. Pampling had earlier overcome his own troubles, a dreaded mid-round shank, to seize the outright lead with a birdie on his penultimate hole on Sunday (Monday AEDT). But he too came unstuck with a bogey at the last to also miss the playoff by a shot after posting a last-day four-under 67. Despair for Chalmers and Pampling followed ecstasy for 23-year Vilips, who scored a three-shot victory at the Puerto Rico Open to join the great Seve Ballesteros as one of only 12 players to win on the PGA Tour in their first four starts. Dual major champion Lee continued her return to form with an outright second behind Rio Takeda on Sunday night at the LPGA’s Blue Bay Classic in Hainan. Former world No.1 Jason Day added to the *********** excitement when he surged to within two shots of the lead late in the final round of the PGA Tour’s Signature Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida. A watery double-bogey at the 15th hole ultimately cruelled his chances as Day settled for a share of eighth place in a confidence booster ahead of next month’s Masters, the year’s first major championship at Augusta National. Source link #Aussie #golfers #Pampling #Chalmers #lose #Kiwi Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kid Rock Says He’s Bringing This Infamous Trump-Hater To The White House To ‘Unite The Country’ Kid Rock Says He’s Bringing This Infamous Trump-Hater To The White House To ‘Unite The Country’ Kid Rock says he plans to bring Bill Maher as a dinner guest to the White House to chat with President Donald Trump soon, claiming the meet-up could “unite” the country. “I’m actually going to try and unite this country and I’m starting at the end of the month. I’m taking Bill Maher to the White House for dinner. This guy who has done nothing but talk smack about the president since day one,” the musician said. During an episode of “The Glenn Beck Podcast,” which aired Mar. 8, Rock (real name Robert James Ritchie) told host Glenn Beck that he first thought of setting up the dinner with Trump and Maher, who has been vocal about his distaste for the Republican president, when he recently stopped by the comedian’s “Club Random” podcast. The “Cowboy” singer, an ardent Trump supporter, said he feels he could find “common ground” and “break bread” with the political commentator, calling Maher “actually more reasonable than a lot of people on the right would think.” As much as Maher has dug his heels into Trump, he has also sounded off over his gripes about liberals and the overall current state of America’s political climate. “I was doing [Maher’s] podcast, I said, if I could hook you guys up…and trust me, there’s a lot more people deserving at that table for dinner so it’s a big deal to me to bring [Maher] there and to even have the president be like, ‘yeah, do it, let’s do it,’ Rock said. “I go, man, what would it say to this country?” Rock continued, “Let’s start at the top with [two] very public figures — a television comedian and president of the free world — and we can just break bread, have some laughs, take a picture and be like, ‘hey, you know, we don’t agree on everything, but we got along.’” The “Joe Dirt” actor went on to claim the president dining with such a vocal critic like Maher could possibly spark opposing political sides to come together despite their differing opinions. “Does that start to send a message to people…I think we just gotta start somewhere,” Rock added. “Maybe [it will inspire someone] to call that family member that you got into it with over politics.” Watch Rock’s appearance on “The Glenn Beck Podcast” below. Related… Source link #Kid #Rock #Hes #Bringing #Infamous #TrumpHater #White #House #Unite #Country Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Md. confirms measles case; Dulles Airport travelers may have been exposed – The Washington Post Md. confirms measles case; Dulles Airport travelers may have been exposed – The Washington Post Md. confirms measles case; Dulles Airport travelers may have been exposed The Washington PostVirginia health officials confirm measles case at major international airport Fox NewsVDH warns of potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia InsideNoVaMaryland resident has measles after returning from international travel NBC Washington Source link #confirms #measles #case #Dulles #Airport #travelers #exposed #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Premier’s ‘apology’ to storm-smashed community Premier’s ‘apology’ to storm-smashed community NSW Premier Chris Minns has “apologised” to storm-smashed communities that a major lifeline for many people “just can’t” stay open. Source link #Premiers #apology #stormsmashed #community Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is there life out there? The existence of other technological species is highly likely Is there life out there? The existence of other technological species is highly likely When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA We live in a golden age for space exploration. Scientists are gathering massive amounts of new information and scientific evidence at a record pace. Yet the age-old question remains unanswered: are we alone? New telescope technologies, including space-based tools such as the James Webb Telescope, have enabled us to discover thousands of potentially habitable exoplanets that could support life similar to that on Earth. Gravitational wave detectors have opened a new avenue for space exploration by detecting space-time distortions caused by ****** holes and supernovae millions of light-years away. Commercial space ventures have further accelerated these advancements, leading to increasingly sophisticated spacecraft and reusable rockets, signifying a new era in space exploration. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission successfully touched down on asteroid Bennu when it was 207 million miles away from Earth and brought back rock and dust samples. Several countries have developed the ability to deploy robots on the moon and Mars, with plans to send humans to these celestial bodies in the future. A central driver of all these ambitious endeavours is still that fundamental question of whether life exists — or ever existed — elsewhere in the universe. Defining life Planet Earth as seen from space on ****** background. | Credit: NASA/NOAA Defining life is surprisingly challenging. While we intuitively recognize living organisms as having life, a precise definition remains elusive. Dictionaries offer various descriptions, such as the ability to grow, reproduce and respond to stimuli. But, even these definitions can be ambiguous. A more comprehensive definition considers life as a self-sustaining chemical system capable of processing information and maintaining a state of low entropy with little disorder or randomness. Living things constantly require energy to sustain their molecular organization and maintain their highly organized structures and functions. Without this energy, life would quickly descend into chaos and disrepair. This definition encompasses the dynamic and complex nature of life, emphasizing its ability to adapt and evolve. Life on Earth, as we currently understand it, is based on the interplay of DNA, RNA and proteins. DNA serves as the blueprint of life, containing the genetic instructions necessary for an organism’s development, survival and reproduction. These instructions are converted into messages that guide the production of proteins, the workhorses of the cell that are responsible for a vast array of functions. This intricate system of DNA replication, protein synthesis and cellular processes — all based on long strings of molecules linked by carbon atoms — is fundamental to life on Earth. However, the universe may harbour life forms based on entirely different principles and biochemistries. Something other than carbon An illustration of an large rock that’s red at the bottom from heat, flying through space towards Earth, with stars in space in the background. | Credit: European Space Agency Life elsewhere could use different elements as building blocks. Silicon, with its chemical similarities to carbon, has been proposed as a potential alternative. If they exist, silicon-based life forms may exhibit unique characteristics and adaptations. For instance, they might use silicon-based structures for support, analogous to bones or shells in carbon-based organisms. Even though silicon-based organisms have not yet been found on Earth, silicon plays an important role in many existing life forms. It is an important secondary component for many plants and animals, serving structural and functional roles. For example, diatoms, a type of algae found in the ocean, feature glassy cell walls made of transparent silicon dioxide. This doesn’t make diatoms silicon-based life forms, but it does prove silicon can indeed act as a building block of a living organism. But we still don’t know if silicon-based life forms exist at all, or what they would look like. The origins of life on Earth A view of the night sky with a starry sky in the background and many meteors flying through the atmosphere, appearing as white dashes, with trees and plant life in the foreground. | Credit: Kenneth Brandon There are competing hypotheses on how life arose on Earth. One is that life’s building blocks were delivered on or in meteorites. The other is that those building blocks came together spontaneously via geochemistry in our planet’s early environment. Meteorites have indeed been found to carry organic molecules, including amino acids, which are essential for life. It’s possible that organic molecules formed in deep space and were then brought to Earth by meteorites and asteroids. On the other hand, geochemical processes on early Earth, such as those occurring in warm little ponds or in hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean, could have also provided the necessary conditions and ingredients for life to emerge. However, no lab has yet been able to present a comprehensive, certain pathway to the formation of RNA, DNA and the first cellular life on Earth. Many biological molecules are chiral, meaning they exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other, like left and right hands. While both left- and right-handed molecules are typically naturally produced in equal amounts, recent analyses of meteorites have revealed a slight asymmetry, favouring the left-handed form by as much as 60 percent. This