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Modi’s BJP wins landslide victory in Delhi election Modi’s BJP wins landslide victory in Delhi election Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist party has won a landslide victory in regional elections in the capital New Delhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 48 of 70 seats in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, defeating the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, known as a harsh critic of Modi, conceded defeat and congratulated the BJP. In a video on X, the three-time chief minister of Delhi said he hoped Modi’s party would honour its promises. More than 15.6 million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the National Capital Territory, which includes New Delhi. Turnout was more than 60 per cent. The victory is a prestigious one for Modi’s BJP, which lost its absolute majority in the lower house of the national parliament in last year’s general election. The party campaigned in Delhi on the provision of free health services and monthly payments of more than 2000 rupees ($A37) to poorer women. It has now returned to power in the capital territory for the first time in 27 years. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party once again came away empty-handed. His party’s fight against environmental pollution, inflation and corruption will continue, he said on X. Source link #Modis #BJP #wins #landslide #victory #Delhi #election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Moment policeman knocks ‘goading’ teenager off e-bike Moment policeman knocks ‘goading’ teenager off e-bike This is the moment a policeman knocked a “goading” teenager with more than 40 previous convictions off his e-bike with his patrol car. Former police constable Tim Bradshaw, 55, was on Friday found not guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The jury also cleared him of an alternative charge of causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention. The court heard that the response officer touched the back wheel of the e-bike with his Ford Focus marked police car in Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, causing Mason McGarry, the rider, and pillion passenger Dominic Mizzi to lose control and fall to the ground. McGarry, who was 17 at the time of the incident, on Nov 3 2022, suffered a broken tibia and required surgery, and told the court that Mr Bradshaw had not given any warning. The court heard that McGarry had more than 40 convictions, including for robbery, theft and dangerous driving. Mizzi, 22, also told the court that he had numerous convictions, including for assaulting emergency workers. Tim Bradshaw said the ‘nudge’ was ‘a justified, necessary action’ – Ollie Thompson/Solent News Mr Bradshaw, a married father-of-one, told the court that it was Mizzi’s “own stupid fault” that he had been involved in the incident. He also said that the use of a “tactical contact” manoeuvre had been authorised previously by his superiors, and that he was permitted to use “reasonable force”. Mr Bradshaw, who retired in June last year, said: “I was presented with a situation which in my view was a perfect opportunity to make contact with that bike and stop a pursuit and the increased risk.” He said that he had “nudged” the electric bike with the bumper of his vehicle and added: “It was light contact, it was light enough, there was not a blemish on my police car.” He added: “I believed it was a justified, necessary action.” Mr Bradshaw described in court how police were involved in regular pursuits with electric motorbikes in the seaside town, but were normally unable to stop the riders because of the speed of the vehicles and their ability to go down alleyways and closed roads. The court also heard that Mizzi had been injured in a previous e-bike accident, and another young man had been killed in a ****** nearby in the previous month. Mason McGarry had more than 40 previous convictions, including for robbery, theft and dangerous driving – Andrew Croft/Solent News & Photo Agency Andy Newman, deputy chairman of Sussex Police Federation, read a statement outside court on behalf of Mr Bradshaw. He said: “Today a jury has taken 20 minutes to come to a not guilty verdict and clear the name of retired Pc Tim Bradshaw. “This case demonstrates that police officers only have seconds to make decisions in order to uphold the law. “Tim hopes that going forward police organisations will show the bravery and confidence that this jury has shown in supporting and protecting communities. “Police officers like Tim are out protecting communities 365 days a year making sure that you are safe. “He would like to thank his legal team, Mark Alfred, MGR Solicitors and Sussex Police Federation, and his family who have supported him through the two years and three months that this has taken to come to court.” Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #Moment #policeman #knocks #goading #teenager #ebike Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Servers Down For 20 Hours—But Some Players Say They’re Back Online – Forbes PlayStation Servers Down For 20 Hours—But Some Players Say They’re Back Online – Forbes PlayStation Servers Down For 20 Hours—But Some Players Say They’re Back Online ForbesPlayStation Network plagued by outages, which started Friday night The News JournalPlayStation Network 16-hour outage continues, quashing online video games USA TODAYSony PlayStation Network outage enrages gamers around the world The Associated Press Source link #PlayStation #Servers #HoursBut #Players #Theyre #Online #Forbes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 Letting You Steam Roll Through Enemies Makes For a “worse experience” Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 Letting You Steam Roll Through Enemies Makes For a “worse experience” ARPGs have come a long way, with both Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 being some of the newer (and more popular) offerings in this particular genre of video games.Things have certainly changed since the first Diablo was released way back in 1996, with many of these changes being of the more controversial kind. This is, at least, is the view that Diablo series creator David Brevik holds. A focus on speed and instant gratification over tactical combat can be quite disheartening, and Brevik elaborates more on this matter. Speed is not everything, says Diablo creator David Brevik ARPGs follow a very similar format as of late | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment Inc. Speaking with VideoGamer in a recent interview, David Brevik – the creator of the original Diablo laments on the way things have turned out for the addictive looter ARPG genre as of late. Brevik may have left the series behind in 2005, but he still remains a routine player of the genre. Despite his recent shift to the indie category, Brevik still plays a lot of modern ARPGs, A major complaint presented by the creator of the modern ARPG genre is that they offer more flashy, instant gratification over long term progression. I think that RPGs in general have started to lean into this: kill swaths of enemies all over the place extremely