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Brazil’s federal police last Thursday formally accused Mr Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-president Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organisation aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Mr Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country’s electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation’s electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Mr Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Mr Bolsonaro told journalists in the capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to prosecutor-general Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Mr Bolsonaro. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Mr Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the January 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Mr Rios told the Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Mr Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030. Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Mr Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewellery into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ Covid-19 vaccination statuses. Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the riot on January 8 2022 in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Mr Lula from power. Mr Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Mr Lula’s inauguration on January 1 2023 and stayed there for three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed on Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later.The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Agency on Tuesday sealed a warehouse stocked with rice worth over N1bn, allegedly diverted from palliative supplies meant for public distribution. The warehouse located along Ring Road in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state was sealed during an operation led by the agency’s Executive Chairman, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado. The seized bags of rice, bearing President Bola Tinubu’s image and the inscription “Ramadan Kareem”, were purportedly intended for distribution during last year’s Ramadan fast. However, the agency uncovered that the items were being re-bagged under different brands for sale in Kano markets. Rimin-Gado, speaking to journalists at the scene, described the act as a blatant display of corruption and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Related News NSCDC arrests two suspected vandals in Kano Kano seals Max Air office, others over unpaid taxes Kano gov mourns death of Umaru Pate's mother “This is a clear form of corruption because these are commodities meant for the public. Considering the hardship people are facing today, it is appalling that someone would have the audacity to re-bag and sell them,” he said. The anti-corruption chief revealed that the agency recovered a re-bagging machine used for repackaging the rice and had arrested one suspect in connection with the diversion. “We are here armed with a search warrant, arrest warrant, and court order. This is part of our investigative activities to recover stolen public resources,” Rimin-Gado stated. He assured the public that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to identify all individuals involved in the illegal activity and ensure justice is served. “Our commitment is to uncover everyone behind this act and prevent a recurrence. For now, one suspect is in custody, and we will ensure all legal procedures are followed in dealing with this case,” he added.DRIVERS who customize their license plates have been warned to fix their tags to avoid being slapped with fines costing over $100. The Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on people with license plates that are airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized. Any changes to standard, state-issued license plates are prohibited thanks to a new rule that kicked in around August. This means you can't make aesthetic changes like swapping the color of your license plate or adding airbrushed designs. The alterations are illegal because they can affect the plate's reflectivity, safety features, and the yellow validation stickers, cops said. Cops have doubled down on the rule recently after it was revealed that citations for unlawful alterations have skyrocketed. READ MORE ROAD LAWS “We are trying to stop the current trend that we are seeing,” FHP's Lt. Alex Camacho said, according to ABC affiliate WPLG . “If you put this tag on your car, we are going to seize that tag. "You are going to get your vehicle towed and get an infraction for it." Camacho warned, “It’s bigger than people saying it’s not a big deal.” Most read in Motors License plate modifications can also include using license plate covers, illuminated devices, or anything that interferes with seeing the details on a plate. FHP is bringing down the hammer on illegal plates due to citations for these violations going up 98% since 2020. Depending on the county, anyone who violates the guidelines could be committing a non-criminal traffic infraction. Statewide, the penalties include a $60 fine, three points on the driver's license, and additional fees according to the county rules. In some Florida counties including Flagler County, drivers could face a fine of $116 for the violation, police said. If the Florida plate has been changed so it can't return to its original condition, the driver is required to get a replacement plate from their local tax collector. Driving on a public roadway with customized license plates is illegal in Florida. Florida Statutes Section 320.061 prohibits the unlawful altering of a license plate. The law states that altering or obscuring the following items is illegal: Motor vehicle registration certificates License plates Temporary license plates Mobile home stickers Validation stickers Drivers cannot mutilate, alter, deface, or change the color of the plate in any way. You can also not apply or attach the following to the license plate: Substance Reflective matter Illuminated device Spray Coating Covering Other material interfering with the legibility, angular visibility, or detectability of the license plate Nothing should interfere with the ability to record any feature or detail on the plate. "A person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318," the law states. The penalties for the violations include a $60 fine, three points on the driver's license, and additional county fees. State troopers can also confiscate altered plates, leaving the owner to apply for a new plate. However, there are still ways to make your license plate stand out. SPECIALTY PLATES Florida offers over 100 specialty license plates for unique organizations. Specialty plate purchases send money to the causes they represent. Plus, drivers can order personalized license plates at some certified service centers - it's just decorating the plates unofficially that could lead to penalties. Read More on The US Sun While some drivers illegally change their plates for aesthetic or personalization purposes, some criminals alter their licenses to hide from police. The U.S. Sun has reached out to FHP for comment.
