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Tesla To Launch Robotaxi With Teleoperator Backup
RJ Godfrey and Tyrin Lawrence each scored 14 points to help lead Georgia to a 79-72 win over visiting South Carolina State on Sunday in Athens, Ga. Asa Newell and Dakota Leffew added 12 apiece for Georgia (12-1) which rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit. Silas Demary Jr. had 11 points followed by De'Shayne Montgomery's 10, as the Bulldogs won their seventh straight game, marking their best start to a season since 1930-31 (13-0). Reserve Jayden Johnson led South Carolina State (6-9) with 16 points, followed by Michael Teal's 13 and Wilson Dubinsky's 12. South Carolina State dropped its third game in four tries entering Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Jan. 4. Trailing 41-24 at halftime, Demary's triple and Montgomery's dunk began a 12-5 scoring run to open the second half, pulling Georgia within 10 at the 16:18 mark. After Teal's layup extended South Carolina State's lead to 50-39, Demary's basket stamped a 7-0 Georgia run, pulling the Bulldogs within four at the 11:17 mark of the second half. Dubinsky answered with a triple on the other end, but Leffew and Demary's layups began a 14-2 Georgia run -- which was capped with Lawrence's personal 8-0 spurt. Trailing 60-55, South Carolina State cut its deficit to one after Drayton Jones' four straight points. From there, Newell's three-point play jump started an 8-0 Georgia run, stamped with Montgomery's free throw with 3:42 left. After Davion Everett split a pair of free throws to pull South Carolina State within four with 1:44 left, Georgia made seven of its eight free-throw attempts to ice the victory. Georgia connected on just one field goal early in the game until Dylan James' layup trimmed its deficit to 7-5 at the 14:44 mark. After Johnson's basket put South Carolina State ahead 13-10, Leffew's 3-pointer followed by Montgomery's free throw gave Georgia its first lead with 10:27 left in the opening half. Godfrey's pair of free throws flipped the lead to Georgia with 5:30 remaining, before Dubinsky's triple gave South Carolina State a 24-22 advantage on the ensuing possession. Georgia was held scoreless until Somto Cyril's free throws snapped a 14-0 South Carolina State run with 50 seconds left. Johnson then capped the first half with consecutive 3-pointers, giving South Carolina State a 41-24 halftime lead. --Field Level MediaIn the rapidly evolving landscape of video gaming, virtual reality (VR) startups are taking center stage , promising to transform how players engage with digital worlds. 2023 has been a defining year, as new VR technology promises not only immersive gameplay but also unprecedented interactivity. Several innovative startups have emerged , offering unique insights into the future of gaming. Companies like Hologaze and NeonRealm are leveraging advanced VR headsets that provide players with stunningly realistic and interactive environments. These transformative experiences aim to blur the lines between reality and the virtual world, making traditional gaming setups a relic of the past. What makes these startups particularly exciting is their focus on social interaction within VR spaces . Unlike previous years, where solitary gameplay was the norm, the latest advancements enable gamers to connect, collaborate, and compete with others worldwide, all within the same virtual arena. This reimagining of multiplayer gaming is drawing significant investor interest, with funding for VR startups reaching unprecedented heights. However, this surge in innovation isn’t without its challenges. Concerns around accessibility, cost, and long-term usage effects are being scrutinized as these technologies edge closer to mainstream adoption. Nevertheless, the possibilities for VR gaming are expansive, from educational applications to professional esports, paving the way for a vibrant future. In conclusion, the VR gaming community stands on the brink of a revolution with startups pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As 2023 unfolds, it seems the gaming world is about to enter a reality that was once confined to science fiction. Virtual Reality Gaming Revolution: The Trends Shaping 2023 and Beyond The world of video gaming is experiencing a significant transformation in 2023, primarily driven by groundbreaking innovations from virtual reality (VR) startups. Companies such as Hologaze and NeonRealm are leading the charge, introducing technology that promises more than just immersive gameplay; they are setting the stage for a new realm of interactivity. Trends and Innovations in VR Gaming VR startups are integrating advanced headsets that offer not only breathtaking graphics but also unprecedented interactivity. This new technology aims to merge reality with digital realms seamlessly, moving beyond traditional solo gaming experiences. The key trend is the emphasis on social interactions within these digital spheres, enabling gamers worldwide to connect in virtual cooperative and competitive spaces. Pros and Cons of VR Gaming Technologies The benefits of these advancements are numerous, with enriched gameplay experiences and vast potential applications, such as educational tools and professional esports environments. However, concerns persist regarding the accessibility and cost of VR technologies, as well as the possible long-term effects of extended VR usage. Market Analysis and Predictions The VR gaming sector is witnessing remarkable investor interest, as funding for startups reaches new highs. Market analysts predict a surge in VR adoption as these technologies become more mainstream. This growth is also expected to diversify the gaming industry, opening up new markets and applications that extend beyond entertainment. Security and Sustainability Aspects Security in VR environments is becoming critically important, as these platforms often collect significant user data to function effectively. Startups are beginning to prioritize robust security measures to protect users’ privacy and data integrity. Alongside security, the sustainability of VR technology production and operation is being evaluated, with companies striving to adopt eco-friendly practices. As we look towards the latter part of 2023, the future of VR gaming appears vibrant and expansive. With continuous innovation, the industry is poised to evolve beyond what was once deemed possible, heralding a new era in digital interactivity. For further insights into VR gaming, please visit Oculus and PlayStation .
