Pelican Press

‘Hacks’ Renewed For Season 5 By Max – Deadline ‘Hacks’ Renewed For Season 5 By Max – Deadline ‘Hacks’ Renewed For Season 5 By Max Deadline‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 5 at HBO Max Yahoo‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 5 at Max Variety‘Hacks’ Renewed for Fifth Season at Max The Hollywood ReporterHacks will be back for season 5 AV Club Source link #Hacks #Renewed #Season #Max #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lindian readies Kangankunde rare earths juggernaut with build, funding and offtake wheels turning Lindian readies Kangankunde rare earths juggernaut with build, funding and offtake wheels turning You don’t see a lot of ASX juniors managing to simultaneously attract a global offtake partner, two funding suitors and a major contractor — all while already partway into site construction. But that’s exactly where Lindian Resources finds itself as it barrels towards development of its massive Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi.This project isn’t just shaping up to be big — it’s shaping up to be different.Kangankunde’s rare earth monazite concentrate clocks in at 55 per cent total rare earth oxides, with little to no deleterious elements, almost no uranium or thorium and low iron — giving it an almost freakish level of purity that opens doors most others can’t unlock. That means access to high-paying Western buyers who simply can’t — or won’t — touch concentrates with high radioactivity or impurity levels.That purity, combined with scale, grade and simplicity, is putting Lindian firmly on the radar of end users, financiers and fund managers alike.The project boasts a whopping JORC-compliant resource of 261 million tonnes going 2.19 per cent TREO and an ore reserve of 23 million tonnes. That reserve grade comes in at an impressive 2.9 per cent TREO and importantly, almost 20 per cent of that is the more lucrative magnet rare earths used in electric motors, neodymium and praseodymium. All that is expected to bring about more than 15,000 tonnes a year of contained rare earths concentrate, of which 1,600 tonnes per annum will be sought-after neodymium and praseodymium. Two standout diamond drill holes — one going a crazy 920m at 2.6 per cent TREO and another stretching 910m at 2.9 per cent TREO — underscore the deposit’s extraordinary vertical consistency and underline its almost non-existent stripping ratio of just 0.2.The company has already locked in a US$50 million offtake and funding term sheet with global commodities house Gerald Group, giving Gerald rights over all Stage 1 production and a partial look at Stage 2. And while that agreement remains in play, the board is also fielding multiple alternative offers — including a US$30 million senior secured loan from pan-African lender Ecobank and a Nordic-style bond package from a European investment bank. Several offtake prepayment proposals are also under review.Lindian says it will shortlist the preferred funding option in the coming weeks as it finalises its mining development agreement with the Malawian Government and heads towards a final investment decision. Stage 1 is scheduled for first production in 2026, with the aim of capturing early cashflow while the global NdPr magnet supply chain looks for diversification outside China.And the numbers stack up.Pre-production capex for the 45-year project – and that’s just stage 1 – is estimated to be a miserly US$40 million, with opex of US$2.92/kg REO putting it in the lowest cost quartile globally. In fact, Lindian says it will still wash its face with about US$11m in EBITDA a year even at today’s depressed rare earths prices, which are generally expected to head north as the market tightens. Notably, independent market research group Project Blue says it expects rare earths pricing to range between US$50kg and US$115kg. When using a scaled range of this pricing forecast, Lindian says the project will earn its pants off with a pre-tax NPV of US$794 million and an IRR of 99 per cent. The company has modeled an annual EBITDA in the first five years of US$57m a year and an average over the entire life of mine of US$83m a year – not bad for a project expected to cost around US$40m to build. And with drill intersections mineralised all the way down to about 1km it is perhaps no surprise that Lindian says the project has an intergenerational 45-year mine life. It’s a textbook case of mining made simple too. The flowsheet is gravity and magnetic only — no flotation, no reagents, no waste dams. Ore is trucked just 2km from pit to ROM pad and processed into a saleable monazite concentrate — making for fast permitting, low environmental impact and minimal technical risk. One reason for the super low cost to produce is the almost non-existent stripping ratio at the project, which clocks in at just 0.2.And that simplicity has already started to show on the ground.Construction began in February with Portuguese infrastructure heavyweight Mota-Engil winning a US$1.3m contract to build the 5km site access road. That work is now ahead of schedule and under budget. Lindian has since completed clearing for the processing plant, product storage areas, ROM pad and security fencing. It’s also refurbished the onsite admin centre and built a new community police outpost.More than 70 per cent of site-based roles are already filled by local Malawians, with the company rolling out training programs to deepen workforce capacity ahead of production. New site leadership and technical appointments — including project director Daniel Britz and finance chief Teck Lim — have strengthened the execution bench.Perhaps most significantly, testwork is already underway with ANSTO — Australia’s national nuclear and critical minerals laboratory — to produce a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product from Kangankunde concentrate using both acid bake and caustic cracking flowsheets. The goal is to lock in product specifications, enable certificates of analysis, and unlock binding offtake contracts.The MREC route would allow Lindian to push further downstream and claim more value, while the concentrate’s ultra-low Actinium-227 levels would avoid the radioactive penalty pricing or outright rejection that dogs many ******** and African monazite feeds.It’s an edge few other REE juniors can boast.Internally, Lindian has now completed an optimised feasibility study — incorporating updated plant design, equipment quotes, mine scheduling and tailings options — and is finalising negotiations with three shortlisted EPC contractors. A D&C contract award is expected as soon as funding is locked in.The company has also begun converting exploration tenements surrounding the main mining lease into full mining licences — paving the way for a Stage 2 expansion, which could triple output using the same gravity flowsheet.While several clay-hosted rare earths hopefuls on the ASX chase lower-grade ionic mineralisation, Lindian’s Kangankunde stands alone for its combination of grade, thickness and simplicity — and in a hard rock setting, no less.Lindian’s executive chairman Robert Martin says the interest from financiers and offtakers is a sign the market sees the difference Kangankunde brings. “We’re seeing the calibre of groups approaching us go up dramatically — not just in terms of financing offers, but also potential downstream partners. The project’s purity, simplicity and economics are hard to ignore.”There’s still work to do before Lindian joins the rare earths producers’ club — but few juniors in recent years have made it to this point with the funding, construction, product and political wheels all moving in unison – Kangankunde just might. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: *****@*****.tld Source link #Lindian #readies #Kangankunde #rare #earths #juggernaut #build #funding #offtake #wheels #turning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Winter is coming: beat the cold with up to 52% off these hot EOFY heater deals Winter is coming: beat the cold with up to 52% off these hot EOFY heater deals The official winter months are just around the corner in Australia, but depending on where you live on the island nation, you’re probably already feeling the chill. Luckily, to help keep the cold at bay, there are already a bunch of heater deals in the run up to the official EOFY sales ******* from leading brands like Dyson and De’Longhi. I personally love Dyson’s heaters as they often function as both air circulators and purifiers, pairing as fans when you don’t necessarily want to heat a room. That being said, you might just want a flat-panel heater, or a cheap gadget perfect for warming a small space. Whatever the case, I’ve picked out five great options below to suit a range of needs and budgets. You might also like… Source link #Winter #coming #beat #cold #hot #EOFY #heater #deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Springfield Loft residents face $100K flood damages Springfield Loft residents face $100K flood damages SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Residents of a Springfield Loft telling Ozarks First over a $100,000 worth of damage was done to their vehicles after the building’s parking lot flooded during this weekend’s storms. One resident says he went to leave his loft and found his car was completely submerged. “It’s a total loss. So, I’m fortunate I have insurance, I got coverage. My wife’s car is completely totaled. We don’t have total full coverage for it, only liability. So that is complete loss for us.” says Blaine Castillo. The lofts at Jordan Creek sit at the southwest corner of Chestnut Expressway and National Avenue. Over the weekend multiple inches of rain hit Springfield causing the building’s parking lot to flood. Zephaniah White’s vehicle was totaled after being filled with water. “It was like up to the middle-back of my seat. So, way over and my cupholders were filled with water,” says White. Since the flood residents have come together to help each out and assess the damage. Castillo says there are 24 vehicles in the parking lot that were damaged or totaled by the flooding. “It’s just been horrid. We’ve all been stressed. We’ve all been lost on what we you need to do,” says Castillo. Multiple tenants that lost their vehicles and now have no means of transportation. White says her boyfriend’s car was totaled but has been able to replace what he lost. “I’m just having to depend on him for a ride. And it’s unfortunate because he’s also going to school and paying a bunch of other bills, and a new car is not in the cards for him,” says White. Another problem residents say they are facing is a lack of communication from the property management company. Ozarks First spoke with that company and is told emails were sent out to residents explaining that they are not responsible for vehicles damaged in the flood and the city has confirmed the drainage system worked as intended but was overwhelmed by the large volume of water. “We’ll just kind of have to see what the next steps of communication between both parties are and then go from there,” says Castillo. Another resident tells Ozarks First he has lived in the complex for 10 years and has never seen flooding like this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR – OzarksFirst.com. Source link #Springfield #Loft #residents #face #100K #flood #damages Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch Dedicated Gaming App for iPhone, iPad, Mac and TV Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch Dedicated Gaming App for iPhone, iPad, Mac and TV Apple is said to have plans of introducing a new dedicated gaming app to its lineup of devices. According to a seasoned journalist, the app will come pre-installed on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. It is expected to serve as a centralised hub from which users may be able to launch titles, stay updated with their in-game achievements and activity, and read editorial content from the company about new titles. Apple’s Dedicated Gaming App Citing sources who asked to remain anonymous, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s dedicated gaming app will be pre-installed on its devices starting later this year. The Cupertino-based technology giant will include editorial content about new gaming titles, quick access to the game section on the App Store, and promote Apple Arcade with its gaming app. The journalist claims it will replace Game Centre, a social network platform developed by Apple which is centred around gaming. The app is expected to arrive on all Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the Apple TV set-top box, showing in-game achievements, leaderboards, communication from other players, and recent activity. As per Gurman, Apple also plans to introduce a Mac version of the app that can show games downloaded outside of the App Store. This app, along with the iPhone version, is reportedly reserved for iOS 19 which will be previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 next month, days after Nintendo launches the Switch 2. The app is expected be released to users in September, around the same time as the launch of the new iPhone models. The new Gaming app is said to be part of Apple’s larger push into gaming. The company recently reportedly acquired RAC7 Games, the studio behind Sneaky Sasquatch. Further, more and more gaming studios have ported their games to Apple devices. Games such as Death Stranding, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and Resident Evil Village have been introduced on the iPhone in the last few years, enabling users to enjoy console-quality games on the go. Apple has also introduced features like a dedicated Game Mode which optimises gaming performance on the iPhone. Source link #Apple #Reportedly #Plans #Launch #Dedicated #Gaming #App #iPhone #iPad #Mac Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ – The Washington Post Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ – The Washington Post Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ The Washington PostElon Musk ‘disappointed’ by Trump’s spending bill, says it undermines what DOGE is doing Fox NewsElon Musk says he’s “disappointed” by Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and what it means for DOGE CBS NewsElon Musk ‘disappointed’ by the cost of Trump’s tax bill, says it undermines DOGE work USA TodayMusk says he’s ‘disappointed’ with Trump-backed megabill Politico Source link #SpaceX #Musk #interview #DOGE #D.C.s #whipping #boy #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Paralympics boss positive about Brisbane 2032 progress Paralympics boss positive about Brisbane 2032 progress Brisbane is on the right track for the 2032 Paralympics but the new venues must consider accessibility first, the international boss says. During a short two-day trip to Brisbane, International Paralympics Committee President Andrew Parsons was favourable of the progress the city is making towards the 2032 deadline. “We are very happy where we are in the preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Games,” Mr Parsons told reporters. The Games have been shrouded in controversy as the city had an unprecedented runway to decide on a venue plan after being elected the host almost four years ago. But with several false starts and changed venue plans, the final 2032 infrastructure plan was finally unveiled more than 1300 days later in March. Mr Parsons was positive despite the debate around the Games, calling it the “opportunity of a lifetime” to change Australia and Queensland. “‘I’m absolutely convinced that this is the place to be in 2032,” he said. He praised the Queensland Liberal National government’s 100-day review that delivered on the “long-term needs for infrastructure to benefit the people of Queensland” The state government’s plan includes inner-city Victoria Park becoming the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Brisbane and Australia are already ahead of the curve in terms of accessibility but there’s always more that can be done until venues are 100 per cent disability friendly, Mr Parsons said. “Now that venues are announced (we need) to make sure that we have the right planning in front of us,” Mr Parsons told reporters. “… we just passed a very important