asymmetry in space-derived organic molecules is also observed in all biomolecules on Earth (proteins, sugars, amino acids, RNA and DNA), suggesting it could have arisen from the slight imbalance delivered from space, supporting the theory that life on Earth is extraterrestrial in origin. Chances of life A view of the spiral galaxy, which resembles ****** clouds swirling around a blue centre. | Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-JWST Team., CC BY-NC-ND The slight imbalance in chirality observed in many organic molecules could be an indicator that life on Earth originated from the delivery of organic molecules by extraterrestrial life. We could well be descendants of life that originated elsewhere. The Drake equation, developed by astronomer Frank Drake in 1961, provides a framework for estimating the number of detectable civilizations within our galaxy. This equation incorporates factors such as the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets and calculates the fraction of those planets where intelligent life may emerge. An optimistic estimate using this formula suggests that 12,500 intelligent alien civilizations might exist in the Milky Way alone. The primary argument for extraterrestrial life remains probabilistic: considering the sheer number of stars and planets, it seems highly improbable that life wouldn’t have arisen elsewhere. The probability of humanity being the sole technological civilization in the observable universe is considered to be less than one in 10 billion trillion. Additionally, the chance of a civilization developing on any single habitable planet is better than one in 60 billion. With an estimated 200 billion trillion stars in the observable universe, the existence of other technological species is highly likely, potentially even within our Milky Way galaxy. Source link #life #existence #technological #species #highly Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bills' Josh Allen signs record-breaking contract that includes $250 million guaranteed, per report – CBS Sports Bills' Josh Allen signs record-breaking contract that includes $250 million guaranteed, per report – CBS Sports Bills’ Josh Allen signs record-breaking contract that includes $250 million guaranteed, per report CBS SportsSources: QB Allen, Bills reach record $330M deal ESPNBuffalo Bills and MVP QB Josh Allen reach agreement on a new deal through 2030 BuffaloBills.comBills, QB Josh Allen reach record-setting 6-year, $330 million extension Yahoo SportsJosh Allen gets four-year cash flow of $220 million, a record NBC Sports Source link #Bills039 #Josh #Allen #signs #recordbreaking #contract #includes #million #guaranteed #report #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Another Subaru Outback driver intentionally crashes into a dealership Another Subaru Outback driver intentionally crashes into a dealership A man in Los Angeles has been caught on camera driving a car through a CarMax dealership, leaving customers and employees with injuries. Source link #Subaru #Outback #driver #intentionally #crashes #dealership Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trudeau steps down as tariff dispute continues Trudeau steps down as tariff dispute continues Trudeau steps down as tariff dispute continues – CBS News Watch CBS News ********* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down Sunday. Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over tariffs continued. Ed O’Keefe reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trudeau #steps #tariff #dispute #continues Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Still Clinging to DVDs? Some Warner Bros. Discs Have Started Rotting Away Still Clinging to DVDs? Some Warner Bros. Discs Have Started Rotting Away Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. If you’re still hanging on to your physical DVD collection, you could be in for a ****** surprise. Many DVDs manufactured by Warner Bros. between 2006 and 2008 have been hit by an issue known as “laser rot,” where DVDs simply stop working due to a rotting of the layers, an investigation by movie review site JoBlo reveals. So far, it doesn’t seem like Blu-ray discs or HD-DVD are affected. JoBlo highlights some of Warner Bros.’ portfolio, including its Looney Tunes Collections or its portfolio of 30s, 40s, and 50s Hollywood classics, which were never transferred to newer formats like Blu-ray, meaning they could run the risk of disappearing without a trace. Though collectors have noted the problem in recent years, Warner Bros. recently acknowledged the issue following JoBlo’s report and has offered to replace the impacted DVDs—but only under certain conditions. “Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title,” read the official statement. “However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.” Warner Bros. encouraged consumers hit by the defect to contact its customer support at: *****@*****.tld. If you’d prefer to avoid the potential trauma of malfunctioning DVDs altogether, check out PCMag’s guide to converting your old discs to digital formats. The era of malfunctioning discs may well be nearing an end anyway. Many of the largest home entertainment chains in the US have already