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Nextdoor’s Nirav Tolia thinks he can turn things around with AI; he has a lot riding on it – TechCrunch Nextdoor’s Nirav Tolia thinks he can turn things around with AI; he has a lot riding on it – TechCrunch Nextdoor’s Nirav Tolia thinks he can turn things around with AI; he has a lot riding on it TechCrunch Source link #Nextdoors #Nirav #Tolia #thinks #turn #lot #riding #TechCrunch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Test of strength’ for Starmer over Ukraine war ‘Test of strength’ for Starmer over Ukraine war Most of the papers focus on the latest in the Ukraine war, as peace talks between the US and Russia – but not Ukraine – begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The Guardian focuses on quotes from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says he would consider deploying *** troops to Ukraine in the event of a lasting peace deal. But he says “there must be a US backstop, because a US guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again”. The Times also focuses on Sir Keir urging the US to offer security guarantees to Ukraine. It says he will travel to Washington next week for talks with US President Donald Trump, making him the first European leader to do so. Senior *** government sources tell the paper Sir Keir will have “serious conversations” with Trump about the possibility of the US offering security guarantees. America’s Ukraine envoy has signalled willingness to consider offering such guarantees, the paper adds. The Mirror calls it a “test of strength” for Sir Keir, as it pictures him and Trump facing each other. It says Sir Keir’s comments mark a “warning” to the US that it must help keep the peace in Ukraine. The Mirror adds that the prime minister also emphasised that Ukraine must be included in peace talks between the US and Russia. It’s a “Starm offensive”, says the Metro, which says the prime minister has embarked on a mission to stand up for Ukraine as it is “kept on the sidelines” of the peace talks. The PM also says the world is at a “once in a generation moment” to contain the threat of Putin. The Financial Times focuses on the remarks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who says his country will not recognise the outcome of these peace talks if Ukraine isn’t involved. Russia is framing Tuesday’s meeting in Riyadh as “the start of its return from the cold” after its invasion of Ukraine, the paper says. The US says the talks are aiming to work out whether “the Russians are serious and if they’re on the same page” about ending the war, the paper adds. The i newspaper focuses on Sir Keir’s suggestion he would consider sending troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force. Former defence chiefs tell the i newspaper that a *** deployment to Ukraine would be “******* than in Afghanistan”, leading the paper to suggest the *** might need to see more cuts to afford the extra defence spending. But the Daily Telegraph says the *** is at odds with some European leaders over sending troops to Ukraine – with Germany particularly reluctant. It quotes Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, as saying the idea is “completely premature” and “highly inappropriate”, and that he is “a little irritated”. It says Scholz left the talks in Paris early as splits emerged. Meanwhile the main picture for the paper is of Deputy PM Angela Rayner, who has arrived in Ethiopia to meet business representatives. Under the headline “Rayner on parade”, the paper says she has been accused of “grandstanding and ignoring her brief”. Instead of Ukraine, the Daily Mail focuses on a speech from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who yesterday warned that Western values were under threat from “poisonous” woke ideology. The paper says she launched a defence of free speech, free markets and the rule of law, in a fiery speech at a right-wing conference. According to the Mail, she made a direct reference to Sir Keir taking the knee to support the ****** Lives Matter movement in 2020, saying people must “get off our knees and start fighting for the West”. The Daily Star reports that Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – are “ditching vegan diets”. The paper hails it as the “age of the sausage”, and suggests the cost-of-living crisis could be part of the reason. The cost-of-living crisis also features on the front of the Daily Express, which reports that up to nine million pensioners – or three out of four – lived in uncomfortably cold homes in January. It comes from figures from the charity Age ***, which is today delivering a petition to Downing Street demanding action, after the government cut back on who was eligible for winter fuel payment. Meanwhile the front page’s main picture is of the Princess of Wales, who shared sketches she and her children drew of themselves. Source link #Test #strength #Starmer #Ukraine #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘Times are hard’ for fintech but latest report reveals glimmer of recovery ‘Times are hard’ for fintech but latest report reveals glimmer of recovery Fintech investment has been on a downward spiral since 2012, but the second half of this year could see the first shoots of recovery. Investment in *** fintechs fell by over a quarter last year, but there are signs that a recovery could be on its way, according to KPMG. In its latest report into EMEA fintech investment trends, KPMG revealed that 2024 saw *** firms receive $9.9bn (£7.8bn). Meanwhile, total investment in 2024 was $20.3bn compared with $27.6bn the previous year. Total *** fintech investment dropped to $9.9bn in 2024, down 27% from $13.6bn in 2023, according to KPMG’s Pulse of fintech report. Hannah Dobson, partner and *** head of fintech at KPMG, said *** investment is expected to remain “relatively soft” in the first half of this year, but added that “it will likely begin to pick up as interest rates reduce further, with common consensus that this will be in the third and fourth quarters”. Fintech industry expert Chris Skinner, CEO at The Finanser, told Computer Weekly that “times are hard in the fintech space”. “Fintechs had an amazing ride in the 2010s, but in the 2020s, it seems not,” he said. “Fintech took a hammering in 2023, with investing down 48% compared with 2022, which was also a bad year, and now we move into 2025 and reflect on 2024, where it went down even more.” In its report, KPMG said geopolitical uncertainty, high levels of inflation