Pelican Press

Passenger Sees Worker Unscrewing Plane Part Before Takeoff Passenger Sees Worker Unscrewing Plane Part Before Takeoff Before taking off, a plane passenger spotted a mechanic working on the wing. Taylor Hilton says it happened on an ********* Airlines flight from Dallas to John Wayne Airport in California. Hilton says a flight attendant was also concerned and showed the video to the pilot. She says the pilot came on the intercom and informed everyone that some screws were loose and the dismantled part is for aerodynamic purposes and not required to fly safely. Source link #Passenger #Sees #Worker #Unscrewing #Plane #Part #Takeoff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exxon CEO says Trump should keep U.S. involved in global effort to address climate change Exxon CEO says Trump should keep U.S. involved in global effort to address climate change President-elect Donald Trump should keep the U.S. involved in global efforts to address climate change, Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods said Tuesday. Trump should try to bring a “common sense” approach to the annual U.N. Climate Change Conference and “continue to have the U.S. influence policy around the world,” Woods told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Tuesday. Woods spoke from the climate conference, which kicked off this week in Baku, Azerbaijan. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement in 2017 and is expected to do so again in his second term. President Joe Biden signed an order to rejoin the agreement on his first day in office in 2021, a decision that Exxon supported. Trump slammed the Paris Agreement as “horribly unfair to the U.S.” and vowed to rescind all unspent funds under the Inflation Reduction Act in an address to the Economic Club of New York in September. He made energy policy a central part of his campaign platform, calling for unconstrained fossil fuel production. Exxon has plans to invest $20 billion through 2027 in carbon capture and storage technology, hydrogen fuel, and lithium mining in the U.S. for electric vehicle batteries. Woods told CNBC on Tuesday that Exxon’s investments in technologies to lower emissions depend on federal tax credits that were established or expanded under the IRA. He warned that the company’s investments in these technologies would change if the incentives are weakened or repealed. “There needs to be an incentive to reward those investments and generate a return,” Woods said. “If we find that those incentives dissipate or go away entirely, then that would definitely change our investment plans.” Wood previously said Exxon’s oil and gas production levels will not change, at least in the short term, in response to the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. “I’m not sure how ‘drill, baby, drill’ translates into policy,” Woods told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Nov. 1, referencing one of Trump’s campaign slogans. The CEO said Exxon has not faced constraints on its shale production under the Biden administration. Exxon’s production levels are based on how much money the company can return to shareholders, not which political party is on office, he said. Exxon shares have risen more than 20% since the start of the year, Don’t miss these energy insights from CNBC PRO: Source link #Exxon #CEO #Trump #U.S #involved #global #effort #address #climate #change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The downfall of a dating fraudster The downfall of a dating fraudster BBC Raymond McDonald has left a trail of shattered emotions longer than his 20-year conviction record A prolific romance fraudster is currently serving the latest in a string of prison sentences for scamming women out of thousands of pounds through false promises of love and a luxury lifestyle. But there are fears he could be responsible for “hundreds” more victims. Raymond McDonald, 51, has been in and out jail several times across the last two decades, beginning with a sentence for ****** in 2003 before turning his hand to romance scams. He last left prison in December 2023 and was soon simultaneously seeing several women he met through dating sites, cheating them out of money and even pretending to marry one victim. By August he was back in jail having left another trail of financial and emotional devastation. Some of the women he defrauded have told the BBC the trauma they suffered at his hands was similar to that felt by victims of ******* ******** and domestic ******. They say for all the material loss McDonald has caused, the emotional distress he leaves behind runs much, much deeper. Family photo McDonald invents jobs with odd working hours to allow him to simultaneously maintain several relationships “People normally think ‘dangerous’ is somebody who can physically hurt you, make you bleed, but Raymond hurts people emotionally,” says Saad Sheban, the latest detective to put the dating fraudster from County Durham behind bars. Yet there is little sign McDonald sees prison as anything other than a temporary reprieve for the people whose lives he shatters, with police believing the number of victims could reach three figures. McDonald even targeted one woman while on day release from jail. His ***** follow a familiar pattern: A distinguished army career, villa in Cyprus, working strange hours to allow him space to cultivate multiple relationships at the same time. In reality, as Det **** Sheban describes him: “McDonald is a serial scammer who routinely preys on women who are just trying to find a life companion.” And each chapter of his offending always ends the same way: Women ****** back. ‘What I wanted to hear’ Within days of his release from jail last December, McDonald made contact through a dating site with the first of his known targets who we are calling Paula. He told her he was working over Christmas in a secretive military role, training foreign soldiers, but wanted to stay in touch with her during the festive season. Paula recalls: “I said, ‘these soldiers – are they from Ukraine?’ He said he couldn’t tell me, but that I might be right. “(He) just made you feel, I don’t know, wanted. Special. I hadn’t been in a relationship for such a long time. I suppose in hindsight, it was what I wanted to hear.” McDonald was adept at turning on the charm, but his ***** left some feeling suicidal McDonald wasn’t just charming Paula. Over the next few weeks he formed relationships with several other women, arranging to meet and telling them he was newly divorced or starting a new job. He juggled spending time with them by pretending to work shifts. “He only wanted to meet really early – like half seven in the morning – because he said he was going to work,” one woman said. Another was spun the line that McDonald needed to be on shift at the probation service in the evenings. In truth, he was himself reporting to probation. Family photo Dishonourably discharged from the army in 2000, McDonald went from packing chickens to ******* fraudster The women who spoke to the BBC all agreed he came across as warm, genuine and even a little vulnerable at first. But while claiming he was shy, bereaved or recovering from a bad break-up, McDonald was taking money from them to pay for things that never materialised – from cut-price luxury items to house deposits. Some victims believed he had property abroad, fancy cars, a log cabin in the Lake District or a caravan near Blackpool. For one woman the ***** did not involve money, but marriage. Still maintaining multiple relationships, McDonald jetted off to the Middle East for what his partner believed was a whirlwind wedding mere weeks into their relationship. Police believe McDonald paid for the trip using money scammed from other victims. He made all the arrangements and showed his partner fake evidence their marriage was legal under local law. She had no reason to suspect it was in fact all a sham, but as they returned from their “honeymoon” in March – just four months after McDonald had left prison – the net was closing in. A post on a Facebook group called “Are We Dating The Same Guy?” played a part in revealing Ray’s true identity Some of his victims had grown suspicious about who he really was, with Paula concerned enough to use Clare’s Law, via which people can request information about a partner’s previous offending. “Women need to know that you can use Clare’s Law to ask about more than just convictions for domestic ******,” she says. “You can also find out about financial ****** and coercive control.” As Paula was getting answers, elsewhere another woman was starting to question McDonald’s motives. He had pressured her to pay him more and more money for bargain luxury goods that never appeared, so when someone she knew offered to post about him on a Facebook group called ‘Are We Dating The Same Guy?’, she agreed. The responses to that post were shocking. One of the replies to the Facebook post was a link to a 2019 Northern Echo article about McDonald’s offending Members of the group did indeed know Ray McDonald, with one posting a newspaper article from a previous trial in which the judge described him as “gutless”. Among the people who saw the posts was his new bride. As she read the comments, while her “husband” was sitting in another room of the same house, she says: “My world just fell.” She made an excuse to get out and called the police who, hours later, arrested him. The women were about to discover who they had really been dating. Who is Ray McDonald? Giving a stark summary of Raymond McDonald, his mother says: “He’s got naff all. He’s a ******* big liar. I’ve had two nervous breakdowns because of him.” Among the many ***** McDonald told the women he duped was that his mother was dying of *******. He even pretended to go to her ******** on Valentine’s Day. Alive and living in County Durham, she says: “He’s hurt the women he’s stole off and promised to marry. It was a full sham. “He just kept going and going and going. I can’t tell you how many times he’s been in jail.” The mother McDonald claimed had ***** has strong words about her son His family currently have no contact with him after years of dealing with the fallout from his *****. Previous victims have come to the house and threatened his relatives, who he also had a habit of lying to. “He even told us he was dying,” his sister