Houthis claim ‘Palestine 2’ missile hit ******** military base
Houthis claim ‘Palestine 2’ missile hit ******** military base
Houthi rebels claim to have hit an ******** military base with a ballistic missile in the wake of US strikes against its strongholds.
The Iran-backed militia announced a “hypersonic ballistic missile”, known as the Palestine 2, was used in the strike on the Nahal Sorek military base in central *******, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
“The hit was accurate, and led to a ***** ignition in the vicinity of the targeted site,” they added.
The ******* Defence Forces (IDF) said it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen before it entered ******** airspace.
Firefighters were battling blazes in west Jerusalem that the military said was sparked by debris from the intercepted missile.
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Credit: X/ @Bashareport
It marked the second missile ******* claimed by the Houthis in recent days after the group claimed to have targeted Nevatim air base in southern ******* on Nov 8 with a ballistic missile. ******* said the projectile was successfully intercepted.
It follows US air strikes over the weekend on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the capital, Sana’a.
Houthi media claimed the *** was also involved in the attacks, but there has been no official confirmation.
The Pentagon told the AFP news agency that advanced weapons storage facilities had been targeted in the raids.
The ****** strikes, which started in January, are part of an ongoing effort to quash the group which since November has launched a blockade on global shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis say the attacks are in solidarity with ****** in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both Iranian ******* proxies. Hezbollah launched attacks on ******* on Oct 8, in solidarity with ******, sparking a wider conflict around *******’s borders.
Since November, dozens of international seamen have been taken ********, ships sunk and taken captive, and four men ******* as the Houthis try to force a ceasefire in Gaza and the war sparked by ******’s Oct 7 massacre.
The Houthis have launched multiple direct attacks against *******, including one in July which narrowly missed the US embassy on the Tel Aviv beachfront, hitting a nearby residential building, ******** one.
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FromSoftware Parent Company Confirms 20 Upcoming Console Games
FromSoftware Parent Company Confirms 20 Upcoming Console Games
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November 11, 2024
FromSoftware’s parent company, Kadokawa Corporation, recently confirmed that they have 26 games actively in development.
According to a report by GameWatch (via Automaton), Kadokawa Corporation confirmed these games during their latest earnings report. Out of the 26 titles, 20 are being developed for consoles, and the other six are being created for mobile. FromSoftware, Spike Chunsoft, Gotcha Gotcha Games, Acquire, VIC GAME STUDIOS, and more will develop these games. Acquire from the Tenchu series was acquired by Kadokawa in December 2023.
FromSoftware has several anticipated games on the horizon. Popular franchises like Armored Core and Dark Souls already have multiple instalments, so fans can expect new entries in these series. Additionally, FromSoftware may develop new sequels for titles like Sekiro: Shadows **** Twice and Elden Ring. Moreover, there is a possibility of receiving remasters or remakes of some of their classic games.
In other news, FromSoftware recently increased their base salaries by 11.8% and offered more to new graduates. Also, I learned how Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC saved the Kadokawa corporation from cyberattack losses. What are your thoughts on FromSoftware, the parent company confirming 20 console games? Let us know in the comments or our new community forum!
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Fibertime broadens fibre access across South *******’s underserved communities
Fibertime broadens fibre access across South *******’s underserved communities
With currently less than 85% of South Africans having access to high-speed broadband, leaving many reliant on costly mobile plans that are up to 70 times more expensive per gigabit than fibre, local unlimited pay-as-you-go broadband internet provider Fibertime is to deploy a fibre service to rapidly expand broadband access to underserved regions of South *******.
Part of the Isizwe group holding company, the Stellenbosch-based firm currently has an active network presence in the Western and Eastern Cape, having launched a proof-of-concept fibre network in the Kayamandi township in November 2022, initially connecting 880 homes.
The service, called the Kayamandi Fibre Project, was regarded as a radically new way of deploying fibre to the home, offering free installation and router, no debit order, and vouchers available in increments of R5 for 24 hours of 100mbps uncapped internet. As it built out, the company said it has now landed on the Kayamandi Connected service, where almost all homes and shacks are connected to superfast, uncapped, affordable pay-as-you-go fibre.
In this latest iteration of the company’s services, Fibertime will connect its next 1.5 million customers initially covering Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Mangaung and Stellenbosch, with plans to rapidly expand into additional countries and communities.
Through the new fibre service, Fibertime said it can unlock a new wave of affordable, reliable, pay-as-you-go broadband, empowering local communities with increased access to education, employment and business opportunities. The deployment will look to create a semi-mobile network in underserved areas, allowing users to access high-speed broadband services from anywhere in the community, not just their homes or businesses.
Nokia’s technologies are seen as key to enabling Fibertime’s flagship product to be made available at R5 a day for uncapped, unthrottled internet. As part of the agreement with Nokia, the operator will be using Lightspan FX optical line terminals (OLTs) and Wi-Fi 6-enabled optical network terminals (ONTs). Fibertime will deploy 500,000 Wi-Fi 6-enabled ONTs over the next 36 months, prioritising homes in underserved areas. Fibertime will also use Nokia’s ONT Easystart to automate and simplify the ONT activation process, helping to streamline deployments.
Fibertime is also working on an advanced network upgrade powered by the Altiplano platform to further drive automation and scale. Nokia and Fibertime are also working on new R&D projects to develop technologies that enhance connectivity and enable operations in *******’s most remote areas.
Fibertime founder Alan Knott-Craig said: “With Nokia’s support, we’re confident in our ability to reach 1.5 million homes within the next five years. We’re unlocking a massive, untapped market of 13 million homes in South ******* that are ready for affordable, quality internet.
“That market will need approximately R60 billion of investment over the coming decade and will generate reliable returns for investors,” he said. “The market opportunity is akin to that presented to mobile operators when they expanded into prepaid markets. Together with Nokia, we can bridge the digital divide, accelerate growth, and create lasting social and economic impact across South *******.”
“Nokia’s fibre solution is uniquely positioned to help Fibertime reach millions of underserved customers needing high-speed broadband for essential services like online education and telehealth,” added Sandy Motley, president of fixed networks at Nokia.
“Our scalable OLT portfolio provides flexible coverage for both densely populated and rural areas. Paired with our Wi-Fi 6-enabled ONTs, we enable fast, automated onboarding. Together, these solutions allow Fibertime to speed up deployments and provide the capacity to bring thousands of customers online at once.”
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Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia
Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia
Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million.
General Catalyst has $30 billion in assets under management and has backed major U.S. tech companies like Snap, Stripe and AirBnb. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also saw participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, and Arbor Ventures, among others, bringing the Riyadh-based firm’s total funding to over $100 million to date, according to a Sunday statement from the company.
For three of those investors — General Catalyst, Stanley Druckenmiller and Bain Capital — this investment is their first in the kingdom.
What this signifies, Lean Technologies CEO and co-founder Hisham Al-Falih told CNBC, is that “this is a huge vote of confidence for their view of the growth trajectory that Saudi is on and the potential that it has over the next decade.”
The kingdom is pushing ahead with Vision 2030, its initiative to diversify its economy away from oil and create new jobs and industries for the overwhelmingly young Saudi workforce. Now more than ever, the kingdom wants foreign capital and direct investment coming into Saudi Arabia rather than flowing out of it, allowing for local employment, knowledge transfer and training, and the development of a variety of sectors.
Fintech plays a major role in this evolution, Al-Falih stressed.