and the higher interest rates all contributed to “more subdued levels of *** fintech investment”. Dobson at KPMG added: “2024 was another tough year for fintech investment, which inevitably has led to some business failure and some consolidation. It has also sharpened the focus on a path to profit and cost control which positively leads to more sustainable saleable businesses in the longer term.” In EMEA, and particularly the ***, there are signs of a slow recovery in deals as the reduction in interest rates and more political stability leads to better certainty. The impact of regulation is an ongoing challenge for fintechs across EMEA as they face into new EU and *** regimes in areas such as AI and BNPL. The largest fintech deal in Europe in 2024 was the $560.6m ***** of online bank Knab, to Austrian financial firm Bawag Group. The largest deal in the *** was the $267m venture funding round by money transfer provider Zepz. It’s not just Europe that saw a fall in investment. Globally, fintech hit a seven-year low last year, with $95bn invested compared with $113.7bn in 2023. Karim Haji, global and *** head of financial services at KPMG, said there are some “bright spots”. “Payments continued to be the rockstar of the fintech subsectors, driven by late-stage deals and an increasing focus on consolidation, and regtech gained a lot of traction,” said Haji. Global investment Global investment in the payments space hit $31bn in 2024, up from $17.2bn in 2023. Haji added that while more deals are beginning to come through because of interest rate cuts in different jurisdictions and the lower cost of funding, the impacts of changing world trading conditions on inflation, interest rates and the market change are yet to be known. KPMG’s figures mirror those published by Innovative Finance last month, which reported a 37% fall in investment in 2024 compared with 2023. Innovate Finance, the industry body for fintech in the ***, blamed tough market conditions that included “rising interest rates, geopolitical instability, as well as a recalibration in venture capital fundraising”. Source link #Times #hard #fintech #latest #report #reveals #glimmer #recovery Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Beautiful Dreamer: Late Halls Creek artist Janet Dreamer’s paradisical work will be exhibited around Australia Beautiful Dreamer: Late Halls Creek artist Janet Dreamer’s paradisical work will be exhibited around Australia Halls Creek artist Janet Dreamer’s art is set to tour Australia Source link #Beautiful #Dreamer #Late #Halls #Creek #artist #Janet #Dreamers #paradisical #work #exhibited #Australia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Delta Air Lines flight crashes at Toronto Pearson Airport Delta Air Lines flight crashes at Toronto Pearson Airport A flight operated by a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines crashed at the Toronto Pearson International Airport Monday. Delta confirmed the incident in a statement to USA TODAY, saying that Endeavor Flight 4819 from Minneapolis/St. Paul to the ********* airport was involved in the ******. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed in a statement that there were no fatalities in the ****** and said the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will be in charge of the investigation. Photos and video from the ****** show the plane having come to a stop upside down. Here is a live look at the scene at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Watch: Plane ****** at Toronto Pearson International Airport This incident comes on the heels of the widely reported mid-air collision over the Potomac River between an Army ****** Hawk and an American Airlines regional jet and at a moment that has seen tensions between Canadians and the American government hit all-time highs. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch live: Delta flight crashes at Toronto Pearson Airport Source link #Delta #Air #Lines #flight #crashes #Toronto #Pearson #Airport Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asia markets set to rise; RBA expected to cut rates Asia markets set to rise; RBA expected to cut rates Australia, New South Wales, Sydney Scott E Barbour | The Image Bank | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Tuesday, a day after ******** President Xi Jinping signaled support to the country’s private sector and urged businesses to “show their “talents.” Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day up 0.09%, ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision. Reuters estimates a 25-basis-point rate cut to 4.1%. The *********** dollar was up 0.05% at 0.635 against the dollar. Over in Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to open slightly lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 39,160 while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 39,130, against the index’s last close of 39,174.25. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood higher at 22,715 pointing to a stronger open compared to the HSI’s close of 22,616.23. The Hang Seng tech index, which tracks the 30 biggest technology firms listed in Hong Kong, reversed course from gains last week to drop over 2% Monday after Xi’s comments in a rare closed-door symposium. Singapore will be holding its first budget under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong later in the day. Analysts are expecting more support for both households and businesses as the city-state gears up for a general election in November. U.S. markets were closed due to a public holiday. U.S. stock futures were higher late Monday, as the major averages come off from a winning week. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advanced 106 points, or 0.2%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.2% and 0.2%, respectively. — CNBC’s Sarah Min contributed to this report. Source link #Asia #markets #set #rise #RBA #expected #cut #rates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police arrest apparent leader of cultlike ‘Zizian’ group linked to multiple killings in the US – The Associated Press Police arrest apparent leader of cultlike ‘Zizian’ group linked to multiple killings in the US – The Associated Press Police arrest apparent leader of cultlike ‘Zizian’ group linked to multiple killings in the US The Associated PressAlleged leader of cultlike Zizian group linked to Vermont border agent’s killing arrested in Maryland CBS NewsBay Area Zizians ‘death cult’ leader arrested after months on the run SFGATEJack LaSota, aka ‘Ziz,’ arrested in western Maryland Times Union 2 arrested as probe intensifies into string of bizarre murders nationwide USA TODAY Source link #Police #arrest #apparent #leader #cultlike #Zizian #group #linked #multiple #killings #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five teens charged after bashing lifeguard at Melbourne pool Five teens charged after bashing lifeguard at Melbourne pool The lifeguard, 19, was patrolling a public pool when he was approached by a group of teenagers and allegedly assaulted. Source link #teens #charged #bashing #lifeguard #Melbourne #pool Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US and Russia set to begin high-stakes talks over Ukraine’s fate US and Russia set to begin high-stakes talks over Ukraine’s fate High-level delegations from the U.S. and Russia were set to begin talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday over the fate of Ukraine — negotiations taking place — without Ukraine. Ahead of the talks that the State Department said were aimed to discuss ending the now three-year-long war, an American delegation headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Rubio’s counterpart, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, confirmed the bilateral talks would take place in Riyadh on Tuesday. PHOTO: Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 17, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) The talks between Moscow and Washington end a ******* of some three years — since President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Geneva before Russia invaded Ukraine — without senior-level engagement between the two nations. Lavrov and Rubio talked on the phone Saturday, according to the State Department, after a conversation between Putin and Trump last week. PHOTO: Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, Feb. 17, 2025 and President Donald Trump, in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025. (Reuters/AFP via Getty Images) While a spokesman for Putin said the meeting would be “devoted” primarily to “restoring the entire range of Russian-American relations,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that the meeting would be more narrowly focused on the “larger issue of Ukraine.” After the Trump-Putin conversation, Bruce called the meeting the “second step to determine if the Russians perhaps are serious, and if they’re on the same page.” PHOTO: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the media during a briefing at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine, Feb. 13, 2025. (Alex Babenko/AP) Zelenskyy said Monday Ukraine ‘will not recognize agreements’ struck without Kyiv’s participation Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy was not invited and Zelenskky said Monday that Ukraine “cannot acknowledge any… agreements about us without us, and will not recognize such agreements.” “Earlier, during the war, it was considered taboo to talk to the aggressor,” the Ukrainian president said. Amid the flurry of diplomatic activity, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of European heads of government Monday ahead of the U.S.-Russia engagement. Macron and Trump spoke via telephone for nearly 30 minutes prior to the European meeting, a White House official said. The official called the conversation “friendly” and said it included discussion of the war in Ukraine and the U.S.-Russia bilateral meetings Tuesday. Mike Waltz, the White House national security adviser, said on Sunday he would “push back on … any notion that [Ukrainians] aren’t being consulted.” “They absolutely are. And at the end of the day, though, this is going to be under President Trump’s leadership that we get this war to an end,” Waltz said, conceding “they may not like some of the sequencing that is going on in these negotiations.” Zelenskyy himself is in the Middle East, where he met with officials in the United Arab Emirates Monday, with meetings scheduled in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, Zelenskyy said he’d ask Crown Prince Salman, who is also the Saudi prime minister, about the US-Russia meetings. The opening of White House-facilitated talks on peace in Ukraine comes after Trump officials signaled potential terms for a deal at the Munich Security Conference last week. Ahead of the conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called a return to Ukrainian borders before Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea “unrealistic.” That “illusory goal” – and NATO membership for Ukraine – would not be promoted by the US, the secretary said. Zelenskyy at the conference said Ukraine must be assured of membership in “NATO, or a reliable alternative.” He called for the building of the “armed forces of Europe” as the Trump administration presses for more European spending on defense. PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he arrives for a meeting with European leaders on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Feb. 17, 2025. (Abdul Saboor/Reuters) Among the attendees of Macron’s hastily organized meeting in Paris, the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Sweden said they would be open to contributing armed forces on the ground in Ukraine in a peacekeeping capacity, after a potential deal is struck. “If there is a peace deal [for Ukraine], and everybody wants a peace deal, then it’s got to be a lasting peace deal, not just a pause for Putin to come again,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in Paris. “There’s also a wider piece here which is the collective security and defense in Europe, and here, I think we’ve got a generational challenge. We’ve all got to step up,” he added. -ABC News’ Molly Nagle and Patrick Reevell contributed to this report. US and Russia set to begin high-stakes talks over Ukraine’s fate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source link #Russia #set #highstakes #talks #Ukraines #fate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis to stay in hospital because of ‘complex clinical picture’ – The Guardian Pope Francis to stay in hospital because of ‘complex clinical picture’ – The Guardian Pope Francis to stay in hospital because of ‘complex clinical picture’ The GuardianPope’s complex clinical picture requires longer hospitalization ******** NewsPope’s condition ‘complex’, hospital stay extended: ******** YahooPope Francis Will Remain in Hospital for ‘Complex’ Clinical Issue The New York TimesVatican says the pope has a ‘polymicrobial respiratory tract infection.’ What is that? The Associated Press Source link #Pope #Francis #stay #hospital #complex #clinical #picture #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man sentenced to life imprisonment for ******* Man sentenced to life imprisonment for ******* Catherine Doyle and Eimear Flanagan BBC News NI PA Media Danielle McLaughlin’s mother said she would always be remembered for her “spirit, kindness and laugh” A man found guilty of raping and murdering a 28-year-old Irishwoman who was backpacking in India has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Danielle McLaughlin, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in the western state of Goa in March 2017. Vikat Bhagat was convicted at the District and Sessions Court in south Goa, India, on Friday. Prosecutors involved in the case had asked for Bhagat to be sentenced to death over the death of Ms McLaughlin, who held both Irish and British passports. Mukesh Kumar Vikat Bhagat was found guilty by an Indian court on Friday On Monday, the court sentenced Bhagat to “rigorous” life imprisonment for *******. He also received a second life term for *****, and three years for destroying evidence. All the sentences will run concurrently. Speaking to the media, the defence counsel for Bhagat, Adv Franco, said his client would be appealing against the conviction and sentence. Vikram Verma, who assisted the prosecution during the trial, said: “It was a difficult task for the prosecution to put together all the circumstantial evidence to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt about this conviction.” He added that their hard work had been recognised. The investigating officer described it as a “very sensitive case”. Insp Filomina Costa added: “The verdict today is quite satisfactory.” ***** victims cannot usually be named under Indian law. Their identities are often hidden in a bid to protect them from being shunned in society. However, throughout their eight-year campaign for justice, Ms McLaughlin’s family have spoken to the media to raise awareness of her case. ‘Road to truth and justice’ Reacting to the sentencing, the McLaughlins’ solicitor, Des Doherty, said: “For Andrea, [Danielle’s mother] the road to truth and justice has been a very long and very difficult one. “She has had a lot of help and assistance from both the British and Irish consulate staff, as well as Mr Verma.” Mr Doherty told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme that despite the length of time the case had taken, Danielle’s mother was thankful she was heavily involved in the legal process. He said she had “achieved what she set out to achieve”. “Andrea stayed with the Indian legal process, difficult as it was, and that has now worked in her favour,” he added. PA Media Danielle McLaughlin was killed two weeks after she arrived in India Danielle’s mother and sister had travelled to Goa for the conclusion of the case after an online fundraiser was set up to help cover the costs of their journey. Reacting to the conviction on Friday, Andrea Brannigan said she was “glad and relieved” that the case was over. She said that although the family had secured justice, it would not bring Danielle back. “I lost my eldest daughter, she was stolen from us, she was stolen from her sisters and friends,” she said. “She was also stolen the opportunity of becoming a mother herself.” Ms Brannigan said her daughter would always be remembered for her “spirit, kindness and laugh”. Ms McLaughlin’s sister Joleen said her family could have never given up on their campaign to bring her killer to court, regardless of the length of time it took. “We thought maybe Danielle wouldn’t matter here because she was a foreigner, but as the public prosecutor said on the day in court: a woman is a woman, regardless,” she said. “They made sure her voice was heard and that she mattered just as much as any local. We are really thankful for that.” The guilty verdict meant their family “can finally start grieving now for Danielle”, she added. ‘Kindly heart’ Ms McLaughlin grew up in Buncrana and was said to be a gifted student of drama and dance. She later attended Liverpool John Moores University. On a previous trip to India she had volunteered in an orphanage. She returned to the country in February 2017, this time with hopes of working as a yoga teacher. However, she was murdered two weeks after her arrival. She had been staying in a beach hut with an *********** friend and they went to a nearby village to celebrate Holi, a Hindu festival. Ms McLaughlin left the village on the night before she was found dead. Her mother later told journalists she was not happy with the place she was staying and asked a man she believed was her friend for help to find new accommodation. Her body was discovered the next day by a local farmer in a field. A post-mortem examination found that the cause of her death was brain damage and strangulation. A Newry-based charity, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, assisted her family to take her remains back to the Republic of Ireland. The priest at her ******** said she had had a “kindly heart and searching mind” and an extensive international circle of friends. Source link #Man #sentenced #life #imprisonment #******* Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Gang of teenagers charged with over 50 offences following string of alleged homophobic attacks Gang of teenagers charged with over 50 offences following string of alleged homophobic attacks WA Police on Monday announced they had concluded their investigation into a series of alleged robberies targeting people in the diverse sexuality and gender community. Source link #Gang #teenagers #charged #offences #string #alleged #homophobic #attacks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

