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Kolbe tries help Boks hand England fifth loss in a row Kolbe tries help Boks hand England fifth loss in a row Brilliant South ******* winger Cheslin Kolbe has hurt England once again by scoring a try in each half to propel the Springboks to a 29-20 win at Twickenham, extending the home side’s run of defeats to five. It was England’s third straight loss to a southern hemisphere power in a fortnight, after succumbing 24-22 to New Zealand and 42-37 to Australia, with some familiar faces administering the late crucial blows in an engrossing match on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) that was still in the balance after an hour. Kolbe, one of the try-scorers in the Boks’ World Cup final win over England in 2019, finished off a crossfield kick for his first try in the 22nd minute and went over for the clinching score in the 63rd following a piercing break by centre Damien de Allende. South ******* pushed two scores ahead thanks to a conversion by replacement fly-half Handre Pollard, whose last-gasp penalty sealed the Boks’ win over England in the World Cup semi-finals last year,. The English couldn’t then respond despite territory and playing against 14 men for the final 10 minutes. Since repeating as world champions a year ago, the Springboks have now won 10 of 12 Tests and lost the other two by only a point each. England, meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven Tests and have developed a concerning penchant for finishing tight games weakly. It is leaving England coach Steve Borthwick under increasing pressure, especially if his team fails to beat Japan next week in their last outing of the year. A frenetic first half featured five tries, two for England — through Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Underhill — and three for the Boks, via scrum-half Grant Williams’ dazzling, darting run, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit’s chargedown and grounding, and Kolbe. The second half was more tight and tense, with each team having a try ruled out and England taking a 20-19 lead through Marcus Smith’s penalty in the 52nd. But England lacked composure with a huge win in their sights and Pollard, on for Mannie Libbok, returned the favour with a trademark penalty from halfway to regain the lead for the Boks. Kolbe took de Allende’s pass and sprinted down the wing to score the try that broke English hearts, and Pollard naturally slotted the extras from the touchline. Replacement prop Gerhard Steenekamp’s 69th-minute sin-binning for repeated team infringements might have cost South *******, but their defence stayed strong and England made errors and poor decisions. The last time England lost three in a row at home was in 2006. Source link #Kolbe #Boks #hand #England #loss #row Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

King Arthur left an ancient trail across Britain. Experts say it offers clues about the truth behind the myth King Arthur left an ancient trail across Britain. Experts say it offers clues about the truth behind the myth Editor’s note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. He’s the mythical Celtic warlord who held out against the Anglo Saxon invasion of what would come to be called England. His right-hand man was a wizard, he was handed his famous sword by a deity, and he was a romantic — and chivalrous — hero. Oh, and he isn’t *****. He’s merely asleep, and will rise again when the time is right to expel the invaders and turn Britain back into a Celtic land. He is, of course, King Arthur, a figure so imbued with beauty and potential that even across the pond, JFK’s presidency was referred to as Camelot — Arthur’s mythical court. But was there a real man behind the myth? Or is he just our platonic ideal of a hero — a respectful king, in today’s parlance? Today, Arthur’s supposed exploits have left behind a tourist trail across the *** and beyond, with scores of sites claiming connections to his myth. It’s nothing new. For centuries, the legend of Arthur has fascinated much of Europe. He was supposedly the leader of a tribe of Celts — indigenous Britons — when the Saxons invaded Britain in the fifth century. The Saxons — people from modern-day Scandinavia, Germany and France — eventually colonized Britain, but there were fierce pockets of resistance from the Celts, especially in the far west of the country. Wales and Cornwall — England’s southwesternmost county – were the last to fall. The Celtic languages that all Britons originally spoke held out here, while elsewhere people began to speak what would become English. Arthur was, according to tradition, a leader resisting to the end against the Saxon colonizers. Fittingly, both Cornwall and Wales (among other places) claim him. Today, he is best associated with Tintagel Castle, where ******** of a settlement dating back to the fifth century perch strikingly on an islet off the wild coast of Cornwall. Supposedly, Arthur was conceived here. But the myth of Arthur is also bound intrinsically with Glastonbury Tor (a hill in Somerset where Merlin, his magician, is said to be asleep, waiting to return), Caerleon Castle in Wales (this was said to where Arthur had his court, Camelot), and South Cadbury in Somerset, where archaeologists in the 1970s thought they’d located Camelot. In Wales alone, Arthur is meant to have ******* a giant on Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) and a fearsome ****** in Llyn Barfog lake, while Merlin is said to be ******* both on Bardsey Island, off the north coast, and in a cliff at Nevern. Mind you, Arthur is also rumored to be sleeping in that cliffside — as well as ******* at Glastonbury Abbey, Baschurch in Shropshire, and Mynydd y Gaer, a mountain in Wales. Even for a mythical figure, he got around. There’s also Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh — the names of Arthur and Merlin are “right at the top of the list” of historical figures who’ve loaned their names to places, according to Mark Stoyle, professor of early modern history at the ***’s University of Southampton. Even the French claim a link with him, with some arguing that he was from Brittany — another Celtic part of Europe. The study of his story is, apparently, on the national school curriculum in France. So why is everyone so fascinated with this man — and did he even exist? An Arthur for all seasons Arthur was said to have been handed his sword, Excalibur, by the mysterious deity, the Lady of the Lake. – Bettmann Archive/Getty Images For Stoyle, it’s likely that the myth of Arthur has at least its roots in fact. “Nobody knows for sure,” he says. “Historians are so divided on it.” He says that an increasing number of archaeologists and historians believe that Arthur is an amalgamation of various historical characters, rather than an actual figure himself —although plenty still believe that Arthur himself existed. Stoyle himself is in the former camp. “When the Roman empire fell, the Anglo Saxons took over in the east of England and then moved to the west. There was fierce resistance to them which lasted a long time, and it’s easy to believe that there was one or more local chieftains who opposed them, and that those stories are perhaps the germ for the story of Arthur,” he says. “My gut feeling is that there has to be someone extraordinary behind this [these stories] but we have so little hard evidence, and some things [which he is said to have done] he definitely couldn’t do.” That would be things like pulling a sword out of a rock in which it was lodged (this marked him out as the rightful king), or getting his most famous sword, Excalibur, handed to him by “the lady of the lake,” a kind of water deity (Cornish people swear this happened at Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor). Excalibur has, of course, become so rooted in our global consciousness that it was not only the subject of the 1963 Disney film “The Sword in the Stone” but also is the name of a medieval-themed resort in Las Vegas. Whoever inspired these stories is almost a moot point for Stoyle. “In a way, everybody has their own Arthur — perceptions about who we want him to have been,” he says. Perhaps he’s the chivalrous knight who spent more time instilling good behavior at Camelot than ******** his enemies. This is the Arthur that went viral in the medieval *******, when chivalry was all the rage. Perhaps he’s the romantic hero, the king who fought for love when his wife Guinevere ran off with his most trusted confidant, Lancelot. That’s the ******* Arthur beloved by the pre-Raphaelite artists and poets who obsessed over him in the 1800s. This Arthur was played by Clive Owen in the 2004 film, “King Arthur,” alongside Keira Knightley as Guinevere. Perhaps he’s the mystic — the proto-New Age king who was led to victory by his trusted magician Merlin. Modern-day mystics swarm to Glastonbury to soak up his magic there. Or maybe he’s supernatural — a man who never really *****, but ***** sleeping, ready to return when his country needs him. This Arthur will kick the Saxon colonizers out and return Britain to its native Celtic culture. That’s the guy who, says Stoyle, the Welsh and Cornish “absolutely believed” in for centuries. As for Merlin, Stoyle says that most leaders of that age would have been accompanied by a sage. Merlin is the model in popular culture for the likes of Gandalf and Dumbledore, he says. A medieval myth unknown content item – In the medieval *******, Arthur’s story — or, more accurately, his myth — went viral after a writer called Geoffrey of Monmouth described King Arthur in his book, “Historia Regum Britanniae,” or “A history of Britain’s kings,” around 1136 CE. Geoffrey — thought to have been a monk — wrote that Arthur was conceived at Tintagel, and held court at Camelot — AKA Caerleon in southeast Wales, around 150 miles northeast of Tintagel. According to Geoffrey, Arthur ***** fighting the forces of his wayward son Mordred at the battle of Camlann at Cornwall’s “River Camblan” — often interpreted as the River Camel, which coincidentally runs through a place called Slaughterbridge. He was ******* on the island of Avalon — not located by Geoffrey, though the medieval monks of Glastonbury Abbey were quick to equate themselves with Avalon, not least because Arthur pilgrims were cash-rich visitors. Of course, medieval history writers were fast and loose with the facts. But it seems that archaeology can provide some pointers. Tintagel Castle is one of the most romantic sites connected with Arthur: an atmospheric ruined castle clinging to the cliffside of a small island, dangling