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Researchers discover virus for the first time in new geographic region — here’s what it means for the future of illnesses Researchers discover virus for the first time in new geographic region — here’s what it means for the future of illnesses Researchers have detected the Sindbis virus in mosquitoes in southwestern Spain for the first time, raising concerns about how the changing climate is fueling the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. They found the virus in Málaga, Seville, Huelva, and Cádiz, significantly expanding its known range, according to the research published in One Health. What’s happening? Scientists from the Doñana Biological Station and the Carlos III Health Institute recently confirmed that mosquitoes in southwestern Spain are carrying the Sindbis virus — a pathogen previously found in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia but never before in Spain. Researchers made the discovery accidentally during routine West Nile virus monitoring. In 2022, researchers tested 31,920 mosquitoes, detecting the Sindbis virus in 137 batches (11.92%). Jordi Figuerola, one of the researchers, explained that Sindbis primarily circulates in birds but can infect humans if a mosquito bites an infected bird before feeding on a person. Many people don’t develop symptoms, but those who do may experience rash, fever, joint pain, and fatigue. Though typically mild, symptoms can linger for weeks or even months. “The study demonstrates the circulation of a virus with potential public health importance long before cases have been detected in humans, so it is crucial to understand the possible spread of this virus in Spain and establish its real impact on the population’s health,” Figuerola said. Why does this matter? As global temperatures rise, mosquito populations expand into new territories, bringing diseases with them. Warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and longer summers create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and spread viruses such as Sindbis. Watch now: Are paperless towels worth the hype? Researchers suspect the Sindbis virus may have arrived in Spain as early as 2017 via migratory birds from North Africa or Central Africa. However, some people in Spain may already have antibodies, suggesting the virus could have been circulating undetected for years. With mosquito-borne illnesses on the rise, experts warn more cases could follow. West Nile virus has increased in Europe, and the U.S. recently reported its first locally transmitted malaria case in 20 years. What’s being done to stop it? Health officials are tracking the spread of the virus while researchers study its potential impact, according to the Doñana Biological Station. In the meantime, mosquito control and personal protection, including using insect repellent, remain key. Officials in affected areas are urging people to install mosquito nets on windows and eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. People should treat pools and keep any containers, drains, or plant pot saucers dry to prevent mosquito breeding. Municipalities need large-scale mosquito control programs, including urban pest management and biocide treatments in agricultural areas such as rice fields, according to El Mundo America. On a broader level, tackling the overheating planet remains one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. With mosquito populations expanding faster than ever, reducing the conditions that allow them to breed will keep these viruses in check. One thing is clear: Mosquito season isn’t just an annoyance anymore. It’s a growing public health issue. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Researchers #discover #virus #time #geographic #region #heres #means #future #illnesses Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

They fought for Social Security Fairness Act. Now they wait for benefit increases They fought for Social Security Fairness Act. Now they wait for benefit increases President Joe Biden after he signed the Social Security Fairness Act at the White House on Jan. 5 in Washington, D.C. Kent Nishimura | Getty Images News | Getty Images The biggest changes to Social Security in years were signed into law on Jan. 5. For more than 3.2 million individuals, that will mean ******* benefit checks. And in some cases, the change will qualify them for Social Security benefits. The new law, the Social Security Fairness Act, repeals two provisions that previously reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pension income based on work where employers were not required to withhold Social Security payroll taxes. They were the Windfall Elimination Provision, which was enacted in 1983, and the Government Pension Offset, which was signed into law in 1977. They were federal laws that reduced Social Security benefits for people who received pensions from noncovered employment. Both were repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act. Among those affected include certain teachers, firefighters and police officers, federal employees, and workers covered by a foreign social security system. Benefit increases may range from “very little” to more than $1,000 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. Those increases apply to future monthly checks, as well as retroactive benefits payable since January 2024. The Social Security Administration “expects that it could take more than one year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits,” the agency says on its website. Nevertheless, advocates who fought for the change for years — some of whom will see their own benefits increase — say the signing of the bill was a victory, even as many beneficiaries face an indefinite wait for the extra money. ‘It’s going to take some time,’ a former teacher said of the changes Roger Boudreau, a 75-year-old former English teacher and president of the Rhode Island American Federation of Teachers retirees chapter, had been to the White House before through his work in union activism over the past 50 years. But witnessing the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act in January was the “highlight of my life,” he said. When Boudreau dies, he hopes his role as a founding member of the National WEP/GPO Repeal Task Force is included in his obituary. “It was such an incredibly important piece of legislation that affected so many people who’ve been so deeply wronged for so many years,” Boudreau said. (To be sure, many retirement policy experts oppose the new policy.) Boudreau estimates he personally has been losing about $5,000 per year in retirement due to a penalty of about 40% on his earned benefits for the past decade. More from Personal Finance: ‘Keep your hands off our Social Security,’ lawmakers warn amid DOGE budget cuts Here are changes Americans would make to close Social Security’s funding gap Why retirees may feel the 2025 Social Security COLA isn’t enough Boudreau taught for 30 years on a variety of subjects including world and British literature and earned a pension toward retirement. To supplement his income, he took on a variety of extra jobs where he paid into Social Security, working as a taxi driver, selling swimming pools and helping at bakeries over the holidays. “When I started teaching in 1971, my salary was $7,000 [a year],” Boudreau said. “I had an infant child. If I had two, I would have been eligible for food stamps.” In addition to the extra work while teaching, he also paid into Social Security when he worked in high school and college. If Boudreau had two more years of earnings, he would have been able to escape the penalty to his benefits, he said. Now, he’s waiting on the Social Security Administration to find out how large his benefit increases will be. “We understand that it’s going to take some time,” said Boudreau, who also serves as a task force liaison to the American Federation of Teachers. In the meantime, the group is advising its retirees to make appointments with their local Social Security office to make sure their information is up to date. Firefighter hoped benefits would help in retirement Carl Jordan, a retired Canton, Ohio, fire captain, first found out his Social Security benefits would be reduced when he looked into retiring. The reductions were a surprise to Jordan, who over a 33-year career started as a firefighter and worked his way up to serve as a medic and finally a captain. While he earned a pension from that work, he also paid into Social Security through other work. He started as a phlebotomist working in blood donation and then trained as a apheresis technician to collect blood products for the treatment of ******* and other diseases. “The whole reason for me working the second job was it contributed to the community and it also aided me in taking care of my family at the time,” Jordan said. “Firefighter wages weren’t that great, and I had hoped that Social Security would supplement my retirement income when I got there,” he said. Today, Jordan, 73, estimates the reductions have cost him about 2½ years on his mortgage, or around $27,000 excluding interest. The extra Social Security benefit money will help him pay off that mortgage a little sooner than expected, as well as pay for home improvements, he said. Still, he doesn’t know exactly how much more benefits he will receive. Jordan, who attended the January bill signing in Washington, D.C., spoke with a Social Security administrator there who said they could not provide more information on timing or the amount of benefit increases. A month later, he is still waiting for more information from the agency. Nevertheless, Jordan said he was proud to witness a change he never expected to see in his lifetime, even after advocating for it for almost 16 years. “To be there representing the profession that I had spent my life serving was an experience everyone should have,” Jordan said. 18-year-old lobbied on behalf of his grandmother Eliseo Jimenez, who walked from Lubbock, Texas to Washington, DC, to discuss Social Security issues with government officials, leaves after being introduced by President Joe Biden during a signing ceremony for the Social Security Fairness Act at the White House. Chris Kleponis | Afp | Getty Images At 18 years old, Eliseo Jimenez of Lubbock, Texas, may be the youngest to have lobbied for the Social Security Fairness Act. His grandmother, a former teacher, had to rely mostly on her own pension as her source of income before the new law. Other family members who work in law enforcement were also affected by the provisions. To call attention to the need for change, Jimenez last summer spent 40 days walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. Because he was under 18 at the time, he was not able to check into hotels or motels on his own, which forced him to sleep outside for several nights. His efforts helped bring attention to the issue, he said. “I had a lot of people email me and call me, supporting me and supporting the bill itself,” Jimenez said. Last month, Jimenez returned to Washington, D.C., again, this time to witness the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act. At the event, then President Joe Biden led a chorus of other lawmakers and attendees to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jimenez. It was “pretty cool,” he said. Since the changes became law, he has heard from his grandmother, neighbors and residents from other states like Virginia and Tennessee who are affected. “They said it’s like amazing,” Jimenez said. “It’s life-changing.” The win has inspired Jimenez, a high school senior who plans to attend college next year, to keep pushing for Social Security reform. He plans to complete another walk in Texas next month to call attention to the issue. “I want to keep on being involved,” Jimenez said. “I want to keep on advocating for it.” Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Source link #fought #Social #Security #Fairness #Act #wait #benefit #increases Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What I found when I tried to unplug from social media – CNN What I found when I tried to unplug from social media – CNN What I found when I tried to unplug from social media CNN Source link #unplug #social #media #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

