Big 12's Yormark brings up hard choices for fans before sparsely attended title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — College football fans are facing some hard choices in the expanded playoff system with some teams set to play away from home multiple times. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark raised that point before the sparsely attended title game between No. 12 Arizona State and 16th-ranked Iowa State. There were thousands of empty seats at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Yormark says he remains committed to having a Big 12 title game. Besides the issues of fans, there have been suggestions that some leagues might be better off without title games as it relates to playoff hopes. Boise State makes the College Football Playoff as Big 12's 1st-round bye chances dim INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The first big win in college football’s postseason goes to Boise State. The have Broncos captured the Mountain West Conference title and earned their spot in the sport’s first 12-team playoff. As for the losers, there was UNLV, which fell 21-7 to Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos in the conference title game. But more than that, it was the Big 12, which saw one path to a first-round bye in those playoffs blocked off by Jeanty and Company. Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn finished in the middle of the pack in a pair of lower-level downhill events as she competed for the first time in nearly six years. The 40-year-old Vonn is on the comeback trail after stepping away from the sport because of injuries. Vonn wasn't concerned with times and places in the races so much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races she had enough points to enter World Cup events. Man City drops more points after draw with Crystal Palace Manchester City’s Premier League title defense has taken another blow after a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Four-time defending champion City ended a seven-game winless run on Wednesday by beating Nottingham Forest. But City has dropped more points on Saturday after the draw at Selhurst Park. It could have been worse for City after Palace led twice. Pep Guardiola’s team is fourth in the standings and eight points behind leader Liverpool. Liverpool has a game in hand after its derby with Everton was postponed due to a storm. Amber Glenn becomes first US woman in 14 years to win figure skating Grand Prix Final GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Amber Glenn has become the first American to win the women’s Grand Prix Final competition since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago. Glenn landed a triple axel on her way to a total score of 212.07 points to beat Japan's Mone Chiba and triple world champion Kaori Sakamoto. That continues a stunning breakout season at the age of 25 for Glenn. The U.S. could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event ahead of the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance. Norris takes pole for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP and Hamilton 18th in Mercedes farewell ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Lando Norris took pole position for the last Formula 1 race of the season alongside teammate Oscar Piastri to put McLaren on the verge of a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Norris’ last lap put him .209 of a second faster than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. .020 further back. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton qualified 18th for his last race with Mercedes after a bizarre incident wrecked his final qualifying lap. A plastic pole marking the inside of a corner was knocked loose by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Hamilton drove over it. Everton vs. Liverpool postponed because of Storm Darragh. Other Premier League games remain on LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed because of Storm Darragh's dangerous winds and heavy rain on the west coast. The Met office says parts of Wales have experienced wind gusts of over 90 mph. The four other Premier League games Saturday remained on as planned. Manchester United will host Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. local time at Old Trafford. The remaining games start at 3 p.m. local time. Aston Villa hosts Southampton and urged fans to use extra time to get to Villa Park in Birmingham. In London, Brentford will host Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will host Manchester City. Ashton Jeanty lets his play do the talking for CFP-bound Boise State BOISE, Idaho (AP) — After Ashton Jeanty streaked through the middle of UNLV’s defense on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run Friday night in the Mountain West Conference title game, he didn’t strike the Heisman pose. He didn’t even lobby for it after the game, instead letting his play do the talking in No. 10 Boise State's 21-7 victory over No. 19 UNLV 21-7. Jeanty added another 209 yards — his sixth game over 200 yards this season — to push his total to 2,497 — just 132 yards short of passing Barry Sanders’ FBS season rushing record. The Broncos earned a spot in the College Football Playoff with the victory. No. 24 Army wins AAC championship in first attempt as Daily runs for 4 TDs in 35-14 win over Tulane WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Bryson Daily rushed for four touchdowns to tie the American Athletic Conference championship game record, and No. 24 Army completed a perfect first season in the league by beating Tulane 35-14. Kanye Udoh rushed for 158 yards, including a 72-yarder to set up a Daily TD, and a score. Daily added 126 yards on the ground for the Black Knights, who overwhelmed AAC opponents with their bruising, clock-eating rushing attack during their first around the league, then ran it to perfection in the championship game. Army moved to 11-1. Daily had runs of 5, 