“We are just getting started. I feel like there’s so much more investment that needs to go into deepening our tech stack, to expanding our payment solutions, to expanding our data services, to deepening our partnerships with banks in the region and with the support and enablement of the central banks in the region as well,” Al-Falih said. “If you look at the region’s growth over the last three to five years, it’s been phenomenal, but there is still so much more room for growth.”
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Xavierarnau | E+ | Getty Images
Revenue from the fintech industry in the Middle East and North ******* amounted to $1.5 billion in 2022, and could grow to be between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion by 2025, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. Fintech revenues in the region are less than 1% of banking revenues, Al-Falih said citing the report, compared to 4 to 5% in more mature markets like the U.S. and U.K.
“We are almost an order of magnitude away from where we could be in terms of the fintech revenue and its participation to the economy,” the Lean Technologies CEO said. “And that gives us the wind behind our sales and the motivation to keep building those tools and the picks and shovels, if you will, to enable those bold innovators to achieve their dreams.”
Lean Technologies specializes in providing the financial infrastructure that allows secure data-sharing between bank accounts and applications. Regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Markets in the ******* ***** Emirates, Lean works to facilitate A2A (account-to-account) payments, meaning funds transferred directly between two bank accounts rather than via intermediaries like payment processors or credit card networks.
The company works with major local clients like Emirati state telecoms firm e& and ride-hailing super app company Careem, with over $2 billion in total processed volumes, according to its press release issued Sunday.
In Saudi Arabia, Lean’s “launch of its data solutions under the Saudi Central Bank’s regulatory sandbox has impacted clients across various industries, including insurance, lending, and marketplaces, verifying nearly 1 million bank accounts,” the release said.
As of September of this year, Saudi Arabia’s fintech startups have raised over $1.84 billion in venture capital investments since 2018, according to Monsha’a, the kingdom’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises. KPMG in September reported that in 2023 alone, Saudi fintechs attracted $791 million — a 231% leap from the previous year.
The number of active fintech startups in the country since the launch of its “Fintech Saudi” initiative in 2018 has reached 216 and they employ a more than 6,500 people, Monsha’a said. The Kingdom aims to establish 525 new companies in the fintech sector by 2030.
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***** the Spotlight review [SideQuesting]
***** the Spotlight review [SideQuesting]
A fantastic nostalgia-fueled horror game with an atmosphere, plot, and characters that are gripping and worthy of a trek
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iQOO Neo 10 Series Launch Confirmed; May Get Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoCs
iQOO Neo 10 Series Launch Confirmed; May Get Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoCs
iQOO Neo 10 series will be unveiled in China soon. Details about the upcoming lineup have been circulating in the rumour mill over the past few weeks, and now a senior company executive has confirmed its imminent launch, though the exact date ******** unannounced. The series is expected to include a base iQOO Neo 10 and an iQOO Neo 10 Pro. The lineup will succeed the iQOO Neo 9 and iQOO Neo 9 Pro, which were introduced in China in December 2023. iQOO is also set to unveil the iQOO 13 next month in India.
iQOO Neo 10 Series Launch
The iQOO Neo 10 series was officially confirmed in a Weibo post by iQOO Neo Product Manager. Apart from the moniker, no other details were revealed.
A recent ***** suggested that the iQOO Neo 10 series may arrive in China in November. Since we are almost mid-way through the month, we could see the launch take place towards the end. A formal launch date announcement will likely come soon.
The ***** added that the base iQOO Neo 10 could get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, while the Pro variant may come with a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset. The phones are expected to support 100W wired fast charging. They may get 6,000mAh batteries and 1.5K flat display with narrow bezels.
Other rumours have claimed that the iQOO Neo 10 series handsets could get metal middle frame, which are considerable upgrades over the plastic frame on the iQOO Neo 9 series.
The base iQOO Neo 9 carries a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, while the iQOO Neo 9 Pro has a MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset. The handsets are backed by 5,160mAh batteries each with support for 20W wired fast charging. The phones have 6.78-inch AMOLED displays and 50-megapixel dual rear camera units.
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Monday’s biggest analyst calls on Wall Street
Monday’s biggest analyst calls on Wall Street
Here are Monday’s biggest calls on Wall Street: UBS downgrades Vale to neutral from buy UBS said in its downgrade of Vale that it’s concerned about “iron ore fundamentals” for the metals and mining company. “However, we remain concerned about iron ore fundamentals medium-term (note) & see downside to the spot price; in our opinion, China steel exports are vulnerable to global restrictions & unlikely to be fully offset by stimulus.” Wedbush upgrades Pinterest to outperform from neutral Wedbush said the company is executing well. “We are upgrading shares of Pinterest to Outperform from Neutral. We think the company is executing well against its user engagement and monetization strategies and ******** on pace to deliver growth and profits in line with its multi-year guidance framework.” Piper Sandler names Nvidia a top pick The firm said Nvidia is a new top pick. “With this preview, we are making NVDA our top large-cap pick given the company’s dominant positioning in AI accelerators and the upcoming launch of the Blackwell architecture.” Bernstein reiterates Burlington as a top pick The firm said Burlington is an “off price underdog.” “BURL is our top pick both into the quarter and medium-term, as the Off-price Underdog shows continued steady performance.” Citi reiterates Apple as a top pick The firm said it’s sticking with its buy rating even as the stock is highly exposed to China. “China is the main manufacturing location for Apple with more than 90% manufacturing in China, in our estimates.” JPMorgan upgrades Valley National to overweight from neutral The firm said the regional bank is doing well at reducing its commercial real estate concentration. “We are upgrading VLY shares from Neutral to Overweight.” Morgan Stanley reiterates Dell as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Dell to $154 per share from $136. “While our 3Q24 CIO Survey showed that DELL is the best-positioned hardware vendor to capture traditional enterprise spend over the next 3 years, our recent AI server checks show that DELL’s AI infrastructure momentum is building even faster.” Wolfe upgrades Warner Bros Discovery to peer perform from underperform Wolfe said the risk/reward now looks more balanced. “We’ve downgraded WBD twice since July ’23 anticipating accelerating ad sales problems and the NBA loss, but DC change + distributor openness to DTC bundles create positive optionality w/ values above today’s price. Risk/reward looks balanced. Upgrade to Peer Perform.” Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight The firm raised its price target on Nvidia to $160 per share from $150. “The current environment is completely supply constrained on Blackwell, and also partly on H200; we expect another very good quarter, but we think the ******* upward revisions happen later in the year.” Deutsche Bank upgrades Cboe to buy from hold Deutsche Bank said it’s bullish on the exchange trading company. “Our upgrade is driven by our revised view that CBOE will maintain healthy revenue growth in at least 2025, supported by our belief that equity markets may remain volatile over the intermediate term post the US election results, at least episodically, driving greater use of index & volatility options & futures products.” JPMorgan upgrades Cisco to overweight from neutral “The firm said it sees “enterprise networking demand” for Cisco. “We are upgrading Cisco from Neutral to Overweight despite the strong run in the shares since reporting F4Q24 (Jul-end) earnings in the middle of August, driven by our expectation of further headroom for upside in the medium term…” JPMorgan upgrades Orion to overweight from neutral The firm said the architectural company is undervalued. “We upgrade Orion to Overweight with December 2025 price target of $21 and 34% appreciation potential, reflecting a 6x multiple of EBITDA, and downgrade Cabot to Underweight with a $105 price target reflecting a 7.5x multiple of EBITDA and 9% depreciation potential.” Wedbush reiterates Tesla as outperform The firm said Tesla ******** well positioned. “We are raising our price target on Tesla to $400 from $300 as we believe the Trump White House win will be a gamechanger for the autonomous and AI story for Tesla and Musk over the coming years.” Raymond James downgrades Bloomin’ Brands to market perform from outperform Raymond James downgraded the owner of brands like Outback due to lower visibility. “We are lowering our rating on BLMN to Market Perform from Outperform as 1) near-term visibility (and 4Q guide) was worse than we anticipated and 2) proceeds/accretion on the *****/ franchising of its Brazil segment also came in below our expectations.” Bank of America upgrades Tanger to buy from neutral The firm said in its upgrade of Tanger that it’s bullish on the real estate investment trust operator of malls. “Our more bullish view reflects management’s leasing accomplishments YTD which have exceeded our expectations.”
