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Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city – ABC News Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city – ABC News Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city ABC NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Kyiv #largescale #Russian #drone #missile #attack #explosions #heard #city #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Reform *** prepares for real power on a council it now dominates Reform *** prepares for real power on a council it now dominates Alex Forsyth Political correspondent Hannah Capella Senior political producer BBC In a conference suite on the fourth floor of Lancashire County Council’s headquarters, Joshua Roberts smiles as he is handed his new badge. The 27-year-old’s photo ID includes his name and new title – Lancashire County Councillor – and hangs off a lanyard that’s coincidentally in the trademark turquoise of Reform ***. Roberts runs a website and social media business and has never held elected office before, but now he’s one of 53 Reform councillors responsible for running services on behalf of more than 1.2 million people across Lancashire. “I am new, but we’ve got experienced people too,” he said. “I’m glad we’re not all new because it would be very intimidating. “We’ve had really good officers who have helped us. We’ve got experienced county councillors who’ve helped us as well. I feel at ease, I feel like we’re going to make real good change.” Roberts and his colleagues were attending an induction day organised by council staff for newly elected councillors to get to grips with their roles. As well as collecting their lanyards and being assigned IT login details, there were officers on hand to talk through some aspects of council services and how the authority works. Having taken 53 of the council’s 84 seats the party has a significant majority. It marks a big change for a council which had been led by the Conservatives since 2017, and which had been dominated by the Tories and Labour for decades before that. While most of the newly elected have never been councillors before, there are some who bring experience – like Ged Mirfin, a Conservative councillor who switched to Reform *** six weeks before the elections. “We’re getting very badly criticised at the moment for lacking political experience,” he said. “But I’ve never seen a group of people who’ve had such a large amount of experience from the real world, the world of work.” Before the local elections, Joshua Roberts had never held political office ‘Hardened veterans’ Lancashire County Council is one of 10 local authorities that Reform *** won outright control of at the local elections. Its performance in running the councils it now controls is being seen as a test of the party’s ability to govern. The relatively new party has grown quickly, and there’s been a push to put infrastructure in place. Following the local elections, more than 500 newly-elected councillors attended an event in London where a party source said they were “trained by hardened council veterans on how they can be the most effective champions for their local communities”. Reform *** has been criticised for a lack of clarity about its plans for the councils it now runs. The party’s leadership has signalled priorities will include reversing net zero initiatives and opposing diversity and inclusion policies. Local authorities have little control over immigration, but Reform’s chairman Zia Yusuf has pledged to challenge the use of hotels to house migrants, while Nigel Farage has spoken of a “DOGE” for every council, referring to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, set up in the US to root out waste. In Lancashire, Cllr Stephen Atkinson is the council leader. He’s one of Reform’s new councillors who does come with experience, having previously been the Conservative leader of Ribble Valley council before defecting. Sitting in his office at the council’s headquarters in Preston, he said the party wanted to “look at every line in the budget” before making decisions. “We need to look at the finances and understand what’s happening,” he said. “We’re determined that this council will have a balanced budget. It will address some of the legacy issues such as special educational needs and development and adult social care. “But we don’t want to get into how we are going to do that until we see how the money is.” Lancashire County Council, like many authorities across England, has faced budget pressures with growing demand for adults and children services in particular. These services are often statutory, which means a council has to provide them by law, and they make up a significant proportion of the council’s budget. ‘The wood from the trees’ Cllr Atkinson said: “Two thirds of the budget are on these legal services that you have to provide. That means there is one third that can be looked at… we’ve got to look at it and say if it helps residents great – if doesn’t, why are we doing it? “That’s the advantage of Reform – it’s a fresh pair of eyes. We have 53 councillors of which 50 are new councillors. “They can see the wood from the trees, they bring that challenge. We do that professionally and in a collaborative manner – but that is a mandate we have to do that.” The party is conscious of the scrutiny it will face as the new kids on the political block, who’ve talked up their own chances of getting the keys to Downing Street in a matter of years. Outside the first full meeting of Lancashire’s new-look council there were protests, with trade unionists among those holding banners and placards reading “refugees welcome” and “say no to Reform ***”, with speakers saying cutting “waste” would mean cutting services and jobs. Asked about people who are worried about cuts, Cllr Atkinson said: “If it affects residents, we’ll try not to do it. It’s some of the other things that don’t affect residents. “But this is all conditional on the spending review in June. I hope the government will treat Reform councils fairly.” Inside the council chamber, the block of Reform councillors vastly outnumbered the other parties as they took their seats to go through the official process of appointing the leader and cabinet – which is made up of all men. The Conservatives – who ran the council up until the elections in May – said so far there’s little policy detail about Reform’s plans. Group leader Aidy Riggott said: “Businesses will be sat waiting and wondering, especially those in maybe the clean energy sector or the renewable sector, wondering if Lancashire’s a place where I can still invest my money.” The independent and Green councillors who now make up the official opposition said they wanted to “hold Reform to account”. Independent councillor Almas Razakazi added: “My ward is very impoverished. It’s full of different nationalities, and lots of people who are immigrants and they put a lot into the economy, so I want to make sure they are properly represented and treated fairly.” It is early days for Reform in power, and in Lancashire the party is keen to stress they want to work with officers from the council to take time before making policy decisions. The challenge is now whether the party can deliver on what they’ve promised – something many political parties have found is easier said than done. Source link #Reform #prepares #real #power #council #dominates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Notorious bikie Troy Mercanti charged over a punch-up at a pub in Como Notorious bikie Troy Mercanti charged over a punch-up at a pub in Como Police allege Mercanti, a veteran member of the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, was involved in a fight with another man at a hotel on Canning Highway on April 15. Source link #Notorious #bikie #Troy #Mercanti #charged #punchup #pub #Como Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘He Didn’t Get to Enjoy One Day of Retirement’ ‘He Didn’t Get to Enjoy One Day of Retirement’ Ronnie Haston began to feel ill toward the end of March 2024, but his doctor dismissed the 68-year-old’s symptoms as constipation, gave him laxatives, and told him to wait two weeks for blood work Two weeks later, he was admitted to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with the blood ******* myeloma and began treatment — but died on April 6, 2024 His stepdaughter is now running a marathon to raise money for blood ******* research A man who was treated for constipation died just weeks later — after his health issues were discovered to be a symptom of the blood ******* myeloma. Ronnie Haston, 68, was struggling with muscle weakness, fatigue and constipation in March 2024, but when he sought medical help, he was simply given laxatives and told to wait two weeks for a blood test. But his health quickly declined, said his stepdaughter Beth Hunt, according to The Daily Mail. “He just didn’t look right,” said Hunt, who lives in the Scottish village of East Calder. His wife, Anne, rushed Haston, who ran a hearing device company, to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with the blood ******* myeloma. Myeloma *** / SWNS Ronnie Haston with his wife Anne Myeloma starts in the white blood cells, or plasma, according to the Mayo Clinic, and causes cancerous cells to accumulate in bone marrow. There, “the ******* cells crowd out healthy blood cells,” the Mayo Clinic says, explaining, “rather than make helpful antibodies, the ******* cells make proteins that don’t work right,” which leads to complications. The diagnosis, Hunt said, was “a complete shock to us all,” per The Daily Mail. “He was fit and healthy, he had no underlying health conditions,” she said, adding that doctors told the family they had a “full plan” for treatment, which included chemotherapy, radiation and a possible stem cell transplant. But after just two rounds of chemotherapy, he developed pneumonia, and within two days had died on April 6, 2024, from multiple organ failure. Myeloma *** / SWNS Ronnie Haston was planning for retirement when he died 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. “He didn’t get to enjoy one day of retirement with my mum or do any of the future they had planned together,” said Hunt, who is now running a marathon to raise funds for research against the blood *******. “I think of Ronnie and my mum when I run. The last year without him has been awful for her,” she said. “If she can wake up without him and can put one foot in front of the other then I can take it one step at a time too.” Read the original article on People Source link #Didnt #Enjoy #Day #Retirement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

San Diego airport experienced glitches before fatal plane ****** – BBC San Diego airport experienced glitches before fatal plane ****** – BBC San Diego airport experienced glitches before fatal plane ****** BBCSan Diego County officials identify three victims of the Murphy Canyon plane ****** fox5sandiego.comA small jet crashed into a San Diego neighborhood, killing multiple people and leaving a trail of torched debris. Here’s how the tragedy unfolded YahooAirport weather systems, runway lights were out during deadly Cessna ****** in San Diego Los Angeles TimesMore Tierrasanta plane ****** victims identified KPBS Source link #San #Diego #airport #experienced #glitches #fatal #plane #****** #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Labor ‘salivating’ at nest egg raid under superannuation policy, Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash claims Labor ‘salivating’ at nest egg raid under superannuation policy, Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash claims WA Liberal senator labels Federal Government’s new superannuation tax policy as an ‘insidious form of taxation’, telling party faithful Labor was ‘salivating’ at raiding the nest eggs of Australians. Source link #Labor #salivating #nest #egg #raid #superannuation #policy #Liberal #Senator #Michaelia #Cash #claims Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock? Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock? All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it’s through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus. Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company’s earnings paid out to shareholders; it’s often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases. Headquartered in Plano, Upbound Group (UPBD) is a Finance stock that has seen a price change of -18.89% so far this year. The company that leases furniture and appliances with an option to buy is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.39 per share, with a dividend yield of 6.59%. This compares to the Financial – Leasing Companies industry’s yield of 3.94% and the S&P 500’s yield of 1.57%. Taking a look at the company’s dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $1.56 is up 4% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Upbound Group has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 5.93%. Any future dividend growth will depend on both earnings growth and the company’s payout ratio; a payout ratio is the proportion of a firm’s annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Upbound Group’s current payout ratio is 39%, meaning it paid out 39% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend. Looking at this fiscal year, UPBD expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $4.16 per share, with earnings expected to increase 8.62% from the year ago *******. Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. It’s important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout. High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, UPBD presents a compelling investment opportunity; it’s not only an attractive dividend play, but the stock also boasts a strong Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Source link #HighGrowth #Dividend #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX completes 450th Falcon booster landing during Friday Starlink mission – Spaceflight Now SpaceX completes 450th Falcon booster landing during Friday Starlink mission – Spaceflight Now SpaceX completes 450th Falcon booster landing during Friday Starlink mission Spaceflight NowSpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Space Force base in California, lands on ship at sea (video) SpaceSpaceX may kick off Memorial Day weekend with rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida Florida TodayLaunch Roundup: SpaceX delays start of new Starlink shell; China, Russia also launch NASASpaceFlight.com -In less than hour, SpaceX hopes to send up more Starlink satellites Yahoo Source link #SpaceX #completes #450th #Falcon #booster #landing #Friday #Starlink #mission #Spaceflight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Eight great temples on China’s Silk Road Eight great temples on China’s Silk Road Marco Ferrarese suggests where to stop to feel that history at some of China’s best Buddhist grottoes Source link #great #temples #Chinas #Silk #Road Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Barfly in fear after thieves snatched her phone and whisked it off to China — and then started sending her threatening texts Barfly in fear after thieves snatched her phone and whisked it off to China — and then started sending her threatening texts Swiper, no swiping. A North Carolina woman experienced what is many people’s worst fear — getting her phone stolen. Marin Blake was enjoying a night out with friends at The Rose ****** Tonk bar in Charlotte, North Carolina’s South End when someone swiped