Six Nations: England 16-15 Scotland – Finn Russell misses late conversion as England regain Calcutta Cup
Six Nations: England 16-15 Scotland – Finn Russell misses late conversion as England regain Calcutta Cup
The excellent Van der Merwe, whose surging runs and six tries have defined Scotland’s supremacy in the fixture in recent years, gave England an unwelcome reminder of his talents inside five minutes.
After Ollie Sleightholme had kicked away possession to Blair Kinghorn, the powerhouse wing scorched outside Ollie Lawrence, drawing the England cover. Quick hands then released Tom Jordan down the line and the Bristol-bound centre slung a superb inside pass to put White in.
White celebrated the opening try long and loud in front of a silenced north stand, but the home team found a swift response.
They went straight down the other end and a spell of pressure and repeated short-range thrusts ended with wing Tommy Freeman plunging over the line, with the officials confident of a grounding that looked uncertain on television replays.
It was, however, a rare foray into Scotland territory.
The visitors headed to the tunnel having entered the opposition 22m eight times, with England only managing to get into the danger zone twice.
The pilfering of back-row twins Tom and Ben Curry and England’s scrum supremacy, combined with some Scottish inaccuracy, kept the scoreline from having a similarly lop-sided look.
Jones added a try before the break, giving Scotland a 10-7 lead, as Kinghorn and Van der Merwe combined once more, finding angles, offloads and open field out wide.
Having been penned back for the majority of the match, England sprung forward thrillingly on the final play of the half as Lawrence rampaged through midfield and fed Marcus Smith.
With Freeman free on his inside, Smith couldn’t find a pass and was snared by a covering Van der Merwe. On the next phase, Lawrence’s ambitious offload landed over the advertising hoardings rather than in Sleightholme’s hands.
Source link
#Nations #England #Scotland #Finn #Russell #misses #late #conversion #England #regain #Calcutta #Cup
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
No Captain America-Bucky Team-up Ability Is a Crime But There’s Another Goldmine Combo NetEase Was Too Chickensh*t To Include
No Captain America-Bucky Team-up Ability Is a Crime But There’s Another Goldmine Combo NetEase Was Too Chickensh*t To Include
The basic concept of Marvel Rivals is very similar to some other hero shooters. However, its Team-Up Abilities feature is what makes it different. Since the game features many popular characters from the Marvel universe, the game allows two or more characters to combine their abilities into a strong single attack. NetEase Games has included some powerful team-ups, but it missed out on some obvious ones, for example, a team-up between Captain America and Bucky.
Team-up abilities perfectly show the dynamic between different Marvel characters (Image via NetEase Games)
Yes, it’s disappointing that we didn’t get that team-up, however, players shouldn’t forgive NetEase Games for also not creating a team-up ability for Thor and Loki because it would’ve allowed players to recreate one of the most iconic scenes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
NetEase Games should’ve added a team-up between Loki and Thor
Ragnarok Rebirth is the closest team-up players can get to a Loki-Thor team-up in Marvel Rivals (Image via NetEase Games)
Loki has successfully established himself as one of the most prominent characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His development arc was loved by fans all over the world, plus the Loki TV show further boosted his popularity. The chemistry between Thor and Loki in the MCU is remarkable but NetEase Games missed the opportunity to showcase the similar dynamic in Marvel Rivals.
2017’s Thor: Ragnarok gave fans one of the most iconic moments between the brothers as they use an old trick called “Get help” in one particular scene. Thor then asks Grandmaster’s soldiers to get help because his brother is sick but then proceeds to slam Loki into the guards.
NetEase Games could’ve introduced this as an ability in Marvel Rivals that allowed Thor players to use Loki as a weapon, recreating the iconic scene. It’s unclear if NetEase Games has the necessary rights to do so, but a deal must be carried out because this team-up ability is much needed.
Fans have pointed out that the game doesn’t have many iconic team-ups
A team-up between Captain America and Bucky would allow players to recreate some iconic moments from the MCU (Image via NetEase Games)
A new team-up was introduced recently after the addition of Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman. but the Marvel Rivals community has started pointing out that many iconic team-ups are missing from the game such as Captain America-Bucky, ****** Panther-Storm, Magik-Doctor Strange, and Punisher-Wolverine. The game has a lot of potential as the Marvel Universe is huge, so NetEase Games will never have to worry about adding new heroes and team-ups. Even players have come up with some wild team-up ideas that would make the game much more exciting.
Marvel Rivals was released in December and in just roughly two months, it has successfully established itself as one of the best hero shooter games. It has even managed to reach the level of the game it shares most of its elements with, Overwatch 2.
Source link
#Captain #AmericaBucky #Teamup #Ability #Crime #Goldmine #Combo #NetEase #Chickensht #Include
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Zeekr: A guide to everything you need to know
Zeekr: A guide to everything you need to know
Zeekr is among the newest brands arriving in Australia, and despite currently selling just two models locally it has plenty to unpack.
A sister brand to the likes of Volvo, Polestar and Geely under the Geely Auto umbrella, Zeekr is setting itself apart by aiming for Australia’s premium electric vehicle (EV) segment – and it’s the first such brand from China to arrive in Australia.
It isn’t concerning itself with pricing or more mainstream ******** brands like BYD or MG, instead Zeekr wants to work on expanding its home-grown dealer network while improving brand recognition to give it a better chance as a genuine Tesla alternative.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
It has also shown interest in helping to improve the reputation of ******** cars as a whole, aiming for cars from the country to be perceived as well as those from other countries like Japan.
Despite not having been around for even five years, Zeekr has made it clear it has big ambitions outside of its home country – especially in Australia.
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about Zeekr.
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
What is Zeekr?
Zeekr is a premium electric car brand founded in 2021 and headquartered in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. It’s owned by Geely Automobile, which itself was China’s first privately owned car manufacturer.
Camera Icon2021 Zeekr 001 Credit: CarExpert
As reported by CarNewsChina in 2021, Geely says the Zeekr name “comes from a combination of the term Generation Z and the word ‘geek’”. The brand’s first model was the 001, which launched in April 2021 under the Zeekr brand despite initially being slated as a vehicle for sister brand Lynk & Co.
Sporting a shooting brake body style, the Zeekr 001 is built atop the modular Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) – specifically SEA1 – developed by Zeekr Technology Europe; the brand’s European research and development centre located in Gothenburg, Sweden.
As such, the 001 shares some of its DNA with other Geely products like the Polestar 4 and Lotus Eletre.
Zeekr 001 customer deliveries began in October 2021, and in 2022 – its first full year on ***** – it chalked up 71,941 ******** sales.
Camera Icon2022 Zeekr M-Vision concept Credit: CarExpert
2022 saw no new cars go on ***** under the Zeekr brand, as it instead ramped up collaborative works with American autonomous driving company Waymo to develop a new self-driving robotaxi; a project announced the year prior.
In November 2022, Zeekr’s first Waymo prototype was unveiled in Los Angeles. Utilising Geely’s SEA-M platform, the Zeekr M-Vision was developed entirely for mass transport including robotaxi services and logistics, and marked a significant departure from Waymo’s fleet of converted Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis still in service today.