quickly After all, modern ARPGs prioritize killing hordes of enemies at one go, which could perhaps be attributed as the root cause of the problem. Slow, meaningful progression has been discarded – and Brevik believes that a lot of what made the genre great has been lost to time. The screen is littered with stuff you don’t care about Games like Path of Exile 2 favor rapid progression | Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games Rapid progression and simultaneous drops are a very stark departure from the kind of progression seen in the likes of Diablo 2 and older. While Diablo 2 also featured a large swarm of enemies, the progression seen in modern titles is perhaps a bit too much for comfort. It certainly does not feel as grounded or realistic as Diablo 1 and 2, with an uneven pacing ruining the overall experience – which could also be attributed to why Diablo 2 still remains popular to this very day. That’s one of the reasons it’s endured After all, the old-school formula still resonates with a large number of players who find it a lot more enjoyable when compared to modern takes on the genre. The same can be said for games of other genres, which feel too cozy with the it-just-works formula Diablo 2 wasn’t shy to experiment and innovate | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment Inc. It’s not ARPGs that face this particular problem though – it also extends into multiple other genres, including MMOs and single-player action adventure titles. Players jump from one quest to the other, rapidly progressing and earning higher levels – at the cost of a more holistic gameplay experience. After all, what makes RPGs work is their overall ‘journey’, and the experience that follows. In shortening that grind, you cheap out on the overall experience, which is quite detrimental to the genre as a whole. A focus on more cinematic, non-player-controlled sections certainly looks impressive, but one has to ask themselves whether it is worth giving up one of the core principles of game design, which is interactivity and exploration. After all, video games are meant to be a fun medium that actively encourages the player to explore and learn about its intricacies, thereby becoming better at the game. Source link #Diablo #Path #Exile #Letting #Steam #Roll #Enemies #worse #experience Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Southport girls’ families ‘try to find light in the dark’ Southport girls’ families ‘try to find light in the dark’ Lynette Horsburgh BBC News Handout Bebe King had an “innate kindness”, her mum says The parents of two children murdered in the Southport knife attack last summer have told of how they are “trying to find light in the dark”, as they speak publicly for the first time. Six-year-old Bebe King’s parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Jenni and David Stancombe, parents of seven-year-old Elsie Dot, have spoken to The Sunday Times about the girls. They describe their daughters as confident, happy and affectionate. The families also said the sentencing of the man who killed them should not have been televised as they wanted the girls to be remembered for their personalities not what happened to them. Family handout Elsie Dot’s parents have set up a charity in her memory Axel Rudakubana was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years – one of the highest minimum terms on record – for murdering Bebe and Elsie and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, on 29 July. Elsie’s uncle Chris Stancombe and Bebe’s father said there was too much detail about the girls’ injuries during the sentencing hearing. “The sentencing shouldn’t have been televised,” Mr Stancombe said. Bebe’s father added: “We know it has to be heard in court but why did the whole nation need to see it on television?” The parents reflected on their daughters’ personalities and how they wanted them to be remembered. “Everyone says it, don’t they?,” Ms Stancombe, 35, said, “That they’re one of a kind. But she truly was.” Mr Stancombe, 36, told of Elsie’s energy and adventurous spirit. Bebe’s parents reflected on their daughter’s kindness. Her mother told the Sunday Times: “She had this power to connect with people and the relationships she had with all her family members were different but very special. “She had this innate kindness. She had a spark.” The parents discussed their daughters’ excitement for the dance class, which was run by Leanne Lucas, who was also stabbed. They recalled the horrifying moment they discovered what had happened in the Hart Space. Just before midday, Ms Stancombe got a call from a mother of one of the other children at the class who told her “something awful” had happened, adding: “Somebody’s stabbed the kids.” Ms Stancombe said she “just ran”. “I left the whole house open and got in the car.” Bebe’s dad said: “I got down Hart Street and saw straight away there were ambulances all over the place.” PA Media The Princess of Wales met both Elsie and Bebe’s parents as well as the emergency services Rudakubana also attempted to kill eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, Ms Lucas and businessman John Hayes. The families told of how the tragedy had impacted their other children, including Elsie’s younger sibling. Mr Stancombe said: “You know you say to your kids every day, every night, ‘I won’t let anything happen to you’? “How could I say that to [Elsie’s sibling] now?” In October, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Southport to deliver messages of thanks to the victims’ families and the emergency workers. The couple met both Elsie’s parents along with Bebe’s parents. It was the Princess of Wales’ first public appearance since she finished chemotherapy. ‘Powerful and heartfelt’ “That meant so much to Jenni,” Mr Stancombe said. “Because it was her first public appearance. “I won’t say what they said to us, but what they shared with us was really, really powerful, and it was a powerful message and heartfelt, and it meant a lot.” The families welcomed plans, announced on 21 January by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, for a public inquiry into the stabbings. None of the parents have been able to return to work since the stabbings, the Sunday Times reported. Family handout Alice da Silva Aguiar pictured during her Holy Communion Elsie’s parents have set up a charity, Elsie’s Story, to help children in need. Ms Stancombe said: “Everything she did was pure enthusiasm. It could be the most boring thing – even, like, David taking the bins out – and it was like, ‘I’ll come’. “She was grateful for life.” Bebe’s parents said they would try to live as full a life as they could for their daughter. Her mother said: “She was the most positive, bubbliest girl and we have to honour that. “We have to live for Bebe. And honour her. And find light in the dark.” Source link #Southport #girls #families #find #light #dark Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Despite Unceremoniously Shutting Down, XDefiant Surpassed Apex Legends to Become the Fastest Title to Hit 1 Million Players Despite Unceremoniously Shutting Down, XDefiant Surpassed Apex Legends to Become the Fastest Title to Hit 1 Million Players Ubisoft