Pelican Press

WA election 2025: Roger Cook announces $387 million solar battery rebate plan WA election 2025: Roger Cook announces $387 million solar battery rebate plan The Premier will tell voters his Government, if re-elected, would make available a $5000 rebate for households to buy and install a home battery or $7500 for Horizon Power customers in regional WA. Source link #election #Roger #Cook #announces #million #solar #battery #rebate #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W ATX 3.1 power supply review Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W ATX 3.1 power supply review Enermax, established in 1990, is a renowned Taiwanese company in the PC hardware industry, particularly recognized for its innovative power supply units (PSUs), cooling solutions, and PC cases. Over the years, Enermax has built a reputation for engineering reliable, high-performance PSUs that primarily target enthusiasts and professional users. Their commitment to quality and technological advancement has kept them at the forefront of the industry, constantly evolving to meet the demands of the ever-changing tech landscape. We look closely at the latest addition to Enermax’s impressive PSU lineup – the Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU. Enermax’s new power supply pursues a balanced design, meeting modern gaming PCs mid-way with good conversion efficiency and an overall robust power delivery system. With features like fully modular cables with per-wire sleeving, dynamic hybrid fan control for optimal cooling, and advanced topologies, the Revolution D.F. 12 750W is primed to deliver on both reliability and performance. We will delve into its specifications, build quality, and performance metrics to see if the new unit lives up to Enermax’s esteemed legacy and belongs among the best power supplies on our list. Specifications and Design Swipe to scroll horizontally Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W ATX 3.1 Power specifications ( Rated @ 50 °C ) RAIL +3.3V +5V +12V +5Vsb -12V MAX OUTPUT 20A 20A 62.4A 3A 0.4A Row 2 – Cell 0 100W Row 2 – Cell 2 748.8W 15W 4.8W TOTAL 750W Row 3 – Cell 2 Row 3 – Cell 3 Row 3 – Cell 4 Row 3 – Cell 5 AC INPUT 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz Row 4 – Cell 2 Row 4 – Cell 3 Row 4 – Cell 4 Row 4 – Cell 5 PRICE $130 Row 5 – Cell 2 Row 5 – Cell 3 Row 5 – Cell 4 Row 5 – Cell 5 In the Box The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU comes in simple yet effective packaging. The outer box is a basic cardboard construction, enhanced visually by a decorative ribbon wrapped around it. The power supply unit itself is protected during shipping by a nylon bag and dense packaging foam, ensuring it arrives in pristine condition. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The bundle goes a little beyond the essentials, featuring mounting screws, the required AC power cable and a basic manual, but also a jump-start adapter and cable combs. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) This PSU sports a fully modular design, allowing for the removal of all DC power cables, including the 24-pin ATX connector. The cables are all-******, from connectors to wires, and feature individually sleeved wires, adding to the unit’s premium aesthetic and enhancing cable management options. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Swipe to scroll horizontally FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 Connector type Hardwired Modular ATX 24 Pin – 1 EPS 4+4 Pin – 2 EPS 8 Pin – – PCI-E 5.0 – 1 PCI-E 8 Pin – 3 SATA – 6 Molex – 2 Floppy – – External Appearance The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU is housed in a chassis that measures just 122 mm in length, which is slightly shorter than the standard ATX dimensions stipulated by the ATX design guide. This unique size allows the power supply unit to fit into all ATX-compliant tower PC cases and may even be an advantage for custom builds, although the reduced length may slightly affect the alignment of cable paths with standard case openings. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The aesthetic of the Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU is understated, featuring a matte textured ****** finish. The design avoids unnecessary embellishments, opting instead for simple large stickers that cover the left and right sides of the unit entirely. The top side of the PSU carries a sticker with the electrical specifications and certifications. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The front side of the unit includes not only the standard on/off switch and AC cable receptacle but also a switch for the Dust Free (D.F.) function, which reverses the fan direction to blow dust away. The rear hosts the modular cable connectors, which are organized for easy and error-free connections. While the connectors are not color-coded, they are labeled with a simple, bright white legend next to each connector, aiding in accurate cable management. A white imprint of the company and series logos can also be found on the rear side, enhancing aesthetics. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Internal Design The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU is fitted with a Zeta Group ZFB122512M 120 mm fan, which utilizes a ball-bearing engine. This choice of fan is recognized for its reliability and durability, commonly used in high-quality PSUs, as ball-bearing fans may be slightly louder at higher speeds but are far more reliable when they operate in high temperature environments. The fan in this model is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 2200 RPM, a relatively high speed for a fan of this size. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W ATX 3.1 PSU is produced by Shenzhen Rui Sheng Yuan, an OEM with extensive experience in the power supply industry, despite some past challenges with reliability during 2015-2017. Their long history in power electronics contributes to their capability in producing mid to high power output PC power supplies. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) This platform is based on well-proven topologies, with its electrical design focused on ensuring reliability. The input stage includes a basic transient filter, slightly below the typical robustness found in more recent designs, consisting of three Y capacitors, one X capacitor, and two filtering inductors. The Active Power Factor Correction (APFC) setup comprises a standard rectifying bridge attached to the main APFC heatsink, supplemented by an additional heatsink, two APFC MOSFETs (WML28N60C4), a diode, and a large inductor paired with two Rubycon 270 μF capacitors. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) In its primary inversion stage, the Enermax Revolution D.F. utilizes a full-bridge LLC topology with four CS13N50FF MOSFETs as its heart. The secondary stage features four HYG020N04 MOSFETs on dedicated heatsinks to handle the primary 12V line, with 3.3V and 5V rails generated by DC-to-DC circuits on a vertical daughterboard. On the secondary side, the capacitors are a mixture of both electrolytic and solid-state products supplied by Rubycon, Nippon Chemi-****, and Unicon, all recognized brands in the market. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Cold Test Results Cold Test Results (25°C Ambient) For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox, and various other bits and parts. Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU exceeds the standards of the 80Plus Gold certification comfortably when the input voltage is 115 VAC, even though the input voltage has a significantly higher impact on efficiency than usual. When tested with a 115 VAC input, this PSU achieves an average nominal load efficiency of 90.0% across its operational range from 20% to 100% of its capacity, which rises to 92.1% when operated with a 230 VAC input. The efficiency of the unit peaks at a load near the midpoint of its capacity. Notably, the efficiency under very low load conditions is great, setting it apart from many competitors within the same power output range. The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU features a hybrid fan mode, allowing the fan to remain off under low-load conditions to maintain silence. The fan starts operating only when it is thermally necessary, which in our case was when the load exceeded approximately 300 Watts – a little sooner than what the unit’s official specifications imply, yet the “Zero-RPM up to 50% load” marketing statement could be possible in ideal laboratory conditions. At ambient room temperatures, this means the PSU can operate quietly for most low to moderate usage scenarios. As the load increases beyond 300 Watts, the fan gradually ramps up its speed to effectively manage the increasing thermal output. This strategic approach optimizes both acoustic comfort and cooling performance, maintaining a balance that keeps the PSU virtually inaudible while the load remains low. Hot Test Results Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient) During its hot testing phase, the Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU shows a slight decrease in efficiency under heavy loads, recording figures of 89.2% under a 115 VAC input and 91.3% with a 230 VAC source, compared to 90.0% and 92.1%, respectively, during cold testing. This reduction is moderate and occurs almost linearly across the entire load range. Despite the decline, there are no signs of measurable thermal stress, not even at maximum load. The PSU is designed to operate efficiently even at an ambient temperature of up to 50°C, and the effects of higher temperatures on its performance are well-managed, indicating robust thermal performance. Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Under hot testing conditions, the Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU’s fan activates swiftly and increases its speed more quickly than in cooler environments, almost linearly in relevance to the load. As it approaches 90% capacity, the fan reaches its maximum speed. This approach maintains tolerable acoustic levels up to approximately 40-45% load capacity. However, as the load continues to increase beyond this point, the fan noise becomes markedly louder, making the PSU audibly prominent, clearly favoring reliability over acoustics. Despite its slightly more compact size, the Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU effectively maintains cooling, consistently keeping internal temperatures low, even at maximum load. The design showcases an excellent balance of acoustic comfort and thermal efficiency, ensuring the PSU operates within safe thermal limits at all times without even coming close to triggering the over-temperature protection (OTP). PSU Quality and Bottom Line Power Supply Quality The electrical performance of the Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU is excellent for its class, showcasing strong voltage regulation on all outputs. The 12V rail maintains an impressive regulation of just 0.8%, with the 5V and 3.3V lines also performing well at 1.2% and 1.0% respectively. Ripple suppression is similarly top-notch, with the 12V, 5V, and 3.3V lines registering low values at 30 mV, 22 mV, and 22 mV respectively. These figures indicate a level of performance that is exceptional within this PSU’s category. During our thorough assessment, we evaluate the essential protection features of every power supply unit we review, including Over Current Protection (OCP), Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Over Power Protection (OPP), and Short Circuit Protection (SCP). The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU successfully passed all crucial protection tests, confirming its effectiveness in safeguarding both the PSU and connected components. The unit displayed standard Over Current Protection (OCP) settings for the 3.3V and 5V rails, activating at 122% and 126% respectively, which are typical values for these specifications. The 12V rail’s OCP activation at 136% is slightly higher, aligning with industry practices where manufacturers tailor protections to meet power excursion guidelines. Swipe to scroll horizontally Main Output Load (Watts) 151.55 W Row 0 – Cell 2 378.08 W Row 0 – Cell 4 565.53 W Row 0 – Cell 6 752.06 W Row 0 – Cell 8 Load (Percent) 20.21% Row 1 – Cell 2 50.41% Row 1 – Cell 4 75.4% Row 1 – Cell 6 100.27% Row 1 – Cell 8 Amperes Volts Amperes Volts Amperes Volts Amperes Volts 3.3 V 1.8 3.34 4.51 3.33 6.76 3.31 9.02 3.3 5 V 1.8 5.04 4.51 5.03 6.76 5 9.02 4.98 12 V 11.25 12.13 28.13 12.1 42.2 12.07 56.26 12.04 Row 6 – Cell 0 Row 6 – Cell 1 Row 6 – Cell 2 Row 6 – Cell 3 Row 6 – Cell 4 Row 6 – Cell 5 Row 6 – Cell 6 Row 6 – Cell 7 Row 6 – Cell 8 Swipe to scroll horizontally Line Regulation (20% to 100% load) Voltage Ripple (mV) Row 0 – Cell 3 Row 0 – Cell 4 Row 0 – Cell 5 Row 0 – Cell 6 Row 0 – Cell 7 Row 1 – Cell 0 Row 1 – Cell 1 20% Load 50% Load 75% Load 100% Load CL1 12V CL2 3.3V + 5V 3.3V 1% 12 14 16 22 14 18 5V 1.2% 14 14 18 22 14 14 12V 0.8% 10 14 22 30 30 20 Bottom Line The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU presents a solid option in the mid-range PSU market, reflecting a balanced blend of quality and performance. The unit’s smaller-than-standard chassis is a notable design choice that is potentially beneficial for compact builds. And although the OEM behind this PSU may have had its reputation somewhat tarnished in the past, Rui Sheng Yuan is a company with a wealth of experience in power electronics and Enermax is highly confident about the reliability of this platform. This is supported by a substantial 10-year manufacturer’s warranty. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) From an energy conversion efficiency perspective, the Revolution D.F. 12 PSU does well, surpassing the standards required for 80Plus Gold certification. This unit truly shines in power quality, as it offers exceptional performance that surpasses common expectations for its class. It provides stable and reliable power delivery across all outputs, with excellent voltage regulation and ripple suppression, which should entice users to prioritize longevity and reliability above all else. Thermally, the Enermax PSU manages its heat aggressively, maintaining low internal temperatures even under heavy loads. Its thermal performance is finely tuned to offer acoustic comfort at lower loads with a zero-RPM fan mode up to roughly 300 Watts in typical operating conditions. When the system is heavily loaded, the fan becomes audible and may get very loud if the ambient temperature is very high. However, this is expected and aligns with Enermax’s thermal management strategy of favoring temperatures over acoustics. Ultimately, this focus on operating temperatures helps to ensure that the unit not only performs well (and consistently so) but also does not take unnecessary wear and tear in the process. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Considering its current $130 price tag, the Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 750W PSU might seem a tad expensive relative to its wattage and certifications. Its robust performance, ATX 3.1 compliance, and long warranty ******* offer considerable value, making it a viable choice. Still, the retail price is rather high, and there are numerous competitive products out at the moment, requiring a fair discount to make the D.F. 12 a truly competitive product. MORE: Best Power Supplies MORE: How We Test Power Supplies MORE: All Power Supply Content Source link #Enermax #Revolution #D.F #750W #ATX #power #supply #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tony Hawk’s 3 & 4 remasters look likely, as teaser website reveals secrets Tony Hawk’s 3 & 4 remasters look likely, as teaser website reveals secrets Marketing for the next Tony Hawk’s game has kicked into gear, after the series’ official website began counting down to a reveal. The countdown appeared on TonyHawkTheGame.com on Friday, following earlier teases in a Call of Duty update. The countdown will end on Tuesday, March 4, presumably when Activision announces a new title or remaster. However, it looks likely the reveal is a remaster, since the phrase ‘thps-3-4-countdown’ was reportedly discovered in the website’s code, before being removed. Iron Galaxy, the studio behind the PC version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, is also named on the website. The studio recently worked on Killer Instinct and Rumblevese, in addition to co-developing remastered ****** and Spyro trilogies. A new Tony Hawk game has been teased numerous times in recent months, the most recent coming earlier this week, when pro skater Tyshawn Jones stated on a podcast that he was going to feature in an upcoming remaster. A more explicit tease appeared on Thursday, when Call of Duty’s latest update added a map featuring a skate park, including distinctive Tony Hawk logos and the March 4 date. The last Tony Hawk Pro Skater game was 2020’s remake of the original two entries. Tony Hawk claimed in 2022 that a second collection of remakes following Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 was planned, until developer Vicarious Visions was absorbed into Activision. “That was the plan, even up until the release date of [1 and 2],” Hawk said. “We were doing 3 and 4, and then Vicarious got kind of absorbed, and then they were looking for other developers, and then it was over.” He added: “The truth of it is [Activision] were trying to find somebody to do 3 and 4 but they just didn’t really trust anyone the way they did Vicarious. “So they took other pitches from other studios, like, ‘what would you do with the THPS title?’ And they didn’t like anything they heard, and then that was it. “Who knows? Maybe when the dust settles, we’ll figure it out. You never know. I never would’ve thought we were going to do 1+2, 20 years later.” Source link #Tony #Hawks #remasters #teaser #website #reveals #secrets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Father Boyle’s ‘arms of God’ service vs. JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ Father Boyle’s ‘arms of God’ service vs. JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ To the editor: Over the last 30-plus years, I have seen so many miracle stories when a mentor Big Brother or Big Sister extends “open arms,” as Father Gregory Boyle puts it in his op-ed article, to help a child from a marginalized community. Youth growing up in dysfunctional environments can still succeed with the friendship and guidance of a committed friend who chooses to be the “arms of God.” (“The problem with JD Vance’s theology of mass deportation,” Opinion, Feb. 17) Depriving even one in our community of a better life hurts us all. Research done by my organization shows that communities gain in the form of higher tax revenues and reduced crime when we help one another. Vice President JD Vance’s quoting of St. Thomas Aquinas to justify the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrant communities did not go far enough. Even Aquinas said on his deathbed, “All I have written now appears as so much straw.” When our knowledge fails or is divisive, we need compassion. Paraphrasing Father Boyle, showing kinship to the unwelcome brings us all joy. Ken Martinet, Los Angeles The writer is president and chief executive of Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles. .. To the editor: Thank you, Father Boyle, for reinvigorating my struggle to respect my Christian neighbors who voted for leaders with mean-spirited, divisive policies. Vance’s professed observance of a theological hierarchy for who-to-love-in-what-order did not help my struggle. His citing of St. Augustine only convinced me that those I worship with are an endangered ********* in a religion that has always found ways to corrupt Jesus’ teachings. I may not sleep as easily as those who use their faith to justify their human limitations. But thanks to Father Boyle, I’m reminded I have good company in my spiritual insomnia. Carol Flint, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Finally, a voice of loving witness calling from the wilderness! Almost consumed by fire, we listen to Father Boyle guiding us to live with love for the most vulnerable and frightened among us. Reach out to the immigrants filling up detention centers again, to the responsible administrators cast aside for doing their work of ministering to the hopeless across America and the globe. We must look to one another to reimagine lives joined by Father Boyle’s homies embracing God’s complete love. May it be so. Amen. Nan Cano, Westlake Village This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Source link #Father #Boyles #arms #God #service #Vances #ordo #amoris Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Moonvale releases its second episode with a new story and a tonne of features Moonvale releases its second episode with a new story and a tonne of features Episode 2 of Moonvale is now available on Android and iOS It is a follow-up to the successful Duskwood Several new features introduced alongside a new story Moonvale, the true crime adventure from Everbyte, has just released its second episode on Android and iOS. As the successor to Duskwood, which surpassed 20 million downloads, Moonvale continues to build on its immersive storytelling. With a major update to the story, Episode 2 is one of the largest chapters Everbyte has released so far. Moonvale’s Episode 2 introduces an episode pass that unlocks all additional answers, videos, voice messages, images, flirts, and secret chats at once. This pass has been a popular request, and to mark the release, Everbyte is offering it at a discounted price. Alongside this, the messenger interface has been redesigned with a darker, more mature look, and you now have more ways to earn free in-game currency through ads. In addition, character profiles have also been added. This is just the first step, with future updates planned to expand these profiles further. Furthermore, a new stories and reels feature in the messenger allows you to gather valuable information essential to progressing through the episode. And if you’re a fan of Duskwood, there’s a special side story connected to the series that will unfold alongside Moonvale’s main storyline. You can unlock this side story using a code obtained by completing Duskwood. Looking for something similar? Here’s a list of the best narrative-driven adventures to play on mobile right now! The investigation in Moonvale begins with a phone call from an unknown young man named Adam, who has recently gone missing. As you start searching for answers with Adam’s friends, a series of mysterious events unfolds, pulling you deeper into the case. Set in a messenger-like environment, you will interact with characters through images, voice messages, and even video calls. Download Moonvale now by clicking on your preferred link below. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases. Visit the official website for more information. Source link #Moonvale #releases #episode #story #tonne #features Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China-US chip war takes a quantum leap with breakthroughs declared on same day – South China Morning Post China-US chip war takes a quantum leap with breakthroughs declared on same day – South China Morning Post China-US chip war takes a quantum leap with breakthroughs declared on same day South China Morning PostMicrosoft Says It Has Created a New State of Matter to Power Quantum Computers The New York TimesChina, US push quantum race forward with major chip advances in one day Yahoo Source link #ChinaUS #chip #war #takes #quantum #leap #breakthroughs #declared #day #South #China #Morning #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US offers UN resolution on war in Ukraine that stops far short of competing European statement – The Associated Press US offers UN resolution on war in Ukraine that stops far short of competing European statement – The Associated Press US offers UN resolution on war in Ukraine that stops far short of competing European statement The Associated PressThe UN Must Act to Bring Peace to Europe Department of StateTrump admits Russia attacked Ukraine. Kyiv IndependentUS resisting including reference to ‘Russian aggression’ in G7 Ukraine anniversary statement CNNU.S. Objects to Calling Russia ‘Aggressor’ in G7 Statement on Ukraine Invasion The New York Times Source link #offers #resolution #war #Ukraine #stops #short #competing #European #statement #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Passenger Says Pregnant Woman’s Partner Began ‘Swearing’ at Her for Asking the Expectant Mom to Get Out of Her Seat Passenger Says Pregnant Woman’s Partner Began ‘Swearing’ at Her for Asking the Expectant Mom to Get Out of Her Seat A train passenger found herself struggling to calm down after a heated confrontation with a pregnant woman and her partner. On Feb. 17, she penned a lengthy post on Reddit’s popular “Am I The A——?” forum, writing under the username Quizzicalnonsense. She explained that despite having booked a seat in advance for her long train journey, a pregnant woman had chosen to sit there and simply “put her head down” when asked to move. “At this point her partner sitting opposite her starts speaking at me in what I perceive to be an aggressive tone,” the Redditor said. “He suggests I find another seat (which there are none because it’s busy) and I say but I booked that seat and there are no other available seats in the carriage. “He then raises his voice and says, ‘Well someone else is in our seats,’ and that his missus is pregnant,” she continued. “I say I understand and that I have a heart defect (which I do), and said everyone has their own medical issues and reasons standing for long periods of time might be difficult.” Shutterstock / maroke Pregnant woman on a train (stock image) Related: Mom Doesn’t ‘Ever Want to Travel’ with Her 2-Year-Old Again After Fight with Fellow Flight Passenger: ‘She Got Up and Flipped Us Off’ The passenger said she asked the pregnant woman’s partner not to speak to her in an “aggressive tone” and threatened to make a complaint. However, he continued to berate her and began “swearing” until the pregnant woman he was with finally got up. The pair were offered a seat by another man onboard the train, which amused the pregnant woman’s enraged partner so he began to point in the Redditor’s face. “Eventually when the ticket inspector comes around they are asked to move to their assigned seats and she asks if I’m ok as another passenger had made a complaint on my behalf,” the Redditor said. “Even so was I the a——? Should I have just left them alone as she was pregnant? And did I in any way escalate the situation?” Thousands of people replied to the post with the majority of commenters reassuring the train passenger that she was right to confront the couple about sitting in her booked seat. “NTA [not the a——]. I’m pregnant,” one person wrote. “You know what I’d do if I needed to travel and would require a seat? Book one myself. Also, in the event that we couldn’t book one, there’s no way my husband would sit there. “He’d do the decent thing and forgo sitting for his pregnant wife,” the commenter continued. “They were acting like entitled AHs, you were totally correct.