Though service-ready Zeekr robotaxis only began testing in mid-2024, the M-Vision served as a showcase of SEA-M’s full capabilities, which would eventually make its way to the road-going Zeekr Mix people mover that debuted in April last year.
Zeekr did unveil one car in 2022 though – the Zeekr 009 – shown online in August of that year before going on ***** in early 2023. The 009 is a large electric people mover built using the same SEA1 architecture as the 001 and is closely related to the Volvo EM90.
Camera Icon2024 Zeekr 009 Credit: CarExpert
It was the first Zeekr vehicle to be shown after the brand announced its cooperation with ******** battery manufacturer CATL in August 2022, making Zeekr the first brand to use CATL’s Qilin long-range batteries in mass-produced models.
The first model to use the Qilin battery was indeed the Zeekr 009, giving it a maximum driving range of 582km in WLTP testing. Its largest battery available is a 140kWh nickel manganese cobalt (Li-NMC) Qilin battery, and it has a maximum power output of 580kW to shift its nearly 3.0-tonne mass.
Gaining CATL tech soon after was the 001, which would eventually go on ***** in Europe in 2023. In that year, Zeekr entered the European market in both Sweden and the Netherlands.
Then came the Zeekr X, a small SUV using the same SEA2 architecture as the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30.
Camera Icon2024 Zeekr X Credit: CarExpert
It launched in China in April 2023 with one battery but three variants, available with both single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive. Instead of a CATL battery, the Zeekr X and Smart #1 both use components made by VREMT – an EV tech company fully owned by Geely.
The Zeekr X and 009 were the brand’s first cars to be sold in Australia, and arrived locally in late 2024.
Debuting in November 2023 was the Zeekr 007, a D-segment compact executive car available only as a sedan at launch – set to be followed by the hotted-up 007 GT shooting brake later in 2025.
The 007 utilises the SEA-derived PMA2+ platform (or Pure electric Modular Architecture), and while it was one of the first on the platform it was followed by the Smart #5 and Zeekr 7X SUVs in 2024.
Zeekr claims a range of up to 870km on the more lenient CLTC testing cycle, with both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and Li-NMC batteries available. It’s also sold in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations.
Camera Icon2024 Zeekr 007 Credit: CarExpert
The next model to go on ***** was the aforementioned Zeekr Mix, which was available to purchase immediately after it was revealed in April 2024.
Available with two batteries – a 76kWh Zeekr unit or 102kWh Qilin alternative – the Mix isn’t explicitly classified as a people mover by Zeekr despite its appearance. The brand argues it drives similarly to a crossover SUV and lacks three rows of seating, but it still slots in below the 009 luxury flagship.
The Zeekr Mix is the human-driven version of the CM1e, the culmination of the Zeekr-Waymo robotaxi collaboration unveiled in late 2023.
Zeekr’s newest model is the 7X, which debuted at the Chengdu Auto Show in August 2024. Despite not entering production until September 17, 2024, there were reportedly 58,429 orders placed for the model in just 20 days.
Camera Icon2024 Zeekr Mix Credit: CarExpert
It’s again available with either VREMT or CATL batteries, and is available in both single- and dual-motor configurations.
Soon after in November 2024, the overarching Geely Holding Group underwent a restructuring. In the shift, Geely Holding Group transferred its 11.3 per cent stake in Zeekr to Geely Auto, increasing Geely Auto’s stake in Zeekr to 62.8 per cent.
Zeekr then acquired a 20 per cent stake in Lynk & Co, coinciding with its purchase of Volvo’s 30 per cent stake. It then increased its capital in Lynk & Co to form a 51 per cent majority shareholding in its sister brand, while Geely Auto holds the remaining 49 per cent.
The move reportedly cost Zeekr more than 9.3 billion yuan, or roughly A$2 billion.
Camera Icon2025 Zeekr 7X Credit: CarExpert
Since launching in 2021, Zeekr’s global sales have increased each year. The brand recorded 6007 in 2021, then 71,941 in 2022, 118,685 in 2023, and 222,123 in 2024.
*********** sales figures for the Zeekr X are not yet available, though the brand says it has delivered “nearly 200” vehicles and recorded more than 5000 total expressions of interest as of February 2025. It aims to sell up to 10,000 vehicles in 2026.
Zeekr vehicles are built at three locations under the Geely umbrella across China, which are detailed below:
Ningbo: Zeekr 001, Zeekr 007, Zeekr 009, Zeekr 7XChengdu: Zeekr XTaizhou: Zeekr Mix
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
What can you currently buy from Zeekr?
There are only two Zeekr vehicles currently on ***** in Australia.
Camera IconZeekr X Credit: CarExpert
Though both are electric as per Zeekr’s brand description, they don’t have a lot in common.
The Zeekr X, which utilises the SEA2 platform alongside the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, is available here in either single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive configurations.
Powering both is a 66kWh Li-NMC battery developed through a partnership between CATL and Geely, providing a claimed ADR driving range of 540km or 470km for the RWD and AWD respectively.
Respective outputs are listed at 200kW/343Nm and 315kW/543Nm, with a maximum kerb weight of 1945kg for the AWD.
At 4432mm in length the Zeekr X isn’t huge, though it is still roughly 200mm longer than both the EX30 and Smart #1.
Full Zeekr X price and specs can be found here
Camera IconZeekr 009 Credit: CarExpert
In contrast, the Zeekr 009 is a large people mover measuring 5209mm in length. It utilises the SEA1 platform, of which modified versions are also the framework for the Zeekr 001, Polestar 5 and Lotus Eletre.
In Australia the 009 is only available with a 116kWh CATL Li-NMC battery providing up to 582km of WLTP range. Standard is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup capable of producing up to 450kW of power and 693Nm of torque – enough to get its 2870kg frame from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Though it’s technically only sold in one variant, the 009 is available with both six- and seven-seat arrangements.
Overseas, the Zeekr 009 is also available in a single-motor, front-wheel drive variant, while two other 108kWh and 140kWh Li-NMC CATL batteries are also offered.
Camera Icon6-seat Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon7-seat Credit: CarExpert
Full Zeekr 009 price and specs can be found here
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
Which brands does Zeekr compete against?
In Australia, Zeekr is primarily going up against other ******** EVs from the likes of BYD, as well as other Geely Auto products from Volvo and the Geely namesake brand.
Camera IconVolvo EX30 Credit: CarExpertCamera IconBYD Atto 3 Credit: CarExpert
Though there’s a wider breadth of models available overseas, we’ll only focus on Zeekr’s current lineup available in Australia.
The Zeekr X small SUV is a key rival for cars like the BYD Atto 3 and Volvo EX30 on size alone. While the Atto 3 is significantly cheaper at as little as $39,990 before on-roads, the EX30 is more expensive and starts at $59,990 before on-roads.
Maximum WLTP range for those two SUVs is listed at 420km and 462km respectively, while the Zeekr X has a maximum claimed ADR range of 540km from its base RWD variant. In reality, driving range for the Zeekr X is likely closer to that of the EX30 given both use the same EV platform.