just off the coast of the north Cornish coast. So spectacular is its location that it’s the second most visited site for English Heritage, the charity that manages it, after Stonehenge. In 2023, 334,195 visitors made their way down from the cliffs at Tintagel village, into a valley, and up along another cliff to a suspension bridge. The bridge — built in 2019 — leads visitors across an abyss, the Atlantic Ocean thrashing below, and onto the islet, where they walk straight into a ruined medieval dining hall on the side of the precipitous cliff. Into the past Tintagel — where Arthur is said to have been conceived — is the second most popular site in England for English Heritage, second only to Stonehenge. – chrisdorney/iStockphoto/Getty Images Arthur, so the legend goes, was conceived here – though of course not in that dining hall. In fact, the atmospheric medieval ruins we see today were built expressly to tap into the Arthurian myth, says Win Scutt, senior properties curator at English Heritage. The castle was built by Earl Richard, the 13th-century duke of Cornwall — a role today held by Prince William. “Earl Richard wanted to associate himself with the Arthurian story — that’s why he bought the land and built the castle,” says Scutt. “This was a feasting place to basically say he was the new Arthur.” Further up on the clifftop, however, are ******** that date back to the (supposed) Arthurian *******. Across the top of the headland spread the ******** of a settlement from the fifth to the seventh century — the height of the “Dark Ages,” the post-Roman ******* in Europe when trading and transport routes broke down, and for which there is little written evidence. Yet the archaeological evidence at Tintagel is compelling. It shows that the site was home to an important settlement during the *******, with evidence of long-distance trading: wine from Greece, serving bowls from Turkey, and Tunisian ceramics. There is more pottery from the eastern Mediterranean at Tintagel than from all other sites from the same era in Britain — put together. “We don’t have a settlement in southern Britain as large as Tintagel — not even London,” says Scutt. There are traces of around 100 buildings scattered over the headland. There’s also evidence of connections with early ********** culture in the eastern Mediterranean. “Seven hundred years before the [medieval] castle there was a place of power there,” says Scutt, adding that there are few signs of military defenses, implying that it was a “high status site — more of a statement.” “It’s not necessarily royal, but probably is,” he adds. “Cornwall was an independent kingdom in the early medieval *******.” Then there’s the “Artognou stone,” discovered onsite in 1998. A sixth-century carved stone, it mentions the name Artognou, which some people have connected to Arthur — though other scholars have dismissed this idea. Scutt says that he and his colleagues have shied away in the past from linking Tintagel with Arthur too explicitly. Yet he is curious why Geoffrey of Monmouth chose it as Arthur’s place of conception. “Where did he pick up this story? ***** history? Writing? Or did the people of Tintagel claim to have origins with Arthur? You can’t extricate the myth from the history,” he says. “Maybe he was aware there had been an important place. “That [Geoffrey] connects the birth of Arthur with Tintagel can’t be a coincidence – there’s something going on there.” But, Scutt hastens to add, “That doesn’t mean [Arthur] existed. As an archaeologist, I never trust historical records. We always question the documentary record — especially if it’s from 500 years later.” ‘A complete spoof’ Arthur and his entourage were known as the ‘knights of the round table’ — supposedly because sat round one big table together. – Heritage Images/Hulton Archive/Getty Images One person who isn’t convinced by Geoffrey’s account is Nicholas J. Higham, professor emeritus at the University of Manchester, who calls the text “a complete spoof… a faux history which lionizes the Britons and downgrades the English as pagan incomers who aren’t very nice.” Higham likens Geoffrey’s text to the epic “Lord of the Rings” saga by J.R.R. Tolkien — who, incidentally, was an Arthurian scholar. “You see him plucking stuff off [other source materials] and writing it into his own narrative,” he says. Those sources included a ninth-century document called “The History of the Britons” which “rewrote” the history of the Roman occupation of Britain to laud the indigenous Britons, and a 540 CE ****** document in the manner of an “Old Testament prophet” which suggests that the Britons were subdued because “they have gone against ****, and they need to repent and return to the lord.” This document — by a writer called Gildas — “builds up the figures of resistance [to the Romans],” says Higham, One of these figures in the text is Arthur. He is depicted as an almost *******-like figure, the battle leader of the Britons, winning 12 battles — a number significant to Christians. Old Welsh poetry of the eight to 11th century also mention Arthur, though Higham says that the texts we have today are medieval copies that were “radically modernized” and therefore untrustworthy. There’s also a roundabout reference to Arthur in a sixth century poem, damning another figure as, “He was not an Arthur.” “You can make of that what you will,” says Higham, who calls himself an “Arthur skeptic.” “You can’t accept the word of an early ninth-century writer who you know is attempting to rewrite the past for present propagandist purposes.” Henry VIII, an unlikely superfan Henry VIII is seen as the quintessential English king. In fact, he played up his Welsh roots, and his father claimed to be a descendant of the Celt, Arthur. – Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Whatever the truth, the influence of Arthur has echoed down through the centuries. In 1485, England’s King Henry VII seized power from Richard III by landing in Wales from his exile in Brittany (he had first tried to land in Cornwall), billing himself as “Arthur’s heir,” says Stoyle. “The prophecies that Arthur would come again encouraged the Welsh to join him, and his army snowballed.” Once he’d grabbed the throne, he emphasized his Welshness, even calling his first son – the Prince of Wales — Arthur. Henry’s reign was, says Stoyle, a “glorious Welsh renaissance,” and Arthur — who was sent to the English town of Ludlow to govern as a young man — would have been crowned king of England had he not ***** early. Instead, his younger brother took power — one Henry VIII. And although we think of Henry as the quintessential Englishman, Stoyle says he “emphasized his connection with Wales,” celebrating St. David’s Day in court and having a retinue of Welsh staff. He and his daughter, Elizabeth I, spoke both Welsh and Cornish. “The Tudors were really keen to say we are kings of England but also Wales and Cornwall,” says Stoyle. The later Stuart dynasty also played up links with Arthur, he says. “It really shows Arthur mattered.” Whatever the truth, those who love Arthur — the man, the myth, or the many men whose stories might have created the myth — have plenty of places to visit. And the wonderful thing about the many Arthurs is that he can also tell us about ourselves. “In a way, everybody has their own Arthur,” says Stoyle. “There are all kinds of Arthurs. At Glastonbury it’s very New Age-y. At Tintagel it’s more grim and forbidding, he’s more like a warrior. Most people think of him in a more romantic way. Different people gravitate to different places in search of ‘their’ Arthur.” Scutt says that the legends are important as the truth — whatever that is. “The legend is important — that’s our identity,” he says. “Some stories that we tell about our own families might not be very truthful but we remember them as part of us. “As a child I used to write songs to do with the Arthur story and even called my bicycle Arthur. “Do I want him to exist? I kind of do. But in a way, it doesn’t really matter. “ For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #King #Arthur #left #ancient #trail #Britain #Experts #offers #clues #truth #myth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hot startup fires up AI to prepare for extreme weather Hot startup fires up AI to prepare for extreme weather An artificial intelligence-driven startup is changing how weather is predicted and says its climate risk breakthrough can help communities survive disasters. Source link #Hot #startup #fires #prepare #extreme #weather Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dunham park ********* arrest; mild weekend; Thune Dunham park ********* arrest; mild weekend; Thune SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It’s Saturday, November 16. Take a look at our top stories with KELOLAND On The GO. A man has been arrested Friday in connection to the Dunham Park ********* Investigation. Man arrested in connection to Dunham Park ********* investigation Day care owner Ametrea Christion of Sioux Falls, who faces one count of ****** or cruelty to a minor, appeared in a Minnehaha County courtroom Friday where her lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf. The 44-year-old Christion owns Wildflower Academy, which closed in October. Day care owner accused of ****** appears in court It’s been a whirlwind two days, but John Thune is out of Washington, D.C. and back home. Thune says cabinet confirmation process ‘thorough’ South Dakotans are still buzzing about last week’s election, not so much about the final results, but rather the rising national profile the state is receiving since the votes were cast. South Dakotans react to Thune, Noem impacts Breezy conditions are on the way today as low pressure to our north and west pushes into North Dakota. While we miss out on moisture (For now), we don’t miss out on the wind. Storm Center AM Update: Mild Weekend; Rain by Monday Check out our Boredom Busters! Saturday Boredom Busters: November 16th Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Source link #Dunham #park #********* #arrest #mild #weekend #Thune Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fact-checking his views on health policy Fact-checking his views on health policy BBC Robert F Kennedy Jr has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the next US health secretary, a post that oversees everything from medical research to food safety and public ******** programmes. Speaking in an NPR interview this week, Kennedy said Trump had given him three “instructions”: to remove “***********” from health agencies, to return these bodies to “evidence-based