the roulette no way out
Article content One of the three former executives with a Montreal company who were on trial in a case in which they were accused of paying bribes to secure contracts in the Philippines was found guilty by a jury on Thursday. The jury that heard the trial of Robert Andrew Walsh, 82, Philip Timothy Heaney, 65, both of Montreal, and René Bélanger, 62, of St-Lambert, emerged from their deliberation at the Montreal courthouse and only found Heaney guilty of the three charges he faced. Walsh, a McGill University engineering graduate who created the groundbreaking ballistics technology behind the company, and Bélanger were both acquitted of all the charges they faced. All three of the accused were senior officers with a company that was first called Forensics Technology Inc. and later called Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc. (UEFTI). They each faced two counts under Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. They were alleged to have offered or given benefits between 2013 and 2018 to public officials in the Philippines or to other individuals who could influence public officials who made decisions on contracts. They were also charged with fraud under the Criminal Code. When the trial began in late October, prosecutor Marie-Eve Moore told the jury the Crown’s theory was that the accused allegedly paid bribes to secure contracts and then later added the cost of the bribes when they billed their clients. The investigation was done by the RCMP and, in 2023, Michael McLean, 58, of Beaconsfield, another former UEFTI executive charged in the case, pleaded guilty to a section of Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. He received a 12-month sentence that he could serve in the community. Heaney’s case will enter the sentencing stage at a later date. pcherry@postmedia.com
NEW YORK , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) market size is estimated to grow by USD 92.31 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.8% during the forecast period. Favorable government policies and subsidies is driving market growth, with a trend towards deployment of smart grids for EVS. However, lack of standardization of ev charging poses a challenge. Key market players include ABB Ltd., Alfen NV, Blink Charging Co., BP Plc, ChargePoint Holdings Inc., Chroma ATE Inc., Comeca Group, Delta Electronics Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Efacec Power Solutions SGPS SA, Enphase Energy Inc., E.ON SE, Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., LS Power Development LLC, Phihong USA Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Shell plc, Siemens AG, Webasto SE, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is experiencing significant growth as the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) continues. Charging stations and docks are essential for EVs, requiring electrical conductors and related equipment to transfer electric power to the vehicle's batteries. EVSE systems adhere to various communications protocols, such as DC Fast Chargers, and are used by major stakeholders like auto manufacturers, electric utilities, commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, homes, and more. NEMA Members are involved in the development of codes, rating systems, and standards for EVSE infrastructure. Contractors and installers require training programs to ensure proper installation. Incentives like tax benefits and subsidies encourage EV adoption. IEA reports show electric car sales increasing, with passenger car sales from automobile manufacturers being impacted by the shutdown of operations due to liquidity issues and carbon emission concerns. Smart cities aim to reduce reliance on non-renewable sources like crude oil and CO2 emission, leading to the growth of the EVSE market. Charging station finance, types like normal charging, supercharging, and inductive charging, and installation types like fixed chargers and portable chargers, are key areas of focus. The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected import-export and the workforce, leading to a supply-demand gap. Future estimations indicate investment pockets in EVSE market, especially in charging infrastructure development. The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the deployment of advanced charging infrastructure, specifically smart grids. Smart grids enable real-time communication between EV charging stations and the power grid, providing crucial information on load requirements and power quality. This data supports the integration of variable generation technologies and serves as a foundation for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) infrastructure, which includes grid applications like smart energy meters, SCADA systems, IT, and communication networks. The implementation of smart grids is expanding rapidly in countries such as China , the US, India , Spain , Germany , and France . For instance, in August 2021 , Singapore Power initiated a V2G pilot project to explore the potential of EVs as small energy storage systems, addressing renewable energy's intermittency. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Challenges in this market include the need for advanced charging stations and docks, reliable electrical conductors, and related equipment. Communication protocols, such as DC Fast Charger and NEMA Members, are essential for seamless integration with EVSE infrastructure. Major stakeholders include auto manufacturers, electric utilities, and charging station installers. Training programs for contractors and installers are crucial to ensure proper installation and maintenance of EVSE systems. Codes, rating systems, and standards play a vital role in ensuring safety and interoperability. Major players in the market include Andrei Moldoveanu and Resources. Commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, and homes are potential customers for EVSE. Batteries, incentives, tax benefits, and subsidies are key factors driving EV sales. The IEA estimates electric car sales to surpass passenger car sales by 2035. However, challenges include the shutdown of operations due to the novel coronavirus, supply-demand gap, and the shift from non-renewable sources like crude oil and fossil fuel. Charging station finance, charging station type (normal charging, supercharging, and inductive charging), installation type (fixed charger and portable charger), and the impact of import-export, workforce, factories, testing of systems, and the supply-demand gap are other critical factors. The future of the EVSE market lies in investment pockets, smart cities, and the transition away from carbon emission, ICE vehicles, and road tax, purchase tax, and registration fees. The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market faces a significant challenge due to the lack of standardization in EV charging infrastructure. Vendors are actively expanding charging networks, but the absence of universal EV charger and installation standards in public places is a concern. Each region or market has distinct charging standards, such as CHAdeMO in Japan , CCS in Europe , the US, and South Korea , and GB/T 20234 in China , which is similar to the IEC 62196 standard in Germany . Standardization is crucial to streamline the EV charging experience and ensure compatibility among various EV models and charging networks. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This electric vehicle supply equipment (evse) market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Level 2 1.2 Level 1 1.3 Level 3 2.1 Residential 2.2 Commercial 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Level 2- Level 2 charging refers to the electric vehicle supply equipment that delivers power at a higher voltage (240 volts, AC) and amperage than a standard household power outlet. This infrastructure caters to both residential and commercial applications, providing a convenient and reliable charging solution for electric vehicle owners. Level 2 charging stations are commonly found in parking garages, workplaces, public locations like shopping centers, universities, and hotels. These charging stations offer faster and more efficient charging, enabling EV owners to charge their vehicles while they park, work, or engage in daily activities. Companies and parking garage operators recognize the growing demand for EV charging and are installing level 2 charging stations to accommodate their customers and employees. Homeowners can also install level 2 charging stations in their garages or driveways for a convenient and fast charging solution. The increasing popularity of level 2 charging infrastructure is expected to fuel the growth of the level 2 segment in the global electric vehicle supply equipment market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market refers to the infrastructure required to charge electric vehicles (EVs), including charging stations, charging docks, and related equipment. These systems facilitate the transfer of electric power from the grid to the vehicle's batteries. EVSE systems consist of electrical conductors and other necessary components. EVSE is essential for various sectors such as Bus depots, Hotels, Parks, Highways, Corporate offices, Homes, and more. Batteries are an integral part of the EV ecosystem, and EVSE plays a crucial role in their charging. Governments and organizations offer incentives like tax benefits to promote the adoption of EVs and EVSE. EVSE includes different charging technologies like Supercharging, Inductive charging, Fixed chargers, and Portable chargers. The EVSE market has been impacted by the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, with import-export and non-essential items facing disruptions. The workforce involved in EVSE manufacturing and installation has also been affected. Market Research Overview The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) market refers to the infrastructure required to charge electric vehicles (EVs), including charging stations, charging docks, and related equipment. EVSE systems utilize electrical conductors and communications protocols to transfer electric power from the grid to the vehicle's batteries. DC Fast Chargers are a popular type of EVSE, providing quick charging solutions for long-distance travel. NEMA Members and major stakeholders, such as auto manufacturers, electric utilities, commercial fleets, public transit, retail establishments, seaports, airports, bus depots, hotels, parks, highways, corporate offices, homes, and batteries, are major players in the EVSE infrastructure development. Incentives like tax benefits, subsidies, and codes and rating systems are crucial for the growth of the EVSE market. EVSE standards and training programs for contractors and installers ensure safe and efficient installation and maintenance. Major challenges include the supply-demand gap, liquidity issues, and the shift from ICE vehicles to EVs. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the EVSE market, affecting import-export and non-essential items. The future of the EVSE market depends on the continued growth of electric car sales, the transition away from non-renewable sources like crude oil, and the development of smart cities. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Application Residential Commercial Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioSuspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible while deputies pushed him inside Tuesday. At the brief hearing, the defense lawyer informed the court that Mangione would not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail. Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn Luigi Nicholas Mangione was apparently living a charmed one: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-od Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy.” Pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators are working to piece together why Mangione diverged from a path of seeming success to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO The 26-year-old man charged in last week’s killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in New York City has appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom. Luigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested Monday after a worker at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, notified police that he resembled the suspect in last Wednesday's killing of Brian Thompson. While being led into court to be arraigned Tuesday, Mangione shouted something that was partly unintelligible but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” During the hearing in Hollidaysburg, Mangione was denied bail and his attorney said Mangione would not waive extradition. DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are trying to preserve President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction as he returns to office, and they're suggesting various ways forward. One novel notion is based on how some courts handle criminal cases when defendants die. In court papers made public on Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books. The proposals included freezing the case until he’s out of office, or agreeing that any future sentence wouldn’t include jail time. Another idea: closing the case with a notation that acknowledges his conviction but says that he was never sentenced and that his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. There's no immediate response from Trump's lawyers. Middle East latest: Israel bombs hundreds of sites across Syria as army pushes into border zone Israel says it bombed more than 350 military sites in Syria during the previous 48 hours, targeting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of strikes was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse. Israel also acknowledged its troops were pushing into a border buffer zone inside Syria, which was established after the 1973 Mideast war. However, Israel denied its forces were advancing Tuesday toward the Syrian capital of Damascus. Life in the capital was slowly returning to normal. People celebrated for a third day in a main square, and shops and banks reopened. Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they were also prime trolling opportunities. Throughout his first term in the White House and his recent campaign to return there, the Republican has dished out provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. Report on attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreign leaders WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional task force looking into the assassination attempts against Donald Trump during his presidential campaign is recommending changes to the Secret Service. These include protecting fewer foreign leaders during the height of the election season and considering moving the agency out of the Department of Homeland Security. The 180-page report was released Tuesday. It constitutes one of the most detailed looks so far into the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and a second one in Florida two months later. South Korea's ex-defense minister is formally arrested over brief imposition of martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's previous defense minister has been formally arrested over his alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol and others in imposing martial law last week. Kim Yong Hyun resigned last week and has been detained since Sunday. He is the first person arrested in the case. Prosecutors have up to 20 days to determine whether to indict him. A conviction on the charge of playing a key role in rebellion carries the maximum death sentence. Kim is accused of recommending martial law to Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting on it. Homes burn as wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in Malibu, California MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of Southern California residents are under evacuation orders and warnings as firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu. The flames burned near seaside mansions and Pepperdine University, where students sheltering at the school’s library on Monday night watched as the blaze intensified. Officials on Tuesday said a “minimal number” of homes burned, but the exact amount wasn’t immediately known. More than 8,100 homes and other structures are under threat, including more than 2,000 where residents have been ordered to evacuate. Pepperdine University on Tuesday morning said the worst of the fire has pushed past campus. It was not immediately known how the blaze started. More beans and less red meat: Nutrition experts weigh in on US dietary guidelines Americans should eat more beans, peas and lentils and cut back on red and processed meats and starchy vegetables. That's advice from a panel of nutrition experts charged with counseling the U.S. government about the next edition of the dietary guidelines. The panel did not weigh in on the growing role of ultraprocessed foods that have been linked to health problems or alcohol use. But they did say people should continue to limit added sugars, sodium and saturated fat in pursuit of a healthy diet. Tuesday’s recommendations now go to federal officials, who will draft the final guidance set for release next year.Finish strong? Rutgers did more than that in rout of Michigan State | Observations
dszc/iStock via Getty Images I've been picking up Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.'s ( NYSE: ABR ) Series D Preferreds - Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. 6.375% SERIES D CUMULATIVE RED PFD STK ( NYSE: ABR.PR.D ) on their recent dip. I expect this Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ABR.PR.D either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
— BIRTH NAME: James Earl Carter, Jr. — BORN: Oct. 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for an entire century . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where he was granted tenure in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Source: Jimmy Carter Library & Museum
Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible while deputies pushed him inside Tuesday. At the brief hearing, the defense lawyer informed the court that Mangione would not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail. Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn Luigi Nicholas Mangione was apparently living a charmed one: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-od Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy.” Pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators are working to piece together why Mangione diverged from a path of seeming success to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO The 26-year-old man charged in last week’s killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in New York City has appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom. Luigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested Monday after a worker at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, notified police that he resembled the suspect in last Wednesday's killing of Brian Thompson. While being led into court to be arraigned Tuesday, Mangione shouted something that was partly unintelligible but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” During the hearing in Hollidaysburg, Mangione was denied bail and his attorney said Mangione would not waive extradition. DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are trying to preserve President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction as he returns to office, and they're suggesting various ways forward. One novel notion is based on how some courts handle criminal cases when defendants die. In court papers made public on Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books. The proposals included freezing the case until he’s out of office, or agreeing that any future sentence wouldn’t include jail time. Another idea: closing the case with a notation that acknowledges his conviction but says that he was never sentenced and that his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. There's no immediate response from Trump's lawyers. Middle East latest: Israel bombs hundreds of sites across Syria as army pushes into border zone Israel says it bombed more than 350 military sites in Syria during the previous 48 hours, targeting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of strikes was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse. Israel also acknowledged its troops were pushing into a border buffer zone inside Syria, which was established after the 1973 Mideast war. However, Israel denied its forces were advancing Tuesday toward the Syrian capital of Damascus. Life in the capital was slowly returning to normal. People celebrated for a third day in a main square, and shops and banks reopened. Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they were also prime trolling opportunities. Throughout his first term in the White House and his recent campaign to return there, the Republican has dished out provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. Report on attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreign leaders WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional task force looking into the assassination attempts against Donald Trump during his presidential campaign is recommending changes to the Secret Service. These include protecting fewer foreign leaders during the height of the election season and considering moving the agency out of the Department of Homeland Security. The 180-page report was released Tuesday. It constitutes one of the most detailed looks so far into the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and a second one in Florida two months later. South Korea's ex-defense minister is formally arrested over brief imposition of martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's previous defense minister has been formally arrested over his alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol and others in imposing martial law last week. Kim Yong Hyun resigned last week and has been detained since Sunday. He is the first person arrested in the case. Prosecutors have up to 20 days to determine whether to indict him. A conviction on the charge of playing a key role in rebellion carries the maximum death sentence. Kim is accused of recommending martial law to Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting on it. Homes burn as wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in Malibu, California MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of Southern California residents are under evacuation orders and warnings as firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu. The flames burned near seaside mansions and Pepperdine University, where students sheltering at the school’s library on Monday night watched as the blaze intensified. Officials on Tuesday said a “minimal number” of homes burned, but the exact amount wasn’t immediately known. More than 8,100 homes and other structures are under threat, including more than 2,000 where residents have been ordered to evacuate. Pepperdine University on Tuesday morning said the worst of the fire has pushed past campus. It was not immediately known how the blaze started. More beans and less red meat: Nutrition experts weigh in on US dietary guidelines Americans should eat more beans, peas and lentils and cut back on red and processed meats and starchy vegetables. That's advice from a panel of nutrition experts charged with counseling the U.S. government about the next edition of the dietary guidelines. The panel did not weigh in on the growing role of ultraprocessed foods that have been linked to health problems or alcohol use. But they did say people should continue to limit added sugars, sodium and saturated fat in pursuit of a healthy diet. Tuesday’s recommendations now go to federal officials, who will draft the final guidance set for release next year.
