Pelican Press

Fran Hughes: Restorative mini career breaks can make path to retirement a journey, not just the destination Fran Hughes: Restorative mini career breaks can make path to retirement a journey, not just the destination We spend our most productive years living in a “deferred state of happiness”, thinking we’ll get to it when we retire. Mini-breaks can re-energise lives and careers today, not 30 years from now. Source link #Fran #Hughes #Restorative #mini #career #breaks #path #retirement #journey #destination Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why It Might Not Make Sense To Buy Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) For Its Upcoming Dividend Why It Might Not Make Sense To Buy Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) For Its Upcoming Dividend Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it’s exciting to see Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next three days. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company’s books on the record date. Meaning, you will need to purchase Expand Energy’s shares before the 14th of November to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 4th of December. The company’s upcoming dividend is US$0.575 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$2.44 per share to shareholders. Last year’s total dividend payments show that Expand Energy has a trailing yield of 2.6% on the current share price of US$92.49. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Expand Energy’s dividend is reliable and sustainable. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it’s growing. See our latest analysis for Expand Energy Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Expand Energy paid out 127% of profit in the past year, which we think is typically not sustainable unless there are mitigating characteristics such as unusually strong cash flow or a large cash balance. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Over the past year it paid out 130% of its free cash flow as dividends, which is uncomfortably high. We’re curious about why the company paid out more cash than it generated last year, since this can be one of the early signs that a dividend may be unsustainable. Cash is slightly more important than profit from a dividend perspective, but given Expand Energy’s payments were not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, we are concerned about the sustainability of this dividend. Click here to see the company’s payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. historic-dividend Businesses with shrinking earnings are tricky from a dividend perspective. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. Expand Energy’s earnings have collapsed faster than Wile E Coyote’s schemes to trap the Road Runner; down a tremendous 48% a year over the past five years. Story Continues Another key way to measure a company’s dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. In the last three years, Expand Energy has lifted its dividend by approximately 21% a year on average. That’s intriguing, but the combination of growing dividends despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out a larger percentage of profits. Expand Energy is already paying out 127% of its profits, and with shrinking earnings we think it’s unlikely that this dividend will grow quickly in the future. Should investors buy Expand Energy for the upcoming dividend? Not only are earnings per share declining, but Expand Energy is paying out an uncomfortably high percentage of both its earnings and cashflow to shareholders as dividends. This is a clearly suboptimal combination that usually suggests the dividend is at risk of being cut. If not now, then perhaps in the future. It’s not that we think Expand Energy is a bad company, but these characteristics don’t generally lead to outstanding dividend performance. So if you’re still interested in Expand Energy despite it’s poor dividend qualities, you should be well informed on some of the risks facing this stock. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we’ve spotted with Expand Energy (including 2 which are significant). Generally, we wouldn’t recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here’s a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Source link #Sense #Buy #Expand #Energy #Corporation #NASDAQEXE #Upcoming #Dividend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chelsea keep pressure on WSL leaders Man City Chelsea keep pressure on WSL leaders Man City Mayra Ramirez, Guro Reiten and Aggie Beever-Jones have scored as Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-0 away on Sunday to keep the pressure on Women’s Super League (WSL) leaders Manchester City. City, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 on Friday, stay top on 19 points, one point ahead of Chelsea with the Londoners having a game in hand. Brighton & Hove Albion remain third on 13 points despite a 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal on Friday, with Matildas star Caitlin Foord among the scorers for the fourth-placed Gunners (12 points). Ramirez gave Chelsea the lead in Sunday’s match in the 37th minute after Liverpool ******* to clear a Johanna Rytting Kaneryd shot that hit the crossbar, and the Colombian blasted home the loose ball to break the deadlock. Reds keeper Rachel Laws had a moment to forget five minutes later when Liverpool tried to play out from the