Other ******** newcomers like the Leapmotor C10, Xpeng G6 and Deepal S07 also come to mind, but they’re all physically larger despite being sold at similar price points.
Zeekr’s most direct rival to those SUVs – and the Tesla Model Y in particular – would be its newest model: the 7X. While not currently on ***** in Australia, it’s expected to hit local showrooms in either October or November, 2025.
Camera IconVolkswagen ID. Buzz Credit: CarExpertCamera IconMercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Credit: CarExpert
The Zeekr 009, meanwhile, is an interesting proposition. Being an electric, all-wheel drive premium people mover it has few rivals, and the ones it does have offer slightly different configurations at different prices.
Its most direct rival is therefore the Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer, which is priced at $137,515 before on-roads and matches the 009. The *******-branded people mover has a claimed WLTP range of 370km compared to the 009’s 582km, and is only available in front-wheel drive configuration.
There’s also Merc’s more premium EQV300, which offers a lot of the same drivetrain components but costs $162,339 before on-roads and has a WLTP range of around 360km.
Fresh off the presses is also the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which ranges in price from $87,990 to $109,990 before on-roads. It has a claimed WLTP range of between 422km and 452km depending on the variant, and is available in either single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive configurations.
Camera IconLexus LM Credit: CarExpertCamera IconKia Carnival Credit: CarExpert
Other indirect rivals include the Lexus LM people mover priced between $160,272 and $220,272 before on-roads, though there are no electric variants as it’s hybrid-only instead.
At the much cheaper end is the segment-leading Kia Carnival, which costs as much as $76,360 before on-roads with no electric variants – though buyers can choose between petrol, diesel and hybrid options.
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
How popular is Zeekr in Australia?
Without detailed sales figures it’s difficult to say, but we can look to the brand’s targets for an idea.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The brand has previously outlined that it hopes to achieve 2500 to 3000 sales in 2025, which would put it above where Cupra sat last year (2339), as well as established brands like Peugeot (1896), Genesis (1400), Jaguar (743) and Alfa Romeo (561).
That would also put it above sister brand Polestar (1713). Its target would largely be pursued by only the Zeekr X and 009, as the late arrival of the 7X means it may not have enough time to make a significant impact.
Even with new models it’s still likely to be a while away from the likes of BYD, which recorded 20,458 sales in 2024.
Additionally, Zeekr has set a loose target of 10,000 sales by 2026, which would be a strong first few years for a brand that arrived at the end of 2024.
As of the start of February 2025, Zeekr says it has more than 5000 total registrations of interest, as well as around 200 total deliveries of the Zeekr X alone.
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
What’s next for Zeekr?
Zeekr’s short-term goals in Australia are focused on both expanding its retail network and improving brand recognition.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
It has outlined plans to potentially triple the size of its local dealer network, which would assist in its bold ambitions of achieving more than 10,000 sales in just a couple of years.
Its network currently comprises showrooms in Perth and Canberra; temporary showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney and Geelong; plus pop-ups in various shopping centres.
“For this year, our dealership plan is 12-15 around the country. In each big city, like Sydney and Melbourne, at least we are going to have three,” Zeekr International chief marketing officer Frank Li told CarExpert earlier this month.
He also said Australia was one of Zeekr’s “most important markets”, and outlined its commitment to managing its own dealers.
Camera IconZeekr Mix Credit: CarExpert
“Currently, even though we’ve entered 40 markets globally, we’ve only set up three national sales companies [where we’ve] set up an entity and also we hired local staff with the office and we are doing marketing, branding, training by ourselves in this market,” he said
“So the only three are Australia, Thailand and Mexico. So that shows our ambition and also our respect to this market, and also we’re really keen to bring the best service and the best user experience to the customers in this market.
“I think that is a very good signal, a very clear signal.
“I’m not saying that for the distributor market that we’re not really keen on working with them, but that definitely shows more confidence when you set up an entity here.”
Camera IconZeekr 7X Credit: CarExpert
In any case, Zeekr has the distinction of being the first premium ******** EV brand in Australia, and that provides both an opportunity to capitalise on an emerging segment along with the threat of slow sales.
It’ll soon bolster its lineup with the addition of the Model Y-rivalling 7X mid-sized SUV, which is slated to arrive here in the final few months of 2025.
That model will be crucial for the brand, especially as fellow premium brands from China like BYD’s Denza and Chery’s Jaecoo gear up to launch in Australia within the next year.
In terms of new models, Zeekr has also outlined it is keen to hear which of its cars Australians want sold here to guide its future plans.
Interested in a Zeekr? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer
MORE: Everything Zeekr
Source link
#Zeekr #guide
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
A renowned market strategist who called the dot-com bubble warns US stocks are at ‘serious risk’ as tech analyst optimism starts to sour
A renowned market strategist who called the dot-com bubble warns US stocks are at ‘serious risk’ as tech analyst optimism starts to sour
A trader reacts after the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange on November 5, 2008.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Albert Edwards warns declining analyst optimism for US tech stocks could mean trouble.
Historically, souring analyst optimism has led to poor stock-market performance.
Tech-stock capitalization now exceeds dot-com bubble levels, leaving the market vulnerable, he said.
Societe Generale strategist Albert Edwards has long been skeptical that AI stocks in the US could live up to the hype surrounding them. Now, it looks like stock analysts covering the tech sector are starting to grow dubious, too.
In a client note published Thursday, the often-bearish Edwards published a series of charts that he thinks should give investors pause as stocks remain close to all-time highs. They show analyst optimism souring on tech stocks, which have underpinned the market’s impressive rally — a development he said puts stocks “at serious risk.”
Here are a few of them. First is the 12-month moving average of the percentage of analysts who are upgrading earnings-per-share forecasts. It’s fallen from around 58% to 50% since the start of 2024, yet the Nasdaq 100 has continued its surge. Historically, downtrends like this in optimism have coincided with a dip below the Nasdaq’s 200-day moving average.
“If the rapid decline in analyst optimism for the Nasdaq 100 is anything to go by, the tide is going out fast,” Edwards wrote. “Indeed, it is a minor macro miracle that the index is still trading above its 200 mav let alone record highs.”
Societe Generale
There’s also been a disconnect between analysts’ expectations for earnings and how well earnings have fared, with reality lagging. Now, it looks like expectations are starting to turn south as trailing earnings flatten and fall short.
Societe Generale
And estimates for the S&P Composite 1500 have started to turn downward for the first time since their ChatGPT-driven rebound.
“It is the chart below that investors should be really nervous about,” Edwards wrote. “Notwithstanding the ‘blips’ from games played around reporting rounds, analyst optimism for the S&P 500 has been a series of lower highs and lower lows. Both the 6 and 12 month moving averages are now turning down.”
Societe Generale
Again, Edwards emphasizes, the problem with souring expectations is that investors’ outlook is already at exuberant extremes, and anything that falls short of those extremes is a downside miss.
“In ordinary times this would not be a serious threat to equity investors, but it is potentially a big risk when we are at nose-bleed-high valuations and optimism.”