her phone away from her — something that can happen to anyone, especially in a crowded place. Marin Blake was trying to have a fun night out with friends before one of her worst nightmares came true. Facebook/Marin Blake “It’s very scary to have something taken from you,” Blake told WBTV. “It’s really made me more aware of my surroundings and just be safe because you never know, it’s scary.” According to the news TV station, the strip of bars where Blake was with her friends has gotten a reputation for being a place where thieves whisk away people’s coveted devices. And this barfly seems to be the latest victim. Reportedly, other victims said their phones got stolen at this strip of bars in Charlotte’s South End. WBTV When Blake finally realized her phone was missing, she tracked it down using the ‘Find My’ feature Apple offers — and shockingly, discovered that her phone had gone international, according to the news station. By the time Blake was able to track down where her phone was — it had already made its way from Charlotte to Miami to Shenzhen, China. WBTV Blake’s phone went on a journey, first arriving in Miami before finally landing in the tech hub of Shenzhen, China. Although she eventually got a new phone — the scariest part of this story is that the phone thieves have been threatening Blake, using her phone. “I’ve received multiple text messages ever since my phone went from Miami to China, saying they’re going to sell my information on the ****** market if I don’t click certain links, which of course I didn’t click,” she told WBTV. Reportedly, local police are investigating to find out if these phone thieves have a specific motive. Although this incident happened in North Carolina, nowhere and no one is safe from having their phone stolen from them — especially in NYC. In early 2024, a bike-riding bully was going around Manhattan swiping people’s phones right out of their hands or pockets. One menace in particular stole a 17-year-old’s phone outside Union Square Park, and then later on that day, he reportedly stole a 53-year-old woman’s phone before pedaling away on First Avenue and 90th Street on the Upper East Side. Reportedly, the thief continued the phone-snatching crime targeting even more victims throughout the Big Apple. At the time, cops were still looking for him. Source link #Barfly #fear #thieves #snatched #phone #whisked #China #started #sending #threatening #texts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city – Politico Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city – Politico Kyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city PoliticoKyiv comes under massive Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city AP NewsRussia hits Ukrainian capital Kyiv with heavy missile and drone attack CBS News8 injured as Russia hits Kyiv with drones, ballistics hours after largest prisoner exchange kicks off The Kyiv IndependentUkraine Deploys Record Numbers of Drones Against Russian Arms Factories, Airports Kyiv Post Source link #Kyiv #largescale #Russian #drone #missile #attack #explosions #heard #city #Politico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Don't care': Crichton goes from mentor to tormentor 'Don't care': Crichton goes from mentor to tormentor Angus Crichton is on a State of Origin collision course with NRL teammate Robert Toia as NSW prepare to target the Queensland debutant in the series opener. Source link #039Don039t #care039 #Crichton #mentor #tormentor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Increasing humidity and an afternoon storm risk this weekend Increasing humidity and an afternoon storm risk this weekend The Action News Jax First Alert Weather team is tracking a mild Friday night with lows in the 60s under clear skies. Notes from the meteorologist: The holiday weekend will be hot & humid with some risk for an afternoon storm so keep an eye to the sky. Saturday’s storm risk is primarily for Putnam & Southern St. Johns Co. Then isolated to widely scattered mainly inland – near & west of I-95 – Sunday afternoon through a few weakening cells could make it to the beaches by evening. A few afternoon storms will be possible just about anywhere on Memorial Day. Highs will be in the 80s at the beaches to the low to mid 90s inland. Sunburn time will be 10-15 minutes from 10am-4pm. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Here’s a look at your First Alert 7-Day Forecast: TONIGHT: Clear & mild. Low: 65 SATURDAY: Partly sunny & hot… an isolated late day storm possible Putnam, S. St. Johns Co. High: 93 SATURDAY NIGHT: Fair. Low: 68 SUNDAY: Partly sunny, hot & humid with a widely scattered late day shower/t’storm. High: 92 MEMORIAL DAY: Partly sunny with a few afternoon t’storms. 69/92 TUESDAY: Partly sunny with scattered afternoon showers & t’storms. 70/91 WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny with scattered afternoon storms. 71/91 THURSDAY: Partly sunny with scattered afternoon showers/storms. 71/90 FRIDAY: Partly sunny with scattered afternoon showers/t’storms. 72/90 [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Source link #Increasing #humidity #afternoon #storm #risk #weekend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Billy Joel cancels shows due to a brain disorder. Here’s what to know. – The Washington Post Billy Joel cancels shows due to a brain disorder. Here’s what to know. – The Washington Post Billy Joel cancels shows due to a brain disorder. Here’s what to know. The Washington PostBilly Joel Announces Brain Disorder and Cancels All Concerts The New York TimesWhat to know about normal pressure hydrocephalus as Billy Joel cancels tour NBC NewsBilly Joel’s much-hyped Utah return canceled after new medical diagnosis KSL NewsBilly Joel cancels all concerts through 2026, including NYC shows, due to health diagnosis ABC7 New York Source link #Billy #Joel #cancels #shows #due #brain #disorder #Heres #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

4 partners leave Paul Weiss after firm cut deal with Trump, including Democratic lawyer Karen Dunn 4 partners leave Paul Weiss after firm cut deal with Trump, including Democratic lawyer Karen Dunn Four partners at Paul Weiss — including the high-profile Democratic attorney Karen Dunn — are departing the law firm, a spokesperson told CBS News, after Paul Weiss drew attention for striking a deal with President Trump to avoid targeting by the federal government. In addition to Dunn, Bill Isaacson, Jessica Phillips and Jeannie Rhee are leaving the 150-year-old firm. “On behalf of the firm, Paul Weiss is grateful to Bill, Jeannie, Jessica and Karen for their many contributions. We wish them well in all their future endeavors,” the spokesperson said. It’s not clear if the four attorneys’ departures from Paul Weiss are related to the firm’s agreement with Mr. Trump. Dunn co-chaired Paul Weiss’s litigation department, where she is known for representing high-profile clients like Apple and Google. She’s also known for her longstanding role in Democratic politics, and has helped lead debate preparations for Democratic candidates for over a decade — including for former Vice President Kamala Harris last year, The New York Times reported. Rhee — who served as managing partner of Paul Weiss’s office in Washington, D.C. — previously worked on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 election. Isaacson and Phillips served as litigators at the firm, according to their bios on Paul Weiss’s website. CBS News has reached out to the four departing attorneys for comment. Attorney Karen Dunn of Google’s defense team leaves the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse on September 9, 2024 in Alexandria, Virginia. The Justice Department is charging Google in an antitrust case challenging the practice in its