back and her pass landed at the feet of Chelsea winger Reiten, who took a touch before sweeping the ball into the empty net. Liverpool improved in the second half and pressed Chelsea high up the pitch to pin them back, but substitute Beever-Jones netted an easy finish in the 90th minute to wrap up the three points for the Blues. “We knew it would be tough and we needed to have a great performance if we wanted a good result,” Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor said after her sixth win in six league games. In London, Viviane Asseyi’s goal deep into first-half stoppage time gave *********** Katrina Gorry and her West Ham ******* teammates their first win of the season as they beat Leicester City 1-0. And Crystal Palace were pegged back by bottom side Everton after taking the lead in the first minute as the Toffees, with Australia’s Clare Wheeler on deck, grabbed a 1-1 draw. In Sunday’s late kickoff, second-from-bottom Aston Villa had little difficulty securing a 0-0 stalemate away to a toothless Manchester ******* side who are fifth in the table but barely managed a shot on target in a disappointing performance. Source link #Chelsea #pressure #WSL #leaders #Man #City Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stockton police investigating after man, 46, and woman, 22, shot ***** hours apart Stockton police investigating after man, 46, and woman, 22, shot ***** hours apart Two people ***** in separate fatal shootings Saturday night within roughly three miles of one another, bringing out Stockton detectives for the 43rd and 44th investigations this year. The first ********* happened at about 6:33 p.m. near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Aurora Street, according to the Stockton Police Department. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 46-year-old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later ***** from his injuries. The second ********* happened at about 8:45 p.m. in the 1700 block of West Fremont Street. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 22-year-old woman who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The woman was taken to a local hospital, where she later ***** from her injuries. A spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to a request Sunday to identify both of the victims. While the circumstances behind the homicides are under investigation, the police department did not release any suspect information or provide a motive for the shootings. In a watch commander’s report, police did not indicate the two incidents were related. Anyone with information about either ********* is urged to call the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377, the Investigations Unit at (209) 937-8323, or Stockton ****** Stoppers at (209) 946-0600. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at stocktoncrimestoppers.org. Stockton ****** Stoppers will pay a cash reward up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at *****@*****.tld or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at [Hidden Content]. This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton police investigating 2 homicides that happened hours apart Source link #Stockton #police #investigating #man #woman #shot #***** #hours Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wales 19-24 Fiji: Gatland happy for pressure after record loss Wales 19-24 Fiji: Gatland happy for pressure after record loss Wales have not won since defeating Georgia in the World Cup pool match in October 2023 in Nantes. They have suffered a World Cup quarter-final elimination against Argentina, five defeats in the Six Nations where Wales picked up a Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years. Following defeat against Italy in March, Gatland says he offered Welsh Rugby Union [WRU] chief executive Abi Tierney his resignation, which was turned down. Since then there have been further losses against South *******, Australia and now Fiji. Gatland’s record in his second stint as head coach is six wins in 22 matches which is a 27% success rate. Wales fly-half Sam Davies, currently playing for Grenoble in France, wrote on social media it was “time for a change”, while former Wales centre Jamie Roberts, now WRU independent non-executive director, was critical. “He [Gatland] says they’re growing as a group but I have to disagree to be honest,” Roberts told S4C. “It’s the worst Wales have ever been in the professional era, losing 10 on the bounce. “I get the spin Warren wants to put on it. I’m sorry, I don’t think Wales have moved forward. Watching Australia yesterday I’ve seen a team that’s grown. “But watching that performance today [Wales against Fiji], I haven’t seen a team that’s grown from the summer.” Source link #Wales #Fiji #Gatland #happy #pressure #record #loss Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bill Shorten: New HECS debt reforms to give kids much needed break Bill Shorten: New HECS debt reforms to give kids much needed break They are the generations trying to start their ****** lives, start their families, buy houses and kick their careers off or kick them up a notch. Source link #Bill #Shorten #HECS #debt #reforms #give #kids #needed #break Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas Woman, Who Left Home Without Phone or Car, Found Safe but ‘Severely Dehydrated’: Police Texas Woman, Who Left Home Without Phone or Car, Found Safe but ‘Severely Dehydrated’: Police