An Iowa college gets a $10 million gift from the estate trust of a famous alum An Iowa college gets a $10 million gift from the estate trust of a famous alum A $10 million gift to Grinnell College from the estate trust of late alum and tech revolution architect Robert N. Noyce following the 2024 death of his widow, Ann Bowers, will strengthen the Iowa school’s computer science instruction and support other initiatives at one of the Midwest’s premier liberal arts colleges. The college announced the gift in a news release, saying $4 million will go to establish an endowed chair in computer science, with the remainder divided among a fund for curricular development, an endowed scholarship and an endowed fund for scientific equipment. A portion of the gift also will support the college’s Pioneer Fund, which addresses what the school says are its “most pressing needs.” Noyce, who died in 1990, was an Iowa native and co-founder of Intel Corp., which remains one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors — the microchips that are at the heart of everything from smart phones to sophisticated medical equipment. He famously made it possible for Grinnell to get in on the ground floor of Intel’s early stock offering, launching the college on its way to building an endowment that helps it enroll top students without consideration of their financial status. Grinnell College. More: One-third of Grinnell College power to come from solar energy with new solar array In a recent ranking, it was the only institution of higher education in Iowa to be named among America’s most selective colleges. Bowers also was an Intel exec, one of the few female leaders in the industry’s early days. Both she and her husband served as Grinnell trustees, and her philanthropy also has been key in the growth of the computer science program at her alma mater, New York’s Cornell University. Computer science enrollment grows rapidly at Grinnell In the news release, Peter-Michael Osera, chair of Grinnell’s Department of Computer Science, said the endowed chair will help the department meet growing demand throughout the college for education in artificial intelligence, data science and related fields. “Computing is ubiquitous in society,” Osera said. “The depth of interdisciplinary work in the Computer Science department, from our students’ interests in other majors to our multi-themed introductory courses, reflects this fact.” From 2022: Grinnell College names new off-campus dorm after pioneering 108-year-old alum He also noted that Grinnell’s enrollment of computer science majors has grown more than 10-fold over the past decade, with many pursing dual majors in other fields. Bernadine Douglas, Grinnell vice president of development and alumni relations, said Noyce, in addition to being “the force behind discoveries that shape how we live today,” also was known as “The Mayor of Silicon Valley”’” Douglas said he “recognized the power of collaboration and the potential for technology to have a positive influence on people’s lives” “It will be exciting to see how these principles, which he and Ann Bowers held dear, will be reflected by the faculty and students who benefit from this gift for years to come,” Douglas said. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Grinnell College gets $10M gift to boost computer science program Source link #Iowa #college #million #gift #estate #trust #famous #alum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

An Invisible Medical Shortage: Oxygen An Invisible Medical Shortage: Oxygen At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people in poor nations died literally gasping for breath, even in hospitals. What they lacked was medical oxygen, which is in short supply in much of the world. On Monday, a panel of experts published a comprehensive report on the shortage. Each year, the report noted, more than 370 million people worldwide need oxygen as part of their medical care, but fewer than 1 in 3 receive it, jeopardizing the health and lives of those who do not. Access to safe and affordable medical oxygen is especially limited in low- and middle-income nations. “The need is very urgent,” said Dr. Hamish Graham, a pediatrician and a lead author of the report. “We know that there’s more epidemics coming, and there’ll be another pandemic, probably like Covid, within the next 15 to 20 years.” The report, published in The Lancet Global Health, comes just weeks after the Trump administration froze foreign aid programs, including some that could improve access to oxygen. Boosting the availability of medical oxygen would require an investment of about $6.8 billion, the report noted. “Within the current climate, that’s obviously going to become a bit more of a challenge,” said Carina King, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute and a lead author of the report. Still, she said, governments and funding organizations should prioritize medical oxygen because of its importance across health care. People of all ages may need oxygen for pneumonia and other respiratory conditions, for severe infections including malaria and sepsis, for surgeries and for chronic lung conditions. “We’re not pitting oxygen against other priorities, but rather that it should be embedded within all of those programs and within those priorities,” Dr. King said. “It’s completely fundamental to a functioning health system.” Medical oxygen has been used for more than 100 years, often for treating patients with pneumonia. But it was added to the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List only in 2017. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, Every Breath Counts, a coalition of more than 50 organizations, pushed for increased access to medical oxygen. By the end of 2022, an emergency task force had mobilized more than $1 billion worth of medical oxygen equipment and supplies to more than 100 countries. One country that has made substantial investment in improving oxygen access is Nigeria, which had taken steps in that direction even before Covid. Nigeria has set up about 20 cost-effective plants for generating oxygen on-site for hospitals, and is exploring liquid oxygen plants that can supply large swaths of urban areas, said Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, the country’s minister of health and social ********. Many hospitals do not have systems that can deliver oxygen reliably, “so that is sort of a design and a legacy issue that we have to deal with,” he said. “There’s more that needs to be done.” Modifying hospital systems to deliver oxygen can pose engineering and market issues, and delivering oxygen requires infrastructure that can transport heavy oxygen tanks for long distances. Even once oxygen supply is assured, the equipment to deliver the oxygen directly to patients must be routinely maintained and cleaned, and spare parts may take months to be delivered. Health care workers must be trained to use the equipment effectively. “We’ve seen so much investment in equipment, but very little investment in how to operationalize that equipment sustainably,” Dr. King said. Health care facilities also require pulse oximeters to screen and monitor blood oxygen levels during