has been in rocky waters as of late, with multiple titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows facing a massive number of setbacks. One of the more tragic things to happen was the closure of the popular free-to-play first-person competitive shooter, XDefiant. This is in spite of XDefiant amassing a rather impressive number of players at launch (1 million, to be precise) – overshadowing even the likes of Apex Legends. However, player counts do not mean everything, and there is a lot more to attribute to the failure of this particular live service title. XDefiant overtook Apex Legends to become one of the fastest-growing games back during its launch XDefiant managed to gather 1 million players back in its launch | Image Credit: Ubisoft As revealed by Insider Gaming in an exclusive feature back in May, 2024, Ubisoft’s then recently launched XDefiant managed to hit a major milestone during launch day – nearly 1 million unique players logging into the game. This was quite an impressive number, and was followed by claims of 300,000 active players (across all platforms) a mere 48 hours after its launch. To compare, Respawn Entertainment’s incredibly popular battle royale Apex Legends trailed far behind in this regard – managing 1 million players in about 8 hours (as compared to Ubisoft’s 2.5 hours). All of this made it stand out as Ubisoft’s most successful live-service launch yet, and XDefiant was for a time, booming. There was a lot of hype surrounding the game, and for good reason – it offered a fresh experience from a then reputable publisher, and ticked all the boxes for success. That is most certainly not the case right now, and Ubisoft has managed to enrage its player base by announcing a shutdown of XDefiant’s servers on June 2, 2025 after which the game will be permanently delisted from all digital storefronts. This is despite Ubisoft ‘assuring’ players that the game would not be shut down. Much of this can be attributed to Ubisoft (and the game) itself, which has fallen into a slump of late, undergoing stagnation and facing overwhelming odds as it struggles to appeal to both investors and players alike. Apex still maintains an active playerbase | Image Credit: Respawn Entertainment Apex managed to get back up on its feet, and still manages to keep a sizable, active player base. On the other hand, XDefiant’s player count steadily decreased over time as players bombarded the game for being too monotonous and non-innovative. It just paints a picture of how unpredictable the video game industry can be, and how profits dictate everything – especially with regards to live service games. Ubisoft’s missteps are to blame for XDefiant’s eventual closure Ubisoft is to blame for XDefiant’s failure | Image Credit: Ubisoft The failure of XDefiant can be traced back to multiple issues that stem from Ubisoft itself. Indeed, Ubisoft’s failure to innovate can be targeted as the principal cause. Without innovation, live service games are doomed to fail – after all, a fresh flow of engaging content is what keeps players playing. This formula of success can be seen in the likes of Call of Duty (which managed to make an impressive comeback with ****** Ops 6, albeit for only a while) and Marvel Rivals, both of which remain popular to this day. Most players would agree that XDefiant just turned out to be mediocre in the end, not offering anything special that separated it from the competition. In the end, it tried to capture the CoD audience, and miserably failed since these players were never likely to switch gears in the first place. Source link #Unceremoniously #Shutting #XDefiant #Surpassed #Apex #Legends #Fastest #Title #Hit #Million #Players Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wright, Picklum reach surfing semis at Pipe Pro Wright, Picklum reach surfing semis at Pipe Pro *********** surfing star Tyler Wright has won her quarter-final at the Pipe Pro, with the men’s and women’s titles to be decided later on Sunday. Compatriot Molly Picklum has also won through to the semis, but Isabella Nichols was beaten. Rookie George Pittar is the only *********** in the men’s quarter-finals.. Wright beat 2023 world champion Caroline Marks 11.84 to 3.5 in their quarter-final and she will now meet another American, Lakey Peterson, in the semis. Peterson started Sunday’s (AEDT) finals day at the Banzai Pipeline on Hawaii’s North Shore with a low-scoring 6.5 to 1.5 win over Nichols. Picklum beat Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy 8.10 to 1.03. Her next opponent is reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers in the other semi. Simmers dominated her quarter-final, beating fellow American Sawyer Lindblad 14.5 to 1.00. Conditions are at four to six feet, with the opening round of the World Surf League season on the last day of its waiting *******. The competition was on hold for a week because of poor conditions, finally resuming on Thursday (AEDT). Starting his rookie season, Pittar is the last *********** left in the men’s competition and his quarter-final opponent is Italian Leonardo Fioravanti. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater had his 100th heat win at Pipeline on Saturday, beating *********** Ethan Ewing. Brazilian Ian Gouveia is the American great’s next opponent a week out from his 53rd birthday. Source link #Wright #Picklum #reach #surfing #semis #Pipe #Pro Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Suze Orman’s No. 1 Money Tip Is ‘Very, Very Different’ From Most Advice You Hear Suze Orman’s No. 1 Money Tip Is ‘Very, Very Different’ From Most Advice You Hear SplashNews.com / Shutterstock.com A whopping 80% of Americans feel some level of anxiety over their financial situations, according to a survey by Discover Personal Loans. Most cite high inflation, everyday expenses, the state of the economy and current income as the primary factors driving their distress over finances. Read Next: Suze Orman’s Top Tip for Building Wealth Is a ‘Very Easy One’ Try This: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Personal finance expert Suze Orman would encourage these individuals to dig deeper for the root causes of their money woes. That was the No. 1 money tip she provided in an interview on GOBankingRates’ “Live Richer” podcast, hosted by Jaime Catmull. She admitted this advice is “very, very different than anything you’re going to hear any place else” — but that doesn’t make it any less important. “You have to understand that money is simply a physical manifestation of who you are,” Orman said. “You have manifested it, and if something is going wrong with your money, that means that something is going wrong with you because you and your money are one.” Orman encouraged listeners “to look within to see why you are doing without, and that is where you will find the answer, because you can never fix a financial problem with money.” That explains why so many consumers fail to make progress toward their financial goals — or worse, fall deeper in debt — even when they increase their incomes. Termed “lifestyle inflation,” or “lifestyle creep,” this phenomenon illustrates the impact personal decisions and behaviors have on finances. “Money cannot do anything without