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Europe marks Armistice Day with two-minute silence
Europe marks Armistice Day with two-minute silence
Armistice Day has been marked with two minutes silence across the *** and in Europe.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined an event in Paris, while Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh led the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Sir Keir and the French president ***** a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.
Across the ***, the traditional two-minute silence at 11:00 on 11 November was observed. It marks the time and date when the World War One armistice came into effect.
While the Armistice Day tradition began as a way of commemorating those ******* in World War One, it is now used to remember all the people ******* in wars since then.
As well as the event in Staffordshire, events taking place across the *** included Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Dover.
An event was also held at Westminster, attended by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
In Wales, Carmarthenshire council said it would illuminate County Hall on Armistice Day evening to “reflect and remember the sacrifices of our armed forces, and all those whose lives have been lost in conflict and acts of *******”.
Over the weekend, Remembrance Sunday events were held across the ***.
King Charles led the nation in two minutes of silence in remembrance of men and women who lost their lives serving in the two world wars or other conflicts.
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The best travel gifts for 2024
The best travel gifts for 2024
I have been looking for this backpack my entire life. I’ve bought packs from Timbuk2, Bellroy, The North Face, Fjallraven, Patagonia, Osprey and more, all in search of something I thought didn’t exist: A lightweight daypack that stands on its own, has a reasonable amount of pockets and is comfortable to wear all day. On a recent trip to Chicago, when I found myself on a cross-city trek without a pack, I dipped into REI and settled on the Topo Designs Light Pack. I’ve been continually impressed since.
Some bags load up on ergonomics and end up weighing two pounds empty, but this one is super light yet has just the right amount of padding. The two expandable bottle slots on either side hold water and travel cups securely and there are just enough pockets inside to keep smaller bits organized. There’s even a laptop pocket for computers up to 15 inches. The 15-liter capacity is perfect for day trips in the destination city, fitting a couple of hoodies, snacks and even some impulse buys from pastry shops. It stands upright when you set it down instead of tipping forward like a sleepy toddler, something that other bags do that drives me ****. The padding lends structure and both the 400D (medium-heavy) nylon and the uncluttered design make it look polished, something I appreciate on day seven of a seven-day trip. — A.S.
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How can I help a friend who is relentlessly negative about life?
How can I help a friend who is relentlessly negative about life?
“Offering emotional support should, of course, be central to any good relationship”
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After one of my recent book talks, an audience member described a friend who was having a hard time. Every conversation turned to the stress the friend was experiencing at work or the marital problems she was facing at home. “I want to be there for her,” my new acquaintance told me. “But I don’t seem to be helping.”
Offering emotional support should, of course, be central to any good relationship – and until recently, I thought that patient listening was the best help that someone…
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Bitget Crypto Wallet and Foresight Ventures Invest $20 Million in Telegram Mini Apps
Bitget Crypto Wallet and Foresight Ventures Invest $20 Million in Telegram Mini Apps
Telegram’s Mini Apps initiative has secured substantial funding to advance its integration of Web3 technologies into the messaging platform. Bitget Wallet and Foresight Ventures have committed $20 million (roughly Rs. 168 crore) to drive the growth of Telegram’s Mini Apps, as reported by CoinTelegraph on Monday, November 11. As of July 2024, Telegram reported that 500 million of its 950 million global users engaged with Mini Apps each month.
The funding is intended to support the expansion of the Telegram Mini Apps ecosystem, enabling it to develop a strategic roadmap for growth and to continue offering Web3 games with crypto and NFT features to its global user base for enhanced in-app entertainment.
As per CoinTelegraph, Bitget Wallet has offered to let Web3 app makers use its own developer’s kit to make more games and services that integrate Web3 into Telegram’s interface. The developer kit is called OmniConnect and it was launched in September this year.
Web3 developers will also have opportunities to collaborate with existing Mini Apps to expand their game offerings under established brands. Launched in 2023, Telegram’s Mini Apps allow developers to build in-app applications using languages like HTML and JavaScript, making these apps accessible through Telegram’s app store.
Telegram reportedly informed CoinTelegraph that offering this in-app development feature was a natural progression, driven by developers’ demand for creating more sophisticated applications. These developers leverage the Telegram-affiliated TON blockchain to design and launch Web3 apps and games.
“TON Blockchain is the obvious choice to integrate when you consider the scale of some of these applications. Notcoin quickly gained 40 million users, while Hamster Kombat has around 300 million players,” the report quoted Alena Shmalko, ecosystem lead of the TON Foundation as saying.
The Web3 engine of TON gives Telegram’s platform a competitive advantage, opening up new monetisation opportunities for creators, and empowering users with genuine ownership of their digital assets.”
Dogs, Hamster Kombat, and Notcoin have recently emerged as some of the most popular names on Telegram Mini Apps, quickly gaining traction among Telegram users.
For Bitget, this investment in Telegram’s Web3 unit could serve as a strategy to encourage more developers to utilise its developer tools. The platform claimed that it had over 12 million monthly active users in September. The same month, Bitget and Foresight Ventures had announced an investment of $30 million into TON blockchain.
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As COP29 starts, what is Canada’s role in climate finance negotiations? – National
As COP29 starts, what is Canada’s role in climate finance negotiations? – National
This year’s international climate talks are expected to be headlined by fraught negotiations over how Canada and other wealthy countries, who have contributed a disproportionate share of planet-warming emissions, should financially compensate other nations in their ****** to tackle climate change.
Many pressing questions for negotiators are on the table: How much should those wealthy countries pay? Which countries will have to contribute? And how should the money be provided?
The answers may determine just how much money developing countries could receive for everything from renewable energy projects to wetlands conservation.
******** to achieve a new goal at the ******* Nation’s annual climate talks may undercut confidence in major international agreements and strike a ***** against efforts to limit global warming, observers say.
“It’s pretty high stakes,” said Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, a Berlin-based climate think tank.
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Here’s what you need to know about the climate finance negotiations – and Canada’s role in them – as the 29th annual ******* Nations climate conference, or COP29, kicks off in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
4:12
As countries feud over fossil fuels, what are the takeaways from COP28?
The UN climate talks have recognized that wealthy and historically high-emitting countries have a greater responsibility to solve the problem of climate change.
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To put it in perspective, Canada and 22 other high-income countries – among them, the ******* States, Japan, Australia and Western ********* nations – are responsible for about half of estimated global emissions since the mid-19th century, despite making up about 12 per cent of the population. On a per-capita basis, Canada is among the most polluting countries.
