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The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a rear-wheel-drive 500bhp hot hatch Renault has revealed one of the most hardcore hot hatches ever with the 5 Turbo 3E. The car was revealed unexpectedly in an episode of the firm’s Amazon Prime documentary series ‘ Anatomy of a Comeback’ which is about the Renault group’s turnaround from being on the verge of collapse in the early 2020s. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is the modern-day equivalent of a performance car that was unveiled more than 46 years ago. Its exterior colours and design hark back to rally versions of the original R5 Turbo from the early 1980s and just like the new ‘standard’ variant of R5 and Alpine A290, it brings retro styling with modern technology and powertrains. Images of its interior are yet to be revealed at this stage, however. It features R5 Turbo 3E graphics down the side profile, while at the back there are extremely flared wheel arches and a very large rear diffuser to give the car as much downforce as possible. At the front, there are square-shaped LED daytime running lights and an aggressive lower front spoiler. Just like the Renault 5 Turbo from the 1980s, this Turbo 3E will feature a rear-wheel-drive layout and there will be two electric motors that will be housed in the rear wheels to provide instant power. Renault claims that the car will produce 500bhp and its acceleration will stand at 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds. Prices have not been revealed for this exclusive hot hatchback, but it will likely carry a large premium over a standard Renault 5 or Alpine A290 and will be restricted to extremely limited production numbers. Kia’s EV9 GT will come with 515bhp and an electric range of 279 miles Kia has announced further details for its flagship electric SUV, the EV9 GT. The upgraded model will utilise an all-wheel-drive powertrain with a dual motor set-up alongside a 99.8kWh battery pack and cover a claimed 279 miles on a single charge. Kia says it will also be DC rapid charging-compatible, taking the vehicle from a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in just 24 minutes. The EV9 GT will also come as standard with a vehicle-to-load function, meaning you can plug an electronic appliance into the car and it be powered using the vehicle’s battery pack. On the outside, there are features such as a digital lighting grille, 21in alloy wheels and neon green front brake calipers with GT lettering. Meanwhile, on the inside the neon green theme continues onto the GT sports steering wheel and sports seats which are also trimmed with Alcantara suede inserts with an embossed GT logo. Marc Hedrich, president and CEO at Kia Europe, said: “The EV9 GT offers an exhilarating-to-drive factor with comfort and enjoyment for everyone on board while keeping the versatility to take everything with you. We have taken the basis of the best car in the world and developed a stand-alone, high-performance version that will turn heads everywhere it goes.” Kia has yet to reveal the prices for the EV9 GT, but expect to pay a premium over the standard EV9 GT-Line S at just over £77,000. Order books will open in 2025. Ineos reveals a one-off special with its Grenadier Quartermaster Kaiju Ineos has revealed an exclusive special in Australia of its Grenadier Quartermaster Cab, with the Kaiju. Firstly, the name. The word ‘Kaiju’ is Japanese for ‘monster’ or ‘giant creature’ which really makes this Grenadier need no introduction. The Kaiju will be used throughout Australia as a promotional tool for the brand and will be seen at many events in the coming months. The vehicle utilises the standard Grenadier Quartermaster Cab chassis but has been built in partnership with some of Australia’s most well-known accessory suppliers including Norweld, Rhino-rack, Brown Davis, Redarc, Jmacx, GME, BF, Maxtrax and Stedi. The Kaiju is finished off in an all-black exterior and also features a long-range fuel tank from Brown Davis giving an extra 168 litres of fuel over the standard 90 litres. There are raised air intakes, an access ladder, a compass and altimeter, an auxiliary battery, differential locks at the front and rear and a high-load auxiliary switch panel and external plugs. Further features include a bolt-on jerry-can holder, heavy-duty aluminium ute tray, rock sliders and a 1200mm trundle drawer with drop-in table. Justin Hocevar, regional director at Ineos Automotive, said: “We wanted to create a truly unique Quartermaster together with some incredibly innovative local engineering and accessory partners. The Quartermaster Cab chassis is a ‘blank canvas’ that allows for great visibility when it comes to customisation, so together with these project partners, we let our imaginations run wild.” As the Grenadier Quartermaster Kaiju is a one-off, there are no prices or order books, but expect the Kaiju to carry a very hefty premium if this exclusive model ever were to come up for sale over the standard Quartermaster’s £66,215.CLEVELAND (AP) — Germain Ifedi became the fourth left tackle to start this season for the Cleveland Browns, lining up Thursday night against the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Ifedi moved up the depth chart and into the lineup after starter Dawand Jones broke his left leg last week at New Orleans and had surgery. He'll be responsible for blocking quarterback Jameis Winston's blindside. Jedrick Wills Jr., who had lost his starting job to Jones, figured to start against the Steelers (8-2), but was ruled out Wednesday with a knee injury that has bothered him for weeks. A first-round pick in 2020, Wills recently caused a stir by saying he made a “business decision” to sit out a game on Oct. 27 against Baltimore because of his knee. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wills used a “poor choice of words.” James Hudson started Cleveland's first two games at left tackle while the Browns (2-8) waited for Wills to recover from knee surgery in December. The first-place Steelers were without outside linebacker/edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflDaniel Penny doesn't testify as his defense rests in subway chokehold trial