you,” Orman said during the interview. But money can do something for you. “Money can teach you more about yourself than anything else,” Orman said. “And when you have a feeling like something’s going wrong, it probably is, and it also will show up in your money. In what way? Debt. In what way? No emergency funds, all kinds of ways.” Learn More: If You’re Thinking About Getting a CD, Suze Orman Says You Should Do It Now — Here’s Why As hard as it might be to face the truth about the root of your financial struggles, it can also be empowering to realize that you — not inflation rates or the economy or even your income — control your financial future. Tanya Nichols, CFP, founder and president of the Minnesota-based wealth management firm Align Financial, offered advice for aligning your money with your life in a blog post on her company’s website. She suggested asking yourself what happiness and financial success look like for you. Nichols called the answers your “enough” and recommended eliminating any spending that doesn’t help you achieve it. Story Continues At the same time, celebrate your small wins — the steps you take to ease your financial concerns. Orman has several recommendations that can help. Spend on needs, like groceries, but eliminate spending on wants, like restaurant meals. If you don’t already have one, open an emergency savings account. Orman recommended her Alliant Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account, which offers high yields and rewards you with $100 after you save $100 per month for 12 consecutive months. Open a Roth IRA and deposit at least a little bit of money into it every month. Those small steps will free up cash you use to pay off debt or accelerate savings, protect your finances against an unexpected emergency, and put you on track for a secure retirement. Frugality can be a challenge, but Orman herself is careful about how she spends her money. “Do I need to be frugal? No, not really. But I love it because when you respect money, when you honor money, no matter how much money you have, then your money turns around and honors you,” she said. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Suze Orman’s No. 1 Money Tip Is ‘Very, Very Different’ From Most Advice You Hear Source link #Suze #Ormans #Money #Tip #Advice #Hear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Administration Cuts Put Medical Progress at Risk, Researchers Say – The New York Times Trump Administration Cuts Put Medical Progress at Risk, Researchers Say – The New York Times Trump Administration Cuts Put Medical Progress at Risk, Researchers Say The New York TimesIndirect research costs are complicated, wonky — and crucial to science STAT Source link #Trump #Administration #Cuts #Put #Medical #Progress #Risk #Researchers #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oasis fans see tickets cancelled over ‘bots’ claim Oasis fans see tickets cancelled over ‘bots’ claim Oasis fans have said their “dreams have been crushed” after Ticketmaster cancelled their tickets to the band’s reunion tour, accusing them of being bots. Several devotees of the Manchester band expressed frustration they had been accused by the firm of breaking rules when they purchased their tickets to Oasis Live ’25, which starts on 4 July. Leighah Conroy, 24, from Cumbria, said her friend purchased tickets in August but received an email from the ticket website on Friday claiming it was “identified that bots were used to make this purchase”. A Ticketmaster spokesperson said a form was available for anyone who believes their tickets had been wrongly cancelled. Ms Conroy said she felt “sick in the stomach” when she heard the news. “It’s a band you’ll never experience or see again and it’s been on my bucket list for years,” she said. “It just feels like my dreams have been completely crushed.” Ms Conroy said each ticket cost about £150 while a hotel stay cost £200 per person and a further £40 for travel. She described the company’s handling of the situation as “totally outrageous”, adding: “A lot of fans are wanting answers as to why this has happened and we’ve just got no answers whatsoever. Meanwhile, a fan from Spain who said she spent more than £3,000 for herself, her husband and two teenage children on tickets to see Oasis at Wembley on 3 August received the same email on Friday. Marta Bonnet initially thought the email was fake but after realising it was from Ticketmaster she felt “shocked then angry” and spent nearly five hours trying to liaise with the company via email and direct message on X about the issue. She told the BBC she would avoid purchasing tickets from the company in the future. “I know there are a lot of platforms trying to use bots to resell the tickets,” she said. “But there must be another way to take control of this situation, which is not to take [it out on] all the people that are buying the tickets in a legal form.” Ms Bonnet said she and her family were likely to keep their plane tickets to the *** but added “being there while Oasis is playing and you’re not there” could sour the trip. A spokesperson from Ticketmaster said: “Anyone who has been contacted and believes a refund was made in error has been sent a form to fill in for the tour’s promoters to review.” Source link #Oasis #fans #tickets #cancelled #bots #claim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

There’s been an increase in shark attacks across the country – here’s why There’s been an increase in shark attacks across the country – here’s why The number of shark attacks has been steadily increasing over the last 10 years, with scientists putting it down to a number of factors, including climate change. Source link #increase #shark #attacks #country #heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grieving parents couldn’t understand how their son died of an asthma attack. Then they found out how much his meds now cost Grieving parents couldn’t understand how their son died of an asthma attack. Then they found out how much his meds now cost Driving away from the pharmacy to pick up a standard refill of her husband’s asthma medication, Shanon Schmidtknecht’s head was spinning. Shanon and her husband, Bill, were reeling from the death of their 22-year-old son, Cole, who died two weeks earlier after suffering a severe asthma attack. What Shanon and her husband didn’t realize until that day in the pharmacy was that Cole’s routine medication was no longer covered by his provider and had jumped from $66 to $539. “It was weeks later that we started to be able to put pieces together,” the mom told The Independent. Bill and Cole worked for the same company and had the same health insurance provider, Shanon explained. They were also on the same medication. But, Cole’s has spiked and left him unable to pay for his needed drug – and dead three days later. Shanon and Bill Schmidtknecht pictured with son Cole, who died after a severe asthma attack in January 2024 (Schmidtknecht family) While refilling Bill’s routine asthma prescription at their local pharmacy in Poynette, Wisconsin, Shanon noticed a post-it note on display regarding the medication. “I saw right away. It said, ‘No longer covered by insurance,’” she recalled. “That