Canada and those 22 other wealthy countries agreed in 2009 to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to support other countries to mitigate their emissions and protect their citizens from the worst impacts of climate change. That funding has come from both public and private finance, such as government loans and grants or private sector investments in emerging green technology sectors.
1:58
2024 will be hottest year on record: EU climate agency
For Canada, that’s led to contributions as varied as $225,000 for solar plants in Samoa to $240 million in grants for the world’s largest dedicated international climate fund. The Green Climate Fund has backed projects to expand Jamaica’s electric bus fleet and build one of the world’s largest solar energy projects in Egypt.
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Yet, the international $100-billion goal was only met for the first time in 2022, two years late. In some cases, developing countries often struggled to access those funds, said Soomin Han, climate finance policy analyst at Climate Action Network Canada.
“That really led to… broken trust between global north and south,” said Han.
Against that backdrop, negotiating a new ambitious and fair international climate finance deal is a “moral imperative,” she said.
Why is climate finance set to dominate these talks?
Countries agreed to come up with a new collective goal by 2025 to replace the $100-billion mark. With that deadline looming, negotiators are expected to hammer out the details of the new pledge at COP29.
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It coincides with another deadline next year for countries to release their updated climate plans – outlining how they plan to cut emissions by 2035 in an effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, as set out in the deal reached in Paris at COP21.
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Setting a realistic climate finance goal will be key to making those plans a reality, said Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former environment minister.
“Emissions needs to go down at scale, money needs to go from fossil fuels to clean (energy) at scale, and then you have to think about people,” said McKenna.
“And you can’t do any of those three things without finance.”
How much does Canada owe?
Under the existing goal, Canada in 2021 doubled its international climate finance pledge to $5.3 billion over five years. A coalition of ********* aid groups has pushed the government to at least triple that number, to $15.9 billion, for the next five-year ******* ending in 2031.
Naomi Johnson, co-chair of the ********* Coalition on Climate Change and Development, or C4D, or called it a “down payment.”
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“That would have to be a lot more going forward in order to achieve climate goals and reach our commitments globally,” said Johnson.
It would represent just a fraction of the larger goal set to be negotiated at the talks. Several independent assessments say developing countries may need upwards of $1 trillion to meet their climate goals.
1:52
Canada not on track to reach climate goals as COP28 kicks off
******* Nations Trade and Development, a UN institution which has proposed an annual goal of $1.46 trillion by 2030, suggested it would be roughly on par with what wealthy countries spend on their military budgets and less than their combined fossil fuel subsidies.
Canada, along with other wealthy countries, has not tabled a dollar-figure proposal.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault suggested it may not be a single amount, reflecting layers of public and private sector financing, along with multilateral commitments from institutions such as the World Bank.
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Yet, a possible roadblock to figuring out how much wealthy countries owe, some observers say, may be who needs to pay.
“The new climate finance pledge is going to be really, really messy negotiations,” said Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub and a leading ********* climate policy adviser.
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The current list of 23 contributor countries is more than 30 years old. Wealthier countries, including Canada, are now suggesting that China and some Gulf states, for example, should be required to contribute to the new climate finance goal since their emissions have increased significantly as their economies have grown.
Yet, there’s concern that some wealthy countries may wield those arguments in a bad ****** effort to shirk their responsibilities after years of coming up short on their own climate finance goals, said Abreu.
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“Canada is also going to have to be able to play a constructive role of kind of bridging these divides,” she said.
What is Canada’s role in climate finance talks?
Guilbeault says Canada has played a central role for years in international climate finance talks.
“I think people see Canada as a reliable partner and bridge builder in these negotiations to help countries find solutions for these difficult discussions, and I certainly will be happy to try and play that role again in Baku this year,” he said in a recent interview.
Alongside Germany, Canada was asked to lead the charge on getting wealthy countries to meet the previous $100-billion goal.
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Canada’s new plan to cut 75% in methane emissions
More recently, Canada and Switzerland were the first countries to put forward specific eligibility criteria to expand the contributor base to include new countries. Canada’s proposal would see Russia, Saudi Arabia and China added to the list.
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Canada has already shown leadership in navigating this “complex issue” said Han, the climate finance policy analyst with Climate Action Network Canada. Now, Canada must ensure negotiations over who pays don’t derail the adoption of a new goal.
“It needs to step up to build consensus between developed countries,” Han said.
Where should the money go and how should it be delivered?
Johnson, the C4D co-chair, suggested how countries deliver the new climate finance goal may be more important than the dollar figure. The coalition, along with developing countries, has been pushing for a greater share of climate finance to come in the form of government grants, rather than loans that can drive developing countries further into debt.
An analysis by the International Institute for Environment and Development found small island developing nations and the group of least developed countries spent about US$59 billion repaying debts in 2022, compared with $28 billion they received in climate finance. Of that US$28 billion, about half was provided as loans, the analysis suggested.
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Johnson said it was “horrendous” that Canada was one of the largest providers of loans in its climate finance commitments.
Guilbeault said Canada was making progress and aiming for an even split between loans and grants in climate finance commitments, still short of the 60-40 loan-favoured split advocated for by the coalition.
“My hope is that we can get to 50-50 in the near future,” he said.
More on Canada
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Observers have also pushed countries to better divide up money for projects that help countries reduce emissions and those that help them adapt to climate change impacts.
Complicating those discussions is the question of whether the goal should also include money to help pay for the losses and damages developing countries are already facing from climate change.
While last year’s talks kick-started a loss and damage fund, developing countries have expressed concerns that if it’s not included under the new goal, it may go underfunded.
Canada, an early supporter of that fund with a $16 million pledge, wants to keep it separate over concerns it could bog down negotiations.
The negotiations are set to tackle several other big issues, including how to transparently track the money and how to divide contributions between the public and private sector.
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As COP29 starts, what is Canada’s role in climate finance negotiations? – National
As COP29 starts, what is Canada’s role in climate finance negotiations? – National
This year’s international climate talks are expected to be headlined by fraught negotiations over how Canada and other wealthy countries, who have contributed a disproportionate share of planet-warming emissions, should financially compensate other nations in their ****** to tackle climate change.
Many pressing questions for negotiators are on the table: How much should those wealthy countries pay? Which countries will have to contribute? And how should the money be provided?
The answers may determine just how much money developing countries could receive for everything from renewable energy projects to wetlands conservation.
******** to achieve a new goal at the ******* Nation’s annual climate talks may undercut confidence in major international agreements and strike a ***** against efforts to limit global warming, observers say.
“It’s pretty high stakes,” said Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, a Berlin-based climate think tank.
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Here’s what you need to know about the climate finance negotiations – and Canada’s role in them – as the 29th annual ******* Nations climate conference, or COP29, kicks off in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
4:12
As countries feud over fossil fuels, what are the takeaways from COP28?
The UN climate talks have recognized that wealthy and historically high-emitting countries have a greater responsibility to solve the problem of climate change.
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To put it in perspective, Canada and 22 other high-income countries – among them, the ******* States, Japan, Australia and Western ********* nations – are responsible for about half of estimated global emissions since the mid-19th century, despite making up about 12 per cent of the population. On a per-capita basis, Canada is among the most polluting countries.
Canada and those 22 other wealthy countries agreed in 2009 to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to support other countries to mitigate their emissions and protect their citizens from the worst impacts of climate change. That funding has come from both public and private finance, such as government loans and grants or private sector investments in emerging green technology sectors.