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Maria Valadez would like everyone to chill out. Every election, the prickly Lake County registrar follows California’s litany of voting laws and certifies thousands of ballots by the time she is required to. And every year, people still complain. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.So, what’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?NEW DELHI, India (AP) — A 13-year-old cricketer from India’s northern state of Bihar could become the sport’s latest Twenty20 batting sensation. The Rajasthan Royals think so highly of Vaibhav Suryavanshi that they paid $130,000 in the Indian Premier League’s mega auction for his services, making him the youngest ever to be selected. Suryavanshi came to the limelight last month when he scored a century against Australia’s under-19 team off just 58 balls before he got out for 104. At the age of 13 years and 187 days, Suryavanshi broke the record of Bangladesh’s present test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who at the age of 14 years and 241 days held the previous record of scoring a century at youth level. The Delhi Capitals also showed interest when the bid for Suryavanshi started at his base price of $35,500. “He’s been to our high performance center in Nagpur, he had trials there and really impressed our coaching set-up there,” Rajasthan CEO Jake Lush McCrum said after the auction ended Monday. “He’s an incredible talent and of course you’ve got to have the confidence so he can step up to the IPL level.” McCrum described Suryavanshi as a “hell of a talent” and hoped lots of work will go into the coming months before the IPL begins on March 14 with former Indian captain Rahul Dravid among the coaching panel of the franchise. Suryavanshi idolizes legendary West Indian batter Brian Lara and often gets tips from former India batter Wasim Jaffer, with whom he met during an under-19 tournament in Bangladesh last year. Suryavanshi’s father, Sanjiv, is his coach and has worked with him since his son showed interest in the game at an early age. “He is not just my son now, but entire Bihar’s son,” the elder Suryavanshi told Press Trust of India. “My son has worked hard.” The IPL does not have a formal minimum age requirement, but in 2020 the International Cricket Council set the minimum age of 15 for players to compete internationally. However, the game’s governing body also said at that time that cricket boards can request permission to allow players under 15 to represent their country. Prayas Ray Barman held the previous record of youngest player to win an IPL contract. He was 16 in 2019 when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru spent about $200,000 for him. But the wrist spinner faded away after playing just one match. Pakistani batter Hasan Raza holds the record of youngest cricketer to make his test debut — the five-day cricket format — at the age of 14 years and 227 days in 1996. ___ AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket The Associated PressTUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Snoop Dogg has nearly as many ties to football as he does to rap music. The entertainer coached youth football for years and created the Snoop League, an after-school program for inner city Los Angeles youths. Snoop has been a guest analyst on football broadcasts and his son, Cordell Broadus, played Division I football. When Snoop took his latest step, becoming the sponsor of a bowl game, he had a demand: Find a way for all players in the game to receive name, image and likeness (NIL) money. “This was Snoop’s idea,” said Kym Adair, executive director of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice. “He was having conversations with people he knows in the college football world and I got a call that said he wants us to be the first bowl to make this commitment and that’s what we did.” The beneficiaries are Colorado State and Miami (Ohio), who will conclude their seasons Saturday at Arizona Stadium in the Arizona Bowl. The bowl is classified as a 501(c)(3), so all revenue goes to charity. And, being one of the few bowls not tied to ESPN, it opens the door for unique sponsorship opportunities. The bowl was previously sponsored by Barstool Sports and the digital media company used its own cast of characters on the broadcast, which was streamed on its digital platforms. Snoop Dogg takes over this year. The rapper/entertainer is the latest celebrity to sponsor a bowl, following the footsteps of Jimmy Kimmel and Rob Gronkowski at the LA Bowl. And, Snoop being Snoop, he wanted to put his own spin on his own bowl. “College football fans are exhausted by the constant talk around NIL, conference realignment, coach movement, transfer portal and super conferences,” Snoop said in a video posted on social media. “So it’s time that we get back to the roots of college football — when it was focused on the colleges, the players and the competition, the community, the fan experience and the pageantry.” With that will be an NIL component. The bowl can’t pay players just for playing in the bowl, but both teams participated in football clinics on Friday and will get paid for their services. Other bowls