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Apple reportedly plans to combine its modem with future processors as a single package Apple reportedly plans to combine its modem with future processors as a single package Apple introduced its first in-house cellular modem, the C1, last week with the announcement of the not-so-budget iPhone 16e, and while it didn’t get into too much detail about it, the company reportedly has some big plans for future iterations. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, “Apple intends to eventually meld the modem component into the main processor.” Integrating the modem into the main processor could have energy and cost benefits, but that design is still a ways off. We’ll likely see the C2 and C3 without it first, which the company is already testing according to Gurman, and the integrated design won’t follow until “2028 at the earliest During its unveiling, Apple called the new C1 modem its “most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.” The $599 iPhone 16e also has an A18 chip (but with four GPU cores) and supports Apple Intelligence, even if that’s not what people actually wanted out of it. Source link #Apple #reportedly #plans #combine #modem #future #processors #single #package Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******* election: Conservatives projected to win – BBC.com ******* election: Conservatives projected to win – BBC.com ******* election: Conservatives projected to win BBC.comGerman elections: CDU’s Merz looks set to be next chancellor as far-right AfD surges CNNGermany’s ‘no surprise’ election yields many firsts FRANCE 24 EnglishTrump celebrates conservative party win in Germany Fox News Source link #******* #election #Conservatives #projected #win #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ford Bronco Raptor not off the cards for right-hand drive production Ford Bronco Raptor not off the cards for right-hand drive production Pricing and a lack of right-hand drive engineering are limiting Ford from green-lighting the Bronco Raptor for Australia. Source link #Ford #Bronco #Raptor #cards #righthand #drive #production Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NC homebuilder ordered to pay $250K or go to jail — how one couple’s dream home became a violation-riddled nightmare NC homebuilder ordered to pay $250K or go to jail — how one couple’s dream home became a violation-riddled nightmare Jake and Anita Muehlbach have been stuck in homeowner hell since they first moved into their brand-new home in Chatham County, North Carolina in 2020. Despite passing every county inspection during construction, the Muehlbachs started noticing problems with the home soon after moving in. Jake told reporters he tried to work with the builder to get these issues resolved but that only made matters worse. Don’t miss He also notified the county of his concerns, and it was then that government officials uncovered at least 15 safety issues and code violations in the Muehlbachs’ home. When they couldn’t get their builder, Jeremy Lindley of Lindley Builders Inc., or his insurance to cover the issues with the home, the Muehlbachs took him to court. In March 2023, a judge ordered Lindley Builders to pay them $225,000 for breach of contract and warranty. But as of January, Lindley had yet to pay what the Muehlbachs say is now close to $250,000 due to interest. “We’re going on almost five years of dealing with this at this point. So we would just hope that this pressure from the court would maybe make him comply and pay this judgment so we can all just move on,” Muehlbach told ABC11. Huge costs and unpaid legal judgment The code violations county official found spanned everything from failing to damp-proof the foundation; using ledger strips too wide for the nails that caused floor joist issues; and placing beams incorrectly, which created a hump throughout the house, to the undersized rafters causing the need for a new roof section and reframing. While a judge found in the Muehlbachs’ favor in March 2023, they say the $225,000 they were awarded wouldn’t nearly cover the estimated $400,000 required to correct everything. With numerous unknown problems, many won’t try to repair the home and have instead recommended a full tear-down to rebuild. “My engineer recommended destructive inspections, which means tearing out walls and floors to see what else is wrong … It’s suspected we’ll find more issues when that takes place,” Jake explained. Lindley’s contractor’s license was suspended, and the Muehlbachs have since taken him to court to obtain his company’s financial records. When Lindley failed to present them, a contempt order was issued and he was directed to pay $14,700 in legal fees to the Muehlbachs or face jail time, which his lawyer told ABC11 he has done. However, the $225,000 judgment is still unpaid. The couple don’t know what’s next. “We should have moved into this house and had equity,” Jake told ABC11. “Now, we’ve spent our life savings between building the house and paying for this lawsuit. Now we have a home that’s … not worth the land it’s sitting on, still paying Chatham County taxes.” Read more: Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are ‘kind of inflated.’ Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies How to protect yourself The Muehlbachs’ story highlights the importance of being proactive and taking extra care to protect what is likely to be the biggest investment in your life. Of course, this can cost more upfront, but the additional assurance and peace of mind can be well worth it. If you’re planning to hire a building or construction company, be sure to do your research and understand your local building codes, required permits and zoning regulations. Plan ahead with extra funds for unexpected costs. It can also be prudent to: Hire an engineer during construction. They can inspect your home throughout its construction or renovation process, so you’re more confident in the county or city inspection results. Create a log of every existing issue. Verbal communication with your contractor about problems is important, but written documentation — with photos for proof — is what holds up in court, should it ever come to that. Work with a construction lawyer. Get absolutely everything in writing. A lawyer specializing in construction can help ensure your contract is crystal clear and everything is properly documented. Review it in detail, including timeline, budget and exclusions. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Source link #homebuilder #ordered #pay #250K #jail #couples #dream #home #violationriddled #nightmare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ukraine hemmed in as US backing frays three years after Russian invasion – Reuters Ukraine hemmed in as US backing frays three years after Russian invasion – Reuters Ukraine hemmed in as US backing frays three years after Russian invasion ReutersOpinion | Who Will Stand Up to Trump on Ukraine? The New York TimesDonald Trump’s Putinization of America The New YorkerA Grand Bargain With Russia Would Be a Disaster Foreign PolicyTrump puts Ukraine in a vise Axios Source link #Ukraine #hemmed #backing #frays #years #Russian #invasion #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Immigration detention staff strike over redundancies as Serco exits Immigration detention staff strike over redundancies as Serco exits Immigration detention workers are striking nationally over the transition from one private prison conglomerate to another. Workers at nine *********** immigration detention centres went on strike for four hours to 8.30am on Monday, with another four-hour action planned for Monday afternoon. This follows two-hour strikes on Friday. The dispute is centred around what the United Workers Union (UWU) calls a “huge and avoidable mess” – the outgoing operator being “unable to deal fairly with workers who are seeking legitimate redundancies in a contract changeover”. Camera IconVillawood Detention Centre holds about 40 per cent – about 400 people – of Australia’s immigration detainees. NewsWire / Dylan Robinson Credit: Supplied Detention centre operators Serco, centre controllers *********** Border Force, and the health entity that works inside have all been contacted for comment. The UWU says it has made concessions over “business continuity” during the handover, but Serco was holding out on relatively small redundancy offers. The union argues Serco telling staff to resign is an attempt to avoid paying redundancies, and Serco should be paying redundancies because workers are entering a greenfields agreement with a new provider. Camera IconImmigration detention staff are striking over concerns about the transition from Serco to US firm Management and Training Corporation. Supplied Credit: NewsWire “It’s a stinging indictment of Serco that a multibillion-dollar corporation is unable to deal fairly with workers who are seeking legitimate redundancies in a contract changeover,” UWU allied industries director Godfrey Moase said. “In some centres, the contract transition is occurring on March 6 – less than two weeks away – and detainees, workers and the community can’t afford to be impacted by a continuing struggle with the outgoing contractor. “It’s a debacle of Serco’s making that workers are facing threats of being dragged through the courts.” Camera IconThe most common nationality in Australia’s immigration detention centres is New Zealand. NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia The Management and Training Corporation won Australia’s $2.3bn immigration detention contract in December. The American company is the third largest private prison operator in the US. As of December, there are 979 people in Australia’s immigration detention centres. Of those people, 321 have been held for more than one year. There are six immigration detention centres across the country. UWU members working at these six, plus three “alternative places of detention”, are striking. The concerned parties will head to the Fair Work Commission later on Monday. Source link #Immigration #detention #staff #strike #redundancies #Serco #exits Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

President Trump’s Plan to Eliminate Social Security Benefit Taxes Would Save the Wealthy Thousands Per Year. Here’s How Much the Average American Would Benefit President Trump’s Plan to Eliminate Social Security Benefit Taxes Would Save the Wealthy Thousands Per Year. Here’s How Much the Average American Would Benefit You pay Social Security taxes throughout your career, so it can feel a little unfair if you have to pay taxes on your benefits in retirement. But that’s the reality an increasing number of retirees face. It’s a major pain point, particularly for those who don’t have a lot of personal savings to supplement their checks. President Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate Social Security benefit taxes struck a chord with a lot of retirees, and it may soon become a reality. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) recently introduced the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act to the House, which would exempt Social Security benefits from federal taxation. We don’t yet know if it will pass, but there’s already some data about the potential tax savings floating around — and it might surprise you. Image source: Getty Images. The IRS began taxing Social Security benefits in 1984 and added a second tax tier a decade later. Since then, the Social Security benefit tax formula has remained the same. The government may tax a certain portion of your Social Security benefits based on your marital status and provisional income, defined as your adjusted gross income (AGI), plus any nontaxable interest you may have if you own municipal bonds, and half your annual Social Security benefits. The table below gives the current Social Security benefit taxation tiers: Marital Status 0% of Benefits Taxable If Provisional Income Is Below: Up to 50% of Benefits Taxable If Provisional Income Is Between: Up to 85% of Benefits Taxable If Provisional Income Exceeds: Single $25,000 $25,000 and $34,000 $34,000 Married $32,000 $32,000 and $44,000 $44,000 Source: Social Security Administration. The tier you fall into determines the percentage of your Social Security benefits that are subject to ordinary income tax. In the worst-case scenario, you could owe 37% in taxes on up to 85% of your benefits. Most people pay far less than this, but these taxes can still be a burden to those living on low fixed incomes. As you may have already realized from the table above, the lowest-income households wouldn’t see any immediate benefit from the federal government eliminating Social Security benefit taxes because they’re not paying them. However, costs and average Social Security checks continue to rise, pushing more people’s benefits into a taxable range every year. So, eliminating benefit taxes could save some of these lower earners from future taxes they’d owe if the current law remains in effect. Story Continues It should come as no surprise that the wealthy stand to see the greatest gains if the IRS does away with Social Security benefit taxes. They pay the lion’s share of Social Security benefit taxes in the first place. Analysis from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Budget Model group found that the top 0.1% would save an average of $2,450 in taxes in 2025 if the government stopped taxing Social Security benefits. Their annual savings would rise to $5,080 by 2054. Meanwhile, average Americans — those who fall in the 40% to 60% income group — would only save about $340 in annual taxes in 2025 if Social Security benefit taxation ends. By 2054, their estimated savings would be $1,730 per year. For those who fall in the 60% to 80% income group, annual savings would be $1,135 and $3,560 in 2025 and 2054, respectively. Those in the 80% to 90% income group would save $1,625 and $4,075, respectively. However, middle- to upper-middle-class Americans actually stand to gain the most relative to their total available income. Most millionaires