FBR to depute officials at all sugar millsWeather Radar Market Size & Trends To 2030Vancouver, BC, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOBI AI Inc. (FOBI:TSXV) (FOBIF:OTCQB) (" Fobi ” or the " Company ”) announces that it has applied to its principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission (" BCSC ”), for a partial revocation order (the " Partial Revocation Order ”) of the ongoing failure-to-file cease trade order (" FFCTO ”) ordered by the BCSC on November 1, 2024, in order to complete a non-brokered private placement offering (the " Proposed Offering ”) of 56,114,400 units of the Company (the " Units ”) to a single subscriber (the " Subscriber ”) at a price per Unit of US$0.04 for aggregate gross proceeds of US$2,244,576 on a prospectus exempt basis. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a " Unit Share ”) and one common share purchase warrant (a " Unit Warrant ”), each of which is exercisable for the purchase of one additional common share in the capital of the Company at a price of US$0.06 per share for a period of two years from the date of the closing of the Proposed Offering. The proceeds from the Proposed Offering will be used to file the outstanding continuous disclosure documents of the Company, cover essential expenses, and subsequently apply for a full revocation of the FFCTO within a reasonable time, among other things. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Proposed Offering as described in the table below. 1.Includes certain amounts payable in U.S. dollars converted to CAD using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. 2.US$100,000 converted to CAD using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. 3.Based on proceeds of US$2,244,576 using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. On closing of the Proposed Offering, the Subscriber is anticipated to hold 19.99% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The applicable disclosure required under National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues will be included in the press release of the Company announcing the closing of the Proposed Offering. The exercise by the Subscriber of Unit Warrants will be prohibited if such exercise would result in the Subscriber holding 20.0% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company. Completion of the Proposed Offering remains conditional on the grant of the Partial Revocation Order by the BCSC, approval of the Proposed Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange (" TSXV ”), and the execution of a subscription agreement, among other things. The Company anticipates filing (i) audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the year ended June 30, 2024 (" Annual Filings ”), within 45 days of the closing of the Proposed Offering and (ii) interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the three months ended September 30, 2024, including certifications thereto (" Interim Filings ”), within 15 days of the filing of the Annual Filings, at which time the Company intends to apply for a full revocation of the FFCTO. About Fobi Founded in 2017 in Vancouver, Canada, Fobi is a leading AI and data intelligence company that provides businesses with real-time applications to digitally transform and future-proof their organizations. Fobi enables businesses to action, leverage, and monetize their customer data by powering personalized and data-driven customer experiences, and drives digital sustainability by eliminating the need for paper and reducing unnecessary plastic waste at scale. Fobi works with some of the largest global organizations across retail & CPG, insurance, sports & entertainment, casino gaming, and more. Fobi is a recognized technology and data intelligence leader across North America and Europe, and is the largest data aggregator in Canada's hospitality & tourism industry. For more information, please contact: Forward Looking Statements/Information: This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information, including statements regarding the terms of the Proposed Offering, the Partial Revocation Order, the intended use of the proceeds of the Proposed Offering, the time to complete the Annual Filings and Interim Filings, and other statements characterized by words such as "anticipates,” "may,” "can,” "plans,” "believes,” "estimates,” "expects,” "projects,” "targets,” "intends,” "likely,” "will,” "should,” "to be”, "potential” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may”, "should” or "will” occur . Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including, without limitation, market competition, the impact of general economic and industry conditions, competition, stock market volatility, BCSC and TSXV approval conditions, and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: Fobi not receiving approval of the TSXV with respect to any future issuances of securities as required; and changes to volatile exchange rates, market conditions, market competition and other economic and market factors. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, and results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve all or any of its proposed objectives. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Shocking secret of do-gooder who raised over $1million for a homeless charity By KELLY GARINO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:21, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 22:24, 12 December 2024 e-mail 52 View comments An Alabama woman secretly pocketed $1 million of donations that she raised for a homeless charity that didn't actually exist. Amy Dianne Elmore Downs, 57, of Athens, was arrested after a three-year investigation discovered that she solicited a substantial amount of money from people all around the world for a made-up charity aiming to help victims of domestic violence and homelessness. 