Pelican Press

Scotland 15-32 South *******: Why did Springboks win feel inevitable? Scotland 15-32 South *******: Why did Springboks win feel inevitable? There are two sides to every story, though. And Scotland’s part is for all of their good work, particularly at the ruck where they disrupted ball time and again, they left points out on the Murrayfield pitch. Composure at the crucial moment let them down, which also feels like a familiar story when up against the very top nations. After Pollard had made it a seven-point game, Scotland had a spell in South *******’s 22. The world champions were rocking, but a decision to go for the short side gave life to their defence and the Scots were shunted back and eventually turned over. At that point South ******* were down to 14 men, Makazole Mapimpi was in the sin-bin. It was the last chance they got to sniff a try and it passed them by. It was far from the only one, however. “The opportunities Scotland created in the second half, they had five or six chances in the 22 which they probably should have scored from,” Wright said. “But a combination of a lack of accuracy and good scramble defence kept them out.” Townsend himself acknowledged that his side’s wastefulness – coupled with good defence from South ******* – cost them a marquee win. “South ******* then showed their power in the last 10 minutes,” the Scotland head coach told BBC Sport Scotland. “That effort in the second half was outstanding. To open up their defence at times and match their physicality. “We will be frustrated because there were a couple of opportunities out there.” Source link #Scotland #South #******* #Springboks #win #feel #inevitable Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Second person charged over links to fatal ****** Second person charged over links to fatal ****** A woman has been charged as police investigate a series of robberies prior to a fatal ****** that ******* a Queensland grandmother. Source link #person #charged #links #fatal #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Call Of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Delivers Enhancements And Plenty Of Action – Skewed and Reviewed Call Of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Delivers Enhancements And Plenty Of Action – Skewed and Reviewed The latest Call of Duty; ****** Ops 6 has arrived and brings with it a series of innovations for the franchise and more the great gameplay that has made the series a phenomenal success. Skewed and Reviewed had lots of good things to say about the game and the online play in their review. Source link #Call #Duty #****** #Ops #Delivers #Enhancements #Plenty #Action #Skewed #Reviewed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I Suffer From The Most Painful Condition Known To Medicine — And My Life Is A Nightmare I Suffer From The Most Painful Condition Known To Medicine — And My Life Is A Nightmare Note: This article contains mention of ********.It was a rare beautiful afternoon in Seattle in the spring of 2002, and I was throwing a football around with the guys at work. I probably shouldn’t have been doing so in a skirt and heels, because I wound up with a fractured finger, sprained wrist and damaged rotator cuff. After the cast was removed, the doctor told me to wash my hands. The last thing I remember was going to the sink — and then everything went ******. I had momentarily passed out from the pain I experienced just washing my hands. I was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a poorly understood form of pain that is severe, chronic and debilitating. “Although most cases are triggered by an injury, the resulting pain is much more severe and long-lasting than normal,” notes the U.K.’s National Health Services. “The skin of the affected body part can become so sensitive that a slight touch, bump or even a change in temperature can cause intense pain. Affected areas can also become swollen, stiff or undergo fluctuating changes in ****** or temperature.” CRPS makes my skin feel like it’s on ***** on the inside yet freezing cold on the outside. My bones feel like they are broken, and my skin is so sensitive, it’s difficult to wear clothes or shoes. My skin swells and turns reddish-purple. The simplest touch can feel like being stabbed with a red-hot poker. The condition can show up weeks, months or even years after an injury or surgery, but — and I often think this is the cruelest detail of all — it’s not fatal. Though CRPS typically affects the body part or region that was injured, mine has progressed to encompass my entire body. The left side of my face feels like Mike Tyson is using my cheekbone as a punching bag 24/7. My arms are so sensitive I can’t wear long sleeves, even on the coldest days. My feet feel like their bones have been ground to dust and their skin has been doused with liquid nitrogen, so when I walk, it feels like I’m walking on shards of broken glass. This is my baseline — every minute of every day. It never gets better. I’ve had to learn how to tolerate the pain enough to get out of bed and just do one small task a day. About twice a month — usually when there’s a change in the weather or if I have overexerted myself the day before — my pain will flare. My face will swell, often to the point I can’t see or eat. Kisses from my pug feel like someone is running an industrial sander across my skin. The pain in my feet becomes so excruciating I can barely make the 20 steps from my bed to the bathroom. An estimated 200,000 Americans are struggling with this condition, which The McGill Pain Index lists as the most painful condition known to medicine. It is considered more painful than fibromyalgia or giving birth — even more painful than amputating a finger without anesthesia. There is no cure for CRPS. Even worse, doctors can’t seem to agree on what causes it. I’ve been told it’s anti-inflammatory or autoimmune. I’ve heard that it’s due to my autonomous nervous system being stuck in “****** or flight” mode because of childhood trauma. Or that it’s because my original injury was immobilized. But the worst thing that doctors have said to me — and many other poor souls with CRPS — is that it’s because our brains are broken. Or they think we’re crazy. Or that we’re just opioid-seeking ********. Ironically, because of the opioid crisis, I can’t get pain medications. I’m taking nine other types of prescription medicine right now, but none of them are for pain, and none of them really help. Instead, I tell my kids that I can’t do things with them because I’m in too much agony. I stay in bed on beautiful days when I’d rather be gardening. I stay home instead of hiking or going to Seahawks games because even with a cane, I can only walk so far. I had to abandon my dream of publishing an upscale comfort food blog because I’m in too much pain to cook. Many days, it’s too painful even to move my fingers across a keyboard. When the pain gets so bad I can’t bear it, which is about three times a day, I can soften it some with cannabis. However, this means I don’t dare venture into a state where the ***** isn’t legal, which also forces me to miss vacations, ******’ trips, and Christmas celebrations away from home. When I have an especially awful pain flare, which is about twice a month, I stay home and in bed, sometimes for as long as two weeks. I miss my kids’ activities. I cancel on people so often they no longer ask if I’m available to do something together. Being in pain is a lonely place to be, especially when you’re being blocked in your recovery at every turn by doctors and insurance companies. You might be thinking to yourself, “Well, I bet she hasn’t tried this…” Yes, I have. I’ve been on Lyrica, gabapentin, naltrexone, PTSD medication, and every SSRI on the market. I’ve tried stellate ganglion blocks, spinal cord stimulators, lidocaine infusions and ketamine. I’ve done physical therapy, trauma therapy, psychotherapy, massage, acupuncture, reiki, essential oils and grief retreats. My medical records resemble ”War and Peace” — just as long and confusing, with too many in its cast of characters to keep straight. I’ve seen over 20 doctors in four states. Last year was a “good year” because we “only” paid $10,000 out of pocket for my medical appointments, prescriptions and one round of ketamine infusions. I spent an additional $5,200 on medical cannabis. My CRPS has gone into remission three times. The first two times were when my pain was mainly in my left arm. My doctor implanted a spinal cord stimulator, a pacemaker-type device that was embedded in my lower right hip. Wires are connected