South Korean actress found dead, aged 24 South Korean actress found dead, aged 24 South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has been found dead in Seoul, police have said. The 24-year-old was found in her home in the city’s Seongsu-***** district by a friend at around 16:55 (07:55 GMT) on Sunday. Officers said no signs of foul play had been found and they were investigating the cause of death. Kim began her career as a child actor and was seen as one of South Korea’s most promising young actresses. Born in Seoul in 2000, she rose to prominence with her role in 2009 film A Brand New Life – which saw her appear at the Cannes Film Festival. She went on to star in South Korea’s highest grossing film of 2010 The Man from Nowhere and 2012 thriller The Neighbour, for which she received award recognition. Other notable roles include the 2014 film A Girl at My Door and television roles such as Mirror of the Witch in 2016. The actress largely withdrew from the public eye in 2022 due to a drink driving incident, for which she was fined 20 million won (£11,000) in April 2023. Kim’s last role was in Netflix’s 2023 Korean drama Bloodhounds. Variety reported that most of her role was edited out due to the driving incident. Source link #South #Korean #actress #dead #aged Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** must be ‘eradicated,’ Rubio says, amid shaky deal ****** must be ‘eradicated,’ Rubio says, amid shaky deal US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has fully endorsed Israel’s war aims in the Gaza Strip, saying ****** “must be eradicated” and throwing the future of the shaky ceasefire into further doubt. Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem at the start of a regional tour, where he is likely to face push back from Arab leaders over President Donald Trump’s proposal to transfer the ************ population out of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it under US ownership. Netanyahu has welcomed the plan, and said he and Trump have a “common strategy” for Gaza’s future. Echoing Trump, he said “the gates of hell would be open” if ****** does not release dozens of remaining hostages abducted in its October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. Their remarks came just two weeks before the first phase of the ceasefire is set to end. The second phase, in which ****** is to release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for more ************ prisoners, a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, has yet to be negotiated. Rubio said ****** “cannot continue as a military or government force”. “As long as it stands as a force that can govern or as a force that can administer or as a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible,” Rubio said. “It must be eradicated.” Such language could complicate efforts to continue talks with ******, which, despite suffering heavy losses in the war, remains intact and in control of Gaza. The Israeli military meanwhile said it carried out an air strike early Sunday on people who approached its forces in southern Gaza. The ******-run Interior Ministry said the strike killed three of its policemen while they were securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, on the Egyptian border. ****** said that attack was a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and accused Netanyahu of trying to sabotage the deal. Resuming the war could be a death sentence for the remaining hostages and may not succeed in annihilating ******, which survived a 15-month Israeli onslaught and quickly reasserted control over Gaza when the ceasefire took hold last month. Netanyahu has signalled readiness to resume the war after the current stage and has offered ****** a chance to surrender and send its top leaders into exile. ****** has rejected such a scenario. Netanyahu also has yet to approve the entry of mobile homes and heavy machinery into the Gaza Strip, as required by the ceasefire agreement. ****** had threatened to hold up the release of hostages last week over the issue, raising fears the ceasefire could unravel, before proceeding with the release of three captives based on what it said were assurances from Arab mediators. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the issue would be discussed in the coming days and that Israel was coordinating with the United States. In another sign of the two allies closing ranks, Israel’s Defence Ministry meanwhile said on Sunday it received a shipment of MK-84 munitions from the United States. The Biden administration had paused a shipment of such bombs last year over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. In a radio interview last week, Rubio indicated Trump’s proposal was in part aimed at pressuring Arab states to come up with their own post-war plan that would be acceptable to Israel, which says ****** can have no role in Gaza. He also appeared to suggest that Arab countries send in troops to combat ******, which survived Israel’s devastating 15-month onslaught and remains in firm control of the territory. “If someone has a better plan, and we hope they do, if the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great,” Rubio said on Thursday. But “****** has guns”, he added. “Someone has to confront those guys. It’s not going to be American soldiers. If the countries in the region can’t figure that piece out, then Israel is going to have to do it and then we’re back to where we’ve been.” Rubio is not scheduled to meet with any Palestinians on his trip. For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians or battling ************ militants on behalf of Israel are both nightmare scenarios. Either would open them up to fierce domestic criticism and potentially destabilise an already volatile region. Egypt says it will host an Arab summit on February 27 and is working with other countries on a counter-proposal that would allow for Gaza to be rebuilt without removing its population, which human rights groups say would likely violate international law. Source link #****** #eradicated #Rubio #shaky #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- Review [Capsule Computers] MACROSS -Shooting Insight- Review [Capsule Computers] Travis Bruno of Capsule Computers writes: “When someone thinks of a mecha anime franchise, their first thought will likely be Mobile Suit Gundam as it was practically the series that started it all and has been given consistent new anime throughout the years, keeping the franchise fresh in the minds of mecha fans. Another franchise that may come to mind is Robotech, an experiment in attempting to adapt Japanese animation to American audiences by creating an odd amalgamation of three separate series to try and create one story and creating an absolute nightmare for anyone wanting to license and watch one certain franchise that was used to create Robotech. Harmony Gold, the created company that Robotech, used the original Macross anime as part of its creation and blocked any attempts for the series to arrive in the West in any form, including the numerous anime sequels, movies, and limited games that were released as part of the Macross franchise. While we could talk all day about the nightmare that Harmony Gold created, this situation finally resolved, partially at least, with Harmony Gold allowing everything except the original anime to be released in the West, paving the way for Macross to head West and now we have the first game to arrive from the franchise in the West in the form of MACROSS -Shooting Insight-. Attempting to celebrate nearly every major anime entry with a dimension blending shooter, has this shoot-em up managed to succeed for fans?” Source link #MACROSS #Shooting #Insight #Review #Capsule #Computers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Obama library, begun with lofty DEI goals, now plagued by $40M racially charged suit, ballooning costs Obama library, begun with lofty DEI goals, now plagued by $40M racially charged suit, ballooning costs Construction of former President Barack Obama’s long-awaited library and museum in Chicago began with ambitious plans for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) but is now plagued by huge cost overruns, delays and a $40.75-million, racially charged lawsuit filed by a ********* contractor. From the outset, the endeavor touted DEI as a key part of enshrining Obama’s legacy at the 19.3-acre site, where costs have ballooned from an initial $350 million to $830 million in 2021 based on its previous annual reports, with no publicly available figures available for updated projected costs. The project set out “ambitious goals” for certain construction diversity quotas, with its contracts to be allocated to “diverse suppliers,” 35% of which were required to be *********-based enterprises (MBEs). “With these aggressive goals, the foundation is hoping to set a new precedent for diversity and inclusion in major construction projects in Chicago and beyond,” the Obama Foundation wrote in a 2017 press release. Former President Obama and his presidential center. The importance of DEI was cited on several occasions in an explosive lawsuit filed last month by Robert McGee, the ****** co-owner of II in One Construction. The firm is a *********-owned business subcontractor that provided concrete and rebar services for the center. It is not clear what role DEI quotas played in the hiring of II In One as a subcontractor. II In One was one of three firms that made up a joint venture called Concrete Collective. The other firms included another ********* firm called Trice Construction Company along with W.E. O’Neil. Together they formed a 51% *********-led joint-venture team. McGee alleged that he and his firm were racially discriminated against by Thornton Tomasetti, a New York-based company that oversees structural engineering and design services. Read On The Fox News App In the lawsuit, McGee claims that Thornton Tomasetti changed standards and imposed new rules around rebar spacing and tolerance requirements that differed from the American Concrete Institute standards. The suit claims these changes resulted in his firm running up massive overruns in excess of $40 million, which put it on the verge of bankruptcy. McGee’s lawsuit stems from a memorandum Thornton Tomasetti wrote to the project’s leading construction partners about a year ago claiming that II in One — and the contracting firm it teamed up with on the project — were responsible for numerous challenges during the project. The memorandum contained images of cracked slabs and exposed rebar to support its claims. Thornton Tomasetti said it spent hundreds of hours reviewing, analyzing, re-designing, and responding to corrective work and that subcontractors caused “a multitude of problems in the field.” “The construction issues were all unequivocally driven by the underperformance