Latest news with #Launchpad
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Millions of taxpayers' money has been spent on prisoner laptops
Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been spent on providing prisoners with laptops. A Freedom of Information Request submitted by the campaign group Senedd Waste revealed that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) had spent £6.28 million on laptops for prisoners in England and Wales over the past three years. The framing of the response from the ministry suggests that the primary objective of this scheme is to provide prisoners with access to 'Launchpad', which is an 'in-cell tech programme that gives prisoners secure laptops with digital services in their cells to support their rehabilitation'. The programme has been rolled out in 19 prisons, reaching around 12,900 inmates. But the MOJ's description of Launchpad continues, going considerably further beyond what the average law-abiding Joe would reasonably consider necessary to rehabilitate a convicted criminal into society. We are told that the programme is designed to offer 'distraction to empower prisoners on the inside, to live better lives on the outside'. Is the purpose of prison to distract convicted criminals while they serve their sentences? I would call this a hopeless infantalisation of our criminal justice system but the reality is more absurd. Even children on the naughty step are invited to reflect on their behaviour as they serve out their period of exclusion. The programme is designed to improve inmates' 'peace of mind knowing their laptop can only be used by them', because 'prisoners report they like 'something just for them''. The MOJ further notes that 'prisoners engaging with fresh, relevant, useful and relaxing content 24/7 [emphasis added] report improved mood, reduced self-harm and lower frustration levels'. In their response to Senedd Waste's Freedom of Information request, the MOJ confirmed that the laptops, which provide prisoners with 'tools and technology to help maintain relationships, support health and wellbeing', are issued to be used 'without supervision'. Which raises the very logical question, also put to the ministry by the campaign group, what safeguards are in place to ensure the laptops are not used for nefarious purposes. This query was declined on security grounds, so we are left to arrive at our own conclusion. A spokesman for the DOJ however confirmed to me that 'all in-cell technology is fitted out with tough security measures and cannot be used to browse the internet.' But tech security is a tricky business. Adding convicted criminals to the mix demonstrates a sort of unfounded self-confidence which only the taxpayer-funded public sector can afford to entertain. Such as that shown by Humza Yousaf in 2020 as Scotland's Justice Secretary, when £7.6 million was spent on providing inmates – including 'murderers, paedophiles and gangland thugs' – with personal mobile phones to keep in touch with their families during the pandemic, 'to aid the mental health and wellbeing of those in our care and their loved ones.' The scheme had to be abandoned after the phones were found to be used to commit 'more than 8,000 security breaches, including drug deals, hit jobs and the fire-bombing of family homes' as, rather predictably, illicit SIM cards could be easily used to bypass restrictions. As we reported last year, the mobile phones were then replaced with landlines, taking the total cost of the scheme to £12 million. For taxpayers' sake let us hope that the MOJ has more robust security precautions in place. But is there a framework in place for the ministry to record and assess the success of the programme? At the time of writing this, four days have passed since I posed this question to Shabana Mahmood's department. I have yet to receive an answer. Hardly a day goes by without our criminal justice system hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. From releasing dangerous criminals early to providing child-killing terrorists with access to sweet treats in prison, the news reports paint a picture of a system which is completely out of sync with the nation, chipping away at the public's confidence in it. This story is a depressing reminder of just how great the chasm remains between those who run prison services and those who pay for them.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
MEXC Officially Unveils Launchpad Platform: Acquire BTC at Discounted Prices
VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has officially unveiled its new Launchpad, an innovative token issuance platform that provides users with guaranteed access to high-quality projects at discounted prices. MEXC's first-ever Launchpad event and debut offering lets users subscribe to select tokens and unlock discounts on BTC. According to data from Triple-A, the global crypto user base has surpassed 560 million, and market momentum continues to grow. However, many users remain sidelined from having early investment access to promising projects, but also access to established assets at significant discounts due to high entry barriers and complex risk factors. MEXC Launchpad addresses these pain points with a redesigned, fully upgraded investment platform that breaks through the traditional IEO (Initial Exchange Offering) model. By offering discounted access to premium project tokens, Launchpad aims to provide users with inclusive access to high-quality crypto investments, helping retail users capture emerging and established market opportunities. Because of these highlights, MEXC Launchpad is known for being the "Your Easiest Way to Top Tokens — Early or at a Discount." Key features of the Launchpad include: Discounted Access to Token Subscriptions The platform adopts a differentiated pricing strategy, offering users the opportunity to subscribe at prices below market expectations. This significantly lowers the cost barrier for retail investors to participate in high-quality projects and positions them to benefit from potential gains after the token is listed. Fair Participation Breaking away from traditional lottery systems and favoring large holders, MEXC Launchpad ensures that all eligible users can participate on equal footing. Users are not required to complete complex tasks to subscribe, a feat that significantly improves participation and enhances accessibility. Rigorous and Professional Project Selection MEXC has implemented a rigorous evaluation framework that assesses projects across multiple dimensions, including technology and innovation, team background, and development potential. This professional vetting process ensures that only high-quality projects are featured, helping users manage investment risk effectively. Flexible and Diverse Subscription Models Users can participate using designated tokens, with both non-oversubscription and oversubscription models available. In the non-oversubscribed model, users receive tokens based on the amount committed. The oversubscribed model uses a proportional allocation mechanism to ensure a fair distribution process. The debut MEXC Launchpad event offers BTC-based subscriptions, featuring special discount packages tailored to different types of users. New User Exclusive: Subscribe at up to 90% off (as low as 10% of the market price), with subscription limits ranging from 5 to 55 USDT and a total supply of 4 BTC. All Users: Enjoy a 20% discount on subscriptions, with subscription limits from 25 to 250 USD1 and a total supply of 3 BTC. Referral Rewards: Earn a 5 USDT bonus for each new user referred, up to a maximum of 100 USDT in referral rewards. Subscription Period: June 6 to June 20 "The release of MEXC Launchpad marks a major milestone in MEXC's commitment to inclusive finance," said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC. " By offering a fair and simple subscription model, we're making premium project investment accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few. Choosing BTC as the first featured asset opens a new channel for everyday users to participate in "digital gold." Looking ahead, we'll continue introducing high-quality projects to bring more value to our global users." Cryptocurrency investing involves significant risk and is subject to market volatility. Investors may face potential loss of principal. Please ensure you thoroughly understand the project details and carefully evaluate your risk tolerance before making any investment decisions. The first BTC Launchpad event is now live on MEXC. For more details, visit the official Launchpad page: About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
Engadget
23-05-2025
- Engadget
How to uninstall apps on Mac
Whether you are trying to free up storage space or just want to tidy up your system, uninstalling apps on a Mac is a straightforward process. In many cases, removing an application is as simple as dragging it to the Trash, but depending on how the app was installed, there may be a few extra steps involved. Third-party tools are an option, but in most cases, you can uninstall Mac apps easily yourself. Some apps also leave behind associated files that you may want to get rid of to free up space, or to remove every last trace for a cleaner uninstall. Here is a step-by-step guide to uninstalling apps on a Mac, covering several different methods to help you manage your device effectively. Launchpad provides a simple way to remove apps that were downloaded from the App Store. Open Launchpad by clicking its icon in the Dock or by pinching closed with your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad. Find the app you want to delete. You can look it up in the search bar at the top if needed. Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle. Click the small X button in the app icon's corner. Confirm by clicking Delete. If you do not see an X button, the app was likely not installed from the App Store. In that case, you will need to use a different method to remove it. For apps downloaded from the internet or installed from a disk, you can uninstall them manually through Finder. Open Finder. Navigate to the Applications folder. Locate the app you want to uninstall. Drag the app to the Trash in the Dock, or right-click the app and select Move to Trash. To completely remove the app, right-click on the Trash and select Empty Trash. Some applications may require you to enter your administrator password to complete the deletion. Also, don't empty your Trash too quickly after an install. Whether it's a program or files associated with one, it can be easier to retrieve those things if they're still lingering in your Trash. Certain apps come with their own built-in uninstallers, especially larger programs like Adobe products, Microsoft Office or antivirus software. These uninstallers are designed to remove the app and all associated files. Open the Applications folder in Finder. Look for a folder associated with the app you want to uninstall. Open the folder and find the uninstaller tool, often labeled as Uninstall [App Name] or something similar. Double-click the uninstaller and follow the on-screen instructions. If you do not see an uninstaller, check the app's official website for specific removal instructions. Dragging an app to the Trash usually removes the application, but some support files, caches, and preferences can remain on your Mac. These leftover files do not typically harm your system, but they can take up unnecessary space over time. To manually delete leftover files: Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar. Select Go to Folder. Type ~/Library and press Return. Search for any folders or files related to the app. Common places to check include: ~/Library/Application Support/ ~/Library/Preferences/ ~/Library/Caches/ Move any related files or folders to the Trash. Empty Trash to permanently remove them. Be cautious when deleting files from the Library folder. Only remove files that are clearly associated with the app you uninstalled. For users comfortable with command-line tools, Terminal offers another way to remove apps. This method can be useful for stubborn apps that do not uninstall easily through other methods. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities. Type the following command: sudo rm -rf (do not press return/enter just yet), then drag across the app you wish to uninstall, and Terminal will automatically paste its path. Then press enter/return. Enter your administrator password when prompted and hit return to complete the action. Terminal does not provide a confirmation message, so make sure you enter the correct app name before executing the command. MacOS does not allow users to remove core system apps like Safari, Messages or Mail through standard methods. These apps are protected to maintain system stability. While it is technically possible to delete system apps using Terminal commands and disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP), this is not recommended. Removing system apps can cause unexpected behavior and security vulnerabilities, and may interfere with system updates. For apps you cannot uninstall, consider hiding them or removing them from the Dock if you want to keep your workspace tidy. If you change your mind after uninstalling an app, it is usually easy to reinstall it. For apps downloaded from the App Store, open the App Store , search for the app and click Get or the Download button. For apps downloaded from the web, revisit the official website and download the latest version. If you deleted a default macOS app, restoring it may require reinstalling macOS or using the macOS Recovery feature. Keeping a backup of important apps or their installers can help avoid any inconvenience if you need to reinstall them later.
Business Mayor
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
A Spiky Jewelry "Box"—and More Unhinged Objects From North America's Largest Furniture Fair
Once again, it's time for ICFF, North America's largest furniture fair—a three-day extravaganza that packs a lot of chairs, rugs, lamps, and delight into the most undelightful location, the Javits Center near Manhattan's blustery West Side Highway. As is standard, one of the more exciting aspects of the event is Launchpad, a centerpiece for new and emerging talent from design schools around the country. I can say with certainty that I am rarely, if ever, disappointed here. Join me on my journey. Appartement2 French brand Appartement2 showed a modular storage system that comes in a variety of colors. Caroline Grondin and Guillaume Avraguez of Réunion Island, France, brought their stocky and charming Totemique collection and the purple iteration caught my eye immediately. Conceptualized as a modular storage system, the lacquered cubes can be stacked or arranged however you see fit. The chunky wooden legs and round stone handles are also customizable. When viewed up close, the pieces had a commanding presence, but in a fun way. A tower of storage opportunities! In a sea of chairs, Super Studio's elegant and simple (and shiny!) seat was a nice visual reprieve. Sebastian Martinez's lounge chair, Convergence, is simple in its construction, with a cherry wood seat and polished aluminum frame. Admittedly, it was the shiny bit