have given single players NIL opportunities, but this is believed to be the first to offer it to every player on both teams. “I love the fact that the Arizona Bowl is unique and tries new things, and obviously having Snoop here is unique,” Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said. “The NIL component, it’s the future. It’s what football has become now. We think it’s fantastic for our kids and then the interaction with the kids is the hidden gem of the whole thing.” The NIL component of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl comes a month after a similar effort in The Players Era Festival basketball tournament in Las Vegas. The eight-team tournament said it paid out $9 million in NIL money to participating players for activities outside the competition. It also offered $50 million in NIL opportunities over the next three years for services and activities compliant with NCAA regulations. Are the Players Era Festival and Arizona Bowl the start of a new future? It is not out of the question in big-time college athletics, where schools are already preparing for the era of revenue sharing with players next year. “Revenue sharing between the players and the athletic departments is already on the horizon, so whether that takes the place of these types of arrangements or they’re completely separate has yet to be determined,” Adair said. “We’re just trying to be flexible, ahead of the curve and make an impact any way we can.” Just the way Snoop wants it. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Jay Ashcroft says he won’t seek office again after 8 years as Missouri secretary of state
Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’United States President-elect Donald Trump is bringing Silicon Valley’s influence to the forefront of his administration, by appointing tech Titans for prominent positions. Recently, Trump announced the appointment of a managing partner at Venture Capital (VC) firm Andreessen, Scott Kupor, for the Office of Personnel Management. This key agency oversees recruitment and provides resources for federal employees. Speaking on his appointment, Trump said, Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . “Scott will bring much needed reform to our federal workforce”. Scott Kupor is an investing partner focused on growth-stage companies building in the bio and healthcare industries. He manages the firm’s investor relations team, and is responsible for the firm’s growth initiatives. He was the first employee at Andreessen Horowitz and managed the firm’s growth from $300 million in AUM to more than $40 billion. Prior to joining the firm, Scott worked as vice president and general manager of software-as-a-service at Hewlett Packard. Before that, he held numerous executive management positions at Opsware, including senior vice president of global field operations, vice president of financial planning and vice president of corporate development. In another high-profile appointment, Trump named Indian-American internet entrepreneur, Sririam Krishnan, as senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan, a former general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, has an extensive tech background with roles at companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Twitter, Snap, and Yahoo. He also has a close working relationship with Musk, having temporarily managed Musk’s social media platform, X, following its acquisition in 2022. Trump’s administration has also seen the appointment of seasoned technology expert and former Uber executive Emil Michael, as undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Trump highlighted Michael’s background in his announcement, stating, “Emil has lived the American Dream by building several successful Tech companies. He will ensure that our Military has the most technologically sophisticated weapons in the World, while saving A LOT of money for our Taxpayers.” Tech industry leaders have praised Trump’s appointments, with former Meta executive David Marcus calling them “remarkable picks” and Box CEO Aaron Levie describing them as “very strong.” In a twist of event during which several tech leaders often clashed with Trump, many of these Silicon Valley executives have now shown their support for the president-elect. Major tech leaders which include Meta, and OpenAl’s Sam Altman, have donated $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural committee, and many Silicon Valley leaders have made visits to His residence in Palm Beach, Florida, in recent weeks. The appointment of tech leaders to key positions in Trump’s administration signals a strong shift toward incorporating Silicon Valley’s influence into government operations. By selecting prominent figures from major tech companies, Trump is emphasizing a more business-oriented and innovation-driven approach to governance. These appointments suggest that the administration will prioritize government efficiency, cutting regulations, and leveraging technology to improve federal operations. Additionally, his close ties with Billionaire Tech Entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has become one of his closest advisors, could lead to stronger collaboration between the government and tech giants, potentially reshaping policies related to Al, cryptocurrency, and other emerging technologies. These appointments also reflect a more business-friendly environment, which could attract further support from the tech industry, shifting the administration’s stance from its earlier, more adversarial approach. Overall, the selection of Silicon Valley executive positions m Trump’s administration to drive tech-driven reforms, streamline government processes, and foster closer connections between the private sector and public policy.