Howling winds could not stop Notre Dame’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a staff carved from fire-scorched beams, the cathedral roared back to life on Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating 2019 blaze, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. While the ceremony was initially planned to begin on the forecourt, unusually fierce December winds whipping across the central Paris island, flanked by the River Seine, forced all events inside. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendour. Inside the luminous nave, choirs are singing psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, is thundering to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The evening’s celebration, being attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US First Lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscores Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. For President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious five-year restoration timeline, it was a rare moment of unity amid profound political crises and threats to his presidential legacy.
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No. 16 Iowa State falls short in Big 12 title game again, this time with CFP at stakeCrews have begun restoring power and lights to those who lost electricity during Saturday's devastating storms that produced a deadly tornado and left multiple counties with debris-filled roads. CenterPoint Energy said on Sunday morning that less than 2,300 people in the Greater Houston area are without power. Brazoria County, Cypress, and Galveston were most affected. At last check, nearly 33,00 have had their power turned back on, according to the live outage tracker. The company says that several power poles and equipment will need to be replaced, and the conductors will have to be re-hung because of the damage sustained through a powerful tornado. RELATED: 5 confirmed tornadoes that hit Waller, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston and Chambers Co., NWS says Entergy Texas said more than 43% of customers have restored their power. The company says those outside the High Island area will have their power back on by the end of the day. Residents in the Bolivar Peninsula will have their power restored by the end of the day on Monday. Officials said high water crews and equipment had been dispatched to help with ongoing restoration efforts. SEE ALSO: Damage assessment begins in Brazoria County after deadly tornado passed through, officials said They have also opened a resource center on the Bolivar Peninsula for those needing to charge electronic devices and for relief from the storm-hit areas. Site 1: High Island Gymnasium Location: 2113 6th Street, High Island, TX 77623 Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Social Media: Facebook Page; Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Site 2: Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department Location: 1806 Broadway Avenue, Port Bolivar, TX 77650 Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Social Media: Facebook Page, BPVFD There is also a relief center in Splendora for those in need at the East Montgomery County Community Development Center on 16401 1st Street, Texas. Customers are urged to stay safe and use caution after severe storms and remember these safety tips: Stay away from downed power lines and areas of debris.Energized power lines may not be visible among the rubble. Don't walk in flooded areas or standing water.Remember that wet tree limbs can conduct electricity. Keep your distance from working crews.Work sites can have any number of hidden dangers for the public, and distracting crews can cause accidents to happen.Buccaneers rout Panthers in offensive explosion to stay in playoff hunt: Key takeaways
Pavan K. Varma | Don’t airbrush history, but respect context & fact tooNagler Foot Center Offers Top-Notch Bunions Treatment in Houston
Crews working to restore power to areas impacted by Saturday's deadly storms, officials say
After Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised the AfD in an article published by a German daily, the leading candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, hit back, decrying Musk's interference as "intrusive and pretentious." A senior German politician dismissed Elon Musk's public support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as unprecedented interference, labeling it "intrusive and pretentious." Friedrich Merz , the center-right candidate for chancellor in Germany's February 23 legislative election , lashed out at the Tesla CEO on Sunday, a day after Musk used an op-ed to describe the populist party as the "last spark of hope for this country." In the article published in German, Musk also praised the AfD's approach to regulation, taxes and market deregulation. The remarks have been fiercely criticized and a senior editor at Welt am Sonntag , the newspaper that published Musk's commentary, resigned in protest. The AFD is currently polling second behind Merz' conservative alliance — the same group that Angela Merkel led until 2021. German president announces early election in February 2025 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What