ad-tech business violating antitrust laws. Getty Images Earlier this year, Mr. Trump targeted Paul Weiss with an executive order that sharply limited how the firm could interact with the government, seeking to revoke staff members’ security clearances and cut off any federal contracts. The move was part of a wider gambit to punish the president’s foes in the legal community, which he claims have “played an outsized role in undermining the judicial process and in the destruction of bedrock American principles.” The president’s executive order criticized Paul Weiss for employing Mark Pomerantz, who previously worked on the team of Manhattan prosecutors that investigated Mr. Trump. It also took aim at the firm — and Rhee — for taking on a pro bono case involving the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and criticized Paul Weiss’ diversity, equity and inclusion policies. But that order was later rescinded by Mr. Trump, who said Paul Weiss had agreed to a litany of compromises, like auditing its hiring practices and dedicating $40 million to pro bono legal services on causes that both the firm and the Trump administration agree upon. The apparent deal between the president and Paul Weiss — along with similar deals struck by other law firms threatened by Mr. Trump — proved controversial in the legal community. Some other law firms chose to sue the administration, arguing the orders were unconstitutional. Judges have struck down Mr. Trump’s orders against the firms Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block — with one federal judge on Friday saying Mr. Trump’s Jenner & Block order was unconstitutional and resembled a “screed” at some points. Joe Walsh Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston. Jacob Rosen contributed to this report. Source link #partners #leave #Paul #Weiss #firm #cut #deal #Trump #including #Democratic #lawyer #Karen #Dunn Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Wine: Good-value reds from SA grape-growing country Wine: Good-value reds from SA grape-growing country Langhorne Creek might not be the most famous of South Australia’s wine-growing regions, but it produces some mighty fine reds that offer good drinking at excellent value. Source link #Wine #Goodvalue #reds #grapegrowing #country Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tolkien Collectible Book Sets Are Up For Preorder – Myths, Legends, Tales Of Middle-earth Tolkien Collectible Book Sets Are Up For Preorder – Myths, Legends, Tales Of Middle-earth J.R.R. Tolkien fans can soon add two display-worthy book box sets to their collection. Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set, which features lesser-known original works and translations of classic English literature, releases on June 10. It will be followed up on August 19 by new editions of The Great Tales of Middle-earth, which is comprised of the final three prose novels set in Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world. The new hardcover box sets feature lavish cover art and display cases. They are considered the fifth and sixth entries in a series of hardcover book box sets that debuted last year with the The History of Middle-earth, which was published by William Morrow in its entirety across four beautiful collections. $125 | Releases June 10 The Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set is a unique collection of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, because it doesn’t contain stories about Middle-earth. Instead, as the title suggests, it compiles classic myths and legends, two of which were written by the author, while the other two were personal translations of some of his favorite works that inspired him. Like the vast majority of his posthumously published work, these were pieced together and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Each hardcover book comes with a double-sided dust jacket. Just like The History of Middle-earth Box Sets, one side features elaborate artwork, while the other side has a more subdued aesthetic with solid colors. The four books come packaged in an eye-catching display case. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight / Orfeo / Pearl: Translations of a trio of classic epic poems juxtaposed with Tolkien’s famous 1953 lecture on Sir Gawain. The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún: An epic verse poem by Tolkien. It was inspired by classic poetry and Norse mythology. Along with Tolkien’s composition, you’ll find notes and commentary from Christopher Tolkien. The Fall of Arthur: A narrative poem written by Tolkien that chronicles King Arthur’s final days. The book includes extensive notes made by Tolkien while drafting his only Arthurian legend. Fans of The Silmarillion will want to read this one, as it clearly inspired the plot of Tolkien’s Arthurian-esque Middle-earth book. Beowulf: One of the most famous–and the oldest known—epic poem of Old English literature, Beowulf has received many translations. Tolkien wrote his translation in 1926 and then circled back later. In addition to the translation of the original poem, this book contains a plethora of commentary by Tolkien himself, which will give readers a glimpse into the mind of Tolkien the scholar. If you’re interested in the Myths and Legends Box Set, you should also check out The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, a massive three-volume hardcover box that released last fall. The gorgeous box set, which is on ***** for nearly 50% off, compiles Tolkien’s life’s work as a poet and clocks in at over 1,700 pages. $125 | Releases August 19 The Great Tales of Middle-earth is a must-read collection for all dedicated fans of The Lord of the Rings. Though understandably not nearly as well-known as The Hobbit, LOTR, or even The Silmarillion, the trio of novels in this set are the final pieces of prose fiction that take place across the author’s iconic brilliant fantasy world. All of the stories take place during Middle-earth’s First Age, so while written and published later than Tolkien’s other books, these are the oldest full-length stories in Middle-earth. The new 2025 hardcover editions come with reversible dust jackets and feature special color plates, pencil drawings, and illustrated maps by Christopher Tolkien and beloved LOTR illustrator Alan Lee. Here are the three books you’ll find in the beautiful display case, which features a fire-breathing dragon. The Children of Húrin (2007): Written after The Silmarillion as a standalone prequel story, The Children of Húrin takes place 6,000 years before the events of LOTR. The story follows the cursed son of Húrin, named Túrin, during an era of intense and constant war and widespread devastation caused by the Dark Lord Morgoth. If you’ve read The Silmarillion, you will recognize some of the names found in this novel. Beren and Lúthien (2017): Another very early tale set in Middle-earth, Beren and Lúthien was reworked and revised over time and eventually became part of The Silmarillion. This compilation of Lúthien and Beren’s story was originally published in 2017. It shows the evolution of the love story between the mortal man Beren and immortal elf Lúthien. The Fall of Gondolin (2018): Founded by King Turgon, the eponymous city of elves was concealed for many years before Lord Morgoth’s quest to destroy elven life across Middle-earth. The Fall of Gondolin’s main protagonist is Túrin’s cousin, Tuor, and his family. Tuor is married to Turgon’s daughter, Idril. The story follows their attempt to save their child after the Gondolin (unsurprisingly) falls. It’s worth noting that The Great Tales of Middle-earth is already available as a hardcover box set. While it won’t match Myths and Legends or the four History of Middle-earth Box Sets, the 2018 hardcover collection is on ***** for only $50 (was $100) at Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase each book individually in hardcover or paperback. The Great Tales of Middle-earth Editions: J.R.R. Tolkien – The History of Middle-earth Box Sets (2024) The History of Middle-earth was originally published over a 14-year stretch from 1983 to 1996. While creating his fantasy world, Tolkien took extensive notes, building a backstory for Middle-earth across three different ages and 6,500-plus years. You could argue that the author’s dedication to crafting the setting that would become home to a pair of landmark fantasy novels turned Middle-earth into the most believable character Tolkien created. His mythopoeic writings formed what is commonly referred to as Tolkien’s legendarium. At the time of Tolkien’s death in 1973, the exhaustive backstory of Middle-earth remained unpublished. Over the next few years, his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, undertook the daunting project of editing, expanding, and curating the legendarium into publishable works. The legendarium would become a 12-volume series titled The History of Middle-earth. Though The Silmarillion is now included in modern editions of the series–it’s Book 1 in the newest box sets–the collection of myths was first published in 1977. If it had been Tolkien’s decision, The Silmarillion would have been published after The Hobbit. When his publisher turned down the manuscript, Tolkien pivoted to the story that would become The Lord of the Rings. Over the years, he continued to revise and expand The Silmarillion. Early drafts and branching stories penned while reworking the manuscript would become key components of his legendarium. As such, The History of Middle-earth, in part, showcases Tolkien’s development as a worldbuilder. This is why The Silmarillion is presented as the first book in The History of Middle-earth. To get the most out of the sprawling Middle-earth character study, it’s wise to read the interconnected myths within The Silmarillion. For the 2024 hardcover box set releases, publisher William Morrow reorganized The History of Middle-earth into 15 separate books, including the invaluable reference Index. The series is a substantial undertaking, as it clocks in 5,328 pages across its 15 volumes. With Amazon’s current prices, you can get all four box sets for $262 (was $475), which saves you over $200. Check out all four of the 2024 Middle-earth box sets below. An alternative to the 15-book collection is the weighty three-volume hardcover set released in 2020. Totaling 5,440 pages–over 1,800 pages per book–The Complete History of Middle-earth Box Set is an understated, brilliantly designed trio of hardcovers that’s available for $138 (was $250). For a sampling of what the series has to offer, there’s a five-book paperback box set for $28 (was $50). $63.37 (was $125) The History of Middle-earth Box Set 1 comes with four hardcover books with reversible dust jackets adorned with brand-new scenic landscape artwork. If you prefer a “quieter” look, the opposite side has a traditional artwork with solid color backgrounds. All four dust jackets have different primary colors, regardless of which side you want to use for display, which gives it a unique, eye-catching appearance. The History of Middle-earth Box Set 1 released in February 2024 and is discounted by roughly 50% at Amazon. Together, the four hardcover books listed below total 1,536 pages. The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales Book of Lost Tales, Part I Book of Lost Tales, Part II $57.18 (was $100) The Lays of Beleriand The Shaping of Middle-earth The Lost Road The History of Middle-earth Box Set 2 is the only collection with three books instead of four. As a result, the set sold for $100 when it released in May 2024. Right now, you can get the 1,264-page collection for only $57. $68 (was $125) Morgoth’s Ring The War of the Jewels The Peoples of Middle-earth The History of Middle-earth Index Published in September 2024, The History of Middle-earth Box Set 4 concludes the series and even comes with a standalone edition of the Index, which is a handy book to reference while poring over the sprawling Middle-earth histories, lore, and stories. You can purchase the 1,264-page collection for $68 (was $125) at Amazon. More J.R.R. Tolkien Book Box Sets The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (2024) William Morrow’s new hardcover box sets with reversible covers are far from the only stunning Tolkien collections that are worth checking out. The Lord of the Rings has received many different box sets over the years, including a superb high-end edition last fall. The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Illustrated Box Set remastered the fan-favorite 1992 set with illustrations by Alan Lee. With over 50 new drawings and paintings, silver foil-stamped covers, and hybrid cloth-leather bindings, these editions are truly a sight to behold. The foil-stamped clothboard display case holds all three parts of The Lord of the Rings as well as three exclusive art cards and two foldout maps by Christopher Tolkien. The LOTR Deluxe Illustrated Box Set launched with an eye-watering $325 price, but Amazon is currently selling it for $146–a savings of 55% ($179). The Deluxe Illustrated Box Set wasn’t the only collectible LOTR set released last year. William Morrow also published budget-friendly Collector’s Editions of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. The three parts of LOTR were later collected in one handsome Collector’s Edition Box Set. Each book in the hardcover Collector’s Edition series has stained edges, foil-stamped cover art, a ribbon bookmark, and maps as endpapers. All five Collector’s Editions are available individually for around $20 or less. Tolkien Illustrated Editions. Though not box sets, we’d be remiss to not mention the Tolkien Illustrated Editions when discussing collectible versions of Tolkien’s masterworks. Each of these beautiful hardcover books features drawings, sketches, and paintings composed by Tolkien himself while he built Middle-earth with words. The books have foil-stamped covers, sprayed page edges with elvish script, a ribbon bookmark, and a pair of removable maps. Deluxe Special Editions of Tolkien Illustrated versions of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings have cloth board bindings with quarterbound ******* leather, clouthbound slipcases, an art card, and an illustrated booklet. More Tolkien Book Deals The list below includes deals on an assortment of editions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and more. One standout here is The Silmarillion Special Edition, which was published in 2021 and feels like a natural pairing with The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set. This foil-stamped, clothbound edition has a slipcase with custom artwork and comes with a pair of full-color posters. Source link #Tolkien #Collectible #Book #Sets #Preorder #Myths #Legends #Tales #Middleearth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A car door opened in a Narragansett shopping plaza. 14 Belgian Malinois dogs came rushing out. A car door opened in a Narragansett shopping plaza. 