Latest news with #Cold
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Fabulous Reads: No thrill in Temperance Brennan novel
Cold, Cold Bones, Kathy Reichs, Jonathan Ball Publishers, ISBN: 9781398510791 I HAVE to be brutally honest. For the 21st installment of the Temperance Brennan series, this book was surprisingly bad. For those who have never come across this series, Brennan, or Tempe, as she is affectionately known, is a forensic anthropologist who assists investigations where the remains are severely decomposed or degraded. Following a slow crime season during the winter months in North Carolina, Tempe's life unravels into chaos after a mysterious package containing a human eyeball is delivered to her door. When the bodies start piling up, and the case becomes personal, Tempe notices a pattern in the murders – they all resemble old cases she's worked on. Someone seems to be targeting her, and then her daughter, who has just returned from the war in Afghanistan with PTSD, goes MIA. This is where the book takes a turn for me. Tempe is supposed to be smart, but from the very first chapter, makes reckless and questionable decisions – including running into dangerous situations without backup and not reporting her daughter as missing. What's more, she was also slow to follow the evidence. Even when it was glaringly obvious. Because the story felt contrived and unbelievable, it took away the shine of Tempe's snarky and sassy character, as well as the blunt yet endearing squabbles between her and detective Erskine 'Skinny' Slidell (who is retired but assisting with the odd cold case). I also did not enjoy the writing style. It was primarily dialogue-driven and felt choppy and difficult to follow at times. The author also presented the evidence – the murders and how they were similar to the old cases – several times. Let's not even mention the amount of unnecessary information… The identity of the suspect became clear early on, and yet, their motive could have been stronger and better developed. I am sorry to say, if you are a Temperance Brennan fan, I would highly advise you to skip this edition. Mariclair Smit – 2/5 stars At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clean Energy Partnership Advances Indigenous Ownership in 19.8 MW Duchess Solar
Financing and support from CIB, AIOC, Selkirk Advisory and Equitable Life Disponible en français More than 100 jobs created during construction, others to support operations Cold Lake First Nations ownership supported by CIB's Indigenous Equity Initiative AIOC's first loan guarantee backstop of a renewable energy project COUNTY OF NEWELL, AB, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC), Selkirk Advisory Group Inc. (Selkirk) and Equitable Life of Canada (Equitable Life) are partnering to support Duchess Solar, a 19.8-megawatt solar facility being constructed in Duchess, Alberta, with a combined $48.1 million in financing. Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) will hold a majority ownership in the project, developed in partnership with Elemental Energy, with financing from two sources: (1) a $21 million Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative loan and a $5.2 million Indigenous Equity Investment loan from the CIB and (2) a $21 million project finance loan substantially guaranteed by AIOC, funded by Equitable Life and arranged by Selkirk. Power produced by 49,700 solar photovoltaic panels will supply approximately 7,000 households with reliable, lower-cost electricity and strengthen Alberta's energy grid. The project will also generate more than 100 jobs during construction, with full-time roles to support long-term operations and maintenance. The CIB's long-term financing, together with Equitable Life's financing supported by an AIOC loan guarantee strengthens CLFN's capacity to take on a majority ownership role. This partnership is expected to result in long-term revenue generation for Cold Lake First Nations that can be reinvested back into the community to support economic and community development opportunities. To date, the CIB has invested more than $1 billion with Indigenous communities across 28 projects. The CIB collaborates with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities on new projects in partnership with, and for the benefit of Indigenous communities across Canada. AIOC has $3 billion in capacity to facilitate Indigenous investments into major infrastructure projects in the natural resources, agriculture, transportation, telecommunications and tourism industries and plays a vital role in supporting Indigenous-led ownership of transformative infrastructure projects like Duchess Solar. Endorsements Duchess Solar is a great example of how flexible and innovative financing partnerships can drive success for Indigenous-led infrastructure projects. With the CIB's loan paired with private capital and a provincial loan guarantee, Cold Lake First Nations will benefit from meaningful, long lasting and direct economic benefits for future Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank As a nation of builders, it's time to build Canada stronger. We are building the strongest economy in the G7, but this can't happen without the full participation of Indigenous peoples. The new Duchess Solar facility will