to the affected nerves at the base of my brain and a cord about the size and texture of a stereo cable runs down my spinal column to the pacemaker. The stimulator works by “interrupting” the pain signal from my brain and sending a buzzing sensation to the affected nerves. I’ve had six surgeries to replace the stimulator and the wires, including two during the two months before my wedding. The third time I went into remission after receiving multiple high-dose ketamine infusions over the course of four days. Unfortunately, even with those treatments, my CRPS eventually returned. Now that I have had CRPS for over 20 years, my doctors have told me that it will probably never go back into remission. They frequently retitrate my prescriptions, but it’s like they’re rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. They tell me to tell my brain that I’m not in pain. They tell me to exercise, and then look at me blankly when I point to my cane and ask what exercise I should do when just managing the stairs in my home is a major feat. “I took this photo of myself after watching hours of makeup TikToks to figure out how to hide the redness and swelling that I so frequently experience,” the author writes. Courtesy of Alex Hankin Hart The pain is so bad that many CRPS patients would gladly sacrifice one or more body parts to be rid of it, but we’re told that amputating the affected limb(s) could just leave us with phantom pain. And amputation won’t help when CRPS starts attacking you inside your body. I’ve plunged into the deepest depths of depression and anxiety. The exhaustion alone is debilitating. It has also caused me to have gastropareses, which means my body doesn’t digest food correctly, so I experience constant nausea, cramps and bathroom experiences that are just too horrific to detail. I also get “fake heart attacks,” where it feels like a sword is repeatedly being stabbed through my chest. The list of symptoms goes on and on and on. Thankfully, many people with CRPS do go into remission months or years after being diagnosed, and up to 80% of individuals who do physical therapy can achieve some pain reduction. However, in my case, PT ******* and the pain spread to other parts of my body. From my experience and in discussions with other CRPS warriors, it seems like only two treatments work for those of us struggling with chronic, long-term CRPS: repeated high-dose ketamine infusions and Calmare biofeedback. Both of these treatments work to reset our brains so our sympathetic nervous systems stop giving out incorrect pain signals. However, both are provided at only a few places and neither are covered by my insurance. CRPS is known as “the ******** ********” because of the severity and longevity of the pain it causes, and because there is no known treatment guaranteed to work, let alone a cure for it. Our disability makes working nearly impossible. We’re a burden to our families. And the difficulty of obtaining pain medication makes our lives even *******. When I was first diagnosed, my doctors prescribed opioids, which allowed me to continue to hold a high-pressure job in technical marketing. But now, I’m not allowed a single oxy or hydrocodone pill, even though I have no history of abusing my prescriptions and have offered to take regular ***** tests. It’s not just CRPS patients who are regularly affected by pain. According to a recent CDC study, an estimated 20.9% of U.S. adults had chronic pain lasting more than three months in 2021, while 6.9% of Americans had high-impact chronic pain that limited their daily activities. Despite this, the medical community, currently grappling with an opioid crisis, sticks their heads in the sand every time anyone even dares utter the word “pain.” So what needs to change? Nursing and medical schools need better education for their students on pain management and how to deal with patients who are experiencing chronic pain. CRPS patients’ lives are hard enough as it is, but we face even more challenges because, too often, we’re dealing with medical professionals who don’t know enough about pain, won’t listen to us, and don’t seem to have any compassion for us. There also needs to be better education and research on opioids and other pain medications. My dream is that a pharmaceutical company will discover a non-addictive painkiller that will be covered by insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. But until that happens, we need better options and better access to them, including ketamine infusions and Calmare biofeedback that are available at more hospitals without costing patients their life savings. We also need cannabis legalized in all 50 states. As I write this, I’m finishing a five-week intensive outpatient program which, instead of doling out treatments one by one, combines all that modern medicine and pain psychology have to offer. In addition to receiving ketamine infusions, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medicine management, I’m also learning about neurobiology. For example, I had no idea that physical and emotional pain are processed similarly by the brain and that addressing one kind of pain can be crucial to alleviating another. To do that, I’m learning how to incorporate multiple forms of psychotherapy, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), into my life. Most importantly, I’ve found my tribe — a group of people who have also suffered from severe chronic pain in isolation for far too long — and their support means the world to me. I’m also learning to grieve the loss of my former life. I’ve realized that I’ll probably never check hiking to the top of Mount Si off my bucket list or wear my 4-inch python Louboutin heels again, and while that is devastating, it’s also OK. I’m learning to find and love the new me — a person whose life isn’t solely centered around my CRPS. There is only so much I can control, and I don’t know what’s ahead for me. I will most likely always have CRPS, but I refuse to let my condition write my entire story. I want to do whatever I can to live my life as fully as I can, and I want to help others with similar challenges do the same. Alex Hankin Hart lives in the Seattle suburbs with her amazing husband and son, and a pug named Banshee. She is a ****-hard Seahawks fan, and in better times, enjoyed cooking, yoga and gardening. Alex is currently working on her first novel, “Wolves in Cashmere Clothing.”Dial 988 in the US to reach the National ******** Prevention Lifeline. Other international ******** helplines can be found at befrienders.org. The Trevor Project, which provides help and ********-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Source link #Suffer #Painful #Condition #Medicine #Life #Nightmare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The ******** Football Show The ******** Football Show Highlights from the Women’s Super League, including Manchester ******* v Aston Villa. Source link #Women039s #Football #Show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Unique styles and personalities on display at inaugural Kalgoorlie-Boulder disability ball Unique styles and personalities on display at inaugural Kalgoorlie-Boulder disability ball The unique abilities and personalities of Goldfielders were celebrated in style at the weekend. Source link #Unique #styles #personalities #display #inaugural #KalgoorlieBoulder #disability #ball Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘When we do something important, it has potential to be looked at as a model’ ‘When we do something important, it has potential to be looked at as a model’ Starting next year, visitors to New York State will be experiencing a little less wastefulness, as the state legislature recently passed a new law banning hotels from offering small plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner, the New York Times reported. The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and will only apply to hotels with 50 or more rooms. Businesses that do not comply will be fined $250 for the first infraction and $500 for subsequent infractions, with that money going to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. “New York is the size of many countries, so New York’s role is watched,” former state assemblyman and current Suffolk County legislator Steven Englebright said. Englebright introduced the bill in the state legislature in 2019, displaying some customary New York humility. “When we do something important, it has the potential to be looked at as a model for our sister states.” New York is not the first state to enact similar