says. “Got everyone in a room – even his ***** and grandad – and told us all he was dying. “Three days later, it all came out he wasn’t. “He doesn’t stop. He can’t. He’s fifty now. It’s like… does he want to **** in jail, alone?” ‘Just a wreck’ As with many elaborate **** tricks, not everything Raymond McDonald said was a lie. He had indeed been in the army. Dishonourably discharged in 2000, McDonald worked briefly in a supermarket and at a factory packing chickens but soon began committing ******. He received his first prison term in 2003. A suspended sentence was handed to him four years later, followed by four more stints in jail. Released during the term he was given in 2019, he immediately began scamming another woman and was recalled to prison. Within two weeks of his release last December he was back on dating sites picking targets. When the women learned the truth, they were devastated. “My whole world fell apart,” says one. “I was just a wreck.” Another told us that, after detectives turned up at her house and told her what had been happening, she “couldn’t get out of bed”. And the woman who thought she had married him added: “He said his love was real yet everything he told me about himself was a lie.” Dr Elisabeth Carter says the psychological effect of romance scams is akin to that of ******* ****** Dr Elisabeth Carter, who advises police on offenders’ grooming methods, believes only about 15% of victims of face-to-face romance ****** come forward. “There is this shame,” she says. “They’ve not only lost their money. This person was right in front of them lying to their face. “After they realise they’re the victim of a ******, they also have grief to deal with. They’ve lost the love of their life. “The impact on victims, psychologically, of romance ****** is akin to the psychological impact of ***** and other types of ******* ****** and ********.” Cleveland Police McDonald is currently serving a jail sentence of four and a half years After his latest arrest in March, McDonald initially denied all wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to three counts of ****** by false representation. In August he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court. The judge said he did not think the sentence would be enough for some of the victims even if it had been life. He noted the emotional impact on the women was much greater than the financial loss suffered. Det **** Saad Sheban believes McDonald may never stop scamming Asked if there could be more victims living with the consequences of McDonald’s two decades of *****, Det **** Saad Sheban said: “It’ll be hundreds during this time.” And the detective has his own theory on the character behind the *******. “Ray was in denial. He didn’t believe he’d scammed anyone. He didn’t believe what he’d done was wrong. “That’s what the scary part is. Once you think what you’re doing is absolutely right then you’re not going to stop.” But he was forced to by some of the women he thought he could control. Those who came forward say they want to take what has been a deeply traumatic experience and channel it into something positive – namely warning other women about McDonald before he is released. “This ****** isn’t just about ******,” says one. “This man ruins lives. Some of us were left suicidal. “Dating sites need to take more responsibility and the law needs to change. Until it does, women need to look out for other women.” Source link #downfall #dating #fraudster Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast Training Notes: John Worsfold watches on as Jeremy McGovern returns after wedding West Coast Training Notes: John Worsfold watches on as Jeremy McGovern returns after wedding Jeremy McGovern was a welcome sight at West Coast training, just days after his wedding, while John Worsfold was a notable observer amid his return to the club. See our full training wrap here. Source link #West #Coast #Training #Notes #John #Worsfold #watches #Jeremy #McGovern #returns #wedding Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 Reliable Dividend Stocks Offering Up To 7.1% Yield 3 Reliable Dividend Stocks Offering Up To 7.1% Yield In the wake of recent global market developments, U.S. stocks have surged to record highs, buoyed by optimism around growth prospects and tax reforms following a significant political shift. Amidst this backdrop of economic uncertainty and evolving fiscal policies, dividend stocks stand out as a stable investment option due to their potential for consistent income generation. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Peoples Bancorp (NasdaqGS:PEBO) 4.51% ★★★★★★ Guaranty Trust Holding (NGSE:GTCO) 6.90% ★★★★★★ Wuliangye YibinLtd (SZSE:000858) 3.03% ★★★★★★ Guangxi LiuYao Group (SHSE:603368) 3.10% ★★★★★★ GakkyushaLtd (TSE:9769) 4.47% ★★★★★★ China South Publishing & Media Group (SHSE:601098) 4.41% ★★★★★★ FALCO HOLDINGS (TSE:4671) 6.68% ★★★★★★ CAC Holdings (TSE:4725) 4.53% ★★★★★★ E J Holdings (TSE:2153) 3.84% ★★★★★★ Citizens & Northern (NasdaqCM:CZNC) 5.37% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 1939 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. Let’s explore several standout options from the results in the screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Logista Integral, S.A. operates as a distributor and logistics operator across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Poland with a market cap of €3.88 billion. Operations: Logista Integral, S.A. generates its revenue primarily from Tobacco and Related Products (€12.09 billion), followed by Transport (€889.98 million) and Pharmaceutical Distribution (€273.42 million). Dividend Yield: 7.1% Logista Integral proposed a total dividend of €2.09 per share for 2024, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, the company’s dividends have been historically volatile and are covered by earnings with an 89.5% payout ratio and cash flows at a 78.8% cash payout ratio. While Logista’s dividend yield is among the top in Spain, its past volatility may concern some investors seeking stable income streams. BME:LOG Dividend History as at Nov 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: DBS Group Holdings Ltd offers commercial banking and financial services across Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and internationally, with a market cap of SGD120.42 billion. Operations: DBS Group Holdings Ltd generates revenue from its commercial banking and financial services operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and other international markets. Dividend Yield: 5.1% Story Continues DBS Group Holdings’ dividend yield of 5.1% is below the top quartile in Singapore, and its dividend history has been volatile with significant drops over the past decade. However, dividends are currently covered by earnings with a 55.2% payout ratio and are forecasted to remain sustainable at 64%. Recent earnings growth supports this stability, with third-quarter net income rising to SGD 3.03 billion. A share buyback program worth SGD 3 billion further underscores capital management efforts. SGX:D05 Dividend History as at Nov 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Nittoseiko Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells industrial fasteners, tools, machinery, precision equipment, and measurement control equipment both in Japan and internationally with a market cap of ¥22.15 billion. Operations: Nittoseiko Ltd. generates revenue from several segments, including Fasteners at ¥32.63 billion, Control Systems at ¥6.41 billion, Industrial Machinery at ¥5.64 billion, and Medical products at ¥9.93 million. Dividend Yield: 3.1% Nittoseiko Ltd.’s dividend yield of 3.14% is below the top quartile in Japan, and its dividend history has been volatile over the past decade. Despite this, dividends are well-covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 35.6% and cash flows at 57.4%. The stock trades at a significant discount to estimated fair value, suggesting potential for appreciation. Recent earnings growth supports future stability in dividend payments despite historical volatility concerns. TSE:5957 Dividend History as at Nov 2024 Reveal the 1939 hidden gems among our Top Dividend Stocks screener with a single click here. Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St’s portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments. Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include BME:LOG SGX:D05 and TSE:5957. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email *****@*****.tld Source link #Reliable #Dividend #Stocks #Offering #Yield Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Democrat Dave Min keeps Katie Porter’s House seat blue Democrat Dave Min keeps Katie Porter’s House seat blue *********** Scott Baugh has conceded to Democratic state legislator Dave Min in a heated race to succeed California Rep. Katie Porter, ensuring the toss-up Orange County district ******** in the Democratic column. “I was looking forward to working with Democrats, Republicans and @therealdonaldtrump to solve serious problems like an open border, increasing ******, and runaway federal spending,” Baugh said in a statement Tuesday night, “but the voters have spoken and this is not what is intended for me.” Baugh, a two-time candidate, had narrowly lost the seat two years ago to Porter. Porter’s decision to run for Senate instead of seeking reelection — which resulted in a middling third-place finish in the primary — caused significant angst among Democrats, who feared that it would be difficult to hold the seat without her national profile and fundraising prowess. Though the Orange County district is no longer the *********** stronghold it used to be, Porter only barely eked out a win in 2022 over Baugh, a former *********** legislator and party operative. Min, of Irvine, survived a bruising primary against fellow Democrat Joanna Weiss, who hammered him for a ****** driving arrest. In the general election, he touted his endorsement from law enforcement groups and portrayed Baugh as close to former President Donald Trump. Source link #Democrat #Dave #Min #Katie #Porters #House #seat #blue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perth Scorchers likely to turn to fast bowler Bryce Jackson this summer with key outs expected Perth Scorchers likely to turn to fast bowler Bryce Jackson this summer with key outs expected Perth Scorchers have West *********** fast bowler Bryce Jackson ear-marked for a role as a replacement player this season in a sign they are not expecting Mitch Marsh to feature much this season. Source link #Perth #Scorchers #turn #fast #bowler #Bryce #Jackson #summer #key #outs #expected Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jill Biden’s apparent cold shoulder for Kamala Harris ignites social media Jill Biden’s apparent cold shoulder for Kamala Harris ignites social media Social media erupted following what many characterized as first lady Jill Biden’s icy reception for Vice President Kamala Harris as the now-former Democratic presidential nominee took an adjacent seat at Arlington ********* on Tuesday. Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff approached their row of seats from the first lady’s right as the vice president greeted and shook hands with those around her — except Biden. “It’s safe to say that Jill Biden hates Kamala Harris’ guts,” ************* commentator Steve Cortes said while sharing a video snippet of the non-interaction. As Harris took her seat, Biden appeared to look straight ahead through dark sunglasses. Biden Admin Hit With Foia Suit Seeking 25Th Amendment-related Comms Vice President Kamala Haris and first lady Jill Biden listen to President Biden deliver remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National ********* on November 11, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. “Jill Biden refused to even look at Kamala,” claimed the popular X account “End Wokeness.” Read On The Fox News App Journalist Andy Ngo shared a closer-up shot of the second family and first lady, describing Biden as “stone face[d]” and commenting that Harris supporters have been, in part, blaming President Biden for their candidate’s loss last Tuesday. The interaction, or lack thereof, also received international media attention as Italian TV journalist Leonardo Panetta wrote on X in Italian that Harris was “ignored” by Biden after her defeat. Kamala Harris, left, and Jill Biden “Jill Biden… did not get up to greet her and then remained seated next to the vice president wearing sunglasses without deigning to look at her,” Panetta said. “Good climate in America.” “They’re not taking the loss well,” remarked right-wing commentator Benny Arthur Johnson. “Watch Jill Biden evidently give Kamala the cold shoulder as she arrives at Arlington National *********. Kamala shook everyone’s hand before swiftly racing past Jill as the cameras were rolling.” Jill Biden Tells Az Commencement Crowd Community College Should Be Free In America Left to right: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden place their hands over their hearts during the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National ********* in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Fellow commentator Dave Rubin added in a separate post that he hasn’t “seen two chicks that hated each other that much since Dorothy stole all the men at the Rusty Anchor from Blanche in season 7 of ‘The Golden ******’.” “Whoever seated them together hates them both,” one user replied to Rubin. ************* author David Harris Jr. suggested there appears to be a “rift” within the party following Harris’ blowout loss to President-elect Donald Trump. The first and second families were at the Virginia ********* to watch the president lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in remembrance of Veterans Day. Kamala Harris The first lady reportedly did greet Emhoff “enthusiastically,” according to a recounting by the Daily Mail, but she appeared more stoic when Harris arrived. During the campaign, the first lady did campaign for Harris and spoke of how they bonded over the loss of close family members to ******* and other connections. On Wednesday, the first lady will travel to her home region of Philadelphia to deliver remarks at a gala for the Philadelphia250 organization that is preparing to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial next year. Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for the first lady, the White House and Harris’ office for comment. Original article source: Jill Biden’s apparent cold shoulder for Kamala Harris ignites social media Source link #Jill #Bidens #apparent #cold #shoulder #Kamala #Harris #ignites #social #media Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This entrepreneur started a $100 million business called Patsnap This entrepreneur started a $100 million business called Patsnap Jeffrey Tiong, founder and CEO of PatSnap. Courtesy of Jeffrey Tiong. Many entrepreneurs will say that building a successful startup is costly — both financially and emotionally. Just ask Jeffrey Tiong. The 40-year-old is the founder and CEO of intellectual property and research and development startup Patsnap, a Singapore-based unicorn company that has surpassed an annual recurring revenue of $100 million, Tiong said in a statement in June. Tiong’s journey in building Patsnap has been far from easy. He started the company straight out of college at age 24, and has been working on it ever since, for the past 17 years. “Up until now, Patsnap is my first and only job,” he told CNBC Make It. “Let me put it this way: For the last 17 years, building the business, there have been many dark times [and] low times. I will not want to go through it again, but I’m grateful for this experience.” “I have really [learned that] what cannot ***** you will make you stronger,” said Tiong. Light bulb moment Tiong was born and raised in a relaxed coastal city in East Malaysia called Kota Kinabalu. Growing up in a typical Southeast ****** household, he thought he would become a doctor, engineer, lawyer or accountant. At 18, he moved to Singapore, where he attended the National University of Singapore and studied bioengineering. During his studies, Tiong was accepted into an overseas program by his university, which granted him the opportunity to study abroad in the U.S. while working full time for a year. Jeffrey Tiong with friends during his overseas program. Courtesy of Jeffrey Tiong. As part of the program, Tiong moved to Philadelphia in 2005 to study business at The Wharton School while working at a local medical devices startup. During his time at the startup, he helped handle research and development, as well as intellectual property due diligence. That meant digging through free public databases for information in old patents, which contained the “secret sauce” on how inventors created their inventions, he said. After months of patent research, Tiong realized that the process was highly time-consuming and “messy,” which made the research more difficult than it had to be, he said. He wanted a better tool, so he thought: Why not try to make it myself? In one of his business classes, which involved learning how to write up business plans, he decided to check if there was a market for a new kind of patent database that would be more streamlined and easy to use. As it turned out, there was. “I was really thinking to myself, these patents are so useful. If I … learn how to read, decode, extract the key information [and] make this patent information available to as many people as possible, I think that will be really useful,” he said. So, he took the idea and ran with it. Self-doubt as an entrepreneur In 2007, Tiong returned to Singapore and started Patsnap with the help of a government grant worth 55,000 Singapore dollars (about $42,000), as well as some incubation support from the National University of Singapore. However, he encountered many challenges when starting the business. “I remember I pitched to many people, and imagine… someone like myself, a fresh grad, no track record — it was just impossible to raise,” said Tiong. It didn’t help that he was introverted, and was trying to find investors during the height of the 2008 financial crisis, he added. It wasn’t until 2010 that Tiong raised his first $1 million for Patsnap. That year, he grew his team from 15 people to about 50 people. But because of his inexperience with hiring and leading a team, Tiong had to layoff two-thirds of the company within half a year. The founding team of Patsnap. Courtesy of Jeffrey Tiong. “Back then, I didn’t know how to properly interview and hire a person… so a lot of issues happened, and the product broke down,” he said. Within about six months, Tiong spent about half of the funding he had raised — half a million dollars — and thought about closing down the business. “I definitely had a lot of self-doubt,” he said, “I [was] thinking: Should I just return the money to our investors and call it a day?” But he was motivated to see things through and continued to raise funds. For about a month, Tiong and his investor traveled between major cities in Europe, Asia and the U.S. to try to gain investor support, but to no avail. “We couldn’t get any interest, so I remember, we were in a meeting room and he just banged on the table and criticized me and said: ‘Hey, [you’re] not fit to be CEO,'” Tiong said. “So that was one big setback, because I respected him a lot, and it’s true, I didn’t have enough conviction or confidence back then.” “That was a personal low point,” said Tiong. Big lessons learned It was only after years of overcoming challenges and developing his own leadership style that Tiong found more confidence as a business owner. He discovered that he wasn’t the outgoing “rah rah” type of leader, but “you can still lead a team even if you are an introvert,” Tiong said. “Throughout the years… because I went through so many dark times, low times, and still persisted — that is really when I look back [and realize] there was really great drive in me,” he said. “I just wanted to build something great that leaves something with the world.” Today, Patsnap employs over 1,000 people globally and is backed by the likes of Tencent, Sequoia China and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Some of their clients include Disney, NASA, Tesla, Adobe and more. Tiong’s biggest dream for the company is to help make innovation easier for the world. “In a nutshell, I think what we are doing by democratizing patent information, is we [are] actually [helping to] accelerate making innovation in the world easier and better,” he said. “For any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, if you strongly believe in something, then just give it a try. Just go for it, because we only live life once.” Want to earn more money at work? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Negotiate a Higher Salary. Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to get a ******* paycheck, including how to prepare and build your confidence, what to do and say, and how to craft a counteroffer. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 50% off through Nov. 26, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Source link #entrepreneur #started #million #business #called #Patsnap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BBC exposes pubs failing to enforce safety scheme BBC exposes pubs failing to enforce safety scheme BBC undercover footage shows staff at venues failing to respond when an “Ask for Angela” safety request is made Pubs, bars and clubs that have signed up for a scheme designed to protect customers who are in ***** for their safety are not implementing it, a BBC undercover investigation has found. The Ask for Angela initiative, a not-for-profit project in place at thousands of venues nationwide, aims to provide a discreet lifeline for people who believe they are in danger. Those with such fears are advised to use the code word “Angela”, to indicate to staff they are in need of help. But secret filming by BBC researchers found that in half of the London venues they visited, including major chains, staff ******* to respond to the code word. The BBC received similar reports from across the ***. It comes as more councils make participation in the scheme key to granting alcohol licences. Our investigation found staff at large chains including Greene King, JD Wetherspoon and Simmons were among those who did not recognise the code word. Greene King said it was concerned about the BBC’s findings and pledged to review how the Ask for Angela scheme was communicated to its teams. JD Wetherspoon said it had successfully dealt with many examples of distressed women using the scheme but would provide additional training if necessary. There was no response from Simmons. The Ask for Angela initiative, which is aimed mainly at women but can be used by anyone feeling unsafe at a participating establishment, has spread from the *** to countries around the world, including Canada and the Netherlands, and operates in thousands of locations. The scheme is named after Angela Crompton, who was murdered by her husband. The Ask for Angela scheme was launched in 2016 by Hayleigh Crawford, a substance misuse and ******* ********* strategic co-ordinator Staff receive special training to recognise the word Angela as a signal someone needs help. Upon hearing the code word, employees are meant to discreetly intervene, helping the person get to safety by reuniting them with friends, calling a taxi, or contacting the police if necessary. Venues often prominently advertise their participation in Ask for Angela, putting posters and stickers throughout their premises, particularly in women’s toilets, and also advertise online to say they are a safe haven. Some people say they actively seek out these establishments when arranging dates or nights out, viewing the scheme as a safety net after undergoing traumatic experiences in the past. This woman, who the BBC is identifying only as “Kay”, was physically intimidated minutes after meeting a man she connected with through a dating app One woman, who the BBC is naming only as “Kay”, explained how she had arranged to meet a man for the first time after connecting on a dating app, but the encounter turned into a nightmare. “It was fine at first,” she told the BBC. “But then the night just kept getting worse and worse.” Within minutes of sitting down together, her date began touching her inappropriately. “He started playing with my hand, and I just froze,” she recounted, visibly upset. “I pulled my hand back. I put it behind my neck. And he just kept saying, ‘give me your hand, give me your hand’.” As she tried to leave, his behaviour worsened. “We got up and then he grabbed me by my waist. And he slid his hand all the way down. I was scared and also just a bit shocked at what’s happening because I’m like, ‘leave me alone’.” Kay did not know about the Ask for Angela scheme but thinks that, implemented properly, it could have helped, and says she now seeks out venues that operate it. BBC undercover researchers tested 25 London venues that advertised they were part of the Ask for Angela scheme Following tip-offs from women and from bar staff concerned about the scheme’s implementation, BBC researchers posed as a couple on a date to test venues that actively promoted their involvement. While most of the approaches were made by a female researcher, in a couple of instances a male researcher made a request for help, as the scheme applies to anyone feeling unsafe. At one establishment, our undercover female researcher approached the bar, as if on distress on a date, and asked: “Is there anyone called Angela working?” “Who?” came the confused response. “Angela.” “Er, no.” “Are you sure?” “Positive.” This White Bear employee, who identified himself as the manager, was apparently unaware the venue was participating in the scheme At another participating venue, which the BBC is naming, the White Bear in Hounslow in west London, a man who identified himself as the manager was unaware of the scheme. He told our researcher: “Nobody called Angela here… 100%, I’m the manager – I know my staff.” When pressed further, he added: “Not in the last four years that I’ve been here.” The White Bear did not answer our questions but told us that he was not working there any more and that any “insights” from the BBC’s interaction with him were “outdated and misrepresentative”. These were not isolated incidents – 13 of the 25 venues we visited ******* to respond appropriately to the Angela code word. The manager at Hootananny in Brixton showed how the scheme should work by immediately leading our researcher to safety One of the venues that did demonstrate how the scheme should operate was Hootananny in Brixton, south London. When a female researcher asked for Angela and said she felt uncomfortable, the response was immediate. “Is everything alright?” the bartender asked without hesitation, before signalling to the manager. Within seconds, our researcher was led to a safe space and was asked: “Is there anything we can help with, or anything you want to talk to us about?” Similarly, at the White Hart in Drury Lane, central London, staff activated their response protocol when our researcher asked for Angela. The manager, Kristoff, led her outside and even arranged a safe haven at a nearby pub. “We’re going to keep him inside,” Kristoff told our researcher. “Go to this pub on the right-hand side… Ask for Neville. He’s a friend of mine, he’s the manager over there… Stay over there for half an hour and if you want to come back, come back – we’re going to make sure he’s gone.” At least £900,000 of public money has been spent promoting and implementing Ask for Angela across England and Wales, the BBC has found. The biggest investment is in London, with £324,000 from the Mayor’s Women’s Night Safety Charter Fund and £32,000 from the Metropolitan Police. Outside the capital, Knowsley Council in Merseyside invested £90,000, Colchester City Council received £77,800 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority allocated £71,000. Sussex Police was awarded £296,363 from the same Home Office fund, with a portion dedicated to Ask for Angela. The scheme is increasingly becoming embedded in official licensing policies across England and Wales. Westminster City Council, which has the most licensed venues of any local council in the country, includes the operation of Ask for Angela as a consideration in granting licences to sell alcohol, as do Camden Council and Manchester City Council. Dozens of other councils including Tower Hamlets, Cannock Chase, North West Leicestershire, Kirklees, Torbay, Haringey, and Havant either require or strongly encourage venues to implement the scheme as part of their licensing conditions. The BBC’s investigation suggests the findings from London might be indicative of wider problems across the country. Women’s safety campaigners and bar staff in Oxford, parts of the West Midlands, Manchester, Coventry, Kent and Brighton all reported concerns to the BBC about inconsistent implementation and staff training, while women’s safety organisations in Cornwall, Sheffield and Devon said the scheme had ******* to be adopted by many venues there. Sean De Sparengo Safety campaigner Jamie Klingler warns women are being left vulnerable by venues advertising a scheme they do not implement Women’s safety campaigners are calling for the Ask for Angela scheme to become mandatory, with proper enforcement. Jamie Klingler from Reclaim These Streets warns: “Women take a lot of risks to go out – a lot of the time for online dates or for meeting someone you don’t know. And a lot of people check in advance to see. “And if Ask for Angela is at a bar you’re like, ‘OK, they’ll have my back.’ “To work out it’s a figment of imagination is really horrific. We’re already telling our friends where we are; track us, have us track our phones. “To find out [the flaws in the Ask for Angela scheme], it’s more than disappointing – it’s putting women at risk.” ‘It’s a real concern’ Sylvia Oates, director of Ask for Angela, said what the BBC had discovered was concerning. “It’s disappointing to hear that only around half of the venues were able to respond appropriately… if somebody’s asking for Angela, they clearly need help. And if they don’t get the help that they expect, then the scheme is not working.” She said high staff turnover in the hospitality industry could make consistent training challenging, but added this was no excuse. “It’s a real concern that premises have got the poster up and then if somebody asks for Angela, it’s not successful,” Ms Oates said, adding that venues advertising their involvement in the scheme had a responsibility to make sure staff were trained to respond. She is calling for stronger measures to ensure compliance. “I believe that where a venue advertises that they operate Ask for Angela, then there should be some kind of fine or repercussion if they haven’t trained all their staff.” Ms Oates said there needed to be a “strong deterrent” for businesses that did not train staff properly, adding that “it’s just not acceptable that people would go to a venue expecting to get help and not get the help that they need”. She told the BBC she would be meeting MPs to discuss ways to strengthen the scheme, potentially by making participation a mandatory condition for venues with alcohol licences. Additional reporting by Laurence Cawley Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Source link #BBC #exposes #pubs #failing #enforce #safety #scheme Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA Police Commissioner warns Leavers to ‘drive safe,’ police to descend on SW in ‘high numbers’ WA Police Commissioner warns Leavers to ‘drive safe,’ police to descend on SW in ‘high numbers’ The State’s top cop has warned Leavers of a “significant and targeted” police presence when thousands of teenagers descend on the South West next week. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch urged young people travelling to destinations including Dunsborough between November 18 to 21 to ensure they “stay safe” and “take care on the roads”. “Have a lot of fun but be safe, don’t take risks, stay in your group, stay with your friends and don’t drink and drive,” he said. “If something goes wrong, find the nearest police officer and ask for their help.” New P-plater restrictions under Tom’s Law, limiting drivers to one passenger, will not be in effect until December 1 — weeks after official leavers celebrations run early next week. Mr Blanch said police would still be focused on ensuring nobody breached current — and unrestricted — provisional driver-passenger limits during Leavers. Camera IconWA Police Commissioner Col Blanch speaks to the media outside the ABC on Wednesday. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West *********** He said young people piling into cars was “always a concern” for police. “Our job is to keep people on the road safe, we will be policing down south in extraordinarily high police numbers,” he said. “We’ll be out there in force, and we will make sure people take care on the roads. “Our road policing will be very targeted, very focused, particularly on young drivers…. who have more than five in a car. Tom’s Law will consider exemptions for immediate family members, if the additional passengers have held a licence for more than four years, or if necessary for the provisional driver’s employment. It is understood police will deploy booze buses and speed cameras during Leavers. Mr Blanch reaffirmed that drinking alcohol or ***** taking would not be tolerated in designated Leavers zones. “We’ll be on the lookout for behaviour and high-risk behaviour, and if we think something’s going to cause a danger to someone, we will take all enforcement action within the law against those who are down there to do something high risk,” he told ABC Radio. Mr Blanch said a rise in road-related deaths was not deterring dangerous behaviour after a 22-year-old man was recently charged over doing a burnout in Oakford at the weekend. Police allege an 11-month-old child was in the car and that the burnout was done as a tribute for fatal ****** victim, Jady Turner. “I do know that individual never held a license, I understand they have had significant enforcement action taken against them,” he said. “What it does speak to is the thinking of some members of our community, just dangerous, reckless and *******.” “Despite all the safety messages, despite the tragedy on the road, and in this particular case, one of their friends has ***** (and for them to) still behave like that shows you how hard it is to get through some thick skulls.” This year’s road toll sits at 157 — the worst since 2016. Source link #Police #Commissioner #warns #Leavers #drive #safe #police #descend #high #numbers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

DirecTV to drop Dish acquisition plan if EchoStar debt-exchange offer fails DirecTV to drop Dish acquisition plan if EchoStar debt-exchange offer fails (Reuters) – Satellite TV provider DirecTV said on Tuesday it will abandon its planned acquisition of EchoStar’s satellite television business that includes Dish TV by Nov. 22 if bondholders don’t agree to a debt exchange. A group of Dish bondholders on Monday rejected the proposed debt-exchange offer from DirecTV that was contingent upon them accepting a “haircut” of $1.5 billion. “A successful exchange was a condition for acquiring the Dish video business,” a DirecTV spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement. “Given the outcome of the EchoStar exchange, DirecTV will have no choice but to terminate the acquisition of Dish by midnight on Nov. 22.” EchoStar and Dish did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The proposed deal, initially announced in September, was seen as a strategic consolidation in a shrinking pay-TV market as both DirecTV and Dish face intensifying competition from streaming services. As part of the two-step transaction, DirecTV was to pay $1 to buy the pay TV business called Dish DBS that includes Dish and Sling TV, while agreeing to assume about $9.75 billion of Dish’s debt. Dish and DirecTV launched an exchange offer at a discounted rate for the debt to help extend the maturities. The deal will provide a crucial lifeline to EchoStar, which was co-founded by telecommunications entrepreneur Charlie Ergen and is currently saddled with more than $20 billion in debt. (Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu) Source link #DirecTV #drop #Dish #acquisition #plan #EchoStar #debtexchange #offer #fails Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oil could plunge to $40 in 2025 if OPEC unwinds voluntary production cuts, analysts say Oil could plunge to $40 in 2025 if OPEC unwinds voluntary production cuts, analysts say A pump jack in Midland, Texas, US, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. Anthony Prieto | Bloomberg | Getty Images Oil prices may see a drastic fall in the event that oil alliance OPEC+ unwinds its existing output cuts, said market watchers who are predicting a bearish year ahead for crude. “There is more ***** about 2025’s oil prices than there has been since years — any year I can remember, since the ***** Spring,” said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at OPIS, an oil price reporting agency. “You could get down to $30 or $40 a barrel if OPEC unwound and didn’t have any kind of real agreement to rein in production. They’ve seen their market share really dwindle through the years,” Kloza added. A decline to $40 a barrel would mean around a 40% erasure of current crude prices. Global benchmark Brent is currently trading at $72 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures are around $68 per barrel. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Oil prices year-to-date Given that oil demand growth next year probably won’t be much more than 1 million barrels a day, a full unwinding of OPEC+ supply cuts in 2025 would “undoubtedly see a very steep slide in crude prices, possibly toward $40 a barrel,” Henning Gloystein, head of energy, climate and resources at Eurasia Group, told CNBC. Similarly, MST Marquee’s senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic posited that should OPEC+ unwind cuts without regard to demand, it would “effectively amount to a price war over market share that could send oil to lows not seen since Covid.” However, the alliance is more likely to opt for a gradual unwinding early next year, compared to a full scale and immediate one, the analysts said. Should the producers group proceed with their production plan, the market surplus could nearly double. Martoccia Francesco Energy strategist at Citi The oil cartel has been exercising discipline in maintaining its voluntary output cuts, to the point of extending them. In September, OPEC+ postponed plans to begin gradually rolling back on the 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary cuts by two months in an effort to stem the slide of oil prices. The 2.2 million bpd cut, which was implemented over the second and third quarters, had been due to expire at the end of September. At the start of this month, the oil cartel again decided to delay the planned oil output increase by another month to the end of December. Oil prices have been weighed by a sluggish post-Covid recovery in demand from China, the world’s second-largest economy and leading crude oil importer. In its monthly report released Tuesday, OPEC lowered its 2025 global oil demand growth forecast from 1.6 million barrels per day to 1.5 million barrels per day. The pressured prices were also conflagrated by a perceivably oversupplied market, especially as key oil producers outside the OPEC alliance like the U.S., Canada, Guyana and Brazil are also planning to add supply, Gloystein highlighted. Bearish year ahead for oil The market consensus is that there’ll be a “substantial” oil stock build next year, said Citibank energy strategist Martoccia Francesco. “Should the producers group proceed with their production plan, the market surplus could nearly double… reaching as much as 1.6 million barrels per day,” said Francesco. Even if OPEC+ doesn’t unwind the cuts, the future ofl prices is still looking break. Citi analysts expect Brent price to average $60 per barrel next year. Further fueling the bearish outlook is the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose return is associated by some with a potential trade war, said analysts who spoke to CNBC. “If we do get a trade war — and a lot of economists think that a trade war is possible, and particularly against China — we could see much, much lower prices,” said OPIS’ Kloza. Trump has also touted a “drill baby drill” policy for U.S. producers, vowing to cut energy prices in half. For that to happen to retail gasoline prices, oil would need to drop to “below $40” per barrel, said Matt Smith, Kpler’s lead oil analyst. Right now, retail gasoline prices are at a “sweet spot” at $3 per gallon, where consumers do not feel the pinch and input prices are still sufficiently high for producers, Smith added. Source link #Oil #plunge #OPEC #unwinds #voluntary #production #cuts #analysts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