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Getty Train passengers (stock image) Related: Brawl Erupts on Flight After Couple ‘Deliberately Bumped’ into Other Passengers and Argued with Crew Members Another person agreed, saying, “You did absolutely nothing wrong. You had a reserved seat, and you were polite and assertive in asking for it back. Their aggressive behavior was completely unacceptable. You have every right to stand up for yourself and your rights.” Several other commenters argued the couple should’ve been kicked off the train for “stealing” her seat and said they would’ve reported it to the inspector when the situation began to escalate. “I think it’s a good lesson that I learned long ago,” a commenter said. “I don’t argue with strangers. I ask nicely and if I’m resisted, I report them to the person who can make it right. “The fact that they chose to argue with you in the first place is a clue that they are entitled, ill-mannered and unreasonable,” the commenter added. “Don’t waste your time. Ask once, and then rat them out.” Read the original article on People Source link #Passenger #Pregnant #Womans #Partner #Began #Swearing #Expectant #Mom #Seat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe – MacRumors Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe – MacRumors Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e’s Lack of MagSafe MacRumorsApple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family Apple NewsroomThe Next iPad Needs an iPhone 16E Moment. But Will Its Cost Go Up, Too? CNET Source link #Apple #Denies #Speculation #Surrounding #iPhone #16e039s #Lack #MagSafe #MacRumors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s new iOS like Start menu layout for “All” apps view – WindowsLatest Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s new iOS like Start menu layout for “All” apps view – WindowsLatest Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s new iOS like Start menu layout for “All” apps view WindowsLatestAnnouncing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (Dev and Beta Channels) Windows BlogWindows tests long-awaited changes to Start, Share, and Search PCWorldWindows 11 May Introduce New Start Menu Layout Option ExtremeTechGet ready for update. 5 new Windows 11 features coming soon to your PC RBC-Ukraine Source link #Microsoft #confirms #Windows #11s #iOS #Start #menu #layout #apps #view #WindowsLatest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Despite Being Envisioned as a Destiny X Skyrim Hybrid, Obsidian Ditched the Multiplayer Content to Give Avowed Its Own Identity Despite Being Envisioned as a Destiny X Skyrim Hybrid, Obsidian Ditched the Multiplayer Content to Give Avowed Its Own Identity Obsidian’s recently released game Avowed, directed by Carrie Patel, has opened up to a great response from players all over the world. It is having a smooth sailing experience in the market at the moment, unlike the chaos that had ensued behind the scenes during the game’s production *******. Avowed had to go through multiple changes to find its true identity. Image Credit: Obsidian Entertainment Avowed had been in the making for a long time. It was announced in 2020 a couple of years after Obsidian was acquired by Microsoft. The announcement acted like a ticking time bomb over the director and her team’s heads as they raced towards the finish line. Avowed went through a metamorphosis during the early days of production Focusing on just offering a single-player helped the game in many ways. Image Credit: Obsidian Entertainment Avowed was once envisioned as a Destiny x Skyrim hybrid with a lot of cool multiplayer elements, which changed after a couple of years into production as the CEO of Obsidian, Feargus Urquhart felt that it was a mistake and then eventually decided to turn the team’s attention towards making a narrative-driven single-player game. Obsidian is known for making great single-player RPG titles, including Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. Similarly, it decided to move ahead with the same model for Avowed, under the leadership of Carrie Patel, who was taking over responsibilities as a director for such a large game for the first time. After the game was announced in 2020, the game was developed in two vertical slices, after dropping the multiplayer mode. However, the game was still faltering and the studio decided to change the top leadership team and created another, third, vertical slide which meant that a lot of the employees would need to work from scratch all over again and there was already a huge team. This was one of the most difficult times for the director. Reflecting on the same, she said (via Bloomberg): Normally if you’re stepping back and reevaluating your creative direction, putting together a new vertical slice and revised production plans, you would do that with a very small team, we did not have a very small team at that point. The entire experience felt as if they were building tracks while the train was moving forward. She felt that the highs were really high and the lows were really low, but once the game was finished, the entire team rejoiced at the response, and turning it into a single player worked in its favor. Ditching multiplayer did work in the game’s favor Avowed is filled with rich elements. Image Credit: Obsidian Entertainment Avowed found its own identity through multiple transformations and changes during the development ******* and in the end, all of the bad times and the hard work in retrospection seemed worth it. By ditching Skyrim and Destiny-like elements Avowed truly found its own identity. Ditching multiplayer enabled the team to focus on what Obsidian does best, crafting rich, narrative-driven single-player RPGs. It gave the team space to work towards building good characters, enhancing storytelling, and creating a detailed world. Set in the world of Eora, Avowed offers a great blend of melee, ranged, and magic combat. The quest designs are elaborate and compelling. The graphical representation of the world is good and side quests contribute a lot to how the story progresses. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Envisioned #Destiny #Skyrim #Hybrid #Obsidian #Ditched #Multiplayer #Content #Give #Avowed #Identity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jaysley Beck’s sister says army is ‘not safe’ for women Jaysley Beck’s sister says army is ‘not safe’ for women Beth Cruse BBC News, West of England Family handout Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck took her own life after she was ********* assaulted by a senior sergeant The sister of a 19-year-old soldier who took her own life after being ********* assaulted has said the Army is not a “safe space for women”. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021, after a Christmas party. On Thursday, a coroner ruled the Army had contributed to Gunner Beck’s death by failing to take action after she was harassed by her line manager and ********* assaulted by another colleague. The Army has apologised and said “significant changes” had been made, but Gunner Beck’s sister, Emilli Beck, said she wanted an independent body to “handle the most serious cases” in the future. PA Media Speaking outside the coroner’s court, Jaysley Beck’s family said no apology would bring her back Ms Beck told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she would not recommend that women join the Army. “I just don’t think it’s a safe space for women at this time. I think it’s scary and I certainly wouldn’t advise it,” she said. She said her sister “never got believed” after she made a complaint against Battery Sgt Maj Michael Webber following an incident at a work social. “It took her a lot of courage to speak up,” she said. “She trusted that the Army would have dealt with this appropriately and they just never did.” An inquest into the death of Gunner Beck, originally from Oxen Park in Cumbria, found she was also subject to relentless harassment by her line manager, Bombadier Ryan Mason. Ms Beck said her sister did not want to report the harassment after “she wasn’t believed the first time.” “It’s sort of as the saying goes – once bitten, twice shy,” she said. “She didn’t want to be seen as that girl who sort of made these accusations and nothing got done of it.” Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled the Army’s failure to take appropriate action over the “frightening” incidents “more than minimally” contributed to Gunner Beck’s death. “I find there was a failure on behalf of the Army to take action over the harassment she was suffering from her line manager,” he concluded. “And there was a failure on behalf of the Army to take action against the senior officer at whose hands she’d suffered a ******* assault.” Family handout Jaysley Beck was reluctant to report the harassment out of fear she would not be believed, her sister said Brig Melissa Emmett, head of the Army personnel services group, has apologised to Gunner Beck’s family. She said “significant changes” had been made within the Army, including the “introduction of clear and unequivocal policies to state that there will be zero tolerance to unacceptable ******* behaviours”. “There is more work to do,” she said. “It is my hope that such change will give service personnel the confidence they need to report ******* offences and inappropriate behaviours, knowing that they will be listened to.” But Ms Beck said more needed to be done, to prevent similar things happening in the future. “I can appreciate them talking about measures that are going to be put in place, but these measures were always there, they were just never followed,” she said. Ms Beck believes the “culture of the Army needs to change” in order for cases of ******* assault or harassment to be investigated thoroughly in the future. “The pain that we felt in the last three-and-a-half years is something that I would never want another family to go through,” she said. “Female soldiers have completely lost faith in the Army.” “Jaysley lived as her true authentic self, she was just an incredible person,” Ms Beck added. “She brought life to everybody’s life, she was just so happy, she always stayed the same.” Source link #Jaysley #Becks #sister #army #safe #women Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump deports hundreds to third countries, leaving them in legal limbo – The Washington Post Trump deports hundreds to third countries, leaving them in legal limbo – The Washington Post Trump deports hundreds to third countries, leaving them in legal limbo The Washington PostAs Trump ‘Exports’ Deportees, Hundreds Are Trapped in Panama Hotel The New York TimesPanama says it has recaptured ******** woman who escaped from a hotel holding deportees ABC NewsU.S. Deports Asylum Seekers, Including Children, to Detention Camp in Panama Jungle Democracy Now!’Help us’: Hundreds deported from US held in Panama hotel BBC.com Source link #Trump #deports #hundreds #countries #leaving #legal #limbo #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Buick frozen in White Bear Lake goes viral on social media Buick frozen in White Bear Lake goes viral on social media The Brief A viral video going around on social media shows a Buick stuck in the ice at White Bear Lake. Only the front half of the Buick fell in the lake, with the bumper frozen in the water. Anglers sat by it and fished. WHITE BEAR LAKE, Min – A viral video is going around on social media of a Buick stuck in the ice at White Bear Lake. It has been nearly a month, and it’s still there while fish swim around it. Buick frozen at White Bear Lake What we know Anglers sat by the Buick and fished. They had their lines down right by its bumper. They even have a finder showing the fish under the car. What’s left of the Buick What the anglers see “The front end of the car is actually on the bottom of the of the lake,” said Karl Erickson of Urban Ice Anglers. Only the front half of the Buick fell into White Bear Lake. The bumper is sticking up out of the frozen water. “I took a little pitcher sitting there fishing on it, and we fished next to it today and caught a couple of bluegills,” said Erickson. Going viral on Instagram Buick turns viral Erickson has been back to White Bear Lake multiple times, making videos on Instagram to show people the frozen car. So far his videos have generated more than a million views. “I went and took a look at it, and kind of made a little video around what I found,” said Erickson. The Buick found in the ice What they’re saying Erickson found the Buick about two weeks ago. With the recent cold snap, it may be some time before the car can be removed from White Bear Lake. “They said, it had been there a week, and now it’s been so cold over the weeks since then that it’s, it’s that bumper is frozen solid,” said Erickson. Now Erickson wonders how anyone can pull the Buick out of the lake with the ice thick enough for cars to drive on. “I’ve been kind of watching because I’d like to see the process because I think it’s a pretty complex process,” said Erickson. Safety first If you head to White Bear Lake to see the Buick, there are thin ice signs around it, so be careful. There’s no word yet on when it could potentially be removed. Source link #Buick #frozen #White #Bear #Lake #viral #social #media Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ozempic and Wegovy shortage ends, setting up weight loss drug showdown – Axios Ozempic and Wegovy shortage ends, setting up weight loss drug showdown – Axios Ozempic and Wegovy shortage ends, setting up weight loss drug showdown AxiosShares of Hims & Hers tumble 26% after FDA says semaglutide is no longer in shortage CNBCFDA removes semaglutide from drug shortage list HealioYearslong shortage of popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs is resolved, FDA says The Associated PressOzempic and Wegovy are no longer in shortage, FDA says CNN Source link #Ozempic #Wegovy #shortage #ends #setting #weight #loss #drug #showdown #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Labor pitches $8.5bn plan to massively boost bulk-billing, in bid to make sure ‘no one is left behind’ Labor pitches $8.5bn plan to massively boost bulk-billing, in bid to make sure ‘no one is left behind’ Labor is pledging to pump billions into boosting bulk billed GP appointments for all amid years of declining rates for working Australians. Source link #Labor #pitches #8.5bn #plan #massively #boost #bulkbilling #bid #left Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SS United States To Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef SS United States To Become World’s Largest Artificial Reef The SS United States is heading south – first to Mobile, Alabama, then to Okaloosa County, Florida, where she’ll be sunk off the Gulf Coast to become the world’s largest artificial reef. Okaloosa County is home to 500 other artificial reefs, and officials are hoping that the 990-foot ocean liner becomes a tourist attraction for divers as well. Source link #United #States #Worlds #Largest #Artificial #Reef Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Farmers say bird flu a 'crisis' as egg prices soar – BBC.com Farmers say bird flu a 'crisis' as egg prices soar – BBC.com Farmers say bird flu a ‘crisis’ as egg prices soar BBC.comAre Runny Egg Yolks Safe to Eat? The New York TimesWhat You Need to Know About Avian Influenza Virus | News & Stories | DHMC and Clinics Dartmouth-HitchcockThe bird flu outlook has only gotten worse Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Source link #Farmers #bird #flu #039crisis039 #egg #prices #soar #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to announce $8 billion bulk-bill election pitch Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to announce $8 billion bulk-bill election pitch Millions more visits to the doctor will be free under a Labor plan to pump an extra $8.5 billion into general practices and help families save up to $859 million a year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil the policy on Sunday in a major pre-election pitch that aims to lift bulk-billing rates to 90 per cent up from the current 77.7 per cent — the largest funding injection into Medicare for 40 years. The move, budgeted over four years and then as ongoing spending, means an extra 18 million GP visits per year will be free. Under the plan, GPs will receive an extra incentive payment on top of existing Medicare rebates if they don’t charge patients any gap fee. The Government used its 2023 Budget to treble the incentive payments for doctors who bulk-billed children, pensioners and concession card holders. This will extend the same incentives to every patient from November. In addition, practices would get an extra payment worth 12.5 per cent of their Medicare billing if they bulk-billed every patient. The incentive payments are worth $7.9b over the next four years, much of which was provided for in December’s mid-year budget update. The combination is expected