Here’s a look at how frothy the tech sector and US stocks have gotten. Tech stocks now make up a higher percentage of the market than during the dot-com bubble — which Edwards is famous for calling — and US stocks are now an exorbitant 75% of global market cap.
Story Continues
Societe Generale
Plus, actual market performance tends to trend with where analyst estimates go. A worsening outlook suggests the rally could start to slow.
Societe Generale
“If US analyst optimism is turning downward might this be enough to pull the rug from under what many see as an extremely expensive equity market, flirting with all-time highs?” Edwards wrote.
Indeed, stocks have faced a few hurdles in recent weeks that could be ongoing problems for US investors.
******** firm DeepSeek released a new AI chatbot in late January, threatening OpenAI’s ChatGPT with its lower costs, and calling into question the vast amounts of AI infrastructure spending in the US. President Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on tariff policy has also injected uncertainty into the market. And questions about the strength of the US economy have emerged this week as Walmart warned of lower expected sales and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment survey showed consumers are still concerned about inflation.
Whether these are catalysts to a longer-term pullback is still unknown. Most Wall Street strategists have bullish year-end price targets for the S&P 500. But Edwards lays out a compelling list of charts investors might do well to keep their eyes on.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Source link
#renowned #market #strategist #called #dotcom #bubble #warns #stocks #risk #tech #analyst #optimism #starts #sour
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
US says revenue from minerals deal will fuel Ukraine’s postwar growth – Financial Times
US says revenue from minerals deal will fuel Ukraine’s postwar growth – Financial Times
US says revenue from minerals deal will fuel Ukraine’s postwar growth Financial TimesU.S. Pressing Tough Demands in Revised Deal for Ukraine’s Minerals The New York TimesUkraine, US still ironing out parts of minerals pact Yahoo FinancePresident Zelensky is not accepting the proposed U.S. deal CNNU.S., Ukraine near deal to grant mineral rights to Washington The Washington Post
Source link
#revenue #minerals #deal #fuel #Ukraines #postwar #growth #Financial #Times
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Six Nations: Finn Russell misses conversion to beat England
Six Nations: Finn Russell misses conversion to beat England
Watch as Scotland’s Finn Russell misses a conversion in the final minute to hand England a 16-15 victory in the Six Nations.
WATCH MORE: Ireland beat spirited Wales to keep Grand Slam hopes alive
Watch highlights on Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC iPlayer.
Available to *** users only.
Source link
#Nations #Finn #Russell #misses #conversion #beat #England
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
England win Calcutta Cup after agonising Russell miss
England win Calcutta Cup after agonising Russell miss
Scotland’s Finn Russell has missed a last-gasp conversion for victory, leaving England to celebrate regaining the Calcutta Cup with a 16-15 win at Twickenham.
Source link
#England #win #Calcutta #Cup #agonising #Russell
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
West Virginia offers president’s job to Coastal Carolina’s Benson amid enrollment woes
West Virginia offers president’s job to Coastal Carolina’s Benson amid enrollment woes
Coastal Carolina University President Michael Benson has been extended an offer to become West Virginia University’s next president, where he would be tasked with reversing decade-long declining enrollment at the state’s flagship university.
Coastal Carolina made the announcement in a message to its campus community on Friday night, a day after West Virginia University announced that its Board of Governors had approved its next president but would not disclose a name until after a contract was signed.
Officials at either school haven’t said whether Benson accepted the offer, although Coastal Carolina said its board has called a committee to initiate a search for Benson’s replacement.
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.
“While we will certainly miss President Benson, I believe that his work, along with the work of the board and the University faculty and staff, has positioned us for tremendous opportunities in the days ahead,” Coastal Carolina board Chairman H. Delan Stevens said.
Benson would replace E. Gordon Gee, the Morgantown school’s longest-serving president who announced during a budget crisis in August 2023 that he would retire when his contract expires in June 2025.
Benson, who turns 60 next Friday, has been Coastal Carolina’s president for four years in Conway, South Carolina. He previously served as president at Eastern Kentucky University, Southern Utah University and Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, where at 36 he became the youngest college president in the history of the Utah System of Higher Education. A history professor, Benson has taught at each institution where he’s served as president.
Known as a deft fundraiser, Benson helped Snow became the first junior college athletic program in the country to be sponsored by Nike, and Benson raised more money in five years than the school had in its previous 115-year history, according to the Deseret News. In 2022, Coastal Carolina received its largest-ever gift, $10 million from Conway Medical Center.
Benson also has prioritized civic engagement with a long history of serving on committees and boards, including the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ten years ago at Eastern Kentucky, a student who was frustrated that school had not been called off after a snowstorm joked on the social platform X that he wouldn’t attend class until Benson shoveled his driveway. Benson showed up less than a hour later, cleared the driveway and shared a meal with the student and his family.
Benson has degrees from Brigham Young University, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins and the University of Oxford in England. Benson played varsity basketball at Oxford, where he and current U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey were teammates.
Like Gee, Benson was born in Utah and is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Gee, 81, is in his second stint at West Virginia that began in 2014.
When Gee announced his retirement, the university addressed a $45 million budget shortfall by raising tuition, dropping about 8% of its majors and cutting about 5% of faculty positions. The cuts were denounced as “draconian and catastrophic” by the American Federation of Teachers,
WVU announced it was in a more stable financial position last summer, when additional bachelor’s degree program cuts were made at satellite campuses in Beckley and Keyser.
The 26,000-student university’s enrollment across all campuses has fallen 17.5% since 2015. The university also had been weighed down by revenue lost during the pandemic and an increasing debt load for new building projects.
Under Benson, Coastal Carolina’s enrollment reached 11,000 last fall for the first time in school history.
Source link
#West #Virginia #offers #presidents #job #Coastal #Carolinas #Benson #enrollment #woes
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Marvel Rivals Banning Blitz is Great But It’s High Time NetEase Addresses Smurfing, Just Like Overwatch 2
Marvel Rivals Banning Blitz is Great But It’s High Time NetEase Addresses Smurfing, Just Like Overwatch 2
Marvel Rivals is currently the top hero-shooter game in the gaming industry. The title took the world by storm when it was first released back on 6 December 2024, and has since dominated the entire genre. The game is averaging about more than 200,000 players per day and with the new mid-season patch released a few days ago, the title is expected to attract a lot of new players.
Newcomers in Marvel Rivals suffer from smurfs in their games | Image Credits: NetEase Games
New players might face a little shock while playing the competitive mode in the game because of the rampant smurfing in the lobbies. Smurfing is a prevalent issue in not just Marvel Rivals but in all multiplayer shooter games. Let’s delve deeper into why NetEase Games should actively deal with Smurfing.
Smurfing is a huge problem in multiplayer gaming
Overwatch 2 is taking measures to tackle smurfing | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment
Smurfing is a disgusting practice where players in a game make new alternate accounts to play in a newer lobby filled with more inexperienced players. This is primarily done by the game’s more high-level individuals who probably cannot play in their own ranked lobbies and as a coping method tend to dominate over unseasoned gamers.
