#emerging sector

[reasonsforhope]

Crowdsourcing a question

Okay totally personal post here because, now that search engines suck, my research is failing me. So I'm crowdsourcing my question about the residential care work industry!

Hoping at least some of my followers have experience in/with the industry and some intel on this:

Actual question: How common is it for jobs in residential care work (residential centers, btw, not home care) to actually have two people on the night shift? vs. just saying they always have two people on the night shift in interviews and their official policies, and actually it's not true?

Because my current job was, it turns out, apparently totally lying about "you'll never be on shift alone with clients" at orientation (when it comes to the night shift, anyway). Which, holy fucking safety issues, Batman!

Suffice to say this was a very fun thing to find out like three days before my first regular shift

So, I'm thinking realllll hard about switching companies, and I'm trying to figure out if I could expect to actually have a coworker at a different company, or if it's like an open secret in the field that actually, basically all the night shifts end up being solo shifts, because the industry is so chronically understaffed or w/e

[luetta]

idk if people on tumblr know about this but a cybersecurity software called crowdstrike just did what is probably the single biggest fuck up in any sector in the past 10 years. it's monumentally bad. literally the most horror-inducing nightmare scenario for a tech company.

some info, crowdstrike is essentially an antivirus software for enterprises. which means normal laypeople cant really get it, they're for businesses and organisations and important stuff.

so, on a friday evening (it of course wasnt friday everywhere but it was friday evening in oceania which is where it first started causing damage due to europe and na being asleep), crowdstrike pushed out an update to their windows users that caused a bug.

before i get into what the bug is, know that friday evening is the worst possible time to do this because people are going home. the weekend is starting. offices dont have people in them. this is just one of many perfectly placed failures in the rube goldburg machine of crowdstrike. there's a reason friday is called 'dont push to live friday' or more to the point 'dont fuck it up friday'

so, at 3pm at friday, an update comes rolling into crowdstrike users which is automatically implemented. this update immediately causes the computer to blue screen of death. very very bad. but it's not simply a 'you need to restart' crash, because the computer then gets stuck into a boot loop.

this is the worst possible thing because, in a boot loop state, a computer is never really able to get to a point where it can do anything. like download a fix. so there is nothing crowdstrike can do to remedy this death update anymore. it is now left to the end users.

it was pretty quickly identified what the problem was. you had to boot it in safe mode, and a very small file needed to be deleted. or you could just rename crowdstrike to something else so windows never attempts to use it.

it's a fairly easy fix in the grand scheme of things, but the issue is that it is effecting enterprises. which can have a looooot of computers. in many different locations. so an IT person would need to manually fix hundreds of computers, sometimes in whole other cities and perhaps even other countries if theyre big enough.

another fuck up crowdstrike did was they did not stagger the update, so they could catch any mistakes before they wrecked havoc. (and also how how HOW do you not catch this before deploying it. this isn't a code oopsie this is a complete failure of quality ensurance that probably permeates the whole company to not realise their update was an instant kill). they rolled it out to everyone of their clients in the world at the same time.

and this seems pretty hilarious on the surface. i was havin a good chuckle as eftpos went down in the store i was working at, chaos was definitely ensuring lmao. im in aus, and banking was literally down nationwide.

but then you start hearing about the entire country's planes being grounded because the airport's computers are bricked. and hospitals having no computers anymore. emergency call centres crashing. and you realised that, wow. crowdstrike just killed people probably. this is literally the worst thing possible for a company like this to do.

crowdstrike was kinda on the come up too, they were starting to become a big name in the tech world as a new face. but that has definitely vanished now. to fuck up at this many places, is almost extremely impressive. its hard to even think of a comparable fuckup.

a friday evening simultaneous rollout boot loop is a phrase that haunts IT people in their darkest hours. it's the monster that drags people down into the swamp. it's the big bag in the horror movie. it's the end of the road. and for crowdstrike, that reaper of souls just knocked on their doorstep.

[darlingkeyzblog]

Women Leading Innovation in Emerging Sectors in Senegal

In Senegal, women entrepreneurs are increasingly making their mark in various emerging sectors, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and leadership in driving economic growth. From technology and agribusiness to the creative industries, women are leading innovations that not only elevate their own businesses but also contribute to the country’s broader economic and social development. While…

[digitalwibe]

Europe Aircraft Leasing Market: Rapid Development and Value Trends Forecast (2024-2032)

The Europe Aircraft Leasing Market is on a trajectory of rapid development, driven by evolving value trends and a robust aviation sector. As European airlines and operators navigate the complexities of fleet management, leasing has emerged as a strategic solution to meet both current and future needs.

Europe Aircraft Leasing Market showcases the following key aspects:

Fleet Expansion and Modernization: European airlines are increasingly turning to leasing to expand and modernize their fleets. This approach allows them to quickly integrate new aircraft models that enhance operational efficiency and comply with environmental regulations.

Economic Uncertainty and Flexibility: Leasing provides airlines with greater financial flexibility amid economic uncertainties. It allows operators to manage capital expenditure more effectively and adjust their fleet size according to market demand.

Technological Advancements: The adoption of advanced technologies in leased aircraft supports better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. European airlines benefit from these innovations without the long-term financial commitment of owning the aircraft.

Regulatory Pressure: Europe’s stringent environmental regulations drive the demand for modern, eco-friendly aircraft. Leasing offers a practical solution for airlines to meet these requirements while minimizing financial risk.

Geographical Distribution: Key markets in Europe, such as the UK, Germany, and France, are at the forefront of the leasing trend. Their well-developed aviation sectors and strategic positions contribute to the overall growth of the market.

