Latest news with #Jim
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Extreme weather survivalist explains why mega tsunami could be truly 'devastating'
Meteorologist Jim Dale has offered his thoughts on the tsunami issues that have been issued across parts of the world today, following an earthquake of a magnitude comparable to those that wreaked devastation in 2004 and 2011 An expert has shared their thoughts as alarming tsunami warnings are issued in various parts of the world, with ferocious waves having already crashed against the shores of Russia, Hawaii, California, and Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Senior meteorologist Jim Dale, who founded meteorological operator British Weather Services, has explained why the 8.8-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami waves have sparked such concern, while issuing a serious warning to anyone who finds themselves caught up in this sort of dangerous situation. Speaking with the Mirror, Jim noted that "at this moment in time we're in the sort of waiting period to see exactly what impacts unfold", as fears over potential casualties circulate. He revealed: "Because the playground is so big, the Northern Pacific, we've got to wait and see how that affects." This comes as Hawaii, Japan and US issued with warnings after monster earthquake This comes as footage shows horror moment waves from 8.8 magnitude quake smash Japan This monster quake is understood to be the biggest since March 2011, when a magnitude-9.0 shake struck 250 miles off the northeastern coast of Honshu, the largest island in Japan. Notably, this earthquake occurred just 20 miles below the Pacific Ocean's surface, a relatively shallow depth. This factor, when combined with the high magnitude, led to a catastrophic tsunami. Some 15,894 people died, while a further 26,152 individuals were injured. Amid the widespread destruction, Japan saw serious damage inflicted on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, leading to hazardous meltdowns. To this day, this long-evacuated area remains a no-go zone. Comparisons have also been made with the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, a tragedy whereby a 9.2–9.3 earthquake triggered a nightmarish tsunami with waves as high as 30 m (100 ft). Also known as the Asian Tsunami, this event decimated communities along the coasts of Indonesia, India, and Thailand. It remains the deadliest event of the 21st century so far, claiming more than230,000 lives. Footage of fierce waves striking shorelines today will, no doubt, bring back painful memories for many. However, Jim has cautioned against drawing comparisons with the 2011 and 2004 tragedies, as the current event continues to unfold. While he feels it's "too soon" to make any predictions, Jim is cautiously optimistic that we won't see the sort of devastation that emerged in 2004. Jim told us: "It's obviously too soon, but my instant reaction, given we're now eight hours past the actual earthquake itself, the premier one, I would have expected if we're going to see that kind of destruction, that we would have seen some of that already, to be frank with you. Particularly in and around where the earthquake has been, the Kamchatka Peninsula. "That's where you would expect it to be; that's where it is. It's a shallow earthquake, apparently, so some of those can be quite devastating in terms of producing the biggest types of waves. "So, because this part of the world is fairly remote-ish, and then you've got Alaska on the other side, and then the massive ocean, and then Hawaii, and then the west coast of America. You kind of have to wait, but I do not think at this stage that we're in the same category as 2004. We're yet to see, but I don't think so." In this case, Jim has emphasised that this particular quake has "nothing to do with climate change", and is a "geological not meteorological event". Furthermore, even though this earthquake is indeed of a similar size to these two harrowing quakes, scale isn't the only factor that affects the overall impact, and the positioning of the plates can be just as important. Jim said: "These things will always have their own uniqueness, wherever the adeptonic place will be, it depends where it is, it depends how deep it is, how shallow it is, it depends what the landmass next door to it is, etc. "So there are lots of different components in every earthquake that happens, but essentially, if we're trying to compare, I don't think we can properly compare; we've got to bide time. You know, because it still might unfold in days to come if there are further shocks, etc, etc. "But for now, we've got a look at particularly unpopulated areas, by which I mean more remote areas that might have been on social media, that may have seen tremendous damage, we'll see. But for the likes of Japan, Hawaii, the west coast of America, I doubt that we'll be seeing the kind of devastation that we saw in 2004, for example." With this in mind, Jim is cautious about making any predictions about the number of fatalities, but has noted that, had this quake happened in a more densely populated area, then we could have been looking