supply 7,000 homes in the region with clean, renewable energy. With the help of the CIB's project financing and Indigenous Equity loans, Cold Lake First Nations will retain majority ownership in the project, marking another important step forward in advancing economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples across Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Cold Lake First Nations is honoured and proud to announce Duchess Solar with our partner Elemental Energy. Building from our vision of expanding our portfolio in clean energy, we look forward to development and operations of a project that will benefit our community for decades. We would like to acknowledge the commitment and creativity of our financial partners, the CIB, AIOC, Selkirk and Equitable Life who have made the financial resources possible for CLFN to hold a majority ownership position. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our partners to deliver an innovative commercial structure. Chief Kelsey Jacko, Łouwe Chok 'Touwe, Cold Lake First Nations Elemental is very excited to complete this creative financing structure to support our growing partnership with Cold Lake First Nations as we look to collaborate to bring additional renewable energy projects to Alberta. We are grateful for the partnership with CLFN and the support of all the financial partners involved who worked diligently and collaboratively to get this across the Houssian, Principal, Elemental Energy This project represents a powerful example of economic reconciliation in action. Through this Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation loan guarantee, we're proud to help Cold Lake First Nations build generational wealth while contributing to Alberta's transition to a more sustainable and reliable power grid — one that includes renewables paired with natural gas. This is what it looks like when Indigenous communities are in the driver's seat of their own economic Martineau, CEO, AIOC This new solar farm is a shining example of the diverse and forward-looking projects supported by the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. By empowering Indigenous communities to invest in Alberta's energy future—whether in traditional or renewable sectors—we're supporting local economies, creating jobs and building a stronger, more inclusive economy for generations to Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations, Government of Alberta Selkirk greatly appreciates the opportunity to support Cold Lake First Nations and Elemental Energy with project financing for this important project, as well as the partnership of Equitable Life, AIOC and the CIB. This project is a great example of what can happen with creativity and collaboration. Selkirk is proud to have participated in such a meaningful way. We look forward to continuing to support the partners through construction and into operations, and in particular, to seeing the impactful economic benefits this project will generate for Cold Lake First Nations community for years to Doubilet, Managing Partner, Selkirk Equitable is proud to play a role in this project which serves to provide additional clean energy to Alberta's grid and economic benefits to Cold Lake First Nations for years to come. It was great to collaborate with Cold Lake First Nations and Elemental Energy and to partner with Selkirk, the CIB and Proper, Executive Vice-President, Investments, Equitable Life Learn More: Canada Infrastructure BankCold Lake First NationsElemental EnergyAlberta Indigenous Opportunities CorporationSelkirk Advisory GroupThe Equitable Life Insurance Company SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Somerset man's new poetry collection tackles love, loss, war and peace
A new collection of poems and songs has been published by a Somerset poet and songwriter. John Eaton's collection, Life is a Rollercoaster, explores themes of love, loss, war, and peace, and was published on Monday, May 5. The collection, which also contains 13 songs, also focus on specific moments in history, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Poems such as Immortal Shrine and Cold, Cold Heart highlight the violence and coldness of war. Lines from Immortal Shine include: "It is sad, so very sad, when you see bodies in the street, blood pooling by their feet. "Raping children by the side of the road, then watching their bodies decompose. "Massacre; genocidal crimes. "What is it that you feel inside?" Another verse from Cold, Cold Heart reads: "It's winter in the cities; it's freezing in the towns. "The countryside is full of snow, you're aiming to bring our country down. "You've got a cold, cold heart. "You're lost in your cold, cold mind." For the songs in the collection, readers can scan the accompanying QR codes to hear and see music videos. The collection can be purchased from all good bookstores or at A spokesperson for Mr Eaton said: "This powerful anthology invites you to reflect deeply on the meaning of existence, guiding you through the highs and lows of the human experience. "Feel the heartbreak of loss and the bitterness of conflict yet find solace in love and the fragile peace that follows. "Through it all, the unwavering theme of resilience shines, reminding us of our capacity to endure and overcome."