and billionaires in the 0.1% aren’t going to notice any significant change in their quality of life from saving an extra $2,450 per year. But saving $1,135 to $1,625 could noticeably improve the lives of those living off more modest incomes. The Penn Wharton study found that those in the 60% to 90% income groups will see a roughly 1% change in their after-tax income compared to virtually no change for the wealthiest Americans. Middle-income Americans would see a 0.5% change in after-tax income if the government eliminated benefit taxes. One thing to bear in mind about all these numbers is that they apply to all members of an income group, regardless of their age. Those actually receiving and paying tax on Social Security benefits right now could see much larger and more immediate savings. There are definite short-term benefits to getting rid of Social Security benefit taxes for average and wealthy Americans. However, the long-term consequences are harder to predict. Social Security benefit taxes are one of only three funding sources for the program. Eliminating it would put greater strain on Social Security, which is already facing a $23 trillion funding shortfall. The program’s trust funds are expected to be depleted in 2035 under current estimates. Unless the government finds a way to increase Social Security’s funding before then, it would have to slash all Social Security benefits by 17% going forward. Cutting Social Security benefits would accelerate this deadline. This isn’t to say it’s impossible to eliminate Social Security benefits and ensure its solvency for future generations. However, with less time until the trust fund depletion date, the government also has fewer options for how to reform the program. If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the “Social Security secrets” » The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. President Trump’s Plan to Eliminate Social Security Benefit Taxes Would Save the Wealthy Thousands Per Year. Here’s How Much the Average American Would Benefit was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #President #Trumps #Plan #Eliminate #Social #Security #Benefit #Taxes #Save #Wealthy #Thousands #Year #Heres #Average #American #Benefit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vietnamese content creator Khanh Vy’s top spots in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnamese content creator Khanh Vy’s top spots in Ho Chi Minh City TV host, content creator and author of the book “Tieng Anh Khong Kho, Dung Nhan Nho (English is not tough, so don’t frown)” Tran Khanh Vy shares her favorite places to hang out in Vietnam’s most populous city. Vietnam is renowned for its coffee culture. From the high-end cafes to street stalls equipped with iconic low stools and tiny tables, coffee in Vietnam – usually brewed with Robusta beans – packs a punch. However, the most accessible way to get your caffeine fix in the country is cà phê bệt, which literally translates to “coffee while sitting on the ground.” Coffee sellers usually provide pieces of cardboard or tarps for their customers to use as seats on the ground, making it convenient for students and office workers. Vietnamese TV host Tran Khanh Vy, who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for several years, shared her favorite ca phe bet hangout right in the heart of the metropolis at the April 30th Park. Just a stone’s throw away from there is the Independence Palace, which is Khanh Vy’s second recommendation to visit during downtime. “If you want to get a really great picture or selfie, come here,” said Khanh Vy, who is also a content creator and author. Here is the full list of places she recommended to CNBC Travel’s Downtime: Street coffee near the April 30th park (Cà Phê Bệt at Công Viên 30/4) to get your hassle-free caffeine fix. These makeshift stalls can be found on the sidewalks of Ho Chi Minh City, but the most popular spots can be found near the April 30th Park. Near 6 Alexandre de Rhodes, Bến Nghé, District 1Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập) is an unmistakable historical landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, boasting picturesque views of the city. Ben Thanh, District 1 ***** Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng) is one of the most revered places of worship in Ho Chi Minh City. Tucked among modern skyscrapers, the pagoda was built in 1909 and counts former U.S. president Barack Obama as one of its visitors. 73 Đường Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, District 1 Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the oldest and most vibrant thoroughfares in the city with numerous landmarks dotted around it. In 2014, the middle lane of the boulevard was converted into a pedestrian square and is completely pedestrianized on weekend evenings. Đường Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, District 1 Fahasa is Vietnam’s biggest bookstore chain, conveniently located along Nguyen Hue Walking Street. 40 Đường Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, District 1Chè Bưởi Mẹ Siêu Nhân offers traditional Vietnamese desserts. The treat is a childhood delight for Khanh Vy and she shares her go-to shop along Nguyen Hue Walking Street. 66A Đường Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, District 1 Watch the video above for Khanh Vy’s guided tour. Source link #Vietnamese #content #creator #Khanh #Vys #top #spots #Chi #Minh #City Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sources: QB Sanders won't work out at combine – ESPN Sources: QB Sanders won't work out at combine – ESPN Sources: QB Sanders won’t work out at combine ESPNColorado QB Shedeur Sanders won’t throw at 2025 NFL Scouting Combine NFL.comColorado star, potential top draft pick Shedeur Sanders won’t throw at NFL combine Yahoo SportsHow to watch NFL combine 2025: Channel, streaming, dates, times for pre-draft workouts USA TODAYREPORT: Raiders’ Front Office Ready to Make a Splash Sports Illustrated Source link #Sources #Sanders #won039t #work #combine #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man charged with ******* after rooftop stand-off Man charged with ******* after rooftop stand-off A man will face court on allegations he murdered a friend after being taken to hospital with injuries from a rooftop stand-off with police. Source link #Man #charged #******* #rooftop #standoff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hospital patient breaks ‘every bone’ in nurse’s face during attack: police Hospital patient breaks ‘every bone’ in nurse’s face during attack: police PALM BEACH, Fla. (WJW) — A Florida man is facing attempted ******* charges after allegedly attacking a nurse at a hospital where he was being cared for, essentially breaking every bone in her face. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to an aggravated battery incident in a patient’s room at Palms West Hospital on Feb. 18. Accidental shooting leaves 15-year-old in serious condition Deputies determined that a patient, identified as Stephen Scantlebury, had committed aggravated battery against a nurse, the sheriff’s office wrote on social media. The nurse was “critically injured” and taken to a different hospital. Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office An additional update from the sheriff’s office stated that Scantlebury had been arrested and was undergoing medical clearance. On Feb. 20, the sheriff’s department, in another update on social media, wrote that a hate crime enhancement had been added to the existing charge of attempted second-degree *******. “Hate crime enhancements, if proven, can result in harsher penalties upon conviction. They highlight the motive behind the defendant’s actions and their broader impact on the community,” the post said. Boss arrested after fatally shooting employee in McDonald’s parking lot According to PEOPLE, police affidavits obtained by Florida media outlets described how Scantlebury allegedly jumped on top of his bed and then onto the nurse and attacked her. It went on to state that “essentially every bone in the victim’s face is broken,” and additionally, the victim would likely lose the use of both of her eyes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Source link #Hospital #patient #breaks #bone #nurses #face #attack #police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Startup founders turn to ‘seed-strapping’ amid difficult VC landscape Startup founders turn to ‘seed-strapping’ amid difficult VC landscape “I think what most founders are also realizing is what you need is not just money, but time. You need time to explore … You need space. You can’t have someone breathing down your neck for updates [while you’re] trying to figure out your product market fit at the start,” says Jx Lye, founder and CEO of Acme Technology. Recep-bg | E+ | Getty Images With the rise of the modern venture capital industry, it seemed as though the idea of creating a technology startup was inextricably tied to an expectation of raising institutional funding. But many founders today are challenging that assumption. The practice of bootstrapping — or using one’s own resources to start, grow and scale a business — is not new. Famous companies such as Spanx, Craigslist and GoPro all started in the mid-1990s or early 2000s as ideas that were bootstrapped for years before they took off and became multi-million dollar enterprises. Today, bootstrapping is seeing a new wave of interest among founders, and amid this rise in attention comes a new idea: “seed-strapping.” What is ‘seed-strapping’? The concept of “seed-strapping” entered public discourse largely as a reaction to the major downturn in the venture capital industry in and beyond Silicon Valley. “There’s bootstrapping and then there’s venture capital … seed-strapping is sort of what I would call the ‘Goldilocks version’ of that,” Josh Payne, general partner of OpenSky Ventures, told CNBC. The idea is to raise a single round of funding and scale profitably from there, he said. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented the zero interest rate policy, which slashed interest rates in an effort to stimulate economic growth. This made borrowing money cheap and incentivized investors such as venture capitalists to deploy more money and into riskier assets. Covid-19 stimulus compounded those effects, and VC funding peaked during the pandemic years. That led to some startups getting massive valuations, while others became overvalued and ultimately went bust — think WeWork. After the pandemic, the pendulum swung the other way as investors retreated and venture funding began to dry up. That has led some founders to consider alternative options such as bootstrapping or seed-strapping to fund their companies. But some founders say it comes with competitive advantages. Seed-strapped successes Wade Foster, co-founder and CEO of multinational software company Zapier, seed-strapped his company before the term “seed-strapping” was even around. He said he started the company alongside his co-founders in 2011, before they raised about $1.3 million in seed equity funding in October 2012. After closing on their seed round, they were able to operate purely off of the company’s revenue, said Foster. By January 2014, the startup became profitable. And by 2020, it hit $100 million in annual recurring revenue, he added. “I wasn’t familiar with anybody that was [seed-strapping],” said Foster. At the time, founders were either in the bootstrapping camp or in the raising venture capital camp, and it wasn’t until recent years that this idea of “one and done” fundraising became popularized, he said. Foster and his co-founders were initially trying to bootstrap their company but ultimately decided to raise a seed round so that they could grow more quickly. “We started the company while in school, and it’s not like we had a lot of savings,” he said. “We were pure bootstrapping … [but] it’s just slower progress, so seed-strapping meant being able to be full-time on it and really give it our all.” After getting that first round of investments, Foster and his co-founders decided not to raise funds again. “For us, not raising more had nothing to do with the environment, and had everything to do with the fact that we were able to get profitable,” said Foster. “We were tripling revenue year over year.” “More capital would just have created more problems for us, and we didn’t want to take the dilution on, if it wasn’t necessary,” Foster said. “We didn’t want investors in our kitchen calling the shots … [we wanted to] allow ourselves to really be in the driver’s seat for where this thing could go.” Similarly, Payne said he raised only about $750,000 in a seed round for his company StackCommerce in 2011. About a decade later, he sold the commerce and content platform to TPG’s Integrated Media Company for an undisclosed amount. “We were basically profitable when we raised and stayed profitable after … ran that for about a decade, and then we exited to TPG,” said Payne. “All of the early investors made 10x their investments … It was a really big, successful exit for the investors and for myself.” For both founders, seed-strapping came with the perks of being backed by venture capital — such as validation, social-proofing, mentorship and resources — but without the dilution and the loss of control over the startup. “You get all the benefits of raising from venture without, you know, the hangover of it,” said Payne. I definitely think seed-strapping is going to be a lot more prevalent for companies. Wade Foster Co-founder and CEO, Zapier Another factor fueling this shift is the proliferation of artificial intelligence. “I definitely think seed-strapping is going to be a lot more prevalent for companies,” said Zapier’s Foster. “I think AI, in particular, is making it more possible, where these companies can use automation [and] tech to get a lot of leverage without having to go hire a bunch of people.” The most expensive thing in tech is hiring people, and that’s what “makes it really hard for early stage startups to get the flywheel going,” said Foster. “[AI