Smurfing has been a problem in all genres of multiplayer games where there is a competitive setting. The rampant custom of smurfing is a huge problem for newcomers who want to enjoy the game on their own level but are constantly being wrecked by smurfs who are much more experienced. This has created a bad taste in a lot of new players who are playing a game for the first time and are still new to the mechanics.
Smurfing in Marvel Rivals has been a glaring issue since the day it was released and although NetEase has not taken any steps for this, they can take inspiration from Blizzard Entertainment who are taking rigorous steps in their new season update to overcome the problem of smurfing in their game.
In Overwatch 2‘s recent Defense Matrix blog, Blizzard has openly talked about how they want to keep the playing field fair and even for all the players. The blog mentions how Blizzard has been working on a new mechanism in the game where if an experienced player is trying to play in lower-ranked lobbies, the system will recognize that and increase their MMR (Match Making Rating) exponentially.
Blizzard has also made sure that new accounts will play against AI bots during the first five matches, ensuring that newcomers will get a chance to become familiar with the game, before heading on to actual matches. While these new mechanics are still now and have been tested in limited capacity, this will ensure that the widespread occurrence of smurfing decreases a bit.
Marvel Rivals must tackle the smurfing issue as soon as possible
NetEase Games should resolve this issue as soon as possible | Image Credits: NetEase Games
The escalating issue of Smurfing has plagued all multiplayer genres equally and the frustration from it is at an all-time high. While games like Overwatch 2 are taking measures to reduce the damage, to fully overcome the problem developers have to take extreme steps to ensure an even playing field.
Although NetEase Games have tackled the Blitz rife in Marvel Rivals, they have yet to announce concrete measures against the smurfing problem. We as a community are all eager to see how the developers will tackle this issue to ensure fair matchmaking and a balanced playing field for newer players in the game.
Source link
#Marvel #Rivals #Banning #Blitz #Great #High #Time #NetEase #Addresses #Smurfing #Overwatch
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Warren Buffett sounds warning to Washington as Berkshire reports record profit, cash – Reuters
Warren Buffett sounds warning to Washington as Berkshire reports record profit, cash – Reuters
Warren Buffett sounds warning to Washington as Berkshire reports record profit, cash ReutersWarren Buffett touts Berkshire’s record tax payments, urges government to spend wisely Fox BusinessWarren Buffett urges Trump to spend government funds wisely, protect US dollar New York Post Buffett seeks to reassure shareholders over record cash pile Financial TimesBerkshire Hathaway Sets Another Record With Massive Tax Bill Bloomberg
Source link
#Warren #Buffett #sounds #warning #Washington #Berkshire #reports #record #profit #cash #Reuters
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Macron calls France knife attack “Islamist terrorism”
Macron calls France knife attack “Islamist terrorism”
French President Emmanuel Macron says a knife attack that killed one and injured three in eastern France was “Islamist terrorism”, after France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed it was investigating the case.
A man attacked local police officers in the city of Mulhouse shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) on Saturday afternoon, the PNAT prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
A passer-by was killed trying to intervene, while three police officers were injured, the prosecutor’s office added.
“It is without any doubt an act of Islamist terrorism,” Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the annual French farm show, adding that the interior minister was on his way to Mulhouse.
The suspect has been arrested, the prosecutor’s office said.
Source link
#Macron #calls #France #knife #attack #Islamist #terrorism
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Group of animals make remarkable return for first time in 10,000 years — here’s what made this homecoming possible
Group of animals make remarkable return for first time in 10,000 years — here’s what made this homecoming possible
A group of bison has claimed an estate in the east of Portugal as their new stomping grounds, marking the animal’s first presence in the country for 10,000 years.
Animals Around the Globe detailed that a restoration initiative has brought eight European bison to Herdade do Vale Feitoso in Castelo Branco, with the herd arriving from Poland.
The now-extinct steppe bison once roamed the Iberian Peninsula during the Ice Age, and while European bison aren’t native to the area, they have at least demonstrated an ability to thrive in warmer climates, with a similar program bringing bison to Spain.
It’s not just an effort to increase the presence of a creature that once called the region home. It’s said the bison will help to prevent wildfires — which are a regular occurrence in Portugal and neighboring Spain — by eating vegetation and creating firebreaks. Meanwhile, by cleaning ground for grass to grow, the bison can prevent the presence of flammable scrub, which ignites easier than grass.
According to information shared by Statista, Portugal has seen the most wildfires of any European country in the last 10 years. The 143,313 acres burned in 2024 was a significant increase on the 36,855 burned in 2023, and it represented the greatest volume of affected land since 2017.
With global temperatures on the rise — with human-caused pollution one of the main drivers of thermometers creeping up — drier conditions and drought are becoming more likely. That causes the risk of wildfires to increase. They are also becoming longer and stronger, as well as occurring in previously unaffected areas.
Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City?
The bison are also expected to provide a boost to biodiversity, which is crucial for a healthy ecosystem and can even benefit the human food web.
According to Animals Around the Globe, the rewilding effort will be “mutually beneficial for both the bison and the environment.”
Portugal isn’t the only place that has welcomed bison back. In Montana, for example, bison have been reintroduced to tribal lands, encouraging the growth of native plants and leading to the return of other animals that once called the plains home.
Meanwhile, other initiatives are bringing creatures back to previously native areas to support the ecosystem. In England and Scotland, beavers have returned to help reduce flooding and drought risks.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Source link
#Group #animals #remarkable #return #time #years #heres #homecoming
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Can Arabs stop Trump’s Gaza displacement proposal? – Al Jazeera English
Can Arabs stop Trump’s Gaza displacement proposal? – Al Jazeera English
Can Arabs stop Trump’s Gaza displacement proposal? Al Jazeera EnglishArab Leaders Scramble to Counter Trump’s Gaza Plans The New York TimesSaudi Crown Prince MBS Rallies Arab Leaders on Gaza Plan to Thwart Trump BloombergArab leaders scramble for alternative to Trump’s Gaza proposal The Washington Post
Source link
#Arabs #stop #Trumps #Gaza #displacement #proposal #Jazeera #English
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Pope Francis in critical condition after health worsens
Pope Francis in critical condition after health worsens
The ******** says that Pope Francis’ health had deteriorated and for the first time described his condition as “critical”, reporting he had needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
In a statement on Saturday, the ******** said the 88-year-old Francis, who has double pneumonia, had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” and his condition had worsened in the past 24 hours.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” the statement said.
“The Pope is not out of danger.”
“The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is more unwell than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.”
The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days.
The ******** said on Saturday that doctors had to administer a “high flow” of oxygen because of his breathing crisis. It added that the blood transfusions were necessary because tests showed he had a low platelet count, associated with anaemia.
The ******** announced earlier in the day that he would not appear in public on Sunday to lead prayer with pilgrims, the second consecutive week he will have missed the event.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The ******** has described the pope’s infection as “complex,” saying it is being caused by two or more micro-organisms.