and inexperience of the concrete subcontractor,” the memorandum states. Thornton Tomasetti said the challenges with the concrete were due solely to the subcontractors and wrote that it “cannot stand by while contractors attempt to blame their own shortcomings on the design team.” The memo goes on to state that Thornton Tomasetti and an architectural firm, “bent over backwards to assist what everyone knows was a questionably qualified subcontractor team in areas where a more qualified subcontractor would not have required it.” The Obama Presidential Center pictured this week. That memorandum served as the basis of McGee’s lawsuit last month, as he alleges it contained “baseless criticisms and defamatory and discriminatory accusations.” The lawsuit claims that Thornton Tomasetti undermined the project’s diversity and inclusion goals, which were outlined in the project’s general contract. The lawsuit also cites a DEI report by the project’s construction manager in 2022, which outlines the project as “achieving significant diverse business participation.” A report breaking down the demographics of those involved in the project was also released in April. The suit claims the plaintiffs were “subjected to unjustified and discriminatory conduct… which directly undermined the Obama Foundation’s DEI goals and commitments, and mission to bring transformative change to the construction industry and local community by providing solutions to barriers that have historically prevented disadvantaged businesses from participating on projects of this magnitude.” The lawsuit claims that Thornton Tomasetti violated the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and that its alleged “defamatory and discriminatory statements and actions,” caused II in One, Bob McGee and the other subcontractors to suffer extreme financial losses and potential bankruptcy. The suit alleges that Thornton Tomasetti discriminated against II In One “on the basis of race.” McGee claims Thornton Tomasetti falsely accused II in One of lacking sufficient qualifications and experience to perform its work, while stating in the memo that non-*********-owned contractors were sufficiently qualified. The lawsuit also claims the Obama Foundation relied on Thornton Tomasetti’s memo for not paying the subcontracting firms around $40.75 million for “additional costs incurred” at the site near Jackson Park in Chicago. McGee’s lawsuit refutes the allegations in Thornton Tomasetti’s memo that his firm was inexperienced or questionably qualified, pointing to II in One’s 40-year track record in the industry and its completion of major Chicagoland projects, including Millennium Park, Harold Washington Cultural Center, and the American Airlines terminal at O’Hare Airport. In a memo, Thornton Tomasetti shared images of cracked slab and exposed rebar. “Moreover, Bob McGee was aware and supportive of the Obama Foundation’s diversity and inclusion goals for the project and never imagined that the Obama Foundation’s structural engineer would single out a *********-owned subcontractor for unfair criticism and falsely accuse II in One of lacking sufficient qualifications and experience to perform its work, while, in the same letter, stating that the non-*********-owned contractors were sufficiently qualified,” the memo reads. “In a shocking and disheartening turn of events, the African American owner of a local construction company finds himself and his company on the brink of forced closure because of racial discrimination by the structural engineer,” the lawsuit reads. “II in One and its joint venture partners … was subjected to baseless criticisms and defamatory and discriminatory accusations by the Obama Foundation’s structural engineer, Thornton Tomasetti.” The Obama Foundation said it is not a party to this lawsuit, and insisted that it will not cause any delays in the concrete work, which it says has already been largely completed. “If the Foundation believed that any vendor was acting with a racist intent, we would immediately take appropriate action,” Emily Bittner, the vice president of communications at the Obama Foundation, told Fox News Digital in a statement recently. The foundation has not responded to requests for information on the updated cost of the project. The Obama Presidential Center aims to honor the political career of former President Barack Obama. It will consist of a museum, a library, conference facilities, a gymnasium and a regulation-sized NBA court. It will also house the nonprofit Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the center’s development. Obama Center Subcontractor Files $40M Discrimination Lawsuit Against Engineering Firm For Overruns WATCH: Obama Presidential Center expected to open in 2026 Chicago South Side Residents Say They’re Being Displaced By Obama Center: Causing ‘Harm To ****** Families’ The project has faced problems in the past. Construction was initially anticipated to begin in 2018, but it was delayed until 2021. It is scheduled to open sometime in 2026. Some community activists claim the new center will cause prices for homes and rent to increase and may price out many of those who live in the area. Environmental activists have also been critical of the project, arguing that it would remove too many trees and destroy some bird habitats. Activists threatened to sue to block developments, but the plan to build the center was approved shortly after a lawsuit was filed, according to Newsweek. The Supreme Court denied the request to hear the case in 2021. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, joins former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama in a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Sept. 28, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. Representatives for II in One declined to comment. Fox News Digital also contacted representatives for Thornton Tomasetti for comment. Court documents show that on Jan. 31, Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. and Scott A. Schneider, a senior principal and structural engineer at the firm, filed for an extension of time to answer the complaint. The court extended the deadline for their answer to March 5, 2025. Fox News’ Michael Lew contributed to this report. Original article source: Obama library, begun with lofty DEI goals, now plagued by $40M racially charged suit, ballooning costs Source link #Obama #library #begun #lofty #DEI #goals #plagued #40M #racially #charged #suit #ballooning #costs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Austria: Villach stabbing attack linked to IS, officials say – BBC.com Austria: Villach stabbing attack linked to IS, officials say – BBC.com Austria: Villach stabbing attack linked to IS, officials say BBC.com14-year-old killed, 4 injured in knife attack in Austria ABC NewsMan who stabbed five people in Austria is suspected Islamist, minister says CNNSyrian asylum seeker stabs passersby in Austria, killing teen, injuring 5 The Times of IsraelAustria says stabbing attack suspect swore allegiance to Islamic State Reuters Source link #Austria #Villach #stabbing #attack #linked #officials #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aussie Picklum pipped in Abu Dhabi surfing final Aussie Picklum pipped in Abu Dhabi surfing final Molly Picklum has come agonisingly close to taking another World Surf League title before having to give second best to reigning world champ Caitlin Simmers in a dramatic final at the Abu Dhabi wave pool. Picklum, the rising 22-year-old from Gosford, fought back superbly in the man-made waves on Hudayriyat Island, taking the showdown against the American to the very last ride on Sunday. Simmers needed to score 7.04 on her final run to take her sixth WSL title after Picklum had battled back into contention with two fine second-run performances of her own to take the lead and put the pressure on. So when the teenager took a tumble near the end of an impressive ride, both she and Picklum were left agonising over whether she’d actually done enough as they waited anxiously side-by-side to learn the judges’ verdict. “This is so close,” Picklum said aloud. So close, but yet so far, as it turned out. For when Simmers’ score of 7.43 flashed up, the judges having decided the quality of her early routine had tipped the scales her way, the American was left whooping with delight as she realised she had prevailed by just 0.40 points, 16.10 to 15.70. Picklum had earlier made her way to the showdown by defeating ********* Erin Brooks in the quarter-final (14.50 to 13.03) and Frenchwoman Vahine Fierro (13.77 to 10.53) in the semis. But 19-year-old Simmers, clearly the best surfer throughout the event, did enough to earn her sixth straight win over the ***********, who has yet to defeat her in a WSL head-to-head. The loss provided the anti-climactic end to what had for a while looked set to be a red-letter day for the *********** surfers, with both Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson having qualified for the men’s semi-finals. But their bid to make it into an all-Aussie final was scuppered when Ewing, the 26-year-old Queenslander who was fifth in last year’s championship, was beaten by Rio Waida 15.93 to 15.70, after the Indonesian pulled out a fine 7.50-point second ride on the left wave. Olympic silver medallist Robinson, fourth in last year’s championship, ran into inspired Brazilian hall of famer Italo Ferreira, the former Olympic champion who delivered a couple of magnificent alley-oops en route to winning 17.37 to 15.03. The 30-year-old Ferreira then maintained his vintage form to win the final against Waida 17.27 to 14.50. Source link #Aussie #Picklum #pipped #Abu #Dhabi #surfing #final Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, February 17 (game #351) NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, February 17 (game #351) Looking for a different day? A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Sunday’s puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, February 16 (game #350). Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints. Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. NYT Strands today (game #351) – hint #1 – today’s theme What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands? • Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Sun shade NYT Strands today (game #351) – hint #2 – clue words Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system. NYT Strands today (game #351) – hint #3 – spangram What is a hint for today’s spangram? • Mellow color NYT Strands today (game #351) – hint #4 – spangram position What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches? First side: left, 4th row Last side: right, 5th row Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. NYT Strands today (game #351) – the answers (Image credit: New York Times) The answers to today’s Strands, game #351, are… LEMON CANARY GOLDENROD MUSTARD SAFFRON DAFFODIL SPANGRAM: YELLOW My rating: Easy My score: 1 hint I needed a Hint to get going today, but once I knew the color we were looking for was YELLOW, it was easy breezy going until the final word. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. I could quibble that SAFFRON is a shade of orange, but there seems to be some debate over it being both orange and yellow. GOLDENROD is not a shade I’ve heard of before. Google’s AI search tool tells me it’s named after goldenrod flowers and it’s a color that conveys “a sense of warmth, cheerfulness, and natural beauty”. Meanwhile, according to Wikipedia’s page on Goldenrod (color): “It is the color of paper that the Church of Scientology’s Ethics Department prints its suppressive person declarations on, giving rise to the term ‘golden-rodding’.” Interesting. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 16 February, game #350) ALMOND CORN RICE BUCKWHEAT TAPIOCA CHICKPEA SPANGRAM: GLUTEN FREE What is NYT Strands? Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile. I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day. Source link #NYT #Strands #hints #answers #Monday #February #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Quordle hints and answers for Monday, February 17 (game #1120) Quordle hints and answers for Monday, February 17 (game #1120) Looking for a different day? A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Sunday’s puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, February 16 (game #1119). Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers. Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc’s Wordle today column covers the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. Quordle today (game #1120) – hint #1 – Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today? • The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*. * Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1120) – hint #2 – repeated letters Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters? • The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1. Quordle today (game #1120) – hint #3 – uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today? • No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers. Quordle today (game #1120) – hint #4 – starting letters (1) Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter? • The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0. If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier: Quordle today (game #1120) – hint #5 – starting letters (2) What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with? • S • W • L • I Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. Quordle today (game #1120) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1120, are… Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Today was the longest I’ve ever spent on Quordle, hitting a complete brain jam with my final word. My incorrect guess of Doing took about 20 minutes of head scratching and when I did finally get IDIOM it felt like a relief rather than a triumph. I love/hate how Quordle makes you work so hard for glory. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Daily Sequence today (game #1120) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1120, are… Quordle answers: The past 20 Quordle #1119, Sunday 16 February: GHOUL, AFIRE, COVEN, FIERY Quordle #1118, Saturday 15 February: CREEP, CONDO, GRILL, FANCY Quordle #1117, Friday 14 February: MEDIA, ELUDE, THUMB, WIDOW Quordle #1116, Thursday 13 February: SCALP, DWELL, AMPLE, TRUNK Quordle #1115, Wednesday 12 February: SHOOK, GRADE, POLAR, SEEDY Quordle #1114, Tuesday 11 February: HEAVY, CIRCA, PESKY, SCION Quordle #1113, Monday 10 February: TWIXT, FRESH, GUISE, TABBY Quordle #1112, Sunday 9 February: TAPIR, SHAKE, TOKEN, SEVEN Quordle #1111, Saturday 8 February: AFOOT, ALIKE, HUMUS, TOWEL Quordle #1110, Friday 7 February: PETAL, ABASE, AMONG, CORER Quordle #1109, Thursday 6 February: MADAM, SCAMP, FAUNA, TRACK Quordle #1108, Wednesday 5 February: SIXTH, VERVE, BLURB, CACTI Quordle #1107, Tuesday 4 February: BIRTH, DRAWN, MILKY, JOIST Quordle #1106, Monday 3 February: SLEET, TENSE, SEIZE, SCAMP Quordle #1105, Sunday 2 February: LOUSY, PENNE, CHUMP, SALVE Quordle #1104, Saturday 1 February: FACET, BLISS, FLUFF, FRANK Quordle #1103, Friday 31 January: PARER, SYNOD, BRAWN, BANJO Quordle #1102, Thursday 30 January: WEEDY, CHIRP, STALE, SUGAR Quordle #1101, Wednesday 29 January: CROWN, SCENE, AGILE, CRANK Quordle #1100, Tuesday 28 January: TOKEN, DAISY, INANE, PLIED Source link #Quordle #hints #answers #Monday #February #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Kim Sae-ron, Korean Star of ‘A Brand New Life’ and ‘The Man From Nowhere,’ Dies at 24 – Variety Kim Sae-ron, Korean Star of ‘A Brand New Life’ and ‘The Man From Nowhere,’ Dies at 24 – Variety Kim Sae-ron, Korean Star of ‘A Brand New Life’ and ‘The Man From Nowhere,’ Dies at 24 VarietyNetflix star Kim Sae-ron, who was forced into hiding after DUI ******, found dead at 24 New York Post [Breaking] Actress Kim Sae-ron, 24, found dead The Korea Herald‘Bloodhounds’ Star Kim Sae-ron Found Dead Inside Home at 24, Police Officials Confirm Us WeeklySouth Korean Actress Kim Sae-Ron, 24, Found Dead At Home In Seoul NDTV Source link #Kim #Saeron #Korean #Star #Brand #Life #Man #Dies #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Intel 8th, 9th and 10th Gen processors absent from Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 CPU support list Intel 8th, 9th and 10th Gen processors absent from Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 CPU support list Microsoft has published its latest Windows 11 processor support lists. The latest version of the OS, Windows 11 version 24H2, now includes official support for some of the newest Intel chips such as Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 parts. However, we are surprised to see that Intel’s 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors are no longer officially supported. The decision may be related to Intel’s move of 7th-10th Gen iGPUs to a legacy support model in December. Though Windows 11 24H2 has been pushed to consumers for several months already, Microsoft has just released the first official CPU support lists on its Hardware Developer site. When the first version of Windows 11 went official users were surprised to see many serviceable Intel CPUs, the 7th Gen Kaby Lake series and older, left unsupported. Now we appear to be seeing Intel’s 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors meeting the same fate. (Image credit: Future) Cutting support for Intel processors launched as recently as 2020 (10th Gen Comet Lake), seems rather drastic. The Core i9-10900K with 10C/20T and a boost as high as 5.3 GHz seems far too virile to be put to pasture when a Celeron 6305 2C/2T Tiger Lake chip (also launched in 2020), for example, makes the Windows 11 version 24H2 official support list. Microsoft doesn’t explain its CPU support decisions on the linked page. All it really says is that, going forward, “subsequently released and future generations of processors which meet the same principles will be considered as supported, even if not explicitly listed.” Moreover, it doesn’t mention the dropping of support for Intel’s 8th 9th, and 10th Gen processors in the preamble to the Windows 11 version 24H2 list. Intel found holding the smoking gun? The absence of explanation might give some hope that all the Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors missing from the support list could be some kind of clerical error. However, the dropping of support of these particular Intel CPUs tallies with Intel’s moving of “7th – 10th Gen Intel Processor Graphics and related Intel Atom, Pentium, and Celeron processor graphics to a legacy software support model.” Intel announced this change quite recently, in December 2024. If this is the reason for omitting these chips from the CPU support list, we have to wonder whether an 8th Gen chip, for example, with a modern discrete GPU will sail past any ‘unsupported hardware’ OS upgrade barriers. Windows 11 version 24H2 supported AMD processors Meanwhile, folk rocking PC systems running AMD processors will see that Ryzen 8000 chips have been added to the official Windows 11 support list (for 24H2) for the first time. We noticed that some mobile chips were misnamed, like the Ryzen 7 Pro 8945HS, which should be the Ryzen 9 Pro 8945HS. Also, the non-Pro SKU seems to be missing from the list, but these are likely oversights. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Microsoft seems slow to add explicit Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI mobile chip support, too. There are no signs of any Ryzen 9000 CPUs, nor popular chips like the Ryzen AI 9 370 HX on the new list. Remember though, Microsoft says that new and upcoming processors built upon previous chips “will be considered as supported, even if not explicitly listed.” Lastly, Microsoft’s processor support axe has been known to sway, and even systems using CPUs outside of the official support lists can and do get Windows updates. Source link #Intel #8th #9th #10th #Gen #processors #absent #Microsofts #Windows #24H2 #CPU #support #list Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump 2nd term scandal explodes: DOJ resignations, blistering GOP vet’s protest, ‘corruption’ clash Trump 2nd term scandal explodes: DOJ resignations, blistering GOP vet’s protest, ‘corruption’ clash Trump 2nd term scandal explodes: DOJ resignations, blistering GOP vet’s protest, ‘corruption’ clash Source link #Trump #2nd #term #scandal #explodes #DOJ #resignations #blistering #GOP #vets #protest #corruption #clash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Game Pass: Phil Spencer says Xbox isn’t ‘trying to funnel’ players away from game ownership Game Pass: Phil Spencer says Xbox isn’t ‘trying to funnel’ players away from game ownership Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has said that Microsoft isn’t trying to force players into Game Pass, Cloud, or any one way to experience games. For the past few years, Microsoft has placed a significant focus on Game Pass, its subscription service which allows players access to hundreds of games, including new releases, for a monthly fee. While the service has been heralded for its value, some have taken issue in Microsoft’s focus on Game Pass, as players don’t own any of the games they receive, raising preservation concerns. In a new interview with Xbox Era, Microsoft’s Gaming CEO acknowledged players who wish to maintain large libraries of owned games, and claimed that Microsoft isn’t attempting to funnel players away from ownership and towards subscriptions. “I think we’ve shown respect for people’s libraries over the generations with back-compat and Play Anywhere, and I want to continue to do that,” Spencer told Xbox Era. “You can buy every game that’s in Game Pass, we’re not trying to funnel everybody into one business model. Play the games the way you want to play them. “We obviously have to run a good business, so we’ll have our pricing and everything that we do, but I want to make as many options as possible for the games that we have,” Spencer continued. One of Game Pass’s biggest selling points comes in the wake of Microsoft publishing its biggest titles on PlayStation 5. For example, the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages will be released on both Xbox and PS5. On PS5, it will cost $69.99, however on Xbox and PC, players can play the game on Game Pass for $15 per month. “It’s why us embracing Windows and embracing Cloud has allowed us to grow. One of our fastest growing regions for us right now is Asia and it’s not because we’re selling more consoles in Asia, but through cloud and PC, we’re finding more users year over year than in any other place. “The fastest kind of platform is Cloud. That’s the thing that’s growing the fastest year over year and those are players like you were talking about, like that radio host. We were never going to catch that person with our console. So let’s find them in a way that works, and it’s better for Indiana Jones. It’s better for Xbox.” Elsewhere in the same interview, Spencer shed more light on his decision to bring virtually every first-party Xbox title to PlayStation 5, effectively