Authorities said Melonie Ballenger was found on Friday, Nov. 8 Wylie Police Department Melonie Ballenger Melonie Ballenger, the Texas woman who disappeared from her home without her phone or car, has been found safe, according to authorities. The Wylie Police Department said in a Facebook post that Melonie, 46, was found on Friday, Nov. 8, around 5:15 p.m. local time near Abby Lane and Tyler Trail — a couple of miles from her home in Wylie. Police said that a resident found Melonie “severely dehydrated but otherwise in good health.” She was then “taken to a hospital for treatment” and was “being reunited with her family,” according to authorities. “We want to thank everyone who worked day and night trying to find her. Please respect the privacy of the family as they reunite with their loved one,” police wrote in their statement, adding that the investigation into her disappearance is still ongoing. Related: Husband Speaks Out After Wife Left Home Without Phone or Car, Says He Woke Up and She Was Gone Police previously said that Melonie was last seen at home at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. She was then reported missing by her husband Daniel Ballenger around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4. Her husband previously told CBS affiliate KTVT that he and his wife went to sleep, but when he woke up the next morning, she was gone. He said he called police after he and the couple’s daughters tried to find Melonie, but were unable to do so. Daniel also told ABC affiliate WFAA that his wife also left without her wallet, money or necessary medication. He added to KTVT that Melonie was scheduled to have heart surgery, while family members said she stayed home on Nov. 3 because she felt *****. Related: Woman Reported Missing by Husband After She Was Last Seen at Texas Home, Leaving Without Phone or Car On Nov. 7, Wylie Sgt. Donald English told PEOPLE that the Texas Department of Public Safety had issued a Coordinated Law Enforcement ****** Rescue (CLEAR) Alert and was “searching various locations and following up on tips” for Melonie. He added that authorities went through footage from several Ring cameras while attempting to retrace Melonie’s steps. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A prayer vigil for Melonie was held at Gateway Community ******* on Tuesday, Nov. 5, according toWylie News. “I think she’s been kind of surprised how many people are here, but I think she’d have been moved,” Daniel told WFFA at the time. “I’ve probably gone through a month’s worth of emotions in the last day and a half — a lot of crying, a lot of praying.” Source link #Texas #Woman #Left #Home #Phone #Car #Safe #Severely #Dehydrated #Police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rita Ora pays emotional tribute to Liam Payne Rita Ora pays emotional tribute to Liam Payne Rita Ora has paid emotional tribute to Liam Payne as she hosted this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester, almost a month after the One Direction star’s ******. Ora collaborated with Payne on their 2018 hit single For You, and her voice cracked as she remembered him as “one of the kindest people that I knew”. She delivered the tribute dressed in a dark suit in a poignant moment that was in contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the ceremony. The night also saw Taylor Swift continue her world domination by making history as the first person to win best artist three times in the EMAs’ 30-year history. Sunday’s ceremony was the first time the event has been held in the *** since 2017, and the third time Ora has acted as host. Towards the end of the show, she switched from her high-energy persona to speak about Payne. “I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us,” she told the audience. “We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight. “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough. “He had the biggest heart, and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world. So let’s just take a moment to remember our friend.” She then introduced a short video featuring photos of Payne and a snippet of One Direction song Night Changes. Source link #Rita #Ora #pays #emotional #tribute #Liam #Payne Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ange takes blame for fickle Spurs after Ipswich loss Ange takes blame for fickle Spurs after Ipswich loss Ange Postecoglou has suffered another setback in his roller-coaster season with Spurs, and has ended up shouldering the blame for his side’s chronic if familiar inconsistency following a second loss in four days. Spurs succumbed 2-1 at home to previously winless Ipswich on Sunday, gifting the struggling Tractor Boys their first Premier League victory in 22 years with an insipid display which had social media critics out in force with their criticism of the ***********. Postecoglou was left reflecting recently that a week is a long time in football, after being derided as a grumpy old so-and-so one week and an all-conquering hero the next. He may have been thinking the same as a week which had begun with him feeling emotional and humbled while being honoured at the *********** High Commission for his striking contribution to English soccer ended with one of his side’s most deflating displays of the campaign. Four days after they’d lost to Galatasaray in the Europa League, Spurs lost for the fifth time in 11 Premier League games this season, leaving them 