was obviously clue No. 1.” “That was a turning point day for us,” Bill added. Shanon praised the pharmacist who helped her with Bill’s medication that day and made sure that they left with a suitable replacement. “She made a phone call, she figured things out and she gave us an alternative for Bill that same day so that I left with something for my husband to breathe,” Shanon recalled. “Cole, unfortunately, didn’t get that.” As Shanon drove away from the pharmacy, it hit her. “My mind was just spinning, and I was like…this is it. This is what happened to my son.” The couple made headlines across America this week after they went public with a lawsuit against Walgreens and pharmacy benefits management company OptumRx, a subsidiary of United Health Group. They allege that Cole died last year because he couldn’t afford the sudden $500 spike in his asthma medication, Advair Diskus, when it was suddenly no longer covered by insurance. Shanon said Cole was curious, knowledgeable, and funny (Schmidtknecht family) Cole suffered from asthma his whole life. He stopped at a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton on January 10, 2024, to refill his prescription and was told the cost had jumped from $66 to $539 out-of-pocket. In their lawsuit, the couple alleges that Walgreens pharmacy staffers failed to offer Cole any workarounds to obtain his usual medication. They told him there were no cheaper alternatives or generic medications available, they didn’t contact OptumRx to request an exception on Cole’s behalf, and they didn’t ask Cole’s doctor to request an exception for him, his parents contend. Unable to afford the new cost, Cole left the pharmacy without the medication. He tried to manage his condition with his rescue inhaler but suffered a fatal asthma attack days later. Walgreens said it cannot comment due to pending litigation. The Independent has reached out to OptumRx for comment. OptumRx said in a statement last April that a review of Cole’s claims showed that on the day he visited the pharmacy, he did buy a different asthma medication, generic Albuterol, for a $5 co-pay on Jan. 10 — a medication that it says he also obtained in October 2023. His case was handled “consistent with industry practice and the patient’s insurance plan design,” the company said. Michael Trunk, an attorney representing Shanon and Bill, however, said that the $5 generic prescription Cole filled was for his rescue inhaler, not the Advair Diskus inhaler that he took daily. It wasn’t until Shanon and Bill arrived at the hospital on January 15, 2024, and spoke to Cole’s distraught roommate that they discovered their son had been going without his asthma medication for days. “His roommate had said, ‘You know, he hasn’t had his [Advair] there.’ That’s the first we had heard of it. His roommate then informed us, ‘we went to try to pick it up, and it was, like, $500.’ We were trying to wrap our brains around how did this happen? What is going on?” The couple is suing OptumRx and Walgreens, alleging that Cole died because he couldn’t afford the sudden $500 spike in his asthma medication (Schmidtknecht family) The family spent six heartbreaking days at their son’s bedside while he was on life-support holding out hope before doctors delivered the news they had been dreading. “The neurologist came in and told us…there was no hope, there was no brain activity, that he had gone too long without oxygen and that he would…he would not wake up,” Shanon recalled. Cole’s life-support was turned off on January 21, 2024. At the heart of the couple’s lawsuit is reforming pharmacy benefits managers, which act as intermediaries between health insurance companies, prescription drug companies and pharmacies. Optum Rx, the PBM named in Cole’s case, services prescription claims for more than 66 million people across the U.S., according to the lawsuit. The Schmidtknechts allege that OptumRx violated Wisconsin law by raising the cost of the medication without a valid medical reason and failing to provide 30 days’ advance notice of drug price increases. Trunk, one of the family’s attorneys, told The Independent that the goals of the suit are “corporate responsibility and corporate accountability for both OptumRx and Walgreens.” Mom Shanon said Cole had ‘a thirst for knowledge’ and was always making the family laugh (Schmidtknecht family) “The claims in the suit will hopefully lead to the deterrence of this type of conduct by Walgreens, OptumRx and other companies like those companies,” he said. “Another part of the lawsuit that I know Bill and Shannon feel strongly about is affecting change within those companies, getting them to follow their own policies that they didn’t follow up here.” He added: “To follow the law and also to change their policies to make sure that something like this never can happen again.” Cole, big brother to 18-year-old Dane, was described fondly by his parents as curious, knowledgeable, and funny. He was a dedicated Milwaukee Bucks fan, an avid gamer and had a dry sense of humor. “Ever since he was a young boy, he definitely had thirst for knowledge, and wanted to know anything and everything about everything…unless it was school related,” Shanon said. “He had that thirst for knowledge. He was funny.” The lawsuit has been both a distraction and a reminder of their profound grief. Cole was 22-years-old when he died from a severe asthma attack (Handout) But somehow, while Cole was in hospital on life-support, they managed to find a glimmer of light during one of the darkest weeks of their lives. “That was another turning point, because we also learned something about him,” Bill said. “ That he was an organ donor.” Bill said that he was comforted by the fact that his son would live on through others and save lives. “Knowing that Cole wanted that…that he signed up to volunteer, it actually was a positive.” The couple are both determined, one way or another, to create meaningful change. “Going back to that day that I left that pharmacy, Bill and I stood in the living room and we just said, ‘This has to change.’ This cannot happen to anyone else,” Shanon said. “So whether that is through this lawsuit, whether that through is through the PBM reform efforts that primarily Bill is doing, justice for Cole means justice for all of us as Americans, for healthcare access and access to affordable medication.” Source link #Grieving #parents #couldnt #understand #son #died #asthma #attack #meds #cost Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s what we know about a commuter plane ****** in Alaska that killed 10 people – The Associated Press Here’s what we know about a commuter plane ****** in Alaska that killed 10 people – The Associated Press Here’s what we know about a commuter plane ****** in Alaska that killed 10 people The Associated PressVideo: Two victims identified in Alaska plane ****** CNNSmall Plane With 10 Dead Found Crashed in Alaska The New York TimesVictim’s names emerging in fatal plane ****** near Nome Alaska’s News Source Source link #Heres #commuter #plane #****** #Alaska #killed #people #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Six Nations: England 26-25 France highlights Six Nations: England 26-25 France highlights Watch highlights as a late Elliot Daly try gives England a dramatic 26-25 Six Nations win against France in a thrilling encounter at the Allianz Stadium. WATCH MORE: ‘Imagine how good we can be’ – Itoje after ‘brave’ France win Available to *** users only. Source link #Nations #England #France #highlights Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk says he's not interested in buying TikTok Elon Musk says he's not interested in buying TikTok Elon Musk says he doesn’t want to buy TikTok, as the ******** owned app is under pressure to sell or face a US ban amid concerns about national security risks. Source link #Elon #Musk #he039s #interested #buying #TikTok Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