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kevin O'Leary offers important advice on Social Security and retirement, ‘Throw out your plan for freedom at…'
Kevin O'Leary, the prominent entrepreneur and Shark Tank's star investor, has shared an important message on Social Security and the amount of revenue people need in retirement along with the federal program's monthly checks. He has highlighted that 'Social Security payments were never designed to fully support retirees as their sole source of income.' With the average monthly payment of $1,900, it doesn't ensure a comfortable retirement for the senior citizens that they want. To have a financially stable future, workers often turn to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans that allow them to make annual contributions up to a specific limit and invest that money for their later years after working days are over. It has added company-matching contributions which offer an added incentive. In the plan, traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) are made with pre-tax dollars, so retirees owe taxes on withdrawals during retirement. However, Roth IRAs require taxes to be paid upfront on contributions, which allows retirees to make tax-free withdrawals later in life. O'Leary has provided additional guidance on Social Security checks and other income during retirement, saying, 'First of all, you need less than you'd imagine, and panicking helps nothing. The best antidote to panic is realism. If you hit the age of sixty-five in good health, life is just going to be a lot cheaper to live. If you're realistic.' In O'Leary's book 'Cold, Hard Truth on Men, Women & Money,' he cited experts who suggested that retirees need about 65% of their gross salary after retirement. For instance, if an individual earns $100,000 annually, they would require $65,000 in the first year of retirement to cover their expenses. As the average annual Social Security benefits are about $23,000, any retiree would require an additional $42,000 per year to sustain their comfortable retirement, assuming that one will want to maintain roughly the same standard of living that they enjoyed before retiring. O'Leary said, 'Of course, you ate out a lot, bought hardcover books to read on the subway, and got a brand-new coat every winter. But in retirement, you won't need to finance your lifestyle in the same way. There will be no commuting, fewer lunches out, and lower dry-cleaning bills.' 'If you don't think you can go days without spending money on useless crap like magazines, gum, or coffee, then you're going to be in trouble a few years into retirement,' he added. 'If you're healthy and happy, being old is cheap. Walking, working part-time, and living a life of purpose and meaning don't require a lot of money, just planning and discipline.' O'Leary also pointed out the importance of getting out of debt before retiring, saying, 'If you're heading toward retirement with debt, now's the time to budget like you've never budgeted before. I mean it.' He added, 'Don't retire until you can afford it. Throw out your plan for freedom at fifty-five or even sixty-five. If you have debt, you need your job, so you have to do everything in your power to keep it. Get a part-time job, too, while you're at it and while you're still spry enough to handle it.'
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kevin O'Leary offers inportant advice on social security and retirement
Kevin O'Leary, the prominent entrepreneur and Shark Tank's star investor, has shared an important message on Social Security and the amount of revenue people need in retirement along with the federal program's monthly checks. He has highlighted that 'Social Security payments were never designed to fully support retirees as their sole source of income.' With the average monthly payment of $1,900, it doesn't ensure a comfortable retirement for the senior citizens that they want. To have a financially stable future, workers often turn to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans that allow them to make annual contributions up to a specific limit and invest that money for their later years after working days are over. It has added company-matching contributions which offer an added incentive. In the plan, traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) are made with pre-tax dollars, so retirees owe taxes on withdrawals during retirement. However, Roth IRAs require taxes to be paid upfront on contributions, which allows retirees to make tax-free withdrawals later in life. O'Leary has provided additional guidance on Social Security checks and other income during retirement, saying, 'First of all, you need less than you'd imagine, and panicking helps nothing. The best antidote to panic is realism. If you hit the age of sixty-five in good health, life is just going to be a lot cheaper to live. If you're realistic.' In O'Leary's book 'Cold, Hard Truth on Men, Women & Money,' he cited experts who suggested that retirees need about 65% of their gross salary after retirement. For instance, if an individual earns $100,000 annually, they would require $65,000 in the first year of retirement to cover their expenses. As the average annual Social Security benefits are about $23,000, any retiree would require an additional $42,000 per year to sustain their comfortable retirement, assuming that one will want to maintain roughly the same standard of living that they enjoyed before retiring. O'Leary said, 'Of course, you ate out a lot, bought hardcover books to read on the subway, and got a brand-new coat every winter. But in retirement, you won't need to finance your lifestyle in the same way. There will be no commuting, fewer lunches out, and lower dry-cleaning bills.' 'If you don't think you can go days without spending money on useless crap like magazines, gum, or coffee, then you're going to be in trouble a few years into retirement,' he added. 'If you're healthy and happy, being old is cheap. Walking, working part-time, and living a life of purpose and meaning don't require a lot of money, just planning and discipline.' O'Leary also pointed out the importance of getting out of debt before retiring, saying, 'If you're heading toward retirement with debt, now's the time to budget like you've never budgeted before. I mean it.' He added, 'Don't retire until you can afford it. Throw out your plan for freedom at fifty-five or even sixty-five. If you have debt, you need your job, so you have to do everything in your power to keep it. Get a part-time job, too, while you're at it and while you're still spry enough to handle it.'