'Since 2021, Downs has deposited nearly one million dollars into her personal bank accounts under the guise of charitable donations ,' the Limestone County Sheriff's Office said in a press release on Wednesday. Downs, who is better known by her since-deleted TikTok account, Slot_7.0 or Slotmachinequeen, used her social media popularity as a way to encourage her followers to send funds through her own personal finance apps. Over the course of three years, the 'do-gooder' received contributions through her PayPal , CashApp and Venmo accounts under the pretense that the money would be going to a charitable cause . She was even nominated for an award this past year that highlighted influencers who use their platform for good. 'My name is Amy, and my handle is slot 7.0,' she said during a red carpet interview with KNEKT.tv, WAFF News reported. 'I do DV help for immediate danger DV victims and homeless,' she added. Amy Dianne Elmore Downs, 57, of Athens, Alabama, secretly pocketed $1 million of donations that she raised for a homeless charity that didn't actually exist Downs, who is also a TikTok personality, used her social media popularity as a way to encourage her followers to send funds through her own personal finance apps She was even nominated for an award this past year that highlighted influencers who use their platform for good where she spoke about her 'charity' during an interview But underneath her 'good Samaritan' façade was just a years-long scam. The investigation unveiled the fact that Downs had not reported any employment since 2020 - despite large sums of money being deposited into her accounts. Additionally, investigators found no legitimate charity organization registered under her name or with the Alabama Attorney General's Office. Cherrelle Lock, the director of DV outreach at Crisis Services of North Alabama, expressed shock upon hearing the news - noting how her crisis center would never ask for donations to be made directly through a personal app. 'It's disheartening,' Lock told WAFF. 'It's unbelievable to know something like that is happening in our community. Because there are individuals in our community that could really benefit from that.' 'For those individuals in our community that support us, we make sure that we know where that funding is going toward,' she added. Downs was ultimately arrested and booked into the Limestone County Jail on seven counts of first-degree charitable fraud and three counts of tax evasion. She was placed on a bond of $1,125,000 - but she has since bonded out as of Tuesday evening. The sheriff's office urged anyone with information on Downs' fraudulent activity to come forward as the investigation is still in motion. PayPal Venmo TikTok Share or comment on this article: Shocking secret of do-gooder who raised over $1million for a homeless charity e-mail Add comment
Canada not a significant source of fentanyl flowing into U.S., CBSA saysStorms, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe with climate change, have knocked out the lights for days. A maritime accident once cut electricity for months in the 600-person island 30 miles off the coast of western Michigan. What if water surrounding Beaver Island could be the key to delivering the small island with more reliable — and clean — power? Backed by a $3.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers at the University of Michigan are working with island residents to explore converting wave energy into electricity. If they’re successful, naturally occurring waves would make the remote community more resilient to climate change and mitigate climate change-fueling carbon emissions. Remote islands with compromised grid reliability are early candidates for nascent wave energy converters. Once the technology is established and costs drop, the renewable power source is expected to complement solar and wind power in urban coastal communities as well, said Vishnu Vijayasankar, a doctoral candidate leading the university’s efforts. Vicky Fingeroot, a Detroit native, began traveling to Beaver Island in 2006. “I never thought about energy or how we got it when I bought my first piece of property here back then,” she said. It wasn’t until she moved to Beaver Island full time in 2021 and experienced her first power outage that grid reliability crossed her mind. A strong storm took down multiple overhead power lines that carry electricity ashore from the underwater line. More weather was on the way, so plane and ferry services were paused. There was no way on or off the island. The local line worker who knew how to turn on the backup generator was attending an out-of-town funeral. “It was the perfect storm, no pun intended,” said Fingeroot, who was on the board of trustees for one of the island’s two townships. Left without power for several days, her community’s vulnerability was suddenly thrust in front of her. “What about the elderly who need oxygen? What were they going to do? And are there warming centers?” she recalled worrying. When the emergency diesel generator was finally turned on, it powered only the two main business roads on the north end of the island. Many residents on the island’s southern end had to rely on personal propane generators until the lines were repaired. Both diesel and propane generators are polluting technologies. The generator had been installed after an outage in winter 1999 that lasted over three months. The