In a briefing on Friday, two of his doctors said the Pope was highly vulnerable due to his age and frailty.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli staff, said there was a risk the lung infection could spread to his bloodstream and develop into sepsis, which “could be very difficult to overcome”.
Francis, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health in the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
Concerns over his health have led at least one cardinal to suggest that Francis might resign if he felt unable to carry on.
However, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the ********’s secretary of state who is sometimes referred to as the deputy pope, dismissed such talk as “useless speculation.”
“Now we are thinking about the Holy Father’s health, his recovery, and his return to the ********. These are the only things that matter,” Parolin told the Corriere della Sera daily in comments published on Saturday.
Source link
#Pope #Francis #critical #condition #health #worsens
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Top 4 Health Benefits You Should Know About
Top 4 Health Benefits You Should Know About
Vinegar has been used for thousands of years as a tool for pickling, food preservation, medicine and more. Nowadays, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of apple cider vinegar have made it a trendy hack in both the health and home space. But does it really work the way people say it does?
According to research, apple cider vinegar really has some benefits that can boost your wellness, but it’s not a wonder drug that will instantly fix your health. Before you start adding apple cider vinegar to your drinks, read on to learn more about the health benefits, potential risks and dosage information.
We Taste-Tasted Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks So You Don’t Have To
See at Cnet
What is apple cider vinegar (ACV)?
When you combine apples, sugar and yeast and allow it to ferment, it creates apple cider vinegar. Over several weeks, the yeast will digest the sugar to make alcohol. Once this happens, natural bacteria will turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives apple cider vinegar its pungent odor and taste.
You have two options when you buy apple cider vinegar: filtered and pasteurized, or raw and unfiltered. The cloudy sediment that collects in the bottom of the bottle is “the mother,” which is a combination of bacteria and yeast. Some speculate that the mother is what provides the health benefits, as it contains trace amounts of healthy bacteria and probiotics.
Apple cider vinegar can be used in the kitchen, around the home and for your health as a:
Anna Gragert/CNET
4 apple cider vinegar health benefits you should know
Although more research is needed, several small and medium-sized studies show the benefits of apple cider vinegar for some health issues and as a potential weight loss aid.
1. May help control blood sugar and diabetes
Up to 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes occurs from insulin resistance, which is “when cells in the body don’t respond properly to insulin, which leads to increased levels of sugar or glucose in the blood,” according to Amelia Ti, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator in NYC.
Even if you don’t have diabetes, it’s best to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can improve insulin response and lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Consuming apple cider vinegar before going to sleep has also been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar after waking. Make sure to talk with your doctor before consuming ACV if you have diabetes, especially if you’re on medication due to potential side effects.
“ACV alone will not lower blood sugar levels and should not be considered a substitute for diabetes medications,” states Ti.
Read more: The Atlantic Diet: Why Eating Whole, Local Foods May Improve Your Health
2. Kills harmful bacteria
CNET Health Tips
Those looking to preserve food naturally may want to consider using apple cider vinegar. It is a known pathogen killer, which includes microbes like staph and candida.
Vinegar is a popular preservative in Korea since it can prevent E. coli and norovirus from growing in food. E. coli can cause food poisoning when consumed, but the bactericidal effects of the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can prevent it from occurring.
Read more: 12 Best Probiotic Foods to Eat for Gut Health
3. Could lead to weight loss
Another benefit of apple cider vinegar that may be useful is its ability to help with weight loss. When taken before or during a meal, ACV has been shown to help with satiety (the feeling of fullness).
In one study, participants ate approximately 200 to 275 fewer calories when apple cider vinegar was combined with a meal. Over three months, participants taking one to two tablespoons of ACV per day saw up to 3.7 pounds in weight loss and a reduction in body ****.
4. Might improve cholesterol levels
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
Incorporating up to an ounce of apple cider vinegar into your day, along with a lower-calorie diet, may reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides while also increasing HDL “good” cholesterol.
Those with type 2 diabetes may also see positive results on their total cholesterol and triglyceride levels when adding a half ounce of ACV to their diet.
Read more: 7 Money-Saving Tips for Eating Healthily on a Budget
Potential apple cider vinegar side effects to watch out for
Although there are benefits of apple cider vinegar usage, there are also potential side effects to consider. The high acidity can strip tooth enamel, which won’t come back once it’s gone. It may cause damage to your esophagus or throat if you drink it undiluted.
Here are some other potential side effects of apple cider vinegar:
Can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels)
Can interact with diuretics, insulin and other medications
Can cause nausea or vomiting
Can cause esophageal (throat) burns or ulcers when consumed in excess
Watering it down with water or juice not only makes ACV more palatable, but it can also reduce the risk of damaging your throat and teeth. Combining one or two tablespoons with either may also cure an upset stomach.
Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist, also advises, “It’s important to remember that no one food is a silver bullet. If you choose to incorporate apple cider vinegar, do so safely and with a focus on maintaining a balanced whole diet for your overall health and well-being.”
How much apple cider vinegar should you drink daily?
Apple cider vinegar dosage depends on the reason you’re using it. In general, Ti states, “I recommend 1 teaspoon to tablespoon ACV diluted in 6-8 oz of warm water before meals.”
If you want to drink it, dilute it with water or your favorite juice or tea. You can also eat it by incorporating it in your favorite foods, especially dressings, vinaigrettes and even when making your own mayonnaise.
There are also plenty of premade apple cider vinegar drinks out there, which may make ACV more pleasant to taste. You can find these drinks from brands such as Bragg, Poppi, Remedy and Sidekick Sodas. Local health stores and even grocery stores may carry these, so keep an eye out if you’re interested in apple cider vinegar drinks.
You can also add a cup or two to a bath for skin issues. Mixing a tablespoon of ACV with a cup of water, and then soaking gauze or cotton in the solution can make a wet wrap.
To use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse, combine up to two tablespoons with a cup of water, then pour over the hair after shampooing. Wait five minutes, then rinse. It can be drying, so use it sparingly. ACV can also irritate the scalp, so a weaker dilution may be better.
Annick Vanderschelden/Moment/Getty Images
The bottom line
Some studies have found the benefits of apple cider vinegar, but we need more research to definitively prove how beneficial ACV is. It may help with weight loss, controlling type 2 diabetes, blood sugar and cholesterol and it can also prevent harmful bacteria growth on foods. Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause tooth enamel erosion or throat damage. Mixing ACV with water or juice before consuming it can prevent damage to the teeth and throat. As with any natural remedy, speak with your doctor before trying apple cider vinegar and do a skin test before using it on your skin.
“Remember that the advantages of adopting an overall healthy lifestyle (e.g. nutritious and balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity/movement, good sleep, stress management, etc.) are far greater than those of any single food, drink, or supplement,” concludes Ti. “There is no quick fix and ACV is definitely not a miracle solution!”
Source link
#Top #Health #Benefits
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Alberta surgical company’s fees double public costs, according to AHS documents
Alberta surgical company’s fees double public costs, according to AHS documents
A private surgical company at the heart of allegations the Alberta government interfered to secure overpriced medical contracts was billing taxpayers more than twice as much per procedure than it would cost in a public hospital, according to Alberta Health Services documents.