treatment. But in low- and middle-income countries, pulse oximetry is used in fewer than 1 in 5 patients in general hospitals, and it’s almost never used at primary health care facilities, according to the report. The panel included testimonials from patients, families and health care workers who have struggled with the oxygen shortage. In Sierra Leone, before the Covid-19 pandemic, only one public hospital in the entire country had a functioning oxygen plant, resulting in thousands of avoidable deaths. In Pakistan, a man with a chronic lung condition said that he stayed indoors and avoided stairs to prevent his lungs from rupturing under the strain. He had to borrow money from friends and family to pay the $18,000 cost of treatment at home. In Ethiopia, a doctor was forced to take oxygen away from one patient to treat another who was more desperately ill. “It was very heartbreaking trying to decide who lives and who dies,” he said. Source link #Invisible #Medical #Shortage #Oxygen Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says – CNN Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says – CNN Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says CNNOpinion | Refusing to Carry Out Trump’s Flagrantly Dishonest Orders The New York TimesFour top officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ office resigning after Trump administration drops criminal charges against him The IndependentAt least 3 NYC deputy mayors express intent to resign from Adams administration: Sources NBC New York Source link #top #deputies #Eric #Adams #resigned #York #mayor #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Most players feel Sinner shown 'favouritism' – Djokovic Most players feel Sinner shown 'favouritism' – Djokovic Novak Djokovic has called for change in the way the anti-doping system operates in tennis in the wake of Jannik Sinner’s case. Source link #players #feel #Sinner #shown #039favouritism039 #Djokovic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kansas schools close Tuesday as winter storm arrives Kansas schools close Tuesday as winter storm arrives TOPEKA (KSNT) – Schools across Kansas have begun announcing closures for Tuesday as snow and cold temperatures arrive with a winter storm. Multiple school districts in Kansas have announced closures on Monday, Feb. 17 that will impact classes and activities on Tuesday, Feb. 18. School districts and other educational institutions which have announced closures for Tuesday include the following: USD 245 – LeRoy-Gridley. USD 340 – Jefferson West. USD 434 – Santa Fe Trail. USD 453 – Leavenworth & Parochial Schools. USD 458 – Basehor-Linwood. USD 475 – Geary County. Washburn Institute of Technology. Gov. Kelly issues Declaration of Inclement Weather for Tuesday, soon closes state offices Parts of Kansas are currently in a winter storm warning and/or an extreme cold warning for the week. People are being urged by weather officials to bundle up, ensure vehicle emergency kits are stocked and that pets are brought indoors. ICE signs deal with top Kansas law enforcement agencies For more weather news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): [Hidden Content] Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Source link #Kansas #schools #close #Tuesday #winter #storm #arrives Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump stuns Europe with opening Ukraine-Russia gambit – The Hill Trump stuns Europe with opening Ukraine-Russia gambit – The Hill Trump stuns Europe with opening Ukraine-Russia gambit The HillEurope and US at a crossroads after trans-Atlantic rift WTOP Source link #Trump #stuns #Europe #opening #UkraineRussia #gambit #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Flood of troubles continues for shuttered Art Museum Flood of troubles continues for shuttered Art Museum It’s unknown when, or if, Brisbane’s QUT Art Museum will reopen its doors after flood damage and a decision to nix its 2025 exhibition program. Source link #Flood #troubles #continues #shuttered #Art #Museum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists Just Found The Perfect Disguise to Sneak Into a Termite Colony Scientists Just Found The Perfect Disguise to Sneak Into a Termite Colony Beneath the rocky soil of Morocco, researchers have uncovered a surprising intruder living undetected inside termite colonies. Few outsiders gain acceptance in termite society, but a species of blowfly has evolved an incredible multipart disguise that successfully fools termites, allowing its larvae to not just survive but seemingly thrive. This has not been firmly documented previously in these flies, according to a new study. The authors say it was luck they discovered the fly larvae inhabiting colonies in the Anti-Atlas mountains of southern Morocco, where native harvester termites (Anacanthotermes ochraceus) build subterranean nests. Evolutionary biologist Roger Vila from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Spain and his team study butterflies and ants, and since few butterflies were active that day due to recent rains, they looked for ants. “When we lifted a stone we found a termite mound with three fly larvae that we had never seen before,” Vila says. “The water had probably flooded the deeper layers of the nest and the larvae had emerged onto the surface.” Intrigued, the researchers returned three times. They lifted hundreds of stones but found only two more of the larvae, which were together in a termite mound. This suggests the species is rare, Vila says. Phylogenomic analysis indicates the blowflies belong to the genus Rhyncomya, although more research is needed to investigate its abundance, along with other details about its biology and ecology. What we know so far is already astounding, though. Termites use their antennae to pat down and smell anyone who enters, helping them quickly identify trouble. Specialized soldier termites have giant mandibles for just such an occasion. Yet with such enviable safety, climate control, and food security, it may be tempting for other insects to try infiltrating their colonies, despite the risk. For part of their disguise, the blowfly larvae display a “termite mask” on their rear end. This consists of a fake head adorned with antennae and palps similar to those of a harvester termite. The fake head also includes fake eyes, which look remarkably like harvester termite eyes. In reality, Vila notes, these are breathing holes. “Most termites live several meters deep and have no visual perception,” Vila