14 Belgian Malinois dogs came rushing out. A wild scene unfolded in Narragansett on Wednesday, May 21, when 14 dogs burst out of an SUV in a shopping plaza parking lot, with some of the dogs running into the nearby Marshalls/HomeGoods store. After the dogs were rounded up, a similar situation happened at a nearby ballfield, when the dogs again poured out of the car, this time attacking and badly injuring one of their own, a young, smaller dog. “I have never seen anything like it. I’m not sure anyone has,” said Wayne Kezirian, president and general agent for the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Fourteen Belgian Malinois dogs traveling in an SUV that stopped in Narragansett bolted from the car a second time when they were taken to a ballfield. Why were the 14 dogs in a car in Narragansett? The dogs are all Belgian Malinois, large animals that are bred for protection and often used as police dogs. The owner told Kezirian he was driving with all 14 in his SUV from New York to Maine, where he was planning on moving. “I don’t know how he drove the car with all the dogs in it. There wasn’t an inch to spare,” Kezirian said. A woman in another car was traveling with the man. Her car had three dogs inside, according to Kezirian. The man told Kezirian he stopped at the shopping plaza because the dogs had started to fight, and he wanted to take one of the dogs from the car. When he opened the door, they all rushed out. “It’s a protective breed, so they’re difficult to handle anyway,” Kezirian said. Dogs began attacking each other at Narragansett ballfield The Narragansett police responded to Salt Pond Plaza and found two vehicles parked near West Marine containing a total of 17 dogs, according to Narragansett Police Lt. Justin Hoffman. “As officers approached, the rear door of one of the SUVs unexpectedly opened, allowing 14 Belgian Malinois to escape and run through the plaza,” Hoffman said via email. “Some of the dogs entered nearby businesses. With the assistance of bystanders, officers were able to help the owner safely return all 14 dogs to the vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this initial containment effort.” Since there was no local animal control officer on duty, Hoffman requested help from South Kingstown Animal Control, he said. Their officer “promptly responded” and also contacted the RISPCA, Hoffman said. When Kezirian arrived from Warwick at about 12:30 p.m., the dogs were back inside the car. They were still restless. As they moved in the tight quarters, they kept bumping into each other and hitting the *****. “You’d have thought somebody was behind you at a red light,” Kezirian said. The police and animal control filled Kezirian in on what had happened. He said, “It was a much more complicated situation than I envisioned.” Before Kezirian got there, the police persuaded the dog owner to voluntarily surrender several of the dogs, Hoffman said. To ensure the safe transfer of the dogs, the police decided to use a Local Little field enclosed by a fence, according to Hoffman. The police told the owner to remove the surrendered dogs one at a time, according to Hoffman, but as soon as the door opened, the dogs again charged out of the car, this time attacking the younger dog. “They all turned on one dog and were attacking that dog,” Kezirian said. “As a pack, they were attacking that dog.” The owner couldn’t stop the attack. Hoffman and the other Narragansett officers stepped in “to protect the dog, using department-issued OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray to break up the assault long enough for an officer to retrieve the injured animal,” Hoffman said. Narragansett Police Officer Patrick Canavan lifted the younger dog and carried it away. “If he had not done that, that dog would be dead,” Kezirian said. As Canavan carried the dog, several dogs still tried getting at it, prompting the officers to spray the dogs again, Hoffman said. “Miraculously, none of the officers or individuals present were injured during this chaotic incident,” Hoffman said. Once the animals were taken away, the police contacted the Narragansett Parks and Recreation Department, which “decontaminated the baseball field using the facility’s irrigation system,” Hoffman said. Nine of the dogs surrendered by owner The dogs’ owner, after talking with Kezirian and the police, ultimately agreed to give up nine of the dogs. The RISPCA has three of them, while South Kingstown Animal Control, which works with the Narragansett Police Department, has six. Among the dogs in the RISPCA’s care is the young one that was attacked by the others. Her name is Liberty. She’s one year old. Kezirian brought the three dogs back to RISPCA by about 4 p.m. Wednesday, where veterinarian Michelle Pinto had Liberty in surgery until about 8 p.m. “She’s covered with stitches. She’s expected to be OK,” Kezirian said. Who owned the dogs? The owner of the dogs was cooperative, Kezirian said. He told Kezirian he was planning to move from New York to Maine and also sell some of the dogs. “I’m not sure his grasp of reality was solid,” Kezirian said. The man is in his 40s and resides in Ontario, New York, according to Kezirian, who declined to give the man’s name. The man described the woman in the other car as his girlfriend. They were traveling through Narragansett on the way to Maine because the woman has some ties to the area, Kezirian was told. The dogs are skinny. The owner told Kezirian he ran out of money and was rationing their food. Kezirian said Narragansett police officers bought food for the dogs. Kezirian said it seemed reasonable for the owner to keep five of the dogs, because the five could fit reasonably well in his car. It would also be difficult to find adoptive homes for the five dogs he kept because of age, illness and temperament, according to Kezirian. If the RISPCA seized the dogs and pressed criminal charges, it would take longer to find the dogs new homes, because they’d have to wait until the conclusion of the criminal case, Kezirian said. Additionally, he said, the charges could be difficult to prove. “It was the lesser of two evils,” Kezirian said. Where are the dogs now? Now the RISPCA and South Kingstown Animal Shelter have nine more dogs in their care. Boarding and veterinary costs will add up. Kezirian noted that the agencies could use financial support. Kezirian said the RISPCA will check with law enforcement agencies to see if they’re interested in adopting any of their dogs for police work. After that, the dogs would be put up for adoption from the general public. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fourteen Belgian Malinois dogs burst out of a car in Narragansett Source link #car #door #opened #Narragansett #shopping #plaza #Belgian #Malinois #dogs #rushing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

EU calls for US trade deal based on 'respect' after Trump's tariff threats – BBC EU calls for US trade deal based on 'respect' after Trump's tariff threats – BBC EU calls for US trade deal based on ‘respect’ after Trump’s tariff threats BBCWhy Trump Lashed Out at Europe Over Trade WSJTrump threatens 50% tariffs on EU and 25% penalties on smart phones as his trade war intensifies AP NewsStocks Slide on Deficit and Tariff Concerns The New York TimesUS-EU trade war fears reignite as Europe strikes back at Trump’s threat Sky News Source link #calls #trade #deal #based #039respect039 #Trump039s #tariff #threats #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Celebrate 10 Years of Killing Monsters With Special Edition The Witcher 3 Xbox Controllers Celebrate 10 Years of Killing Monsters With Special Edition The Witcher 3 Xbox Controllers The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, and CD Projekt Red have commemorated the milestone by collaborating with the Xbox team to create a tempered and battle-ready controller for players looking to expand their witcher’s toolkit. Embark on the path with the Xbox Wireless Controller – The Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Special Edition and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core The Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Special Edition. This is such a special moment for both our teams, and we wanted to share some insight into how Geralt’s journey brought this design to life. Source link #Celebrate #Years #Killing #Monsters #Special #Edition #Witcher #Xbox #Controllers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump warns Apple of 25 per cent tariff on iPhones not made in the US, sparking fears of higher prices Trump warns Apple of 25 per cent tariff on iPhones not made in the US, sparking fears of higher prices US President Donald Trump is threatening to put a 25 per cent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are manufactured in the United States. The threat delivered over social media could dramatically increase the price of iPhones, potentially hurting sales and the profits of one of America’s leading technology companies. The company now joins Amazon, Walmart and other major companies as being in the White House’s crosshairs as they try to respond to the uncertainty and inflationary pressures unleashed by the import taxes being imposed by Trump. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25 per cent must be paid by Apple to the US.” Apple, led by CEO Tim Cook, in response to Trump’s tariffs on China was looking to shift iPhone manufacturing to India as it adjusts supply chains. That plan has become a festering source of frustration for the US president, who also brought it up last week during his Middle East trip. Source link #Trump #warns #Apple #cent #tariff #iPhones #sparking #fears #higher #prices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Humans Are Evolving Right in Front of Our Eyes on The Tibetan Plateau Humans Are Evolving Right in Front of Our Eyes on The Tibetan Plateau Humans are not yet done cooking. We’re continuing to evolve and adjust to the world around us, the records of our adaptations written in our bodies. We know that there are some environments that can make us unwell. Mountain climbers often succumb to altitude sickness – the body’s reaction to a significant drop in atmospheric pressure, which means less oxygen is taken in with each breath. And yet, in high altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau, where oxygen levels in the air people breathe are notably lower than lower altitudes, human communities thrive. In the more than 10,000 years the region has been settled, the bodies of those living there have changed in ways that allow the inhabitants to make the most of an atmosphere that for most humans would result in not enough oxygen being delivered via blood cells to the body’s tissues, a condition known as hypoxia. “Adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia is fascinating because the stress is severe, experienced equally by everyone at a given altitude, and quantifiable,” anthropologist Cynthia Beall of Case Western Reserve University in the US told ScienceAlert. “It is a beautiful example of how and why our species has so much biological variation.” Beall has been studying the human response to hypoxic living conditions for years. In research published in October 2024, she and her team unveiled some of the specific adaptations in Tibetan communities: traits that help the blood deliver oxygen. To unlock this discovery, the researchers delved into one of the markers of what we call evolutionary fitness: reproductive success. Women who deliver live babies are those who pass on their traits to the next generation. The traits that maximize an individual’s success in a given environment are most likely to be found in women who are able to survive the stresses of pregnancy and childbirth. Lo Manthang in Nepal, where some of the data was collected. (James J. Yu) These women are more likely to give birth to more babies; and those babies, having inherited survivability traits from their mothers, are also more likely to survive to adulthood, and pass the traits on to the next generation. That’s natural selection at work, and it can be a bit strange and counterintuitive; in places where malaria is common, for example, the incidence of sickle cell anemia is high, because it involves a gene that protects against malaria. Beall and her team made a study of 417 women between the ages of 46 and 86 years who have lived all their lives in Nepal above altitudes of around 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). The researchers recorded the number of live births, ranging between 0 and 14 per woman for an average of 5.2, as well as health and physical information and measurements. Among the things they measured were levels of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for delivering oxygen to tissues. They also measured how much oxygen was being carried by the hemoglobin. Interestingly, the women who demonstrated the highest rate of live births had hemoglobin levels that were neither high nor low, but average for the testing group. But the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin was high. Together, the results suggest that the adaptations are able to maximize oxygen delivery to cells and tissues without thickening the blood – a result that would place more stress on the heart as it struggles to pump a higher viscosity fluid more resistant to flow. The noninvasive measurement of hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation. (Sienna R. Craig) “Previously we knew that lower hemoglobin was beneficial, now we understand that an intermediate value has the highest benefit. We knew that higher oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was beneficial, now we understand that the higher the saturation the more beneficial. The number of live births quantifies the benefits,” Beall said. “It was unexpected to find that women can have many live births with low values of some oxygen transport traits if they have favorable values of other oxygen transport traits.” The women with the highest reproductive success rate also had a high rate of blood flow into the lungs, and their hearts had wider than average left ventricles, the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into the body. Taken all together, these traits increase the rate of oxygen transport and delivery, enabling the human body to make the most of the low oxygen in the air respired. It’s important to note that cultural factors can play a role, too. Women who start reproducing young and have long marriages seem to have a longer exposure to the possibility of pregnancy, which also increases the number of live births, the researchers found. Even taking that into account, however, the physical traits played a role. Nepalese women with physiologies most similar to women in unstressed, low altitude environments tended to have the highest rate of reproductive success. “This is a case of ongoing natural selection,” Beall said. “Understanding how populations like these adapt gives us a better grasp of the processes of human evolution.” The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. An earlier version of this article was published in October 2024. Related News Source link #Humans #Evolving #Front #Eyes #Tibetan #Plateau Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sebastião Salgado, Acclaimed Brazilian Photographer, Is Dead at 81 – The New York Times Sebastião Salgado, Acclaimed Brazilian Photographer, Is Dead at 81 – The New York Times Sebastião Salgado, Acclaimed Brazilian Photographer, Is Dead at 81 The New York TimesSebastião Salgado captured the world like no other photographer The GuardianAward-winning Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado dies at age 81, his institute says ABC NewsA lens on poverty and the environment: Sebastiao Salgado is dead at age 81 Al JazeeraSebastião Salgado: Legendary Brazilian photographer dies at 81 BBC Source link #Sebastião #Salgado #Acclaimed #Brazilian #Photographer #Dead #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marnus Labuschagne’s World Test Championship final spot in jeopardy after latest county failure Marnus Labuschagne’s World Test