The forecast for the Europe Aircraft Leasing Market is characterized by robust growth and ongoing development. As airlines continue to seek flexible and cost-effective solutions, leasing will remain a vital component of the region’s aviation landscape.

About US

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. To stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

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[grantgoddard]

Caribbean drubbing on such an “Armageddon-like” day : 2024 : Hurricane Beryl, Carriacou

"Clackety-clack clackety-clack, from Kalamazoo to Timbuctoo, from Timbuctoo and back!”

As a young reader, I learned these words by heart from a favourite children’s book, ‘The Train to Timbuctoo’ written in 1951 by Margaret Wise Brown. I daydreamed about the journey between these two strangely-named railway stations, evoked so perfectly by the author’s prose and accompanying illustrations. Decades later, I discovered I had been sold a fantasy, it being as improbable to take a train from Kalamazoo (a city in Michigan) to Timbuktu (an ancient city in Mali) as it would to line up at Marrakesh station ticket office behind Graham Nash. Only recently did I learn that Timbuctoo (a different spelling from the Mali one) is in fact the name of: a ghost town in California; a small settlement in New Jersey; and a failed farming community in upstate New York, none of which boast a railway station. Whichever were the book’s fantasy locations, I never did manage to travel there … by train or other means. But it had stimulated dreams of foreign sojourns.

Although I never read the book, the haunting instrumental theme music to the French dramatisation of ‘Robinson Crusoe’ remains embedded in my memory, half a century after having watched its thirteen black-and-white dubbed episodes repeated ad nauseum on BBC children’s television. Seven-year-old suburban me was enthralled by the prospect of living beside the sandy beach of a sunny tropical island, despite my aversion to spiders and snakes. Scenic landscapes filmed on Gran Canaria looked picture-postcard remarkable in the era before ‘package holidays’ and ‘charter flights’ opened up international travel. The series fomented a childhood dream of one day relishing a ‘simple’ life beside a gently lapping sea … perhaps accompanied by a ‘Girl Friday’ such as Tuesday Weld whom I had just ogled alongside ‘Richard Kimble’ in ‘The Fugitive’, my parents’ favourite TV serial. It was ‘Robinson Crusoe’ that fostered dreams of island-living.

For a month during early 2004, much of my time was wasted sat at a desk in the air-conditioned open-plan BBC office in Phnom Penh with a workload stymied by disagreements with management over the danger of fulfilling my contract in the crumbling Radio National Kampuchea headquarters, following the recent workplace death of a staff member. Seeking escapism from these frustrations, I listened to the few extant streaming reggae music stations of the time, but found none were playing the selection of ‘roots’ oldies I desired. My fruitless search had identified a gap in the global online market for listeners like me who had grown up during reggae’s most fertile and creative period between the 1960’s and 1980’s.

On my return to the UK later that year, I spent months awaiting the follow-up BBC work contracts I had been promised, but which never materialised. Without employment, I busied myself creating an automated online music station ‘rootsrockreggae’, digitising 15,000 reggae recordings I had collected since childhood. Broadcast from servers in Jamaica, I managed the operation remotely, generating revenue from a few local advertisers and commissions from listeners buying compact discs of music they had heard. It started small but, using an early iteration of ‘Google Ads’ to target North American reggae fans, the audience grew quickly. Within a few years, Winamp/Shoutcast ranked it amongst the five most listened to online reggae radio stations in the world, attracting an audience of tens of thousands each day. Its online player displayed constantly updated headlines from Jamaica, reggae news and weather reports, using my computer programming skills first learnt in the 1970's. Like most online start-ups, sadly it never turned a profit.

Out of the blue, I received an email from the engineer of an FM radio station ‘Kyak 106’, asking if it could re-broadcast rootsrockreggae’s online overnight stream of dub and DJ music when no live presenters were available. I found the station’s website, listened and loved its enthusiasm for reggae, broadcasting to an island called Carriacou of which I knew absolutely nothing. I responded positively. This random communication prompted me to find out more about the location where my online station was suddenly being broadcast on 106.3 FM.

I discovered that Carriacou is a 12-square-mile island in the southeast Caribbean Sea with a population of 9,000. It is part of the former British colony of Grenada, independent since 1974 but retaining King Charles III as head of state. Physically, it is closer to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines (another independent former British colony, population 110,000, 4 miles away) than to the main island of Grenada (population 120,000, 17 miles away). Reading what little I could find online, I was quickly charmed by Carriacou’s old-style, friendly, relaxed way of life. It was not a resort island for rich Americans, its single airstrip too small for commercial planes, its colourful buildings were low-rise and its capital Hillsborough (population 1,200) had the feel of a quaint village with a short ‘High Street’.

Such was my enthusiasm, buoyed by regular listening to Kyak 106’s live shows, that I started to sketch a budget holiday plan for Carriacou, taking a Monarch Airlines flight from the UK to Grenada, a ferry to the island and staying at ‘Ades Dream Guesthouse’. Initially, it was time constraints that delayed such a visit because my workload had permitted only a single day off that year (to attend my daughter’s graduation). Then, having unexpectedly and suddenly lost my over-demanding job and unable to find another, finance became the restricting factor.

Inevitably, life moved on. Although the listenership to my reggae station had continued to grow, revenues fell precipitously when the dollar commissions earned from compact disc sales were replaced by mere cents generated by newly legalised MP3 download sales. Lacking a job, I reluctantly closed rootsrockreggae in 2009, even though it was now regularly ranked the most-listened online reggae station in the world after five years continuously on-air. It was a disappointing and frustrating time. Without access to development funds, life had to be focused on survival above all else. I promised myself to retire to Carriacou as soon as I won the lottery.