says. “However, harvester termites come out at dusk to collect grass, so they have functional eyes that the larvae are able to mimic with their spiracles.” In addition to the fake termite head, larvae’s bodies are covered with strange ‘tentacles’. These are uncanny imitations of termite antennae, as the researchers demonstrated with scanning electron microscopy. Unlike the fake head, these tentacles may be functional. The flies seem to actually use them for communicating with termites. And since the larvae have so many of these protrusions, they’re able to communicate with several termites at once. Those are both impressive adaptations, but still not quite enough on their own. Scanning electron microscopy images in the center illustrate mimicry of Anacanthotermes ochraceus by Rhyncomya sp. larvae: (1) Antennae/tentacle in whole, (2) close-up of antennomeres, (3) terminal segments of antenna/tentacle, (4) structure of termite mandible and thoracic segment of larvae, and (5) termite palps and analogous tentacles in Rhyncomya sp. (Schär et al., Current Biology, 2025) Each termite colony has its own scent, shared by all members, and nobody gets in without it. Looking like a termite won’t help if you don’t smell right – intruders from other colonies are not welcome, and may be dismembered by soldiers. But these fly larvae are pros. They don’t just imitate a colony’s scent; according to Vila, they match it perfectly. “We quantified the chemical composition of these larvae and the result is surprising: They are indistinguishable from the termites in the colony where they live; they smell exactly the same,” he says. In the wild, the fly larvae had been in their hosts’ food chambers when Vila and his colleagues found them. The researchers brought some back to a laboratory termite mound, where the larvae gravitated toward more populated areas. Termites were highly attentive, flocking around the fly larvae and preening them. They also appeared to feed them. “The larvae are not only tolerated, but they constantly communicate with the termites through contact with their antenna-like tentacles,” Vila says. “The termites even seem to feed them, although this has not yet been unequivocally demonstrated.” Some humpback flies (Phoridae) also mimic termites, but they do it as adults, not larvae. They’re also not closely related to these blowflies, suggesting the ruses evolved independently. “The common ancestor of blowflies and humpback flies dates back more than 150 million years, much further than that which separates humans from mice. We are therefore confident that we have discovered a new case of social integration evolution,” Vila says. No other known species in the genus Rhyncomya exhibit a similar appearance or lifestyle, hinting at a relatively quick evolution. “This discovery invites us to reconsider the limits and potential of symbiotic relationships and social parasitism in nature,” Vila says. “But, above all, we should realize how much we still do not know about the vast diversity and specialization of insects, which are essential organisms in ecosystems.” The study was published in Current Biology. Related News Source link #Scientists #Perfect #Disguise #Sneak #Termite #Colony Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stocks that could benefit from ******* European defense spend Stocks that could benefit from ******* European defense spend Global officials gathered in Munich, Germany, over the weekend for the Munich Security Conference, with talk focused on defense spending and the war in Ukraine. European officials appeared to signal a willingness to ramp up spending following pressure to do so from U.S. President Donald Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said defense spending could be exempted from the bloc’s fiscal rules, while NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance would raise its spending targets to “at least” 3% . Defense stocks in Europe soared on Monday , with the Stoxx 600 Aerospace and Defense Index hitting a record high. Analysts at investment bank Citi said the European defense sector would get a major boost if NATO member states — the majority of whom are European — committed to raising spending targets from 2% to 3% of GDP. “We estimate potential sector upside of 30%, at 3% of GDP (lower than the implied 50% increase due to time value of money),” the analysts said in a note on Monday, naming several defense stocks that were poised to benefit from such a shift. Hensoldt Among the companies highlighted by Citi was ******* defense tech firm Hensoldt . Shares of the Taufkirchen-based firm are up around 33% so far this year, with the company’s stock gaining over 12% on Monday in the wake of the Munich Security Conference. The ******* government owns 25% of the company’s shares making it the firm’s biggest individual shareholder. Based on its estimates, research and the company’s own reporting, Citi said Hensoldt’s European sales exposure was as high as 86%. In a separate note on Monday, analysts at Germany’s Mwb Research upgraded their price target for Hensoldt to 45 euros ($47.12) per share from 43 euros per share, but downgraded the stock from a buy to a hold. Mwb’s Jens-Peter Rieck said in the note that in 2024, EU and ********* defense investments surged to 462 billion euros, with European NATO members contributing 326 billion euros. “Hensoldt has benefited from this trend, securing around 0.7% of European NATO defense spending,” he said. “However, long-term growth prospects beyond 2030 are uncertain due to reliance on existing platforms and increasing competition.” Saab, QinetiQ, Babcock Citi’s analysts also named Swedish defense manufacturer Saab , British defense group QinetiQ and aerospace firm Babcock , which has been contracted by the U.K. government to service Ukrainian military equipment on the frontlines of the country’s war against Russia. All three companies’ shares saw gains on Monday as investors reacted to geopolitical news out of Europe. Citi noted that the companies it named were exposed to different countries across Europe, some of which are poised to ramp up spending at a faster pace than others. “It’s important to recognise there is regional nuance within Europe,” the bank’s analysts explained. “A country such as Sweden (to which Saab has [around] 40% sales exposure) is growing defense spending at a much higher rate (and from a lower base) than a country like the U.K. (to which QinetiQ and Babcock have the highest exposure).” U.S. defense stocks also expected to