milestone, and now it’s how we work with the organising committee and the levels of government.” But Mr Parsons was firm the blueprint for the new stadium and any other infrastructure must have accessibility in mind, first and foremost. He said any existing infrastructure must be checked over to ensure it is also accessible. Progress is expected to begin after the state government earlier in May introduced a bill to ensure 2032 Olympic sites would be exempt from planning laws as officials race to get the venues built in time. Not all plans are finalised as the state government seeks the $2.5 billion the federal government set aside for a now-scrapped 2032 project, Brisbane Arena, be reallocated to fund other Olympic venues. The private sector is instead expected to help foot the bill for the indoor stadium project now called Brisbane Live Arena, set to host Olympic swimming. But Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris isn’t worried as it is unlikely it would be finished by the Games, nor would it be needed. “If it’s ready before 2032, we’re going to be looking very strongly at it as a venue. But we don’t count on that,” he told reporters. “So we don’t need it. But if it’s there, we’ll use it.” On the issue of funding, Mr Liveris said to give the federal government a chance to land on the right agreement, given the election was only several weeks ago. Source link #Paralympics #boss #positive #Brisbane #progress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Billionaire who’s fighting death makes a shocking new claim Billionaire who’s fighting death makes a shocking new claim Bryan Johnson, the biotech entrepreneur and former Venmo CEO known for his radical anti-aging experiments, has a bold proposition: He plans to be alive to see Bitcoin’s last halving in the year 2140. In an X post, he said: “Last Bitcoin halving is in 2140. I’m gonna be here for that — and make sure you are too.” The post was accompanied by a promotional image for a conference, where he is scheduled to speak from May 27 to May 29 in Las Vegas. According to Fortune, Johnson spends millions each year to reverse his biological age using experimental regenerative techniques, which include red-light therapy, plasma infusions, and data-driven biometrics. He is the lead investor and principal investigator in “Project Blueprint,” an initiative designed to achieve an impressive state of longevity, which evaluates numerous important biomarkers and transcends boundaries between biohacking and technology into untapped biogeography. Johnson has garnered worldwide interest for his efforts to slow or reverse aging through obsessive self-experimentation and the utilization of novel medical technologies, such as plasma transfusions and red light treatment. Bitcoin halving is a regular feature of the code in cryptocurrencies. Approximately every four years, the miner’s reward for mining new Bitcoins is halved, which reduces the total amount of Bitcoins mined over time. Eventually, it is expected that the last bitcoin will be mined sometime around 2140, and at that time, the Bitcoin release will cease, and the total number will reach a hard cap of 21 million. Billionaire who’s fighting death makes a shocking new claim first appeared on TheStreet on May 27, 2025 Source link #Billionaire #whos #fighting #death #shocking #claim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Live Updates: Harvard Cuts, Covid Vaccines and NPR Lawsuit – The New York Times Trump Live Updates: Harvard Cuts, Covid Vaccines and NPR Lawsuit – The New York Times Trump Live Updates: Harvard Cuts, Covid Vaccines and NPR Lawsuit The New York TimesRFK Jr. says COVID shots no longer recommended for kids, pregnant women NPRTurns Out That RFK Jr.’s Plan to Make America Healthy Again Doesn’t Include Most Pregnant Women or Children Vanity FairCovid vaccines for pregnant women, healthy kids are no longer recommended by CDC, RFK Jr. says NBC NewsFDA’s plan to limit covid vaccines worries some who won’t be eligible The Washington Post Source link #Trump #Live #Updates #Harvard #Cuts #Covid #Vaccines #NPR #Lawsuit #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police commander issues stern warning after spate of high-speed motorcycle pursuits take over WA roads Police commander issues stern warning after spate of high-speed motorcycle pursuits take over WA roads WA Police has issued a stern reminder of its zero-tolerance for dangerous and unlawful behaviour after a spate of high-speed motorcycle pursuits. Source link #Police #commander #issues #stern #warning #spate #highspeed #motorcycle #pursuits #roads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

8BitDo’s Nintendo-Inspired Gaming Mouse Is Available Now For $50 8BitDo’s Nintendo-Inspired Gaming Mouse Is Available Now For $50 8BitDo’s NES-inspired wireless mouse is now available for $50 at Amazon. The N Edition of the Retro R8 was revealed in April, but it was only briefly available to preorder before 8BitDo temporarily paused shipments to the US due to tariffs. But now budget-friendly mouse is readily available with Prime shipping arriving as soon as tomorrow, depending on your location. 8BitDo’s newest mouse matches its N Edition Retro Mechanical Keyboard, which is available in tenkeyless and full-size models with a numpad. The N Edition is the second 8BitDo Retro R8 release; the mouse debuted earlier this year with an officially licensed, transparent green edition inspired by the popular special-edition original Xbox console/controller. $50 | Available Now The Retro R8 Wireless Mouse has impressive specs and features for the price. Designed as an ambidextrous mouse, you’ll find a pair of NES-red buttons on each side. It utilizes Kailh Sword GM X microswitches, which are graded for up to 100 million clicks. The PAW 3395 sensor has six sensitivity levels, ranging from 50 to 26K DPI, and polling rates of 125Hz in Bluetooth mode, 125Hz-4,000Hz when using the 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and up to 8,000Hz when connected via the included USB-C cable. The Retro R8 can sync wirelessly to PC, Mac, and mobile devices. It supports 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 for PC, and we’d expect the device to be added to the macOS version of the app soon. When the Xbox Edition R8 Mouse released earlier this year, you couldn’t customize your inputs or settings on Mac either, but that mouse as well as the Retro 87 Xbox Edition Keyboard can be customized on both PC and Mac. The Retro R8 Mouse comes with a matching magnetic charging dock, which is a nice perk for a versatile wireless mouse at this price point. It also happens to be one of the nicest charging docks we’ve used. It has a compartment for the wireless dongle and can be used to extend the wireless signal range. The mouse itself also has a storage slot for the USB-A dongle. 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboards, particularly the aforementioned matching N Edition models, would naturally complement the R8 Mouse. All of 8BitDo’s wireless keyboards offer impressive performance for reasonable prices. Each keyboard supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, and USB-C wired connections. You’ll also get a detachable Super Button panel, which features two large microswitch buttons. If you opt for a tenkeyless model, you can pair it with the N Edition Wireless Numpad, if you ever want to expand your setup. The Retro R8 technically isn’t the first 8BitDo gaming mouse inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System. The manufacturer’s first mouse was the N30, a $30 mouse that eschewed conventional design choices. The 8BitDo N30 Wireless Mouse has a D-pad instead of side buttons, two small buttons on top that resemble the NES controller’s face buttons, and a touch panel instead of a scroll wheel. It’s a rather peculiar little device that’s not nearly as practical as the Retro R8 Mouse. That said, if you’re interested in checking it out for yourself, you can get the 8BitDo N30 for only $21 at Amazon. Check out all of the different models of 8BitDo gaming keyboards, mice, and numpads below. 