decided to cut or severely limit the number of DVDs they stock. Best Buy made the leap to stop stocking DVDs altogether in 2024, while Netflix shuttered its DVD business in 2023 after almost 30 years. Source link #Clinging #DVDs #Warner #Bros #Discs #Started #Rotting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump doesn’t rule out recession, rising inflation Trump doesn’t rule out recession, rising inflation Trump doesn’t rule out recession, rising inflation – CBS News Watch CBS News In an interview with Fox News, President Trump acknowledged inflation could continue to rise and wouldn’t say whether or not he thinks the U.S. economy could fall into a recession. Nikole Killion has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #doesnt #rule #recession #rising #inflation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Asia markets live: Stocks trade mixed Asia markets live: Stocks trade mixed Stanley Chen Xi, Landscape And Architecture Photographer | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Monday after a volatile trading week around the world. U.S. stocks — which are expected to open lower on Monday — have been on a roller-coaster ride since the start of the month given uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies — and their impact on the superpower’s growth and inflation. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 surged 0.34%, after closing at a six-month high in its previous session. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 started the day flat while the broader Topix index edged down 0.1%. The country’s cash earnings rose 2.8% year-on-year in January, slowing from December’s revised 4.4% climb. South Korea’s Kospi opened 0.14% lower, while the small-cap Kosdaq dropped 0.83%. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,144 pointing to a stronger open compared to Friday’s close of 24,231.30. Over the weekend, China’s consumer inflation dropped below zero for the first time in 13 months due to seasonal distortions and deflationary pressures. The consumer price index declined 0.7% in February from a year earlier, compared with a 0.5% gain in the previous month, data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed. The Asian giant on Saturday also announced retaliatory tariffs on some ********* agricultural goods after Ottawa slapped import duties on ********-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year. Beijing said a 100% tariff would be imposed on ********* rapeseed oil, oil cakes and peas, while a 25% levy would be placed on aquatic products and pork originating in Canada. In the U.S., the three major averages closed higher on Friday after a volatile trading day. The S&P 500 regained some ground on Friday, but the index still posted its worst week in several months as the salvo of trade policy actions unnerved investors. The broad index rose 0.55% to 5,770.20, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7% to 18,196.22. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 222.64 points, or 0.52%, to end at 42,801.72. — CNBC’s Sam Meredith, Alex Harring and Brian Evans contributed to this report. Source link #Asia #markets #live #Stocks #trade #mixed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH | Pre-Order Trailer DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH | Pre-Order Trailer February 11th, 2025 – KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, in collaboration with PlayStation, will host the DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH Special Panel at the SXSW® 2025 festival in Austin, Texas on March 9th. At the Special Panel, Hideo Kojima will discuss and share new details about DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, the upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed DEATH STRANDING video game, arriving exclusively on PlayStation®5 later this year. Source link #DEATH #STRANDING #BEACH #PreOrder #Trailer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steelers to acquire DK Metcalf, sign him to four-year extension – NBC Sports Steelers to acquire DK Metcalf, sign him to four-year extension – NBC Sports Steelers to acquire DK Metcalf, sign him to four-year extension NBC SportsSources: Steelers trading for star WR Metcalf ESPNSeahawks, Steelers Agree To D.K. Metcalf Trade profootballrumors.comReport: Chargers are ‘top choice’ for star wide receiver Yahoo SportsSeahawks ship DK Metcalf to Steelers in blockbuster deal The Seattle Times Source link #Steelers #acquire #Metcalf #sign #fouryear #extension #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Indian Wells Open: Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie beaten in third round Indian Wells Open: Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie beaten in third round Norrie claimed his biggest career title at the hard-court tournament in 2021 but was beaten this time by home hope Paul, who will play Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev next. “It was a super weird match, a lot of breaks,” said Paul, the world number 11. “I started pretty well and tried to play some aggressive tennis. It was an up-and-down match on both sides.” In their first meeting since 2022, both players struggled on serve in the