Kyak 106 closed in 2014, the product of a falling-out between two of its three directors that escalated as far as a 2022 High Court judgement. Station engineer Michael Ward, having been summarily sacked by presenter Kimberlain 'Kim D King' Mills, proceeded to commandeer the radio station and continue broadcasting from its Belair studio in Carriacou, until Mills called time and unilaterally shut the operation. Subsequently, Ward transformed Kyak 106 into an automated online reggae music station, adopting a slogan ‘Roots Rock Reggae from Carriacou’ that sounded remarkably familiar!

28 August 2008. When tropical storm Gustav arrived in Jamaica, I was listening for news to FM talk radio station ‘Power 106’ where presenter Althea McKenzie remained barricaded in its Bradley Avenue studio in Half Way Tree for hours on end. You could hear the wind and the rains aggressively pounding the building as she valiantly relayed information updates for residents and took phone calls from listeners, her voice sometimes wracked with dread and emotion. It produced some of the most impressive (but frightening) live radio I have ever heard, for which she should have won some broadcasting award. Gustav resulted in fifteen deaths and US$210m in damages on the island. McKenzie is still heard daily from 5am on this excellent station. I still dreamt of living on a Caribbean island, despite weather disasters such as this.

October 2017. I had accompanied my daughter for a meal in a Wokingham pizzeria when my sister asked me: “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to be?” Without hesitation, repetition or deviation, I responded: “Carriacou.” The dream was still alive.

1 July 2024. Category 4 Hurricane Beryl tore through Carriacou on Monday morning, destroying 98% of its buildings, cutting its electricity, water supply and mobile phone coverage. Houses were reduced to matchsticks. Huge trees were uprooted. All vegetation was stripped away, turning the island from luscious green to brown. Several people (number still unconfirmed) died. Roads became impassable. All communication with the outside world was lost. To discover what had happened there, I turned to YouTube. There I discovered award-winning American journalist and ‘storm chaser’ Jonathan Petramala who had arrived on the island the previous day with colleague Brandon Clement to document the hurricane’s passage. His videos provided an absolutely remarkable record of the devastation.

Two decades earlier, when I had first sought information about Carriacou, YouTube was yet to launch. Today there are dozens of videos about the island. Petramala captured the ‘calm before the storm’ mere hours before the hurricane struck, incorporating drone footage illustrating the charm of its colourful buildings and its ‘paradise’ sandy beaches. His impassioned commentary heralded the calamity that was to come and, although the island’s one petrol station had closed after a run on fuel and the mini-mart was busy, there was no evident panic. “It’s going to be horrific,” he said … and it was.

The following day’s video was a bleak testament to the destruction Carriacou had endured. “This island is shredded,” Petramala commented. “These people are in desperate need of help.” A resident said: “Right now, Carriacou is finished for a couple of years.” I had never seen anything weather-related as shocking as the complete devastation shown here. It resembled a war-zone. The drone shots were heartbreaking. Another shell-shocked resident said: “The thing is: we have three [storm] systems right behind it. What about the people who don’t have the time to recover, who don’t have a roof over their head, who don’t have the resources to rebuild?”

This video was unique because communications (mobile, internet, radio) had been completely lost on the island in the hurricane’s aftermath. Carriacou has no TV station and its two local FM radios (‘Vibes 101.3’ and ‘Sister Isles 92.9’) had been knocked out. Using a vehicle battery, Petramala uploaded his video via the Starlink satellite. That Tuesday, there was no other footage online. Residents could be seen filming on their mobile phones but there was no signal coverage to share or upload videos and no electricity to keep their phones charged. The island’s population was in an evident state of shock. Petramala’s footage, in which he made repeated appeals for outsiders to help the population, was used in weather stories broadcast by television stations the world over to illustrate the disaster, deservedly garnering millions of views.

The next day, Wednesday, roads in the capital had been partially cleared by residents, allowing Petramala to explore beyond by vehicle. His next video showed the ‘Dover Government School’, designated as one of eight emergency shelters on the island, entirely reduced to rubble. Those who were sheltering there had to evacuate to its tiny library outbuilding completed in April 2023 that remained standing. In March 2023, the 40-bed Princess Royal Smart Hospital had reopened in Belair with fanfare as the island’s sole hospital after having been “retrofitted to improve [its] resistance to disasters like hurricanes”, using funds from the UK government and Pan American Health Organization. This video showed all its facilities unusable due to water damage.

Then, arriving at the government’s Emergency Operations Centre on Carriacou, also in Belair, Petramala explained to its seemingly baffled staff:

“I’m the only journalist on the island. We have a Starlink [satellite terminal] so we’ve been able to get in touch with the government down in Grenada. I think we’re the only people who have contact with the outside [world]. They want to be able to get in touch with you guys but nothing is working. … We can set [Starlink] up outside and give you guys ten minutes if you want to call down to the government in Grenada and communicate what has happened here.”

Surprisingly, the Centre did not appear to be a hive of activity after such total devastation. We did learn that only five of the island’s eight emergency shelters had survived (for 9,000 population?). Although the building’s generator was powering lighting, its "communications hub" (as promised by the US Charge d'Affaires) had not survived the hurricane, despite this "fantastic facility" having only been completed in 2021 with US$3m funding from the US Embassy. Did we see a basic radio transceiver (even a retail amateur radio set) to provide SOME two-way inter-island communication? No. Did we see walkie-talkies used by emergency staff for intra-island communication? No. An apparent dependence on commercial mobile phone networks (operators Digicell and Flow) was, er, unwise when their towers prove so vulnerable to weather and power issues.