Options Corner: A Poor Performance By Micron May Signal An Incoming ReboundHong Kong, December 24 (ANI): There are many reasons to be concerned at the relentless progress of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's party-controlled military. As well as modernising the armed forces with new and potent weapons, China is throwing its weight around in places like the South China Sea, and it is seeking to nefariously influence democracies around the world. In short, China's investment in its armed forces constitutes the single largest military build-up since the end of World War II. The question is, why? Also Read | Apple To Become World's Most Valuable Company Soon, Nears USD 4 Trillion Market Cap Amid AI Push and iPhone Supercycle: Reports. Consider this, China now has more than 600 operational nuclear warheads. Its approximately 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) can reach the US mainland. The PLA has the world's leading arsenal of hypersonic missiles. The PLA has 400 marines stationed in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. China possesses the world's largest military force, comprising 2.035 million active, 510,000 reserve, and 500,000 paramilitary troops. Also Read | Blast in Turkiye: Explosion at Turkish Ammunition Factory Kills 11 People (Watch Videos). Such facts make grim reading. Again, the question needs to be asked why China is prioritising its military growth even while its economy stumbles? All these details, and many more, were revealed in a new report issued by the US Department of Defence (DoD) on 18 December. The report, entitled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2024," is submitted annually to the US Congress, and this was the 24th edition. The report covers developments only through to the beginning of 2024, so it does not mention such activities as China's test flight of an ICBM across the South Pacific, which splashed down near New Caledonia. The DoD summarised: "In 2023 the PRC continued its efforts to form the PLA into an increasingly capable instrument of national power. Throughout the year, the PLA adopted more coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region while accelerating its development of capabilities and concepts to strengthen the PRC's ability to 'fight and win wars' against a 'strong enemy,' counter an intervention by a third party in a conflict along the PRC's periphery, and project power globally." Of course, this is Chinese-speak for enhancing the PLA's ability to fight and defeat the US, the world's preeminent military power, and to dissuade or prevent an American intervention in Chinese operations against Taiwan. This is the ultimate reason why Chairman Xi Jinping continues to pour resources into the PLA. The Pentagon estimates that China's actual defence budget is USD 330-450 billion, which is considerably more than China admits to officially--USD 231 billion for 2024. Additional funds come from the fact that China is the world's fourth-largest arms supplier too. Missiles are one of the PLA's strengths, and nuclear weapons are managed by the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF). Last year's report tabulated 500 operational nuclear warheads, but that had increased to 600+ within a year. By 2030, the PLARF will have a predicted 1,000 nuclear warheads, with more to come after that. China is in the vanguard of technological advancements, with strategic hypersonic glide vehicles under development, plus a fractional orbital bombardment system was demonstrated in 2021. The report confirmed three new missile silo fields deep inside China that contain 320 silos for ICBMs, plus China is likely doubling DF-5 liquid-propellant ICBM numbers to 50 silos. The DoD expects the DF-41 ICBM (containing up to three warheads each) to be deployed in silos and on railways, in addition to known road-mobile launchers. China also test-launched two DF-31AG ICBMs from training silos last year. China is nowadays keeping some nuclear forces on heightened alert for an early-warning counterstrike posture, what Washington calls "launch on warning." Significantly, Russia is supporting China's rapid nuclear-arsenal expansion by providing highly enriched uranium nuclear fuel assemblies to China's two CFR-600 fast breeder reactors, one of which has already been commissioned. In fact, China has received from Moscow an amount of highly enriched uranium that exceeds the entire amount removed worldwide under US and International Atomic Energy Agency auspices in the last three decades. And China still accuses the USA of a Cold War mentality? All this demonstrates how Xi is strengthening military options on the escalatory ladder; indeed, deterring the USA is the ultimate goal. The report noted, "The expanding nuclear force will enable it to target more US cities, military facilities, and leadership sites than ever before in a potential nuclear conflict." This can be the only explanation for Xi's dramatic buildup of nuclear weapons. The PLARF has now deployed its 5,000-8,000 km-range DF-27 intermediate-range ballistic missile, which presumably has a hypersonic glide vehicle payload option as well as conventional land-attack, anti-ship, and nuclear capabilities. The DF-27's potential targets include Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii. The Pentagon believes the PLARF has 1,300 medium-range ballistic missiles. With a range of at least 1,000 km, these missiles only make sense for hitting targets in neighbouring Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and India, for instance. Turning to the PLA Navy (PLAN), it currently has more than 370 ships and submarines, including 