did Merz say? "I cannot recall, in the history of Western democracies, that there has been a comparable case of interference in the electoral campaign of a friendly country," Merz, the head of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, told the Funke media group. Merz said: "Imagine for a brief moment, the — justified — reaction of Americans to a comparable article by a prominent German businessman in the New York Times backing an outsider in the US presidential election campaign." He added that Tesla's first gigafactory in Europe — built east of Berlin — would not have been approved if the far-right party was in power, "because it was the AfD that put up the most fierce resistance to this plant." Musk has insisted he has a legitimate interest in German politics because of the investments the electric carmaker has made. German democracy 'cannot be bought' Saskia Esken, co-leader of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), also called out interference in the German election by the world's richest man. "In Elon Musk's world, democracy and workers' rights are obstacles to more profit," Esken told the Reuters news agency. "We say quite clearly: Our democracy is defensible and it cannot be bought." Another SPD lawmaker, Matthias Miersch, told the Handelsblatt business daily that it was "shameful and dangerous" that the Springer publishing house — which owns Welt am Sonntag — gave Musk "an official platform to promote the AfD." German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Saturday wrote on X: "The fact that political power is now increasingly easy to buy will cause great damage to democracy. If newspapers join in, they are digging their own graves." mm/dj (dpa, EPD, Reuters)Global fund manager Blackrock describes as a rising mega-force set to transform economies worldwide. In its , Blackrock says the AI revolution will have three phases: buildout, adoption, and transformation. We're currently in the buildout phase. Blackrock estimates that AI infrastructure investment could top US$700 billion by 2030, which is the equivalent of 2% of US GDP. Tony Kim, Head of Blackrock's Global Technology Team in Fundamental Equities, said: The first phase is the race to build the infrastructure AI needs. It's happening now, with tech giants driving record levels of capital expenditure (capex) into data centers, AI models and the power systems that support them. We see big cloud providers and chip producers benefiting, along with companies in the utilities, energy, industrials, materials and real estate sectors that provide key inputs for this buildout. Which ASX shares are good AI investments? In this buildout phase, Morgans Head of Research, Alexander Mees, says on companies involved in digital infrastructure, such as data centres and data networks. ( ) and ( ) are the largest data centre operators in the ASX. Both companies have enjoyed significant share price growth in the year to date (YTD). NextDc shares closed at $16.25 on Friday, up 19% in the YTD. Goodman Group shares closed at $36.57, up 46% YTD. Morgans prefers NextDc shares and has a buy rating with a 12-month share price target of $20.50. At Nextdc's recent AGM, CEO Craig Scroggie said AI was a "defining opportunity" for the company. He commented: AI is set to drive one of the most profound transformations in the history of technology, ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. For NextDc, this moment is a defining opportunity. We're not only positioned to meet the rising demand for AI but to set the benchmark for innovation, resilience, and sustainable data centre infrastructure. Meantime, Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating on Goodman shares due to the company's strong recent performance and pipeline of data centres. The broker has a 12-month share price target of $42.40 on the ASX stock. In terms of other ASX AI shares, Morgans also likes data network provider ( ). It has a buy rating on Megaport with a 12-month share price target of $12.50. Mees explains that Mees said: Megaport is a global cloud connection network and the leading Network as a Service provider. It operates the largest data centre connection business in the world, connecting to 850 data centres through a fully automated, on-demand telco network. We think it is uniquely placed to help business move data globally and benefit from the growth of data related to both cloud computing and AI. Goldman Sachs is also buy-rated on Megaport with a 12-month share price target of $10.40. In a recent note, the broker said: We believe MP1 will benefit from strong structural tailwinds from the adoption of public cloud including multi-cloud usage and the transition towards NaaS technologies. While acknowledging mixed near-term execution around the partner channel and the new MVE product, we are Buy rated on the name as we remain confident MP1 has a clear product advantage vs. peers and a decade-long runway for robust growth. Despite the soft operational trends in recent periods, we expect still robust top-line growth, with the increased focus on profitable growth supporting an attractive earnings profile over FY25-26. The Megaport share price finished the session on Friday at $7.75, down 15% YTD.
Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiastsOn the 10th February 1947, Prime Minister Clement Atlee made a historic speech to the Commons chamber stating that India would be granted independence by June the following year. He also confirmed the appointment of Viscount Mountbatten as Viceroy whose responsibilities would be to oversee Britain leaving India and facilitate constitutional self-government. Mountbatten had been a naval commander throughout World War 2 but he found the choppy waters of Indian politics more difficult to navigate. Nehru and Jinnah's adherence to the wishes of their respective parties tested his powers of mediation, ultimately leading to his decision to hasten the Government's exit strategy. In a climate of increasing communal violence and repatriation Mountbatten decreed that the transfer of power and the partition to create the states of India and Pakistan would come into effect on the 15th August. He would remain as Governor-General of India for another tumultuous year before returning to the familiar environs of the Admiralty. The 1947 partition of the Subcontinent divided Punjab into two parts – the West Punjab, belonging to Pakistan and the East Punjab, which became part of India. It was associated with massive violence within the six month time frame, large exchanges of population (approximately ten million), and significant involvement of the government in evacuating and protecting the refugees. The enforced movement of the Hindu, Sikh and Muslim populations of Punjab has been described as by the historians ‘on a scale absolutely unparalleled in the history of the world’. Around five-and-a-half million Muslims migrated to West Punjab, and around four-and-a-half million Hindus and Sikhs moved to east Punjab. Violence is regarded as the main cause of the mass migrations that occurred in Punjab and it became notorious in history as the “bloody battlefield of the Partition whereby far the greatest number of massacres of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims occurred.” According to Ian Talbot, a renowned British historian, "on both sides of the 35-mile-long road between Amritsar and Lahore, there were heaps of corpses. It appeared as if the entire territory had been converted into an extensive graveyard.” Revisiting Lord Mountbatten From A Pakistani Perspective One of the main reasons for the violence was the partition of India into two separate states-India and Pakistan. The issues of transfer of power and partition of India are well known and adequately covered by academic literature. However, it is rarely discussed that what role did the Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, played in the partition. He, as the viceroy of India was given, the duty to peacefully transfer power to Indians and protect the His Majesty Government’s interests in India. This article looks at how and why he materialised this task. The intimate story of a unique partition not only ends the heights of British glamour and power but also descends into infidelity, manipulation, and disaster through the heart of the twentieth century India. Mountbatten, an instrumental figure behind this unparalleled historical trajectory became the last Viceroy of India, in March 1947, with the mandate to hand over ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire within one year. Mountbatten worked with Nehru, Gandhi and the leader of the Muslim League, Jinnah, to devise a plan for partitioning the empire into two independent sovereign states; India and Pakistan, on 15 August 1947. Dr Chawla argues that it was spectre of violence and insurmountable communal strife that convinced Mountbatten to withdraw from his idea of unity of India and reluctantly accept the partition. Arguably, the creation of Pakistan cannot be solely attributed to the collaboration between Congress and British authorities Professor Muhammad Iqbal Chawla, one of the finest historians in Pakistan is known as a magnetic historiographer of modern South Asia has explored in his work titled Mountbatten, Cabinet Mission and Provincial Boundaries: Insight and Controversies that what is the true story behind controversies such as Indian Partition, the political relations between Mountbatten, Nehru, and Jinnah? Was Mountbatten one of the outstanding leaders of his generation, or a man over-promoted because of his royal birth, high-level connections, film-star looks and ruthless self-promotion? The main objective of the book, as explained by the author, is to present fresh insight into Mountbatten’s decisions regarding the partition of India and their socio-political impact on the state apparatus and society of the two states-India and Pakistan. The books take into account the significant historical events that took place during Mountbatten’s viceroyalty such as outbreak of violence, partition of India and partition of Punjab and Bengal subsequent Radcliff Award and his actions as Indian Governor General regarding Princely States of Jammu and Kashmir. Lahore As It Once Was: Fortress At The Nerve Centre Of An Empire Professor Chawla offers a candid account of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, reveals his frank, and often astounding, assessment of the events, personalities and issues of the time. He has utilised revelatory documents, primarily Viceroy’s Personal Reports to the Secretary of State for India, and also other interesting documents such as Jinnah Papers detailing his emotional reaction