Set up in their vehicle, Petramala and Clement allowed nearby traumatised residents to use their Starlink satellite link to contact their loved ones overseas, leading to emotional scenes. Later that day, a helicopter landed at Carriacou’s airport, Grenada prime minster Dickon Mitchell emerged and, interviewed by Petramala, resembled a deer caught in headlights (commented my wife). He promised aid “from tomorrow” but proposed recruitment of volunteers from the mainland and assistance from other countries over guaranteeing immediate assistance from his government. For islanders who had no homes, no water, no electricity, no food and no petrol, with vehicles destroyed and roads blocked, the unfortunate impression was of a lack of urgency two days after the hurricane had hit. (Excellent silent drone footage of the devastation recorded by Clement fills six YouTube videos.)

While Petramala and Clement had been arriving in Carriacou on the eve of the hurricane, Belair resident Rina Mills had been similarly filming from her vehicle the calm that reined that Sunday before the storm (accompanied by Belair youth worker Shem ‘Ambassador’ Quamina). Employed by the Carriacou office of the ‘Grenada Tourism Authority’, Mills’ warnings about the impending disaster were stark and serious. With hindsight, this video (like her many others) was a testament to the beauty of the island though, within a few hours, it sadly became a historic record of how much habitat and infrastructure were about to be destroyed. Her exceptional knowledge of the geography, history and culture of Carriacou, combined with her informal conversations, made her videos compelling. She promised: “After the storm, we’ll do an update as well.”

However, the next day’s destruction of mobile phone masts prevented Mills from updating viewers until Friday, when her 24-minute live feed was managed only by climbing to a high point on the south of the island to connect over the horizon to an antenna on the mainland. Mills and her partner had lost their home, like many other islanders, and appeared in an understandable state of shock whilst cataloguing the “total devastation” of their island and five known associated deaths. It was a sad, upsetting video that acknowledged how precarious is our day-to-day existence, whilst also demonstrating the resilience of the population and its sense of community in the face of unprecedented disaster. The contrast with Mills’ chatty pre-disaster videos could not have been starker. Coincidentally, I heard Mills interviewed that weekend on the BBC World Service show ‘Newshour’ about Beryl’s impact on Carriacou.

Once partial mobile communication was restored on the island, Mills uploaded video previously recorded in the aftermath of the hurricane. In the centre of the capital Hillsborough, next to the destroyed Post Office, a mobile water desalination plant had been set up to offer free drinking water to residents. This vital resource had been provided by American religious charity ‘Samaritan’s Purse’ which amazingly had dispatched a DC-8 cargo plane to Grenada (video of landing) the day after the hurricane, loaded with materials (video) to establish a field hospital, desalination plants around the island, foodstuffs, tarpaulins, clothing and bedding. Two dozen of its volunteers were airlifted to Carriacou and a barge was chartered the following day to bring the equipment there from Grenada. It was a much-needed vital resource at a time when Grenada government assistance was still not visible. “Hats off to Samaritan’s Purse,” commented Mills’ partner. “They were the first to get here, in my opinion.”

I had never heard of Samaritan’s Purse but was incredibly impressed by the scale and urgency of its work, operating a fleet of 24 aircraft and two helicopters from North Carolina. Video of a public tour of this DC-8 plane at the Dayton Air Show only days earlier demonstrated the huge volume of supplies it had carried. Its volunteers quickly spread across the island, distributing materials to residents from churches (Pastor Happy Akasie’s church in Brunswick in this video). By the following week, it had set up its second field hospital in Carriacou with doctors, nurses, medications and counsellors (video). Despite the island’s hotels/B&B’s having been destroyed, the charity operates self-sufficiently, building its own accommodation and bringing food and water for staff. It seems to embody the fictional Tracy family’s ‘International Rescue’.

Towards the end of this video, Mills understandably rails against sightseers arriving by ferry from Grenada merely to video the destruction in order to attract ‘hits’ to their social media channels. One example of this was bizarre ‘Coleen AKA Bright Diamond’ from the mainland who appeared to enjoy her ‘day out’ on the destroyed island, travelling on the back of an aid truck, making inappropriate comments, drinking from a wine bottle in the back of a car and buying bottled beer. Afterwards, the Grenada government introduced vetting of ferry travellers to Carriacou to prevent further ‘disaster tourists’ consuming the island’s scarce resources. Fortunately, these self-promoting types were in a minority, overshadowed by the many people and organisations who arrived on Carriacou to genuinely help out.

British solicitor and author Nadine Matheson had been visiting her parents’ house on Carriacou when the hurricane struck and recorded this scary video of its almost total destruction. Once back home, she is recording informative updates on her parents’ situation and a fundraising effort to replace the house’s roof. The structure is now covered by a temporary blue tarpaulin which, like so many other properties, was donated by Samaritan’s Purse.

Meanwhile, videos published by the Grenada government since the disaster have proven a quite surreal soft-focus experience after the stark wholesale destruction visible in locally-made videos. After its prime minister (who is additionally minister for disaster management) visited the island, one video showed him standing on the wreckage of a resident’s home, looking wistfully into the distance, accompanied by soft tinkling music. Its editor seems to be a big fan of 1980’s Lionel Ritchie music videos. There is lots of footage of government officials in fluorescent vests talking to each other, pointing at the destruction and being interviewed explaining what WILL happen but – dare I say? – not much footage of action IMMEDIATELY to tackle this humanitarian crisis. Initially, the government's media focus (including its partly owned GBN television channel) was much more on the relatively minor damage suffered on the main island, rather than the total destruction of 'sister isle' Carriacou.