3, 4 and 7 yards. NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that "there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns.Dallas, TX, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mangoceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGRX) (“MangoRx” or the “Company”), a company focused on developing, marketing, and selling men’s health and wellness products via a secure telemedicine platform, today announced the acquisition of patent number WO 2023/086647 PCT/US2022/049857, for mushroom-derived compositions and methods of treatment. This new addition to MangoRx’s intellectual property portfolio highlights the Company’s commitment to innovative solutions that support holistic health and wellness. The acquired patent encompasses nutraceutical compositions derived from functional mushrooms, including well-known varieties such as Cordyceps sinensis , Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), and Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane). These formulations are designed to deliver a range of health benefits, such as enhancing immune function, boosting cognitive performance, supporting mood and mental clarity, providing adaptogenic and antioxidant benefits, and suppressing appetite. The patent also specifies the flexibility of the formulations, allowing for the combination of these compounds in precise dosages to maximize synergistic effects. This versatility opens doors for creating targeted wellness products that cater to diverse health needs. “This acquisition is a significant step forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge wellness solutions,” commented Jacob Cohen, Founder and CEO of MangoRx, who continued, “We believe that the unique properties of these mushroom-derived formulations offer tremendous potential for products that can address a wide spectrum of health concerns, from immune support to cognitive enhancement.” The Company’s acquisition comes at a time when the global nutraceutical market continues to expand rapidly, driven by increased consumer awareness of natural health solutions. According to a recent study performed by Mordor Intelligence , the global functional mushroom market alone was valued at USD 32.41 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 48.59 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.44%. According to industry trends, functional mushrooms have become a cornerstone of this market due to their scientifically validated benefits and versatility in addressing key health concerns. The Company plans to leverage this patent to research and develop a new line of wellness products aimed at improving overall health through scientifically backed natural formulations. Products derived from these compositions may include dietary supplements and functional foods. Daily immune support may harness the antioxidant properties of Reishi and Chaga mushrooms, while planned cognitive boosting supplements are expected to feature Lion’s Mane for the promotion of enhanced brain function and nerve health. Planned stress resilience formulas are projected utilize the adaptogenic properties of Cordyceps to manage stress and improve energy levels, and weight management aids will incorporate appetite-suppressing and metabolism-supporting properties of these mushroom compounds. Future proprietary formulations are planned to align with the growing demand for adaptogens and functional supplements that promote long-term health. The Company aims to differentiate its offerings through stringent ingredient validation, ensuring that each product meets the highest standards of efficacy and quality. About MangoRx MangoRx is focused on developing a variety of men’s health and wellness products and services via a secure telemedicine platform. To date, the Company has identified men’s wellness telemedicine services and products as a growing sector and especially related to the area of erectile dysfunction (ED), hair growth, hormone replacement therapies, and weight management. Interested consumers can use MangoRx’s telemedicine platform for a smooth experience. Prescription requests will be reviewed by a physician and, if approved, fulfilled and discreetly shipped through MangoRx’s partner compounding pharmacy and right to the patient’s doorstep. To learn more about MangoRx’s mission and other products, please visit www.MangoRx.com or on social media @Mango.Rx. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can generally be identified using statements that include words such as “estimate,” “expects,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “forecast,” “likely,” “will,” “target” or similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, relating to, among other things: the investigation into, outcome of the investigation regarding, and potential lawsuits, claims and actions regarding, a potential stock manipulation scheme relating to the Company’s common stock following the Company’s recent reverse stock split; the outcome of certain outstanding legal matters, claims and allegations, the requirement that the Company spend cash and management’s resources on such matters, even if the Company ultimately prevails in such matters, risks associated with certain counterparties to lawsuits having significantly greater resources than us, settlements we may choose to enter into in the future and the terms thereof, and potential regulatory reviews, inquiries or lawsuits, which are brought about by claims made in private lawsuits; the review and evaluation of strategic transactions and their impact on shareholder value; the process by which the Company engages in evaluation of strategic transactions; the outcome of potential future strategic transactions and the terms thereof; the ability of the Company to raise funding, the terms of such funding, and dilution caused thereby; our ability to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq; our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq; our ability to