to the draft plan for transfer of power. He argues that the Partition of India was an expedited process that resulted in significant turmoil. Lord Mountbatten had to push for independence, appointing Sir Cyril Radcliffe to draw the boundaries between India and Pakistan. Radcliffe, unfamiliar with the region, was influenced by political pressures, leading to lasting controversy and tragic consequences, affecting millions. Dr Chawla argues that it was spectre of violence and insurmountable communal strife that convinced Mountbatten to withdraw from his idea of unity of India and reluctantly accept the partition. Arguably, the creation of Pakistan cannot be solely attributed to the collaboration between Congress and British authorities. It was, in fact, a response to the prevailing ground realities, which encompassed widespread violence. The author is of the opinion that, amongst others, it was Redcliff Award combined with mass massacres in the result of partition has eventually contributed to the present day rivalry between India and Pakistan relations. Historians hold two divergent perspectives on the role of Mountbatten in the transfer of power process; one group of the historian argues that he implemented the partition plan impartially whereas other group is of the view that he exhibited prejudices against Muslim and engineered an unfair partition plan. Contrary to these two divergent perspectives on the biases of Mountbatten in the transfer of power process, Dr Chawla asserts that Lord Mountbatten tried to become a neutral umpire as he neither exclusively favoured Congress nor vehemently opposed the creation of Pakistan. Further, the author maintains that Mountbatten made sincere efforts, to the best of his abilities, to uphold the position of neutrality without compromising on the economic and political interests of British in South Asia. Tourism: An Industry With Great Potential On communal violence, in contrast to the critics of Mountbatten who portrays Mountbatten as indifferent or ignorant of the pains of violence, Professor Chawla opines that he partially managed to mitigate the riots through Punjab Boundary Force. In other words, he appreciates the role Mountbatten as an overseer of the transfer of power processes. Such appreciation augmented by the documentary evidence differentiates that book from the conventional portrayal of Lord Mountbatten in the nationalist historiography of Pakistan. From British institutional legacy to the South Asian modern politics, from the battlefields of Pakistan Movement to the partition of Indian, Mountbatten, Cabinet Mission and Provincial Boundaries: Insight and Controversies is a rich and classic and a powerful account of Indian partition that reveals the truth behind this historical trajectory. It is first full-length account of the remarkable man, Mountbatten, and the partition legacy. It is useful for all audiences, but voiced towards university students and independent researchers of modern South Asia alike or any citizen who is interested in a concise and authoritative exploration of partition studies.
A 70-year-old lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has died in a drowning accident while visiting the Indian Ocean island nation of the Maldives. According to multiple sources, Toshiyuki Adachi died on Friday after a boating accident, TV Asahi reported on Sunday. Adachi was from Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, and joined the former Ministry of Construction in 1979. After serving as technical director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, he was first elected in the proportional representation section of the 2016 House of Councillors election. He was re-elected in 2022 and was currently serving his second term as a director of the House of Councillors Budget Committee.Spotlight on Volunteers at Camp Koala Holiday Party
Rams offense is humming with good health, and it gave a stellar performance to upset Buffalo
It’s almost Christmas once again, so it’s time to dream a little and hope Santa grants our wishes. As many people wrap up their working year, a lot head off on a road trip either to be with family for festivities, or for a long-awaited holiday break. With this in mind, the CarExpert editorial team has put together a list of its dream road trip cars. Whether it’s a low-slung sports car, comfortable executive tourer, all-terrain beast, or a mixture of all of the above, there’s no hypothetical budget holding us back this time around. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . While many of us lust over classic cars, for this challenge we’ve stuck strictly with new cars that you can currently buy in Australia. Here’s what we chose for our ultimate road trip cars. Alborz Fallah: Rolls-Royce Cullinan There is nothing like a Rolls-Royce, and when it comes to a road trip, I couldn’t think of a better car to eat up the miles in as you cruise from one destination to another. Having spent a lot of time in both the Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga , my only reason for choosing the Roller is its presence on the road. Otherwise, either of these British super luxury SUVs is ideal for any road trip. To be fair, my Genesis GV80 is 90 per cent as good as the Cullinan for about 1/7th the price, so that’s a far cheaper and more practical solution for a road trip, and you won’t look completely out of place the minute you leave the CBD. Interested in buying