140+ major surface combatants. The report anticipates the PLAN will have 395 major vessels by 2025 (including 65 submarines) and 435 vessels by 2030 (with 80 submarines), as its growth continues without letup. China now has five types of anti-ship ballistic missiles: the DF-21D, DF-26, DF-17, DF-27, and YJ-21, all designed to keep enemy ships and aircraft carriers at arm's length while it prosecutes operations against Taiwan. Three of four new Type 093B nuclear-powered attack submarines may be operational by next year, probably armed with land-attack cruise missiles. Type 094 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) are conducting near-continuous at-sea deterrence patrols armed with JL-3 missiles that can reach the continental USA from locations such as the South China Sea or Bohai Gulf. The PLAN has six Type 094s, but the DoD thinks more will appear. As for the introduction of the next-generation Type 096 SSBN, "The Type 096 will likely begin construction soon" and enter service in the late 2020s or early 2030s, reflecting Xi's desire to accelerate China's sea-based nuclear capability. As for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF), the service is estimated to now have 51 Y-20A heavy-lift transport aircraft, as well as 16 Y-20U tankers. Such platforms are extending the global reach of the PLA. The H-20 stealth bomber, able to strike regional and global targets, is mentioned, but "it may take more than a decade to develop this type of advanced bomber" after the program was announced in 2016. Notably, the PLAN transferred many shore-based units (e.g., radar, air defence), 300 fighters (including all JH-7 fighter-bombers), and all H-6J maritime strike bombers to the PLAAF. This was ostensibly to allow the PLAN to focus on carrier-borne aviation and for the PLAAF to improve command and control and air defence. Xi has been in charge of the PLA for twelve years, yet he has not rooted out corruption in the military. Indeed, corruption merited a special section in this year's report. It highlighted that no fewer than 15 high-ranking military officers and defence industry executives were removed from July to December 2023 alone. It pointed out many removals were due to fraud in weapons acquisitions, particularly concerning underground silos. Many of these cases are tied to Li Shangfu, who signed off on all PLA weapon acquisitions when he was head of the Equipment Development Department from 2017-22. The PLARF has presumably repaired these silos, thus increasing overall operational readiness. Because of the report's cutoff date, reverberations from the fall of Admiral Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission, are not discussed. It predicted that removals of key personnel "may have disrupted" PLA progress toward their 2027 military modernisation goal. There is some confusion over the 2027 date that Xi refers to as the "centennial military building goal." By that time, Xi wants the PLA to possess a complete toolbox of military options available for use against Taiwan. However, this should not be construed as a planned date for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. US officials say an invasion is "neither imminent nor inevitable" in 2027. These ongoing corruption issues should perhaps be best regarded as a speedbump on the PLA's pathway to greater capability, rather than being a game-ending disability. Yes, dirty laundry is being aired, but Xi obviously feels confident overall in the direction he is taking the PLA. Xi is pursuing a world-class military, even while, closer to home, the PLA seeks to dominate and control Taiwan and everything within the so-called First Island Chain. Corruption remains rampant because it is sewn into the very fabric of society and military culture, but the dramatic growth in PLA capability continues unchecked. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) determination and unparalleled ability to marshal resources mean that the PLA's modernisation continues unabated. This is the background against which corruption must be viewed. Xi is unremitting in his desire to purify and tone the PLA into a force that can take on not only Taiwan but also the USA if necessary. The report highlighted that "in the last decade, the PRC has employed a more coercive approach to deal with disputes over maritime features, rights to potentially rich offshore oil and gas deposits, and border areas". For example, in the South China Sea, "The PLA has used lasing, aerobatics, acoustic devices, the discharge of objects and other activities that impinged on the ability of nearby aircraft and vessels to manoeuvre safely where high seas freedoms apply." China is not playing by international rules, and it is throwing its weight around. Perhaps the vehemence of the Chinese government's response to the Pentagon report is the greatest testament to its value and accuracy. On 21 December, China's Ministry of National Defense slammed the document's release, saying it "strongly deplores and firmly opposes" this content from a "war-addicted" US. Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the report "misinterpreted China's defense policies, speculated about China's military capacity development, flagrantly interfered in China's domestic affairs, desperately slandered the Chinese military and exaggerated the so-called military threat posed by China". Zhang added, "For over 20 years, the US has been publishing such deceptive and hypocritical reports year after year, only seeking excuses for the development of its own military capacity and misleading public opinion." He insisted that China "adheres to the path of peaceful development and a national defence policy that is defensive in nature". Rather than refute any inaccuracies in the report, China simply trotted out its usual epithets and accusations. Dr. Andrew Erickson, Professor of Strategy at the US Naval War College, noted, "PRC officials fulminate about the China Military Power Report but don't refute its facts because they can't. Instead, they repeat the same old polemic condemnations from previous years. They know it's true overall; they're just upset that it exists in the first place." He described Chinese criticisms as the "same old sound and fury". Erickson pointed out in a piece published by The War Zone website: "Despite all the drama and 'palace intrigue,' we must never lose sight of an important paradox: China has the world's largest bureaucracy to propagandise its greatest strengths while hiding (or at least dismissing) its greatest weaknesses. America, by contrast, ultimately bares all for all to see. It is an elementary analytical error to confuse the respective great powers' 'dirty laundry' with their 'designer clothes'." Graft has always been endemic in the PLA. Corruption is an enduring mark of communist systems, especially where the CCP is above the law that applies to everyone else. Power struggles, graft, pay-to-play, and influence peddling will always feature in China's military. Yet none of this has slowed down Xi's pursuit of modernisation and his drive to sharpen the PLA. Evidence of Xi's unrivalled authority was his dissolution of the Strategic Support Force on 19 April 2024, one that he himself formed in 2015! The Pentagon notes this restructuring was required to give China's military the best possible network and communication systems management to enable the successful prosecution of high-end warfare against the most capable opponents. Xi is a man on a mission, and he is dragging the PLA along with him. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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Manmohan Singh, 1932-2024: From Cambridge to spearheading 1991 reforms to India’s 1st Sikh PMReligare Enterprises Ltd (REL) has confirmed that its material subsidiary, Religare Broking Ltd (RBL), has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a change in management, shareholding, and control. SEBI granted the approval on December 23, 2024, following RBL's application for the proposed changes. This announcement follows REL's update on December 10, 2024, when it disclosed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had granted the Burman family permission to increase its stake in the company. Both the Burman family and the Religare Group are required to consolidate their non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) under a unified structure by March 31, 2026. However, RBI had not approved the appointment of four proposed directors, asking the company to submit the names of the proposed directors along with a board resolution, after confirming their “fit and proper” status. Forensic Investigation into Funds Misappropriation In a separate development, REL provided an update on the forensic investigation into allegations of siphoning-off funds by the company’s former promoters. The final report of the investigation has been completed and was presented to the company’s Board of Directors. In a filing with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE on December 24, 2024, REL stated, “A copy of the report has been forwarded to the Board of Directors for taking note of the findings.” Given the severity of some of the findings, the company has also shared the report with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for further review and action. These steps reflect REL's ongoing commitment to improving governance and addressing significant concerns regarding its financial operations.\ Shares of Religare ended 0.4% lower at ₹307.90 on Tuesday, ahead of the announcement about the change in ownership. Also Read : BPCL wins bid for 150 MW solar PV project, to spend ₹756.45 crore over two years
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Image Recognition Growth: USD 36.1B in 2019 to USD 177.1B by 2031, 18.3% CAGR. 11-26-2024 08:51 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Image Recognition Market Scope: Key Insights : Image Recognition Market size was valued at USD 36.1 billion in 2019 and is poised to grow from USD 42.69 billion in 2023 to USD 177.1 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 18.3% in the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/image-recognition-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/image-recognition-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Image Recognition Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Image Recognition market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Image Recognition Market Research Report: Google LLC Microsoft Corporation IBM Corporation Amazon Web Services, Inc. Intel Corporation Qualcomm Technologies, inc. Honeywell International Inc. Catchoom Technologies S.L. LTU Technologies (A Datalogic Company) Slyce Inc. Wikitude GmbH LTU engine Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Image Recognition market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Image Recognition market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Image Recognition market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Image Recognition segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Image Recognition market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Image Recognition market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Image Recognition market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/image-recognition-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.