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Thanks to their compact design, V4 engines today dominate the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, Moto GP. Being narrower, they allow for greater lean angles and dominate the grid. However, V4 engines are nowhere to be found in modern cars. It's a shame — their compactness might make them a good solution for hybrid powertrains. And you might not know it, but the first V4s were developed for cars, not motorcycles. Sure, today we might find these engines may rank among the weirdest engines ever put in production cars , but they had their place under the spotlight. Some of the V4-powered cars even carry historical significance, making their story more interesting. Weird as they may be, these V4-powered machines offered unique driving experiences. This story is woven with wild cylinder-bank angle experimentation, peculiar sports cars, and even commercial vans. There was even a muscle car powered by a V4. This engine design was really quite prominent once, and it's time we gave it its well-deserved recognition. So, here are 10 underrated V4 cars you should know about! Lancia was one of the most innovative companies in early automotive history. The Italian automaker pushed the envelope on what was possible in a production vehicle, and no car made that more apparent than the Lambda. Sleek. Sporty. The polar opposite of the then ubiquitous "carriage" design. Designer Battista Falchetto created a car that launched Lancia into prominence. However, the underlying technology pioneered by company founder Vincenzo Lancia was what allowed for that modern styling. The Lambda didn't have a ladder frame chassis to lift the car and make it look utilitarian; instead, it featured a unitary body shell. Furthermore, Lambda's transmission tunnel was positioned beside the seats, and the car featured independent front suspension developed by Falchetto. In 1919, when Lancia filed the Lambda patent, this was exotic stuff. Still, one of the most prominent features was the engine. Lancia opted for a narrow-angle V4 design, with 13.6 degrees between the cylinder banks. By doing this, the company made the 2.1-liter unit shorter, while using one head to minimize cost. With 49 hp on tap, the compact V4 gave the Torpedo-styled Lambda a top speed of 68 mph (110 km/h); not bad for a 1920s four-cylinder car. Later models could go up to 75 mph (120 km/h), thanks to a power increase to 69 hp. But at the pinnacle were the race versions for the 1000 Miglia, which featured Pirrotta cylinder heads and made up to 80 hp. Lancia slowly started refreshing its model range after WWII. The first model to arrive was the 1951 Aurelia — one of the coolest Lancia models ever — which made waves in the industry by being the first-ever vehicle with a V6 engine. The Aurelia was expensive, but the sheer engineering brilliance and its stunning design made it an instant hit on the market. However, to truly make a mark on the automotive landscape, Lancia needed a mass-market model. Something cheaper, yet still classy enough. So, in 1953, it introduced the Appia, powered of course by a V4 engine. Barely. See, the 1.1-liter unit was again an engineering gem, with the cylinder blocks positioned at a hair over 10 degrees. This would make it the narrowest angle V4 engine to this day; heck, it's closer to an inline-four than a motorcycle V4, which has the pistons set between 60 degrees and 90 degrees. Another prominent feature was the dual in-block camshafts, in place of the traditional overhead camshafts. To crown it all, early Appia examples had aluminum body panels, keeping the car's weight down to 1,800 pounds. However the Appia's "pièce de résistance" trait was the absence of a B-pillar. Yup, a feature today reserved for Rolls-Royce owners was available on Lancia's entry-level vehicle during the 1950s. Crucially, it allowed for easy ingress-egress, particularly on the rear bench. At 12.66 feet (3.86 meters) long, the Appia needed that feature to maximize usability, but that doesn't take away from its eccentricity. If you take the Willys MB, make it smaller and more sophisticated, and equip it with a V4 engine, this is what you get. The AMC M422 Mighty Mite is one of the most adorable off-roaders the U.S. military ever deployed. The Mighty Mite actually didn't share any part with the Willys MB, and it was also way more advanced; hardly surprising, as it arrived almost two decades later. Penned by Ben F. Gregory, a self-taught engineer, pilot, and racing driver, the off-roader was made almost entirely from aluminum. Thus, it weighed just 1,700 pounds (771 kg). This was important because it was to be air-deployed via helicopter. Powering the Mighty Mite was an air-cooled 1.8-liter V4 engine, chosen because of its compactness. It made 52 hp and was initially connected to a three-speed manual gearbox, giving it a top speed of 55 mph. Later, AMC replaced that with a four-speed, which lifted the top speed to 65 mph. Still, the main appeal of the Mighty Mite was its all-terrain ability. Equipped with a dual-range transfer case, limited-slip differentials on both axles and fully independent front and rear suspension, the AMC M422 was capable of traversing the most difficult terrains. It also had a water-wading capacity of up to 60 inches with a special upgrade and could tow a 1,000-pound trailer. Unfortunately, larger helicopters soon became the norm, reducing the importance of a lightweight off-roader. As a result, AMC has built less than 4,000 examples of the Mighty Mite. The Corsair wasn't exactly one of Ford's most successful models , despite having a pretty advanced design for the era. Its V-shaped creases in the front made it instantly recognizable, and similar to the stunning third-gen Thunderbird. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to shake off the fact that it wasn't that much better than its smaller cousin, the Cortina. Notably, based on a stretched Cortina platform, the Corsair offered barely more space inside. However, Corsair's most prominent feature was the availability of V4 engines. Initially offered with a 1.5-liter inline-four, Ford's mid-size sedan was later available with a 1.7-liter V4 Essex engine, with a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks. It produced a solid 73 hp, though a 2.0-liter V4 was later added with up to 103 hp in the Corsair 2000E Deluxe model. Not bad considering the capacity, and enough to push the speedometer needle to 110 mph. For a 2.0-liter mid-size car sold in the U.K. during the 1960s, that speed was pretty astonishing. According to Motor magazine at the time, the Corsair was also good to drive and had a slick-shifting four-speed gearbox and strong brakes. However, power was never the problem of Essex engines. Due to the narrower angle, these V4s were quite unrefined, which didn't match the Corsair's interior, which in the higher-end models, featured soft carpets and walnut veneer details on the dashboard. Perhaps an upgrade would've solved the issues, but Ford instead decided to discontinue the Corsair V4 after only five years on the market. An unrefined V4 engine was certainly not the best option for an executive car. But in a commercial van, that was less of an issue. In 1965, Ford chose the V4 Essex for the Transit van, which became its most successful commercial vehicle in Europe. The compact engine allowed for a relatively short hood, maximizing space on the inside. In fact, the first-gen Transit offered the highest cargo area of any van from its era. Ford installed two V4 Essex engines in the Transit. The 1.7-liter powered the SWB (short wheelbase) model and produced 73 hp, just like in the Corsair. Meanwhile, the LWB (long wheelbase) model was equipped with a 2.0-liter producing 85.5 hp. Later, though, Ford also equipped the Mk1 Transit with a 3.0-liter V6 Essex engine. The larger unit was essentially the 2.0-liter V4 with two added cylinders and produced 100 hp. It was even available with an automatic transmission, which was pretty rare for a commercial van of the time. Ford's 1.7-liter V4 worked in the Transit and gave the Corsair solid straight-line performance, but how about a sports car? The Matra M530 was a quirky, mid-engine proto-Miata, featuring a Cologne V4 from the Taunus 12M — not the Essex one. It was built in Ford's German factory in Cologne and had more oomph at 77 hp and 104 lb-ft of torque. It was chosen because of its compact dimensions, allowing Matra to fit it in front of the rear axle. The V4's figures sound underwhelming, sure, but there is more to a sports car than straight-line speed. Besides, the M530 could still reach 109 mph (175 km/h), more than enough for a car with 145-section front and 165-section rear tires. Its 0-60 sprint of 11.3 seconds was good for the era, too. The secret, as always with these older mid-engine sports cars, was the low weight. Thanks to the fiberglass bodyshell, the M530 weighed just 2,060 pounds (935 kg). The M530 was also good to drive in the corners, thanks to the balanced mid-engine layout. Doesn't it also look cool with the pop-up headlights? Unfortunately, Matra's mid-engine V4 machine never took off. This was even predictable at the time — the M530 was simply too costly for what it offered. Besides, legends like the Lotus Elan and Jaguar E-Type were also available at the time, offering superior performance. Still, the M530 deserves its place in history for the unique driving experience, if not for its sheer oddity. Saab was one of the most ingenious automakers, with unique cars that borrowed many design and engineering cues from their aircraft. To some, they might've appeared eccentric, but you can't deny they were standouts in the industry. That's perhaps the most evident with the Saab 96, introduced in 1960. Compare it to any other passenger car of the era, and the 96 looks way more interesting. More modern, if you will. Besides, with its unique teardrop shape, the 96 was cutting through the air more efficiently than other cars of the era, allowing Saab to get away with using smaller engines. Initially, the car was offered with three-cylinder, two-stroke 841cc units, making 38 hp, which was