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Wireless Keyboards 8BitDo Wireless Mice Buy a matching numpad for TKL Keyboard: Source link #8BitDos #NintendoInspired #Gaming #Mouse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Washington has one of the ‘most beautiful’ college campuses in the US, ranking shows Washington has one of the ‘most beautiful’ college campuses in the US, ranking shows A school in Washington state was named among the “25 Most Beautiful College Campuses” in the U.S., according to a new report. The destination brand Travel + Leisure ranked the University of Washington as having the 10th most attractive campus in the country, beating out schools such as Princeton University, Yale University, and Vanderbilt University. The travel website awarded the top spot to Stanford University in the Bay Area of California. The sprawling 8,180-acre campus was given high marks for its “architectural crown jewel,” Memorial Church, and its panoramic views from the Hoover Tower. Seattle campus recognized for architecture, stunning views The Travel + Leisure report makes a point to acknowledge the University of Washington’s Suzzallo Library, which the school explains is an example of the Collegiate Gothic style and was designed by Seattle architects Carl F. Gould Sr. and Charles H. Bebb. Construction on the library began in 1923. Then there’s the views. “But come spring, the quad’s 29 Yoshino cherry trees steal the spotlight with blooms of delicate pink petals set against red-brick buildings,” the report states. “The Drumheller Fountain is a great spot for views of snowcapped Mount Rainier.” Pedestrians walk past the Husky Union Building on March 20, 2021, on the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington. How many students go to the University of Washington? Undergraduate enrollment was 39,125 in the fall of 2023, according to U.S. News and World Report. Graduate enrollment was 16,105 in the fall of 2023. How much does it cost to go to the University of Washington? In-state tuition and fees are $12,973, according to U.S. News and World Report. Out-of-state tuition and fees were listed at $43,209. Is the University of Washington a good school? The University of Washington is one of the top schools in the country and a “cutting-edge” research institution, according to U.S. News and World Report. The university ranked 46th in U.S. News’ 2025 Best National University Rankings. The top 10 ‘most beautiful’ college campuses in the US, per Travel + Leisure Stanford University, California University of Notre Dame, Indiana Florida Southern College, Florida University of San Diego, California Cornell University, New York The University of the South, Tennessee This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: College campus in Washington named ‘most beautiful’ in United States Source link #Washington #beautiful #college #campuses #ranking #shows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Germany’s Merz under fire over ‘contradictory’ remarks on long-range weapons for Ukraine – politico.eu Germany’s Merz under fire over ‘contradictory’ remarks on long-range weapons for Ukraine – politico.eu Germany’s Merz under fire over ‘contradictory’ remarks on long-range weapons for Ukraine politico.euGermany’s chancellor ends weapons range limits for Ukraine despite Russian nuclear threats Fox NewsUS, Europe lift ‘range restrictions’ on Ukraine missiles: Why it matters Al JazeeraMerz says no more range limits for weapons supplied to Kyiv dw.comIf Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem The Kyiv Independent Source link #Germanys #Merz #fire #contradictory #remarks #longrange #weapons #Ukraine #politico.eu Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Covid subvariant NB. 1.8.1 detected in NSW, WA New Covid subvariant NB. 1.8.1 detected in NSW, WA A new Covid-19 subvariant, NB. 1.8.1, is beginning to take hold in NSW and Western Australia, sparking concern among health authorities as Australia heads into the winter months. According to the latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, Covid-19 and influenza activity remain low overall, but early signs point to a gradual increase in Covid-19 infections, with test positivity rising to 5.7 per cent in the week ending May 17. “We are now reporting emerging sublineage NB. 1.8.1 which is increasing in NSW,” the report reads. Wastewater surveillance in Perth also shows NB. 1.8.1 is surging in the region. While the subvariant does not appear to cause more severe illness than earlier strains, its rapid growth is raising flags both locally and internationally. Camera IconEstimated weekly distribution of Covid-19 sub-lineages in the community, November 1, 2023 to May 10, 2025. NSW Health Credit: News Corp Australia The World Health Organisation recently noted that NB. 1.8.1 was increasing in prevalence globally, including in Hong Kong, where Covid hospitalisations have reached 12-month highs, and also in parts of the US. NSW Health is continuing to monitor the subvariant closely, particularly among ICU patients, to assess any changes in disease severity. For now, the variant appears more transmissible but not more dangerous. Camera IconThe Covid-19 subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is being closely monitored by health authorities. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NCA NewsWire Vaccines remain effective at preventing severe disease from NB. 1.8.1, and health officials are urging residents to stay up to date with boosters and flu shots. In both NSW and WA, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is circulating at high levels, especially among children. WA Health has warned of a potentially early start to the flu season, with more than 6500 flu cases already recorded this year and free flu and RSV immunisations available to eligible residents until June 30. Authorities are reminding Australians to maintain good hygiene, stay home when unwell and ensure vaccinations are current to help ease pressure on hospitals over winter. Source link #Covid #subvariant #1.8.1 #detected #NSW Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger retires Friday, after rebuilding department in wake of Capitol riot Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger retires Friday, after rebuilding department in wake of Capitol riot U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger, who took charge of the department in the difficult months after the U.S. Capitol siege, is retiring from his position Friday. After the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, he helped rebuild the department’s shrunken staff, beefed up recruitment efforts and bolstered the agency’s intelligence operations and communications to fix weaknesses revealed by the breach of the Capitol. Manger told CBS News he faced stiff challenges when he arrived on the job in 2021. File: U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger is seen prior to testifying before a Senate panel on budget estimates for fiscal year 2026. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images “The department as a whole had lost confidence in the (prior) leadership as a result of what happened,” he said. “And there were big things that were identified as things that needed to be fixed as quickly as we could fix them: Things like the intelligence failures, the communication failures, the equipment failures, the training failures, the leadership failures — all of those things needed to be addressed immediately.” Manger, a former local police chief in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, successfully advocated for increases in funding to improve hiring, equipment and operations. The department was blasted by critics for intelligence failures that contributed to the violation of the complex on Jan. 6, 2021. “We now have a world class intelligence operation. We are significant players in the intelligence community in the Washington, D.C., region and, frankly, all over the country,” Manger said. “Whereas before, we were basically just —… we were consumers of information. The FBI would give us intelligence, other agencies would give us intelligence. Now we are gathering our own.” The U.S. Capitol Police Board will select a new police chief, which Manger predicts will happen soon. Manger has requested nearly $1 billion in funding for 2026, which would represent the latest in a series of recent budget boosts for the department. In testimony before a congressional committee on justifying his budget request, Manger cited an elevated number of investigations into threats against members of Congress. “The current climate of threats has reached alarming levels,” he told the committee in April. Capitol Police records show the number of threats launched against congressional members in 2024 exceeded 9,400. He added, “Social media and the internet provide a breeding ground for threats that — regardless of their nature — the department must investigate.” Manger and the Capitol Police have also bolstered the department’s operations outside of Washington, responding to potential threats in the hometowns of lawmakers. The department has a unique mission among police agencies, protecting elected leaders and securing the U.S. Capitol campus, which hosts over 3 million visitors each year. The Capitol is open to the public, and lawmakers are accessible to citizens. Manger has been critical of the pardons issued by President Trump to free Capitol rioters who beat, clubbed and gassed Capitol Police and other officers during the attack on the Capitol. He told CBS News that when Mr. Trump issued 1,500 pardons to the suspected and convicted rioters when he took office, it “was probably one of my worst days in this job.” He also blasted conspiracy theories about Jan. 6 that continue to circulate on social media. “My folks were here on Jan. 6. They were part of what went on. They were assaulted,” Manger said. “They were in fights. Many of them were injured. They know exactly what happened on Jan. 6. For somebody to make up some story that, ‘Oh, it wasn’t that bad,’ — it is just not true.” “What a chilling message to law enforcement, because we’ve got a job to do, and we don’t care what the issue is,” Manger continued. “We don’t care what side of the coin you’re on on any particular issue because we have a job to do, to maintain public order and to keep the peace.” Rep. Joe Morelle, a New York Democrat who is the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, said of Manger, “Since taking over at the department’s hour of greatest need, he professionalized a force in need of steady leadership.” A union representative for Capitol Police officers told CBS News, “Manpower is still an issue, as well as balancing work and family life for the rank and file officers, which continues to plague morale within the agency.” As he prepares to leave the department, Manger was lauded by one of the former Capitol Police officers who responded to the Jan. 6 riot. Former officer Harry Dunn told CBS News, “He showed his love for country, his love for law enforcement and his continued dedication to public service.” Assault On The U.S. Capitol More Scott MacFarlane Scott MacFarlane is CBS News’ Justice correspondent. He has covered Washington for two decades, earning 20 Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. His reporting has resulted directly in the passage of five new laws. Source link #Capitol #Police #Chief #Thomas #Manger #retires #Friday #rebuilding #department #wake #Capitol #riot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India’s alarm over ******** spying rocks the surveillance industry India’s alarm over ******** spying rocks the surveillance industry By Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Global makers of surveillance gear have clashed with Indian regulators in recent weeks over contentious new security rules that require manufacturers of CCTV cameras to submit hardware, software and source code for assessment in government labs, official documents and company emails show. The security-testing policy has sparked industry warnings of supply disruptions and added to a string of disputes between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration and foreign companies over regulatory issues and what some perceive as protectionism. New Delhi’s approach is driven in part by its alarm about China’s sophisticated surveillance capabilities, according to a top Indian official involved in the policymaking. In 2021, Modi’s then-junior IT minister told parliament that 1 million cameras in government institutions were from ******** companies and there were vulnerabilities with video data transferred to servers abroad. Under the new requirements applicable from April, manufacturers such as China’s Hikvision, Xiaomi and Dahua, South Korea’s Hanwha, and Motorola Solutions of the U.S. must submit cameras for testing by Indian government labs before they can sell them in the world’s most populous nation. The policy applies to all internet-connected CCTV models made or imported since April 9. “There’s always an espionage risk,” Gulshan Rai, India’s cybersecurity chief from 2015 to 2019, told Reuters. “Anyone can operate and control internet-connected CCTV cameras sitting in an adverse location. They need to be robust and secure.” Indian officials met on April 3 with executives of 17 foreign and domestic makers of surveillance gear, including Hanwha, Motorola, Bosch, Honeywell and Xiaomi, where many of the manufacturers said they weren’t ready to meet the certification rules and lobbied unsuccessfully for a delay, according to the official minutes. In rejecting the request, the government said India’s policy “addresses a genuine security issue” and must be enforced, the minutes show. India said in December the CCTV rules, which do not single out any country by name, aimed to “enhance the quality and cybersecurity of surveillance systems in the country.” This report is based on a Reuters review of dozens of documents, including records of meetings and emails between manufacturers and Indian IT ministry officials, and interviews with six people familiar with India’s drive to scrutinize the technology. The interactions haven’t been previously reported. Insufficient testing capacity, drawn-out factory inspections and government scrutiny of sensitive source code were among key issues camera makers said had delayed approvals and risked disrupting unspecified infrastructure and commercial projects. “Millions of dollars will be lost from the industry, sending tremors through the market,” Ajay Dubey, Hanwha’s director for South Asia, told India’s IT ministry in an email on April 9. The IT ministry and most of the companies identified by Reuters didn’t respond to requests for comment about the discussions and the impact of the testing policy. The ministry told the executives on April 3 that it may consider accrediting more testing labs. Millions of CCTV cameras have been installed across Indian cities, offices and residential complexes in recent years to enhance security monitoring. New Delhi has more than 250,000 cameras, according to official data, mostly mounted on poles in key locations. The rapid take-up is set to bolster India’s surveillance camera market to $7 billion by 2030, from $3.5 billion last year, Counterpoint Research analyst Varun Gupta told Reuters. China’s Hikvision and Dahua account for 30% of the market, while India’s CP Plus has a 48% share, Gupta said, adding that some 80% of all CCTV components are from China. Hanwha, Motorola Solutions and Britain’s Norden Communication told officials by email in April that just a fraction of the industry’s 6,000 camera models had approvals under the new rules. CHINA CONCERN The U.S. in 2022 banned sales of Hikvision and Dahua equipment, citing national security risks. Britain and Australia have also restricted China-made devices. Likewise, with CCTV cameras, India “has to ensure there are checks on what is used in these devices, what chips are going in,” the senior Indian official told Reuters. “China is part of the concern.” China’s state security laws require organizations to cooperate with intelligence work. Reuters reported this month that unexplained communications equipment had been found in some ******** solar power inverters by U.S. experts who examined the