An internal chart included in an email sent by the former head of Alberta Health Services to a Health Ministry bureaucrat, obtained by The ********* Press, indicates estimates for hip replacements in Edmonton at the public health agency’s hospitals was just over $4,000 as of last fall.
The chart says the firm Alberta Surgical Group was charging the government $8,300.
The cost listed for another private competitor was just over $3,600.
Rose Carter, a lawyer for the company, said its contract prohibits it from discussing details, so “ASG is unable to publicly defend itself.”
Story continues below advertisement
She pointed to numbers from a 2021-22 ********* Institute for Health Information report listing the average cost for a hip replacement in Alberta at $10,700.
The AHS chart notes that its pricing does not include costs covered by the agency, including implant devices, diagnostic imaging and clinical lab services.
In a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed last week, former AHS head Athana Mentzelopoulos alleges the premier’s then-chief of staff, Marshall Smith, repeatedly put pressure on her to sign deals with the Alberta Surgical Group, despite concerns about costs and who was benefiting.
More on Canada
More videos
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Alberta’s auditor general, Doug Wylie, has since initiated an investigation into contracting and procurement at both AHS and Alberta Health, and the United Conservative Party government said it would also conduct an internal review alongside a probe by an unnamed third party.
The email containing the pricing chart, sent by Mentzelopoulos in October, indicates Alberta Surgical Group proposed slightly reduced rates for hip, knee and shoulder surgeries as part of a six-month contract extension it sought for November through to April 2025. But those rates were still significantly higher than AHS internal costs.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Premier Danielle Smith on Wednesday made reference to many of the prices but did not provide the cost for hip surgeries under AHS as listed in the chart.
Story continues below advertisement
She instead offered an average cost for hip surgeries, citing the ********* Institute for Health Information.
“We also want to understand why there are differences, and we hope that the (auditor general) is able to shed some light on that,” said Smith.
Alberta Surgical Group’s existing two-year contract expired at the end of October, and AHS was in the process of negotiating the extension when Health Minister Adriana LaGrange issued a directive stripping the health authority and Mentzelopoulos of their authority to approve contracts.
LaGrange’s directive also required AHS to issue the extension for Alberta Surgical Group at rates set by the minister.
Those rates are slightly less for hip and knee procedures listed in the chart as first proposed by the Alberta Surgical Group — at about $7,000 — although the shoulder surgery rate is higher than what the group proposed at $10,500.
Jessi Rampton, a spokeswoman for LaGrange, said the government is concerned AHS’s internal costing for surgeries delivered in AHS facilities is unreliable.
“They do not appear to include overhead, administration or capital maintenance when calculating the costs of their own surgeries,” she said in an email.
Mentzelopoulos alleges in her lawsuit that she had undertaken a review of the Alberta Surgical Group’s first contract after a meeting with company representatives last summer left her with significant concerns.
Story continues below advertisement
“I have identified provisions that materially differ from similar arrangements between AHS and other contract surgical providers,” Mentzelopoulos wrote in a letter to then-deputy health minister Andre Tremblay in August.
In that letter, Mentzelopoulos said Alberta Surgical Group was under the impression that its contract included a provision promised by AHS representatives that the firm didn’t need to “adhere to the terms of the contract.”
According to the chart, the group’s contract also guaranteed it would be paid for patients to stay for two nights after surgery, which Mentzelopoulos’s letter says was not required and was unique compared to other private surgical providers.
Trending Now
Legault calls Tkachuk brothers ‘shameful’ as hockey, politics clash for 4 Nations final
Grimes pleads with Elon Musk for him to contact her over child’s ‘medical crisis’
Mentzelopoulos wrote that she initiated an external review of AHS procedures that led to the contract being awarded in the first place.
Her lawsuit alleges Mentzelopoulos was pressured to sign off on the contract extension at rates the company proposed, as well as new contracts for two new private surgical facilities in Red Deer and Lethbridge.
The chart also contained proposed rates for the new facilities, which are labelled as being owned by Alberta Surgical Group. The proposed rates are identical to rates given to the group as part of its contract extension.
“(Chartered surgical facilities) continue to demand higher pricing than the equivalent comparable cost within AHS and with other surgical providers,” Mentzelopoulos wrote in October.
Story continues below advertisement
According to the chart, the Red Deer and Lethbridge facilities are owned by two separate numbered companies under the Alberta Surgical Group name. Corporate records show Sam Mraiche, CEO of MHCare Medical, is a 25 per cent stakeholder in both companies.
MHCare Medical secured a $70-million contract with the province to import pain medication in 2022.
Alberta received about 30 per cent of the order, despite paying the full cost.
Following that contract, Mraiche provided multiple cabinet ministers and government staff with luxury box tickets to Edmonton Oilers playoff games. The lawsuit says AHS estimates Mraiche-related firms have completed $614 million in government contracts for goods and services.
MHCare’s lawyer has said any allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the company are “unwarranted and unjustified.”
The premier, LaGrange, Alberta Surgery Group and Marshall Smith have also denied any wrongdoing.
The premier said Wednesday she and LaGrange weren’t involved in awarding the contracts at the centre of the allegations. Danielle Smith instead accused AHS leadership of stymieing the government’s mission to expand publicly funded, private surgical delivery.
Smith said AHS would rather keep all surgeries in its hospitals, “either because of ideology, or to protect their interests.”
She also said the decision to strip AHS of its responsibility to negotiate surgical contracts was to prevent the agency from being in a conflict of interest by drafting contracts for competitors.
Story continues below advertisement
Lawyer Dan Scott, who represents Mentzelopoulos, rejected the implication that she opposed private surgical facilities and expanding role the facilities are to play in the health system.
He said concerns Mentzelopoulos raised last year were about making sure there was proper due diligence before finalizing the contracts.
Source link
#Alberta #surgical #companys #fees #double #public #costs #AHS #documents
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
U.S. FDA asks fired scientists to return, including some reviewing Musk’s Neuralink
U.S. FDA asks fired scientists to return, including some reviewing Musk’s Neuralink
U.S. Food and Drug Administration employees reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink were fired over the weekend as part of a broader purge of the federal workforce, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking some of its recently fired scientists if they will come back to their jobs, including some employees reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The FDA plans to rehire around 300 people in total, according to four sources with secondhand knowledge of the situation, following President Donald Trump’s rush last week to fire employees at the agency responsible for reviewing drugs, food safety, medical devices and tobacco. Reuters could not verify the figure.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, who oversees Neuralink and spent more than $250 million to help elect Trump, has been leading an effort to cut government workers with his Department of Government Efficiency. Thousands have been cut.
At least 11 employees working at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health – which oversees medical device reviews – have received calls since Friday saying they could return to work on Monday, according to eight FDA sources who spoke under condition of anonymity. Some of the sources were told the FDA would continue making requests to return throughout the weekend.
If the scientists agree to return, they would represent less than one-third of the staffers dismissed about a week ago. The White House told Reuters the administration had fired over 1,000 FDA staffers.