still enough for an excellent top speed of 75 mph (120 km/h). From 1966, though, Saab equipped the 96 with Ford's Cologne 1.5-liter V4 from the Taunus. With 65 hp on tap, the V4 pushed the needle to 93 mph (150 km/h) and allowed for a respectable 0-60 mph sprint of 16.5 seconds. The Saab 96 is also one of those cars made from the mythical "Swedish steel." Saab used higher-quality steel to deal with the Swedish winters, which inevitably made the car more robust than its rivals. Furthermore, the strong body encompasses a roomy and practical cabin, thanks mainly to the more bulbous outer shape. Larger Swedish families at the time could also opt for the Saab 95 — a three-door wagon with two back-facing seats in the trunk. Unsurprisingly, people still wonder what happened to Saab. The first-generation Mustang became an icon as the original pony car , with power to spare and design to die for. To this day, it remains the quintessential American sports car. European buyers could only ever see it in magazines. Instead, they got the Capri's more compact dimensions, which were a better fit for European roads, anyway. Unfortunately, the Capri was never equipped with a V8, but it at least got a plethora of V4 and V6 options. A chopped V8, so to speak. 1.3-liter, 1.5-liter and 1.7-liter Essex versions were available, but real enthusiasts opted for the Capri 2000GT with the 2.0-liter V4 engine. It had an unimpressive 93 hp, but it only had to carry 2,211 pounds (1,003 kg), so 60 mph arrived in a solid 10.6 seconds and the top speed was 106 mph (171 km/h). Like the Mustang, the Capri wasn't an exotic sports car by any stretch and had a live rear axle. Still, at the time Autocar said the Capri 2000 GT had neat handling and a precise four-speed manual gearbox. On Europe's tight, twisty roads, that's all you need to enjoy driving. Of course, like in the Corsair, the V4 Essex wasn't smooth, but the Capri was never a luxury car, anyway. Fortunately, the Capri 2000 GT was later equipped with a 2.0-liter V6 with 104 hp. However, there was also the RS2000 Group 2 homologation special. Packing a 148-hp, 2.6-liter V6, the legendary race-bred Capri reached 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 7.5 seconds. The Stratos and Delta Integrale left a lasting impact on the automotive industry as rally-bred engineering marvels, but the Lancia Fulvia also has every ingredient necessary to earn legendary status. The Fulvia was a driver-oriented coupe, but without the usual ingredients. It was front-wheel drive. It also had front and rear leaf springs and a Panhard bar in the back. Yup, but that's not all — a narrow-angle V4 engine sat over the front axle to mess up the weight distribution. Like with most cars it produced during the post-war era, Lancia showcased its engineering prowess on the Fulvia. Despite the platform's deficiencies, it is regarded as one of the best front-wheel-drive cars ever made. Surefooted in the corners, yet light and nimble, the Fulvia showed what it takes to make a great-handling FWD car decades before it was a thing. Oh, and it's not just journos that were impressed by the Fulvia; the car proved its mettle by winning the International Championship for Manufacturers in the 1972 rally championship. Those "incorrectly-positioned" narrow-angle (13 degrees) V4s were also a work of art. Spanning from 1.1 to 1.6 liters, and characterized by smooth revving until the red line, Lancia's V4s only add to the driving experience. They were quick, too; the most potent Fulvia 1.6 HF Corsa had 113 hp, and reached 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds, while also looking super-handsome. With the adorable Sonett I roadster, Saab provided the world an example of a car that shows three cylinders can still be fun . And by fun, we mean a toyish weight of 1,102 pounds (500 kg), a characterful 748cc two-stroke three-cylinder with 58 hp, and front-wheel drive! However, Saab chose a different path with the second-gen model. Less elegant on the outside, but perhaps even quirkier, the Sonett II was now a coupe. Saab retained the lightweight fiberglass body and upgraded the three-cylinder engine to 841cc and 60 hp. The small engine wouldn't live in Saab's sports car for long, though. Enter the Ford-sourced 1.5-liter V4, borrowed from the German Taunus. That significantly larger engine added only 5 hp to the mix. It also unfortunately added 155 pounds (70 kg), resulting in a slower 0-60 time of 13.7 seconds. However, the V4 brought the Sonett II to a higher top speed (97 mph), and its 16 lb-ft higher torque made it easier to live with. The third time was the charm for the Sonett, though. Initially available with the same 1.5-liter V4, but later upgraded to a 1.7-liter V4, the Sonett III was an even more serious fun machine. The larger engine gave it a top speed of 106 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 11.6 seconds. As a result, sales went up, but not enough for Saab to consider a replacement. The Sonett was simply too different to become a legend, though that doesn't its significance in Saab's history.