to make it more financially beneficial for 4800 GP practices — about 60 per cent of them — to bulk bill every patient instead of charging gap fees to some. The plan also offers $617m over the next four years to train more doctors and nurses to fill an anticipated shortfall of some 5500 GPs over the next decade. “I want every *********** to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need,” Mr Albanese said. “No *********** should have to check their bank balance to see if they can afford to see a doctor. That is not who we are. That is not the future we want for Australia.” Labor is making health care a key plank of its pitch to voters in the looming election campaign. It feeds into the cost-of-living pressures dominating people’s focus, with access to health care also featuring in the top issues voters are concerned about. Health Minister Mark Butler said Labor’s approach to protecting Medicare was a stark contrast with the Coalition’s attitude towards it. Camera IconMinister for Health Mark Butler. Credit: MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE “Peter Dutton tried to end bulk billing with a GP tax, and then started a six-year freeze to Medicare rebates that froze GP incomes and stripped billions out of Medicare,” he said. “No more wondering if you need to reach for your Medicare card or your credit card: Labor will put back into Medicare every dollar that Peter Dutton’s rebate-freeze took out.” The *********** Medical Association estimated practices were $8.3b worse off than if the rebate level had never been frozen — leading to falling bulk-billing rates and rising fees as doctors kept their businesses above water. It said Medicare rebates had never kept pace with the increased costs of running a practice, a situation exacerbated by indexation being delayed by seven months in 2013 under Labor, then frozen for several years under the Coalition, plus high inflation after the pandemic. Bulk-billing rates for GP visits had been steadily dropping from a high of 89.7 per cent in early 2021, when all COVID-related appointments had to be bulk-billed. But Health Department statistics showed they rose slightly to 77.7 per cent in the 12 months after the incentives for bulk-billing children and pensioners trebled in November 2023 and have stayed at that level since. The Royal *********** College of General Practice labelled the trebled incentive in the 2023 Budget a game-changer. It had made a pitch to the Government to extend the measure to people aged under 34, noting that young people were the most likely to delay visiting the doctor because of the cost, and for the standard consultation rebate to be lifted. Its pre-Budget submission anticipated this would increase the bulk-billing rate to 85 per cent — with an extra 6.2 million appointments free to patients — and halve out-of-pocket costs for those who weren’t bulk-billed. The average out-of-pocket cost across the country was about $47 for the 22 per cent of patients not bulk-billed, departmental data shows. Bulk-billing in WA is the second lowest in the country — with 70.5 per cent of GP visits — but the out-of-pocket cost is slightly lower than average at $46.76. Under the new incentive payment structure, the Medicare rebate for a standard GP consult of less than 20 minutes will stay at $42.85. But a practice in Perth that bulk bills every patient will get paid $69.56 for the same appointment while one in a regional centre like Bunbury would receive $80.71. The Medicare payment would nearly double in rural towns like Northam and York, while it would be $86.91 for a practice in a remote area such as Broome. Source link #Prime #Minister #Anthony #Albanese #announce #billion #bulkbill #election #pitch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Georgians Mercilessly Boo Their Republican Rep. Over Trump’s ‘Tyranny’ – Rolling Stone Georgians Mercilessly Boo Their Republican Rep. Over Trump’s ‘Tyranny’ – Rolling Stone Georgians Mercilessly Boo Their Republican Rep. Over Trump’s ‘Tyranny’ Rolling StoneBack in their districts, GOP lawmakers get an earful on DOGE and Musk The Washington PostAngry voters confront GOP representative over Trump’s push to expand his power CNNU.S. Rep. Rich McCormick held a town hall Thursday. Constituents gave him an earful GPB News Source link #Georgians #Mercilessly #Boo #Republican #Rep #Trumps #Tyranny #Rolling #Stone Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Swan River shark attack: South Perth woman Georgina Smith opens up about encounter near ****** Wall Reach Swan River shark attack: South Perth woman Georgina Smith opens up about encounter near ****** Wall Reach A South Perth woman has spoken out after a terrifying encounter with a shark in the Swan River on Saturday morning. Georgina Smith was out paddling around 8.15am near ****** Wall Reach when what’s believed to be a bull shark took a massive bite out of her canoe, knocking her into the water. The 35-year-old — who is a member of the Hurricane Outrigger Canoe Club — was training for a national title when the incident occured. Camera IconShe was knocked into the water by the bump. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS “I thought it was a dolphin, it wasn’t until I got back and saw the teeth marks that I thought ooh, ok, it might have been, not a dolphin,” Ms Smith told 7News. “The other sounds all kind of disappear and all I remember is that bang. “You’ve got to get action and going or else I’d still be in the river being chopped liver.” Camera IconMs Smith said she won’t be training near ****** Wall Reach again. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS Ms Smith was able to wave over a man in a nearby dinghy who drove her back to her club. While the shark interaction won’t deter her from getting back out on the water and resume training, Ms Smith says she won’t be going anywhere near ****** Wall Reach again. Source link #Swan #River #shark #attack #South #Perth #woman #Georgina #Smith #opens #encounter #****** #Wall #Reach Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exclusive-Russia could concede $300 billion frozen assets as part of Ukraine war settlement, sources say Exclusive-Russia could concede $300 billion frozen assets as part of Ukraine war settlement, sources say MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia could agree to using $300 billion of sovereign assets frozen in Europe for reconstruction in Ukraine but will insist that part of the money is spent on the one-fifth of the country that Moscow’s forces control, three sources told Reuters. Russia and the United States held their first face-to-face talks on ending the Ukraine war on Feb. 18 in Saudi Arabia and both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have said they hope to meet soon. After Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, the United States and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia’s central bank and finance ministry, blocking $300-$350 billion of sovereign Russian assets, mostly European, U.S. and British government bonds held in a European securities depository. While discussions between Russia and the United States are at a very early stage, one idea being floated in Moscow is that Russia could propose using a large chunk of the frozen reserves for rebuilding Ukraine as part of a possible peace deal, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. Swathes of eastern Ukraine have been devastated by the war and hundreds of thousands of soldiers killed or injured on both sides while millions of Ukrainians have fled to European countries or Russia. A year ago, the World Bank estimated reconstruction and recovery would cost $486 billion. The sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions and because discussions are only preliminary. The Kremlin declined to comment. The idea that Russia may agree to using the frozen money to help rebuild Ukraine has not been previously reported, and may give an insight into what Russia is willing to compromise on as Moscow and Washington seek to end the war, at a time when Trump is pushing for U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals to repay Washington’s support. Russia’s main demands to stop the fighting include a withdrawal of Kyiv’s troops from Ukrainian territory Moscow claims and an end to Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO. Ukraine says Russia must withdraw from its territory, and wants security guarantees from the West. The Trump administration says Ukraine has unrealistic, “illusionary” goals. Reuters could not establish whether the idea of using the frozen funds was discussed between Russia and U.S. counterparts in the Saudi meeting. The Group of Seven stated in 2023 that the Russian sovereign funds will remain frozen until Russia pays for the damage it inflicted in Ukraine. Trump has said he would like Russia to return to the