10th, a dozen points behind leaders Liverpool, when a routine win over Ipswich would have catapulted them to third. Spurs are in the League Cup quarter-finals but they haven’t been able to stretch together more than two league wins in a row this season and have demonstrated wild fluctuations in form, even within the same match. “It’s just down to me. I’m not getting consistent performances from the players,” Postecoglou told the BBC, when asked about the inconsistency. “It’s something I need to address. I’m the person in charge so that’s usually the way it goes. “I take responsibility when their performances don’t meet the levels that they should.” Poor starts in matches have been a constant thread and so it was again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs fell behind 2-0 by halftime through goals from Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap. Rodrigo Bentancur’s header pulled one back but it was not enough, with Postecoglou admitting that playing catch-up – this was the 13th time Spurs have gone 1-0 down in 15 home Premier League matches in 2024 – was a problem. “There are different reasons,” Postecoglou said when asked why it had happened. “Today was a bit different to other times. We were way too passive. “If you give the opposition that much of a head start, it takes a lot to claw it back.” Source link #Ange #takes #blame #fickle #Spurs #Ipswich #loss Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Social Security Announced a COLA Increase for 2025 — 5 Things Retirees Should Be Aware Of Social Security Announced a COLA Increase for 2025 — 5 Things Retirees Should Be Aware Of An estimated 96.7% of adults aged 60 to 89 receive Social Security. Although the average monthly benefit amount for retired workers was just $1,920 in August 2024, Social Security constitutes a large portion of many people’s income. Learn More: I’m an Economist: Here’s What the 2025 Social Security COLA Should Be To Keep Up With Inflation Find Out: 5 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Retirement Savings in 2025 In fact, 50% of people ages 65 and up receive half of their total income from the program. Roughly 25% of these individuals get 90% or more of their income from Social Security. Given Social Security’s importance, it might come as a relief that the Social Security Administration has finally announced its COLA — cost-of-living adjustment — increase for next year. While it is indeed higher, it might not be quite as high as benefit recipients might have hoped. Here’s what retirees should know about changes to Social Security benefits heading into 2025. Trending Now: Next year, Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will increase by 2.5% for nearly 73 million Americans. When you break it down, this is roughly $50 more each month. If your current Social Security check is $1,920 each month, you’ll get around $1,968 — 2.5% of $1,920 — starting in January. If you receive SSI, those payments will increase on Dec. 31, 2024. For context, the COLA increase in 2024 was 3.2%. It’s averaged out at about 2.6% over the past decade. Consider This: 8 States To Move to If You Don’t Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security While 2.5% might not seem like much, the idea is to keep up with inflation. For the 12 months ending in September 2024, the average inflation rate has been 2.4%. This is 0.1% lower than it was last year. Ideally, the 2.5% increase will match inflation going into 2025. This means the benefit amount will make up for any increased everyday costs. Starting in January, there will be a few other adjustments to Social Security. Specifically, the maximum taxable earnings will increase from $168,600 to $176,100. This won’t be as relevant to current retirees, but those who are nearing retirement age should be aware of this change. Right now, the Social Security tax rate is 12.4% — 6.2% for the employee, 6.2% for the employer. With this change, employees will pay up to $10,918.20 in 2025, compared to $10,453.20 currently. The employer will pay the other $10,918.20. Story Continues Note that self-employed individuals will have to continue paying the full 12.4% on their own. That’s up to $21,836.40 a year in Social Security tax. This tax will only apply to the first $176,100 of someone’s earnings. Any additional earnings won’t be taxed. If you receive Social Security, expect to receive a notice of your new benefit amount as soon as early December 2024. Unlike previous years, the COLA notice will have a more simplified design — just one page — and should be free of complex or overly convoluted language. Your COLA notice will also include the following: If you have a my Social Security account, you can view your COLA notice online. This could be quicker than waiting for the notice to arrive via mail. You can also sign up for email or text alerts regarding any changes to your benefits. Medicare is also set to change in 2025, so head to Medicare.gov for more information. If you have both Social Security and Medicare, access your account’s Message Center to see your new benefit amount. Updates there start in late November. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security Announced a COLA Increase for 2025 — 5 Things Retirees Should Be Aware Of Source link #Social #Security #Announced #COLA #Increase #Retirees #Aware Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

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]