is] making it possible for founders to do one round of funding and then get some profitability and grow pretty meaningfully.” Southeast Asia versus the U.S. Today, seed-strapping and bootstrapping have seen a resurgence globally. While the trend has been seen in the U.S. market, industry insiders say it’s even more noticeable in Southeast Asia. “It’s more pronounced here because you could argue that in Southeast Asia, we are more suited for this kind of bootstrapped business,” said Jx Lye, founder and CEO of Acme Technology. There are several reasons for that. One of them is that the U.S. is made up of one major market, while Southeast Asia has 11 different countries. That means the “power law” principle may be applicable to venture capital in the United States but not to the region. “Power law doesn’t work in Southeast Asia,” Jeremy Tan, co-founder and partner of Tin Men Capital, told CNBC. Power law in the context of venture capital refers to the idea that while the majority of startups in a fund’s portfolio will break even or fail, a tiny fraction of companies will generate most of the fund’s returns. “It’s been popularized in the U.S., and has predominantly been a model used in Southeast Asia, though I think it’s a flop model for this region,” Tan said. “The VCs that run this type of model will look for companies that’ll have phenomenal growth.” Industry experts say that this type of 100x growth can be extremely difficult to achieve in Southeast Asia because the region is made up of many smaller markets with different languages, cultures and regulatory hurdles, unlike in the United States, where the market is more homogeneous. I think what most founders are also realizing is what you need is not just money, but time. Jx Lye Founder and CEO, Acme Technology In addition, Southeast Asia has been experiencing a multi-year funding drought. The region’s startup ecosystem has been undergoing a painful and costly recalibration after funding peaked during the Covid-19 pandemic, which put many startups in a pressure cooker to deliver on their massive valuations. Exits — which offer investors a way to take out their money and profit on their investments — have also been few and far between in the region, according to industry insiders, which has made many venture capitalists and limited partners more cautious on their bets. A changing ethos Beyond the current market environment, there has also been a shift in the ethos of some founders in the region. “There’s a huge rethink by founders about whether they want to take [venture capital] money,” said Acme Technology’s Lye. “[VC funding] is like basically setting fire to gasoline … but then you have to live up to that valuation.” Founders are realizing that once they take money from institutional investors, the attention can immediately shift to growth, sometimes to the detriment of the startup. This “growth at all costs” mindset can put a lot of pressure on founders, which can lead to unsustainable business models and more. There’s no point making all this money, and in the end, you realize that you’re alone. Jeremy Tan Co-founder and Partner, Tin Men Capital “When you start a company, it’s a nonlinear thing. You could go up, you could go down, and that really adds to that pressure, because you have to justify that valuation,” said Lye. “I think what most founders are also realizing is what you need is not just money, but time. You need time to explore … You need space. You can’t have someone breathing down your neck for updates [while you’re] trying to figure out your product market fit at the start,” said Lye. “Founders are expected to work very hard, but then I think there’s a fine line,” said Tin Men Capital’s Tan. Why work so hard for years on end, just to lose “everything else” like health or family? “There’s no point making all this money, and in the end, you realize that you’re alone,” he said. Source link #Startup #founders #turn #seedstrapping #difficult #landscape Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******* Election Results Live: Conservatives win but refuse talks with second placed far-right AfD – Reuters ******* Election Results Live: Conservatives win but refuse talks with second placed far-right AfD – Reuters ******* Election Results Live: Conservatives win but refuse talks with second placed far-right AfD ReutersLive ******* election results and maps: Conservatives win, AfD achieves best finish yet Reuters‘Now is the time of monsters’: young Berliners despair at far-right surge The GuardianFriedrich Merz ******* elections The New York TimesTrump celebrates conservative party win in Germany Fox News Source link #******* #Election #Results #Live #Conservatives #win #refuse #talks #farright #AfD #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Legendary Aussie rocker Jacques De Jongh has died after battle with ill health Legendary Aussie rocker Jacques De Jongh has died after battle with ill health *********** musician Jacques De Jongh has died, following a battle with ill health. Music channel Noise11 broke the news on Sunday, with no cause of death given. De Jongh rose to fame in the glam rock band, Hush, in the 1970s, where he played rhythm and bass guitar alongside vocalist, Keith Lamb. He later performed with Aussie music royalty, John Paul Young. The band had two top 10 hits; Bony Moronie, which peaked at number four in 1975 on the Aussie charts, and Glad All Over, which reached number eight. Jacques De Jongh played on the fifth and final Hush album Touché, which hit number 36 in 1977. Camera IconLegendary Aussie rocker Jacques De Jongh has died after a battle with ill health. Credit: Facebook De Jongh joined Hush for reunion appearances on the classic Aussie show, Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Prior to Hush, De Jongh was a member of the Geelong band, Redhouse Roll Band. He also appeared in a band called Shadowfax. Friend Ian Lovell told Noise11 that De Jongh was active in the music business until he became too ill. “Jacques worked as a chef of some note. He had a restaurant,” Lovell explained to the publication. “He also ran a rehearsal studio and helped all sorts of bands. He was very active up until his poor health stopped him working.” Source link #Legendary #Aussie #rocker #Jacques #Jongh #died #battle #ill #health Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis in critical condition with early kidney failure but remains alert as prayers pour in Pope Francis in critical condition with early kidney failure but remains alert as prayers pour in ROME (AP) — Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday and blood tests showed early kidney failure but he remains alert, responsive and attended Mass, the ******** said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection. In a late update, the ******** said Francis hadn’t had any more respiratory crises since Saturday night but was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen. Some blood tests showed “initial, mild, kidney failure,” but doctors said it was under control. 