VW launches $5.8bn partnership with Tesla rival Rivian VW launches $5.8bn partnership with Tesla rival Rivian Volkswagen Group (VW) and Tesla rival Rivian have launched a ****** venture, with the ******* car giant increasing its investment in the partnership. The two companies say the the deal is now worth $5.8bn (£4.55bn) – up from an initial pledge of $5bn by VW. Shares in the US electric vehicle (EV) maker jumped more than 9% in after-hours trading following the announcement. The tie-up will see the firms sharing critical technology at a time of slowing global demand for electric cars and increased competition from ******** rivals. The ****** venture provides loss-making Rivian with a crucial source of funding as it prepares for the launch next year of its R2 model – a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that is smaller and more affordable than its current offerings. It also means VW will be able to use Rivian’s technology in its own range of vehicles. The first VW models equipped with Rivian technology are expected to be available to customers as early as 2027. “By combining their complementary expertise, the two companies plan to reduce development costs and scale new technologies more quickly,” the two companies said in a statement. Under the plan, developers and software engineers from both firms will initially work side by side in California, while three other facilities in North America and Europe will be set up. Source link #launches #5.8bn #partnership #Tesla #rival #Rivian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Convicted backpacker ******* Peter Van de Wetering released from jail, laced on supervision order after 2013 ***** case Convicted backpacker ******* Peter Van de Wetering released from jail, laced on supervision order after 2013 ***** case A man who kidnapped, drugged and ****** a backpacker in an ******* compared to being from the film Wolf Creek has secured a win following a protracted legal battle to keep him behind bars. Source link #Convicted #backpacker #******* #Peter #Van #Wetering #released #jail #laced #supervision #order #***** #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Up to US to decide what to do with decommissioned HAWK missiles, Taiwan says Up to US to decide what to do with decommissioned HAWK missiles, Taiwan says TAIPEI (Reuters) – It is up to the ******* States to decide what to do with Taiwan’s decommissioned HAWK anti-aircraft missiles, the island’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday, when asked if they would be transferred to Ukraine. The ******* States and its allies have provided billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine since Russia attacked the country two years ago in what Moscow calls a “special military operation”. That has included weapons being phased out by some Western nations, like F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands. Koo, speaking to reporter at parliament and responding to a question on whether Taiwan’s decades-old HAWK missiles could go to Ukraine, said Taiwan no longer needed the weapons and their decommissioning was being handled in accordance with regulations. “If the U.S. side requests that we transfer them back to them, we will do so in accordance with the relevant regulations and return them to the ******* States, and then the ******* States will decide what to do with them,” he said, without elaborating. Taiwan has offered strong moral support to Ukraine since the invasion, seeing parallels with the threat Taipei says it faces from its giant neighbour China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory. But Taiwan has not made any public announcements about directly sending weapons to Ukraine. Taiwan is in the process of upgrading its own missile defences, including a deal with the ******* States announced last month worth almost $2 billion for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air defence solutions that includes the advanced AMRAAM Extended Range surface to air missiles. The NASAMS system has been battle tested in Ukraine and represents a significant increase in air defence capabilities that the ******* States is exporting to Taiwan as demand for the system surges. The Raytheon MIM-23 HAWK system – a contrived acronym for Homing All the Way ******* – was designed in the depths of the Cold War to ****** down ****** ********. It was refined and upgraded in the decades since then, including variants by user countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, according to U.S. military documents. Although the U.S. military no longer uses it, and the HAWK is considered less capable than more modern air defence systems, the most recent variants are capable of hitting targets at altitudes as low as 60 metres – a useful trait against the barrages of small, slow one-way ******* drones Ukraine has faced. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Gerry Doyle; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Source link #decide #decommissioned #HAWK #missiles #Taiwan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Loss-making EV firm VinFast to get $3.4 billionmore funding from founder, parent company Loss-making EV firm VinFast to get $3.4 billionmore funding from founder, parent company VinFast electric vehicles are parked before delivery to their first customers at a store in Los Angeles, March 1, 2023. Lisa Baertlein | Reuters Nasdaq-listed electric vehicle maker VinFast said on Wednesday it will get a fresh round of funding worth $3.35 billion from its founder and its parent firm, Vingroup by 2026, when it expects to break even. VinFast began operations in 2019 and has been expanding aggressively into global markets, but the firm continues to report increasing losses as it grapples with softer demand and challenges in the sector. Approximately $1.97 billion of the new funding is expected to come from VinFast’s founder, tycoon Pham Nhat Vuong, according to a company statement. Vingroup, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, intends to lend up to $1.38 billion to VinFast by the end of 2026 through its activities, dividends, and possible divestment, which it said may be conducted at an acceptable price if necessary. Additionally, Vingroup will convert all existing loans to VinFast Vietnam into preferred shares with dividend entitlements, it said. Vuong, who owns 97.9% of VinFast shares both directly and indirectly, gave assurances of his commitment to increase investment in the automotive unit during a general meeting in April. “VinFast ******** committed to raising independent capital to meet its financial needs. The support from Vingroup and Vuong will be utilized only if these independent efforts fall short,” VinFast said in the statement. Since its inception in 2017 up until June this year, VinFast has received capital injections totaling $13.5 billion from Vingroup, its affiliates, and founder Vuong, according to a company filing in late October. The new commitments would boost total funding to nearly $17 billion. VinFast, with North America as its primary market, has said it is facing challenges in marketing and selling its EVs in international markets outside of Vietnam. The EV maker recorded a net loss of $773.5 million in the April-June *******, a 27% increase from the first quarter and loss 40% ******* than that of the same ******* last year. It anticipates further losses in the upcoming quarters. In July, VinFast suspended its $2 billion manufacturing complex project in North Carolina until 2028 due to challenging market conditions. Automakers are preparing for potential new U.S. tariffs on vehicles from other countries and a possible reversal of existing pro-electric vehicle policies under president-elect Donald Trump, as reported by Reuters. Source link #Lossmaking #firm #VinFast #billionmore #funding #founder #parent #company Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fujifilm is developing a 102MP medium format cinema camera Fujifilm is developing a 102MP medium format cinema camera Fujifilm is developing a medium-format, 102-megapixel cinema camera, the company said in a surprise announcement. Due next year, the GFX Eterna will carry a boxy, modular design reminiscent of Sony’s FX6 or the new Blackmagic Pyxis and will likely be launched with a top handle, electronic viewfinder and other optional accessories. The new camera will have a medium format GFX 102-megapixel (MP) CMOS II HS sensor, the same one used on the GFX100 II. That sensor is 43.8mm x 32.9 mm in size, or 1.7 times larger than the full-frame sensor found on the aforementioned FX or Pyxis. That will be one of the largest cinema camera sensors available, even ******* than RED’s V-Raptor XL sensor. The benefits will be extra dynamic range, potentially high resolution and a very shallow depth of field that should allow for cinematic shots when paired with the right lens. That does bring up the fact that Fujifilm currently has no GFX glass designed specifically for film production. However, the company said it’s developing a 32-90mm power zoom lens (24-70mm full-frame equivalent) and will have a mount adapter for GFX to PL lenses, which are widely used in cinema. One other concern might be rolling shutter distortion. RED’s V-Raptor XL uses a global shutter that has zero distortion, but the sensor Fujifilm will employ has a fair bit of it . In addition, the GFX100 II captures 8K with a 1.53x crop, negating many of the benefits of a medium format sensor — so, hopefully Fujifilm will resolve those issues with its cinema camera. Fujifilm will show off the GFX Eterna starting tomorrow at the InterBEE 2024 media exhibition in Chiba City, Japan. It’s set to be released sometime in 2025, with an exact date and pricing yet to be announced. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Fujifilm #developing #102MP #medium #format #cinema #camera Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spirit Airlines flight attendant injured after gunfire strikes plane to Haiti Spirit Airlines flight attendant injured after gunfire strikes plane to Haiti A Spirit Airlines plane awaits takeoff at LaGuardia Airport in New York Leslie Josephs/CNBC Gunfire hit a Spirit Airlines flight to Haiti on Monday, injuring a crew member, and may have struck a separate flight from the country as the State Department warned of “gang-led efforts” to stop travel to the Caribbean nation. Spirit confirmed in a statement that one of its flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was diverted to the Dominican Republic on Monday. It said an inspection of the aircraft showed damage consistent with gunfire. “One Flight Attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel,” the statement said. “No Guest injuries were reported.” Spirit said that it is suspending its services to Haiti pending “evaluation” of the incident and that the plane was being taken out of service for the time being. A return flight to Florida is being arranged for members of the crew and the passengers who were diverted to the Dominican Republic. The U.S. State Department subsequently issued an alert warning of “gang-led efforts” to stop travel to Haiti and cautioning Americans not to go there. Also on Monday, a post-flight inspection of the exterior of a JetBlue aircraft used for a trip from Port-au-Prince to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport turned up evidence that it had been struck by a round, the airline said in a statement. “No issues were initially reported by the operating crew,” JetBlue said. The airline launched an investigation and said its flights to and from Haiti will be suspended through at least Dec. 2. It blamed “ongoing civil unrest” for the pause in travel. ********* Airlines said a statement that it was also suspending its services from Miami to Port-au-Prince. “We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed,” it said. The State Department said in an alert from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince on Monday that it was aware of a pause in operations at the city’s airport. “The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed *********, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports,” the alert said. The State Department advises against travel to Haiti, which is still in the midst of violent political turmoil. Even travel within the Caribbean country is not advised. “You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti,” the embassy said. “Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so.” Haiti has been overcome by armed groups vying for control after a power vacuum was left by the ************** of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Ariel Henry, the deeply unpopular prime minister at the time, assumed the role of president and ******* to hold elections. And when he once again delayed elections this year, ********* ensued as armed militias plunged the country into civil unrest and put the lives of civilians in danger. Henry said in April that he would resign once other Caribbean nations and parties broker a transitional government. Source link #Spirit #Airlines #flight #attendant #injured #gunfire #strikes #plane #Haiti Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters As someone who gets motion ***** easily and doesn’t love unexpected things coming at me, 4DX has never been my cup of tea. However, as a long time fan of Wicked, that could change as Xfinity has released a new 4DX ad ahead of Wicked the movie’s November 22 release date. The ad is a short film titled Stay Connected to Your Dreams and was directed by Alice Brooks, Wicked‘s director of photography. It centers on Wicked‘s leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The short film shows viewers Erivo and Grande’s childhoods and their love of Wicked, Grande’s decade and a half old tweet wishing she’d one day play Glinda and the calls when each actor learned they’d been cast in the movie. According to Xfinity, the 4DX film will allow the audience to “feel the magic of Oz” and includes synchronized motion seats, wind, lightning and, of course, bubbles (IYKYK). The company also claims it’s the first 4DX spot to be played nationwide. While we’ve not always been fans of 4DX, Wicked lovers might enjoy the slightly more immersive experience. You can experience the short film in select 4DX Regal theaters before the movie premieres or sans-4DX here. The second part of Wicked should arrive next year, on November 21, 2025. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Wicked #4DX #playing #select #theaters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Migratory birds can use Earth’s magnetic field like a GPS Migratory birds can use Earth’s magnetic field like a GPS Eurasian reed warblers migrate between Europe and ******* AGAMI Photo Agency / Alamy Stock Many migratory birds use Earth’s magnetic field as a compass, but some can also use information from that field to determine more or less where they are on a mental map. Eurasian reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) appear to calculate their geographical position by drawing data from different distances and angles between magnetic fields and the Earth’s shape. The findings suggest that the birds use magnetic information as a sort of “GPS” that tells them not only where to go, but where they are initially, says Richard Holland at Bangor University in the ***. “When we travel, we have a map – which tells us where we are – and we have a compass, which tells us which way to go to reach our destination,” he says. “We don’t think birds have quite this level of accuracy or degree of knowledge of the whole Earth. Even so, they see how magnetic cues change as they move along their normal path – or even if they’re far displaced from that path.” Scientists have known for decades that migratory birds rely on cues from the sun, the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to determine which direction to head towards. But figuring out direction using a compass is markedly different from knowing where in the world they are, and scientists still debate about whether – and how – birds figure out their current map position. Florian Packmor at Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park Authority in Germany suspected birds could detect detailed aspects of the magnetic field to determine their global position. Specifically, he thought they might use magnetic inclination – the changing angle of Earth’s surface relative to its magnetic lines – and magnetic declination – the difference in direction between the geographic and magnetic poles – to understand more precisely where they are located in the world. To test that theory, Packmor, Holland and their colleagues captured 21 ****** reed warblers on their migration route from Europe to ******* in Illmitz, Austria. There, they placed the birds temporarily in outdoor aviaries, where the researchers used a Helmholtz coil to interfere with magnetic fields. They artificially altered the inclination and declination in a way that corresponded to a position in Neftekamsk, Russia, 2600 kilometres away. “That’s way out of their direction,” says Packmor. The team then put the birds in a special cage for studying migratory instincts and asked two independent researchers – who were unaware of the changes in magnetic field – to record which way the birds headed. In the modified magnetic field situations, most of the birds showed a clear penchant for flying west-southwest, as though they were trying to return to their migration route from Russia. By contrast, the same birds wanted to fly south-southeast out of Austria when the magnetic field was unmodified. This suggests that the birds believed that they were no longer in Austria, but in Russia – based on their magnetic inclination and declination alone, says Packmor. “Of course, they don’t know it’s Russia, but it’s too far north and east of where they should be,” says Holland. “And then at that point, they look at their compass system to work out how to fly south and west.” However, we still don’t fully understand the neurological mechanisms that enable birds to sense these aspects of Earth’s magnetic field. “This is an important step in understanding how magnetic maps of songbirds – and in particular, reed warblers – work,” says Nikita Chernetsov at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg, who was not involved in the study. While the research confirms reed warblers rely on these magnetic fields for positioning, it doesn’t mean that all birds do so, he adds. “Not all birds work the same way.” The birds were released two to three weeks after the study, at which time they could continue their normal migration, Packmor and Holland say. Indeed, one of the birds they studied was captured a second time a year later, meaning the team’s research did not prevent it from migrating successfully. Topics: Source link #Migratory #birds #Earths #magnetic #field #GPS Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Headspace’s ****** Friday deals discounts subscriptions by 50 percent Headspace’s ****** Friday deals discounts subscriptions by 50 percent The winter holidays are upon us and despite the festive feelings we might be hoping for, this time of year is often paired with increased stress, worry and anxiety. Fortunately, there are some great tools for helping to manage those negative emotions while promoting positive ones. One of those tools is the Headspace mental health app, which is running a three-week ****** Friday deal. From November 12 through December 4, you can snag a for half off. This subscription normally costs $70 a year, but during this promotion, you can access the service for $35 billed annually. And what better time than the holiday chaos to gift someone (or heck, to gift yourself) a little bit of mindfulness? Headspace Headspace’s service has features to help users with meditation, sleep tools, mindfulness and general mental health. Its holistic approach made Headspace stand out as one of our . Reviewer Lawrence Bonk appreciated how well Headspace created progression across its courses, as well as the chance to pick from different instructors so that any user can find the meditation guidance that will work best for their individual brains. This app is also getting the AI treatment. Headspace has introduced an AI companion named Ebb that can help users by recommending meditations and activities to best match their current challenges. Since this is a year-long subscription, it’s a gift that keeps on giving for whoever you choose to buy this plan for. Having a happier brain is a present anyone can appreciate. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. Source link #Headspaces #****** #Friday #deals #discounts #subscriptions #percent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drought, fires and fossil fuels push CO2 emissions to a record high Drought, fires and fossil fuels push CO2 emissions to a record high Wildfires in the tropics drove some increase in CO2 emissions but the bulk was driven by burning fossil fuels Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in 2024 are set to ***** past last year’s record levels, dashing hopes this year will see the planet-warming emissions peak. “Reducing emissions is more urgent than ever and there’s only one way to do it: massively reduce fossil emissions,” says Pierre Friedlingstein at the University of Exeter, ***. That is according to the latest Global Carbon Budget report, a preliminary accounting of CO2 emissions to date with projections to the end of the year, produced by Friedlingstein and his colleagues. It was released at the COP29 summit now underway in Azerbaijan, where countries aim to set new financial targets to address climate change. Last year, some researchers were forecasting a peak in emissions in 2024, but the report finds human-caused CO2 emissions are set to reach a record 41.6 gigatonnes in 2024, a 2 per cent rise on 2023’s record. Almost 90 per cent of that total consists of emissions from burning fossil fuels. The rest is from changes in the land driven mostly by deforestation and wildfires. At 0.8 per cent, the growth rate of fossil fuel emissions is half that of 2023, although it ******** higher than the average rate over the past decade. “[The slower rate] is a good sign, but it’s still miles away from where we need to get,” says Friedlingstein. Despite a long-term downward trend, projected emissions from land use change also increased this year, largely due to drought-driven wildfires in the tropics. Some of the increase is also down to a collapse of the carbon land sink in 2023, which usually removes about a quarter of our annual CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. This sink declined by more than 40 per cent last year and the early part of 2024 as global temperatures spiked under the influence of El Niño. “2023 is an incredible demonstration of what can happen in a warmer world when we had peak records in global temperatures combined with El Niño droughts and fires,” says Pep Canadell at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia, a co-author of the report. “Put all these things together and last year we had almost a third less help removing atmospheric CO2 by the world’s forests than we have had over the last decade.” While this also added to emissions in 2024, the researchers expect this “land carbon sink” has mostly recovered as the warming influence of El Niño has faded. “It’s not a long-term collapse,” says Friedlingstein. The report finds CO2 emissions in China, which generates nearly a third of the global total, are only projected to increase by 0.2 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. Canadell says that because of the large margin of error in this projection of China’s emissions, it is actually possible they have stayed steady or gone down. India’s emissions also increased at a slower rate than last year, rising by just under 5 per cent. In the US and the EU, emissions continued to decline, albeit at a much slower rate than last year. Hot temperatures that boost electricity demand to power air conditioning are also a key reason why fossil fuel emissions have continued to rise despite the massive build-out of renewables in 2024, says Neil Grant at Climate Analytics, a think tank in Germany. Whether due to electric vehicles, data centres or manufacturing, “most people have been caught a bit surprised by the level of electricity demand this year”, he says. If emissions continue at this level, the report finds that within six years the world will exceed its remaining carbon budget to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and will exceed the budget to stay within 2°C warming within 27 years. “We have to accelerate, accelerate, accelerate, accelerate the transition to renewable energy,” says Candell. “Climate change is like a slippery slope that we can just keep falling down. We need to slam on the brakes as hard as we can so we can stop falling.” Topics: Source link #Drought #fires #fossil #fuels #push #CO2 #emissions #record #high Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

League tables to reveal failing NHS trusts League tables to reveal failing NHS trusts PA Failing hospitals will be revealed in league tables and NHS managers sacked if they do not turn things around, the health secretary will tell health leaders at a conference in Liverpool. Wes Streeting is promising a “no-holds-barred, sweeping review” of NHS performance in England. Hospitals can expect to be ranked on indicators such as care delivery and finances, so patients can see whether they are receiving a good service. And “turnaround teams” will be sent into struggling trusts, while top performers will have more freedom over spending. Reuters Meanwhile, senior leaders will be denied pay rises if key improvements are not made. A new pay framework for chief executives will be published in April, which will “clamp down” on poor performance while rewarding success. Streeting will tell the NHS Providers conference there will be “no more turning a ****** eye” to ******** – something he has promised before, along with the idea of league tables. “We will drive the health service to improve, so patients get more out of it for what taxpayers put in,” he will say. “Our health service must attract top talent, be far more transparent to the public who pay for it, and run as efficiently as global businesses.” ‘Deep dives’ The Department of Health and Social Care says, currently, there is little incentive for trusts to run budget surpluses, from which they are unable to benefit – but that will now change. Top performers will be given more capital and greater control over where to invest it – be that new equipment or technology or modernising their buildings. The NHS Oversight Framework, which sets out how trusts and integrated care boards are best monitored, will be updated to ensure performance is properly scrutinised. And at poorly performing trusts, government and NHS England “deep dives” will identify the most pressing issues and how they can be resolved. NHS trusts could also be banned from using expensive agency staffing to cover certain rota gaps. Some recruitment agencies have charged up to £2,000 for a single nursing shift -and last year, temporary workers cost the NHS in England £3bn, the government says. ‘Cut waiting’ NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard welcomed the accountability, saying: “The extensive package of reforms, developed together with government, will empower all leaders working in the NHS – and it will give them the tools they need to provide the best possible services for our patients.” But Patients Association chief executive Rachel Power warned the new measures must bring positive change. “We hope trusts who receive greater funding freedom will use this money wisely – to cut waiting times, make the waiting experience better for patients, and strengthen the ways they work with patients to improve services,” she said. “These are the things that matter most to people using the NHS.” ‘Challenging circumstances’ Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS trusts, said health services were already subject a lot of oversight and regulation – and the prospect of “more league tables” would concern health leaders. “NHS staff are doing their very best for patients, under very challenging circumstances, and we do not want them feeling like they are being named and shamed,” he said. “League tables in themselves do not lead to improvement.” Mr Taylor said the “****** will be in the detail around what constitutes ********”, much of which could be beyond a health leader’s immediate control. “We look forward to working with the government to make sure that any new measures don’t disincentivise managers from taking on roles in struggling organisations,” he said. NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts in England, said hospitals were already doing everything possible to boost productivity while delivering tough efficiency measures. Source link #League #tables #reveal #failing #NHS #trusts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NVIDIA’s new all-in-one PC app launches out of beta today NVIDIA’s new all-in-one PC app launches out of beta today NVIDIA has been testing a single app that merges the GeForce Experience and Control Panel over the past year. After rolling out several betas to make sure it works as intended, the company has officially launched the NVIDIA application, which is now available to download for users with its GPUs in their PCs and laptops. The company says the app is meant to make it easy to keep their NVIDIA Studio and GeForce Game Ready drivers updated and to give users quick access to its latest programs. In its home screen, users will find a prominently displayed section that will lead them to the latest driver downloads, as well as sections that will take them to other NVIDIA applications. At the bottom, they’ll find a Library section showing their most recently opened games and programs that they can launch from there. Since it’s supposed to provide a unified experience, users will be able to fine-tune the settings for their games and programs from within the app. Users will be able to access Optimal Playable Settings with relevant Control Panel options, and they’ll be able to configure their displays, enable G-SYNC, enhance videos with AI and fine-tune their GPU’s performance from within its interface. NVIDIA explains that it designed the unified application to be 50 percent more responsive than the GeForce Experience. It also installs in half the time. It’s also worth noting that app will introduce a redesigned in-game overlay that simplifies access to gameplay recording tools capable of capturing video in 4K at 120 FPS, as well as AI-powered filters for those with RTX GPUs. They’ll then be able to view their screenshots and new videos in the app’s Gallery. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #NVIDIAs #allinone #app #launches #beta #today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]