1:58
2024 will be hottest year on record: EU climate agency
For Canada, that’s led to contributions as varied as $225,000 for solar plants in Samoa to $240 million in grants for the world’s largest dedicated international climate fund. The Green Climate Fund has backed projects to expand Jamaica’s electric bus fleet and build one of the world’s largest solar energy projects in Egypt.
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Yet, the international $100-billion goal was only met for the first time in 2022, two years late. In some cases, developing countries often struggled to access those funds, said Soomin Han, climate finance policy analyst at Climate Action Network Canada.
“That really led to… broken trust between global north and south,” said Han.
Against that backdrop, negotiating a new ambitious and fair international climate finance deal is a “moral imperative,” she said.
Why is climate finance set to dominate these talks?
Countries agreed to come up with a new collective goal by 2025 to replace the $100-billion mark. With that deadline looming, negotiators are expected to hammer out the details of the new pledge at COP29.
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It coincides with another deadline next year for countries to release their updated climate plans – outlining how they plan to cut emissions by 2035 in an effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, as set out in the deal reached in Paris at COP21.
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Setting a realistic climate finance goal will be key to making those plans a reality, said Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former environment minister.
“Emissions needs to go down at scale, money needs to go from fossil fuels to clean (energy) at scale, and then you have to think about people,” said McKenna.
“And you can’t do any of those three things without finance.”
How much does Canada owe?
Under the existing goal, Canada in 2021 doubled its international climate finance pledge to $5.3 billion over five years. A coalition of ********* aid groups has pushed the government to at least triple that number, to $15.9 billion, for the next five-year ******* ending in 2031.
Naomi Johnson, co-chair of the ********* Coalition on Climate Change and Development, or C4D, or called it a “down payment.”
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“That would have to be a lot more going forward in order to achieve climate goals and reach our commitments globally,” said Johnson.
It would represent just a fraction of the larger goal set to be negotiated at the talks. Several independent assessments say developing countries may need upwards of $1 trillion to meet their climate goals.
1:52
Canada not on track to reach climate goals as COP28 kicks off
******* Nations Trade and Development, a UN institution which has proposed an annual goal of $1.46 trillion by 2030, suggested it would be roughly on par with what wealthy countries spend on their military budgets and less than their combined fossil fuel subsidies.
Canada, along with other wealthy countries, has not tabled a dollar-figure proposal.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault suggested it may not be a single amount, reflecting layers of public and private sector financing, along with multilateral commitments from institutions such as the World Bank.
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Yet, a possible roadblock to figuring out how much wealthy countries owe, some observers say, may be who needs to pay.
“The new climate finance pledge is going to be really, really messy negotiations,” said Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub and a leading ********* climate policy adviser.
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The current list of 23 contributor countries is more than 30 years old. Wealthier countries, including Canada, are now suggesting that China and some Gulf states, for example, should be required to contribute to the new climate finance goal since their emissions have increased significantly as their economies have grown.
Yet, there’s concern that some wealthy countries may wield those arguments in a bad ****** effort to shirk their responsibilities after years of coming up short on their own climate finance goals, said Abreu.
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“Canada is also going to have to be able to play a constructive role of kind of bridging these divides,” she said.
What is Canada’s role in climate finance talks?
Guilbeault says Canada has played a central role for years in international climate finance talks.
“I think people see Canada as a reliable partner and bridge builder in these negotiations to help countries find solutions for these difficult discussions, and I certainly will be happy to try and play that role again in Baku this year,” he said in a recent interview.
Alongside Germany, Canada was asked to lead the charge on getting wealthy countries to meet the previous $100-billion goal.
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Canada’s new plan to cut 75% in methane emissions
More recently, Canada and Switzerland were the first countries to put forward specific eligibility criteria to expand the contributor base to include new countries. Canada’s proposal would see Russia, Saudi Arabia and China added to the list.
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Canada has already shown leadership in navigating this “complex issue” said Han, the climate finance policy analyst with Climate Action Network Canada. Now, Canada must ensure negotiations over who pays don’t derail the adoption of a new goal.
“It needs to step up to build consensus between developed countries,” Han said.
Where should the money go and how should it be delivered?
Johnson, the C4D co-chair, suggested how countries deliver the new climate finance goal may be more important than the dollar figure. The coalition, along with developing countries, has been pushing for a greater share of climate finance to come in the form of government grants, rather than loans that can drive developing countries further into debt.
An analysis by the International Institute for Environment and Development found small island developing nations and the group of least developed countries spent about US$59 billion repaying debts in 2022, compared with $28 billion they received in climate finance. Of that US$28 billion, about half was provided as loans, the analysis suggested.
Story continues below advertisement
Johnson said it was “horrendous” that Canada was one of the largest providers of loans in its climate finance commitments.
Guilbeault said Canada was making progress and aiming for an even split between loans and grants in climate finance commitments, still short of the 60-40 loan-favoured split advocated for by the coalition.
“My hope is that we can get to 50-50 in the near future,” he said.
More on Canada
More videos
Observers have also pushed countries to better divide up money for projects that help countries reduce emissions and those that help them adapt to climate change impacts.
Complicating those discussions is the question of whether the goal should also include money to help pay for the losses and damages developing countries are already facing from climate change.
While last year’s talks kick-started a loss and damage fund, developing countries have expressed concerns that if it’s not included under the new goal, it may go underfunded.
Canada, an early supporter of that fund with a $16 million pledge, wants to keep it separate over concerns it could bog down negotiations.
The negotiations are set to tackle several other big issues, including how to transparently track the money and how to divide contributions between the public and private sector.
Source link
#COP29 #starts #Canadas #role #climate #finance #negotiations #National
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Yakuza creator Nagoshi says the era of game size being most important is coming to an end
Yakuza creator Nagoshi says the era of game size being most important is coming to an end
Yakuza / Like a Dragon creator Toshihiro Nagoshi says he feels games will soon no longer be judged on how big they are.
In an interview with Famitsu, Nagoshi explained that his new studio’s debut game will be an action-adventure game, but stressed that he doesn’t think game size is as important as it used to be.
“I want to make a game that is fun to play, but isn’t too much of a hassle,” Nagoshi said (via machine translation).
“Even though there aren’t many completely original games now, if you include overseas games there are so many titles out there that it’s impossible to play them all.
“Looking at the situation, I think that the number of console games in the lives of ordinary game fans may be a little excessive. There are still many titles being released, but I feel that the era of games where the volume is the selling point is coming to an end.”
The Yakuza / Like a Dragon series is known for packing lots of content into its worlds.
Nagoshi founded a new studio three years ago, but has yet to announce its debut game. After sharing his views on larger games, he told Famitsu that he was currently in the process of trying to make the world map smaller in his current project.
“We should be entering the mass production phase for the assets soon, so it’s about time to decide on the final volume estimate, but I’m still thinking about whether it’s really good enough,” he explained. ” Of course we have the map, but the current version is so large that it’s almost too large.
“This time, while researching existing games, we started by making a fairly large map with roads and highways. Now we are gradually shrinking it down and exploring the best balance for the game.”
When Famitsu’s reporter suggested that a large map is nice to have, but its content has to be dense, Nagoshi agreed.
“That’s the point,” he replied. “You could fill it in with some element to create a sense of density, but it’s not modern to have similar experiences repeated over and over again.
“I think that in order to properly connect the scale of the map with the fun of playing, it is important to design the world view and explain what the player, as the protagonist, is doing in this world. The role of the drama is to support that. I feel like the time to decide what the right size is to balance everything is coming up soon.”