legislation. California has also banned plastic toiletry bottles in hotels, and Washington state and Illinois have passed laws as well. Other states are considering the same measure. Although these plastic bottles are small, the pollution they cause really adds up. A spokesperson for Marriott told the Times that switching to larger, hand-pumped bottles will prevent “around 500 million small bath amenity bottles from going to landfills each year.” Watch now: What’s the point of leaf blowing anyway? Plastic pollution is a huge problem for our planet. Plastic is made from nonrenewable petroleum, and an estimated 8 to 10 million metric tons (roughly 8.8 to 11.1 million tons) of it winds up in our oceans every year, ******** countless marine animals. The material does not biodegrade — it sheds microplastics instead, which are now showing up in every corner of our planet. One of the reasons for this is that businesses recognize that cheap single-use plastic products are an easy way to maximize their profits. One simple way to solve that problem is to make single-use plastics not cheap anymore by penalizing businesses that use them. Although for-profit businesses may believe that their right to make money supersedes the right of people to live in a world that isn’t drowning in plastic pollution, these new laws make it clear that this is not the case. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #important #potential #looked #model Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukrainian ******** homes branded eyesore by nearby residents Ukrainian ******** homes branded eyesore by nearby residents Dave Thomas A total of 90 one and two storey portable cabins have been constructed on the site of a former school in south Wales Since leaving her home in Kyiv when the war with Russia broke out, Kateryna Gorodnycha and her son have been living with sponsors and in a hostel. They are some of the first people to move into temporary cabins in Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan. “I really love it. It’s our first home in Wales,” said Ms Gorodnycha: “We’ve been living in one room. My son’s very happy to have his own bedroom.” However, the 90-unit project – which will house refugees and homeless families – has been branded an “eyesore” by some local residents who claim there was no consultation process. Vale of Glamorgan council said there was an “urgent need” for homes for refugees and homeless families and that there was an “engagement process” with locals. Permitted development rights meant the local authority did not need planning permission to construct the units, which will stand for five years. Before fleeing Ukraine, Ms Gorodnycha, was working and living In Kyiv as a TV producer. She moved into the new emergency housing with her teenage son last week. “Before February 2022 I had a beautiful flat in Kyiv on the 17th floor next to the Dnipro River and I had grants to film a documentary. “It was a good life… it all just fell apart in one night. “But I am very grateful for this [home] and how kind people have been.” ******** Kateryna Gorodnycha says the unit is her “first home in Wales” after fleeing Ukraine over two years ago. “We didn’t know what to do when we first moved in because of all the space,” Ms Gorodnycha added. She said she saw her son take a kettle to the bathroom for water and had to remind him that they had a kitchen sink now. “Our first night was perfect because I have my own bedroom and couldn’t hear my son snoring,” she joked. Kateryna has lived with sponsors near Cowbridge and a hostel in Barry and said the new location of her home is “a dream”. “In Ukraine there aren’t many places on the coast… it’s a huge event to go to the beach, but here you can just walk and see the sea and waves.” Kate Hollinshead from Vale of Glamorgan council says it will be a “50/50 split” of Ukrainian refugees and local homeless families Kate Hollinshead, from Vale of Glamorgan council, said about 300 people will live at the currently half-full site, split 50/50 between Ukrainian refugees and homelesss families. “Ukrainian refugees will be allocated first but we will also allocate to homeless families from the Vale of Glamorgan who have been living in temporary accommodation,” she said. The units are a mix of one and two-storey one, two, three and four-bed homes for use on a short-term basis until more permanent housing is secured. However, not everyone is pleased by the new development, notability retired RAF engineer Steve McGranaghan, who lives opposite the units. “I’m feeling very disillusioned and broken,” he said. “It’s affected my health and given me sleepless nights, this was a done deal behind closed doors by the council. “It’s cost 25 million pounds which is the biggest investment the town has had at government level, and we end up with this carbuncle.” Steve McGranaghan says he is in “disbelief” every time he looks out of his bedroom window Vale of Glamorgan council and the Welsh government have invested in the development at a cost of around £25 million at the former Eagleswell school site. Dave Thomas, of the 2000-member-strong Eagleswell action group on Facebook, said the development looks like his “shed with a felt roof”. “When this went to planning it was already determined, they were already built and they’re not going to say that’s 25 million pounds spent let’s take the units away,” he said. “There was no consideration to anyone living here already, it was just a means to an end. “They decided let’s get as many units on as we can and squeeze them in and get as many people in as we can and who cares what it costs.” Vale of Glamorgan council The site now known as Heol Croeso has seen it’s first families arrive at the temporary homes Vale of Glamorgan council said they had seen “unprecedented levels of extreme housing need”. A spokesperson for the site, now known as Heol Croeso said: “The council has been involved in extensive communication and engagement activity with Llantwit Major residents regarding the Heol Croeso development. “The development went through the normal planning process and was approved by committee after meeting the necessary requirements. “Steps were taken to maintain privacy and address other concerns raised as part of that process. “The units have permission to remain in place for a maximum of five years and plans regarding their removal will be published in the next 12 months.” Source link #Ukrainian #******** #homes #branded #eyesore #nearby #residents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Quishing is the QR code scam you need to watch out for Quishing is the QR code scam you need to watch out for Banks and regulators have warned of the growing risk of quishing A type of phishing that uses fraudulent QR codes to steal information These malicious links aren’t easily recognized by users or email scanners It’s not just suspicious links you need to watch out for in your email inbox: QR code phishing – or “quishing” – is becoming an increasingly common threat, with fraudulent codes designed to slip through security systems and fool you into surrendering your financial information. A number of *** banks, together with the *** National Cyber Security Centre and US Federal Trade Commission, have recently warned of the dangers of these increasingly sophisticated quishing scams. In a quishing *******, a QR code is usually sent as an attachment to an email. The email will appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a lender. When you scan the code, it will direct you to a malicious link. This will usually ask you to submit personal details, but it could also attempt to install malware or even capture an MFA token to bypass your login credentials. What’s more, quishing attacks have now spread into the real world. Earlier this year, the RAC warned motorists of fraudulent QR codes being stuck to parking machines. When scanned, these would link users to a website that aims to steal the details and payment information of someone who believes they’re paying for parking. These attacks have increased since the pandemic, when the use of QR codes ballooned. As a hands-free way to access everything from menus to medical forms, QR codes became a familiar and apparently trustworthy way to access information and services. Gone quishing Like a classic phishing scam, quishing aims to fool you into believing that you’ve been sent the link from a legitimate source. The email will usually appear to be from a bank or email provider, asking you to confirm your details to ‘secure’ your account. The scam will use a fake website that mimics the real thing to fool you into believing it’s legitimate. Because the content of a QR code isn’t immediately visible from looking at the code alone, it’s difficult to check if one is legitimate. What’s more, these codes often slip past cyber security tools, which aren’t easily able to verify whether an attached code is genuine. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Scammers also find increasingly advanced ways to hide their scams from security tools. In addition to ********** legitimate email accounts, some QR code scams use genuine personal information harvested from sites such as LinkedIn to personalize emails to appear relevant to an individual. Domain redirection is often used to bounce users through several URLs, which prevents email scanners from detecting the true malicious link behind the QR code. A similar version of the scam, featured in a report from Perception Point, sends users to me-QR.com, a legitimate website for making QR codes. Once there, the service scans a second QR code, which leads to a malicious landing page hosted on SharePoint, Microsoft’s web-based collaboration platform. We’ve written in depth about the evolution of phishing attacks and how to stay safe from quishing attacks. In May, McAfee – the security software company – ran a survey that found more than 20% of online scams in the *** probably involved QR codes. With lenders and regulators now raising concerns, quishing is definitely the next big thing in online scams. You might also like Source link #Quishing #code #scam #watch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More than 300 ******* in Sudanese paramilitary attacks More than 300 ******* in Sudanese paramilitary attacks More than 300 people have been ******* in attacks by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages in eastern Al Jazirah state over the past 10 days, a rights group says. The victims included “children, the elderly, and the *****,” the Sudanese rights group Middle Call said in a statement. The RSF has attacked more than 100 villages around the city of Al Hilaliya in recent weeks, inflicting widespread devastation on communities. “Besieged families are enduring a horrific massacre, losing their lives … before the eyes of the entire world, with no intervention to save them,” the Middle Call said. “Entire families have been wiped out: mothers with their children, siblings, and spouses, leaving no survivors.” Many people have reportedly ***** due to a lack of medical services, as residents have been under siege by the paramilitary forces for over two weeks. Fighting erupted in April 2023, as a result of a power struggle between the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Since then, the conflict has displaced more than 10 million people, creating one of the worst global humanitarian crises, according to data from the ******* Nations. Al Jazeera Conference civic organisation head Al Mubar Mahmud, told EFE the paramilitary forces are committing “genocide” in Al Hilaliya. Mahmud said the RSF looted and destroyed local hospitals and over 10 pharmacies. “Residents are living without electricity after RSF militants damaged the transformer and looted the solar panels that powered water wells,” he added. Mahmud also reported cases of ******* ********* during the siege, claiming the paramilitary forces had kidnapped an unspecified number of women. The RSF has reportedly demanded $US500 ($A759) from people attempting to leave the besieged region. Over 1000 people have ***** since the RSF launched a large-scale ******** on more than 120 villages on October 20. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National ******* ****** and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Source link #******* #Sudanese #paramilitary #attacks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

MSI Cubi PCs are little doers with full-sized performance MSI Cubi PCs are little doers with full-sized performance Not all PC buyers need big, gaming RGB beasts. Business and industrial applications are often better served by functional PCs that take-up little (expensive) desk space; can be completely hidden behind screens; that are powerful but also power efficient; and which come with green credentials that your own organisation can inherit. If you’re a user or an IT manager that this resonates with, then you will want to check out the latest and greatest Cubi NUC mini PCs from MSI. Originally developed by Intel, tiny NUC (Next Unit of Computing) PCs transformed the world of business computing by allowing small computers to be used in new and innovative ways. They could be discreetly (and securely) VESA-mounted on to the back of monitors which meant that expensive office desk space was freed up, cable clutter was banished and customer-facing businesses (like shops, hotels and restaurants) could use them on counter tops without defiling their stylish spaces. Being mounted on the rear of displays also transformed screens into relatively inexpensive smart panels and this has become a foundation of modern digital signage. (Image credit: MSI) They were often cheap, but could be underpowered for some applications and this could be exacerbated by the thermal issues inherent in older silicon, and heat-build up derived from the lack of ventilation in the small chassis. But, this has now changed. MSI’s new Cubi NUC PCs utilise 14th-Gen Intel processors which provide all the power you need while minimising heat-related stability problems. They are available in multiple SKUs and you can even build your own barebones system from just $529. The best news is that, if you buy one (or more) before the end of 2024, MSI will throw in a $50 gift card and a free 1TB SSD. Here’s what you need to know… Introducing the new MSI Cubi NUC 1M (Image credit: MSI) The latest versions of the Cubi NUC 1M are available with 14th-Gen Intel Core 3, 5 and 7 processors, and that enables you to tailor performance to your application or budget. Each has the following specs: Windows 11 Home or Pro; a 0.826-litre, VESA-mountable chassis; two, DDR5 SODIMM slots; Two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one supports Power Delivery-in, up to 100W); dual 2.5GbE LAN ports; dTPM support for hardware-based encryption; four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports; a microSD card reader; two HDMI ports which, along with the Thunderbolt ports, provide support for up-to four displays; a 3.5mm audio jack; a Kensington lock socket for security; Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity; and an extendible power button so you don’t have to reach into awkward places. Meanwhile, MSI’s AI Engine application optimises user experience without manual configuration. The new Cubi NUCs also have a modular design which enables the simple upgrading of components using the removable chassis cover. As such, you can easily access the two, dual-channel DDR5 SODIMM slots; two M.2 SSD slots (size 2280 and 2242); or replace the latter with a 2.5-inch hard drive. All have passed rigorous 24/7, MIL-STD-1916 reliability tests and rated at an impressive 246,000 hours MTBF (Mean Time Between ********) to provide peace of mind for all stakeholders. Tests include electrical-based PCBA checks; vibration and drop tests; temperature and humidity tests; I/O port-life tests; and power tests among others. The MSI Cubi features an attractive design and easy access to USB and SD card inputs (Image credit: MSI) MSI Cubi mini PCs have plenty of connectivity options (Image credit: MSI) Saving power and boosting your green credentials Whether you’re using one NUC or managing a fleet of them, power supply and consumption will be a consideration for most purchasers and MSI has you covered. MSI’s Power Link technology allows Cubi NUCs to be conveniently powered by a compatible display, so you don’t need to fret about additional power sockets. MSI’s Power Meter application facilitates one-click power saving, carbon emission calculation and electricity cost estimation. Meanwhile, green credentials include the chassis being created by using 42.9 percent post-consumer recycled plastic; EPEAT Silver and Energy Star certifications; and packaging made from FSC-Certified, recycled (and completely recyclable) wood pulp. MSI’s factory has also embraced solar power to reduce its TCO2e by over 60 percent since 2021 and now 92 per cent of its energy is sourced from wind farms. These are all credentials that your own organisation can cite in its own ecological statements. To really save desk space you can mount an MSI Cubi PC to the rear of a monitor (Image credit: MSI) Get your Cubi NUC now for a big bonus MSI’s Cubi NUCs are available right now, with the latest 1M models starting at around $500 and the earlier 12M models available from just $279. Whatever your requirements, there’s a model to suit you. Buy now and get a free $50 gift card and 1TB SSD! Source link #MSI #Cubi #PCs #doers #fullsized #performance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

***** crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire ***** crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire LOS ANGELES (AP) — Favorable weather conditions helped ***** crews gain more control over a Southern California wildfire that has destroyed 134 structures and damaged dozens more, authorities reported Sunday. Crews increased containment of the Mountain ***** to 26% in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, up from 21% on Saturday night. The *****’s size ******** around 32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers). The cause of the ***** is under investigation. Inspection teams continue to assess damage. Evacuation orders were downgraded Saturday to warnings for residents in several areas of Ventura County as gusty winds subsided and firefighters were aided by mild temperatures and low humidity. “The ***** continues to creep and smolder in steep rugged terrain. Threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways, and communities,” according to the California Department of Forestry and ***** Protection, better known as Cal *****. The ***** broke out Wednesday morning and exploded in size with the arrival of dry, warm and gusty northeast Santa Ana winds, forcing thousands of residents to flee and threatening 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around the community of Camarillo. Agriculture officials assessing the toll on farmland sown with avocado, citrus and berries estimated the damage at $2.4 million, the Ventura County Star reported. Another round of northeast winds was expected Tuesday, but humidity was expected to rise and gusts were not expected to surge as high as those that fanned the *****, National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Walbrun said. The region northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. The Mountain ***** swiftly grew from less than half a square mile (about 1.2 square kilometers) to more than 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) in little more than five hours on Wednesday, with gusts topping 61 mph (98 kph). Red flag warnings indicating conditions for high ***** danger expired in most of the region Thursday. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County. Source link #***** #crews #gain #greater #control #destructive #Southern #California #wildfire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Premier League title race: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea – state of play after 11 games Premier League title race: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea – state of play after 11 games Arsenal fans were hoping this was going to be their season after pushing Manchester City close in each of the last two campaigns. And with City faltering – on the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions – this might have been their ideal chance. But Liverpool are performing better than anyone could have imagined under new boss Arne Slot, with 28 points out of a possible 33. And the Gunners trail the leaders by nine points at the end of a weekend for the first time since the final day of 2022-23, when they finished 24 points behind Manchester City. They looked dejected as the final whistle went at Stamford Bridge. Walcott said: “The difference with Arsenal at this moment in time is that they are lacking in goals, while they are not conceding many – but at this point of the season it’s important to factor in who they have played. “I would say that, so far, they have played tougher teams – they have played six of last season’s top 10, and five of those games have been away from home. “Plus, most of the time they have been without their main player, Martin Odegaard, and they are still where they are.” Captain Odegaard made his first Premier League appearance since August against Chelsea and set up Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal. Walcott added: “People tend to forget all of that when they look into how Arsenal are not playing at the same level they were at last year, but for me it one of the reasons not to write them off in the title race.” Gunners legend Paul Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, said: “He [Arteta] has got to make sure it gets down to six points rather than go to 12. “I think they’ll do well to catch Liverpool now. It might stay at nine until the end of December. If it goes to 12 then it’s finished.” Can Arsenal do it? Well, history is not on their side. Excluding teams with games in hand, nobody has ever won the Premier League title after being nine (or more) points off top with 11 games gone. Manchester City managed it in 2013-14 but leaders Arsenal had played 12 games by that stage. Speaking about his title rivals, Arteta said his team need to “win, win, win, win and win, because these guys don’t stop winning”. If they were to win every remaining game this season they would end on 100 points, with Liverpool’s current form putting them on course for 97 points. Source link #Premier #League #title #race #Liverpool #Manchester #City #Arsenal #Chelsea #state #play #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police at 'breaking point' as they begin strike action Police at 'breaking point' as they begin strike action Police will begin rolling strike action as they ramp up their ****** for a better pay deal after negotiations with the government and Victoria Police broke down. Source link #Police #039breaking #point039 #strike #action Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Starting a business? Don’t be afraid to speak up Starting a business? Don’t be afraid to speak up Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. When Neon Money Club co-founder Luke Bailey launched his business, he kept a lot of ideas to himself. In this clip from the latest episode of Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac, Bailey shares his advice for budding entrepreneurs. “I was quiet for a lot of my career because I thought the ideas I had in my head were crazy,” says Bailey. Once he started talking, he noticed that people were listening to him and valued his thoughts.”Share your ideas. Speak up,” he says. His other piece of advice is that entrepreneurship “is hard, but not discouraging.” Bailey says, “Everything is hard, so why not do what it is you think you’re made to do?” Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth. This post was written by Meredith Lawrence. Source link #Starting #business #Dont #afraid #speak Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bruno Fernandes back in form as Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim set to arrive Bruno Fernandes back in form as Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim set to arrive A combination of the number of players leaving for international duty this week, and some of those not called up being given time off, means that it will be largely those who are injured that Amorim first gets to see when he reports for duty at *******’s Carrington training complex. It means the fact ******* need a couple of days to secure his work visa is not too much of an inconvenience. It also allows the club to tie up all the loose ends around Amorim’s coaching team, with interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy stating after the Leicester game he expects to hear either on Sunday or Monday whether he and the remainder of Ten Hag’s team who stayed on following the Dutchman’s dismissal last month are to stay. When he gets round to assessing this latest performance, aside from Fernandes’ efforts, Amorim will see a largely solid defensive display, which secured a first Premier League clean sheet for over a month, a decent first-half from Amad Diallo, and a goalscoring second-half from Alejandro Garnacho, even if the Argentine was too fed up at being criticised for his recent displays to celebrate. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro were decent in central midfield without being spectacular against a Leicester side their manager Steve Cooper admitted had not been good enough in both boxes. And ******* won. Depending on how you choose to assess the Premier League table, Amorim arrives with ******* either 13th, way below expectations, or only four points off a Champions League place, for which fifth might be good enough. BBC Sport asked Van Nistelrooy after the match whether the current ******* squad could excel in Amorim’s new style. His answer didn’t entirely fill anyone with confidence. “That is a very good question,” he said. “When I started at the beginning of this four game ******* I decided to continue by 85% playing what the players are used and just put in little tweaks by changing players or resting players to try get the confidence back. We were looking for results and we got four. “But the wing backs and inside forwards, it is a lot to analyse. I can’t comment on that.” Presumably if Van Nistelrooy were entirely confident about the flexibility of players he has been working with since the start of the season, a straightforward ‘yes’ would have come into his head. And the secondary – but very important – point is the chance for Amorim to do any meaningful work on the training ground will be virtually non-existent. If ******* progress in the EFL Cup, he might have one spare midweek in his first three months in charge. Amorim is acutely aware of this which is why he is playing down the expectations that rose so dramatically in the wake of Sporting’s defeat of Manchester City last week. Amorim will need to find a trio of defenders that fit his back three brief, knowing his quickest option, Leny Yoro, is among those coming back from injury. Presumably Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will fill the wing back slots, with Ugarte, Casemiro and ********** Eriksen the midfield berths, at least until Kobbie Mainoo is available again. But Fernandes is the crucial element. Portugal’s second Nations League game doesn’t take place until Monday, 18 November, even further limiting the new head coach’s time with the Fernandes before the Premier League trip to Ipswich on 24 November. Van Nistelrooy has stabilised the situation at Old Trafford. But if ******* are to move on under Amorim, he needs to find the best way of getting the most out of Fernandes as the captain moves back into form. Source link #Bruno #Fernandes #form #Man #Utd #coach #Ruben #Amorim #set #arrive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nissan to cut jobs, reduce Mitsubishi stake as profits evaporate Nissan to cut jobs, reduce Mitsubishi stake as profits evaporate Things are not rosy at Nissan, with the automaker hoping job cuts and asset sales will bring the company back to profit. Source link #Nissan #cut #jobs #reduce #Mitsubishi #stake #profits #evaporate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘These findings underscore the need for an urgent ban’ ‘These findings underscore the need for an urgent ban’ A new study out of the ******* Kingdom suggests everyday tasks like washing pots and shampooing your hair could seriously pollute marine environments with harmful “forever chemicals.” Called PFAS, these chemicals are known to leach into water — but the extent of their impact is just being uncovered. What’s happening? Scientists at the University of Portsmouth recently partnered with the Marine Conservation Society to investigate the presence of PFAS — or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — in marine environments. PFAS are human-made chemicals found in food packaging, nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, personal care items such as shampoo, and more. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they “usually take hundreds or thousands of years to break down,” the World Economic Forum reports. Per a University of Portsmouth article on Phys.org, scientists collected seawater samples before and after sewage discharges from a U.K. wastewater treatment plant servicing more than 400,000 people. The researchers found PFAS concentrations increased significantly after sewage discharges. Before sewage discharge, one detectable PFAS compound was found in tested waterways. Afterward, eight different PFAS compounds were detected — including two banned PFAS. The research, recently published in Chemosphere, also found that seaweed in the studied area contained more than 6,000 times the concentration of PFAS than the water surrounding it. Researchers say this data indicates that seaweed stores the forever chemical in high concentrations — and this stored PFAS could work its way up the food chain when ingested by algae-grazing marine animals. Why is the presence of PFAS in waterways concerning? Numerous studies have previously linked PFAS exposure to human health impacts like *******, decreased fertility, and increased risks of asthma and thyroid ********, CNN reported. Watch now: Can the government create hurricanes? PFAS also impact marine animals, with studies finding the “forever chemicals” in the livers of otters, gulls’ eggs, freshwater fish, and more, per Scientific *********. According to Seaside Sustainability, PFAS can sicken marine animals, causing immune system shutdowns and liver damage. Fish and other marine animals can also expose people to PFAS when entering the human food chain. People become exposed to PFAS by consuming contaminated food and water, using products made with PFAS, and breathing in air that contains PFAS. One Centers for ******** Control and Prevention survey found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans. What’s being done about PFAS? In a statement, the study’s authors say further research is needed to understand the effects of PFAS on marine life. They also called for strategy development to reduce existing PFAS in the environment. How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Most importantly, the researchers stress the need to develop and implement less polluting replacements for PFAS in products. “These findings underscore the need for an urgent ban on PFAS from all uses where there are alternatives,” study co-author Francesca Ginley, chemicals policy and advocacy manager at the Marine Conservation Society, said in a statement. “These chemicals will impact us and the environment for generations to come.” Researchers globally are also working to understand more about PFAS, with the Environmental Protection Agency reporting that its researchers are especially interested in how to better detect and measure PFAS, how to remove PFAS from water, how to dispose of PFAS, and more. To educate yourself on PFAS exposure, review this list of products and uses for PFAS. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #findings #underscore #urgent #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chiefs edge Broncos, extend NFL win streak to 15 games Chiefs edge Broncos, extend NFL win streak to 15 games The Kansas City Chiefs have blocked a field goal attempt as time expired as they escaped with a 16-14 home win over the Denver Broncos and extended their dazzling NFL winning streak to 15 games. The Chiefs had taken the lead on Harrison Butker’s field goal with 5:57 remaining, but Bo Nix and the Broncos converted on a trio of third downs while marching right back down field. They proceeded to set up Wil Lutz for the winner, but Leo Chenal was given credit for coming up the middle amid a big push by the Kansas City defensive line to get his hand on the kick. Patrick Mahomes finished with 266 yards passing and a touchdown for Kansas City, who became only the fifth team to follow up a Super Bowl triumph by winning their first nine games of the season. The Chiefs’ winning streak dating to last season is the longest in the NFL since the Packers won 19 in a row from 2010-11. Travis Kelce had eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City. DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 56 yards, and Kareem Hunt was held to 35 yards rushing but also caught seven passes for 65 yards. Nix finished with 215 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Broncos (5-5). Courtland Sutton had six catches for 60 yards and a score, and his 13-yard reception on third-and-6 with 1:45 left gave Denver a chance to kick as time expired. Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium to watch Kelce and the Chiefs just six days after turning up to see their win over Tampa Bay on Monday night. The pop superstar resumes her Eras Tour on Thursday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Source link #Chiefs #edge #Broncos #extend #NFL #win #streak #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mortgage and refinance rates today, November 10, 2024: Rates are volatile Mortgage and refinance rates today, November 10, 2024: Rates are volatile Mortgage rates have been volatile over the last few days. According to Zillow, today’s 30-year fixed mortgage rate for home purchases is down by eight basis points to 6.44%, and the 30-year fixed refinance rate has decreased by five basis points to 6.50%. On the other hand, the 15-year fixed purchase rate is up by 10 basis points to 5.77%, and the 15-year refinance rate has risen by five basis points to 5.83%. We can probably expect mortgage rates to be unsteady for a while as the market responds to the presidential election results, new federal funds rate, and other economic factors. Learn more: How the Federal Reserve impacts mortgage rates Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.44% 20-year fixed: 6.31% 15-year fixed: 5.77% 5/1 ARM: 6.67% 7/1 ARM: 6.64% 30-year VA: 5.87% 15-year VA: 5.51% 5/1 VA: 5.97% 30-year FHA: 5.61% 15-year FHA: 5.55% 5/1 FHA: 4.88% Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.50% 20-year fixed: 6.27% 15-year fixed: 5.83% 5/1 ARM: 6.71% 7/1 ARM: 6.81% 30-year VA: 5.77% 15-year VA: 5.40% 5/1 VA: 5.75% Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case. Read more: Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? Use the free Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator to see how various mortgage terms and interest rates will impact your monthly payments. Our calculator also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest. The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.44%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading out your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter-term loan. The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.77% today. When deciding between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals. A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year term. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that’s 15 fewer years for interest to accumulate. But the trade-off is that your monthly payment will be higher as you pay off the same amount in half the time. Let’s say you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a 6.44% rate, your monthly payment toward the principal and interest would be about $1,884, and you’d pay $378,377 in interest over the life of your loan — on top of that original $300,000. If you get that same $300,000 mortgage but with a 15-year term and 5.77% rate, your monthly payment would jump up to $2,494. But you’d only pay $149,000 in interest over the years. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in for the entire life of your loan. You will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage, though. An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined ******* of time. Then, the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remaining 23 years of your term. Adjustable rates typically start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock ******* ends, it’s possible your rate will go up. Lately, though, some fixed rates have been starting lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about its rates before choosing one or the other. Dig deeper: Adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgage Mortgage lenders typically give the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, great or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So, if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying down some debt before you start shopping for homes. Waiting for rates to drop probably isn’t the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now unless you are truly in no rush and don’t mind waiting until the end of 2024 or into 2025. If you’re ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to lower your rate. Learn more: How to get the lowest mortgage rates To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage preapproval with three or four companies. Just be sure to apply to all of them within a short time frame — doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score. When choosing a lender, don’t just compare interest rates. Look at the mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders. According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.44%, and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.77%. But these are national averages, so the average in your area could be different. Averages are typically higher in expensive parts of the U.S. and lower in less expensive areas. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.44% right now, according to Zillow. However, you might get an even better rate with an excellent credit score, sizeable down payment, and low debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Mortgage rates aren’t necessarily expected to drop in the last couple of months of 2024, but they’ll likely gradually decrease in 2025. Source link #Mortgage #refinance #rates #today #November #Rates #volatile Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Trying to get home’: Court hears 15yo’s plea before he was allegedly murdered by Jacob Greig in the bush ‘Trying to get home’: Court hears 15yo’s plea before he was allegedly murdered by Jacob Greig in the bush A teenager issued a plea for help before he was allegedly murdered, with his friends camping nearby discovering his body the next morning, a court has heard. Source link #home #Court #hears #15yos #plea #allegedly #murdered #Jacob #Greig #bush Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Resident at Ohio senior living facility shoots 2 employees Resident at Ohio senior living facility shoots 2 employees Two workers at an Ohio senior living facility were injured in a ********* Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] New London police were called to Windy Acres senior living retirement facility just after 10:50 a.m. for reports of an active shooter, according to a media release by the department. When police arrived they found two injured people locked in the main office. TRENDING STORIES: The two employees were able to get to medics through a window. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to police. Officers then found a man ***** in the lobby from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was identified as a resident of the facility. His identity has not been released at this time. Police said there are no other victims or suspects in the *********. The motive of the ********* ******** under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link #Resident #Ohio #senior #living #facility #shoots #employees Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Review (Switch) Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Review (Switch) Japan and I have a close relationship. I had the great opportunity to live and study there. While in Japan, I heard whispers here and there about Yoshito Usui’s beloved Shin-chan, enough to realize that the mischievous five-year-old boy has been a household name since the 1990s. I admit that Shiro and the Coal Town is my first encounter with Shin-chan’s adventures. Before reviewing this, I’ve been wondering whether the latest Shin-chan title can really capture the ********* aesthetic, culture, and nature I experienced. I am happy to say that Shiro and the Coal Town delivers a good cozy depiction of ********* rural life wrapped in a hand-drawn anime-like presentation and highly accessible collect-a-thon mechanics. However, gameplay complexity and variety is lost as a result, while the title suffers from some awkward animations due to its fixed camera perspective. While its deliberate slow pace and simplicity won’t find a home with everyone, cozy game fans of all ages will appreciate Shin-chan’s latest adventure. Summer days in Akita Shiro and the Coal Town is a spiritual continuation of its predecessor, Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation. Shin-chan and family leave Kasukabe to visit the extended family home in the Akita prefecture. In this new location, the mischievous boy spends all summer unraveling the mysteries of two settings: the bright and summery Akita and the run down and cluttered Coal Town. The story can be enjoyed as a standalone experience, and the game does a great job at introducing you to beloved characters. Shiro and the Coal Town features a simplistic 10 to 12-hours story covered in ********* humor. Don’t expect too much depth of narrative here. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised to find explorations of contemporary topics that have affected ********* society and the world at large. Shin-chan features themes of re-connecting with nature through its collect-a-thon mechanics of bug catching, fishing, farming, and more. Coal Town acts as a front for exploring the effects of industrialization, whereas the contrasting Akita location touches on deindustrialization and rural population decline. Shin-chan’s latest adventure is essentially a quest to help both Akita and Coal Town find their identity in a world that has moved on. The characters are the highlights of the narrative experience. Fans of Shin-chan will recognize beloved characters returning. Those new to the franchise will find much joy in meeting zany personalities and anime tropes like the raunchy grandpa, the inept dad, the quippy Shin-chan, and more. Newcomers may need some time to acclimatize to the humor, although the silly approach to interactions is mostly a hit. However, not all characters are given the same screentime and attention. For example, the villain is often relegated to a background role, and I wouldn’t blame you if you forgot all about him. Relax, stay a while Shiro and the Coal Town is a collect-a-thon through-and-through. Gameplay-wise, you play as Shin-chan as you explore Akita and Coal Town to catch bugs and items, fish, grow vegetables, and more. As you collect more and more, your book or compendium will fill with information. You will have to meet a certain character repeatedly to report your findings and in return receive yen as payment for your trouble. Shin-chan can use this currency to purchase and exchange other items. Progression to different areas is also tied to collecting certain items in return to access. This is a safe and standard way of doing things. Shiro and the Coal Town is not an open world game. Rather, it is a streamlined experience that guides players from zone to zone. There is a time passing mechanic that changes the setting and what you can collect over a day. This includes morning, afternoon, and night-time. While I appreciated this time passing mechanic and the scenery changes that it brought, it felt underdeveloped. For example, exploring Akita at night-time will introduce you to some new bugs like fireflies. However, there is still a lack of bug and fish varieties during these times. The absence of other characters to interact with is also a sore point of exploring at night-time. The gameplay is very accessible to a wider audience. There is no stake or penalty for failing to catch bugs or fish as these will respawn. If you get caught up exploring too late at night, you will automatically fall asleep and be transported back to the comfort of your home. Your trusty side-kick Shiro, the wonder dog, will also help you locate items to collect. The collect-a-thon mini-games of catching bugs is fun and easy. However, the fixed camera perspective sometimes makes the catching feel awkward. The perspective often tricked me into thinking that I aligned Shin-chan well enough to catch the bug with the net. I realized how wrong I was when I frequently missed my positioning. The fish catching mini-game is equally simple. It is a timed mini-game similar to Animal Crossing, although it lacks polish or the sense of fair challenge that is found in Stardew Valley. Speaking of Stardew Valley, Shiro and the Coal Town also features a basic crop growing mini-game where Shin-chan can water crops on a daily basis. Once again, however, there are no downsides to neglecting that because Shin-chan still has to wait a few days for crops to grow depending on the type. In terms of gameplay, Shiro and the Coal Town is safe, accessible, and a jack of all trades. “Animed” to perfection Shiro and the Coal Town has a beautiful art style that stays faithful to the anime and manga. The hand-drawn environments are the star of the show. Akita’s nature is summery, bright, colorful, and a joy to get lost in. The presentation is outstanding and this extends to the great minimalist soundtrack and the sound design. The original score brings notes of nostalgia and reminisces of the days where life is simple, slow, and aimless. The sound design sells the experience of being among nature as cicadas and other bugs cry in the distance. On the other hand, Coal Town is made to look cluttered, run down, and abrasive. It is an immersive experience that reminds me of the very best slice of life anime. This presentation is backed-up by a polished experience. Shin-chan looks great in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch. It runs very well and feels right at home on the Switch. I have not encountered any performance issues or glitches. The English localization is also great and adapts the ********* jokes well to the context. I think the game is a great way to practice your ********* given that it features ********* voice acting and English subtitles. Shiro and the Coal Town is a charming title, and should be regarded as one of the best looking games of the year. Summary Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town delivers a good cozy experience of ********* culture and rural life wrapped in a hand-drawn anime-like presentation and highly accessible and simple collect-a-thon mechanics. However, gameplay complexity and variety leave more to be desired, while the title suffers from some awkward animations due to its fixed camera perspective. I recommend Shiro and the Coal Town to cozy game fans and players who are open to a simple and slower slice of life sim. Shiro and the Coal Town reminded me of those long summer days spent in Japan hearing crying cicadas in the distance. Shin-chan allowed me to quickly return to those memories. For that, I am most thankful. Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC. Source link #Shinchan #Shiro #Coal #Town #Review #Switch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former pupil restrained at school wins case Former pupil restrained at school wins case Getty Images A spokesperson for the school said it was “naturally disappointed” by the judgement A man found to have been repeatedly restrained and once detained for nearly five hours at his former school will receive £18,900 in damages. He was a pupil at the Mulberry Bush School in Standlake, Oxfordshire, more than a decade ago but the claim was decided at the High Court on Friday. A judge found he was restrained face down by staff three times and that others placed a towel around the door of his room to stop him leaving it 14 times. The private residential special school said it was “naturally disappointed” by the outcome and that it was “potentially seeking permission to appeal”. Amelia Walker, representing the man’s family in court, said the restraints imposed on him were “inevitably humiliating and degrading, as well as dangerous”. Judge Margaret Obi found the restraints constituted battery and that being prevented from leaving his room constituted unlawful imprisonment. Catherine Foster, representing the school, said the man was “restrained legitimately” 117 times at the school on other occasions. She said the school felt the restraints were “a necessary and proportionate means of managing disruptive behaviour”. The judge said she was satisfied he was left “distressed and humiliated by the experience of being restrained face down”. She said the school continued to use towels to restrict his movement even though social services previously “made it clear” that was inappropriate. Ofsted found pupils “thrive” at the “transformative” school, which inspectors said had a “highly ambitious and broad” curriculum, at an inspection in September. In a statement, a school spokesperson said it was “important to note that the court found that there was no negligence” found on its part. But they said there were other elements in the judgement the school found were “inconsistent” with previous hearings. The spokesperson added: “We have been working with children and families affected by complex emotional needs for 75 years and always endeavour to do what is right and best for every individual child. “This work is never done in isolation and we always work closely with everyone involved in a child’s care.” Source link #pupil #restrained #school #wins #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Peter Dutton rises in popularity in a fresh ***** to Anthony Albanese according to latest poll Peter Dutton rises in popularity in a fresh ***** to Anthony Albanese according to latest poll Dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister has risen while Peter Dutton appears to be rising in popularity as the nation waits for an election announcement. Source link #Peter #Dutton #rises #popularity #fresh #***** #Anthony #Albanese #latest #poll Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]