6 Cars That Seem Expensive but Rarely Need Repairs 6 Cars That Seem Expensive but Rarely Need Repairs Apriori1 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Reliable and dependable transportation these days is not cheap. The average monthly car payment is $737 for new vehicles and $525 for pre-owned options. With numbers like that staring them down, buyers might assume that the lowest price tag in their category is always the best option. Check Out: 7 Hybrid Vehicles To Buy in 2025 That Will Last Throughout Retirement Learn More: 4 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Savings in 2025 However, when inexpensive means cheap, drivers spend more for the endless repairs and maintenance issues that plague poorly built vehicles. Instead, they should consider the following cars, trucks and SUVs, which cost more than some comparable models but save their owners money over time by staying out of the shop. ©Subaru Subaru Outback Subaru’s flagship model starts at $29,010 — and you can certainly find cheaper midsize SUVs. “The Outback is one of the more expensive crossover vehicles,” said Melanie Musson, an industry expert with AutoInsurance.org. “However, it’s worth spending more because they’re reliable. Their engines are excellent and known for durability. Their all-wheel drive and ground clearance make them ideal in winter weather and back roads, and they retain their value, so you’ll get back a lot of what you bought one for.” And the Outback isn’t alone — Subaru is known for dependability, durability-based long-term value, and, of course, its famous standard AWD. “Subarus have a strong reputation for versatility and reliability,” said Mark Beneke, co-owner of Westland Auto Sales in Fresno, California. “While they may not be the cheapest to work on, their engines and all-wheel-drive systems are extremely durable, so it limits the number of repairs needed. Plus, the all-wheel-drive system makes these vehicles jacks of all trades.” Also See: 4 SUVs To Buy in 2025 That Will Last Throughout Retirement Discover More: 4 New Car Models Recent Retirees Should Consider Buying in 2025 ©GMC GMC Sierra 1500 If you’re in the market for a pickup, you might scratch the GMC Sierra 1500 off the list because its $40,295 is higher than the Ford Ranger, Ford F-150, Chevy Colorado, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500. Story continues But before you rule it out, consider that GMC asks a little more up front in exchange for long-term dependability. “GMC costs more than its Ford and Ram competition, but it’s worth it,” Musson said. “When some trucks get a couple of years old, you’ll start dealing with annoying things like power going out to door locks, rattling parts and other small problems. GMC manufactures a step above the competition and puts as much effort into the details as it does into the engine.” Explore More: 5 Cars To Buy in 2025 That Will Last Through Retirement ©Lexus Lexus ES Lexus is synonymous with luxury, and the ES starts at $43,215. It’s a bargain, though, when considering how expensive luxury cars are to repair — and how infrequently the ES is in the shop. “The Lexus ES is a smart buy in the luxury segment,” said Patryk Doornebos, owner and lead author at the automotive blog Car Triple. “It’s pricey up front but saves you money with its Toyota-derived reliability and low repair costs, not to mention its strong resale value. It’s a luxury car that’s cost-effective in the long run.” Genesis G80 and G90 Just as Lexus inherits the famous reliability of the Toyota brand that owns it, the Genesis luxury nameplate is owned by Hyundai, another automaker known for infrequent trips to the mechanic. The G80 starts around $57,100 and the G90 starts at a hair under $90,000, outclassing even the Lexus ES — but higher MSRPs sometimes translate into better long-term value. “The perception of luxury cars as expensive upfront investments is often balanced out by their reliability and lesser frequency of required repairs,” said 30-year auto industry veteran Frank De Mulder, owner of Classic Car Maintenance. “Some notable models in this category for 2023 include the Genesis G80 and Genesis G90, which have been recognized for their dependability and luxury at a relatively affordable price compared to their counterparts.” ©Honda Honda Accord According to Kelley Blue Book, at least seven midsize sedans have lower starting MSRPs than the Honda Accord, including the Subaru Legacy, Chevy Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. “Even so, KBB still named the Accord its “Midsize Car Best Buy of 2023,” Beneke said. “Accords are known for their longevity and minimal repair needs, which can make them a good value proposition despite a higher upfront cost.” Faris Hadziq / SOPA Images / Shutterstock.com Pretty Much Any Electric Vehicle The EV market has welcomed several relatively affordable models in recent years, but they still cost more, on average, than comparable ICE models. But when you go electric, you leave behind the headaches and expenses that are inherent to even the best engines. “Pretty much any model of electric vehicle is a prime example of a car that may seem expensive up front but which can actually be economical in the long run due to their minimal repair needs,” said Aidan Rushby, CEO and co-founder of vehicle-financing platform Carmoola. “EVs have fewer moving parts, which means there’s usually less that can go wrong, leading to lower repair costs. The cost of consumables like tires, brake discs and pads will still need to be factored in, and as EVs are typically heavier than their combustion engine counterparts — you may need to replace these a little more frequently. But, on balance, and with the savings on fuel factored in, an EV can be a better option long term.” More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Cars That Seem Expensive but Rarely Need Repairs Source link #Cars #Expensive #Rarely #Repairs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Stop Whining, Helldivers 2 Servants of Freedom Warbond Is True Democracy Stop Whining, Helldivers 2 Servants of Freedom Warbond Is True Democracy Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 is undoubtedly one of the most popular games in the world right now, all thanks to the studios’ constant efforts. Unfortunately, some players still think that it is not enough as the community has pointed out that some players are whining unnecessarily. This new weapon inflicts 4500 damage in a single shot (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) Recently, Arrowhead introduced the Servants of Freedom Warbond and like always, there was some criticism. Despite adding one of the most exciting weapons to the game, the studio is getting bashed by players for nonsensical reasons. Expect this new weapon to get nerfed very soon because players believe that it makes the game too easy. Some Helldivers 2 players need to stop criticizing the Servants of Freedom Warbond The newly added Servants of Freedom Warbond in Helldivers 2 has introduced fans to probably one of the most deadly weapons in the game: the GP-31 Ultimatum, a pistol loaded with a single explosive round. What’s particularly crazy about this weapon is its damage, which is a whopping 4,500. This is a hot topic among the community as players are debating whether Arrowhead Game Studios should nerf this weapon for being too powerful. Comment byu/xamlax from discussion inhelldivers2 Comment byu/xamlax from discussion inhelldivers2 Comment byu/xamlax from discussion inhelldivers2 Comment byu/xamlax from discussion inhelldivers2 Comment byu/xamlax from discussion inhelldivers2 What makes the weapon so crazy is the fact that it could take out targets like Detector Towers, Jammers, Science Labs, and Fabricators in a single shot. Many believe that this weapon has made the game too easy, even on the highest difficulty level. On the other hand, the weapon also has some fans. Many have pointed out that it is balanced since aiming the weapon can be quite tricky. The weapon has left the community divided, but judging by its overpowered nature, fans should expect to see some kind of nerf in the future. Servants of Freedom Warbond features one more powerful weapon LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle is a powerful weapon but make sure you use this trick (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) On the first page of the Servants of Freedom Premium Warbond, players can find a brand new variation of the LAS-16 Sickle called the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle. Unlike the regular Sickle, the Double-Edge Sickle has no overheating protections, giving players a higher rate of fire and damage, but it could damage the players when the weapon gets heated. To make the most out of this weapon without getting damaged, players should use a Fire Resistant armor. Using this weapon with a Fire Resistant armor makes it one of the most powerful in the game, allowing players to easily wipe out almost every enemy in the game. Overall, the Servants of Freedom Premium Warbond didn’t disappoint but Arrowhead will certainly nerf these new weapons due to pressure from the community. To some extent, it makes sense because players who find the game difficult can always reduce the difficulty but players who find the game too easy cannot really do anything. Source link #Stop #Whining #Helldivers #Servants #Freedom #Warbond #True #Democracy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Network has been down for nearly a day – and players are starting worried – The Independent PlayStation Network has been down for nearly a day – and players are starting worried – The Independent PlayStation Network has been down for nearly a day – and players are starting worried The IndependentPlayStation Servers Down For More Than 15 Hours—What We Know ForbesIs the PlayStation Network back online? Gamers rejoicing after being able to sign-in NorthJersey.comPlayStation Network outage live updates – PSN still down after 18 hours TechRadarPlayStation Network 16-hour outage continues, quashing online video games USA TODAY Source link #PlayStation #Network #day #players #starting #worried #Independent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nissan e-Power technology a hit with Aussie car buyers Nissan e-Power technology a hit with Aussie car buyers Nissan’s unique e-Power hybrid technology has taken off in Australia after a slow start, and there’s more to come. Source link #Nissan #ePower #technology #hit #Aussie #car #buyers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Network 16-hour outage continues, quashing online video games PlayStation Network 16-hour outage continues, quashing online video games For many, some weekend online video games were over before they started. The PlayStation Network, which connects friends to play games online on Sony PlayStation game systems, was hit with an outage Friday night and remained offline for many users at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. “We are aware some users might be currently experiencing issues with PSN,” the network posted about 8 p.m. ET Friday on X, the social network previously known as Twitter. It directed readers to the network’s status page, which on Saturday said, “Some services are experiencing issues.””You might have difficulty launching games, apps, or network features. We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience,” the page said. Users might also be unable to buy products on the PlayStation Store or watch PlayStation Video content, the page said. A few commenters said they had been able to connect to PSN on Saturday morning, but most on X and Reddit said they were still offline. Players from the U.S. and other regions across the globe, including the U.K. and Australia, said they were unable to connect to PSN. Many players ready for a weekend of online games were disappointed. “Friday night is my game night with a couple buddies thanks for ruining this,” one person posted on X. Since many video games now require online connections – and some consoles don’t play games on discs – players often couldn’t play games solo, either. “I can’t play any offline games I own cuz my PS5 can’t verify I own it,” said another. USA TODAY reached out to Sony PlayStation on Saturday about the network outage, but has not gotten a response. Krispy Kreme free doughnut giveaway to soften PlayStation Network outage Krispy Kreme took the opportunity to treat gamers with free doughnuts by giving away free Original Glazed doughnuts from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening nationwide. The giveaway is a “sweet relief for gamers who have been forced offline” during the outage, the company said in a statement to USA TODAY. Meet the surprise new Apple app: Everything to know about ‘Apple Invites’ PlayStation Network outage: ‘I have nothing to do with this!’ Also on X – where PlayStation was the No. 2 trending topic – some users posted in the comments thread that they had gotten messages that the network was undergoing maintenance. Players from the U.S. and other regions across the globe, including the U.K. and Australia, posted on X and Reddit that they were unable to connect. “Well it’s the morning and my kids think I rigged the Playstation not to work because they are only allowed to play on weekends now it’s the weekend I told them I have nothing to do with this!” posted one commenter on X. For many players, the outage brought back memories of a PlayStation Network outage in 2011. Sony kept the network down for over a month after hackers compromised the service, exposing the personal data and credit card information from 77 million accounts. Down Detector, which tracks network outages, said it had gotten more than 640,000 reports as of early Saturday. Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider. What’s everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PlayStation Network hit with outage, prevents online video gaming Source link #PlayStation #Network #16hour #outage #continues #quashing #online #video #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Activist Elliott Said to Build Stake in Struggling Oil Major BP (BP/ LN) – Bloomberg Activist Elliott Said to Build Stake in Struggling Oil Major BP (BP/ LN) – Bloomberg Activist Elliott Said to Build Stake in Struggling Oil Major BP (BP/ LN) BloombergView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Activist #Elliott #Build #Stake #Struggling #Oil #Major #Bloomberg Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Haotong Li claims pole going into Qatar Masters finale Haotong Li claims pole going into Qatar Masters finale China’s Haotong Li has moved into pole position at the Qatar Masters after taking over from England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson as leader going into the final round. Li, a three-time European tour winner, fired a third-round 67 to reach 13 under at Doha Golf Club on Saturday. A one-under 71 enabled Robinson-Thompson to move to 11 under, enough for second spot and a place in the final group on Sunday. His compatriot Matthew Jordan and South African Jayden Schaper share third on nine under after rounds of 67 and 69 respectively. Li wasted no time wiping out Robinson-Thompson’s two-shot overnight advantage as he birdied the first and second. The Englishman had only one deviation from par over his first 15 holes and that was a bogey at the sixth, with Li taking the outright lead with a birdie at the seventh. Both players cashed in on the driveable 16th, where Robinson-Thompson recorded his first gain of the day. Li rolled in a 15 footer at the 17th but Robinson-Thompson got up and down from the back of the 18th green to close the gap to two. “It felt not easy, definitely,” said Li, the Presidents Cup player who is seeking his first title since 2022. “I didn’t hit as many fairways as yesterday, I just need to create more chances tomorrow. “It’s been a while. Hopefully I can continue the momentum going into the final round.” Robinson-Thompson was tied for eighth in Bahrain last week and was pleased to keep his challenge on course over the closing holes. “It was a bit of a slow start, honestly,” he said. “Again the wind was up, pins were tucked a little bit and I kept hitting them to 30 or 40 feet. “I kept giving myself chances but not close enough.’ Earlier Jordan had moved through the field with five straight birdies from the 12th and, although he dropped a shot after three-putting the 17th, he holed a huge 56-birdie putt on the last. Source link #Haotong #claims #pole #Qatar #Masters #finale Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Nonalcoholic Beer Is Brewed How Nonalcoholic Beer Is Brewed We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. In case you haven’t noticed, non-alcoholic beer has been on the rise in recent years. According to Global Market Insights, the NA beer market was valued at $22 billion in 2022 and is expected to nearly double in the next 10 years. While once limited to just a couple of mediocre, mainstream options (e.g., O’Doul’s and Sharp’s), breweries have now mastered the art of creating full-flavored NA and low-alc beers that allow you to enjoy a tasty craft beer without the hangover. The process of brewing NA beer is more complicated than you think, which is partly why non-alcoholic beer is so expensive. First of all, there are a few different ways to make alcohol-free or non-alcoholic beer. In general, you can either brew the beer and then remove the alcohol, or prevent the production of alcohol by limiting fermentation. Because the process of entirely removing the alcohol is difficult, beer labeled as non-alcoholic can have up to 0.5% alcohol content, whereas beer labeled as alcohol-free has 0% alcohol content. (This might make you wonder if it’s legal to drink non-alcoholic beer when you’re under 21.) If you’re up for giving NA beer a try, some popular options you can get delivered to your doorstep include Athletic Brewing Company Craft Non-Alcoholic Beer and Bero Kingston Golden Pils Non-Alcoholic Beer. Read more: 13 Types Of Beer Glasses And When To Use Them Different Ways To Brew Non-Alcoholic Beer person testing beer with brewery equipment – Westend61/Getty Images Creating beer with no or low alcohol can be done by removing the alcohol (dealcoholizing) or limiting fermentation or the production of alcohol. Both processes start with ingredients that are the same used when brewing alcoholic beer: water, which comprises 90-95% of both NA and alcoholic beer; malt, which provides the sugars necessary for fermentation; yeast, which feeds on the sugars from the malt; and hops, which adds bitterness that balances the ********** of the malt. Controlling fermentation is a common method used by craft breweries for making NA beer. Fermentation is what makes beer, beer. However, it can be limited to reduce the alcohol content by using a mash with less sugar for the yeast to feed on and choosing certain yeast strains that produce less alcohol. Fermentation can also be stopped early before producing a higher alcohol content. This can be done by lowering the temperature of the mash as it ferments since yeast thrives in hot temperatures. The other approach, dealcoholization, involves expensive equipment to remove the alcohol after it is brewed and is therefore more accessible to larger, commercial brewers. This method is commonly done using vacuum distillation, a process which heats the beer in a vacuum to evaporate the alcohol content. Another method for dealcoholization, reverse osmosis, is more technologically advanced and involves using a fine membrane and sophisticated machinery to separate the alcohol molecules from the beer. Read the original article on Chowhound. Source link #Nonalcoholic #Beer #Brewed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

PSN Down Worldwide as PS5, PS4 Players Can't Log In or Play Online – Push Square PSN Down Worldwide as PS5, PS4 Players Can't Log In or Play Online – Push Square PSN Down Worldwide as PS5, PS4 Players Can’t Log In or Play Online Push SquarePlayStation Servers Down For More Than 15 Hours—What We Know ForbesPlayStation Network outage live updates – PSN still down after 18 hours TechRadarPlayStation Network 16-hour outage continues, quashing online video games USA TODAYSony PlayStation Network outage enrages gamers around the world The Associated Press Source link #PSN #Worldwide #PS5 #PS4 #Players #Can039t #Log #Play #Online #Push #Square Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Preselection pressure as women vie for federal seats Preselection pressure as women vie for federal seats *********** women have much to lose at the federal election, say advocates for female representation as parties decide on their candidates for the upcoming vote. Source link #Preselection #pressure #women #vie #federal #seats Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]