G7, a grouping of wealthy nations. Story Continues Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said on Thursday the bank was not part of any talks on lifting sanctions or unfreezing of Russia’s reserves. Russia has previously said plans to use the funds in Ukraine amounted to robbery. The Ukrainian foreign ministry and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The British Foreign Office declined to comment. “Nothing about Ukraine and the EU can be decided without Ukraine and the EU,” said Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission. She said the EU and member states were helping Ukraine strengthen its position ahead of any talks, including with a new round of sanctions on Russia. Renaissance Capital lead analyst Oleg Kouzmin said the differences between the United States and Europe, which controls most of the assets, would complicate a lifting of the freeze. “It would require the European side to fully back the current stance of the U.S. aimed at dialog with Russia,” Kouzmin said, calling such a scenario “very optimistic”. TWO THIRD SPLIT? Russia’s frozen sovereign assets have been the subject of intense debate in the West with some proposing it be essentially given to Ukraine through a complex “repatriation loan”. One source with knowledge of the discussions in Moscow said that Russia could accept up to two-thirds of the reserves going to the restoration of Ukraine under a peace deal, provided there were accountability guarantees. The rest could go to the Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine that Russia now considers to be part of Russia, said the source. Another source with knowledge of discussions said that Moscow would agree to using the money to rebuild Ukraine but that it was too early to say what the possible division might be. Two sources stressed that it was important to discuss which companies would get future contracts for reconstruction. A different source, close to the Kremlin but not directly involved in the discussions, said that Russia would still demand the lifting of the freeze on the assets as part of gradual sanctions relief. Several Western officials, especially in the ******* government and European Central Bank, have been reluctant to simply confiscate sovereign reserves, warning that such a move could face legal challenges and undermine the euro as a reserve currency. Russian officials have repeatedly warned that the state confiscation of assets goes against free market principles, destroys banking security and erodes faith in reserve currencies. In retaliation, Russia has drafted legislation to confiscate funds from companies and investors from so-called unfriendly states, those that have hit it with sanctions. The bill has not yet been voted in Russia’s State Duma lower house. EUROPEAN FREEZE At the time the assets were frozen, Russia’s central bank said it held around $207 billion in euro assets, $67 billion in U.S. dollar assets and $37 billion in British pound assets. It also had holdings comprising $36 billion of Japanese yen, $19 billion in ********* dollars, $6 billion in *********** dollars and $1.8 billion in Singapore dollars. Its Swiss franc holdings were about $1 billion. Russia reports its total gold and foreign exchange reserves as around $627 billion, including the frozen funds. The value of Russia’s frozen assets fluctuates according to bond prices and currency movements. The bank’s biggest bond holdings were in the sovereign bonds of China, Germany, France, Britain, Austria and Canada. Russia’s gold reserves were held in Russia. Around 159 billion euros of the assets were managed by Belgian clearing house Euroclear Bank as of early last year, Euroclear has said. While the freezing of the funds has angered Moscow, some of Russia’s most outspoken war hawks have previously acknowledged Russia may eventually part with the frozen reserves, provided that the controlled territories stay within Russia. “I propose a solution. They pay this money towards our purchase of those territories, those lands that want to be with us,” said Margarita Simonyan, head of the Russian state broadcaster RT, in 2023. The Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine account for about 1% of Russia’s gross domestic product, but some economists believe that their share could grow quickly if they remain with Russia when the war ends. The regions already provide around 5% of Russia’s grain harvest. (Reporting by Reuters; additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Sachin Ravikumar in London and Jarrett Renshaw in Washington; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Frank Jack Daniel) Source link #ExclusiveRussia #concede #billion #frozen #assets #part #Ukraine #war #settlement #sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump fires top US military officer in Pentagon shake-up – Financial Times Donald Trump fires top US military officer in Pentagon shake-up – Financial Times Donald Trump fires top US military officer in Pentagon shake-up Financial TimesCQ Brown: Donald Trump fire top US general CQ Brown in shake-up at Pentagon BBC.comSecretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Statement on General Officer Nominations Department of DefenseTrump Fires Joint Chiefs Chairman Amid Flurry of Dismissals at Pentagon The New York Times’He’s a real general’: How Trump chose Dan Caine to be top US military officer Reuters Source link #Donald #Trump #fires #top #military #officer #Pentagon #shakeup #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hostage's grandson: 'That's not the way anyone should die' Hostage's grandson: 'That's not the way anyone should die' The grandson of Oded Lifschitz, whose body was returned to Israel this week, speaks to the BBC. Source link #Hostage039s #grandson #039That039s #die039 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

17 Harsh Realities About What It Was Like Growing Up “Back In The Day” That Older Adults Are Finally Setting Straight 17 Harsh Realities About What It Was Like Growing Up “Back In The Day” That Older Adults Are Finally Setting Straight Note: This post contains mentions of abuse, alcoholism, and PTSD. We often romanticize life “back in the day” with rosy stories about how much better life was. Unfortunately, those feel-good stories weren’t always the reality for a lot of people. Recently, we posted about older adults debunking the myths about the “good old days,” and it shed a lot of light on some things I hadn’t even considered. Here are more stories from folks about the harsh reality of growing up back then. 1.”Men did everything they could to get in the way of women having anything in life. Women were discouraged from getting an education. The only jobs they were hired for paid next to nothing. They were paid less than men to do the exact same job. If they were ********* harassed, it was considered to be funny. They weren’t allowed to have their own credit cards. They couldn’t get a loan for anything. They were charged more for cars. If they could even get a real estate agent to call them back, they had to come up with a ******* down payment for a house.” “Domestic abuse was absolutely rife. If a woman sought help from the police, it was a joke to them. When women looked for support in their efforts to escape, they were endlessly lectured and pressured by their families and people at church to stay and let their husbands abuse them forever.” —originallamp38 2.”What people didn’t talk about was back then when our dads returned home from WWII with PTSD, which took the form of alcoholism. It wreaked havoc on our families’ lives, as societal pressure meant we all carried this shameful secret. Psychology and mental health support was in its infancy then, so we were all on our own. I grew up in a small town, so there was fear of being found out if we went to an AA/Al-Anon meeting. So many families suffered in silence. This stuff messes you up as an adult. I graduated high school in 1975, and we never talked about these things. I spent many adult years in therapy because of all the trauma.” A person in military uniform stands smiling outdoors with tents and mountains in the background —heroicgoose591 3.”There weren’t any single-income families in my neighborhood. Even in families with stay-at-home moms, the father worked two or three jobs, and the children worked and paid bills for the family. My sister worked a 40-hour week while she was in high school. My friends’ families were just like us.” —susanmpb 4.”Everyone was poor. Housing was cheaper, but as a percentage of income, food was almost twice as much, with zero variety. Going to a restaurant was an event. Vacations were a road trip without air conditioning to a cabin somewhere cheap where the only electronics were a fridge and a radio that got a Christian station.” A vintage photo of two children and an older woman enjoying cake at a table, with floral curtains in the background. The boy is mid-bite —cornyorc741 5.”It was a myth that people didn’t have sex outside of marriage or that pregnancies outside of marriage didn’t happen. Either the girls were rushed into marriage or were shipped off, had the baby, and gave it up as soon as it was born. Also, the myth that there were fewer abortions. Oh, come on! People did all kinds of dangerous things to cause abortions. Another one is that there were fewer gay people back then. No, they just stayed hidden. And lastly, there were fewer kids with ADHD or autism. That’s because the commonly known descriptions for ADHD or autism were for white boys, and everyone else just fell through the cracks.” “My parents had me tested in elementary school because they were concerned. I was diagnosed with ‘short-term memory disorder.’ It wasn’t until both of my children were diagnosed and the psychologist was listing out characteristics of ADHD that I realized that I had it all those years!” —Anonymous, 47, Tennessee 6.”I worked for a Fortune 500 company in the ’80s and ’90s. The racial and gender biases were unbelievable. I outperformed my male counterparts and was bypassed for promotions countless times. I got to train people to get promoted above me who didn’t have the same work ethic or knowledge that I had, but as a Latina woman, I was overlooked in favor of white males because that’s the way it was. I shouldn’t have tolerated it for as long as I did.” A woman in an office circa 1990s, using an old computer with a map on the screen, surrounded by maps and documents —savorychipmunk553 7.”Housing is so important to understand, and many people don’t. My mom was in a family of seven kids and considered rich when she was growing up. She shared a bedroom with her three sisters and slept on some pillows on the ground. All the boys were in another room, and they all ate a lot of cheap food to feed the whole family.” —natasshah 8.”My dad graduated high school in 1960. He said half of his male classmates were drafted. He was safe because he was supporting the family, as his father had died young. He said of those who were cleared for service and sent over to Vietnam, about half were killed. That’s a fear like we can’t understand.” Group of people in vintage military attire relax under a tent, evoking a historical or wartime setting —vanessapoholekf 9.”Life was nowhere near as convenient then as it is today. School projects that required even cursory research involved a trip to the public library. Everything ran on mail. Many people didn’t have bank accounts because they couldn’t actually access a bank during business hours. Need to cash your paycheck? You went to the grocery store or an enterprising tavern because the bank was already closed by the time you got off work. There was no 911; if you had an emergency, you picked up the phone, dialed 0, and asked the operator, literally an employee of the local phone company, for the police/fire/ambulance because the phone number wasn’t public.” “Bills often had to be paid in person, in cash, at the office of the utility or phone company. Not all accepted checks by mail. Stores were closed on Sundays and by 5 p.m. most weekdays, leaving working families with restricted access to necessities. Serious illness meant the loss of income. Same with a broken-down car if you couldn’t fix it yourself. We live in a comparatively magical world that resembles what science fiction shows and movies of the time depicted.” —i_before_a_except_after_j 10.”Gen X here. I spent most of my younger years with my great-grandma, who was born in 1914. Yes, I have used an outhouse in weather conditions that are 90+ degrees. It is not fun. And yes, I survived drinking from a hose, riding in the back of trucks, not wearing a seatbelt, etc. But enough did not survive, and these things were changed. I can guarantee you that most of the kids who were left alone — latchkey kids — are lucky to be alive. There was so much physical and ******* abuse.” Three children standing in front of a house, dressed in mid-20th century attire, holding lunchboxes —abourque 11.”People think traffic wasn’t as bad, and people could get around easier. Two-lane highways and streets would be stacked up for miles. Often, side streets weren’t paved or even graveled. Four-way intersections with stop signs were much more common. Only the most expensive cars had air conditioning. Air travel was too costly for the middle and lower classes, so you either drove or took the train. Both would take days to get to places a quarter or more across the country.” —Anonymous, 63, Virginia 12.”I think a big element that’s missing from the idealization of pre-Civil Rights housewife culture is race. If you were a white woman, being a housewife was considered classy. If you weren’t white, you were uppity at best. Women of color were pretty much required to work back then. Housewife life was seen as glamorous as long as it was strictly a white thing.” Person in retro kitchen, wearing a vintage-style dress, washing dishes. Background features patterned curtains and kitchen decor —certified_drapetomaniac 13.”I recently read a very old letter from my great-grandmother and was truly shocked. I don’t know who she wrote it to, but it was an account of her life starting in the 1920s and of her extended family that read like a Greek tragedy. The thing that stood out most was how many kids died. She mentioned in a casual tone that one woman in her family had six kids, and half died from diseases. My great-grandmother left her husband, who was abusive. This also surprised me because I thought divorce was forbidden back then. Maybe it was more common and not discussed.” “She also discussed how much financial struggle her family faced. It was very much a story of people surviving. But she persevered, and her letter never had a tone of self-pity. I wish I could go back and tell her how much I respect her.The point is, I am very happy to be alive in a world with vaccines and civil rights.” —finwhale 14.”I’m Generation X. First, the amount of bullying that was tolerated was incredible, and we couldn’t tell because nothing would happen, and then the bullying got worse. I was bullied starting in sixth grade by older kids who were in my class due to being held back. My grades went down drastically, and it was blamed on my lack of good study habits and not because I was being emotionally tortured. Another thing I remember was the high amount of teen girls with ‘boyfriends’ in their 20s or older. Personally, my first ‘boyfriend’ was 22 when I was 15.” Person sitting on floor with a notebook in a school hallway lined with lockers “I grew up at a time when it was normalized on TV. Thelma from Good Times, for example, dated Lou Gossett Jr. Her character was 17, and he was in his 40s. One of her other boyfriends was working on his Master’s thesis, and she was 16. Then, Little House on the Prairie, where Adam was Mary’s teacher, and they married when she was a teen. Almanzo was 10 years older than Laura. For years, I blamed myself for putting myself in a bad position. Only as an adult did I realize I wasn’t in a relationship but was being groomed.” —emmemcv 15.”My mom, as a young teen/tween, ran away and went to a police station in the early ’70s to report abuse in her home from her father. The officer looked at her and was like, ‘If I were your father, I’d beat you, too. How dare you come here and talk about your family’s business?!’ So, yeah. Policing has at least gotten better in some aspects.” —kalikko 16.”My great-grandmother married when she was 17; he was abusive, and she ended up fleeing. Her family had to pay off her abuser so she and her daughter could get away. She couldn’t actually marry my great-grandfather until after her first husband had died, as he wouldn’t allow a divorce.” A bride and groom in formal attire pose with a croquembouche at their wedding reception —singingeachtoeach 17.”Education was not readily available if you had a disability that prevented you from climbing stairs or a sensory impairment like being blind or deaf. You could be legally barred from attending school and later college. Employers could refuse to hire you if you were disabled in any way.” —Anonymous, 72, Illinois What myths about life back in the day do you want to debunk? Let us know in the comments or fill out this anonymous form. Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website. If you are concerned that a child is experiencing or may be in danger of abuse, you can call or text the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453(4.A.CHILD); service can be provided in over 140 languages. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and find more resources here. Source link #Harsh #Realities #Growing #Day #Older #Adults #Finally #Setting #Straight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]