first set. Norrie, ranked 77th in the world, was broken three times before handing Paul the opener with a double fault on the second set point. In the second set, Norrie again found himself a break down at 4-2 but rallied to level before taking a 0-30 lead on Paul’s serve. Paul fought back before taking advantage of Norrie’s error-strewn serving, the Briton conceding the match with his fifth double fault of the set and seventh of the match. Draper is left to carry British hopes in the men’s draw, with the 13th seed set to face American Jenson Brooksby on Monday. Medvedev progressed after his unwell opponent, American Alex Michelsen, retired just two games into their match, while Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Matteo Berrettini of Italy 6-3 6-3. Source link #Indian #Wells #Open #Katie #Boulter #Cameron #Norrie #beaten Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Death Stranding 2 Release Date Announced Death Stranding 2 Release Date Announced · · March 10, 2025 Death Stranding 2 officially has a release date. During the Kojima Productions panel at South by Southwest 2025, it was revealed that Death Stranding 2 will launch on June 26, 2025. In addition to the release date reveal, a 10-minute-long Death Stranding 2 trailer was shown to give fans a brand new look at what to expect. As reported earlier, the game will launch with multiple editions. The Standard Edition will cost $69.99 and be available both in physical and digital form. A Digital Deluxe version of the game will cost $79.99 and include access to the game starting June 24. For those who want to spend a little more and get a physical copy of the game, there is a $230 Collector’s Edition that will include a copy of the game, art cards, a Dollman figurine, a letter from Hideo Kojima, and a 15-inch statue. When it releases, Death Stranding 2 will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5. For more Insider Gaming, read about Respawn Entertainment cancelling its unannounced FPS. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Death #Stranding #Release #Date #Announced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US Pennsylvania plane ******: Small plane erupts into fireball after crashing in US Pennsylvania plane ******: Small plane erupts into fireball after crashing in A plane has crashed into the carpark of a retirement village in the US, with shocking vision from the scene showing a huge fireball erupting. Emergency services rushed to the Manheim Township in Lancaster County near Philadelphia after reports the plane crashed shortly after take-off. The plane ******-landed in a parking lot near a three-storey building, bursting into flames amid a row of cars. The Federal Aviation Authority confirmed the plane was a Beechcroft Bonanza and said it would investigate the ******. All five people on board were rushed to hospital, but authorities have not provided any updates on the extent of their injuries. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The incident is the latest in a series of dramatic — and tragic — plane crashes in the US. A witness told CNN that he saw the plane right before it crashed. “It was pretty high, but then it started veering left, and suddenly it nose-dived sideways while continuing to turn left,” Brian Pipkin said. Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said a state police team was on the ground assisting first responders. “All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available,” he said. Camera IconThe scene of a plane ****** in the parking lot of a retirement community. Credit: Logan Gehman/APCamera IconThe aircraft erupted into a fireball that also consumed several cars. Credit: Logan Gehman/APCamera IconThe FAA confirmed the plane was a Beechcroft Bonanza and said it was investigating the incident. Credit: Logan Gehman/AP No injuries were reported by people on the ground. Source link #Pennsylvania #plane #****** #Small #plane #erupts #fireball #crashing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Analysis-The end of cheap palm oil? Output stalls as biodiesel demand surges Analysis-The end of cheap palm oil? Output stalls as biodiesel demand surges By Rajendra Jadhav, Bernadette Christina and Ashley ***** KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA (Reuters) – Prices of cooking oil could be buoyed up for years by stagnating production and a biodiesel push in top producer Indonesia that are making traditionally cheap palm oil costlier, eliminating an advantage that also curbed prices of rival oils. Used in everything from cakes and frying fats to cosmetics and cleaning products, palm oil makes up more than half of global vegetable oil shipments and is especially popular among consumers in emerging markets, led by India. After decades of cheap palm oil, thanks to booming output and a battle for market share, output is slowing and Indonesia is using more to make biodiesel, respected industry analyst Dorab Mistry said. “Those days of $400-per-ton discounts are gone,” added Mistry, a director of Indian consumer goods company Godrej International. “Palm oil won’t be that cheap again as long as Indonesia keeps prioritising biodiesel.” Indonesia increased the mandatory mix of palm oil in