commercialize our patent portfolio; our ability to obtain Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios for our ED product in Mexico, the costs thereof and timing associated therewith; our ability to obtain additional funding and generate revenues to support our operations; risks associated with our products which have not been, and will not be, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“ FDA ”) and have not had the benefit of the FDA’s clinical trial protocol which seeks to prevent the possibility of serious patient injury and death; risks that the FDA may determine that the compounding of our products does not fall within the exemption from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“ FFDCA Act ”) provided by Section 503A; risks associated with related party relationships and agreements; the effect of data security breaches, malicious code and/or hackers; competition and our ability to create a well-known brand name; changes in consumer tastes and preferences; material changes and/or terminations of our relationships with key parties; significant product returns from customers, product liability, recalls and litigation associated with tainted products or products found to cause health issues; claims, lawsuits and litigation relating to our intellectual property, including allegations that our intellectual property infringes on the intellectual property of others, costs related to any such claims or lawsuits and resources required to expend in connection therewith; our ability to innovate, expand our offerings and compete against competitors which may have greater resources; our significant reliance on related party transactions and risks associated with related party relationships and agreements; the projected size of the potential market for our technologies and products; risks related to the fact that our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jacob D. Cohen has significant voting control over the Company; risks related to the significant number of shares in the public float, our share volume, the effect of sales of a significant number of shares in the marketplace; dilution caused by recent and future offerings; conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock and the rights and preferences thereof, the fact that we have a significant number of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock and other convertible securities, the resale of which underlying shares have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, dilution caused by exercises/conversions thereof, overhang related thereto, and decreases in the trading price of our common stock caused by sales thereof; our ability to build and maintain our brands; cybersecurity, information systems and fraud risks and problems with our websites; changes in, and our compliance with, rules and regulations affecting our operations, sales, marketing and/or our products; shipping, production or manufacturing delays; regulations we are required to comply with in connection with our operations, manufacturing, labeling and shipping; our dependency on third-parties to prescribe and compound our products; our ability to establish or maintain relations and/or relationships with third-parties; potential safety risks associated with our products, including the use of ingredients, combination of such ingredients and the dosages thereof; the effects of changing rates of inflation and interest rates, and economic downturns, including potential recessions, as well as macroeconomic, geopolitical, health and industry trends, pandemics, acts of war (including the ongoing Ukraine/Russian conflict and war in Israel) and other large-scale crises; our ability to protect intellectual property rights; our ability to attract and retain key personnel to manage our business effectively; overhang which may reduce the value of our common stock; volatility in the trading price of our common stock; and general consumer sentiment and economic conditions that may affect levels of discretionary customer purchases of the Company’s products, including potential recessions and global economic slowdowns. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this release are reasonable, we provide no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter September 30, 2024, and subsequent reports. These filings are available at www.sec.gov and at our website at https://www.mangoceuticals.com/sec-filings . All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by the Company. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Follow MangoRx on social media: https://www.instagram.com/mango.rx https://x.com/mango_rx https://www.facebook.com/MangoRxOfficial FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS Mangoceuticals Investor Relations Email: investors@mangorx.com
PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices raised in song flooded the space, filling it with harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, is resounding for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Archbishop Ulrich and the clergy donned vibrant liturgical garments designed by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his eye-popping pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac crafted 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Ambition Of MEET48's AI-UGC Ecosystem: MEET48 Announced To Launch Mars Protocol Of Entertainment AI-Agent