at" countless hundreds of thousands [of deaths] without a shadow of a doubt." He went on: "If it happens in a remote area, this being one of them, it's probably arguably got less chance of doing fatality damage than if it happened right next to a big urban area, such as Tokyo, for example." Jim noted that "lessons have been learned" in the years since previous weather events devastated communities, with authorities reacting quickly to the situation as it continues to unfold, with this sort of preparation undoubtedly saving lives. According to Jim: "The emergency warnings that go out do save lives. Make that absolutely clear. Places like Japan are a good example of a place that is well equipped to deal with this kind of event, because they've got the backup. They're a first-world country, obviously, and they've got the backup of emergency shelters, evacuation routes. They know what to do; they're very well trained." However, Jim, who teaches seminars on how to survive earthquakes and tsunamis, has also cautioned that survival can ultimately come down to individual actions and decisions made with mere seconds to spare. This, of course, includes knowing what not to do should disaster strike. As a regular traveller to earthquake and tsunami hotspots, he's previously been surprised by how little some seminar attendees know. Jim, who co-wrote the book Surviving Extreme Weather, urged: "If individuals know what to do beyond the local authorities, then it's a bit like, if a tsunami happened on a beach, you see the sea going back out again. You don't go and pick shells, you don't take photographs for social media, you get the hell out of there as fast as you can. Aim for higher ground, higher buildings." According to Jim, those who find themselves in a high-rise building in the event of an earthquake shouldn't risk getting out of there via the stairs or lift, and should instead take shelter under their desk, taking precautions to protect their head. However, those in low rise buildings should aim to get outside. Jim warned: "If it's just a normal two-story building, you'd want to get out, you know, get out the front door and get into the open space away from buildings. Why? Because the buildings falling are the things that are going to get you in the end". Talking specifically about earthquakes, Jim added: "If you get yourself into an open space where nothing can fall on you, trees, buildings, you're virtually safe. The chances of the ground opening up and swallowing you up are very, very small. The chance of a building falling on you is far higher."
Business Wire
2 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Aeon Legal Tech Appoints James Dougherty as Chief Customer Officer to Accelerate Growth and Drive Client Success
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aeon Legal Tech, the secure AI-powered platform transforming transactional legal workflows, today announced the appointment of James ('Jim') Dougherty as Chief Customer Officer. With over 20 years of experience building and managing successful SaaS startups and legal technology organizations, Jim will lead Aeon's customer engagement, revenue growth, and client success initiatives. James's leadership will help Aeon better serve their clients and further their mission to revolutionize transactional law through secure, AI-powered solutions. Share Jim Dougherty is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth and fostering long-term client relationships. Over the past decade, he has worked extensively with software companies serving corporate legal teams and outside counsel, giving him a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the legal tech sector. In his new role, Jim will focus on expanding Aeon's reach across law firms and banks, enhancing the customer experience, and scaling adoption of Aeon's innovative solutions, including Aeon Writer, Aeon Abstractor, and Aeon Bank. 'Jim's experience in shaping and rapidly growing sales organizations will be instrumental as Aeon continues to expand,' said Jeff Livingston, President at Aeon. 'His leadership will help us better serve our clients and further our mission to revolutionize transactional law through secure, AI-powered solutions.' Jim Dougherty shared, 'I'm thrilled to join Aeon at such an exciting stage of growth. The platform addresses critical inefficiencies in transactional legal work, and I look forward to partnering with our customers to help them unlock new levels of efficiency and client service.' Prior to Aeon, Jim led go-to-market strategy and sales process improvement efforts for numerous SaaS companies, including start-ups and Fortune 500 organizations, helping them exceed revenue goals, raise venture capital, and achieve successful exits through M&A. To learn more about Aeon Legal Tech, visit About Aeon Legal Tech Aeon Legal Tech delivers secure, AI-powered software that accelerates the preparation of transactional legal documents, streamlines workflows, and enables teams to focus on high-value work. Purpose-built for law firms and banks, Aeon integrates seamlessly with existing systems and provides unmatched speed, security, and accuracy.