lake froze over, inhibiting service technicians from reaching the underwater power cable, which had been nicked by a tugboat anchor. The island had expressed interest in exploring renewable energy sources then, but the technologies were new and still expensive, said Beth Croswhite, who has lived on the island for over four decades and served in local government. The 2021 outage, an influx of clean-energy funding under the Biden administration and dramatic decreases in the cost of renewables revived conversations about renewable energy. Beaver Island was one of 12 communities selected to re-envision its energy grid with support from the Department of Energy. Much of the focus in the program so far has been on solar power. The community also was approached by researchers at the University of Michigan seeking to explore wave energy as an additional carbon-free power source. In the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, remote communities are exploring tidal energy as well. Tides — changes in water level caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon — are too small in the Great Lakes. But waves, which are caused by strong winds and changes in atmospheric pressure, are abundant in the fall and early winter. Originally from India, Vijayasankar couldn’t believe how much wave activity Lake Michigan had when he first visited in October. “I went (to the shore) during October and there was a crazy amount of waves. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was worried that our device might not be able to withstand Lake Michigan,” he said. At the most basic level, a wave energy converter uses the rise and fall of the water to move a motor. That kinetic energy gets run through a generator that converts it to the electric energy needed to power homes and businesses. Wave energy converters are less common than wind turbines and solar panels, largely because of design challenges. One design makes floating buoys that bob up and down with the crest and trough of the waves. Another depends on the crest of the waves to compress air in a chamber, forcing it up through a turbine that spins. Every model comes with pros and cons regarding myriad issues, including but not limited to storm resiliency, energy generation and marine life safety. In the design phase of the Beaver Island project, anticipated to last two years, the university researchers are hosting dinners and creating a survey to ensure their blueprint is accepted by residents. A preliminary survey showed that residents were most concerned about marine life safety, signaling to Vijayasankar that he should nix designs with exposed turbines. Researchers also will have to address resident concerns about the seasonality of waves. They’re typically stronger during the colder months until the lake freezes over. Wave energy likely will be a complement to the solar power Beaver Island is also exploring, Vijayasankar said. There may be lots of waves on stormy days when the sun isn’t shining, for example. Large-scale batteries — which scientists are racing to perfect — could help store excess wave energy produced by passing storm systems for later use. “The end goal is to make us sustainable, and I don’t see us doing it with one thing. I see us doing it with many things,” Fingeroot said. “This wave energy project, there’s certainly an openness to it.”
Drone mystery deepens with Chinese man's troubling Google history after his arrest for 'flying over US base' READ MORE: Experts reveal what mystery drones over New Jersey REALLY are By ELLYN LAPOINTE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:08 EST, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 17:14 EST, 12 December 2024 e-mail 12 shares 46 View comments A Chinese man has been arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base, as the FBI investigates mysterious drones in New Jersey . Yinpiao Zhou, 39, a Chinese National now living in Brentwood, California , was charged with failure to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violation of national defense airspace. Zhou was arrested Monday at San Francisco International Airport prior to boarding a China-bound flight and made his initial appearance Tuesday in United States District Court in San Francisco. He is in federal custody pending prosecutors' appeal of a federal magistrate judge's decision to release him. No plea was taken and his arraignment is expected to be scheduled in US District Court in Los Angeles in the coming weeks. 'This defendant allegedly flew a drone over a military base and took photos of the base's layout, which is against the law,' said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. 'The security of our nation is of paramount importance and my office will continue to promote the safety of our nation's military personnel and facilities.' Zhou's arrest comes amid unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey that have alarmed residents as well as federal and local officials . The FBI is investigating, but during a Wednesday briefing, a representative from the Department of Homeland Security said: 'We have no more information as to where these drones are coming from, where they're launching from, where they're landing.' A California man has been arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base, which the US government uses to launch spacecraft and perform missile testing Yinpiao Zhou, 39, of Brentwood, allegedly flew a small drone over the base on November 30, using it to photograph the base from an aerial viewpoint (STOCK) At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that Zhou is connected to the drone activity in New