Watching hours and hours of government press conferences uploaded online, I was struck by the preoccupation with ‘process’ they exhibit, talking endlessly about which department and which officers are responsible, which meetings WILL take place and who reports to whom. This habitual use of the future tense is alarming when what should be stated was what had ALREADY happened and what was happening RIGHT NOW. The government’s adoption of the slogan ‘Carriacou and Petite Martinique Will Rise Again!’ for the disaster seems symptomatic of this somewhat wishful thinking. It raises the big question: WHEN? Electricity is unlikely to be restored to the whole island for many months. Petrol remains in short supply. The situation on-the-ground for islanders remains dire.

The government press briefing on 9 July, eight days after the hurricane had hit, promised: a 2,000-gallon water truck loaned by a company on St Lucia “will commence distribution to residents starting Wednesday July 10th 2024”; then “a second 1,800-gallon water truck loaned by the Barbados Water Authority is expected to arrive on Carriacou during the coming week.” Does Grenada not own one water truck? How have 9,000 people on Carriacou been expected to survive without government-supplied fresh water for more than a week? Why does the co-ordinator of Grenada’s ‘National Disaster Management Agency’ (whose last web site news update was three weeks ago), Dr Terence Walters, seem to consider in this press conference that distributing 2,000 food packages to residents (who number 9,000) five days after the hurricane hit was a satisfactory response?

Coincidentally, a mere four days before Hurricane Beryl hit Carriacou, a 120-page report entitled ‘Grenada: National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment’ had been published by the ‘Pacific Disaster Center’. It concluded that:

“… results for Grenada showed significant multi-hazard exposure including hurricane winds, earthquakes, and volcanoes with nearly the entire population exposed. […] The assessment pointed to vulnerabilities due to Environmental Stress, Information Access, and Gender Inequality and significant deficiencies in coping capacity areas such as Air Support and Transportation Capacity indicating enhancements are necessary to bolster Grenada’s disaster response capabilities. Addressing these gaps, alongside targeted efforts to mitigate the identified vulnerabilities, will strengthen the nation’s overall resilience to disasters. […] Strengthening communication and information management systems is essential to support effective disaster response and comprehensive risk reduction strategies.” [emphasis added]

In 2019, the World Bank had allocated US$20m to be drawn down by Grenada to address natural catastrophes, but had noted in its report:

"[Grenada's] Institutional capacity for implementation [risk] is rated Substantial due to weak inter-institutional coordination and the lack of technical expertise. Implementing the proposed operation will require the integrated work of several actors at the national and local levels to move the proposed policy actions forward. This could result in scattered, low impact, and/or uncoordinated actions." [emphasis added]

Estimated damages and losses to Grenada's economy from its most significant disasters suffered between 1975 and 2018 were estimated by the World Bank to have totalled US$967m. Hurricane Beryl's financial impact is likely to be greater than these prior disasters combined, eclipsing the island's annual GDP several times. Evidently, the fiscal catastrophe of accelerating climate change not only decimates small economies such as Grenada's but cumulatively will precipitate a global diversion of resources away from consumption towards mitigation and repair of weather, temperature and sea level changes.

It was evident in videos posted online that aid had quickly arrived from diverse sources: generous individuals, volunteers and groups on mainland Grenada, other Caribbean islands, the United Nations, France providing boats of supplies and troops on the ground (Grenada has no army), global charities. I watched a video of the French ambassador to Grenada interviewed whilst off-loading aid. Have I similarly seen the British high commissioner or governor general on Carriacou? Maybe I missed them. On 5 July, the UK provided £0.5m of immediate aid to Grenada and St Vincent, but will more substantial longer term assistance be forthcoming from the island’s former colonial power?

In 1983, the United States had sent 7,300 troops to invade and occupy Grenada because president Reagan chose to believe its newly built airport, funded partially by the British government, would be used to land Soviet bombers. 45 Grenadians were killed and 358 wounded. Today, if a major power were to devote similar resources to rebuild Carriacou quickly, its population might be able to endure the hardship it currently faces. However, despite residents suffering no electricity, water, food or a roof over their heads and with several emergency shelters destroyed, the government in Grenada has no current plan for significant evacuation of the island, preferring to remove only pregnant women, residents of old people’s homes and the hospitalised. How long are its citizens expected to survive when no cash is available from destroyed banks or ATM’s, forcing residents to make a four-hour round trip to the mainland? In 2024, these generous and stoic island people have been marooned in a hellish medieval landscape.

My dream of island-living is over for now. Carriacou can never be the same again. What will happen there is difficult to fathom. Its economy, seemingly reliant on retirees from the diaspora and small-scale tourism (independent travellers and two marinas of yachts) is ruined, forcing its people to make lifechanging decisions. Nowhere have I read that Grenada main island’s schools and sports halls have been opened to Carriacou refugees who have lost everything. At a time when thousands of its residents remain sat amongst the ruins of their dwellings, the Grenada government announced precipitously that:

“… the [Cayman Islands] Premier is extending an invitation to Grenadians who wish to work in the Cayman Islands, to return with her on Tuesday July 16 2024.”