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors said Tuesday it will retreat from the robotaxi business and stop funding its money-losing Cruise autonomous vehicle unit. Instead the Detroit automaker will focus on development of partially automated driver-assist systems for personal vehicles like its Super Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. GM said it would get out of robotaxis “given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market.” The company said it will combine Cruise's technical team with its own to work on advanced systems to assist drivers. GM bought control of San Francisco-based Cruise automation in 2016 with high hopes of developing a profitable fleet of robotaxis. Over the years GM invested billions in the subsidiary and eventually bought 90% of the company from investors, all while racking up millions in losses. GM’s brushoff of Cruise represents a dramatic about-face from years of full-blown support that left a huge financial dent in the automaker. The company invested $2.4 billion in Cruise only to sustain years of uninterrupted losses, with little in return. Since GM bought a controlling stake in Cruise for $581 million in 2016, the robotaxi service piled up more than $10 billion in operating losses while bringing in less than $500 million in revenue, according to GM shareholder reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The automaker even announced plans for Cruise to generate $1 billion in annual revenue by 2025, but it scaled back spending on the company after one of its autonomous Chevrolet Bolts dragged a San Francisco pedestrian who was hit by another vehicle in 2023. The California Public Utilities Commission alleged Cruise then covered up details of the crash for more than two weeks. The embarrassing incident resulted in Cruise’s license to operate its driverless fleet in California being suspended by regulators and triggered a purge of its leadership — in addition to layoffs that jettisoned about a quarter of its workforce . GM CEO Mary Barra told analysts on a conference call Tuesday the the new unit will focus on personal vehicles and developing systems that can drive by themselves in certain circumstances. The company has agreements to buy another 7% of Cruise and intends to buy the remaining shares so it owns the whole company. The move is another step back from autonomous vehicles, which have proved far harder to develop than companies once anticipated. Two years ago, crosstown rival Ford Motor Co. disbanded its Argo AI autonomous vehicle venture in Pittsburgh that it co-owned with Volkswagen. At the time the company said it didn’t see a path to profitability for a number of years. Yet other companies are pressing forward with plans to deploy autonomous vehicles and expanding their services. Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo is accelerating plans to broaden its robotaxi service beyond areas of metropolitan Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Last week the company said it would begin testing its driverless Jaguars in Miami next year, with plans to start charging for rides in 2026. The move comes less than a month after Waymo opened up its robotaxi service to anyone looking for a ride in an 80-square-mile (129 square kilometer) area of Los Angeles. Waymo also has plans to launch fleets in Atlanta and Austin next year in partership with ride-hailing leader Uber. In April, a company called Aurora Innovation plans to start hauling freight on Texas freeways using fully driverless semis. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said his company plans to have autonomous Models Y and 3 running without human drivers next year. Robotaxis without steering wheels using Tesla's “Full Self-Driving” system would be available in 2026 starting in California and Texas, he said. But an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Full Self-Driving's ability to see in low visibility conditions cast doubt on whether Teslas are ready to be deployed without humans behind the wheel. The agency began the investigation in October after getting reports of four crashes involving “Full Self-Driving” when Teslas encountered sun glare, fog and airborne dust. An Arizona pedestrian was killed in one of the crashes. GM said it will work with Cruise’s leadership to restructure the company and refocus Cruise’s operations on driver assist systems. The company expects the restructuring to reduce spending by more than $1 billion annually. Cruise has about 2,300 employees and will retain a presence in San Francisco, GM said. It’s too early to talk about employment levels until the restructuring is completed next year, a spokesman said. Dave Richardson, senior vice president of software and services engineering, said Cruise will bring its software, artificial intelligence and sensor development to GM to team up on improving GM’s driver-assist systems. “We want to leverage what already has been done as we go forward, and we think we can do that very effectively,” Barra said. Shares of GM rose about 3% in trading after Tuesday's closing bell. They are up about 47% for the year. _____ AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. Tom Krisher, The Associated PressNovember 22 - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
New Google app feature injects search links into third-party websitesNone
Biden takes jab at Trump while applauding Jimmy Carter's decency, shares fondest memory with late president