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. “The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for drug therapies to provide some feedback, dictate that the prognosis remains guarded,” Francis’ doctors concluded. Prayers for Francis, meanwhile, poured in from around the world, from his native Argentina to the seat of Sunni Islam in Cairo to schoolchildren in Rome. In New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan admitted what church leaders in Rome weren’t saying publicly: that the Catholic faithful were united “at the bedside of a dying father.” “As our Holy Father Pope Francis is in very, very fragile health, and probably close to death,” Dolan said in his homily from the pulpit of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, though he later told reporters he hoped and prayed that Francis would “bounce back.” Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease. His condition has revived speculation about what might happen if he becomes unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, and whether he might resign. Prayers for pope at ******** Francis was supposed to celebrate Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter’s Basilica and ordain deacons as part of the ********’s yearlong Holy Year commemoration. The organizer of the Holy Year, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, celebrated the Mass in his place and offered a special prayer for Francis from the altar before delivering the homily the pope had prepared. “Even though he is in a hospital bed, we feel Pope Francis close to us. We feel him present among us,” Fisichella told the hundreds of white-robed deacons. A pre-written message that had been prepared for Francis to read Sunday, but he did not deliver, said he was “confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!” The message asked for prayers for him — as he always asks — and noted the upcoming anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “a painful and shameful occasion for the whole of humanity.” Meanwhile in Francis’ native Argentina, Catholics prayed for the pope at the Buenos Aires cathedral and the city’s iconic obelisk was lit up “Francis, the city prays for you.” In Cairo, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the seat of Sunni learning who forged a close bond with Francis, wished him well. “I pray to ****** to grant my dear brother, Pope Francis, a swift recovery and to bless him with good health and well-being so that he may continue his journey in serving humanity,” Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb wrote in a Facebook post. The American Jewish Committee also offered prayers. “We stand together with our Catholic brothers and sisters during this challenging time,” the group wrote on X. And school children from around Rome deluged the Gemelli hospital with get-well cards, while Italian bishops led rosary prayers and celebrated special Masses across Italy. The main threat facing the pope is sepsis Doctors have warned that the main threat facing Francis is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. To date there has been no reference to any onset of sepsis in the medical updates provided by the ********, including on Sunday. On Saturday, Francis developed a low platelet count, which remained low but stable Sunday. Platelets are cell-like fragments that circulate in the blood that help form blood clots to stop bleeding or help wounds heal. Low platelet counts can be caused by a number of things, including side effects from medicines or infections. Francis also developed anemia and, during blood transfusions Saturday, was given hematin, a treatment designed to increase the level of hemoglobin in his his blood, which in turn helps the blood carry more oxygen. Doctors reported Sunday that the therapy had been beneficial. Francis, who has chronic lung disease and is prone to bronchitis in winter, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors first diagnosed the complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection and then the onset of pneumonia in both lungs. They prescribed “absolute rest” and a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, along with supplemental oxygen when he needs it. Francis’ recent reforms suggest he knew he was getting older and more fragile Francis has taken several recent decisions that suggest he was well aware that he was getting old and frail. Last year, he revised the ******** rites that will be used after he dies, simplifying the rituals to emphasize his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the ******** in keeping with his wishes. But the core elements of the rites remain, including the three key moments that must be observed between the death of a pope and his ********: In his home, in St. Peter’s Basilica and in the place of burial. In December, Francis created 21 new cardinals. All but one were under age 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave to elect his successor. Their additions brought the overall number of voting-age cardinals to 140, well over the 120 limit set by St. John Paul II. But several of the current electors are turning 80 this year, bringing the number down. Earlier this month, once he was already sick, Francis decided to extend the five-year term of the current dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, rather than make way for someone new. As depicted in the film “Conclave,” the dean of the College of Cardinals plays an important role in the life of the Catholic hierarchy, and is a crucial figure during the transition between one papacy and the next. Francis also decided to extend the term of the vice-dean, Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 81. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Source link #Pope #Francis #critical #condition #early #kidney #failure #remains #alert #prayers #pour Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stock market today: Live updates Stock market today: Live updates Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on Feb. 19, 2025. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images Stock market futures were calm on Sunday evening as Wall Street looked to bounce back from a slide late last week. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked up 32 points, or less than 0.1%. S&P 500 futures added 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures were up less than 0.1%. The move follows the stock market’s fall on Thursday and Friday to end the week in the red. The Dow finished down 2.51% for its worst weekly performance since October. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slipped 1.66% and 2.20%, respectively, for the week. The slump comes ahead of key readings on corporate earnings and the economy. Earnings reports from Home Depot and Lowe’s on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, will give investors a better sense of how U.S. consumers are faring. Nvidia’s earnings report on Wednesday evening could be even more impactful, as the artificial intelligence-linked chipmaker is still one of the biggest stocks by market cap. This will be Nvidia’s first earnings report since the emergence of the DeepSeek large language model from China that cast doubt on the sustainability of the AI trade. “It’s definitely one of the top things that the markets will be looking at [this] week. They really want to see whether the DeepSeek news … is solid in terms of disrupting these types of companies’ margins in the future,” said Lale Akoner, global market analyst at eToro. Then Friday will deliver the January reading of the personal consumption expenditures index, which is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation. The slide for stocks last week came amid renewed concerns about economic growth in the U.S. However, the market indexes are all still within 4% of their record highs. Source link #Stock #market #today #Live #updates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shedeur Sanders won’t work out at the Combine – NBC Sports Shedeur Sanders won’t work out at the Combine – NBC Sports Shedeur Sanders won’t work out at the Combine NBC SportsSources: QB Sanders won’t work out at combine ESPNColorado QB Shedeur Sanders won’t throw at 2025 NFL Scouting Combine NFL.comColorado star, potential top draft pick Shedeur Sanders won’t throw at NFL Combine Yahoo SportsHow to watch NFL combine 2025: Channel, streaming, dates, times for pre-draft workouts USA TODAY Source link #Shedeur #Sanders #wont #work #Combine #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*********** guard Armstrong inks NBA deal with Warriors *********** guard Armstrong inks NBA deal with Warriors Cairns Taipans guard Taran Armstrong has been rewarded for an outstanding NBL season, joining the Golden State Warriors on a two-way contract. Source link #*********** #guard #Armstrong #inks #NBA #deal #Warriors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Body found in search for missing jogger Body found in search for missing jogger A body has been found in the search for a 23-year-old runner who went missing five days ago, police said. Jenny Hall, 23, was last seen leaving her home at Barracks Farm, Tow Law, County Durham, on Tuesday. Her red Ford Focus was found parked on the B6278 between Eggleston and Stanhope on Wednesday. Durham Police said a body was found in a “very remote area of Teesdale” shortly after 9.30am on Sunday. The search has included police, mountain rescue teams, specialist drones, sniffer dogs, and HM Coastguard air support, focusing on Hamsterley Forest and nearby trails. A spokesman said officers had carried out an “extensive search alongside specialist partners” and had been working around the clock to locate Jenny after she went missing shortly after 3pm on Feb 18. Formal identification has yet to take place, they added. Specialist officers are currently supporting Ms Hall’s family. It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner. Police officers and mountain rescue teams had focused their search in Hamsterley Forest and the surrounding areas, where there are several running trails. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #Body #search #missing #jogger Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

X-Out Resurfaced Review – Gamerhub *** X-Out Resurfaced Review – Gamerhub *** VGChartz’s Evan Norris: “While this remake introduces many worthwhile additions — remade sprites, remastered music, helpful quality-of-life upgrades, and a brand new co-op offering — it doesn’t do anything to remedy the original’s balance issues or elevate its rudimentary scoring system. As a result, X-Out remains a middle-of-the-road shoot-’em-up, despite the impressive glow-up. If you’re interested in exploring an obscure Amiga shooter with a unique undersea setting and several unusual ideas, this is the absolute best way to do so. Just keep in mind there are other, better shmups on Switch.” Source link #XOut #Resurfaced #Review #Gamerhub Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

USAID will place thousands on administrative leave after judge lifts block on Trump administration’s plan USAID will place thousands on administrative leave after judge lifts block on Trump administration’s plan All U.S. Agency for International Development direct hires deemed non-essential will be placed on administrative leave at 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, according to an email sent from the Office of the Administrator and reviewed by CBS News. Those being placed on leave — an estimated 4,200 staffers — would be notified by 5 p.m. Sunday, the email said. USAID is also resuming “voluntary Agency-funded return travel” for impacted employees overseas, according to the email. USAID employs more than 10,000 people, according to the Congressional Research Service, with around 4,800 direct hires stationed in foreign and domestic posts. Per the email, approximately 2,000 personnel in duty stations across the U.S. will also be subject to a reduction in force. USAID had previously deemed 611 workers as essential amid an initial attempt earlier this month to place the majority of direct hires on leave. But a judge, in response to a lawsuit brought by two unions representing USAID employees, had ordered the agency to temporarily reinstate some 2,100 personnel who had previously been placed on leave while blocking the administration from placing another 2,000 or so on leave. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was appointed by President Trump, also put a stay on orders for overseas personnel to return home. However, Nichols on Friday chose not to extend the temporary stay. In a 26-page decision, Nichols said the potential harm asserted by the unions did not warrant emergency relief. “Plaintiffs have presented no irreparable harm they or their members are imminently likely to suffer from the hypothetical future dissolution of USAID,” Nichols wrote, adding that those placed on leave still have the ability to go through the standard process of bringing their concerns before the government body for employee complaints. While the lift on the stay allows the Trump administration to place USAID workers on leave, a ruling in a separate lawsuit brought by a group of nonprofit organizations and contractors that received funding for foreign aid projects is still preventing the administration from pausing foreign aid, grants and contracts previously appropriated by Congress while legal proceedings continue. Melissa Quinn and Jacob Rosen contributed to this report. Source link #USAID #place #thousands #administrative #leave #judge #lifts #block #Trump #administrations #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