ending exclusivity on the platform. Source link #Game #Pass #Phil #Spencer #Xbox #isnt #funnel #players #game #ownership Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BenQ beCreatus GR10 USB4 dock review BenQ beCreatus GR10 USB4 dock review BenQ beCreatus GR10 USB4 dock: 30-second review I’ve seen plenty of docking stations that have carved a niche in the market, and while the BenQ beCreatus GR10 is universal, its primary focus is as a dock for the Steam Deck console. Featuring an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB4 connection to the device, and a unique 2-in-1 flip-out stand that makes this an ideal option for gaming, it’s also perfectly suited to business use and presentations. The aesthetic design is reserved and business-like, with a mix of grey and ****** and port options that make this a great choice for any business user looking for a lightweight, portable docking solution. One of the issues I have with many of the best docking stations is the lack of all-around power, with limited USB, HDMI, ***, or LAN connections. Here again, those options are somewhat limited; however, at least there’s one of each, and the main computer-to-device connection is made through an ultra-fast USB4 connection. This means that with all ports connected, you shouldn’t see any great slowdown or glitches when it comes to transfer speeds or video playback. The data ports are limited, with the maximum being a USB 3.2 Type-C limited to 10Gbps on the side, coupled with two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, also at 10Gbps. This means that transferring large data files from one device to another will be relatively quick, if not quite up to the speeds of the latest technology. However, while the data transfer speeds may be limited to an older USB type the video output is more impressive, with HDMI 2.1 enabling display output of up to 4K at 120Hz. In use, the video from a device all works smoothly and is linked to the MacBook Pro (albeit at a lower 4K 60Hz on Mac due to the Mac’s hardware restrictions); everything plays back smoothly. Even when pushing the demands of the dock with three SSDs connected and transferring files, the video plays back without a glitch, and all three ports enable decent transfer rates. When used with a laptop, the performance of the connected devices is excellent, and the option to hardwire into the network is a great addition, even if limited to 2.5Gbps, which is fine for general office use. Speed and connections aside, what I really like about the dock is the built-in stand—the fact that you can pop your device into the flip-down stand, in my case an iPad Mini, and connect it to a monitor and accessories makes it simple to use. What’s more, it’s far more reliable than using AirPlay to connect to devices on location—a wired connection that’s this simple to set up is definitely welcome as long as there’s an HDMI cable. I also really like the fact that it has 100W *** power, and while this Type-C port can’t be used for data, it does give you the option to connect to mains power with an adapter and charge your device while it’s in use. The GR10 might have been designed with the Steam Deck in mind, but it’s equally suited to all mobile devices and laptops and takes mobile docking up a notch. While it may not be suited to creative use, for core business users who want a reliable and easy-to-use dock for smooth presentation and media playback, the GR10 makes sense. BenQ beCreatus GR10: Price and availability How much does it cost? From £109 / $109 When is it out? Available now Where can you get it? Directly from BenQ.com or Amazon BenQ monitors and accessories are widely available, and the GR10 can be purchased from online retailers such as Amazon.com. (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) BenQ beCreatus GR10: Specs Dimensions: 130 x 55 x 25.5 (mm) Weight: 187 g USB cable length: 200 mm Power delivery: Up to 100W Host connection: USB4 Type-C cable (40Gbps)​ Video output: HDMI 2.1 (4K 120Hz/8K 60Hz)1 *4K 60Hz on Mac Networking: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 USB: 2 x USB-A Connector (10 Gbps,4.5W), USB-C Connector (10 Gbps,7.5W) BenQ beCreatus GR10: Design There’s no doubting just how handy docks are, and for that matter hubs, and the GR10 sits somewhere in the middle of the two. The terms are often mixed, with docks usually being a more permanent fixture on a desk and often, but not always, requiring power. A hub is usually portable and draws its power from the connected device. The GR10 is a mix of the two, although it falls into the dock category due to the flip-down stand that’s ready to dock whatever device you want to connect. The design is relatively compact and neat at 130 x 55 x 25.5 mm and weighing in at 187g, meaning that it will fit neatly into most laptop bags without adding too much weight or bulk. Then, using the 200mm USB Type-C cable, it connects directly to your device or computer and then in turn to whatever accessories, SSDs, monitor, or network you have available—for this test I connected all. You can even connect *** power up to 100W. This power is pass-through, unlike some other docks, so if you have a high-drain device such as a BUS Powered Thunderbolt 5 SSD, this dock doesn’t have the power to support those devices. The design of the GR10 is quite unique, with the flip-down front enabling you to prop up a device such as the Steam Deck, iPhone, or, as an example, the iPad Mini that I used in this review. This design instantly enables you to transform a small device into a perfect accessory for presentations, allowing you to connect it to a big screen to play back content. The fact that you have the full-sized HDMI 2.1 along with the USB and LAN ports enables absolute ease of use. (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) When it comes to the connection to the computer, the GR10 features a 200mm integrated USB cable that’s channelled into the underside of the design to keep things neat. At the end of the cable, there’s a right-angle adapter that’s optional to use for different devices. On the side is the sole USB Type-C port, which is rated at 10Gbps—not the fastest connection, but still offering decent enough transfer rates for most users. Along the back is where the majority of the ports reside, with two further USB 3.2 ports (Type-A), a LAN RJ45 at 2.5Gbps, and the HDMI 2.1 that enables the high resolution and refresh rates that lie at the core of this dock. There’s also the ***-in port. Again, this just provides power pass-through to the USB Type-C port up to 100W so that you can charge your laptop or other devices if supported. Otherwise, aside from a rubber foot on the base to stop it from slipping, that’s it. (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) BenQ beCreatus GR10: Features The big feature of the GR10 is the ability to handle 4K at 120Hz, which enables high resolution and refresh rates that are preferred for gaming. This resolution and refresh rate are also perfect for media playback and far exceed what is usually offered by most hubs and docks at this price. As the design of the dock is aimed primarily at gamers, there’s also the option—monitor permitting—to use 1080p at 360Hz HDR 10. The resolution and refresh rate are made possible by the USB4 port, which enables up to 40Gbps data transfer and, importantly, supports 4K video. A nice feature of the dock is that there are three USB options, all USB 3.2, with two Type-A and a single Type-C. These can be used to connect peripherals and accessories. Along with the other ports, there is a *** power Type-C port that enables pass-through power to the USB4 cable connected to the device. Depending on the connected device, the *** power value will adjust. With plenty of connection options delivering video, data, network, and power, the dock features an aluminium body to help with heat dissipation. The final main feature of the dock is the 2-in-1 flip gaming stand—this differentiates it from all other docks of this type and is a great, if simple, idea. In use you can pop your tablet or smartphone at a viewable angle, which is handy, especially for presentations where you want to see the screen. What’s more, with the high-resolution display connection, this small dock quickly becomes a real asset for presentations and meetings. (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) BenQ beCreatus GR10: Performance I’ve used plenty of docks and hubs over the years, and from the outset, I have to say I’m taken with the design of the GR10. This dock sits in the mid-range when it comes to price and features of docking stations, and while it is a dock, it’s also highly portable and can be used as a standard hub if needed. In fact, throughout the review, this is exactly how it ended up being used for the majority of the time, as it was so useful. Starting, however, from a traditional docking station point of view, the small dock positions neatly to the side of the monitor—a BenQ 4K—and the HDMI, two USB Type-A, *** power, LAN, and USB Type-C are all plugged into accessories to max out the system. The tablet, in this case an iPad Mini, can then be plugged in, and the display appears on the monitor, allowing the iPad to be controlled with the keyboard and mouse. Likewise, a Steam Deck or similar can be quickly attached to the game controllers in much the same way. This means you can quickly dock into a larger monitor in seconds and connect to multiple peripherals. While, for the most part, the performance of the GR10 is spot on for the market it’s intended for, and for straight business use, you will be pushing the technology if you’re looking to use this in the creative sector. While the dock does have wide device support, the transfer rates are limited by the USB 3.2 interface. What’s more, if you are using one of the latest generations of portable SSDs, such as the LaCie Rugged Pro5, this USB 3.2 port doesn’t supply the power required to reliably connect the SSD to a device. So, while it will fit, it won’t work. One of the big advantages that I found as I often connect my equipment to Chromecast or AirPlay when giving lectures and presentations is that the wired connection was a far more robust and visually clear option—making it not only better for gaming but also for presentations where clarity and smoothness are essential. Unlike most docks, the GR10 is also highly portable so that you can unplug it, and it neatly packs away in a bag with all the cables. You can then quickly set it up wherever you need and plug it into a monitor, network, and device, and off you go. The simplicity of the GR10 makes this a great option both in and out of the office. One point to add is that while it enables *** power delivery to the connected device, it isn’t a powered dock. What I really like is the 2-in-1 flip-down holder design, which is a major feature that, while designed for handheld game consoles, also holds tablets and smartphones neatly along with folded MacBook Airs perfectly well. (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) BenQ beCreatus GR10: Final verdict (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) The GR10 sits in the mid-range of docking stations, and while many docks at this level are much the same, the GR10 does stand out. What I really like about this design is the stylish finish and dual matte ****** and grey surfaces, giving it a premium look and feel. Of course, the aluminium materials used for the casing reinforce this as well as acting as a practical solution for cooling. Then there’s the 2-in-1 flip gaming stand that really stands out as something