science and medicine”, and “to end the chronic ******** epidemic”. Some of Kennedy’s own stated aims for government are bound up with misinformation – and many medical experts have expressed serious concerns about his nomination, citing his views on vaccines and other health matters. On other matters he has more support, for example in scrutinising the processing of food and the use of additives. What does RFK Jr say about vaccine safety? Kennedy said in his NPR interview that vaccines were “not going to be taken away from anybody”. He says he wants to improve the science on vaccine safety which he believes has “huge deficits” and that he wants good information so people “can make informed choices“. But his critique of the vaccine safety regime has been roundly dismissed by experts. While Kennedy has denied on several occasions that he is anti-vaccination and said he and his children are vaccinated, he has repeatedly stated widely debunked claims about vaccine harm. One of his main false claims – repeated in a 2023 interview with Fox News, was that “autism comes from vaccines”. This theory was popularised by discredited *** doctor Andrew Wakefield. But Wakefield’s 1998 study was later retracted by the Lancet medical journal. Multiple studies since, across many countries, have concluded there is no link between vaccines and autism. Dr David Elliman, a consultant in community child health at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, said RFK Jr has perpetuated myths around vaccination with “an utter disregard for the evidence”. “If he is appointed and continues in the same mode, I ***** not just for the vaccination programme in the US, but similar programmes around the world, and for healthcare in general,” says Dr Elliman. “Vaccination has probably saved more lives and is better researched than most, if not all, aspects of healthcare. RFK Jr could set this back and be responsible for the ****** and disability of myriads of people, particularly children.” Misleading claims on fluoride in drinking water Fluoride – a naturally occurring mineral recognised to protect teeth against decay – is added to water supplies in many countries, including the US, where around 63% of the population have fluoridated water. Kennedy has long campaigned against the practice, and claimed in a recent post on X that Trump, as president, would be advising ”all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water”. The president-elect told the NBC network: “Well, I haven’t talked to [Kennedy] about it yet, but it sounds OK to me. You know, it’s possible.” In his post on X, Kennedy said fluoride was “associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone *******, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid ********”. But Prof Avijit Banerjee, chair of cariology and operative dentistry at King’s College London, said “the potential harmful effects of fluoride cited have not been associated with the very low levels of fluoride used in water fluoridation programmes”. Kennedy cited a September 2024 ruling by a judge in California recommending further investigation into potential harms following the publication of a report suggesting possible links between exposure to higher levels of fluoride to lower IQ in children. But that report has proved highly controversial. Dr Ray Lowry of the British Fluoridation Society notes that the ruling “was not an outright condemnation of fluoride; rather, it suggested that the EPA could investigate further to ensure an adequate safety margin.” Trump has nominated vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary What has he said about ultra-processed food? Kennedy has been outspoken about his concerns about additives in foods, and how big a part ultra-processed foods (UPFs) play in many people’s diets. In October he said in a post on X that “ultra-processed food is driving the obesity epidemic.” Kennedy has also linked UPFs with a range of medical conditions including cancers in young adults and mental health conditions. There is a growing body of evidence that these foods aren’t good for us, and although recent research shows many pervasive health problems, including cancers, obesity and depression are associated with diet, there’s no clear evidence as yet that they are caused by UPFs. Dr Nerys Astbury, a diet and obesity expert at the Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences at the University of Oxford, says that “while improving the diet and reducing body weight of the population will undoubtedly reduce the number of people who develop conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular ******** and certain cancers, the role of food processing in a healthy diet… is not clear”. Dr David Nunan, from the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM) says “multiple factors, including broader lifestyle, socioeconomic determinants, and healthcare access, need to be considered. Studies to date cannot reliably separate out the individual impact of UPFs from these other factors”. Reuters RFK Jr ended his own presidential campaign and endorsed Trump RFK Jr’s Covid claims widely criticised A vocal critic of restrictions to limit the spread of Covid-19, Kennedy said at press event last year in a video posted by the New York Post that “Covid-19 is targeted to ******* Caucasians and ****** people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and ********.” Health specialists say these claims are false and that the virus does not target any specific ******* group. “The claims of Robert F Kennedy Jr are very damaging given they do not follow scientific evidence,” says Prof Melinda Mills at Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Population Health. “As many credible peer-reviewed Covid-19 studies have shown, differences in Covid infections and deaths between socioeconomic and ******* groups is related to inequalities, deprivation and living in larger or intergenerational households.” Following widespread criticism of his remarks, Kennedy posted on X that he does not “believe and never implied that the ******* effect was deliberately engineered”, and cited a study, claiming it supported his comments about genetic factors influencing immunity. But one of the report authors responded by strongly rejecting this interpretation of the study and that its findings “never supported” Kennedy’s claims. Source link #Factchecking #views #health #policy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk says Lutnick would ‘enact change’ if US Treasurer Musk says Lutnick would ‘enact change’ if US Treasurer Billionaire Elon Musk, an adviser to US president-elect Donald Trump, says Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick would “actually enact change” if chosen as US Treasury secretary. Trump has not announced his nominee for the role but Lutnick and investor Scott Bessent are serious contenders for the job and sources familiar with his thinking say Trump has been wrestling with picking one of the two or considering another option. Musk said Bessent is “a business-as-usual choice”. “Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change one way or another,” Musk said on X. “Would be interesting to hear more people weigh in on this for Trump to consider feedback.” Both Lutnick and Bessent have been mentioned as possible picks to lead the Treasury department. Bessent is considered the more conventional business-friendly choice. He is sceptical about cryptocurrency while Lutnick has suggested it could be used for people to pay their taxes. A short time later, Trump’s pick to lead his Health and Human Services Department, Robert F Kennedy Jr, also appeared to endorse Lutnick, posting on his own X account, “Bitcoin is the currency of freedom, a hedge against inflation for middle class Americans.” “Bitcoin will have no stronger advocate than Howard Lutnick,” he wrote. Treasury is arguably the most important slot Trump has left to fill but he is also yet to announce choices for others, including the heads of the Education and Labor Departments. Musk has been increasingly influential in Trump’s inner circle and has been staying at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, as Trump forms his incoming government. At a gala event on Thursday night, Trump teased Musk about his ongoing post-election stay at Mar-a-Lago. “I can’t get him out of here. He just loves this place. And I like having him here,” Trump said. At the end of the event, Musk mounted the stage. “The public has given us a mandate that could not be more clear. The people have spoken, the people want change,” he said. Lutnick has been helping Trump with his transition efforts. He has praised the president-elect’s economic policies, including his use of tariffs. with AP Source link #Musk #Lutnick #enact #change #Treasurer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bullet strikes Southwest Airlines plane without injuries at Dallas airport Bullet strikes Southwest Airlines plane without injuries at Dallas airport Bullet strikes Southwest Airlines plane without injuries at Dallas airport Source link #Bullet #strikes #Southwest #Airlines #plane #injuries #Dallas #airport Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anniversary: 20 Years On, Metroid Prime 2 Represents The Franchise At Its Experimental Best Anniversary: 20 Years On, Metroid Prime 2 Represents The Franchise At Its Experimental Best “Following up on Metroid Prime was never going to be easy. Although many (this writer included) were sceptical of Retro Studios abilities to move Metroid into the 3D, first-person realm, the team not only managed to put its own spin on an established Nintendo franchise successfully, but it also created one of the greatest games of all time.” – Ollie Reynolds | NintendoLife Source link #Anniversary #Years #Metroid #Prime #Represents #Franchise #Experimental Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Traders ‘not worried’ about traffic Traders ‘not worried’ about traffic BBC Mary Taylor has been travelling with her business from England to Belfast for the last seven years The director of Belfast Christmas Market is hoping the suspension of roadworks in the run-up to Christmas allays concerns after recent traffic congestion in the city. Some traders have said that congestion in the centre of Belfast, which is being blamed on roadworks and the opening of a new multi-million pound transport hub, is causing a drop in footfall and affecting local businesses. The Bavarian-style market opened its doors to the public at noon on Saturday, hours before the city’s Christmas light switch-on event. Celebrating its 20th year, the market is