that caught my eye first, but upon closer inspection, I was in thrall of its simplicity and its attention to detail—a mirrored bit of aluminum on the chair's underside reflects the wooden frame, creating an infinity-mirror effect that gives the furniture some visual heft. Portals Collection by Studio Bucky The mirror from Studio Bucky's Portals collection looks like a door and comes with a chunky, bespoke handle. And yes, there is a key for that lock. Alex Buckeridge of Studio Bucky, an architect and interior designer by trade, is making his foray into furniture with the Portals collection. What caught my attention about the mirror here was the illusion created by the thickness of the frame—when I viewed it from the side, it looked like just an empty doorframe, but as you approach, the mirror is a pleasant surprise. The piece is inspired by the portal tombs of Ireland—megalithic rock structures dotted around the countryside. Read More Apple Is Forced to Decontent Its Newest Smartwatches From afar, the door from the Portals collection seems to lead the viewer into another world—in this case, it's just the Javits Center from a different angle. Two lamps, made of aluminum, from Duskshaped. Cara Salvatore, the artist behind these two quiet but stunning lamps, told me that the pieces on display were some of what was left standing after a fire in her shared studio space. Each table lamp is made from aluminum and there's a fun, tactile quality to both. The tall lamp on the left is actually two pieces; you can move the front panel or remove it completely and turn it into a sconce. On the right, the cutest little table lamp I ever did see comes with a shade made of scrunched metal mesh. Ridezign These stackable table lamps from RIzdesign are 3D printed, which took me by surprise! Ridezign's Tesser lamps are modular, stackable, and, to my surprise, 3D printed. Their form is inspired by the glowing windows in New York City buildings and the little glimpses of life you get from walking down the street, peering in. Wang Yichu Wang Yichu's sense of humor is clear! Yes, that's a cat, and yes, it has a cane for a tail. I found myself enamored with Wang Yichu's work in 2023, and so it's no surprise that I found my way back to his work this year. Personally, if art doesn't have a sense of humor, then it is largely useless. Wang's work, seen here, scratches my itch for the faintly ridiculous. The big spiky boy on the left, 'Urchin,' is a jewelry box. Three of the many spikes pull out from the center to reveal a small spot to hide treasure—jewelry, a dollar bill, a joint or three. And the charming little fellow you see on the right is basically what it looks like—a cat carved out of poplar, with a cane from Amazon as its tail. If I could've walked out of the Javits Center with this cat by my side, I would have. My love for both objects knows no bounds! Pulling the spikes to reveal a rolled-up dollar bill did not get old and hefting the cat by its handle and parading it around for a minute or two was a treat. The cat is heavy enough to be a weapon, should you need it, or in repose, a nice place to hang your bag. Part of the fun of 'Urchin' is guessing which spike contains a secret spot for hidden treasure. Made of hand-polished stainless steel, Studio Nawa's chair is practically begging to be touched. There was no shortage of shiny things to look at but Studio Nawa's Surface was as if a puddle of liquid mercury gained sentience and formed itself into a cute little chair. Though it often feels incorrect to touch the art, I did, at the behest of designer Alina Nasmeeva, who was not nearly as distressed as I was about the handprint my sweaty palm left on its surface. Novisto A beautiful and stylish way to display flowers, courtesy of Novisto. Like a magpie, I flocked to Novisto's gorgeous sconce/scent diffuser, Fiore—a clever take on decorative lighting and a gorgeous way to display flowers. The larger unit has a light, a vase, and a fan to diffuse the scent of the florals, and the reflective surface of the stainless steel cone is mesmerizing. If left to my own devices, I would've stared at this floral arrangement all day. The stainless steel cone reflects and distorts the flowers it contains. Is it a cat tree? A plant stand? Trick question: it could be both! Is concrete sexy? After viewing Concrete Poetics' work, I think it certainly is. The hand-cast cement objects from the Ridgewood, Queens studio Concrete Poetics can be almost anything you want them to be—planters, stools, a base for a table, or just an imposing yet friendly plinth, plopped in your foyer, near the front door, for your mail or your keys. Their undulating shapes are created by individually casting each layer and then placing them on top of each other. Indo The beaded brass strings that dangle in front of this mirror from Indo are just as fun to touch as they are to look at. Indo's mirror and pendant lamps are inspired in part by the intricate brickwork seen in Indian palaces and also by veils. The strings of small brass beads that dangle in front of the mirror create a sheer