unique. It may have been designed for handheld gaming systems, but it also works perfectly well for most mobile devices and makes it easy to support and use an iPad during presentations—something that can often be a bit tricky. For me, however, the fact that I can dock in with a hardwired connection makes all the difference. While Chromecast and AirPlay are useful when you’re showing images, video, and especially screen captures, AirPlay’s resolution and bitrate often reduce the clarity of the image. Here, everything is clear and crisp on the big screen, making it ideal for presentations. Watching back video through the dock really starts to show the difference between wired and wireless, and while the gap is closing, this dock really proves that when you want resolution and refresh rate, this approach does make a difference. To finish the test, I hooked up a Steam Deck to see the difference between this and a standard gaming hub running HDMI 2.0. The difference in resolution seemed minimal until faster action took place on the screen. In Cyberpunk 2077, the difference in smoothness of the 4K video between 60Hz and 120Hz was significant. At the end of the test, the GR10, while designed with gaming in mind, proved to be a valuable dock for business use. The small design, 2-in-1 stand, and decent array of ports make it a simple yet highly effective solution both in the office or out at meetings and for presentations. Should I buy the BenQ beCreatus GR10? Swipe to scroll horizontally Value Great value for money and especially useful if you present from a mobile device or tablet 4.5/5 Design Stylish design with a neat built-in stand and cable tidy 5/5 Features Decent array of features for this price point—the main ones being the stand and HDMI 2.1 4/5 Performance For office and everyday use, this is an ideal solution. However, if you need something with a bit of graphics power, then look elsewhere. 4.5/5 Overalls A very decent dock for the office or on the go. The design makes this a great option for presentations 4/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… For more on-the-go play, we reviewed the best laptops for work and gaming. Source link #BenQ #beCreatus #GR10 #USB4 #dock #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Descendant of Indian King Porus Discusses Alexander the Great and Greece Descendant of Indian King Porus Discusses Alexander the Great and Greece King Aishwarya Chandra, the Descendant of Indian King Porus, Regional Governor(Satrap) of Alexander the Great . Image Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. A descendant of the ancient Indian King Porus, a colossus from ancient Indian history and a prominent aristocrat from the “Eastern Hellenic World”, opens up about Alexander the Great and ancient and modern Greece. Porus’ dynasty was neither brought to an end like that of the Achaemenids of Persia, nor did Alexander the Great take direct control of his state; rather, he continued his rule as a Satrap, with an enlarged territory of almost 85,000 square miles. Today, his descendant King (titular) Aishwarya Chandra Katoch is actively involved in family businesses and in local state politics. He is the Director of Kangra Group, Indiabulls Group and Royal Expeditions, and has been actively promoting Kangra as a tourist destination internationally. Coronation Coronation of Mr. Aishwarya Chandra Katoch, descendant of King Porus, as titular King of Kangra. Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. After almost 400 years, Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra fort witnessed the coronation ceremony of the 489th titular king of the erstwhile royal family of the region. Mr. Aishwarya Chandra Katoch was crowned as the ***** (titular king) of this region. His family is very popular here, and they reciprocate the love showered on them by the people by working for the ******** of Kangra. Asked by Greek Reporter about the coronation, King Katoch responded by saying “The coronation was amazing! It is part of our family tradition, attended by members of different royal families of India. Several royal families in India gave their princely states for the creation of a united democratic India, and we all respect and cherish the institution of democracy. The coronation is our family tradition that goes back ages, and we have been following it to preserve our traditions and culture.” King Katoch is a forward-looking, progressive man, who has great respect for modern institutions. At the same time he is very attached to his traditions and culture, and maybe it was this same quality that inspired his ancestor King Parmananda Katoch (alternatively known as Porus) to face Alexander like a quintessential warrior, and not surrender without a fight and act like a serf, as King Ambhi of Taxila did. Indian King Porus tough challenge to Alexander the Great’s army A Temple. Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. When asked for his views on King Porus, King Katoch said “Porus is not a name, it is a title, meaning mountain lion, given to my ancestor by Alexander the Great in recognition of his bravery. “King Porus presented a tough challenge to Alexander’s huge army. I don’t say Porus defeated Alexander, but I definitely believe that the result of the battle they fought against each other was inconclusive. This made Alexander accept Porus as a Satrap (Regional Governor), adding more territory to his already existing kingdom, and Alexander consequently had to take a different, and more difficult, route as he departed. As a child, I saw a copper plate inscription of the treaty between Alexander the Great and my ancestor King Porus from our family collection. It had palm impressions of both Alexander the Great and King Porus, though they were faint, and had been shown to Lord Curzon (Erstwhile Viceroy of India during British rule) by my ancestors. Actually, they used buffalo blood for palm impressions, because of a chemical reaction it allowed palm impressions on copper plates. But then I went to study abroad, and we lost this precious artifact from our collection back in Kangra,” the descendent of King Porus told Greek Reporter. Descendant of Indian King Porus Discusses Alexander the Great Descendant of brave King Porus Regional Governor of Alexander the Great, King Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. Image Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. When asked what are his views on Alexander the Great, King Katoch said that “he was a great warrior, but his army was too weary to advance, and he had to back off from India. A two-act play was staged for Alexander’s entertainment near the Beas River, according to a scholar’s recent research. The other bloodline of our family was happy to help Alexander, but my ancestor King Porus fought against him. “Alexander, respecting his bravery and recognizing his might, took the territory from the other bloodline of the family (younger Porus) and gave it to my ancestor. Even the Seleucids who succeeded Alexander ruled outside my ancestor’s kingdom’s borders in Afghanistan. “We have it in our oral history that one of my ancestors, a son of Porus, took Alexander’s cousin in marriage. We do not have a written record of this, but we Indians used to keep our history alive orally, so that is what we have in our oral history, and there are Greek tribes in the Himachal region.” On Greece Coronation ceremony in Kangra fort. Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. When asked whether he has ever visited Greece, and if yes, did he observe any similarity between Greece and his ancestor’s kingdom, King Katoch replied, “Yes, of course, I have visited Greece! It is a beautiful country. I stayed in a village there with a friend’s family and saw that while eating that family spat to ward off evil, something very similar to what we Rajputs (Indian caste) also do, and this was very interesting to me. “I love the Greek islands, the natural beauty of the country and the resemblance of the forts in Greece to the forts of my Kingdom. My fort, the Kangra fort, is one of the oldest forts of India and it doesn’t look typically Indian! In fact it is very similar to Eastern European forts, especially Greek forts. When I was in Greece I listed in my diary a number of forts I saw that were very similar to Kangra fort, which has a very square design. “ Resistance to Turkish Aggression Crown of Katoch. Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. When asked about his family’s history of fighting against the Turks, and if he sees a similarity to the Greek resistance to Ottoman aggression, King Katoch said “These nomads were hungry for power and did not follow the ethics of war like my ancestors. In the Puranas (Hindu religious texts) we are taught that you do not fight at night: rather, at night, opponents even used to go to each other’s camps to discuss, but these nomads did not follow this ethic of war. “Nevertheless, when Timur invaded India from Central Asia, my ancestor drove him away from my kingdom. There is a theory that one of my ancestors migrated to Mongolia, which has also been mentioned by the Prime Minister of Mongolia.” Travel and Tourism Kangra Fort, erstwhile capital of ancestors of King Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. Credits: ***** Aishwarya Chandra Katoch. When asked his opinions on travel and tourism, King Katoch said, “Kangra is very beautiful because of its nature, its art and craft, its history and the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s headquarters in nearby Dharamshala. Many people do not know about our history, and I hope to be able to spread the knowledge of my ancestor’s kingdom. Source link #Descendant #Indian #King #Porus #Discusses #Alexander #Great #Greece Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

JPMorgan employee who questioned Jamie Dimon’s RTO mandate says he was fired—then told he could stay—after testy town hall – AOL JPMorgan employee who questioned Jamie Dimon’s RTO mandate says he was fired—then told he could stay—after testy town hall – AOL JPMorgan employee who questioned Jamie Dimon’s RTO mandate says he was fired—then told he could stay—after testy town hall AOLJPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon pops off on anti-RTO workers Fox Business‘I’ve had it’: JP Morgan boss rails against Gen Z in expletive-laden outburst The TelegraphJamie Dimon: ‘Don’t give me this s‑‑‑ that work-from-home Friday works’ The Hill Source link #JPMorgan #employee #questioned #Jamie #Dimons #RTO #mandate #firedthen #told #stayafter #testy #town #hall #AOL Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