recruit was asked which is more intimidating - standing next to Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers on the starting blocks or marking a 'monster' forward? or signup to continue reading "(Laughs) That's a difficult one, I'm not sure I can answer that. It's pretty similar but nothing will beat the adrenaline of a race against those boys," he replied. Mooney will be one of the more unique players in the Ovens and Murray Football League. Few come from elite-level swimming, where the 100-200m freestyler was around two seconds from making Australia's Olympic team for Paris. Just weeks after missing selection, Mooney played football for the first time in four years. Four months later, he was a Riverina Football League premiership player at Colingullie-Wagga. "I will still stay in the water to keep fit, but it felt more like a chore," he admitted of the gruelling nine swim and three gym sessions a week, plus a dry land session and various recovery activities, such as yoga and pilates. Some sessions started around 5am. "I saw close mates who I grew up with getting drafted and getting opportunities in footy, so I missed it," he said. Mooney had such an impact his coach Shane Lenon said the Demons would not have beaten the previously undefeated Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in the grand final if he did not play. "It couldn't have been a better return really winning a flag at 'Gullie," he reasoned. "That's all I could have asked for in my first year back, to be coached by 'Sparks' (Lenon) and Nick Perryman and play alongside my brother Nathanael." The super-fit 195cm, 95kg defender was surprised at the sporting transition. "I thought it was going to be a lot harder coming from that elite level in another sport, just the contact side of it (was difficult), I was walking around like I had whiplash for a month after," he laughed. Mooney is hoping to play VFL full-time next year, but is training twice a week with the Hoppers. Only 20, he will look to utilise his experiences from swimming. "100 per cent, the discipline and professionalism, the effort you put in directly correlates with the performance you put out." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
By Zhenbo Wang *, Associate professor of mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering, University of Tennessee In 2024, space exploration dazzled the world. NASA's Europa Clipper began its journey to study Jupiter's moon Europa . SpaceX's Starship achieved its first successful landing , a critical milestone for future deep space missions. China made headlines with the Chang'e 6 mission, which successfully returned samples from the far side of the Moon. Meanwhile, the International Space Station continued to host international crews, including private missions like Axiom Mission 3. As an aerospace engineer, I'm excited for 2025, when space agencies worldwide are gearing up for even more ambitious goals. Here's a look at the most exciting missions planned for the coming year, which will expand humanity's horizons even further, from the Moon and Mars to asteroids and beyond: Scouting the lunar surface with CLPS NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS, initiative aims to deliver science and technology payloads to the Moon using commercial landers. CLPS is what brought Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander to the Moon in February 2024, marking the first US Moon landing since Apollo. In 2025, NASA has several CLPS missions planned, including deliveries by companies Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace. These missions will carry a variety of scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to different lunar locations. The payloads will include experiments to study lunar geology, test new technologies for future human missions and gather data on the Moon's environment. Surveying the sky with SPHEREx In February 2025, NASA plans to launch the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, observatory. This mission will survey the sky in near-infrared light, which is a type of light that is invisible to the naked eye but that special instruments can detect. Near-infrared light is useful for observing objects that are too cool or too distant to be seen in visible light. SPHEREx will create a comprehensive map of the universe by surveying and collecting data on more than 450 million galaxies along with over 100 million stars in the Milky Way. Astronomers will use this data to answer big questions about the origins of galaxies and the distribution of water and organic molecules in stellar nurseries - where stars are born from gas and dust. Studying low Earth orbit with Space Rider The European Space Agency, or ESA, plans to conduct an orbital test flight of its Space Rider uncrewed spaceplane in the third quarter of 2025. Space Rider is a reusable spacecraft designed to carry out various scientific experiments in low Earth orbit. These scientific experiments will include research in microgravity, which is the near-weightless environment of space. Scientists will study how plants grow, how materials behave and how biological processes occur without the influence of gravity. Space Rider will also demonstrate new technologies for future missions. For example, it will test advanced telecommunication systems, which are crucial for maintaining communication with spacecraft over long distances. It will also test new robotic exploration tools for use on future missions