effect that is mesmerizing up close and invites interaction, while also diffusing the reflection of the viewer. The pendant lamps are just as striking as the mirror. Here's a credenza shaped like a cloud and a clock made from, yes, stainless steel. I'm a sucker for good tile and Another World uses it well on the face of its maple-veneer credenza, Elsewhere. The goldfish depicted on the front are hand-painted, and the piece is a nice bit of whimsy and a moment of quiet in a show where so many other pieces are clamoring for attention. (Another World is also a part of Colony's 2025 Designer Residency program—a mark of excellence.) Juntos Project The wood here is hand colored, using very thin layers of dye to achieve a look that's saturated and almost glowing. There's a lot of wood and a lot of chairs at ICFF, but Juntos Project's quiet seat, pictured here in a stunning burgundy, was a standout. A chair should be, above all, comfortable. This iteration in leather and burgundy-tinted wood is big enough to have a strong presence, but its construction is spare—just a few slats of maple and some leather achieve something elegant that's also a nice place to sit. Contemplating which corner of my very narrow apartment could contain this chair. If you buried these chairs in your backyard and forgot about them for a few years, that's totally fine, because the'll just turn into soil. (The oranges were up for grabs, too.) Heller's latest innovation in plastics comes in the form of these chairs—and all of its products, save for a few—that are now made with 'worry-free plastic.' This sounds like a clever marketing term, created to assuage the fears of consumers concerned about the environmental damage that plastics can wreak, but the furniture brand is putting its money where its mouth is. All of Heller's pieces are now embedded with an enzyme that activates in deoxygenated environments and breaks down the plastic over time, turning it into nutrient rich soil. Virginia Sin Just a lovely lamp, courtesy of Virginia Sin. This squat little table lamp, the Gio, comes in a variety of different finishes and shades and is inspired by ancient monolithic objects. The parchment paper shade creates a lovely muted glow, and though the lamp itself is quiet, I could imagine that on the right shelf or a nice side table, it would pack an impressive visual punch. READ SOURCE businessmayor May 20, 2025
Al Etihad
09-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Led by Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa, UAE's UICCA reveals 10 climate-tech startups to participate in Launchpad's Circular Economy Cycle
9 May 2025 15:48 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) has unveiled the final cohort of ten pioneering climate-tech startups for its Circular Economy Cycle of the Launchpad programme, marking a significant milestone in advancing the UAE's circular economy and sustainability ambitions. This dynamic cohort brings together cutting-edge innovators including Alterba, CAULI, Circa Biotech, Desolenator BV, Excess Materials Exchange, Food With Benefits, Novasensa, Terrax, The Waste Lab, and Yellow Octopus. Their solutions span waste valorisation, AI-driven reusable packaging, circular water solutions, and next-generation recycling technologies, all tailored to accelerate the UAE's transition to a net-zero and resource-efficient Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UICCA, said: 'The circular economy is a cornerstone of the UAE's sustainable economic agenda. By empowering these groundbreaking startups through the Launchpad programme, we are not only accelerating innovative climate solutions but also strengthening the UAE's position as a global leader in green growth. This cohort reflects the type of bold, scalable innovation needed to transform waste into opportunity, close resource loops, and catalyse systemic change. UICCA remains steadfast in its commitment to enabling these ventures to thrive, scale, and make measurable contributions to our Net Zero future.'The Circular Economy Cycle, launched in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Economy, commenced this month with a series of intensive capacity-building sessions. The programme features four workshops running from 6 May to 27 May, 2025, equipping startups with critical expertise on market entry, financial modelling, impact assessment, and capital attraction. Two fireside sessions will complement the workshops, providing insight into navigating the UAE's regulatory landscape and scaling circular economy ventures cycle will culminate in a Showcase Event on 17 June, 2025, where the cohort will pitch their solutions to an exclusive audience of investors, government stakeholders, and industry leaders, unlocking new opportunities for investment, collaboration, and scale-up. By advancing innovation, nurturing entrepreneurship, and forging impactful partnerships, UICCA continues to drive the UAE's green economy forward and empower climate-tech ventures to deliver lasting environmental and economic impact. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