It looks like Elden Ring Nightreign DLC will include bosses and playable characters It looks like Elden Ring Nightreign DLC will include bosses and playable characters Elden Ring Nightreign will seemingly receive extra bosses and playable characters via DLC, according to now-removed text on the game’s Steam page. Elden Ring Nightreign will see bosses from across the Souls series return, and include new bosses exclusive to Nightreign. But now, it seems that FromSoftware is planning to bring additional bosses, and playable characters to the game. The Steam page for the upcoming game briefly included text referring to “Additional playable characters and bosses.” While this text was removed, but captured by PC Gamer, it’s possible that it was only removed because the information surrounding the DLC wasn’t planned to be announced yet. Previous Souls titles have featured DLC, usually in the form or a large expansion, such as Elden Ring‘s Shadow of the Erdtree. Elden Ring Nightreign will see players play as bespoke characters, rather than create their own, so it’s possible this DLC will add more of those character options. Elden Ring Nightreign will be released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and PC on May 30. Over the weekend, Elden Ring Nightreign held its first closed network test, however, technical issues meant that thousands of players who attempted to log on to play the game couldn’t do so. Based on the world of Elden Ring, Nightreign ditches the lengthy single-player adventure for a fast-paced co-op action game with roguelike elements. Each run takes place over three nights (meaning a total time of around 30-45 minutes) with a map that’s continually getting smaller, battle royale style. Players – either alone or in groups of three – choose one of eight classes and have to survive all three nights, culminating in a final boss fight. Released in February 2022, Elden Ring is comfortably From Software’s biggest commercial hit, having shipped over 25 million copies according to its developer. Players in Elden Ring Nightreign won’t be able to leave messages for players or read those left by other players. Source link #Elden #Ring #Nightreign #DLC #include #bosses #playable #characters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Power out to thousands of homes after ‘potent’ squall line pushes through Tallahassee Power out to thousands of homes after ‘potent’ squall line pushes through Tallahassee Power outages pile up after squall line passes by Almost 4,000 customers are out of power in six separate Tallahassee outages after the squall line passed through. The vast majority are in west Tallahassee. Talquin Electrical Cooperative, meanwhile, has 763 meters out, including 31 percent of its Woodville customers. Severe storm warning: Tallahassee area could see winds of up to 60 mph Leon and Wakulla counties, with cities including Tallahassee, Woodville, Crawfordville and St. Marks, are now under a severe thunderstorm warning until 9:15 a.m. Forecasters warn the storm system has the potential to generate up to 60 mph winds and pea-sized hail. Winds of that level could damage roofs, siding, and trees, which would cause power outages. Towns including Chattahoochee, Marianna, Midway and Quincy already are under previous warnings. North Florida under a tornado watch The Tallahassee area is under a tornado watch this morning as a “potent squall line” sweeps across North Florida and South Georgia. Florida counties included in the watch are Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. The watch, which means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form, is in effect until 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Much of North Florida, including Leon County, is under a tornado watch this morning. Around 4:15 a.m., a “potent squall line” was beginning to approach counties in southeast Alabama, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Expect damaging wind gusts as this line of storms moves through,” the Weather Service said. “Have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be prepared to seek shelter if a warning is issued.” Forecasters warned that even before the squall line arrives at about 9 a.m., the area could see dangerous winds. “In fact, it’s possible that we may see a few isolated supercells develop ahead of the main squall line that would produce tornadoes,” forecasters wrote in their Sunday morning discussion. “While our area is not within the risk area for strong tornadoes (EF2 or greater), it cannot be ruled out given the strong wind field.” Earlier story: Tornado risk ahead of cold front A squall line could bring punishing winds or tornadoes to north Florida and the Tallahassee area overnight and into Sunday morning. Saturday afternoon, National Weather Service forecasters upped the chances of severe weather for the Big Bend from a marginal risk on a Level of 1 to 5 to a slight risk, a level 2 of 5. What to expect from the overnight severe weather threat in north Florida. “The main threats will be damaging winds and a few tornadoes,” forecasts wrote on a Facebook alert. They advised north Florida residents, especially in the eastern Panhandle to have multiple ways to get weather warnings over night. “The greatest chance for strong to severe storms will be over the Central Time Zone counties,” forecasters wrote. While the squall line is expected to hit the Tallahassee area at around 10 a.m., forecasters warned tornadoes will also be possible in any “rogue showers or storms” that develop ahead of the line. Already, NWS has posted a wind advisory for between 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday for expected sustained southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts around 40 to 45 mph. What to expect from the overnight severe weather threat in north Florida. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” forecasters warned. The squall line comes ahead of a strong cold front that will usher in chilly temperatures to north Florida. By mid-week, highs are expected to be in the mid to upper 50s. Toward the end of the week, freezing temperatures are possible overnight. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee area under tornado watch as ‘potent’ squall line passes by Source link #Power #thousands #homes #potent #squall #line #pushes #Tallahassee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Driving test reveals range performance of popular electric cars during frigid winter conditions — here are the best-performing models Driving test reveals range performance of popular electric cars during frigid winter conditions — here are the best-performing models If you live somewhere cold and feel like you’re missing out on an electric vehicle, don’t fret — these EVs can power through. The cold is a common concern for many EV drivers, but these cars are proving they can still go the distance. Here are the top-performing EVs in cold weather, according to the Norwegian publication Motor: 1. Polestar 3, with a 330-mile range2. BYD *****, with a 300-mile range3. Mini Countryman, with a 220-mile range, which also exceeded expectations in warm weather4. Lotus Emeya, with a 271-mile range5. BYD Sealion 7, with a 271-mile range The rankings were calculated by comparing their winter range to their WLTP, or Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. An EV’s WLTP range is the calculated maximum range the car could travel on a single, full charge. While some of the other EVs, like the Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV3, went farther in terms of distance, those EVs more drastically underperformed when compared to their WLTP. The Polestar 3 performed extremely well —”the Polestar 3 had a deviation of 5.18 percent, the second best figure we have achieved in six editions of the winter test. The lowest deviation we have had in a winter test is 4.0 percent – ​​which the BMW iX3 delivered in 2021,” the Motor report read. Watch now: Local hero single-handedly repopulates endangered butterfly species Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly cheaper. According to Kelley Blue Book, “the average transaction price for electric cars was $55,544 in December vs. gas-powered vehicles at $49,740.” That’s just over a $5,000 difference, and when you consider that driving an EV can “save consumers about 60 percent on fuel costs,” per Consumer Reports, it’s an even better deal. You may even qualify for tax incentives that can bring the price tag down by thousands of dollars. EVs aren’t just good for your wallet — they’re great for the planet, too. EVs produce no tailpipe pollution. Even when taking into account the pollution produced during production and mining materials, EVs are still greener than their gas counterparts. Story continues “Four out of the top 5 EVs are China-made electric vehicles as both the Polestar 3… and the Lotus Emeya are made in China,” Electrek wrote. “Tesla’s performance is also disappointing with this new version of the Model 3 because [it] has more experience making long-range EVs than all its competitors.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Driving #test #reveals #range #performance #popular #electric #cars #frigid #winter #conditions #bestperforming #models Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Kate Winslet Sets Directorial Debut at Netflix With Drama ‘Goodbye June’ – Variety Kate Winslet Sets Directorial Debut at Netflix With Drama ‘Goodbye June’ – Variety Kate Winslet Sets Directorial Debut at Netflix With Drama ‘Goodbye June’ VarietyView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Kate #Winslet #Sets #Directorial #Debut #Netflix #Drama #Goodbye #June #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Unlike Costco And Sam’s Club, This Warehouse Grocer Doesn’t Require A Membership Unlike Costco And Sam’s Club, This Warehouse Grocer Doesn’t Require A Membership A virtually endless supply of free samples and access to the world-famous food court are just two of the great benefits you can expect from a Costco membership. However, not everyone is willing to plunk down a yearly fee just for the privilege of shopping at a chain store. Fortunately, there’s an alternative for commitment-phobe consumers. Similar to warehouse retail chains like Costco and Sam’s Club, WinCo Foods is a bulk grocery retailer — with one distinct difference. Unlike other stores offering bulk goods, WinCo is accessible to the public, without the need for a membership card. There is one minor caveat involving location. WinCo stores can only be found in select states, including Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. On the other hand, Costco has locations situated throughout the U.S. (The only states that lack Costco locations are Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming.) As for Sam’s Club, 600 locations are spread out over 45 states. While membership-based chains are a bit more accessible, shoppers in proximity to WinCo Foods can take advantage of the freewheeling concept. Read more: False Things You Believe About Shopping At Aldi Other Differences To Expect When Shopping At WinCo Foods WinCo Foods storefront daytime – Sanfel/Getty Images WinCo Foods made its debut as Waremart Foods in 1967, with its first location established in Boise, Idaho. Since then, the grocery chain has expanded into several other states, making a name for itself by being an employee-owned company. The chain feels that it’s employee stock ownership plan encourages workers to maximize efforts on a daily basis while also offering staff financial rewards when the company’s stock performs favorably. Its designation as an employee-owned entity isn’t the only notable difference at WinCo Foods. The chain strives to save its shoppers money, which has lead to some key distinctions. For example, to eliminate the fees associated with such transactions, customers cannot pay with credit cards . However, you’re free to use a debit card or check to pay for your purchases. As another cost-saving measure, the store doesn’t employ baggers , which makes WinCo Foods similar to Aldi. While it might not be an option for every consumer, WinCo Foods does have a lot to offer if you like warehouse retailers but don’t necessarily want to get roped into a yearly membership. Read the original article on Mashed. Source link #Costco #Sams #Club #Warehouse #Grocer #Doesnt #Require #Membership Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home, police official says – Reuters.com South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home, police official says – Reuters.com South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home, police official says Reuters.comNetflix star Kim Sae-ron, who was forced into hiding after DUI ******, found dead at 24 New York Post Actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home 코리아타임스Bloodhounds Actress Kim Sae-Ron Dies At 24: Report Times NowKim Sae-ron, Korean Star of ‘A Brand New Life’ and ‘The Man From Nowhere,’ Dies at 24 Variety Source link #South #Korean #actress #Kim #Saeron #dead #home #police #official #Reuters.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