The premier of this British Overseas Territory (population 85,000) was due to deliver aid relief to Grenada that day, but not before a further press statement had to hurriedly clarify that “no such offer was made during the courtesy call made to the Prime Minister of Grenada by the Premier of the Cayman Islands” and withdraw the implied invitation to potential economic migrants. Oh dear. (I recall when 8,000 refugees out of a population of 13,000 left the decimated Caribbean island of Montserrat following its 1995 volcanic eruption.)

I never got to visit Carriacou but, compared to the suffering endured presently by its resilient people, my regrets are insignificant. Watching the news from Carriacou engenders a sense of helplessness in the face of such overwhelming humanitarian need. I am highlighting Carriacou here only because it has been on my mind for two decades since receiving that fateful email from Kyak 106. The neighbouring islands of Petit Martinique and Union Island have been just as badly devastated by Hurricane Beryl. Though I am continuing to follow events in Carriacou, the mainstream media has inevitably moved on swiftly to other disasters elsewhere.

Observing the aftermath of this catastrophic event since 1 July has merely reinforced the devastating impact of ‘climate change’ us humans have foisted upon populations who have done nothing to cause it. Nobody on Earth can afford to ignore this issue because its effects will inevitably be coming to your corner of the world soon. Nobody will be immune. It is coming to get you, whether or not you choose to believe it is real. Voicing this eloquently was an emotional call-to-arms video (initially at https://youtu.be/oYn-XarQM3M but mysteriously deleted since) by United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell who is seen hugging his grandmother amongst the ruins of her home on Carriacou, his homeland.

After having viewed Beryl’s immediate impact from a helicopter, Grenada prime minister Dickon Mitchell had described the destruction as “Armageddon-like” in a press briefing and promised:

“We know it is not something that will happen overnight, but we certainly believe that in the next week to two and a half weeks we should have a complete clean up.”

Weeks later, new videos from Carriacou continue to show a post-Armageddon catastrophe that could last months and years for its beleaguered population.

[First published at https://peoplelikeyoudontworkinradio.blogspot.com/2024/07/caribbean-drubbing-on-such-armageddon.html ]

[sanjeev3214]

Online Gaming Market Size, Share, Growth, Industry & Revenue 2029

The online gaming industry has been a dynamic and rapidly growing sector globally, with emerging as one of its brightest arenas. Thanks to a significant youth demographic and technological advancements, the gaming market in is not just thriving; it's booming with possibilities.

Market Size and Growth Forecast

The gaming market is estimated to grow from USD 3.49 billion in 2024 to USD 7.24 billion by 2029, with a robust CAGR of 15.68%. This growth is propelled by increasing digital infrastructure and the integration of advanced technologies like AR and VR in gaming.

The Rise of Mobile Gaming

mobile gaming scene has escalated due to the widespread availability of affordable smartphones. Major tech giants like Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts are increasingly focusing on this segment, recognizing its potential due to an expansive user base that competes directly with markets in China and the USA. 

Influence of High-Speed Internet and Data Costs 

With some of the lowest data costs globally, offers a fertile ground for online gaming to flourish. High-speed internet, including the incoming wave of 5G, promises to revolutionize how games are played, making complex online games more accessible to a broader audience. 

Online Gaming Market Key Players 

The online gaming market boasts a vibrant ecosystem comprising various stakeholders, from developers and publishers to platform providers and hardware manufacturers.  

Sony Interactive Entertainment - Sony is a powerhouse in the gaming industry, known for its PlayStation series of consoles and a vast array of popular game titles. The company continues to expand its offerings with new hardware, exclusive games, and services like PlayStation Plus. 

Microsoft Corporation - Microsoft, with its Xbox console line and Xbox Game Pass, is a significant competitor in the gaming market. The company has also been investing heavily in cloud gaming through its Xbox Cloud Gaming service. 

Nintendo Co., Ltd. - Known for its innovative approach to gaming, Nintendo has created some of the most iconic franchises in the industry, such as Mario and Zelda. The Nintendo Switch console has been particularly successful, blending portable and home gaming seamlessly. 

Tencent Games - Tencent is one of the largest and most influential companies in the online gaming market, especially in Asia. It owns Riot Games (developer of "League of Legends") and has significant stakes in other major companies like Epic Games and Activision Blizzard. 

Activision Blizzard - Home to blockbuster franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, Activision Blizzard is a prominent player in the gaming market. The company also leads in the eSports space with its Blizzard Entertainment division. 

Deep Dive into the Gaming Market 

Key Players and Innovations 

The market is bustling with activity from local and international companies. Innovations, particularly in mobile gaming, are driving growth, with significant contributions from sectors like WEB3 technologies. 

Government Initiatives and Regulations 

The government's active role in promoting digital infrastructure has been pivotal. Initiatives like the Inter-Ministerial Task Force and other regulatory frameworks are shaping the future of online gaming. 

Technological Advances Impacting the Market 

The Role of 5G in Gaming 

The deployment of 5G networks is set to transform the gaming industry by supporting high-speed, real-time gaming experiences, crucial for multiplayer and professional gaming scenarios. 

Emergence of WEB3 Technologies 

WEB3 technologies are introducing new gameplay experiences through decentralization, enabling more secure and immersive gaming environments that could define future gaming trends. 

Conclusion 

As we delve deeper into the digital age, the online gaming market in stands at a promising juncture, ripe with opportunities for growth and innovation. With the right mix of technology adoption and regulatory guidance, is poised to be a global leader in the gaming industry. 