The FDA firings last week included about 20 people in its office of neurological and physical medicine devices, several of whom worked on Neuralink, Reuters exclusively reported. It is not known if all of the fired workers reviewing Neuralink have received the return offer.
The FDA had initially rejected Neuralink’s request to start clinical trials, citing safety risks, Reuters reported in 2023. The agency has since given the startup approval to do clinical trials, which are ongoing.
The FDA did not immediately respond to a comment request. The White House declined to comment and referred questions to the federal health department, which did not respond.
Rehiring spree
The attempt to rehire FDA scientists follows a Trump administration rehiring spree, including some employees responsible for U.S. nuclear weapons as well as scientists working on the worsening outbreak of bird flu.
Several scientists who received the FDA’s calls said they were not sure if they wanted to return, although three said they would.
They had chosen to work at the FDA, they told Reuters, because they believed in the mission of public health and safety, often forgoing much higher pay in the private sector.
“I get that (Trump administration officials) are trying to do the Silicon Valley ‘move fast, break things'” motto, said one scientist who received a call back. “But how are you going to be able to hire good people when you’re not offering Silicon Valley stock or pay, and you’ve taken away their stability?”
Americans need “an efficient, effective FDA review process that helps advance the medical technologies American patients depend on. Bringing these specific experts back would help fulfill that mission,” said Scott Whitaker, CEO of the medical device industry group AdvaMed, which had criticized the firings.
Hundreds of jobs were cut that were funded by fees from medical device companies, banks, and others, not by taxpayers, raising questions about the Trump administration’s stated goal of saving taxpayer money.
At least three of the employees asked to rejoin the FDA received termination letters telling them their performance had “not been adequate to justify further employment at the agency.” Reuters earlier reported that many of the fired employees had received exemplary rankings just weeks ago and had no performance issues.
Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, previously told Reuters that Trump had moved swiftly to cut wasteful spending and non-critical government jobs.
Source link
#U.S #FDA #asks #fired #scientists #return #including #reviewing #Musks #Neuralink
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Trump Administration Live Updates: News on DEI Ruling, Mass Firings and More – The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: News on DEI Ruling, Mass Firings and More – The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: News on DEI Ruling, Mass Firings and More The New York TimesSan Francisco community groups sue Trump over anti-trans executive orders AxiosCourts rule on Trump administration initiatives including DOGE, DEI The Washington PostFederal judge in Maryland blocks Trump administration anti-DEI order as state schools questioned whether to comply Capital Gazette
Source link
#Trump #Administration #Live #Updates #News #DEI #Ruling #Mass #Firings #York #Times
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Joe Spagnolo: After 2021 bloodbath, Roger Cook has a lot to live up to at 2025 WA State Election
Joe Spagnolo: After 2021 bloodbath, Roger Cook has a lot to live up to at 2025 WA State Election
What’s Roger Cook’s pass mark at this election? Cook is like a guy who becomes the new coach of a footy side, just after they have won a premiership.
Source link
#Joe #Spagnolo #bloodbath #Roger #Cook #lot #live #State #Election
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Antique safe found alongside roadway Up North. Michigan State Police looking for answers
Antique safe found alongside roadway Up North. Michigan State Police looking for answers
Last May, Michigan State Police troopers were given an antique safe a civilian found on North Straits Highway in Cheboygan County. After nine months, MSP is still looking to find the owner.
In a post on X, the MSP’s Seventh District posted a photo of the safe and asked the public for help identifying it. It was found along the roadway on May 8, 2024.
Ashley Miller, a lieutenant at MSP’s Seventh District, said a civilian found the safe near the intersection of North Straits Highway and Wing Road and turned it over to their office in 2024.
Miller said the safe was locked when it was found. Officers with the MSP have since opened the safe but found no identifying information in it.
“And we’re not releasing what was in the safe so that the owner, if they want it back, can prove that it was theirs,” Miller said. “But there was nothing identifying in there.”
Without any information that identifies the former owner, requesting information on social media is their last resort.
“We would hope a post would find the owner,” Miller said. “Maybe the owner would say, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my safe.'”
The MSP’s Seventh District covers northern Michigan cities like Gaylord, Cheboygan, Traverse City and Cadillac.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Gaylord MSP post at at (989) 732-2778.
Contact Liam Rappleye: *****@*****.tld
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Antique safe found on Up North roadway. Michigan police seek answers
Source link
#Antique #safe #roadway #North #Michigan #State #Police #answers
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Most Diabolical Elden Ring Map Decision Needs To Be Studied
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Most Diabolical Elden Ring Map Decision Needs To Be Studied
The Lands Between has easily become one of the most iconic open-world video game maps ever. Unfortunately, it does not come without its own flaws, including how Hidetaka Miyazaki felt it was justified to include Elden Ring’s most daunting region just beside the starting area for the player.
The Lands Between are one of the best open-world maps | FromSoftware
Booting up the game by FromSoftware, our tarnished character first lands in Limgrave, which further connects to different areas such as Liurnia of the Lakes and Caelid. It is the latter that gives players the most trouble, and there is nothing we can do about it.
Hidetaka Miyazaki took his creative liberty way too freely regarding Elden Ring’s map
Caelid is the worst place in Elden Ring | FromSoftware
As said before, Elden Ring’s open-world map is easily one of the best ones out there. With enough time, you might even get around the starting Tree Sentinel if you choose not to ignore it. However, all hell breaks loose as soon as you step into Caelid, which happens to be the game’s very own torture chamber for the player.
Thanks to the close proximity between Limgrave and Caelid, new players often wander into it long before they’re ready. Whether it’s through an innocent stroll past the rot-filled cliffs or an unfortunate teleportation trap hidden in a chest, many find themselves trapped in an area where they can win no battle. Here’s what the perspective of a new player looks like entering Caelid, shared on Elden Ring’s subreddit.
Even though it’s punishing, the main problem with the hell-like area isn’t only the difficulty. The fact is that Caelid is straight-up annoying, with every enemy down there feeling like they were designed specifically for you to throw and break your controller off the wall.
Caelid: The home of Radahn
Caelid is also the home to one of the hardest bosses in the game | FromSoftware
The area is also home to one of the hardest bosses in the game, Radahn. The demigod was the son of Radagon and Rennala and received a piece of the Elden Ring once it was broken. He also plays an important role for the players interested in playing out Ranni’s questline, which unlocks the special Age of Stars ending to the game.
Then there’s the Scarlet Rot, the most annoying status effect FromSoftware has ever made. Unlike poison, which slowly takes away your health, Scarlet Rot melts your health bar at an absurd rate. What’s even worse is that nearly every surface in Caelid is infected with this disease.
The most astonishing fact about this all is how Hidetaka Miyazaki consciously and deliberately made the decision to place Caelid next to Limgrave. Some would even say that he knew exactly what he was doing at the time.
Source link
#Hidetaka #Miyazakis #Diabolical #Elden #Ring #Map #Decision #Studied
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Privacy Notice: We utilize cookies to optimize your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. By consenting, you acknowledge and agree to our Cookie Policy, ensuring your privacy preferences are respected.