anticipating about one million visitors over its five-week run. A large ****** of shoppers waited to enter Belfast’s Christmas Market on opening day Allan Hartwell, managing director of Market Place which runs the Christmas event, said he first heard about the traffic issues shortly before arriving in the city for the market’s set up. “I was really concerned, but we arrived on the Saturday and on the Sunday I took a walk around the city and it was booming, it was heaving. “Because of all these roadworks going on, I was really surprised that the weekends have been absolutely buoyant.” He said the suspension of non-essential roadworks on Belfast routes, which is planned for 25 November, should ease concerns. Allan Hartwell has been overseeing the Belfast Christmas Market since it began in 2004 Mary Taylor has been operating her clothing stall in Belfast’s market for seven years – surviving setbacks caused by the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. “I love this city, the people are lovely here, very friendly, and we always have a successful market regardless of the weather or what’s going on,” she said. Ms Taylor said she does not think the recent congestion will have too much of an effect on business. “If the people want to come to the market, they’ll come, however they get here by bus, train or car, they’ll come so no it doesn’t worry me,” she added. More local traders operating Belfast’s Christmas Market first ran as a pilot project in 2004 with 34 traders, with the vast majority of those from France, Germany and the Netherlands. “When we started, we were concerned about the lack of professional market traders within Northern Ireland,” Mr Hartwell said. “There wasn’t a huge amount of markets operating with full-time traders, and not traders that can sustain a five-week market.” A new contract was negotiated, and a partnership with nearby St George’s Market was established, to ensure that local businesses are represented. Now, about 50% of the 100 stalls in operation are owned by local traders, Mr Hartwell added. This year, a chalet has been set aside in a prime location to allow for six young business owners to operate in the market for free. Another initiative by Market Place, called the Jolly Big Business Boost, allows one local business to operate at the market free of charge. The winner, Emma Goodman from Lurgan in County Armagh, said she was shocked when she received the good news. Emma Goodman will operate her business in Belfast’s Christmas Market for free Ms Goodman, who has a dog accessory business, spotted the competition while recovering from surgery earlier this year. “I was thinking I’ll probably not win it, I’ll just enter for experience and I nearly ***** when I got the phone call,” she said. She is hoping the opportunity will allow her to grow her business and build a community network. Markets ‘invaluable’ for smaller businessesGeri Martin Geri Martin has taken part in the Flowerfield Christmas fair for the last five years There are other markets across Northern Ireland in the run up to Christmas, such as Flowerfield Art Centre’s Christmas Craft Market in Portstewart. It operates six days a week and features a number of local traders. It is run by Causeway Coast and Glens Council, allowing for businesses to cut down on staffing costs. Geri Martin, who runs an artisan chocolate shop in Castlerock, said the experience is invaluable during the business’s busiest time of the year. “I can’t afford to send someone to stand at a Christmas market,” she explained. “It’s such a difficult time of the year for us because we’re so busy with all of our corporate work and Christmas gifts so the way it has been set up is fantastic and every year we see our sales grow. “Businesses have to really commit their time… and that’s a huge risk because you don’t know how well the market is going to go.” Stillpoint Photo Fiona Shannon says operating in local markets is more cost beneficial Fiona Shannon, who is from Portstewart, has been selling her ceramic goods at Flowerfield for a number of years. “It’s a fantastic market to be a part of,” she said. “A lot of local people have started to come and support it and it’s worked out really well for me as a business.” Ms Shannon said about 35 local businesses make up Flowerfield’s market. “There’s such a range of stuff now that people can essentially do all of their shopping under one roof,” she added. What are the opening times for Belfast’s Christmas Market? Belfast’s Christmas Market opened at noon on Saturday 16 November and will run daily until 18:00 GMT on Sunday 22 December. The market operates from 10:00 and closes at 20:00 (bars open until 21:00) from Monday to Wednesday and 22:00 (bars open until 23:00) from Thursday to Saturday. On a Sunday, gates open at noon, with the earlier closing time of 18:00. The market’s opening day coincided with the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on, with a number of roads in the city centre closed. What roads will be closed? The following areas will be fully closed from 16:30 GMT until 20:30: Royal Avenue, from Rosemary Street to Castle Place, Donegall Place, High Street, from Castle Junction to Cornmarket, Castle Lane, Callender Street from the bollards to Castle Lane, and Castle Place. There will also be suspension of disabled parking on Castle Place and of parking on Donegall Place. Between 17:30 and 20:30 the following areas will be fully closed: Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, and Donegall Square South. On Sunday Donegall Square North and Donegall Square West will be closed between 02:00 and 05:00. Getty Images The Belfast Christmas Market is open until 18:00 on December 22 Source link #Traders #worried #traffic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s What You Need to Know About The Game Awards 2024 Here’s What You Need to Know About The Game Awards 2024 It feels like 2024 flew by rapidly, with many months seamlessly melding together. And so, here we are again, time for The Game Awards 2024. It’s time for the ultimate popularity contest when your favorite titles clash as developers cross their fingers and pray for a big win on the stage, where Geoff Keighley rubs shoulders with the biggest and brightest while we watch from across the country. Still, seeing your favorite game score a big win is nice! The Game Awards 2024 Date and Time The Game Awards will be live-streamed globally on December 12 across multiple digital, social, and gaming platforms 4:30 PM PST – December 12 7:30 PM EST – December 12 12:30 AM GMT – December 13 9:30 AM JST – December 13 11:30 AM AEST – December 13 Where to Watch The Game Awards 2024 You can tune in live to watch The Game Awards 2024 on any of the following platforms: Furthermore, IGN and GameSpot will also co-stream The Game Awards on their respective platforms. Related: The Biggest Video Game Releases of December 2024 The Game Awards GOTY Nominees The Game Awards won’t officially unveil its nominees until November 18, giving the panel time to vote on the best titles throughout 2024. Oh, by the way, they’re including expansions, DLC, and game seasons this year, which means Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is available to nominate as GOTY. The moment nominees become available, we’ll update this guide. For now, here are a few predictions we suspect will be in the running for Game of the Year: Astro **** Metaphor: ReFantazio Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Shadow of the Erdtree ****** Myth Wukong What game do you think will win the 2024 Game of the Year? Let us know in the comments below, or start a thread on our community forum to discuss The Game Awards and GOTY nominations! Speaking of streaming, did you hear the news that Twitch streamers are experiencing rapidly plummeting ad revenue due to the site’s struggles? Insider Gaming reported on the matter recently, and we’ll keep an eye on how things are progressing on that front! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Heres #Game #Awards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shattered Hawks let it slip against Port in AFLW epic Shattered Hawks let it slip against Port in AFLW epic Port Adelaide have locked in an AFLW preliminary final berth against North Melbourne after pipping Hawthorn by a point, while Adelaide defeated Fremantle. Source link #Shattered #Hawks #slip #Port #AFLW #epic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Surprising Dementia Symptom You May Be Able to Notice in the Shower The Surprising Dementia Symptom You May Be Able to Notice in the Shower Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide. Especially likely in people over the age of 65, dementia is a progressive, neurological ******** that may present as forgetting things, feeling anxious, struggling to make decisions and more. Noticing these symptoms can be scary, and being on constant alert may not be the best way to protect your mental health and emotional well-being. At the same time, knowing what symptoms to spot can be helpful. Those symptoms aren’t always expected, either. Related: Forgetting These 4 Things Could Be an Early Sign of Dementia, According to a Neurologist and Dementia Consultant The Surprising Dementia Symptom You May Be Able to Notice in the Shower One dementia sign can show up while you’re showering: Not being able to smell or recognize the scent of your shampoo or body wash—barring other issues that can impact your olfactory senses, like COVID-19 or a stuffy nose. But wait, how does this relate to dementia? SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week How Dementia Impacts Someone’s Ability to Smell First, it’s important to note that a loss of smell at an older age isn’t necessarily a sign of dementia. “As we age, it’s normal for our senses to change,” says Dr. Meredith Bock, MD, a board-certified neurologist and chief medical officer at Remo Health. “For people living with dementia, these changes can be more noticeable.” Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, MD, neurologist and sleep center medical director for Sentara RMH Medical Center, speaks to the link. “An increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s ******** dementia has been identified in subjects with olfactory dysfunction,” she says. “Odor identification has been identified as a useful screening tool that predicts conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s ******** dementia.” Basically, this happens because dementia is a neurodegenerative ********. It affects the brain, which, in turn, affects the senses (and other bodily functions). “The process of neurodegeneration that causes dementia can also affect sensation and sensory processing related to smell, making it ******* for them to recognize familiar scents like their favorite shampoo or body wash,” Dr. Bock says. The loss of smell typically occurs slowly over time, neurologists say, and it can actually happen before a person notices any cognitive impairment. “In the case of Lewy body dementia (LBD), olfactory dysfunction seems to be part of the ******** process, and generally it precedes symptoms by almost a decade, in some cases,” adds Dr. Siddiqui. Also, it’s important to note that the type of dementia matters when considering this symptom. Dr. Bock says that the loss of smell might not be noticeable for someone with Alzheimer’s; however, for people with LBD and Parkinson’s ********, it’s typically common and noticeable. Related: The Surprising Symptom That May Be an Early Sign of Dementia, According to New Study What You Can Do If You Notice a Loss of Sense of Smell Not being able to smell well or at all can be scary since it’s associated with ********* such as COVID and dementia. And let’s be real: It’s also just unpleasant. Smell helps us enjoy the taste of food and can even calm anxiety. So what do you do? “My recommendation to someone who may experience a loss of smell is to consult your physician for a cognitive screen and physical examination,” Dr. Bock says. Dr. Siddiqui agrees talking to your doctor is best. Again, a loss of smell doesn’t always equal dementia. “There are more common causes of loss of smell, such as common cold, influenza, sinus infection, hay fever, allergic rhinitis and COVID-19,” she says. “In most of these causes, anosmia (loss of sense of smell) can be reversed by treatment of underlying condition and other aromatherapies.” Related: Want To Lower Your Dementia Risk? Don’t Skip This Vaccine Can You Get Your Sense of Smell Back? Whether or not a person can smell again depends on what caused the loss. But in the case of dementia, the answer is sadly not promising. “Unfortunately, if the loss of smell and taste is due to a neurodegenerative disorder, such as Alzheimer’s ******** or Parkinson’s ********, it does not come back,” Dr. Bock says. Dr. Siddiqui says some patients try aromatherapy to restore their sense of smell, but the loss can be permanent. Not all joy is lost, however. With eating, Dr. Bock says some people find it helpful to add extra spice, enjoy the textures of food or lean into the social aspects. When it comes to showering and not being able to enjoy the scent of shampoo and body wash, what can you enjoy? Perhaps the sensations that come with a face exfoliator or more simply, that just-out-of-the-shower fresh feeling. Up Next: Related: This Super Common Issue Could Increase Your Dementia Risk, According to Neurologists—Here’s How to Prevent It Sources Dr. Meredith Bock, MD, board-certified neurologist Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, neurologist Dementia, World Health Organization Source link #Surprising #Dementia #Symptom #Notice #Shower Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

England 20-29 South *******: Hosts lose at Allianz Stadium England 20-29 South *******: Hosts lose at Allianz Stadium England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Roebuck. South *******: Fassi; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, W Louw, Etzebeth, Snyman, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese. Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, E Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am. Source link #England #South #******* #Hosts #lose #Allianz #Stadium Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Aussie school students are being given an AI grade Why Aussie school students are being given an AI grade An artificial intelligence tool developed in Australia is being tested in classrooms and early results suggest it is helping students improve their answers. Source link #Aussie #school #students #grade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Non-Americans Are Absolutely Certain Americans Have NO IDEA What Is Happening In These Pictures Non-Americans Are Absolutely Certain Americans Have NO IDEA What Is Happening In These Pictures Non-Americans Are Absolutely Certain Americans Have NO IDEA What Is Happening In These Pictures Source link #NonAmericans #Absolutely #Americans #IDEA #Happening #Pictures Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tyson vs Paul fans ‘disappointed’ at Netflix problems Tyson vs Paul fans ‘disappointed’ at Netflix problems Getty Images Fans hoping to watch Mike Tyson take on Jake Paul have expressed their anger and disappointment after some reported Netflix crashed repeatedly throughout the ******. It was the streaming giant’s first foray into live boxing and was free for subscribers, but a number of viewers took to social media to complain about tech glitches. The ****** was “unwatchable,” wrote one X user. Another said she was “furious”, while a third complained he “did an all-nighter for nothing”. Netflix declined to comment. In the bout, which took place at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, former world heavyweight champion Tyson, 58, was beaten by YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul, 27. The ****** attracted a huge amount of media coverage. Tyson is one of the most famous men on the planet, while Paul drew in a younger audience. According to Paul, 120 million viewers watched it live globally on Netflix. The tech firm has said it will reveal further viewing figures on Tuesday. But some viewers reported experiencing buffering issues on the site, and some said they simply couldn’t get onto it. Brendan Ashford Fans were left frustrated after buffering issues on Netflix prevented them watching the ****** Brendan Ashford, who lives in Devon, told BBC News he stayed up late to watch the ******, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning *** time. “I was interested to see how Mike Tyson, at 58, would perform against a much younger guy,” he said. “I’m not in the habit of staying up late, but I thought it was worth it.” He tried signing in on Netflix at around 04:00 GMT, and says initially it loaded 25%, and then it got to 75%, but after that it got stuck. “I knew I had a good connection, so then I looked on social media and saw others were also experiencing issues,” he said. “It was really disappointing. I kept trying for a good hour before I gave up.” Mr Ashford said it made him wonder how Netflix would fare with future live sports events, given the problems people encountered this time. “It can’t be good for their reputation,” he said. Getty Images The ****** attracted huge media attention, but some fans weren’t able to watch Jake Paul’s moment of victory On social media, there was a similar reaction from fans, who vented their frustrations. Many also posted pictures and videos of the ****** failing to load, while some said the service ******* at the key moments during the event. “Had all my friends over to watch the Tyson vs. Paul ******. Not loading,” wrote one X user. “Shame on Netflix for not being able to handle the streaming of the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul ******,” wrote another. “The lagging is so bad the fights are unwatchable to long time subscribers like me and other people I know at home with friends, family, snacks, and drinks but no fights.” Another person simply asked, “did Netflix not have enough time to prepare for the Tyson / Paul ******?” ‘It needs to get this fixed’ This isn’t the first time Netflix has had issues with live streaming. Last year, it apologised after a much-publicised livestream of its hit dating show, the Love is ****** reunion, was delayed due to a glitch. The technical reason for the delay was unclear but the streaming giant said it was “incredibly sorry”. No reason has been given for these latest issues, but Chris Stokel-Walker, a tech reporter, said that the huge demand to watch the ****** was “Netflix’s undoing”. “Netflix has done live broadcasting before,” he said. “What’s different, was that this ****** was so hyped. “There were so many viewers that were wanting to watch this, given the personalities involved – Jake Paul with his huge following, Mike Tyson returning to the ring for the first time in decades. “Even people who aren’t major boxing fans wanted to tune in because of all the coverage. “As a result, there was additional demand well above and beyond your average live event, like a comedy special, or the live golf tournament they previously broadcast.” Mr Stokel-Walker said that with Netflix intending to move towards more live sports in future, including a new deal with WWE from next year, it “needs to get this fixed”. “They have to expect that if they’re going to get into this world, they’re going to have to get used to this volume of people coming,” he said. “The Tyson vs Paul ****** was one of the most high profile examples of an event they’ve done live, so it’s really not ideal. “People will be watching this and wondering can they cope.” Additional reporting by Emma Pengelly. Source link #Tyson #Paul #fans #disappointed #Netflix #problems Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** airstrikes on Lebanon’s Baalbek ***** 6, injure 11 others: ministry – National ******** airstrikes on Lebanon’s Baalbek ***** 6, injure 11 others: ministry – National Descrease article font size Increase article font size ******** airstrikes on the village of Khreibeh in the Baalbek District of eastern Lebanon ******* six people on Saturday, including three children, and injured 11 others, the Lebanese health ministry said. Among the injured were five children, two of whom were in critical condition, the ministry said. Strikes earlier on Saturday ******* two medics in south Lebanon, including one in Borj Rahal and another in Kfartebnit, and injured four other rescue workers, with two still missing, the ministry said. ******** airstrikes also targeted areas of the southern suburbs of Beirut controlled by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah for a fifth consecutive day, with at least 15 strikes on Saturday, according to two security sources. The ******** military said the attacks were directed at Hezbollah infrastructure, including a weapons storage facility and a command center. Story continues below advertisement A soldier was ******* during combat in southern Lebanon, the ******** military said on Saturday. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. There was no word yet from Lebanese authorities on casualties in the strikes on the capital’s southern suburbs. ******* launched its ground and air offensive against Hezbollah in late September after almost a year of cross-border hostilities in parallel with the conflict in Gaza. It says it aims to secure the return home of tens of thousands of Israelis forced to evacuate from northern ******* under Hezbollah *****. *******’s campaign has dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah. It has also forced more than a million Lebanese to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis. Trending Now Ford government inks $100M deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink system Billionaire Elon Musk wants ‘high-IQ’ task force workers, but the pay is zero 2:10 ******** airstrikes ***** at least 70 in Gaza, Lebanon as US tries to secure ceasefire deal Lebanon’s health ministry says ******** attacks have ******* at least 3,452 people through Friday since Oct. 7, 2023, most since late September. It does not distinguish between civilian casualties and fighters. Story continues below advertisement ******* says Hezbollah attacks have ******* about 100 civilians and soldiers in northern *******, the ********-occupied Golan Heights and southern Lebanon over the last year. More on World More videos Source link #******** #airstrikes #Lebanons #Baalbek #***** #injure #ministry #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diablo 4 Players Shed Tears of Joy as Devs Add Massive QoL Change To Prevent Bricking Gear Diablo 4 Players Shed Tears of Joy as Devs Add Massive QoL Change To Prevent Bricking Gear There’s nothing quite like the gut-wrenching feeling of accidentally ruining a piece of gear in Diablo 4 that you’ve spent countless hours grinding to obtain. That perfect roll you’ve been chasing for weeks can vanish faster than your will to play, all because of one unfortunate missclick during the enchanting process. Better late than never? Not quite. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment After nearly a year and a half of community feedback, Blizzard has finally implemented a small but significant quality-of-life change that has players breathing a collective sigh of relief. But while some are celebrating this long-awaited update, others are questioning why it took as long as it did for such a basic feature to be added. Diablo 4‘s Latest Quality-of-Life Victory The enchanting system has been a constant source of anxiety for players since launch. One wrong move, and that perfect piece of gear you’ve been farming for days turns into vendor trash. It’s a frustration that’s led to countless rage quits and probably a few broken peripherals along the way. Now, finally, Blizzard has made “No Change” the default option when enchanting items. The community’s reaction has been fairly positive: For veteran Diablo 4 players who’ve lost track of how many items they’ve accidentally bricked, this change represents more than just a simple UI update—it’s peace of mind: Posts from the diablo4 community on Reddit However, this seemingly basic feature’s delayed implementation raises some valid concerns about the devs’ priorities. What should have been a launch feature has taken over 18 months to materialize, leaving many players wondering what other obvious improvements might be gathering dust on the development backlog. The Long Road Ahead Competition is on its way, and it will not be pulling any punches. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment While the enchanting fix is certainly welcome, it’s just one item on a lengthy list of needed improvements. The Tempering system, for instance, ******** a testament to unnecessary tedium. Players currently need to navigate through multiple menu layers for each attempt, turning what should be an engaging gear optimization process into a mind-numbing click fest. Some players aren’t mincing words about their frustration: Comment byu/M4ttingt0n from discussion indiablo4 The community’s patience with these basic quality-of-life issues is wearing increasingly thin: Comment byu/TrickyCorgi316 from discussion indiablo4 The timing of these improvements becomes even more critical with Path of Exile 2‘s December 6 release date approaching. Some players are already planning their exodus: Comment byu/TrickyCorgi316 from discussion indiablo4 The enchanting fix—while appreciated—feels like too little, too late for many players. The core issues with Diablo 4‘s gear progression systems run deeper than just UI improvements. The restrictive Tempering system, the limited use of Scrolls of Restoration on items, and the general ***** of experimenting with gear all contribute to a less engaging endgame experience. Blizzard needs to significantly pick up the pace of these improvements if they want to maintain player interest, especially with strong competition on the horizon. While fixing the enchanting system’s default state is a step in the right direction, it’s a small step when giant leaps are needed. What do you think about this latest update? Are you satisfied with the pace of improvements in Diablo 4, or do you think Blizzard needs to step up their game? Let us know in the comments below! Source link #Diablo #Players #Shed #Tears #Joy #Devs #Add #Massive #QoL #Change #Prevent #Bricking #Gear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Triathlete Gentle scoops $217,000 pay-day in world T100 Triathlete Gentle scoops $217,000 pay-day in world T100 Ashleigh Gentle has collapsed to her knees after battling home third in the inaugural T100 triathlon world championships in Dubai, but the *********** Olympian was able to celebrate a huge pay day for her achievement in finishing second in the season’s overall series. ********* Taylor Knibb lifted the first-ever global crown with a commanding victory on Saturday, delivering a brilliant performance in the blazing heat as temperatures reached 31 degrees Celsius during a two-kilometre swim, 80km on the bike and a concluding 18km run. It completed the 26-year-old’s perfect streak after wins in San Francisco, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, and Dubai, leaving her with a $US310,000 ($A480,000) prize in the lucrative new series. Behind Knibb and Swiss Olympic silver medallist Julie Derron, Queenslander Gentle, who had at one point looked a potential winner during the run, battled on courageously after hitting the wall in the sweltering conditions, and ended up stumbling along on her knees after walking shattered across the line. The 33-year-old’s ample reward for the brutal test, though, was a $US140,000 ($A217,000) pay day for her series second-place. “I went for the win and it was so painful,” said the former world triathlon mixed relay champion Gentle. “I gave it everything and got third in the end but I’m proud of my effort. It was pretty brutal. When I wasn’t feeling too good and Derron just flew past me on the run, it was super soul-crushing, but I did what I could. “All the athletes I’ve been racing this year have been motivating me and inspiring me in training. I feel like I’ve been applying myself more, better than I ever have, because the level of the women’s field is just getting better and better and just trying to keep up is pretty difficult. “Taylor has just been dominating and when you’re racing an athlete like that, it is sometimes really difficult to truly believe that you can beat them. “But I had this little ***** in my belly… I have no reason to believe that I can beat her, but I’m on the start line and that means I have got a chance, so I just had to believe that. “I didn’t beat her but feel like I was a step closer today and did everything I could to try and get there.” Knibb reckoned she was “kind of shocked” by her victory. “It only came together in the last three kilometres when everyone else fell apart, but it was very step-by-step.” Source link #Triathlete #Gentle #scoops #payday #world #T100 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A boomer who retired with a $2 million net worth despite working modest jobs shares his advice on retiring comfortably A boomer who retired with a $2 million net worth despite working modest jobs shares his advice on retiring comfortably Richard (not pictured) said he and his wife retired on over $2 million in assets despite some costly investment mistakes.fotodelux/ Getty Images An Idaho couple retired with a net worth of over $2 million by living frugally and making smart investment choices. Richard learned investment strategies later in life after losing thousands in the dot-com bubble. Richard’s story highlights the “millionaire next door” mindset of diligent saving and careful investing. Richard, who is in his mid-70s, never held a very high-paying job and made various investment mistakes that cost him thousands over his life. However, the Idaho resident said living frugally, prioritizing retirement accounts, and making smart real estate decisions allowed him and his wife to retire comfortably with over $2 million in assets after a career in state government and consulting. Richard learned about investment strategies later in life after losing thousands in the dot-com bubble. After that, he said his path to growing wealth was modest and careful. He asked to use his first name only for privacy concerns. His path is indicative of the “millionaire next door” mindset, which involves concerted efforts to save and invest using very accessible strategies, rather than flashy but risky get-rich-quick schemes or landing an elite, ultra-high-paying career. Still, he acknowledged that not all retirees have the resources to save a substantial amount for their retirement. We want to hear from you. Are you an older ********* with any life regrets that you would be comfortable sharing with a reporter? Please fill out this quick form. “Having a work ethic has helped me throughout my life not just in accumulating wealth but in having people recognize that I’m a reliable person,” Richard said. “You have to be honest, you have to be kind, and you have to help other people.” Richard said his “near-ideal” upbringing taught him the value of money and hard work. As a teenager, he worked as a paperboy, produce clerk, ice cream vendor, and root ***** stand cashier. He estimated earning about $5.25 a week in high school, or about $53 in 2024 dollars. “I realized the value of money because it gave me this independence to buy the clothes I wanted to buy, allowed me to buy Christmas presents for my siblings and parents,” Richard said. He also acknowledges that he grew up in a time when life’s necessities were more affordable. In his small, middle-class hometown in Illinois, he said a family could be supported on one income. He worked and lived frugally while