[chialattea]

i have to be the bestest patient the doctors/nurses have ever dealt with so they’ll nod approvingly when they discuss me— which is a completely normal and realistic thing to want

[agriequipments]

The Rise of Electric and Hybrid Tractors in the Agricultural Sector

The tractor industry is undergoing a significant shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly powertrain technologies, with the emergence of electric and hybrid tractor models gaining momentum. This executive summary explores the current trends, market dynamics, and growth opportunities in the electric and hybrid tractor segment.

Market Overview

The global market for electric and hybrid tractors was valued at $1.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $5.2 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 23.4% during the forecast period. This rapid growth is driven by the increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions, the need for more energy-efficient agricultural equipment, and the rising demand for sustainable farming practices.

Advantages of Electric and Hybrid Tractors

Electric and hybrid tractor technologies offer several advantages over traditional diesel-powered models, including:

Reduced Emissions: Electric and hybrid tractors significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Improved Efficiency: These advanced powertrain technologies often provide higher energy efficiency and lower operating costs compared to conventional diesel tractors.

Quieter Operation: The silent operation of electric motors enhances the comfort and safety of tractor operators and nearby farm workers.

Regenerative Braking: Hybrid tractor models can capture and store energy during braking, further improving overall energy efficiency.

Key Tractor Manufacturers in the Electric and Hybrid Segment

Leading tractor manufacturers, such as John Deere, Kubota, and AGCO, have introduced a range of electric and hybrid tractor models to cater to the growing demand for sustainable agricultural equipment. These companies have invested heavily in research and development to develop innovative powertrain solutions that meet the evolving needs of farmers.

Charging Infrastructure and Battery Technology

The widespread adoption of electric and hybrid tractors is closely tied to the development of robust charging infrastructure and advancements in battery technology. Tractor manufacturers are collaborating with energy providers and infrastructure developers to establish charging networks in rural and agricultural areas, ensuring the seamless integration of these sustainable technologies.

Government Incentives and Regulations

Government policies and incentives play a crucial role in driving the adoption of electric and hybrid tractors. Initiatives such as tax credits, subsidies, and emission regulations are encouraging farmers and agricultural operators to transition towards more environmentally friendly equipment, further fueling the growth of this market segment.

Market Opportunities and Challenges

The rise of electric and hybrid tractors presents both opportunities and challenges for industry players:

Opportunities:

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship: The adoption of electric and hybrid tractors aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation.

Cost Savings: The lower operating and maintenance costs of electric and hybrid tractors can provide long-term financial benefits for farmers and agricultural operators.

Technological Leadership: Tractor manufacturers that pioneer the development and deployment of electric and hybrid technologies can establish a competitive advantage in the market.

Challenges:

Upfront Costs: The higher initial purchase price of electric and hybrid tractors compared to traditional diesel models can be a barrier for some farmers, particularly those with limited financial resources.

Range and Charging Time: Concerns about the limited range and extended charging times of electric tractors may hinder their widespread adoption in certain agricultural applications.

Infrastructure Development: The need for a comprehensive network of charging stations in rural and remote areas is crucial for the seamless integration of electric and hybrid tractors.

Conclusion

The tractor industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards more sustainable powertrain technologies, with electric and hybrid tractors emerging as a promising solution to address environmental concerns and improve energy efficiency in the agricultural sector. As tractor manufacturers continue to innovate and develop advanced electric and hybrid models, and governments provide supportive policies and incentives, the adoption of these technologies is expected to accelerate, contributing to a more sustainable future for the agricultural industry.

[worldbookday]

Join us as we explore the intersection between artificial intelligence and publishing, highlighting the essential role of authors and the risks to literary creation.

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[thetaxguyin]

ICAI's Guidance Note on Audit of Banks (2024 Edition)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) stands at the forefront of shaping the accounting profession, providing guidance and standards to ensure excellence and integrity in financial practices. as usual on February 14, 2024, ICAI issued the latest edition of its Guidance Note on Audit of Banks, offering comprehensive insights and directives for auditors navigating the complex…

[nickyysharmi]

Bridging Horizons: The Digital Journey Of India's Heartland

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the empowerment of citizens from small towns in India stands out as a compelling narrative. Spearheaded by initiatives like Digital India and fueled by the visionary leadership of individuals like Abhay Bhutada, Poonawalla Fincorp’s Managing Director, digitalization has emerged as the catalyst for transformation, unlocking new avenues of growth and opportunity for millions across the heartland of India.

The Digital Revolution Unleashed

The journey towards digital empowerment in India has been remarkable, marked by a surge in internet connectivity and smartphone usage. This surge has effectively broken down barriers to accessing and adopting digital technologies. Individuals like Abhay Bhutada from Latur, Maharashtra, epitomize this transformative shift, emphasizing how digitalization has empowered people in small towns, instilling in them a sense of confidence and belief in their ability to contribute to nation-building. This digital revolution has also reshaped the banking landscape, blending traditional banks with innovative fintech startups. Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, highlights this evolution, noting how digitalization has fundamentally changed how financial institutions engage with customers.

Also Read: MD Abhay Bhutada Provides Glimpse of Poonawalla’s Co-Branded Card Strategy in Q4

A Paradigm Shift In Banking

Central to this narrative of empowerment is the revolution unfolding within the banking sector. The advent of digital banking has revolutionized the way financial services are accessed and utilized. Mobile applications, online payments, and digital wallets have become ubiquitous, offering individuals seamless and secure channels to manage their finances. This shift has been particularly significant for citizens in small towns, where traditional banking infrastructure may have been limited.