It's been a tough year for proponents of electric vehicles. From 1 January, the Clean Car Discount ended and rebates were no longer available to purchasers. From 1 April, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids started to be charged road user charges. Now, ACC levies are set to increase from $42.09 in the current year - the same as a petrol car - to $109.05 in the next financial year. By the 2027/28 year, the levy for electric vehicle owners will be $122.24 - twice the petrol rate. Until now, electric car ACC rates have been discounted as the Government tried to boost EV ownership rates. But this Government is generally unwinding those incentives. Petrol cars also pay ACC levies on petrol they buy at the pump. Kirsten Corson, chair of Drive Electric, which represents the sector, said it had been "really hard". She said while the changes to the clean car discount scheme and the road user charges had been communicated before the election, the ACC levy was a surprise. "It is sending a message to the market which isn't as positive as we would like. "Obviously from a Drive Electric perspective, we want to see fair and equitable policies put in place. "The average petrol car in New Zealand is 15 years old, the average EV is less than four. They are a lot safer cars with newer technology, the risk of accidents is a lot lower with EVs... in the bigger scheme, it's a small impact but these all add up." Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley said the Government wanted to maintain consistency in policy settings. "However, the timing of this change could be better for both the new vehicle industry and motorists. The MIA strongly urged the government to carefully consider the broader implications - timing, impacts and outcomes - of such policy decisions before determining when to proceed. "Effective policy changes must strike a balance and consider consumer affordability and economic, social, and environmental factors affecting New Zealand. "The MIA does not support the timing of this decision, which we believe is premature. We are deeply concerned about its impact on the already fragile EV market. A decline in consumer demand for EVs will significantly hinder the industry's ability to meet the increasingly stringent CO2 targets set for 1 January 2025." Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said the incentives were never going to last forever. "Now we've got a good proportion the government is going, 'They need to pay their way just as much' - but it does feel like [the charges and levies] have come through all at once. "It comes at a time when everyone has got a much heightened focus on cost after going through the most intense inflation our country has had in a generation." The fuel excise duty probably "undercooked" the cost that petrol cars should be paying, Olsen said. This was calculated on the basis that a car that used a certain amount of petrol would have driven a typical amount. "As cars got more fuel efficient it takes less fuel to do the same distance and for the same hit on the road. So cars are using less petrol and paying less fuel excise duty - all else being equal. "If or when we can get better use charging on vehicles, if you got rid of fuel excise duty and petrol cars had to pay road user charge, we would probably see something quite similar between EVs and petrol cars." Registrations of new, full battery electric vehicles were down 55 percent in the year to November compared to the same time a year earlier, Olsen said. Plug-in hybrids were down 51 percent. Petrol vehicles dropped 5 percent and diesel 22 percent. "The challenge here is you've got much more difficult economic times... [but we've seen] a much greater hit to those vehicle types." EVs cheaper post-rebate Wiley said the messaging to consumers had changed and that made it seem as though EVs were not as affordable as they used to be. "What consumers don't necessarily know is that EVs are cheaper now than with the rebate. We knew over time the price of technology would come down anyway but the price of technology hasn't come down, it's more because of a sudden change in consumer demand. "What used to be two or three months of stock became one or two years because no one was buying. You can't sit on EVs - they don't like to just sit still, the batteries need to be used or refurbished if they're not used." This had led distributors and manufacturers trying to clear stock, Wiley said. "There's never been a better time to be buying [in] terms of price point but the problem is once they've cleared their stock the prices won't stay like that forever." Some distributors were making massive losses this year, she said. If people could charge their cars at home they would cost the equivalent of 40c a litre to run, Wiley said. "The messaging to the consumer has been heavily dominated by policy this year rather than features. EVs are newer, safer, cleaner but it's a new technology and that comes with hesitation for some people to want to adapt. When the ACC changes hit, that's going to have as similar impact in the short-term as road user charges on EVs did." Corson said EVs still stacked up from a running perspective. "They're still the most cost-effective option for Kiwis to drive. If you're charging at home after-hours, it's a massive saving. If you're charging overnight it's about $3 per 100km." This worked out to about $20 per 100km in a typical car. The future Wiley said the industry needed to consider how it could communicate more strongly how the move to EVs was less about policy change and more about opportunities for consumers. "What's best for the consumer, what's best for the environment. What do we want our fleet in New Zealand to look like in the future? "The sentiment around electric vehicles feels negative but I don't think it should. They're a really impressive product... I don't think we should be playing one type of power off against another... when it comes time to buy our next vehicles, if we all buy the cleanest, safest newest car we can afford, it will have the biggest meaningful difference for human safety, human health and air quality and the environment long-term. If people thought about that it would make a big difference." Corson said it would take a while for New Zealand to "flip its fleet" to the point where more cars were electric. "In the likes of Norway, where they've had a lot of incentives, over 90 percent of new car sales are electric. The reality is it takes decades to be able to flip your fleet. They're sitting at over 35 percent of the total fleet but they've been working on it since 1990. If you look at New Zealand, we've got one of the oldest and dirtiest fleets in the OECD. It's going to take a bit longer." Corson said she would like the government to consider whether the ACC levies were equitable. Policies to encourage homes and businesses to adopt smart charging infrastructure would also be welcome. "That's set to save us billions of dollars - as opposed to doing it retrospectively, which will cost twice as much." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.As the world’s two largest economies vie for influence in South America, Brazil sits at the heart of the global power struggle. The choices the country makes in the coming years could reshape the region’s economic and political trajectory, according to analysts. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Brazil for a state visit and the G20 Summit marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and underscored Beijing's expanding influence in South America amid intensifying U.S.–China competition. Xi’s visit resulted in 37 trade and diplomatic agreements with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. These agreements spanned agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure development, signaling a closer partnership between the world’s second-largest economy and Latin America’s largest nation. “Brazil has the biggest Chinese investment in the Global South. Lots of Chinese money here,” said Mauricio Santoro, political scientist and international relations expert, and author of Brazil-China Relations in the 21st Century , in an interview with VOA. “And the Chinese and Brazilians are backing a lot of the development of green technologies, wind power, solar power. So, there’s huge potential in that.” During the visit, Xi and Lula discussed strengthening economic cooperation between China and Brazil, as well as addressing key global issues, including trade, sustainable development and geopolitical challenges. Despite the sheer volume of agreements, experts suggest that many were largely symbolic, focusing on reaffirming commitments rather than enacting concrete policies. “Signing 37 agreements is huge. It’s likely they won’t have practical effects in the near term,” Livio Ribeiro, an expert on Sino-Brazilian trade, told VOA. “Most of them are very broad and unspecific. Though, linkages are being tied up. They are getting stronger. I think that’s the point.” China’s expanding influence China has cemented itself as Brazil’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at close to $160 billion in 2023. Trade between the two countries has increased by nearly 10% in the first 10 months of 2024, reported China’s state news agency, Xinhua. Over the past decade, Chinese investments in Brazil, particularly in energy and infrastructure, have surged. As China deepens its footprint in South America, the United States has emphasized soft power strategies, particularly in combating climate change — a central element of Lula’s international agenda. The Biden administration increased its climate finance to $11 billion annually and contributed $50 million to Brazil’s Amazon Fund. However, analysts say China’s rise poses challenges to U.S. influence in South America. Bilateral currency agreements between Beijing and countries such as Brazil and Chile enable trade in Chinese currency, the renminbi, gradually undermining the dollar’s dominance in the region. “Most American administrations look at Latin America as a problem. As a source of instability, of undesirable immigration, organized crime, border troubles and so on,” said Santoro. “But when China looks to Latin America, it basically sees opportunities.” The Trump factor The incoming Trump administration may shift the dynamics of U.S.–China competition in the region, and Trump’s proposals, including a possible sweeping tariff on Chinese imports, could alienate South American nations and draw them closer to Beijing, according to experts. “As we have Trump coming into office in January 2025, the balance of power will change,” Ribeiro told VOA. “And for me the great question is whether Trump, knowing and understanding that he’s losing Latin America, if he will try to regain it or he’ll just let it go.” He said higher interest rates in the U.S. and a stronger dollar may exacerbate economic challenges in South America, devaluing local currencies and increasing borrowing costs. Such volatility could make Chinese partnerships more appealing. Chinese officials "don’t believe that Trump will be able to build good relationships with the leaders of these countries,” Santoro said. Brazil’s balancing act President Lula has maintained a careful approach, strengthening ties with China without alienating the United States. His decision not to join China’s global infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reflects a strategy to preserve Brazil’s diplomatic flexibility, experts said. “That’s the precise way Brazil should deal with it,” Ribeiro told VOA. “Because he [Lula] did not sign the Belt and Road Initiative. Therefore, the U.S. can’t say that we are going into the opposition.” Analysts note Brazil can potentially still benefit from the BRI project — for example through a proposed Brazil-Peru transcontinental railway that remains in the planning stage — while balancing diplomacy between the global rivals, analysts said. “We are trading more and more [with China]. We are using infrastructure. We are receiving Chinese money. So, the integration that comes along with the Belt and Road is reaching us,” said Ribeiro. Some experts see opportunities for Brazil in the U.S.–China rivalry. “If China is suffering economically with the imposition of U.S. tariffs, it could quite possibly make a deal with Brazil to bring the trade to us, using our established trade partnership,” said Brazilian writer Sergio Farias in an interview with VOA. “I think there’s a great possibility of Brazil benefiting from this.”