products. Since 2020, when Indian and ******** forces clashed at their border, India has banned dozens of ********-owned apps, including TikTok, on national security grounds. India also tightened foreign investment rules for countries with which it shares a land border. The remote detonation of pagers in Lebanon last year, which Reuters reported was executed by Israeli operatives targeting Hezbollah, further galvanized Indian concerns about the potential abuse of tech devices and the need to quickly enforce testing of CCTV equipment, the senior Indian official said. The camera-testing rules don’t contain a clause about land borders. But last month, China’s Xiaomi said that when it applied for testing of CCTV devices, Indian officials told the company the assessment couldn’t proceed because “internal guidelines” required Xiaomi to supply more registration details of two of its China-based contract manufacturers. “The testing lab indicated that this requirement applies to applications originating from countries that share a land border with India,” the company wrote in an April 24 email to the Indian agency that oversees lab testing. Xiaomi didn’t respond to Reuters queries, and the IT ministry didn’t address questions about the company’s account. China’s foreign ministry told Reuters it opposes the “generalization of the concept of national security to smear and suppress ******** companies,” and hoped India would provide a non-discriminatory environment for ******** firms. LAB TESTING, FACTORY VISITS While CCTV equipment supplied to India’s government has had to undergo testing since June 2024, the widening of the rules to all devices has raised the stakes. The public sector accounts for 27% of CCTV demand in India, and enterprise clients, industry, hospitality firms and homes the remaining 73%, according to Counterpoint. The rules require CCTV cameras to have tamper-proof enclosures, strong malware detection and encryption. Companies need to run software tools to test source code and provide reports to government labs, two camera industry executives said. The rules allow labs to ask for source code if companies are using proprietary communication protocols in devices, rather than standard ones like Wi-Fi. They also enable Indian officials to visit device makers abroad and inspect facilities for cyber vulnerabilities. The Indian unit of China’s Infinova told IT ministry officials last month the requirements were creating challenges. “Expectations such as source code sharing, retesting post firmware upgrades, and multiple factory audits significantly impact internal timelines,” Infinova sales executive Sumeet Chanana said in an email on April 10. Infinova didn’t respond to Reuters questions. The same day, Sanjeev Gulati, India director for Taiwan-based Vivotek, warned Indian officials that “All ongoing projects will go on halt.” He told Reuters this month that Vivotek had submitted product applications and hoped “to get clearance soon.” The body that examines surveillance gear is India’s Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, which comes under the IT ministry. The agency has 15 labs that can review 28 applications concurrently, according to data on its website that was removed after Reuters sent questions. Each application can include up to 10 models. As of May 28, 342 applications for hundreds of models from various manufacturers were pending, official data showed. Of those, 237 were classified as new, with 142 lodged since the April 9 deadline. Testing had been completed on 35 of those applications, including just one from a foreign company. India’s CP Plus told Reuters it had received clearance for its flagship cameras but several more models were awaiting certification. Bosch said it too had submitted devices for testing, but asked that Indian authorities “allow business continuity” for those products until the process is completed. When Reuters visited New Delhi’s bustling Nehru Place electronics market last week, shelves were stacked with popular CCTV cameras from Hikvision, Dahua and CP Plus. But Sagar Sharma said revenue at his CCTV retail shop had plunged about 50% this month from April because of the slow pace of government approvals for security cameras. “It is not possible right now to cater to big orders,” he said. “We have to survive with the stock we have.” (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Additional reporting by Shivangi Acharya and Anushree Fadnavis in New Delhi, and Munsif Vengattil in Bengaluru and Brenda Goh in Shanghai; Editing by David Crawshaw) Source link #Indias #alarm #******** #spying #rocks #surveillance #industry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WhatsApp for iPad With Support for Stage Manager and Other Multitasking Features Released WhatsApp for iPad With Support for Stage Manager and Other Multitasking Features Released WhatsApp for iPad was released on Monday after years of being in development and availability limited to beta testers. The app brings native full-screen support for the Meta-owned instant messaging client, enabling users to send and receive text messages and keep in touch with each other via voice and video calls. WhatsApp for iPad includes support for key iPad features such as Stage Manager and Split View, taking advantage of the multitasking capabilities of Apple’s tablet. WhatsApp for iPad App Features In a press note, Meta said that bringing WhatsApp to iPad was one of the “biggest requests” it received from users. With the app now available, up to 32 users can engage in voice and video calls, share their screen, and use both the front and rear cameras on the tablet. While the new WhatsApp for iPad app carries similar features as its Android and iOS counterpart, a key change is the full-screen view. It displays chats in a view that is native to the tablet, with the chat list taking the left-half of the screen while the chat window appearing on the right side. Meta says it has incorporated support for features that take advantage of the iPad’s multitasking capabilities. For example, WhatsApp for iPad supports Stage Manager, an app management system which keeps the app you’re currently working on front and centre to reduce clutter. Meanwhile, the recently used apps are arranged on the left side of the screen for quick access. It supports Split View which makes two apps appear side-by-side on the screen. Meanwhile, the users can also slide over to an app to view WhatsApp for iPad and other apps in a small floating window on the side. As per the company, the instant messaging platform’s iPad app also supports peripherals such as Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. The WhatsApp for iPad app is claimed to use multi-device technology to keep chats and media synced across devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. WhatsApp says it carries the same end-to-end encryption which makes sure no one, including Meta, can read them. Features like chat lock enhance privacy by enabling users to lock them with Face ID or a PIN. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. WhatsApp Reportedly Developing Unified Chat Media Hub Feature for Web Client Source link #WhatsApp #iPad #Support #Stage #Manager #Multitasking #Features #Released Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Manhunt launched for ex-police chief known as '****** in the Ozarks' after his escape from prison – AP News Manhunt launched for ex-police chief known as '****** in the Ozarks' after his escape from prison – AP News Manhunt launched for ex-police chief known as ‘****** in the Ozarks’ after his escape from prison AP NewsFormer police chief, serving ******* and ***** sentences, escapes from Arkansas prison AP News”He is just an evil man” ; a sisters grief and trauma reopened after Grant Hardin’s escape. KHBSArkansas residents on edge after escape of ex-police chief ‘****** in the Ozarks’ The GuardianNew details released for escaped inmate, manhunt underway K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas Source link #Manhunt #launched #expolice #chief #039Devil #Ozarks039 #escape #prison #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gas project approved despite climate, rock art concerns Gas project approved despite climate, rock art concerns Woodside’s controversial North West Shelf gas extension has been granted approval by the federal government, subject to conditions relating to air emissions. Source link #Gas #project #approved #climate #rock #art #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Residents pick up the pieces one day after deadly China chemical blast Residents pick up the pieces one day after deadly China chemical blast GAOMI, China (Reuters) -Residents near a blown out chemical plant in China’s eastern Shandong province on Wednesday assessed the damage to their village and monitored the wind, fearful of toxic fallout from an explosion that killed at least five people a day earlier. ****** and grey smoke was still rising from the smouldering facility, as emergency services continued to tend to the site. Local officials have not yet released the results of air quality tests. The blast happened just before noon on Tuesday at a plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Gaomi, sending plumes of orange and ****** smoke into the sky and littering the roadside with debris for more than a kilometre. Nineteen people were injured and six more remain missing, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Yu Qianming, a 69-year-old farmer, showed Reuters roofing that had fallen in and windows that had shattered, but said nobody in his home had suffered any injuries. Yu said he and his wife felt safe in their home as long as the wind continued to blow north, but added they had moved their grandchild elsewhere as a precaution. Shandong Youdao Chemical was established in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park, according to the company’s website. The plant develops and produces chemical components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals, employing more than 300 people on a site of more than 47 hectares (116 acres). (Reporting by Nicoco Chan, Go Nakamura and Xihao Jiang; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Michael Perry) Source link #Residents #pick #pieces #day #deadly #China #chemical #blast Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Knicks’ season on the brink after dropping Game 4 heartbreaker to Pacers – New York Post Knicks’ season on the brink after dropping Game 4 heartbreaker to Pacers – New York Post Knicks’ season on the brink after dropping Game 4 heartbreaker to Pacers New York PostHaliburton’s historic triple-double keys Game 4 win ESPNHaliburton’s flawless triple-double sinks Knicks and leaves Pacers one win from NBA finals The GuardianTriple H: Tyrese Haliburton triple-double keys Pacers’ Game 4 win over Knicks, 3-1 series lead IndyStarNightly Pulse: Pacers Vs. Knicks, Game 4 NBA Source link #Knicks #season #brink #dropping #Game #heartbreaker #Pacers #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sicily talk ‘storm in tea cup’ says bristling Mitchell Sicily talk ‘storm in tea cup’ says bristling Mitchell Dismissing it as a storm in an AFL media tea cup, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has brushed off speculation about his captain James Sicily. Mitchell said there are no problems with the All-*********** utility’s groins and the Hawks coach also has no concerns with Sicily’s kicking. It comes as the Hawks come off losses to fellow top-four hopefuls Gold Coast and Brisbane and prepare for Friday night’s MCG blockbuster against top side Collingwood. Hawthorn are in the midst of a testing mid-season stretch, with the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide to follow ahead of their round-15 bye. But whatever might be causing Mitchell frustration – he thumped a hoarding behind him in the coaches’ box last weekend – he made it clear before Wednesday training that his skipper is not one of those issues. “The groins aren’t an issue. He’s working really hard on his game,” Mitchell said “He played really well last week. The thing about Sic is he’s led us really well … his leadership has been really strong through the tougher periods, in particular. “You look at the last couple of years. When we’ve needed players to stand up, he’s often been that guy. “Has he played perfect footy this year? Of course not, but no-one has – but I thought he improved significantly last week.” Mitchell bristled when pressed on Sicily. “His groins are fine – he’s playing every week, there’s no reason that his kicking has anything to do with his groins,” he said. “Go watch all of his kicks and tell me which ones you think he could do better. Bring me back, show me some vision, but I’m really happy with how he’s kicking. “I can get you all the kicks he’s done, that hardly anyone in the competition can pull off, and he’s done them over the last month. That’s a storm in a teacup.” After winning their first four games and looking like world beaters, the Hawks are sixth with a 7-4 record. Mitchell knows his players are keen media consumers, so he sees part of his job being to temper the extremes of opinion around how the Hawks are going. “You’re all much more frustrated as a media group than we are. We look at our game earlier in the year and we were saying we’re not quite as good as that,” he said. “We’re looking at it now and saying we’re not quite as bad as that, either.” But that does not mean Mitchell stays even-tempered, hence his outburst last weekend. “It (his hand) is fine, no worries. It was quite soft behind it (the hoarding), thankfully,” he said. A big challenge for the Hawks, as always, will be curtailing Nick Daicos, who torched North Melbourne last Saturday night when the game was in the balance. “Will we give him attention? Certainly. But will we do everything in our power to shut him down? That’s to be determined, because if you do that you obviously give up something else,” Mitchell said. “Otherwise everyone would do it every week.” Source link #Sicily #talk #storm #tea #cup #bristling #Mitchell Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ex-Sonics star Shawn Kemp pleads guilty to assault for his role in 2023 parking lot shooting at Tacoma mall Ex-Sonics star Shawn Kemp pleads guilty to assault for his role in 2023 parking lot shooting at Tacoma mall Former NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on Tuesday for his role in a parking lot shooting at a Tacoma, Washington, shopping mall. Kemp shot at two men in a Toyota 4Runner at the parking lot of the Tacoma Mall in March 2023. Nobody was injured in the shooting. Kemp’s defense argued that a man in the 4Runner shot at Kemp first after the two men broke into Kemp’s truck and stole his valuables. Advertisement Kemp was arrested without incident after the shooting and initially released from jail without facing charges as his attorney argued the shooting was in self-defense. Following an investigation, prosecutors charged Kemp with one count of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement. Per the Seattle Times, prosecutors added a charge of second-degree assault with a firearm enhancement and a drive-by shooting charge last week. Kemp avoids potentially lengthy criminal sentence The combined charges could have resulted in a years-long prison sentence for Kemp had he been convicted at trial. Instead, Kemp reached a plea agreement before entering his guilty plea to the lesser charge at the Pierce County Superior Court. Advertisement Prosecutors recommended that Kemp be sentenced to nine months in jail, one year of community custody and to pay restitution. Per the Times, the standard sentencing range for second-degree assault is 3-to-9 months in jail and one year of community custody. “Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction,” Kemp’s attorney, Tim Leary said, per the Times. “He was presented with an offer from the state that allows him to take responsibility, but I think also recognizes the self-defense nature of how this transpired.” Kemp will be sentenced in August. He didn’t comment to media following Tuesday’s hearing. Shawn Kemp, seen here at a 2024 Seahawks game, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree assault. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) (Jane Gershovich via Getty Images)Trial brief: Kemp fired back after alleged car burglar fired first Kemp’s attorneys filed court documents stating that Kemp’s truck was broken into on March 8, 2023, while Kemp and employees of a cannabis dispensary that he owns in Seattle attended a concert. Advertisement Per the documents, thieves stole keys to the dispensary, a purse owned by one of the employees, documents, Kemp’s iPhone and sports memorabilia that was intended for auction, including a game-worn jersey by Kemp’s former Sonics teammate Gary Payton. Via a tracking app, Kemp tracked down his stolen phone that was in possession of one of the two men in the 4Runner at the parking lot of the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, according to a court briefing. Kemp tried to talk to the driver of the 4Runner, which was also stolen, according to the brief. Per the briefing, the driver dumped some of the stolen items on the side of the road, but kept Kemp’s phone and drove away. Kemp again tracked his phone to the Tacoma Mall and spotted the same 4Runner. According to the brief, Kemp again confronted the driver, but didn’t realize that a second man was lying down in the ********* of the 4Runner. The defense stated that the man in the back seat fired first at Kemp with a handgun. Kemp responded by firing his own gun in an effort to disable the 4Runner, the defense argued. Advertisement Police records show that a witness called to report two men firing at each other in the mall parking lot. The 4Runner fled the scene and was found abandoned days later. According to the Times, the two men in the 4Runner have long criminal histories and are serving prison sentences for other crimes. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Howe wrote in a statement addressing the plea agreement that because of the two witnesses’ past crimes of dishonesty and the “fact that those people were illegally in possession” of Kemp’s belongings, the case should be resolved short of trial. As part of the agreement, Kemp is required to provide a biological sample for a law enforcement DNA database and is not allowed to possess a gun. Kemp, 55, played 14 seasons in the NBA from 1989-2003 after being selected 17th in the 1989 draft. He spent his first eight seasons with the SuperSonics, where he made five of his six NBA All-Star teams as one of the league’s most physical and athletic players. Advertisement He and Payton led the SuperSonics to the 1996 NBA Finals against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Kemp played six more seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic. Kemp has remained engaged in the Seattle community since his retirement and has campaigned to bring the NBA back to the city. He owned the now-shuttered sports bar Oskar’s Kitchen in Seattle before opening his cannabis dispensary in 2020. Source link #ExSonics #star #Shawn #Kemp #pleads #guilty #assault #role #parking #lot #shooting #Tacoma #mall Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israeli troops fire warning shots as Palestinians overwhelm new Gaza food center – AP News Israeli troops fire warning shots as Palestinians overwhelm new Gaza food center – AP News Israeli troops fire warning shots as Palestinians overwhelm new Gaza food center AP News‘Deliberate massacre’ in Gaza as starving Palestinians seek Israeli-US aid Al JazeeraHow is the new Gaza aid plan supposed to work — and why are so many aid groups against it? AP NewsFM Sa’ar warns Israel ‘will simply be destroyed’ if weapons embargo imposed The Times of IsraelHungry Gazans flood new U.S. and Israel-backed aid center NBC News Source link #Israeli #troops #fire #warning #shots #Palestinians #overwhelm #Gaza #food #center #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Environmental rules reviewed for small housebuilders Environmental rules reviewed for small housebuilders Joshua Nevett Political reporter PA Environmental rules that force developers in England to improve wildlife habitats could be eased under government plans to make it easier to build homes on smaller sites. The government is reviewing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, under which builders must compensate for the loss of any nature on housing developments. Ministers say they are considering how costs can be reduced for smaller housebuilders whilst also delivering habitats for wildlife. The proposals are part of a package of housing reforms to be set out by the Labour government on Wednesday. The Conservatives said they had been pushing the government to do more to support small businesses. Housing Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner wants to simplify the planning system to speed up house-building on smaller sites. There are plans to ease BNG requirements for minor developments of up to nine homes and give trained planning officers rather than councillors the power to approve them. Ministers have also suggested exempting sites of between 10 and 49 homes from a tax to fund the removal of unsafe cladding. The government said smaller firms had seen their market share shrink since the 1980s, when small- and medium-sized builders delivered 40% of the country’s homes. “For decades the status quo has failed them and it’s time to level the playing field,” Rayner said. “Today we’re taking urgent action to make the system simpler, fairer and more cost effective, so smaller housebuilders can play a crucial role in our journey to get Britain building.” The shadow secretary for local government, Kevin Hollinrake, said Labour was “stripping councillors of the right to vote on local planning applications, concreting over green belt and withdrawing support for first-time buyers”. He said Rayner would bring “higher taxes and less say over development in your community”. Ministers hope these policy changes will help them reach the government’s stated aim of building 1.5m new homes in England by 2030. Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures released in March suggested housebuilding would fall short of the 1.5 million target, even with planning reforms previously outlined earlier this year. The government argued that further reforms not factored into the OBR forecast would help it reach the number. Last year saw a record low for housing projects granted planning permission in England, with just over 30,000 projects given the go-ahead. The difficulty of hitting the house-building target has brought the impact of BNG into sharper focus. BNG became a mandatory part of the planning system in England in February as part of the 2021 Environment Act. It means sites have to be assessed and housing developers must commit to delivering a 10% net improvement in biodiversity that lasts over a 30-year *******. Last month, the Home Builders Federation said the BNG had placed a “disproportionate burden on small and medium-sized home builders”. “The home-building industry has embraced BNG and is committed to both increasing housing supply and protecting and enhancing our natural environment,” Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federation, said. “However, if we are to increase supply alongside these new requirements it is vital to address emerging barriers to implementation, such as the insufficient resourcing of local authorities, shortage of ecologists, and inadequate national guidance.” But the Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of conservation groups, urged the government not to “turn back the clock to the days of damaging development”. Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Exempting small sites would mean almost three-quarters of developments face no requirement to compensate for nature loss – let alone enhance it. “These changes could leave the Biodiversity Net Gain system dead in the water and, with it, the government’s main guarantee of nature-positive planning.” The government is launching a consultation reviewing BNG and alongside this, is investing £100m in loans to help smaller house-building firms. Source link #Environmental #rules #reviewed #small #housebuilders Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]