benefit Meanwhile, analysts at JPMorgan said in a note to clients on Friday that every 50-basis-point change in European NATO members’ defense spending amounted to a monetary difference of around $115 billion. It named a number of U.S. firms with European exposure set to benefit. “If we assume 40% [of increased defense spending] is for equipment and that U.S. contractors might be able to account for 30% of that, then the increase in addressable market for U.S. contractors over several years would be [approximately] $15 billion,” they said. American defense giants Lockheed Martin and RTX-owned Raytheon are among those positioned to benefit, JPMorgan said, with Europe accounting for 11% of sales at both firms. It also named Northrop , General Dynamics and Boeing (exclusive of its commercial planes division) as U.S. defense companies with significant revenue exposure to Europe. “Growing European defense spending should represent an opportunity for U.S. contractors, given that they have well-established relationships within the NATO alliance,” the investment bank’s analysts said. “Also, the U.S. may push Europe to buy more U.S. goods as part of its trade agenda and weapons could play a role here.” Source link #Stocks #benefit #******* #European #defense #spend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump pushes Russia to end war with Ukraine as government overhaul takes shape in the US – CNN Trump pushes Russia to end war with Ukraine as government overhaul takes shape in the US – CNN Trump pushes Russia to end war with Ukraine as government overhaul takes shape in the US CNNSaudi Arabia Hosts U.S.-Russia Talks To Carve A ******* ‘Diplomatic Footprint’ Radio Free Europe / Radio LibertyRubio Meets Saudi Crown Prince for Talks on Gaza and Ukraine The New York TimesUS and Russia set to begin high-stakes talks over Ukraine’s fate ABC News Source link #Trump #pushes #Russia #war #Ukraine #government #overhaul #takes #shape #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why European leaders held emergency summit in Paris Why European leaders held emergency summit in Paris France’s President Emmanuel Macron welcomed European leaders at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine. Peace talks on ending the war are set to take place in Saudi Arabia between the US and Russia, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was no role for Europe in any peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would not be taking part in the meeting between US and Russian officials on Tuesday. Following the summit, ******* Chancellor Olaf Schloz said Europe and the US must work together on security, and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said there should be no decisions about Ukraine without its involvement. Video by Hollie Cole Source link #European #leaders #held #emergency #summit #Paris Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Barcelona back on top in Spain after rivals stumble Barcelona back on top in Spain after rivals stumble Barcelona have returned to the top of the Spanish league on goal difference after Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday night. The Catalan club took advantage of weekend slip-ups by Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid to move onto 51 points, the same as Madrid and a point clear of Atlético. Madrid drew 1-1 at Osasuna on Saturday and Atletico were held by the same score at home by Celta Vigo. Barcelona took the lead after 27 minutes when Pathe Ciss brought down Ínigo Martínez in the box, and a penalty was awarded after a video review. Lewandowski sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Both sides had chances to score after that. Augusto Batalla saved well from Lamine Yamal, who was playing the 100th game of his career, while at the other end Jorge De Frutos had the ball in the net for Rayo only to see it ruled out for offside. De Frutos was always dangerous for Rayo but as the game went on the home side took control as it extended its unbeaten run to 12 matches. The defeat ended Rayo nine-game unbeaten streak that stretched back to December 7. Source link #Barcelona #top #Spain #rivals #stumble Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Local voters gather to protest lawsuit to toss out votes in N.C. Supreme Court race Local voters gather to protest lawsuit to toss out votes in N.C. Supreme Court race Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways Protestors gathered and took to the streets of Charlotte on Sunday afternoon to protest republican state supreme court candidate Jefferson Griffin’s attempts to throw out 60 thousand votes. The challenged voters were joined by hundreds of people with signs and banners at Marshall Park. Together, they all marched to the government center to fight against the effort to nullify their votes. Griffin is a North Carolina appeals court judge and candidate for seat 6 on the N.C. Supreme Court. He trails the Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs by 734 votes even after two statewide recounts. READ: Wake County judge rejects Jefferson Griffin’s lawsuit to toss votes in NC Supreme Court race He challenged more than 60,000 votes, saying most of the votes should not count due to incomplete voter registration. Channel 9′s Evan Donovan spoke with several voters who said they did what their local board of elections asked them to do. Voter Susan Niles Redwine said her vote was challenged, but she voted in the county she lives in and showed her ID. Channel 9 asked her if there was any reason her vote should be challenged. READ: North Carolina Supreme Court race fight will remain in state court – for now “Other than somebody has not gotten their way, no,” Redwine said. Channel 9 reached out to the N.C. Republican party for a response to the protests. “Just like Congressional Democrats are protesting against DOGE and responsible government spending, North Carolina Democrats today are protesting against following the law and counting the legal votes of North Carolina citizens. For months, no one has been able to mount a defense for the State Board of Elections on the merits of these cases, turning to fearmongering and incendiary rhetoric designed to threaten those who care about election integrity,” Matt Mercer responded. WATCH | ‘I don’t understand it’: Republican Supreme Court candidate challenges 60K votes Source link #Local #voters #gather #protest #lawsuit #toss #votes #N.C #Supreme #Court #race Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]