Chris Clarke appointed practice leader of Homeland Security & Law Enforcement; Bryan Miller to lead newly combined Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice MCLEAN, Va. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidehouse, a global consultancy providing advisory, digital, and managed services to the commercial and public sectors, has named Shannon White the new leader of its Defense & Security segment effective Jan. 1, 2025 . White succeeds John Saad , who has been named President of Guidehouse. Additionally, Chris Clarke will take on White's former role as Guidehouse's Defense & Security's Homeland Security & Law Enforcement practice leader. White brings a wealth of expertise in the national security sectors, along with a proven ability to deliver complex, high-impact solutions. With a track record of driving innovation and meaningful results, she has been instrumental in shaping Guidehouse's growth and impact across its diverse portfolio. Under her leadership, the Defense & Security segment will continue to focus on delivering mission-critical solutions to address the nation's most pressing defense and security challenges. "Shannon is a passionate leader whose experience will be invaluable as we continue to support purpose-driven initiatives to preserve security across the U.S.," said John Saad , President of Guidehouse. "Her strategic vision and expertise will accelerate Guidehouse's growth through transformative engagements with our clients in the defense, national security, and public sectors." Chris Clarke , Homeland Security & Law Enforcement practice leader Clarke, a partner at the firm, brings over 20 years of experience engaging with clients on complex challenges, with a focus on risk management and financial transformation. He has worked extensively across the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Intelligence Community leading hundreds of consultants to deliver a range of services in support of solving strategic challenges for Guidehouse clients. Bryan Miller , Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice leader To position the firm for additional growth and to align with the evolving needs of its clients, Guidehouse has combined Defense & Security's Defense & Intelligence and Diplomacy & Development practices into a newly combined Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice under the leadership of Bryan Miller . Miller, a partner at the firm, has over 20 years of industry experience focused on delivering strategy, supply chain and transformation programs to the U.S. Government. "This new structure strengthens our capabilities and provides a more cohesive approach to serving these interconnected client missions," added Saad. "Chris and Bryan are remarkable leaders with unmatched expertise in navigating the complexities of public safety and national security. We congratulate them on these new roles and are confident they will drive tremendous value for our clients and teams." Named a Military Friendly® Employer for six consecutive years, Guidehouse's Defense & Security segment serves U.S. diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, and defense agencies. Backed by proven success in helping clients compete, deter, and win, the firm delivers mission-critical optimization, technology modernization, and financial management solutions. About Guidehouse Guidehouse is a global consultancy providing advisory, digital, and managed services to the commercial and public sectors. Guidehouse is purpose-built to serve the national security, financial services, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure industries. Disrupting legacy consulting delivery models with its agility, capabilities, and scale, the firm delivers technology-enabled and focused solutions that position clients for innovation, resilience, and growth. With high-quality standards and a relentless pursuit of client success, Guidehouse's more than 18,000 employees collaborate with leaders to outwit complexity and achieve transformational changes that meaningfully shape the future. guidehouse.com Media Contact: Cecile Fradkin, cfradkin@scprgroup.com , Guidehouse View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guidehouse-names-shannon-white-leader-of-defense--security-segment-302332867.html SOURCE Guidehouse
SAC Chairman PM Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends dinner in honour of 100th anniversary of Myanmar Engineering Education, opening of Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University
Gift Guide 2024: A gift for the person who has everythingBarclays PLC lifted its position in shares of American Superconductor Co. ( NASDAQ:AMSC – Free Report ) by 376.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 58,328 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 46,080 shares during the period. Barclays PLC’s holdings in American Superconductor were worth $1,377,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AMSC. Amalgamated Bank purchased a new stake in American Superconductor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of American Superconductor in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. CWM LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Superconductor during the third quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in American Superconductor during the third quarter worth $88,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in American Superconductor during the second quarter worth $96,000. 52.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AMSC. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $29.00 target price on shares of American Superconductor in a research report on Monday, September 30th. Craig Hallum restated a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target on shares of American Superconductor in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. American Superconductor Trading Down 5.4 % Shares of NASDAQ AMSC opened at $25.06 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.26. American Superconductor Co. has a 1-year low of $9.37 and a 1-year high of $38.02. The firm has a market cap of $988.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -501.10 and a beta of 2.21. About American Superconductor ( Free Report ) American Superconductor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions worldwide. The company operates through Grid and Wind segments. The Grid segment offers products and services that enable electric utilities, industrial facilities, and renewable energy project developers to connect, transmit, and distribute power under the Gridtec Solutions brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Superconductor Co. ( NASDAQ:AMSC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for American Superconductor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Superconductor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. 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. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect's threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park." Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't a trolling-free zone for Trump's adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A." In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump's taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday SeasonA bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform Infowars returned Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge heard arguments on whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run as Jones alleges collusion and fraud. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston is looking into the November auction and how a trustee chose The Onion over the only other bidder — a company affiliated with Jones that offered twice as much money as The Onion. The judge said the hearing would last into Monday evening and pick up again on Tuesday afternoon. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones' personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control. Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones' personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones' other creditors. The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars' website and social media accounts into parodies , offered $1.75 million for Infowars' assets in the auction, while First United American Companies — which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements — bid $3.5 million. The Onion's bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, chose The Onion, saying its proposal was better for creditors because they would receive more money. Joshua Wolfshohl, an attorney for Murray, told the judge Monday that no wrongdoing occurred during the auction. He called the complaints by Jones and First United American Companies unfounded. “The vast majority of their complaints are just fantastic, imagined conspiracy theories that have no basis in reality," he said. Jones' lawyer, Ben Broocks, questioned Murray's rationale for choosing The Onion and alleged that a recent deposition of the trustee showed improprieties. He also questioned the validity of The Onion's bid, saying it was technically valued at $7 million because of the incentive offered by the Sandy Hook families. An auction company executive involved in the sale testified most of the afternoon. In court filings, Jones and First United American Companies accused Murray, The Onion and the Sandy Hook families of illegally colluding on the bidding, committing fraud and violating the judge's rules for the auction. Murray, The Onion and the families deny the allegations. In his own court filing, Murray called the allegations “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.” Up for sale at the auction were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, as well as its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations. Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened . On Friday, a Connecticut appeals court reduced by $150 million the original $1.44 billion judgment against Jones in the lawsuit against him in that state, but upheld the rest of the award. Jones' lawyer said he will ask Connecticut's highest court to review the appellate ruling. Jones is also appealing a $50 million judgment in a similar Texas defamation lawsuit.
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages
With over 13 years of experience in cloud computing, Sahana Ramesh specializes in program management, multi-cloud architecture, and regulatory compliance. Her contributions to cloud initiatives reflect a deep understanding of technical requirements and business needs, ensuring that organizations operate efficiently in a secure and scalable environment. Expertise in Multi-Cloud Architectures Sahana has worked extensively with cloud platforms, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, enabling organizations to adopt multi-cloud strategies tailored to their operational goals. Her work involves designing secure, PCI-compliant systems that address both regulatory and business requirements. One of her notable achievements includes integrating multi-cloud systems to optimize data security while maintaining accessibility for stakeholders. By implementing advanced configurations and collaborating with cross-functional teams, Sahana has delivered solutions that balance scalability with operational efficiency. Her ability to design systems that adapt to evolving regulatory standards has been instrumental in supporting business continuity across global