to the Moon or Mars. Exploring the Moon with M2/Resilience Japan's M2/Resilience mission, scheduled for January 2025, will launch a lander and micro-rover to the lunar surface. This mission will study the lunar soil to understand its composition and properties. Researchers will also conduct a water-splitting test to produce oxygen and hydrogen by extracting water from the lunar surface, heating the water and splitting the captured steam. The generated water, oxygen and hydrogen can be used for enabling long-term lunar exploration. This mission will also demonstrate new technologies, such as advanced navigation systems for precise landings and systems to operate the rover autonomously. These technologies are essential for future lunar exploration and could be used in missions to Mars and beyond. The M2/Resilience mission is part of Japan's broader efforts to contribute to international lunar exploration. It builds on the success of Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, mission, which landed on the Moon using a precise landing technique in March 2024. Investigating an asteroid with Tianwen-2 China's Tianwen-2 mission is an ambitious asteroid sample return and comet probe mission. Scheduled for launch in May 2025, Tianwen-2 aims to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and study a comet. This mission will advance scientists' understanding of the solar system's formation and evolution, building on the success of China's previous lunar and Mars missions. The mission's first target is the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa. This asteroid is a quasi-satellite of Earth, meaning it orbits the Sun but stays close to Earth. Kamoʻoalewa is roughly 131-328 feet (40-100 meters) in diameter and may be a fragment of the Moon, ejected into space by a past impact event. By studying this asteroid, scientists hope to learn about the early solar system and the processes that shaped it. The spacecraft will use both touch-and-go and anchor-and-attach techniques to collect samples from the asteroid's surface. After collecting samples from Kamoʻoalewa, Tianwen-2 will return them to Earth and then set course for its second target, the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS. This comet is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. By analysing the comet's materials, researchers hope to learn more about the conditions that existed in the early solar system and possibly the origins of water and organic molecules on Earth. Solar system flybys Besides the above planned launch missions, several space agencies plan to perform exciting deep-space flyby missions in 2025. A flyby, or gravity assist, is when a spacecraft passes close enough to a planet or moon to use its gravity for a speed boost. As the spacecraft approaches, it gets pulled in by the planet's gravity, which helps it accelerate. After swinging around the planet, the spacecraft is flung back out into space, allowing it to change direction and continue on its intended path using less fuel. BepiColombo, a joint mission by ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, will make its sixth flyby of Mercury in January 2025. This manoeuvre will help the spacecraft enter orbit around Mercury by November 2026. BepiColombo aims to study Mercury's composition, atmosphere and surface geology. NASA's Europa Clipper mission, which launched in October 2024, will make significant progress on its journey to Jupiter's moon Europa. In March 2025, the spacecraft will perform a flyby manoeuvre at Mars. This manoeuvre will help the spacecraft gain the necessary speed and trajectory for its long voyage. Later in December 2026, Europa Clipper will perform a flyby of Earth, using Earths gravity to further increase its momentum so it can arrive at Europa in April 2030. The ESA's Hera mission will also perform a flyby of Mars in March 2025. Hera is part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment mission, which plans to study the Didymos binary asteroid system. The mission will provide valuable data on asteroid deflection techniques and contribute to planetary defense strategies. NASA's Lucy mission will continue its journey to explore the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, which share Jupiter's orbit around the Sun, in 2025. One key event for Lucy is its flyby of the inner main-belt asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson, scheduled for April 20, 2025. This flyby will provide valuable data on this ancient asteroid's composition and surface features, which can help researchers gain insights into the early solar system. The asteroid is named after the paleoanthropologist who discovered the famous "Lucy" fossil. ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or JUICE, mission will perform a Venus flyby in August 2025. This manoeuvre will help JUICE gain the necessary speed and trajectory for its journey to Jupiter. Once it arrives, JUICE will study Jupiter's icy moons to understand their potential for harbouring life. 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking year for space exploration. With NASA's ambitious missions and significant contributions from other countries, we are set to make remarkable strides in humanity's understanding of the universe. These missions will not only advance scientific knowledge but also inspire future generations to look to the stars. *Zhenbo Wang receives funding from NASA.
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