In Nagoshi Studio’s first Western interview last year, Nagoshi told VGC that he would not let down fans of his previous games and would ensure they would be happy with his new studio’s debut game.
“Obviously, we’re not going to create something exactly the same, but I do understand there are expectations from people based more on me as a creator and my personality, so people want to see my tastes and my personality in my new games,” Nagoshi told us via a translator.
“Obviously, I will not betray my fans in that sense – I will create something with my personality and make a dramatic game, stuff like that – and my taste and personality will be reflected in the game. I can’t tell you exactly what genre it’ll be or what the game is going to be like, but I will not betray my fans.”
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In satire Rumours, diplomatic communiques collide with the end times
In satire Rumours, diplomatic communiques collide with the end times
A stellar cast play leaders of G7 countries facing an existential crisis in Rumours, a smart film about communication, diplomatic nonsense and not coping, says Simon Ings
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Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia
Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia
Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million.
General Catalyst has $30 billion in assets under management and has backed major U.S. tech companies like Snap, Stripe and AirBnb. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also saw participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, and Arbor Ventures, among others, bringing the Riyadh-based firm’s total funding to over $100 million to date, according to a Sunday statement from the company.
For three of those investors — General Catalyst, Stanley Druckenmiller and Bain Capital — this investment is their first in the kingdom.
What this signifies, Lean Technologies CEO and co-founder Hisham Al-Falih told CNBC, is that “this is a huge vote of confidence for their view of the growth trajectory that Saudi is on and the potential that it has over the next decade.”
The kingdom is pushing ahead with Vision 2030, its initiative to diversify its economy away from oil and create new jobs and industries for the overwhelmingly young Saudi workforce. Now more than ever, the kingdom wants foreign capital and direct investment coming into Saudi Arabia rather than flowing out of it, allowing for local employment, knowledge transfer and training, and the development of a variety of sectors.
Fintech plays a major role in this evolution, Al-Falih stressed.
“We are just getting started. I feel like there’s so much more investment that needs to go into deepening our tech stack, to expanding our payment solutions, to expanding our data services, to deepening our partnerships with banks in the region and with the support and enablement of the central banks in the region as well,” Al-Falih said. “If you look at the region’s growth over the last three to five years, it’s been phenomenal, but there is still so much more room for growth.”
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Xavierarnau | E+ | Getty Images
Revenue from the fintech industry in the Middle East and North ******* amounted to $1.5 billion in 2022, and could grow to be between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion by 2025, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. Fintech revenues in the region are less than 1% of banking revenues, Al-Falih said citing the report, compared to 4 to 5% in more mature markets like the U.S. and U.K.
“We are almost an order of magnitude away from where we could be in terms of the fintech revenue and its participation to the economy,” the Lean Technologies CEO said. “And that gives us the wind behind our sales and the motivation to keep building those tools and the picks and shovels, if you will, to enable those bold innovators to achieve their dreams.”
Lean Technologies specializes in providing the financial infrastructure that allows secure data-sharing between bank accounts and applications. Regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Markets in the ******* ***** Emirates, Lean works to facilitate A2A (account-to-account) payments, meaning funds transferred directly between two bank accounts rather than via intermediaries like payment processors or credit card networks.
The company works with major local clients like Emirati state telecoms firm e& and ride-hailing super app company Careem, with over $2 billion in total processed volumes, according to its press release issued Sunday.
In Saudi Arabia, Lean’s “launch of its data solutions under the Saudi Central Bank’s regulatory sandbox has impacted clients across various industries, including insurance, lending, and marketplaces, verifying nearly 1 million bank accounts,” the release said.
As of September of this year, Saudi Arabia’s fintech startups have raised over $1.84 billion in venture capital investments since 2018, according to Monsha’a, the kingdom’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises. KPMG in September reported that in 2023 alone, Saudi fintechs attracted $791 million — a 231% leap from the previous year.
The number of active fintech startups in the country since the launch of its “Fintech Saudi” initiative in 2018 has reached 216 and they employ a more than 6,500 people, Monsha’a said. The Kingdom aims to establish 525 new companies in the fintech sector by 2030.
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Ex-West Coast Eagles player David Wirrpanda to face court for allegedly breaching ********* restraining order
Ex-West Coast Eagles player David Wirrpanda to face court for allegedly breaching ********* restraining order
Former West Coast Eagles premiership player David Wirrpanda is facing allegations he repeatedly breached a family ********* restraining order.
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Any delay in reaching net zero will influence climate for centuries
Any delay in reaching net zero will influence climate for centuries
Ice collapsing into the water at Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
R.M. Nunes/Alamy
Even a few years’ delay in reaching net-zero emissions will have repercussions for hundreds or even thousands of years, leading to warmer oceans, more extensive ice loss in Antarctica and higher temperatures around the world.
Nations around the world have collectively promised to prevent more than 2°C of global warming, a goal that can only be achieved by reaching net-zero emissions – effectively ending almost all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions – before the end of the century. But once that hugely challenging goal…
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What is a cookie policy and why does it matter?
What is a cookie policy and why does it matter?
If you have spent any time surfing the web lately (which is probably the case), you have surely seen those little pop-up messages asking you to accept cookies. And no, they are not the chocolate chip kind that goes perfectly with a glass of milk – we are talking about the digital variety.
Now, while these cookies might appear trivial or outright annoying, they play a pretty big role in the Internet’s functioning. So, what is a cookie policy, and why should it concern you? Let’s take a closer look and break it all down into easily digestible pieces.
Cookies: The digital crumbs of the Internet
Cookies are small bits of data stored on your device (be it a computer, tablet, phone, or even a smart fridge) by the websites you view. You can compare them to tiny digital breadcrumbs left behind by sites to help them memorize useful things about your visit.
They can keep you logged in, know what language you prefer, or track which items you have stuffed into your shopping cart. Whatever their use case, the goal of these crumbs, aka cookies, is to make your online experience smoother and more personalized.
But they don’t come in a one-size-fits-all deal. They come in different flavors (sadly, still no chocolate chip here), including session cookies, persistent cookies, and third-party cookies, each with a specific job.
Session cookies only stick around while you are actively browsing and vanish as soon as you close your browser. They are the quick-memory variety that helps websites remember details like your login status or what items are inside your cart.
Persistent cookies hang around for longer, sometimes months, or even years. They remember your preferences for any future visits to the website, like keeping you logged in, remembering your language settings, or that you always shop for sneakers in size 10.
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Third-party cookies are the overly inquisitive neighbors of the cookie world. They come from outside the website you are visiting and are often placed by advertisers or social media platforms. As such, they can track your activities across multiple websites.
While these cookies are not inherently good or evil, they do introduce certain privacy concerns as they lean into data collection territory. This is where a cookie policy comes in.
The role of cookie policies
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A cookie policy is a document that informs users what kind of cookies a website uses, for what purpose, and how users can manage or delete them. Think of it as a restaurant menu (we can even call it a “cookie menu”), but instead of listing appetizers and desserts, it lays out all the different types of cookies that the website is serving.
The cookie policy is there to help you understand what is happening behind the scenes after you click ‘accept’ on that pesky pop-up. It addresses these particular concerns:
For what purpose the cookies are used: Is the site trying to make sure you don’t lose the items you have added to your shopping cart, or is it collecting information to serve you ads that feel a little too on the nose?