biodiesel to 40% this year, and is studying moving to 50% in 2026, as well as a 3% blend for jet fuel next year, as it seeks to curb fuel imports. The biodiesel push will reduce Indonesia’s exports to just 20 million metric tons in 2030, down a third from 29.5 million in 2024, estimates Eddy Martono, chairman of the southeast Asian nation’s largest palm oil association, GAPKI. Jakarta’s biodiesel mandate, coupled with lower production because of floods in neighbouring Malaysia, has already lifted palm oil prices above rival soyoil, prompting buyers to cut purchases. In India, the largest buyer of vegetable oils, crude palm oil (CPO) has commanded a premium over crude soybean oil for the past six months, sometimes exceeding $100 per ton. As recently as late 2022, palm oil traded at discounts of more than $400. Indians were paying $1,185 a ton for crude palm oil last week, up from less than $500 in 2019. Higher vegetable oil prices could complicate governments’ efforts to rein in inflation, whether in palm oil-reliant nations or those dependent on rival soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed oils. STUNTED GROWTH Palm oil production, dominated by Indonesia and Malaysia, nearly doubled every decade from 1980 to 2020, fuelling criticism over deforestation to add plantations. During that time, average annual production growth of more than 7% was roughly in line with demand. But Malaysia’s palm oil production stagnated more than a decade ago because of lack of space for new plantations and slow replanting, while deforestation concerns have slowed growth in Indonesia. Story Continues Even in Indonesia, replanting by smallholders, who generate 40% of its supply, remains sluggish. As a result, global production growth has slowed to 1% annually over the past four years. In the current decade, production growth is likely to average 1.3 million tons a year, said analyst Thomas Mielke, executive director of Hamburg-based forecaster Oil World, less than half the average of 2.9 million in the decade to 2020. Production could lose even more momentum from the impact of labour shortages, ageing plantations and the spread of Ganoderma *******, which is hurting yields, Mielke said. REPLANTING RELUCTANCE Oil palms, which start losing productivity after 20 years, need to be replaced after 25 years, with new trees taking three to four years to yield fruit, rendering land unproductive until then and making farmers reluctant to replant. Malaysia replanted 114,000 hectares (282,000 acres), or just 2% of total planted area in 2024, against a target of 4% to 5%, Plantation Minister Johari Abdul Ghani said in February. In Indonesia, slow replanting has brought lower yields amid as plantations get older, said GAPKI official Fadhil Hasan. Its yields of crude palm oil fell 11.4% to 3.42 tons per hectare in a decade. While countries from Colombia and Ecuador to Ivory Coast and Nigeria have boosted palm oil output, industry officials say growth among newer players falls short of rising demand, particularly for biofuel. Both Mistry and Mielke called for Indonesia to resume issuing new permits for palm oil plantations, a practice it halted in 2018. “If Indonesia keeps the moratorium on new planting, there will be periodic shortages and spells of very high palm oil prices,” said Mistry. The restricted production that resulted would inflict higher prices on 3 billion to 4 billion consumers in the developing world, he added. Demand is already softening in key markets thanks to rising prices, and even industrial buyers are seeking alternatives, SD Guthrie International CEO Shariman Alwani Mohamed Nordin told an industry conference in February. Still, palm oil consumption will keep surging, fuelled by demand from chemicals and biofuel, industry officials say. “We see huge demand increase happening for palm oil and with the limited land, we feel, there would be demand and supply imbalance,” said Harish Harlani, vice-president at P&G Chemicals. Higher palm oil prices could ripple out to boost those of rival oils as demand shifts, said Sanjeev Asthana, CEO of India’s Patanjali Foods Ltd. “As buyers switch to soy and sunflower, their prices shoot up too,” he added. “Plus, there’s only so much of those oils available, so they can’t completely take palm oil’s place.” (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav, Bernadette Christina and Ashley *****; Editing by Tony Munroe and Clarence Fernandez) Source link #AnalysisThe #cheap #palm #oil #Output #stalls #biodiesel #demand #surges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sources: QB Allen, Bills reach record $330M deal – ESPN Sources: QB Allen, Bills reach record $330M deal – ESPN Sources: QB Allen, Bills reach record $330M deal ESPNBuffalo Bills and MVP QB Josh Allen reach agreement on a new deal through 2030 BuffaloBills.comBills’ Josh Allen signs record-breaking contract that includes $250 million guaranteed, per report CBS SportsBills, QB Josh Allen reach record-setting 6-year, $330 million extension Yahoo SportsJosh Allen gets a new deal, reportedly making him the NFL’s highest-paid player NBC Sports Source link #Sources #Allen #Bills #reach #record #330M #deal #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]