10 of the tallest abandoned skyscrapers around the world 10 of the tallest abandoned skyscrapers around the world Iconic skylines are one way to immediately identify some cities. Some looming skyscrapers haven’t stood the test of time, becoming abandoned or remaining incomplete. Cities must figure out what to do with the structures, and the cost of revitalization can be huge. Towering skyscrapers often create a city’s iconic skyline, yet sometimes its tallest buildings can fall into disrepair or remain unfinished. While abandoned structures can become symbolic of a location’s financial or social struggles, cities still have to decide what to do with them. Some are left to rust, others are demolished, and a few become revitalized. In the mid-20th century, many older buildings in the US went under the wrecking ball. That’s not the best option from a sustainability standpoint, Shawn Ursini, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s (CTBUH) senior building database manager, told Business Insider. “A lot of these buildings can still have a lot of life left in them,” he said. “We just maybe need to get a bit more creative as to what their purpose is going forward.” He added that the CTBUH doesn’t have a designation for abandoned buildings since it doesn’t track buildings’ occupancy once they’re completed. However, the organization does keep tabs on the many buildings worldwide that are on hold. “Generally speaking, when a project goes on hold, there is still an attempt to finish it,” Ursini said, although these attempts aren’t always successful. Here are 10 of the tallest skyscrapers around the world that now sit empty or uncompleted — and how they ended up that way. Beirut Trade Center, Beirut (459 feet) The Burj al-Murr or Beirut Trade Center, left, in 2022.Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images During the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), snipers took up residence in a number of Beirut buildings in what became known as the “Battle of the Hotels.” Construction on the 40-story Beirut Trade Center, also known as Burj al-Murr or the “tower of bitterness,” began in 1974, just a year before war broke out. At that point, the $15 million building was 70% complete, Executive Magazine reported in 2004. In addition to office space, the Trade Center was designed to hold a movie theater and restaurant accessible by helicopter. Architect Camillo Boano and urban planner Dalia Chabarek described it as a scarred artifact of war that’s “difficult to topple” or renovate. Several artists have incorporated the unfinished building into their work. In 2018, Jad El Khoury put up a temporary installation in the structure, adding colorful curtains to the windows to transform it into Burj El Hawa, the Tower of Air, according to Archinect. Plaza Tower, New Orleans (531 feet) The Tower Plaza, right, in New Orleans.Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters One of New Orleans’ tallest buildings has become a danger in the decades since it was erected in the 1960s. While the $15.5 million building had a few residential units, it was mainly designed for offices. In 2002, building tenants, including the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office, complained that toxic mold was making them sick. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the building was gutted due to both mold and asbestos, The Times-Picayune reported in 2014. Since then, its problems have continued. A piece of paneling fell and hit a bicyclist in 2021. There was a fire in 2022, and a man died falling from one of the floors in 2023. Despite attempts to salvage the Plaza Tower, “the city made their case that the buildings become a public safety hazard,” Ursini said. Now the city is preparing to demolish the building, though the current owner hopes to find a buyer instead, The Times-Picayune reported in January. 900 Chestnut, St. Louis, Missouri (588 feet) 909 Chestnut Street with the AT&T sign visible.Isabella Pino/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In 2022, Rosin Preservation wrote a report arguing that 909 Chestnut Street, also known as One AT&T Center, should be added to the National Register of Historic Places list. Completed in 1985, the St. Louis building is one of the tallest in the state, has a “fortress-like base,” and a “façade [that] appears to stretch beyond what is expected, seemingly indefinitely,” according to the report. AT&T didn’t renew its lease in 2017, and the building has been empty since, according to Costar, which gathers information on commercial real estate. In 2024, the Goldman Group bought 909 Chestnut for $3.6 million, a fraction of its 2006 price of $205 million. “At that price, I guess the building itself is a blank slate because you’re picking it up for almost nothing,” Ursini said. The real estate firm hopes to put in 600 apartments, a pickleball court, and a movie theater, Fox2 reported in January. Sathorn Unique, Bangkok (607 feet) The Sathorn Unique building stands empty in Bangkok.Sakchai Lalit/AP Popularly known as Thailand’s “Ghost Tower,” this looming structure dates back to 1990. The 47-floor building was only 80% finished when the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit. Its architect was also charged and then acquitted as part of a ******* plot that was never carried out, Architectural Digest reported in 2023. With the unfinished luxury condo in ruins, daredevil travelers risk trespassing and injury to explore the tower. Exposed wires and rusty metals are just a few of the building’s hazards. Centro Financiero Confinanzas, Caracas, Venezuela, (623 feet) Structural damage on the top five floors of “Tower of David” after a 2018 earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela.Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters For years, this empty 45-story building, known as the Torre de David or Tower of David, was also described as the world’s tallest slum. Banker David Brillembourg hoped to create Venezuela’s version of Wall Street with the tower, The New Yorker reported, but the country’s financial crisis and Brillembourg’s death put an end to construction in 1994, New York Magazine reported. Some 3,000 people took up residence in the concrete shell of a building, transforming it into a community with electricity, grocery stores, and water, Slate reported in 2014. However, the structure was deemed unsafe and the occupants were evicted in 2014, per The BBC. In 2018, a powerful earthquake did some damage to the upper levels of the Tower of David, Reuters reported. 1 Seaport, New York City (670 feet) The unfinished 1 Seaport in 2020 (center).Gary Hershorn/Getty Images At between $1.5 million and $20 million a pop, units in 1 Seaport came with the promised luxuries of an infinity pool, dazzling views, and 10-foot ceilings. Buyers snapped them up, putting down hundreds of thousands of dollars as deposits. In 2017, a carpenter working on the $273 million building fell to his death, The New Yorker recently reported. When it emerged the building was sinking and leaning to the left, its contractors and developers started blaming each other, Curbed reported in 2021. One lawyer involved in one of 1 Seaport’s many lawsuits described the tilted structure as resembling a banana. While the building is unlikely to fall over, construction has been halted since 2020. Oceanwide Plaza, Los Angeles (677 feet) Wildfire smoke rising behind the Oceanwide Plaza tower in Los Angeles.Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Consisting of three towers, the unfinished Oceanwide Plaza has become notorious for artists tagging its exterior. Last year, thrill-seekers even BASE jumped from the top. The ambitious complex, expected to cost $1 billion, was meant to be home to luxury residential units and a five-star hotel, The Los Angeles Times reported. It’s about 60% complete after construction halted in 2019. Oceanwide Holdings, the company behind the towers, filed for involuntary bankruptcy, Los Angeles Magazine reported last year. Finishing the project would take around $800 million, per the Wall Street Journal. Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea (1,082 feet) Ryugyong Hotel, also known as Hotel Doom, in Pyongyang, North Korea.Feng Li/Getty Images Jutting high above its surrounding buildings, the pyramid-shaped Ryugyong earned the nickname “Hotel of Doom” when it sat empty and incomplete for over a decade in the middle of North Korea’s biggest city. Work on the 105-story building began in 1987 under the rule of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un’s grandfather. In 1992, the economic depression following the Soviet Union’s collapse halted construction before windows were installed and the concrete was covered. Construction has stopped and started several times since, and it’s unclear when the structure will open. In 2008, Reuters reported it would take an estimated $2 billion to complete the hotel. “It was bare,” tour operator Simon Cockerell told 9news.com.au of the concrete-filled interior after a visit in 2023. On the outside, though, a new LED screen broadcasts propaganda. SkyCity, Mandaluyong, Philippines (1,099 feet) A large hole in between buildings, right, where SkyCity was meant to rise over 1,000 feet in the air.TanMan/Getty Images This is one project that never got off the ground. Originally, its developers hoped SkyCity would be the Philippines’ tallest building. They planned for the 77-story skyscraper to hold a hotel, swanky condos, and a bar, Esquire Philippines reported. Nearby homeowners complained when developers broke ground in 1997 for several reasons, including that the structure, planned at over 1,000 feet tall, would cast a giant shadow. A lengthy legal battle ensued, and funding for the estimated $85 million project dried up. The location is just a large, mossy hole now. Goldin Finance 117, Tianjin, China (1,957 feet) The Goldin Finance 117 Tower in Tianjin, China, in 2024.Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Nothing in the vicinity comes close to the height of the rusting, unfinished Goldin Finance tower in Tianjin, a city in Northern China. It was meant to hold a hotel, condos, and offices. Construction began on the structure in 2008. A diamond-shaped atrium was supposed to sit atop the building, reminiscent of a glittering gem on top of a walking stick. From the atrium’s observation deck and restaurant, guests would have had dizzying views of the city’s downtown. Then, in the mid-2010s, Goldin Group, the skyscraper’s developer, started having financial troubles. At that point, it would have taken $10 billion to complete the project, Forbes reported in 2022. “There’s no cladding on the exterior, and the building is just there awaiting a restart of construction,” Ursini said. It still remains empty today. This story was originally published in August 2018 and most recently updated on February 16, 2025. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #tallest #abandoned #skyscrapers #world Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]