Championship final spot in jeopardy after latest county failure Australia need Marnus Labuschagne at his nuggety best for the impending World Test Championship final, but their long-time batting rock has missed out on another chance to show he’s really in shape for the Lord’s showdown. How Labuschagne must have wished he had a day like Derbyshire’s Aussie opener Caleb Jewell, who hit a suitably sparkling unbeaten 152 for his first ever county ton but, instead, he endured a third low score for Glamorgan on Friday. The 30-year-old former world No.1-ranked player had two matches with his Welsh county to completely nail down his place in the lineup against South Africa next month but he’s now got just one more chance of a morale-boosting big knock after getting dismissed for 23 against Middlesex at Sophia Gardens. Labuschagne, the 11-time Test centurion, probably has enough runs in the bank to be the preferred man but, back from paternity leave, he would have wished to cement his credentials with the prospect that he, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis could all be battling for one place at the top of the order. Once again, coming in at three, he was caught, edging to the slips, after he had never looked completely at home in an uncomfortable 63-minute stay during which he scored four boundaries. Worryingly, it was the same way he’d been dismissed against Northamptonshire last week when he fell for nought and four. Labuschagne will then surely feel he missed out as his captain Sam Northeast and Kiran Carlson, the next two in, put on 228 for the fourth wicket with both completing centuries as Glamorgan closed on 7-334. Camera IconMarnus Labuschagne has missed out on the big score he was looking for in the WTC final build-up. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Earlier, Labuschagne had handed a Glamorgan county cap to his Test teammate Matt Kuhnemann, who’s also joined them to help spin himself into form with the WTC final approaching. Beau Webster, another member of the Test squad, was dismissed for just two off 17 ****** for Warwickshire amid their struggles against Worcestershire at New Road. But Webster’s fellow Tasmanian Jewell had a glorious day at Derby’s County Ground, batting all day against Kent for his maiden county century in the division two fixture, ending up at 152 not out off 263 ******, having hit 15 boundaries, with the home side dominating on 2-352. The left-hander has become a favourite with Derbyshire fans for his attacking dash but this was a more conservative knock until Jewell got to three figures after tea, and he might even be thinking about topping his career-best 227 compiled for Tasmania against WA in Hobart last year. He’s now scored 613 runs at an average of 61 this season, and only four other batters in the country have exceeded that mark in 2025, headed by another Aussie Marcus Harris (805), the Lancashire skipper who had a rare failure on Friday when he was bowled for 10 at Grace Road against Peter Handscomb’s Leicestershire. Source link #Marnus #Labuschagnes #World #Test #Championship #final #spot #jeopardy #latest #county #failure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Even as an Apple fan, right now I wouldn’t use an iPhone if you gave me it for free Even as an Apple fan, right now I wouldn’t use an iPhone if you gave me it for free When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The iPhone is a technological miracle, but that doesn’t mean I want one. | Credit: Apple I love Apple. I’ve been using Macs my whole career, since I first entered the offices of the Face and Arena magazines in the early 90s, and witnessed my design heroes harnessing their power to revolutionise the discipline. And even though I’ve flirted with Chromebooks and Windows laptops on occasion, these days my trusty MacBook Air M1 is practically surgically attached to me. It’s sleek, reliable, and makes my creative workflow an absolute dream. But when it comes to smartphones… Well, you couldn’t pay me to swap my Android for an iPhone. Not even if you offered me the best iPhone for photography – the latest Pro Max with all the bells, whistles, and that slightly pretentious titanium finish. “But why?” I hear you cry, “iPhones just work!” Well sure, so does my kettle; but I expect a bit more from something I spend half my waking life staring at. I’ll put it simply. Android simply offers me more freedom. More control. And these days, more actual innovation, too. Innovation and fun While Apple’s been busy making incremental camera upgrades and debating whether the charging port should finally join the rest of the civilised world in USB-C land, Android manufacturers have been pushing boundaries with foldable displays, desktop modes, and AI features that make Siri look like a particularly dim child. And that’s just Samsung and Google Pixel. Look further afield, and there are plenty of more brands doing incredible things with Android. Recently, for example, I reviewed the 8849 Tank 3 Pro for a sister title. It’s not only rugged and waterproof, it’s got a 23,800 mAh battery, so it lasts for a week (literally) and you can use it as a power bank if you need to. Plus, it comes with a full-on laser projector. I used it the other night to watch the Eurovision Song Contest in 2m-high glory. What fun. The kind of fun and wow-factor you’ll never get from a boring, stuffy old iPhone. The Tank 3 Pro is a fraction of the price of an iPhone 16 Pro, but I wouldn’t swap it for the world | Credit: Future More prosaically, Android’s notification management is leagues ahead, with fine-grained control over what disturbs my creative flow. The customisation options don’t just mean I have a home screen that doesn’t look identical to 50 million other devices: they mean I can set up my digital workspace to actually suit my needs. Novel concept, that. File management? Please. Try moving files between apps on an iPhone without wanting to hurl it through the nearest window. And don’t get me started on the tyranny of Apple’s walled garden approach to apps. Yes, the quality control is better, but at what cost? My freedom to sideload whatever weird experimental app takes my fancy? No ta. It gets worse… And here’s the thing. Even if loved the iPhone, I’d still be wary of getting trapped in its ecosystem. Because Apple is facing some genuinely existential challenges, which could make iOS a very expensive commitment over the next few years. For instance, the recent court ruling against Apple’s App Store practices is seismic: Judge Gonzalez Rogers has effectively blown up the company’s control over its main money maker. Services revenue has long been Apple’s golden goose as hardware sales plateau. If that 30% cut evaporates, where does that leave its financials? In a right pickle, that’s where. Then there’s the small matter of tariffs. While all tech companies face challenges here, Apple is uniquely vulnerable. Unlike Meta, Microsoft or Google, who generate revenue primarily from services, Apple’s bread and butter remains physical devices built overseas. Yes, they’re frantically trying to shift manufacturing to India and Vietnam, but they’re still looking at a £900 million hit from tariffs in Q3 alone, and that’s a best-case scenario. iPhones are already the priciest mainstream smartphones on the market, but these external pressures could push them into truly absurd territory. So even if you offered me a free iPhone, I’d politely decline, because the true cost isn’t the device itself: it’s the ecosystem commitment. And right now, that’s a gamble I’m not willing to take. See here for other camera phones worth your time. And if you don’t agree, see the iPhone deals we’ve found below. Source link #Apple #fan #wouldnt #iPhone #gave #free Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]