attending the University of Illinois, which he said cost just $173 his first semester. He paid back his student loans right after graduating with a psychology degree. Story Continues While serving in the Air Force for nearly six years, he purchased a modest home in Sacramento. He and his wife grew food in their garden and made granola from scratch. He said he sold the house when its value doubled. “I never really thought about what my financial goals were until later,” Richard said. “I remember coming home one Sunday, and I said I really don’t want to have a middle-class existence. I would like to do better if I can.” In graduate school, he worked as a teaching assistant, started investing using his stockbroker friend’s advice, and bought a condo. He admitted because his parents weren’t financially savvy, he wasn’t a “very disciplined saver or investor,” though he knew never to go into major debt. He said he wasn’t always sure how to invest properly. Some now-common vehicles intended to make it easy for everyday savers to make diversified investments, like exchange-traded funds, weren’t yet invented, and he said he invested too heavily in penny stocks and riskier investments. He decided to save and invest as much as possible while building his IRA and paying off his existing loans. While his career has been fairly stable, he weathered two layoffs and lost thousands in investments when the dot-com bubble burst in 2000. “I haven’t been a disciplined, smart investor throughout my life, but I have always lived frugally,” Richard said. “I purchased real estate and invested whenever the opportunity arose, so it’s an imperfect background. But it shows that even if you make those kinds of mistakes, it’s still possible to accumulate wealth.” Richard maintained his frugality as he inched closer to retirement, avoiding big-ticket items. Richard retired at 62 when he realized he could be “liberated from a lifetime of labor” and had enough saved. He waited until 65 to claim Social Security, noting he never wanted to rely solely on Social Security for his retirement. His wife retired in 2013, and their assets now total about $2 million, split evenly between their investments and their house. They live comfortably on about $3,500 monthly in Social Security and dividends from investments, investing about $25,000 annually with annual dividends of about $120,000. Richard said they have long-term care insurance and reserved much of their money for healthcare expenses. Richard described his investment strategy as “somewhat atypical.” They primarily invest in mutual funds that pay consistently high dividends of about 10%. At their age, Richard said he wants to eliminate individual stocks. “Although market values can decline or rise, we just stay focused on the rate of return and hope that will not change appreciably,” Richard said. “So far, this is working, and we are satisfied to have a steady income without having to sell funds to generate revenue.” They still live within their means, but they occasionally take international trips. They keep costs low by flying economy, avoiding expensive restaurants, never going on tours, and staying in Airbnbs. “I’ve never stayed at a five-star hotel, and I’ve almost always had used cars,” Richard said. “We don’t order takeout every day, and we might go to a restaurant once a week. Add that up, and you’re saving tens of thousands of dollars.” In retirement, Richard has produced over 70 books about his hometown, ********* history, and trail guides. He’s also directed a local community group and now volunteers as a tour guide. “Retirement has been a total joy; it’s similar to having a second childhood where you have complete freedom, and your job is to keep yourself entertained,” Richard said. Are you part of the ***** movement or living by some of its principles? Reach out to this reporter at *****@*****.tld. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #boomer #retired #million #net #worth #working #modest #jobs #shares #advice #retiring #comfortably Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SNP plans to cut staff at party headquarters SNP plans to cut staff at party headquarters Getty Images SNP leader John Swinney addresses delegates during the SNP party conference in Edinburgh in September The SNP’s ruling body has proposed cutting the number of staff at its headquarters by more than a third, from 26 to 16. The party’s national executive committee (NEC) agreed to a proposal to “streamline” staffing during a meeting on Saturday. A voluntary redundancy scheme has been opened. National secretary Councillor Alex Kerr said the move would “protect the long-term finances of the party”. The announcement comes as its focus shifts to the 2026 Holyrood election. The SNP, which has been in power since 2007, faces a resurgent Labour Party which increased its Scottish seats at Westminster from one to 37 in the summer’s general election. Mr Kerr said: “The national executive committee has been tasked with delivering a modern, dynamic election-winning party to win in 2026 and beyond – and today’s agreement to consult on a new structure at headquarters makes key progress to deliver on that aim. “The proposal, agreed by the SNP National Executive Committee today, would get HQ into shape for future elections and for the ****** for independence. “It would mean that not everyone currently employed at HQ will continue with us but a streamlined headquarters protects the long-term finances of the party and delivers on the modern, professional, election-winning organisation Scotland needs.” Mr Kerr said the SNP’s success was built on the work of many people – at headquarters, in local campaign teams and those in elected office. He also thanked those who worked for the party and supported its aim of an independent Scotland. Getty Images Murray Foote, left, pictured with the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn The party suffered a heavy defeat in July’s general election and was left with nine, MPs compared to 48 in 2019. Along with the loss of its status as the third biggest party at Westminster, the SNP also lost out on a bulk of its so-called short money. This is provided to opposition parties to allow them to carry out their parliamentary duties. Last month the SNP’s chief executive Murray Foote quit the post after 14 months. The former newspaper editor said that he “could not make the necessary personal commitment” to leading a reorganisation of the party after their disappointing election performance. SNP membership numbers The SNP has also struggled for substantial donations in recent years, relying instead on membership fees. It is the biggest political party in Scotland, with figures from June showing it had 65,000 members. But falling membership numbers have triggered a drop in income. The current membership is roughly half what it was after a surge following 2014’s independence referendum. This year, 81% of the party’s funding came from membership fees, compared to just 35% in 2015 – the year former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led it to a massive 56 seats in the general election. The party’s finances have been improving recently and its most recent accounts showed it was in surplus. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing police probe into the SNP’s finances. The party’s former chief executive Peter Murrell, who is married to former first minister and ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged with embezzling party funds. The Crown Office are currently considering whether there is enough evidence to prosecute Mr Murrell, and whether a prosecution would be in the public interest. Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were also arrested and released without charge, pending further investigation. Source link #SNP #plans #cut #staff #party #headquarters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US flood governance drives social inequity, and maybe the next housing market ****** US flood governance drives social inequity, and maybe the next housing market ****** Regional and demographic variation of human-flood dynamics across the CONUS coast. Credit: Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01848-z A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment looked at the current US National Flood Insurance Program, and how, without drastic changes, another housing ****** could be on the horizon. The collaboration includes UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment researchers Associate Professor James Knighton, Associate Professor Richard Anyah, Master’s Student Sandeep Poudel, UConn Associate Extension Educator Zbigniew Grabowski, and Rebecca Elliot from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Knighton, Poudel, and Elliott wrote the following blog post for Springer Nature Research Communities: The US National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a public, federal program, was designed by Congress to be a safety net for flood-exposed homeowners after private insurers refused to take on the risk. From 1978 through 2004, the premiums collected from insured properties fully covered all claim payments to fix flood damages. But since 2004, losses made worse by rising sea levels and larger coastal storms have contributed to plunging the NFIP tens of billions of dollars into debt to the US Treasury, large chunks of which have periodically been paid off by the broader US tax base. The fiscal and policy challenges facing the NFIP in recent years led us to wonder: what might the future of this program look like? Our socio-environmental forecasts, informed by climate projections, US census data, FEMA records, and Zillow home values, indicate that the business-as-usual approach to flood mitigation will cause the NFIP debt to increase further and culminate in a sudden housing market ****** beginning sometime around 2060. Our research largely agrees with a 2016 report by Freddie Mac that forecasts $160 billion of the housing market will be under the high tide by 2050, and $238 billion by 2100. These predictions may seem outrageous, but warning signs of a coming US coastal housing market ****** are visible in 2024. Before Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coastal properties across the northeastern US were a sound investment, rising in value significantly faster than the national median. Since Sandy, northeastern coastal properties have been a less competitive investment, with home value growth lagging the national median by about 25%. In the months since hurricanes Helene and Milton, the US has paid $480 million to restore 54,000 damaged properties. Despite the NFIP-aided recovery of structures, market values have not recovered with listed ***** prices dropping by approximately 15% at the time of this writing. Our forecasts agree with what we’re seeing on the ground. Florida is likely to be the canary in the coal mine, showing a drop in coastal home values starting now. The mid-Atlantic and Gulf states will experience dramatic drops in home values starting around 2040. The northeastern US and west coast, naturally better shielded from intense coastal storms but not sea level rise, will follow in the decades after. Major parts of the coastal housing market that US taxpayers shore up through the NFIP will soon be lost to flood waters. What is to be done? Maintaining the NFIP in its current form is likely the least desirable option for the US. Coastal storms will continue to pose serious risks to the health and safety of those in floodplains while stressing our emergency response agencies. Taxpayers are continuing to subsidize coastal real estate development, which principally benefits the better-off. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter—daily or weekly. Lower income coastal residents who are unable to afford a relocation on their own will watch as the accumulated wealth of a family-owned home is gradually eroded. Wealthy residents living at risk will continue to benefit financially from the NFIP until they decide to safely relocate. Government-assisted, community-oriented relocations of coastal residents from flood-prone areas can address four of our problems at once. First, it might allow the US to sidestep a catastrophic housing market ******. Second, relocation would improve our national resilience to rising tides and coastal storms. Third, it would shield US taxpayers from the rising debt of the NFIP. Finally, approximately 70% of the land adjacent to the US shoreline is privately owned. Private coastlines can be converted into naturally restored public spaces, providing all residents with access to their nation’s natural resources, while acting as a buffer from the storms and tides to come. More information: Sandeep Poudel et al, Differential flood insurance participation and housing market trajectories under future coastal flooding in the ******* States, Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01848-z Provided by University of Connecticut Citation: US flood governance drives social inequity, and maybe the next housing market ****** (2024, November 16) retrieved 16 November 2024 from This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Source link #flood #governance #drives #social #inequity #housing #market #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine war likely to end more quickly under Trump, Zelenskyy says – National Ukraine war likely to end more quickly under Trump, Zelenskyy says – National President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine must do all it can to ensure the war with Russia ends next year through diplomacy, commenting at a decisive moment after Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election win and Russia’s grinding battlefield gains. However, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir ****** was not interested in agreeing to a peace deal, and argued it was convenient for Moscow to sit down to talk while continuing to ******. “From our side, we must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means,” Zelenskyy said in a Ukrainian radio interview aired on Saturday. Moscow’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva said on Thursday that Russia would be open to negotiations on an end to the war if they were initiated by Trump, although he added that these would have to acknowledge “realities on the ground.” Story continues below advertisement Moscow uses this phrase to mean Ukraine would have to cede four regions that Russian forces have partly occupied and that Russia has claimed in their entirety. Zelenskyy has repeatedly said since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 that peace cannot be established until all Russian forces are expelled and all territory captured by Moscow, including Crimea, is returned. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. However, a return to Ukraine’s internationally recognized 1991 borders was not mentioned in the president’s “victory plan” that he publicly presented last month. Zelenskyy said the war was likely to end quicker under Trump, who said often during his campaign that he would rapidly end the conflict, without giving specifics. 2:04 Ukraine fears Trump victory will mean end of U.S. military support Zelenskyy said U.S. law prevented him from meeting Trump before his inauguration on Jan. 20. Story continues below advertisement “We will do everything that depends on us (to ensure a meeting). We had a really good meeting in September,” Zelenskyy said, adding he would only talk with Trump himself rather than any emissary or advisor. Zelenskyy conceded that the situation in eastern Ukraine was difficult and Russia was making advances. Trending Now Billionaire Elon Musk wants ‘high-IQ’ task force workers, but the pay is zero Poilievre says he’d ****** Trump economic policies, tariffs ‘with *****’ Moscow’s forces are currently bearing down on Kurakhove, which has a thermal power plant and is only 7 km (4 miles) from Pokrovsk, a large town which for much of the war has been one of Ukraine’s logistical lynchpins. More on World More videos On the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, Russia is now advancing at the fastest rate since the war’s earliest days in 2022. Zelenskyy said the situation was difficult for several reasons, one of which was hold-ups of up to a year in equipping brigades, partly because of months of delay by the U.S Congress last winter in approving Ukraine aid. However, he said some of these brigades would now enter the fray. “In order to stop the Russian army, new reserves, kitted out with the equipment we have been waiting for so long, will now arrive,” he said. Ukraine has sought to boost its own weapons production to lessen dependence on allies. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was now making four different missiles, which he said were currently in testing. Story continues below advertisement 2:37 Russia launches 1st missile ******* on Kyiv since August, Ukraine says Source link #Ukraine #war #quickly #Trump #Zelenskyy #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

With ****** Ops 6, Xbox Has Crushed PlayStation With a Call of Duty Record While Sony is Busy Pushing Remasters With ****** Ops 6, Xbox Has Crushed PlayStation With a Call of Duty Record While Sony is Busy Pushing Remasters One of the highly-anticipated games of 2024, Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 had a good start compared to the previous installments in the Call of Duty franchise. This time, it’s safe to say that the active player count is very high as Microsoft made the decision to release the game on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 was released on Xbox Game Pass on day one (Image via Activision) Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, recently revealed that Xbox is the most-played platform for Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6. This isn’t exactly shocking as releasing the game on Xbox Game Pass was a game changer. The move boosted the sales of Xbox Game Pass, giving Microsoft massive financial aid. It’s safe to say that Sony, on the other hand, has lost this battle. Xbox Is The Most-Played Platform For Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 The statistics prove that Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 has been dominating the industry since its release. Thanks to Microsoft’s decision to release the game on Xbox Game Pass on day one, the game has managed to maintain a high active player count. In a recent interview with GameFile Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed that Xbox is the most-played platform for Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6. Xbox and PC fans have been enjoying the game since day one with the Xbox Game Pass, leaving PlayStation fanboys infuriated. Microsoft’s decision to acquire Activision Blizzard was certainly a turning point as it now has access to one of the most popular FPS franchises in the world. It’s safe to say that Xbox fans are glad that they picked the right console. Couldn’t imagine this 5 years ago. Game Pass is a literal Game Changer! — Kloot (@ZakkenKloot) November 15, 2024 The power of Game Pass. — Creative Monster (@CreatveMonster) November 15, 2024 What’s crazy is it’s the # 1 game on PlayStation as well. Game Pass is a monster — Newsance (@NewsanceInHD) November 15, 2024 Why are PS fanboys so triggered when positive Xbox news comes out? SMH — Jay Rembert (@JayRembert2) November 16, 2024 PlayStation indeed isn’t the most played platform, but it isn’t too far behind. A report has revealed that 18% of US active PlayStation 5 players and 34% of active PS5 players launched Call of Duty HQ on October 23 and October 28, respectively. The Multiplayer Maps In ****** Ops 6 Have Been Criticized Multiplayer maps have ******* to impress the community (Image via Activision) ****** Ops 6 had a decent start as players who prefer the single-player experience praised its exceptional campaign. The multiplayer, however, isn’t exactly flawless. Matchmaking, maps, and omnimovement are among the things that players aren’t exactly satisfied with. The first season for ****** Ops 6 is expected to solve the map issue as three new multiplayer maps were added to the game, plus more maps are confirmed to roll out soon. PlayStation fans can only thank Sony as it signed a binding 10-year deal with Microsoft to keep the best-selling Call of Duty series available on PlayStation back when Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. The Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s secret *******, in fact, the industry giant spends a staggering $1 billion annually to keep third-party titles on the Game Pass. Source link #****** #Ops #Xbox #Crushed #PlayStation #Call #Duty #Record #Sony #Busy #Pushing #Remasters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mind check: should schools track kids' mental health? Mind check: should schools track kids' mental health? *********** schools will have access to a government-funded digital tool to support students’ mental health but some question whether it will be effective. Source link #Mind #check #schools #track #kids039 #mental #health Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]