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Transporting New Zealand Releases "How-To" HPMV Permitting Videos
Over the last 15 years or so, High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) have become more visible on New Zealand roads. They are heavier, longer, and - surprisingly for some - more efficient, safer, and greener. HPMV's increased freight capacity reduces the number of required vehicle trips, resulting in emission reductions, reduced congestion, and reduced accident risk ( Report to the Ministry of Transport, 2015). HPMVs also pay significantly higher rates of Road User Charges than other heavy vehicles, based on their impact on the pavement. This ensures they contribute proportionally to road maintenance and improvement. HPMVs operate under permits issued by NZTA and local councils, on roads and bridges that can accommodate the additional mass and length of the larger vehicles. NZTA processed 7,000 heavy vehicle permits in 2023. Unfortunately for road freight companies and their customers, applying for a HPMV permit can be a complicated process. This includes navigating NZTA's permitting portal, carefully measuring the vehicle, entering the data correctly, and then waiting for the permit to be granted. In response to member feedback, Transporting New Zealand has produced a series of three "How-To" videos, presented by Membership Manager Jim Crouchley. "Many operators find it difficult to know where to start with the HPMV process and no one really knows who to call to help." says Jim. "We wanted to show how to start the process, and what operators will need to have in front of them to complete the task. The ability to pause the video and work through the stages should be helpful for people who only do this process from time to time." "These guides show operators how to register their business on the NZTA permitting portal, measure a vehicle when applying for a permit, and upload a permit application to NZTA." Transporting New Zealand has shared the first of the three videos, with the remaining two guides available to members through their membership portal. Reforms boosting freight productivity In addition to providing educational resources, Transporting New Zealand has consistently advocated for the Government to simplify permitting processes and get more efficient trucks on the road. Transport Minister Chris Bishop recently announced a comprehensive reform of New Zealand's land transport rules, that provide an excellent opportunity to facilitate such improvements. Transporting New Zealand has been providing feedback to regulators on how to unlock greater productivity, and continues to work with government officials.
The Province
16 hours ago
- The Province
'We're going into the red': Family of B.C. child in government care wants end to monthly fee
After placing their child under a special needs agreement, an Abbotsford family was charged a $450 monthly fee Glenda Luymes Published Jul 29, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 4 minute read Jim and Patti Gerbrand made the hard decision to place their child under a special needs agreement with the province. They are speaking out about the fees charged for his care. Photo by Patti Gerbrand When Jim and Patti Gerbrand's 13-year-old son ran away from home for the third time in a week, they felt they could no longer care for him. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The boy, who was the subject of a missing person alert earlier this month, was found at Cultus Lake. He had slept a night beside the lake, and another on the grass outside a gas station. He hadn't eaten or taken his medication in three days. After discussion with social workers, the Abbotsford couple entered a special needs agreement with the Ministry of Children and Families, where their son would be temporarily placed with a foster caregiver. They were assessed a $450 monthly fee. 'We don't know where the money is going to come from,' Jim Gerbrand said Friday. The couple has started a petition asking the B.C. government to end the fees it charges when children are temporarily placed in care because their parents are unable to meet their needs. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Many of us have spent years pleading for in‑home and mental‑health supports that never arrived,' it reads. 'Only when our children's crises reach life‑threatening levels — self‑harm, violence, or running away — does the system intervene, removing our children from the home and then billing us for their care.' A family can enter a special needs agreement with the ministry when the needs of their child cannot be met at home and there is no child protection concern. The agreement is similar to a voluntary care agreement, but involves kids who may need a higher level of care and support. Under both agreements, parents have decision-making authority, maintain guardianship of their child, and are responsible for contributing financially to their care. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The ministry said in a statement that the roles of the parents, caregiver, and ministry are outlined in the special needs agreement and 'are unique to each child/youth and their circumstances.' It said that when child protection concerns are not at issue, a parent can end the agreement at under time. At the end of June 2025, there were 229 children under special needs agreement and 249 under voluntary care agreements in B.C. The Gerbrands, who have three biological children, adopted two brothers as toddlers about 10 years ago. The boys had prenatal exposure to methamphetamine and alcohol. The ministry 'promises to support you at the start. They promise the world. But it's not that simple, and here, at the end, at the culmination of everything, there's a complete lack of support,' said Gerbrand. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The family lost their child tax benefit, disability benefit and post-adoption assistance when they signed the agreement — another financial hit for a family trying to keep up with the cost of living. Most of their expenses have not changed, but they must now find several thousand dollars more each month. 'We're going into the red,' said Gerbrand, who plans to refinance the family's home to make ends meet. He said that when he spoke to a social worker about the financial toll, they advised his wife to get a job. She was previously employed as an early childhood educator, but had to quit when their sons' mental health struggles became too much to manage. The boys, who are now 13 and 12, had trouble at school, sometimes attending for only two hours a day, three days a week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Patti Gerbrand said the ministry offered some support for the boys' care after their adoption, including parenting courses and three counselling sessions, but it took 'years, upon years, upon years' to receive money for more advanced therapy. By then it was too late. As the boys entered adolescence, their mental health issues increased. Their younger son's escalating crisis ended with an incident involving police. He was placed under a special needs agreement earlier this year, for which the family was assessed a $900 monthly fee. That amount was reduced after they spoke to the office of the B.C. representative for children and youth, which advocated for them. They were assessed the same fee after they entered a second voluntary care agreement last week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I feel like every person adopting … needs to be supported with wraparound service from the get-go,' said Patti. 'There should be counselling for the whole family, and it should start early.' The family said they view their sons' mental health struggles as a 'long-term chronic illness.' But unlike a hospital stay for a physical illness, there is a financial penalty to get them care. They hope that after a break, the boy will be able to come home. 'We really want them home. We want our family to be whole again,' said Patti. The couple said they felt compelled to speak out for other B.C. families who are afraid their kids may be taken away if they complain about the fees. In a Facebook support group for parents of adopted children, they have heard from those who returned their children to full government care so they could get support that their family couldn't provide on their own. The ministry said it would not comment on any specific case for privacy reasons. There are certain circumstances where the parental contribution to the special needs agreement can be waived, including if a family's total income is from social assistance, or if the care is needed on an emergency basis for less than 30 days. gluymes@ Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Sports Golf News Vancouver Canucks
CNBC
20 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Is Palo Alto joining the M&A party? Plus, the S&P 500 hits an earnings bump
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Market update: Stocks are slightly weaker, with the S & P 500 on track for its first negative session since July 18. Earnings could be the culprit, with negative reactions outweighing the positives. The bigger test comes later in the week when we get the quarters and commentary from several megacap tech stocks including Microsoft , Meta Platforms , Amazon , and Apple . More deals : Several multi-billion-dollar deals have been announced over the past week, spanning industries from banking and railroads to energy. Now it appears cybersecurity may be joining the party. Shares of Palo Alto Networks dipped after The Wall Street Journal reported the cybersecurity company was in talks to acquire identity management company CyberArk Software in a deal that could value it at more than $20 billion. Representatives from both companies declined to comment when reached by on Tuesday. It's not the first talk of a deal this month involving Palo Alto: The company was previously reported to be interested in buying SentinelOne , although that story was quickly denied by Palo Alto. We'll have to see where this one goes, but strategically the deal makes sense since it would boost Palo Alto's presence in the increasingly important identity and access management market. Palo Alto shares fell on the news as investors braced for this hefty price target and risks associated with large scale M & A. But one could argue that this deregulatory administration makes it a good time to make a big deal. Up next: Starbucks reports its latest earnings after the closing bell, along with Visa , Booking Holdings , PPG , Republic Services , and Seagate . Before the bell on Wednesday, Vertiv , GE Healthcare , Altria , Kraft Heinz , Generac , Humana , Hershey , and VF Corp deliver results. Data releases include mortgage applications, ADP employment, and the advanced read on second quarter GDP. Wednesday is also Fed day, with the FOMC rate announcement set for 2 p.m. ET. With interest rates expected to stay unchanged, investors will listen closely to Chairman Jerome Powell's remarks for clues to the central bank's next move in September. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