a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Rolls-Royce Cullinan Josh Nevett: BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring The open-ended nature of this question forced me to think especially hard about my priorities, and I landed at adequate seating for family and friends, plenty of boot space to stack up presents, a luxurious cabin, and sweet driving dynamics for a beachside blast. Pretty fussy, I know. But thankfully such a car exists, in the form of the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring . Based on the BMW 3 Series Touring , the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring is like an M3 Touring with a prettier face, unique features, and arguably even more curb appeal. Under the bonnet it packs a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 389kW of power and 730Nm of torque... healthy to say the least. The B3 also gains unique Alpina styling – just check it out in Alpina Green Metallic paint with the 20-spoke gold alloys! Inside, I’d opt for the full merino leather package in brown, which dials comfort up to 11. You’ll be paying around $200,000 for a fully specced example of the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring, but I can’t imagine a better vehicle in which to rack up kilometres over the Christmas break. Interested in buying a BMW Alpina B3 GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything BMW Alpina B3 GT Marton Pettendy: Ford Everest My ultimate road trip car would need to be a large off-road SUV, to fit all my gear and allow me to head off the beaten track, and the hottest property in that market segment right now is the new Toyota Prado . But as good as it looks and drives, the new 250 Series also brings mega price hikes, so much so it makes even the Ford Everest look cheap. While the Prado now starts at a cool $72,500 before on-roads, you can get a rear-drive twin-turbo four-cylinder turbo-diesel Everest with more power and a 10-speed auto from just $54,240 before on-roads, or the 4×4 version from only $59,240 before on-roads. Or you could get a lusty Everest Sport V6 from $74,640 before on-roads – about $2000 more than a base Prado – or even the go-anywhere Tremor V6 from $76,590 before on-roads, which is still less than a Prado GXL (from $79,990 before on-roads) and way more affordable than its 2.8-litre Prado Altitude equivalent (from $92,700 before on-roads). Given it delivers similar off-road capability, seven-seat flexibility, technology and refinement for far more sensible money, it’s no wonder Aussies are voting with their feet for the locally designed and engineered Everest, which will become the nation’s favourite large SUV for the first time this year. Interested in buying a Ford Everest? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Ford Everest James Wong: Audi A6 allroad Bit of a random one, but in a world dominated by SUVs, I didn’t want to pick something a little different. The Audi A6 allroad is a forgotten gem, using the capable A6 Avant as a base, jacking it up and fitting adaptive air suspension for a cushy ride. As standard, the A6 allroad’s ’45 TDI’ spec V6 diesel offers a healthy 183kW and 600Nm for effortless and refined cruising, while claiming to use just 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle – meaning nearly 1000km per fill of its 63-litre tank. It’s a shame the allroad is now on its way out to make way for the new A6 e-tron coming in 2025. Perhaps we’ll see a hybridised A7 allroad at some point, or even an all-electric A6 allroad e-tron somewhere down the track. Anyway, #savethewagons Interested in buying an Audi A6? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Audi A6 Jack Quick: Defender 110 OCTA Given I have no budget this time, I’m going all out. My ideal road trip means long stints on the highway and the occasional off-road jaunt, which leaves me with a few options. One that stands out the most is the Defender , which soaks up highway kilometres like nothing and can also carve up virtually any off-road track. In particular I’d go for the 110 OCTA which is a new twin-turbo V8 flagship, set to arrive in local showrooms from March 2025. I know it’s a little late for a Christmas present, but Santa knows no bounds. At $355,588 drive-away for Victorian buyers in Edition One guise it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but it’s filled to the gills with standard equipment and unique touches. I’ll take it in Faroe Green exterior paint with the Khaki/Ebony perforated Ultrafabric upholstery. Although it doesn’t feature JLR’s iconic 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, I’d still gladly take the keys to this BMW twin-turbo V8-powered off-road beast and go for a fang. Interested in buying an Defender 110? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender William Stopford: Audi A8 or Lexus LS Both the Audi A8 and Lexus LS are large, comfortable sedans with air suspension and available fuel-efficient powertrains. The A8 50 TDI and long-wheelbase 50 TDI L pack a 210kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 with a 48V mild-hybrid system, and fuel economy of between 6.6 and 6.7L/100km. The LS, in contrast, offers an available 3.5-litre V6 hybrid with 264kW and claimed fuel economy of 6.8L/100km. While I haven’t driven the A8, I have spent time with an LS which wafted down the road like a feather floating onto a cloud. And that was the “sporty” LS500 F Sport! Ok, perhaps something with a bit more ground clearance than these two would be preferable if we’re road-tripping through regional Australia and its often shocking roads, but I’m a sedan man at heart. So which is it, a German diesel or a Japanese hybrid? I’m not sure. Give me around $230,000 and I’ll try to figure it out. Interested in buying an Audi A8? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Audi A8 Interested in buying an Lexus LS? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lexus LS Max Davies: Lexus GX You’re going to want to be comfortable on a road trip, and there’s no doubt the Lexus GX is more than capable of meeting that criteria. The luxury Prado is large outside, spacious inside, and equipped with everything you could possibly need like a 14.0-inch infotainment system, five USB-C ports, tri-zone climate control, as well as even a full-size spare wheel for some extra security. Better yet, the “base” GX550 Luxury is a seven-seater capacity, which means all your friends and family can come along for the ride. If you’re like me who would probably be taking a road trip through Victoria’s High Country and out to the state’s east coast, you’ll likely be travelling some rough rural roads and some steep inclines all on the same route. I’ve found the GX is able to deal with each scenario fairly well, with its comfortable ride and quiet cabin making for comfortable hours behind the wheel. It’ll have no problem with power either, because that 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 packs plenty of punch at 260kW and 650Nm. Fuel economy might be the only concern given Lexus quotes 12.3L/100km on the combined cycle, but expect that figure to be lower after prolonged stints on higher-speed roads. Equally, there is quite the price to overcome at $116,000 before on-road costs. If you can get past that, why not road-trip in (GX550) Luxury? Interested in buying an Audi A8? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here Jordan Mulach: BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring A fast wagon. That’s just about every Dad’s dream, provided you don’t want to go off-road or look at any potholes. As I get older, my desire for practicality has risen, but the love for performance hasn’t faded. The BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring takes what is an extremely capable performance car and adds extra space with minimal compromise to either its go-fast characteristics or luxury styling. I’m not interested in going off the beaten path, I just want to get to my destination in comfort, but once there I want to explore the countryside and not regret passing up on a suitable car for the twisties. I was fortunate enough to drive the B3 GT sedan back-to-back with an M3 a few years ago, and the Alpina reminded me of my old G6E Turbo – if it was all-wheel drive, even more powerful and lavishly equipped with modern technology. I truly believe that so long as you’re not going off-road, it’s the jack of all trades, plus it has the ‘if you know, you know’ feeling which you just can’t get in the hot BMW M cars. Interested in buying a BMW Alpina B3 GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything BMW Alpina B3 GT Megan Spence: Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series wagon Now this is a topic I can definitely weigh in on! I plan on doing a lap of Australia in the near future, and while my BT-50 holds a special place in my heart, if I had to pick my ultimate road trip car, it’d be a Toyota LC70 Wagon . I know, shocker, right? But hear me out! When it comes to outback reliability, Toyota really is unmatched. The LC70 might look and feel like it time travelled straight from the 90s, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect. The basic electronics means you can splash through creek crossings without turning your rig into an expensive paperweight — and if anything does go wrong, every country town will have the parts you need. Now, I’d love to brag about having the V8, but since Toyota has recently axed it, I’ll have to settle for the 2.8-litre four-cylinder (my left leg will thank me later). And of course, I wouldn’t hit the road in a stock LC70 — where’s the fun in that? No, I’m dreaming big here. Think roof conversion (when available for the new model), rear fitout, ECU remap, lifted suspension, 35s, bullbar, snorkel, and obviously an exhaust upgrade loud enough that you would be able to hear me coming from a mile away. Basically, if I won the lottery tomorrow, the mods list would be longer than the trip itself! But in summary, tough as nails, packed with space, and impossible to kill – the LC70 is my perfect road trip rig! Interested in buying a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Sean Lander: Ram 1500 Money no object, I’d be climbing into a Ram 1500 Limited , with the Ram Box and a canopy fitted. It’s the peak of comfort and practicality, it’s reasonably economical at highway speeds, and will handle virtually any terrain you could throw it at. Plus, it looks downright bad-ass in black-on-black. Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Ram 1500 Paul Maric: Ford Ranger Raptor I think this one is a no brainer. A vehicle that can go anywhere, is quick, makes noise and can be decked out with endless accessories is all that you’ll ever need for a road trip. And it’s the perfect vehicle to help recover Alborz when he gets stuck in his land-going houseboat. Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Ford Ranger Which car would you pick? Let us know in the comments.