Jersey. But his arrest adds to growing concerns over the ability of foreign entities to infiltrate US airspace and conduct surveillance. The drone sightings first began in mid-November and have continued almost every night since, New Jersey residents have reported. Eyewitnesses have seen unexplained 'car-sized' drones over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Rockaway, among other locations The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was first alerted to the strange activity in Morris County, where the military base is located, on November 18, but sightings also surfaced in nearby Menham, Chester and Morristown. These are not 'hobbyist' drones. They appear to be large, commercial-grade devices, according to officials. Eyewitness reports, social media videos and officials confirm the drones are up to six feet in diameter and often avoid detection. The drone Zhou flew over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, however, was much smaller - small enough to fit inside his jacket. According to an affidavit filed on December 8 with the complaint, the base's drone detection systems were alerted to a drone flying overhead on November 30. The drone flew for nearly one hour, traveled to an altitude of almost one mile above ground level, and originated from Ocean Park - a public area next to the base. Zhou's arrest comes amid unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey that have alarmed residents as well as federal and local officials The drone sightings first began in mid-November and have continued almost every night since, New Jersey residents have reported Base security personnel went to the park, spoke to Zhou and another person accompanying him, and learned that Zhou had a drone concealed in his jacket – the same one that flew over the base. Agents later searched Zhou's drone pursuant to a federal search warrant and saw several photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base taken from an aerial viewpoint. A search of Zhou's cellphone showed Zhou conducted a Google search approximately one month earlier for the phrase 'Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules.' He also messaged with another person about hacking his drone to allow it to fly higher than it could otherwise. Zhou is a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States, most recently returning to the US from China in February 2024. These are not 'hobbyist' drones. They appear to be large, commercial-grade devices that are up to six feet in diameter and often avoid detection The person accompanying Zhou at Ocean Park most recently entered the United States from China on November 26. The Vandenberg Space Force Base is used to launch spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. Read More Mysterious drones are 'changing time' on clocks in New Jersey as locals fear they're being targeted by UFOs In addition to its military space launch mission, the base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX. Government officials have suggested that the New Jersey drones are coming from an Iranian 'mothership' off the East Coast. Republican Rep Jeff Van Drew said Wednesday that Iran launched the vessel 'probably about a month ago' after making a deal with China 'to purchase drones, a mothership and other technologies.' 'These drones should be shot down,' he told FOX News, adding that 'the military is on full alert with this.' However, the Pentagon stated there is no evidence the drones are the work of an adversary and denied there's an Iranian 'mothership' lurking off the coast. Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Sing said in a briefing: 'At this time we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary.' California China FBI New Jersey Share or comment on this article: Drone mystery deepens with Chinese man's troubling Google history after his arrest for 'flying over US base' e-mail 12 shares Add comment
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Being able to charge your car at home is a big drawcard for many electric vehicle buyers. But it’s rare to find chargers installed at apartment complexes in Australia. Installing chargers in existing apartment blocks can be complicated. Owners may not agree on whether to install them, or which technology to use. And the complex may not be well-equipped for the extra electricity load. So how can these challenges be overcome? A policy paper my colleagues and I published today set out to answer that question. We surveyed 43 experts in installing charging infrastructure in apartments in New South Wales. They identified four key ways to ensure more apartment residents can confidently charge their electric vehicles at home before hitting the road. Getting more Australians in electric cars The Electric Vehicle Council predicts 100,000 electric vehicle sales in Australia this year. However, sales have reportedly flatlined – partly due to concerns about access to charging. Clearly, chargers in apartment complexes are crucial to increasing electric vehicle uptake. To date, electric vehicle sales in Australia have been led by motorists in outer-metropolitan suburbs where houses rather than apartments are the dominant dwelling type. The trend is partly attributed to the ease of installing home chargers in houses. Research shows most Australians – both those living in houses and apartment buildings – would prefer a car-charging option at home. Increasing electric vehicle sales is also vital for climate action. Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles contribute more than 10% of Australia’s total emissions . Patchy policy Electric vehicle strategies in Australia give little attention to those living in apartments. The Australian Capital Territory’s Zero Emissions Vehicles Strategy introduced a A$2,000 incentive to install charging at multi-unit buildings. Last year, the New South Wales government established the $10 million EV Ready Buildings Grant to help apartment buildings assess and install electric vehicle infrastructure. NSW’s electric vehicle strategy is currently being revised , offering an opportunity for further support. Australia’s national strategy pledges to “make it easy to charge an EV across Australia” but focuses on public charging stations. Under the National Construction Code – Australia’s main set of technical and construction requirements – new apartments must be built “ready” for electric vehicle chargers if residents want to install them in the future. But complications can arise when trying to install chargers into existing apartments. Retrofitting vehicle chargers is complicated Getting electric vehicle chargers into apartment blocks requires the following steps : gaining support from apartment owners conducting a building energy assessment to determine, for example, if electricity infrastructure needs upgrading choosing between individual or shared chargers choosing how to share the upfront costs and pass on the cost of electricity navigating the planning approval process getting the funds to start the project finding energy auditors and installers with relevant expertise. This final point is crucial. Because electric vehicle charging in apartment blocks is relatively rare, few people have the necessary skills or experience. We tapped into the knowledge of those who do have experience installing chargers in existing apartment buildings in NSW. The research was commissioned by the James Martin Institute for Public Policy. After a few months of searching and sending 166 invitations, we found 43 experts from industry, strata organisations and local councils. Their expertise spans strata processes as well as physically installing charging infrastructure. What we found The survey was conducted by an interviewer by video call. This allowed us to ask set questions and then discuss broad themes. Most experts identified two main challenges. The first was gaining support from apartment owners – those who would be asked to share the cost of installing charging infrastructure at a complex. Often, the views of owners were divided between a few motivated residents and sceptics who were averse to new technologies. Apartment owners who did not drive an electric vehicle were less likely to support the installation of chargers. The second challenge our experts identified was deciding on whether to install personal or shared chargers. In some cases, shared charging was seen as the only viable option, due to lower costs and confusion about electricity load or technical requirements. The experts also reported concern among apartment owners about fire risks and insurance. Electric vehicles have a relatively low risk of battery fire when compared with electric bikes and scooters. However, some insurance companies have refused to cover apartments where electric vehicles are charged. Four policy opportunities The experts highlighted four key steps governments and others can take to encourage more charging infrastructure in existing apartment buildings in NSW. The opportunities also apply to other states and territories. 1. Promote successful projects: Case studies of apartment blocks where electric vehicle chargers were successfully installed may help overcome anxiety or scepticism from apartment owners and show how challenges can be managed. Guidance sheets and other educational materials would also assist. 2. Educate apartment owners on fire safety: More guidance for planners, insurers and owners on fire safety options may lead to speedier planning approvals and help limit insurance costs. Governments should also play a role in dispelling misconceptions about fire risk during electric vehicle charging. 3. Expand grants schemes: Expanding NSW’s EV Ready Buildings Grant scheme would ensure more residents in existing apartment buildings could install chargers. Other states should consider similar schemes. 4. Explore finance options: Zero- or low-interest financing and subsidies would make the installation of charging infrastructure more affordable for apartment owners. Governments should also consider targeted schemes for low-income apartment residents. The above is not a comprehensive list. Other suggestions from experts included broader improvements to electricity networks where needed, and more installer training. Electric vehicle charging in apartments is important for a just and equitable energy transition. Without government support for the technology, apartment residents may hesitate to purchase their vehicle of choice.Colts hope for another late-season playoff push
Netflix's broadcast for the NFL's Christmas Day games did not start off in the best way. There were audio issues at the start of the pre-game show as sportscaster Kay Adams delivered her opening spiel. This was followed by ESPN reporter Mina Kimes inexplicably getting cut off while she was discussing the upcoming game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers in favor of a "Squid Game" Season 2 ad. Thankfully for the fans, the broadcast did not experience any more significant issues after that rough start. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.The Great British Bake Off 2024: fans are all saying the same thing about Dylan in the final
Darlington Council warns of big savings needed
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