What types of cookies are being used: Are the cookies deployed by the website strictly the necessary ones that make the site run smoothly, performance cookies to enhance your experience, or marketing cookies trying to figure out if you need new sneakers so they can sell you some?
How you can manage your cookies: A good cookie policy enables users to accept only certain types of cookies on their device or gives instructions on how to block them entirely – kind of like a “choose your own adventure” for data privacy.
In short, cookie policies are about the website giving you the lowdown on its data-collecting activities. It is a thing of transparency, and knowing what is going on with your personal info has never been more important.
Why do cookie policies matter?
You might be thinking, “Okay, great. But why should I care? Can’t I just browse the web in peace without thinking about cookies?” Fair question. As it happens, cookie policies are kind of a big deal in today’s privacy-conscious world, and for a few good reasons.
Protecting your privacy (and your sanity)
We live in the era of data. Companies treat it as gold, and cookies are one way to mine it. Some cookies are totally harmless and improve your web experience. Others – such as third-party cookies – track your actions across the Internet like a nosy detective.
The information they gather can then be sold to advertisers to show you targeted ads. Ever notice how you look at a pair of shoes online, and suddenly they are stalking you around the World Wide Web? That is third-party cookies working their magic (or rather ****** magic).
Cookie policies allow you to see who is tracking you and why, and they give you the option to say “no thanks” if you are not comfortable with it. In a way, they empower you to have a say in how much of your data you are willing to share.
(Image credit: Pixabay (Dooffy))
It is the law
Here is where things get a bit more serious. Cookie policies are not just a courtesy or a nice-to-have feature for websites and advertisers – they are often legally required in a lot of places around the globe.
The ********* Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have changed how websites collect and handle private data, and cookies fall under that umbrella.
Under these rules, websites have to be upfront about their use of cookies and get your consent before loading anything non-essential on your device. That is why you now see those cookie banners all over the web – they are part of the legal frameworks.
If a website doesn’t have a clear cookie policy or doesn’t bother to ask for your consent, it can face some sizable fines. For businesses, this makes cookie policies not only a matter of playing nice but also a must-have to stay on the right side of the law.
Building trust
Let’s face it, in today’s privacy-first culture, people are more cautious than ever about who gets access to their data. After all, no one wants to feel like their sensitive details are being auctioned off to the highest bidder without their say-so.
Providing a clear and transparent cookie policy can go a long way in building trust with users. In other words, businesses can show that they are not trying to hide anything away and are giving you control over what happens to your information.
It is a bit like a cashier who tells you exactly how your credit card is going to be used during a transaction – trust is built when things are out in the open.
The cookie policy in action
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Here is a picture. You are shopping online (again) and have just found a ******* deal on a new phone. The site will remember your shipping address, keep your cart updated, and even suggest other items you might want. Nice, right? All of this is powered by – you guessed it – cookies.
You might notice that familiar pop-up: “This website uses cookies. By clicking accept, you agree to our cookie policy.” Behind this simple message is a whole lot going on. The cookie policy tells you what is being tracked – your cart, your behavior, and your preferences.
Additionally, you will often have the option to decline non-essential cookies if you are not a fan of being tracked by third-party advertisers and, subsequently, haunted by items you might have looked at once or twice.
Sure, most of us might not take the time to actually read the whole policy. Nonetheless, it is there for a reason – to keep you informed and give you a choice.
No cookie policy? Sound the alarm
Imagine visiting a site without a cookie policy. You wouldn’t know if your data was being sold to advertisers or kept safe. In the absence of a cookie policy, there is no transparency. Furthermore, websites that don’t comply with cookie regulations are not just risking massive fines – they are also eroding trust.
For consumers, it is like walking into a store where none of the prices are listed – it feels shady, right? In much the same manner, a lack of a cookie policy keeps users in the dark, not knowing what is being tracked or what is being done with their data.
From a business perspective, not having a cookie policy (or worse, having a misleading one) could lead to serious legal trouble. Privacy laws are nowadays pretty strict about how cookies and user data are handled, and violations are punished severely.
How to manage your cookies
We get it – managing cookies can feel like trying to herd cats. But the good news is, that most websites make it pretty easy to select which cookies you allow and which ones you don’t. In fact, most cookie policies include choices like:
Accept all cookies: This means you are okay with all cookies being placed on your device, including those third-party trackers that follow you around the web.
Accept only necessary cookies: This enables you to permit the collection of the bare minimum or only those cookies that are needed to keep the website functioning properly (such as session cookies).
Customize cookie preferences: Through this option, you can pick which types of cookies you want, like performance cookies but blocking advertising cookies.
You can also manage cookies in your browser settings. Taking Google Chrome as an example, its cookie options are under Settings > Privacy and Security. Here, you can block third-party cookies, delete existing cookies, and even manage exceptions for specific websites.
If you are using Firefox, then go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. In this section, you can choose to clear or manage data, define exceptions, block third-party cookies, and/or have cookies cleared when closing the browser.
Edge users will need to open Settings > Cookies and Site permissions. This is where you can manage and delete cookies, decide whether to allow sites to save and read them, block third-party ones, add exceptions, and more.
Finally, to do this on Safari, go to Preferences > Privacy. From here, you can simply block the collection of cookies by websites altogether or opt to block third-party marketing cookies in particular.
Are cookies going extinct?
If you are wondering whether cookies will always be a thing, the answer is… maybe not. Tech companies, especially those heavily involved in web browsers like Google and Apple, are actively working on alternatives.
As a matter of fact, Google has revealed plans to begin transitioning away from third-party cookies in its browser and develop privacy-preserving alternatives through its Privacy Sandbox. Although this differs from the originally announced complete end of support for third-party cookies, users have welcomed it.
According to a new report by Apply Digital, almost two in five (38%) of British consumers plan to ******* third-party cookies when Google implements its opt-in model. Another one in five (22%) of the 2,000 interviewed *** residents are still undecided.
Firefox and Safari have already implemented more aggressive measures to block third-party cookies by default. So, we may be moving toward a future where cookies as we know them are a thing of the past. But for now, they are still a big part of how the web works.
Wrapping it all up
Cookies may not be the most exciting aspect of your online experience, but they are essential for how websites function. A cookie policy guarantees that you know what is going on underneath the pretty exterior of a website, allowing you to control how your data is collected and used.
So next time you see that pop-up asking you to accept cookies, take a moment to appreciate the effort. It is not as sweet as a real cookie, but it is important for keeping your online experience secure and transparent. Plus, knowing how to manage your cookies can make a big difference in how much data you are sharing – whether you realize it or not.
TechRadar Pro created this content as part of a paid partnership with Cookiebot. The content of this article is entirely independent and solely reflects the editorial opinion of TechRadar Pro.
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My home flooded during Hurricane Helene and now I have ****** mold. Will my insurance cover mold removal?
My home flooded during Hurricane Helene and now I have ****** mold. Will my insurance cover mold removal?
The sight of mold inside your home can be extremely unsettling. What’s worse, mold can not only leave a ****** odor, but cause serious health problems for you and the people in your household.
And in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many homeowners may be grappling with water damage that quickly causes mold and mildew.
You may be wondering whether your homeowners insurance covers mold damage. And in general cases, it depends on the cause of the mold.
But in the case of mold resulting from hurricane-induced water damage, you may be out of luck unless you meet the criteria of a certain government disaster relief program.
Generally, your homeowners insurance policy can cover mold damage and removal if something suddenly goes wrong inside your home, such as a pipe bursting and flooding a section of your house.