The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Fonseca: ‘I have no signal’ Milan want to sack me and ‘fear nothing’
VANCOUVER — Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Data show the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended. In B.C., they soared, almost quadrupling from 2021 to 2023. Const. Solana Pare is now warning exploitation of children is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum. "Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them," Pare said in an interview. Police say child exploitation cases in B.C. went from about 4,600 in 2021 to 9,600 in 2022 to 15,920 reports last year. The upwards trend is seen nationally, too. Statistics Canada says the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022, and police data show cases have continued to rise. The RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre reported that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, it received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences — a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Online child sexual exploitation, Pare explained, includes offences such as sextortion, child luring and the creation or distribution of sexually explicit images of a minor. "We don't see these types of reports going away," Pare said. "We only see them increasing because the use of electronic devices and social media, and kids being online earlier and earlier is becoming more common. There's going to be more opportunity for predators to target children online." Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said the most common type of child luring is communicating with a youth online in order get them to produce sexual abuse material. She said "the pandemic accelerated those types of cases, and it hasn't slowed down." "The tools (Canadian authorities) have to deal with this type of behaviour are inadequate for the scope and the scale of what's going on," she said. THE RISE OF 'SEXTORTION' Online exploitation gained international attention in 2015 in the case of Port Coquitlam, B.C., teenager, Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being blackmailed and harassed online by a man for years, starting when she was 12. The month before the 15-year-old died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced by the stranger and how it had affected her life. It's been viewed millions of times. Dutch national Aydin Coban was extradited to Canada for trial and, in October 2022, he was convicted of charges including the extortion and harassment of Todd. Since then, the term "sextortion" has made its way into the vernacular as more cases come to light. Among them was Carson Cleland, a 12-year-old Prince George, B.C., boy who died by suicide in October 2023 after falling victim to the crime. In New Brunswick that same month, 16-year-old William Doiron took his own life after falling victim to a global sextortion scheme. Mounties across Canada have issued news releases warning of increased cases in their communities, noting that the consequences for the victims can include self-harm and suicide. St. Germain said technology, such as artificial intelligence, is also becoming more user-friendly. "The existence of that technology and its ease of use and ready accessibility is a problem, and it is going to be an increasingly large problem as we move forward," she said. Pare said police are also adapting to technological advancements in order to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape. "Police are constantly obtaining training on digital technologies to increase our knowledge and understanding of all the intricacies involving their use and how to capture any digital evidence," she said. Pare said the true rates of the crime are impossible to determine, but pointed to increased social awareness and legislation across North America around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies as a potential reason for the increase. It's not going undetected any longer, she said. "Additionally, there's been a lot of use in artificial intelligence to detect child exploitation materials within those platforms." Pare said "it's up to each individual platform" to ensure there is no child sexual abuse material on their sites or apps. "With mandatory reporting, it's putting the onus back on the electronic service providers to ensure they have measures in place to prevent this from happening, and if it is happening that it is being reported," she said. "That being said, there are times when things don't get located." That is why the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill that the federal government introduced in February, St. Germain said. "It's shocking that up until now, we've relied on companies to self regulate, meaning we've just relied on them to do the right thing," she said. "What we are seeing in terms of the number of offences and in terms of all the harm that is happening in society as a result of online platforms is completely tied to the decision not to regulate. We need to have rules in any sector, and this sector is no different." 'CANADA IS REALLY BEHIND' The Online Harms Bill covers seven types of harms, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the Liberal government will split the bill into two parts: dealing with keeping children safe online, and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. “We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill,” Virani told reporters on Dec. 5. Such measures would include a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies’ digital safety plans. St. Germain said such a split "makes sense," noting that most objections to the bill are related to changes to the Criminal Code and not measures around curbing harms to children. "There obviously are differences of opinion in terms of what is the best way forward, and what kind of regulatory approach makes sense, and who should the regulator be, but there does seem to be consensus on the idea that we need to do more in terms of protecting children online," she said, adding that the organization is still in support of the second half of the bill. She said the United Kingdom previously passed its own Online Safety Act that will come into effect in 2025, which includes requiring social media firms to protect children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content. Failure to do so will result in fines. "Canada is really behind," she said. "The amount of information that has come out of the U.K., the amount of time and care and attention that their legislatures have paid to this issue is really quite remarkable, and we really hope that Canada steps up and does something for Canadian children soon." In the absence of national legislation, province's have filled the void. In January, B.C. enacted the Intimate Images Protection Act, providing a path for victims to have online photos, videos or deep fakes expeditiously removed. Individuals are fined up to $500 per day and websites up to $5,000 a day if they don't comply with orders to stop distributing images that are posted without consent. B.C.'s Ministry of the Attorney General said that as of Dec. 11, the Civil Resolution Tribunal had received a total of 199 disputes under the Intimate Images Protection Act. It said the Intimate Images Protection Service had served more than 240 clients impacted by the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, adding that four awards of $5,000 each and one for $3,000 had been supplied as of mid-December. Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also enacted legislation targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. St. Germain said the use of provincial powers is also necessary, but it's not enough. "A piece of provincial legislation is going to be very difficult to be effective against multiple actors in multiple countries," she said, noting that the online crime is borderless. "We need something bigger — more comprehensive. We need to use all tools in the tool box." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press
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