markets. Data Security and Compliance Sahana's work emphasizes the importance of compliance in cloud technologies. She has led initiatives to implement PCI DSS protocols and ensure secure data storage and transfer within cloud systems. Her focus on automation and standardization has helped reduce risks while maintaining flexibility for business operations. For example, Sahana managed the integration of security measures into cloud frameworks, ensuring that sensitive data was protected without compromising system performance. This approach enabled organizations to meet industry standards while delivering reliable and efficient services to their clients. Expanding Cloud Systems Across Markets Sahana has contributed to the global expansion of cloud systems, including markets in India and the UK. Her role involved navigating complex regulatory environments and collaborating with vendors to implement cost-effective solutions. Her strategies focused on optimizing resource utilization, enabling organizations to scale efficiently while minimizing operational costs. Sahana's efforts ensured that the expansion met both technical and compliance requirements, creating a foundation for reliable and adaptable cloud infrastructure in new regions. Early Career Foundations Sahana began her career at Thomson Reuters, where she gained hands-on experience in IT infrastructure projects, including virtual storage solutions and SAN configurations. These roles provided her with a strong foundation in system stability and resilience, which later became essential in her cloud-focused work. As she advanced in her career, Sahana took on roles requiring program management expertise, overseeing Agile teams, disaster recovery programs, and revenue-generating projects. Her approach to managing technical and operational priorities ensured timely delivery of critical initiatives. Collaboration and Leadership Sahana's ability to foster collaboration across teams has been a key factor in her success. She has worked closely with design, operations, and compliance teams to ensure that cloud solutions align with organizational objectives. Her leadership extends to mentoring team members, providing guidance on cloud technologies, Agile practices, and project management methodologies. By encouraging continuous learning, Sahana has helped build teams capable of addressing complex challenges in cloud transformation projects. Certifications and Technical Proficiency Sahana's expertise is backed by certifications, including AWS Cloud Practitioner and Scaled Scrum Master (SSMC). These credentials reflect her commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements in cloud technologies and Agile practices. Her technical skills include tools like Terraform, Docker, and Splunk, which she utilizes to implement and maintain robust cloud systems. These tools play a critical role in ensuring infrastructure scalability, real-time monitoring, and efficient deployments. Vision for the Future of Cloud Technologies Sahana is interested in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into cloud systems to enhance predictive analytics and automate operations. She believes in leveraging AI-driven insights to build systems that are adaptable to dynamic business environments. Additionally, she sees potential in multi-cloud strategies, which allow organizations to benefit from the strengths of various cloud providers. By developing frameworks that optimize these integrations, Sahana aims to support organizations in building resilient and scalable infrastructures. Commitment to Continuous Improvement Sahana's career reflects her dedication to refining cloud technologies and addressing emerging challenges. Her ability to balance technical expertise with strategic decision-making enables her to deliver solutions that are both practical and forward-looking. By fostering collaboration and prioritizing compliance, Sahana continues to contribute to the evolving field of cloud computing. Her focus on adaptability and efficiency ensures that organizations are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of digital transformation.UCLA women’s basketball earns first-ever No. 1 ranking in weekly AP pollJudge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday Season
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So many amazing stories but, flicking through back copies, we realised we’d already forgotten many of them. Here, then, are some memories of this year’s Memories... January Walworth Castle Hotel was for sale for £3.4m. King James VI of Scotland had stayed there on May 14, 1603, on his journey down to London to be crowned James I of England. He left after a night of “quiet repose” and extending “many princely gratulations” to his host, Elizabeth Jenison. But did he meet Walworth’s two ghosts during his brief stay? One is a grey lady who was a servant who fell pregnant by her master who had her bricked up in a spiral staircase as punishment; the other is a stableboy who is accompanied by an aroma of hay and dung. When gunpowder set fire to the co-op on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland on July 29, 1876, it was feared the whole street would burn down. In the end, the only casualty was “a cat found crouched under a cart, having been roasted alive”. Durham Mustard was back in production, based on the 1720 recipe of Mrs Clements, of Durham, the mother of all mustard, from whom King George I bought all his mustard. So much mustard did she make, that the men of Durham became “knock-kneed” from grinding all the locally grown seeds. Her powerful emblem was a Durham bull, which can still be seen on the label of Colman’s Mustard even though it is made in Norwich. READ MORE: 12 KILLED, 100 INJURED IN AMMUNITION TRAIN EXPLOSION AT CATTERICK 