First GeForce RTX 5080 discovered with 104 ROPS, 8 missing in action – VideoCardz.com First GeForce RTX 5080 discovered with 104 ROPS, 8 missing in action – VideoCardz.com First GeForce RTX 5080 discovered with 104 ROPS, 8 missing in action VideoCardz.comNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Appears With Fewer ROPs; Problem Now Extends To Other High-End RTX 50 GPUs WccftechNvidia confirms ‘rare issue’ with some RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs – here’s how to check if you’re affected and to get a replacement TechRadarRTX 5070 Ti manufacturing defect cuts performance by up to 10% — 88 ROPs vs 96 ROPs (design) Tom’s HardwareNvidia confirms ‘rare’ RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti manufacturing issue The Verge Source link #GeForce #RTX #discovered #ROPS #missing #action #VideoCardz.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vine misses out in UAE as peerless Pogacar pedals clear Vine misses out in UAE as peerless Pogacar pedals clear Quite what *********** Jay Vine thought of his team leader tipping him to be a potential winner of the Tour of the UAE before the final stage is anyone’s guess. Because as Vine must know better than anyone, nobody beats the great Tadej Pogacar these days when cycling’s modern master puts his mind to it. Just as he ended his record-shattering 2024 season with an imperious solo win at the Tour of Lombardy, Pogacar began his 2025 campaign by once again riding away majestically from the field up the Jebel Hafeet climb to win Sunday’s final stage by more than half a minute. As he blasted off into his usual world of his own with 7.8km to go to leave his pursuers floundering, the world, Giro d’Italia and Tour de France champ Pogacar ended up winning the week-long race by a minute and 14 seconds from Italian Giulio Ciccone. It was a supreme display in his UAE Team Emirates’ outfit’s home race, but there was disappointment for Vine, who had been tipped for great things after the penultimate stage by Pogacar, for whom the Aussie had been acting impressively as a domestique over the week. “If not me, then maybe Jay Vine can do it,” the Slovenian had suggested. “We have two cards to play tomorrow – Jay is close on GC, his climbing shape is also super good, and he’s super strong, so we’ll see. Let’s hope for good legs first.” It must be the ultimate compliment these days when Pogacar calls you “super strong” and a possible race winner against him, but, alas for the 29-year-old Queenslander, Vine missed the boat on Sunday when a large group broke away in the crosswinds and he wasn’t among them. It meant Vine’s hopes were already dashed going into the final climb, and nor could he help his team leader up ahead. Not that Pogacar really needed any. Once his last teammate in the mountains, Rune Herregodts, ran out of steam on the lower slopes with just under 8km left, the Slovenian kicked off unstoppably for home, a 91st career success and a third UAE Tour title. “I didn’t want to be surprised by a counter-attack or anything. It was better to go at my own pace. It was a good day,” Pogacar said in his usual matter-of-fact way. He said he wouldn’t compete in another stage race until the Criterium du Dauphine in France in June, adding: “I will switch my mind to one-day classics and I hope to do well there also.” A big aim is winning Milan-Sanremo for the first time, while he aims also at the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege “Monuments”. He won’t defend his Giro title and will focus on the Tour de France. So, in France, another battle royal is promised between him and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard, who also won his first stage race of the year at the Tour of the Algarve on Sunday after prevailing in the final-day time trial. Source link #Vine #misses #UAE #peerless #Pogacar #pedals #clear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple reportedly plans to combine its modem with future processors as a single package Apple reportedly plans to combine its modem with future processors as a single package Apple introduced its first in-house cellular modem, the C1, last week with the announcement of , and while it didn’t get into too much detail about it, the company reportedly has some big plans for future iterations. According to ’s Mark Gurman, “Apple intends to eventually meld the modem component into the main processor.” Integrating the modem into the main processor could have energy and cost benefits, but that design is still a ways off. We’ll likely see the C2 and C3 without it first, which the company is already testing according to Gurman, and the integrated design won’t follow until “2028 at the earliest During its unveiling, Apple called the new C1 modem its “most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.” The $599 iPhone 16e also has an A18 chip (but with four GPU cores) and supports Apple Intelligence, even if that’s not . Source link #Apple #reportedly #plans #combine #modem #future #processors #single #package Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Possible gang-related shooting in quiet Orange County community leads to multi-city pursuit, 4 arrests Possible gang-related shooting in quiet Orange County community leads to multi-city pursuit, 4 arrests A shooting that police believe was gang-related led to a multi-city pursuit and four suspects being arrested in a quaint Orange County community overnight. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to the area of Calle Campana and Calle Canasta – a residential neighborhood located off Camino De Los Mares near the 5 Freeway in San Clemente – around 12:45 a.m. Sunday on a call surrounding possible gunshots. “While patrol checking the area, deputies located shell casings and other evidence of a possible shooting,” OCSD said through their San Clemente Police Services Facebook page shortly before 8:40 a.m. Sunday. “Shortly after, deputies discovered the crime scene, [and] a vehicle possibly related [to it] was located in the City of Dana Point.” Canceled pursuit of reckless driver in L.A. County ends in deadly ****** Deputies there attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated; however, they eventually yielded in San Juan Capistrano. “Two subjects quickly exited the vehicle and ran from deputies,” the sheriff’s department stated. “One of the subjects was seen running with a handgun in his possession … Both were caught and detained pending additional investigation.” “After the foot pursuit concluded, a safety sweep of the area was conducted and two handguns as well as several rounds of ammunition were located,” OCSD added. “At the original crime scene in San Clemente, deputies conducted safety sweeps of the immediate and surrounding areas but were unable to locate any victims of this incident.” Minibike rider, 16, killed in collision with hit-and-run driver An additional two suspects remained within the vehicle and were also detained, officials further elaborated. It was not clear whether any will be formally charged. The investigation into the shooting, which is believed to be gang-related, is being handled by OCSD’s Gang Enforcement Team and the O.C. Crime Lab. Officials noted that it does not appear there is any additional danger to the public in regard to the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Source link #gangrelated #shooting #quiet #Orange #County #community #leads #multicity #pursuit #arrests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]