But your policy won’t pay for mold removal in situations where there was neglect — such as if you ******* to address a leaky shower you knew about for months, and water seeped into the ceiling below it and caused mold.
All told, you’ll need to review your homeowners insurance policy to see if the cause of the mold is a covered peril. If not, your insurer will refuse to pay for the damage, and understandably so.
You should also know that if your home floods because of a hurricane and mold damage ensues, that’s not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. It could potentially, however, be covered under separate flood insurance if you have it and immediately take action to prevent mold growth. But it can depend on the provider.
For example, even National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance policies don’t cover mold damage. Only through the Individuals and Households Program can someone get financial assistance to remediate mold caused by a disaster. And this relief is only available if FEMA inspects your home and determines you can’t physically inhabit it.
That’s why FEMA recommends people document the flooding and begin cleanup as soon as possible if they can access their property to prevent major damage.
Read more: 5 ways to boost your net worth now — easily up your money game without altering your day-to-day life
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Even if your flood insurance policy includes coverage for mold damage, and your situation is eligible for coverage, the amount your insurer will pay may be capped at a specific amount. It all depends on the policy you have.
According to home servicing company Angi, the average cost of mold remediation is $2,363, while it typically ranges from $1,223 to $3,749. But the price you’re looking at will depend on factors that include the location of the mold, the extent of the damage, and the specific work that needs to be done to address the problem.
If you have mold on a single wall due to water that came in from a particularly intense storm, you may be looking at a lower price to fix it than if you have mold that was caused by leaky pipes behind a main wall in your home. In the latter situation, it may be necessary to open up the wall, replace the piping, and then rebuild that wall entirely.
If you’re facing mold damage following a major weather event like Hurricane Helene, it’s worth applying for Individual Assistance through FEMA. In a dire scenario, you may be eligible for free mold removal. But even in more minor cases, cleaning and sanitization services may be provided to prevent further spreading of hazardous mold.
If you won’t be getting help footing the bill for mold remediation from your insurance company, you may be able to take out a home equity loan or line of credit and use the funds to pay for the work needed.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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Review: Unknown 9: Awakening (PlayStation 5) | GameHype
Review: Unknown 9: Awakening (PlayStation 5) | GameHype
A muddled adventure awaits.. I love a good single player game. That is what got me into gaming. Ranging from Sonic and ****** Bandicoot, to the brilliant The Last of Us and Uncharted series, single player gaming has always been at the forefront of my attention. Author: Adam Neaves for Game Hype ***.
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Pelican News
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Vivo Y300 India Launch Timeline, Colour Options, Specifications Tipped
Vivo Y300 India Launch Timeline, Colour Options, Specifications Tipped
Vivo Y300 Plus with Snapdragon 695 SoC was launched in India last month. According to a report, Vivo is also readying to launch the Y300 in the country. Colourways and specifications of the upcoming Vivo Y series phone have also leaked alongside its India launch timeline. It is said to be available in three colour options. The Vivo Y300 could boast a Sony IMX882 portrait camera. Although other details haven’t leaked yet, we can expect to see the Vivo Y300 with upgrades over the Vivo Y300 Plus.
Vivo Y300 Could Arrive by the End of November
MySmartPrice, citing an industry insider, has shared the India launch timeline, colourways and specifications of the Vivo Y300. As per the report, it will be launched in the country by the end of November. The smartphone will reportedly feature a titanium-inspired design and could be available in emerald green, phantom purple and titanium silver shades.
The Vivo Y300 is said to be equipped with a Sony IMX882 portrait camera, an AI Aura Light, and support 80W fast charging.
Vivo Y300 Plus Price, Specifications
The Vivo Y300 Plus is currently available in India with a price tag of Rs. 23,999 for the single 8GB RAM 128GB model. It is offered in Silk Green and Silk ****** colours.
Vivo Y300 Plus boasts a 6.78-inch full-HD (1,080×2,400 pixels) display with 120Hz refresh rate. It runs on a 6nm Snapdragon 695 SoC along with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The RAM can be virtually expanded up to an additional 8GB, while the storage is expandable up to 1TB via microSD card
For optics, the Vivo Y300 Plus has a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary shooter. It has a 32-megapixel front camera. The phone has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance and sports an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. It packs a 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging.
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Pelican News
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People who work from home get more sleep and exercise
People who work from home get more sleep and exercise
Homeworkers are using the time saved by not commuting to stay longer in bed, new figures suggest.
They got an average of 24 minutes extra “sleep and rest” and spent an additional 15 minutes on things such as exercise, compared with people who worked away from their homes.
The snapshot survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found people working from home gained almost an hour on average from not needing to commute.
The figures come as separate data showed staff wellbeing is one of the most common reasons businesses give for allowing staff to work from home, despite some firms scaling back hybrid work offers.
Working solely from home has gradually become less common since the end of the Covid pandemic.
In October, 13% of working adults in Great Britain said they did their job solely from home, according to the ONS.
But hybrid working – a mix of working from home and in the office or on a site, has become more popular, though only 28% of people said they had such a working arrangement.
Managers, parents, those aged 30 or over, and people with higher qualifications were all more likely to have hybrid working arrangements, the ONS said.
But the survey, which included people who worked for at least seven hours, suggested those working from home spent 10 minutes less working on average, although the ONS said its estimates were not precise enough to be sure it was the case.
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Pelican News
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Nintendo sues pirated software streamer for millions
Nintendo sues pirated software streamer for millions
Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against a streamer called EveryGameGuru, accused of streaming gameplays of pirated games before they were even released — and of providing viewers access to piracy tools and ******** copies of the games.
EveryGameGuru allegedly streamed Mario & Luigi: Brothership across five days, weeks before its official release on November 7. After Nintendo had the videos taken down from various platforms, including YouTube, they continued live streaming on ***** and even included a QR code for their CashApp handle.
Nintendo said EveryGameGuru sent the company an email, saying it has “a thousand burner channels” and “can do this all day.”
Don’t anger the house of Mario! The company is asking for $150,000 in damages per violation of its copyright. 404media did the math: That could add up to millions, seeing as the suit cites at least 10 games, streamed on at least 50 occasions.
— Mat Smith
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An average-performing premium VR headset.
Engadget
Sure, it’s not for most of us. The Vive Focus Vision isn’t for the same people as the PSVR2 or Meta Quest 3. This is meant to be high-end VR for businesses and creators: a cross between the Focus 3 and last year’s goggle-like XR Elite. The build quality is excellent, but it’s running on aging hardware. Worse, it’s riddled with software issues and is rather expensive compared to the Meta Quest 3.
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He recorded four phrases for $200 in 1989.
If you’re aged 30 and up, you know the voice of Elwood Edwards, realize it or not. He recorded the phrase, “You’ve got mail!” and three other lines for Quantum Computer Services in 1989. That company became America Online (AOL), Meg Ryan made the movie with Tom Hanks and everything else. (AOL is currently owned by Yahoo, Engadget’s parent company.)
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It reduces all the hints from Kratos’ offspring.
Sony
The latest patch for the PS5 version of **** of War Ragnarok adds the option first seen in the PC port to tone down the boy’s excessive and unsolicited hints when Kratos is contemplating the game’s many puzzles. Enough, Atreus! (The patch also includes PS5 Pro upgrades, for smooth 60 fps and better visuals. But that’s not as funny.)
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Pelican News
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