Leading The Global Charge

India's prowess in digital payments is exemplified by its leadership in real-time transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). With over 600 million smartphone users, the country boasts a vibrant digital payments ecosystem, recording billions of transactions each month. Abhay Bhutada's insights resonate strongly here, showcasing how digitalization has transcended geographical barriers, empowering individuals from small towns to participate actively in the digital economy.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada Shares Insights on Poonawalla Fincorp’s Long-Term Objectives

Empowering Entrepreneurs And Innovators

The democratization of access to financial services has also catalyzed entrepreneurial endeavors across small towns in India. Fintech startups, in particular, have emerged as key enablers of financial inclusion, leveraging technology to address the unique needs of underserved communities. Through innovative solutions and agile business models, these startups are driving economic growth and fostering innovation at the grassroots level.

Navigating The Digital Divide

Despite the remarkable progress, challenges persist in bridging the digital divide. Connectivity issues, digital literacy, and infrastructural constraints remain hurdles that need to be addressed to ensure equitable access to digital services. Abhay Bhutada's vision for an inclusive digital future underscores the importance of concerted efforts to overcome these challenges and extend the benefits of digitalization to every corner of the country.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada wins a Special Recognition at Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year

Charting A Path Forward

As India continues its journey towards digital empowerment, collaboration and innovation will be key drivers of progress. By harnessing the transformative power of technology and fostering an ecosystem of inclusivity and accessibility, we can unlock the full potential of India's heartland. Abhay Bhutada's leadership serves as a guiding light, inspiring individuals and institutions alike to embrace the opportunities presented by the digital revolution and contribute towards building a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

In conclusion, the digitalization of India's heartland represents a watershed moment in the country's socio-economic trajectory. Empowered by technology and driven by a spirit of resilience and innovation, citizens from small towns are rewriting the narrative of progress and prosperity. With visionary leaders like Abhay Bhutada at the forefront, the digital renaissance unfolding across India's heartland holds the promise of a more inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all.

[marketxcel]

Unleashing Potential: Emerging Industries in the U.S. Market

Dive into the future of business with our blog on emerging industries in the U.S. Unleash potential opportunities, navigate trends, and stay ahead in dynamic market landscapes.

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Navigating the Growth Trajectory: Insights into the Dynamic Phosphoric Acid Market

The phosphoric acid market was USD 45,671.2 million in 2022, and it will grow at a rate of 4.1% in the years to come, to touch USD 63,186.8 million by 2030, as stated by a market research institution P&S Intelligence. The diammonium hydrogen phosphate market will grow significantly in the years to come with a rate of about 5%, because of the growing need for manure to increase agricultural…

[priyankap0018]

Diverse, Growing, Sustainable, Quality, Global

[kenresearch1]

Netherlands Agri-Tech Revolution: Factors Changing the Game

Buy Now

The Dutch agricultural equipment market was valued at approximately €2.5 billion in 2020, with steady growth projected in the coming years.

STORY OUTLINE

Dutch farmers leverage sensors, data analytics, and AI for optimized cultivation—enhancing efficiency and yields through data-driven precision beyond GPS.

Netherlands pioneer’s climate control, LED lighting, and water tech in greenhouses—year-round production, reduced ecological impact, and farming's future redefined.

Dutch expertise spreads worldwide, aiding nations with innovative solutions for agricultural challenges—bolstering sustainability and food security on a global scale.

Amidst obstacles like land scarcity, Dutch Agri-tech persists—innovation and R&D drive resilience, positioning the nation as an Agri-tech frontrunner.

In the heart of Europe, the Netherlands is silently orchestrating an Agri-tech revolution that's redefining the global agricultural landscape. The nation's innovative prowess and commitment to sustainability have ignited a transformation in farming practices, powered by advanced technologies. Let's explore the key factors that are driving this game-changing Agri-tech revolution.

1.Precision Farming Precision: Beyond GPS

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Precision farming has gone beyond the realms of conventional GPS-guided tractors. Dutch farmers are harnessing the potential of advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and artificial intelligence to optimize every aspect of cultivation.

From soil health monitoring to crop disease detection, this data-driven approach minimizes resource wastage and maximizes yields, steering agriculture into an era of unprecedented efficiency.

2.Greenhouse Intelligence: Cultivating Tomorrow

Greenhouse horticulture has transcended its humble beginnings to become a symbol of Dutch excellence. By employing sophisticated climate control systems, LED lighting, and water management technologies, the Netherlands is growing crops in controlled environments that mimic nature's best conditions.

This mastery has not only boosted year-round production but has also reduced the ecological footprint of farming. With a remarkable fusion of innovation, technology, and sustainability, the Dutch greenhouse sector is leading the charge in shaping the future of agriculture.

3.Challenges and the Path Forward

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While the Netherlands' Agri-tech revolution is undoubtedly transformative, it's not without its challenges. Land scarcity, an aging farming population, and regulatory intricacies present hurdles that require strategic solutions.

However, the Dutch determination to innovate, coupled with robust investments in research and development, is poised to overcome these obstacles.

In conclusion, the Netherlands Agri-tech revolution is a multidimensional transformation that encompasses precision farming, greenhouse excellence, robotics in dairy, sustainability, and global collaboration. This evolution is shifting the paradigm of agriculture from labor-intensive practices to knowledge-driven, tech-powered solutions. As the world grapples with the intricacies of feeding a growing population sustainably, the Dutch Agri-tech revolution stands as an inspiration and blueprint for a brighter, greener agricultural future.