80 YEARS AGO Mr R Pearson devised a wooden seat on which he would sit and be pulled up the tower of Kirkby Fleetham church so he could trim the ivy. Unfortunately, he was over-enthusiastic with his pruning and slashed through the rope as well as the ivy and plunged to his death. He was buried where he landed. The first Darlington FC player ever to be sent off was Henry Matthews on January 9, 1892. He later played for Millwall. A silver nose (above) was the pick of the exhibits in the new Yarm museum. It represented the facial features of Tom Brown who received eight slashes to his eye, face, head, neck and nose while fighting at the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria in 1743. He returned home in this “hacked condition” and George I rewarded his bravery by giving him a cover made of silver for his disfigured nose. Tom Brown's disfigured face Darlington’s only Grand Fir, discovered on the west coast of America in 1830, was having executive homes built around it as part of the Havelock Park development at Blackwell. It is believed the statement tree was planted by the Allan family of Blackwell Grange more than 150 years ago as they battled with the botanically-minded Backhouses of Rockliffe Park, Hurworth, to have the district’s top tree. Peggy Spenseley, 103, (above) the oldest woman in Swaledale was pictured on a series of striking postcard images around 1910 taken by JB Smithson, showing her sitting at the wheel of the first motor car to arrive in the dale, a 1903 Sunbeam. February Elizabeth Pease Nichol (above) laid the foundation stone of the Mechanics Institute in Skinnergate, Darlington, on May 12, 1853, using “a silver trowel judiciously contrived to serve as a fish slice”. Three weeks later, she married a non-Quaker and so was disowned by the Darlington Quakers, even though her husband was a professor of astronomy. She spent the rest of her life in Edinburgh, campaigning for women to get the vote. In 1851, 43 people born in Teesdale were working in the cheese trade in London. Alice Simmonette with the lion in Witton Park In 1897, when Sanger’s touring circus came to Witton Park, 15-year-old Alice Simmonette, whose parents ran the Queen’s Head pub, entered a cage with a lion in it and sang a song, Break the News to Mother. The lion didn’t eat her, and Alice embarked upon a career as a trapeze artist which included touring America in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West rodeo show. Blands Corner at Blackwell is named after Mr Bland who had an early garage in the outbuildings of the old Angel Inn which stood beside the A167 to Hurworth Place. Falconette cannonball found in Stapleton History Hunter Mark McMullan discovered a 400-year-old Falconette cannonball while detecting in a field near Stapleton. Could it have been a leftover from August 1640 when there was a skirmish starting at Stapleton in which English soldiers chased Scottish invaders along the Tees to Croft bridge. The bridge was guarded, so the Scots into the Tees to their deaths. When Jane Gurney Pease died unmarried, aged 67, in 1894, she was buried in the Quaker cemetery in Darlington. At the end of her funeral, an elderly Anglican clergyman lingered by the graveside – could he have been the vicar she had fallen in love with when a teenager staying at Marske-by-the-Sea but was forbidden from marrying because he was outside the Quaker faith? The programme for Herman Goering's car's visit to Minories, Darlington In the late 1940s, Hermann Goering’s bulletproof car – a 7ft long supercharged Mercedes Cabriolet with a top speed of 108mph – toured Britain, raising money for war charities. It visited Minories garage on Northgate, Darlington. Goering had been Hitler’s second in command. hool star Derek Griffiths stars in a film about Arthur Wharton, the first black professional footballer who made his na Chris Lloyd with Derek Griffiths at the Arthur Wharton foundation Play School star Derek Griffiths stars in a film about Arthur Wharton, the first black professional footballer who made his name in Darlington in the 1880s. The film, A Light That Never Fades, was shot in West Auckland and is due to be premiered in January 2025. The most remarkable monument in Darlington’s West Cemetery – a horse that has lost all four of its legs over the years – is dedicated to Mary Jane Allen, 32, who died of bronchitis on February 19, 1874, when her touring equestrian show, known as Allen’s Excelsior Amphitheatre and Temple of Varieties, was in town. She left four acrobatic children. Until 1956, someone left flowers on her grave every February 19. Galanthus grumpy, because it looks like a miserable old git The garden at Tudor Croft, in Guisborough, was open to the public to show off its 350 varieties of snowdrop, including Galanthus grumpy, so named because it looks like a miserable old git. Ronald Brebner, a Darlington dentist, won gold at the 1912 Olympic Games as goalkeeper in the Great Britain football team. He died in 1914, having injured his neck badly while diving at the feet of an opponent when playing for Leicester Fosse. Aycliffe stadium stock car racing by John Askwith, 1984 Aycliffe stadium held its first stock car race in 1956, and was a major attraction until 1989 when a road to the new Fujitsu factory was driven across its site. Part of the attraction was spectators’ ability to get close to the action. However, our enthusiasm for stories about the stadium waned when we heard about someone who had been blinded by wreckage flying off the track. Suzanne McBain, of Barnard Castle, in her 37-year-old P&B jumper Suzanne McBain attended a Memories talk to Teesdale U3A in the Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, wearing a jumper she had bought from a Patons & Baldwins sale of knitting pattern samples in the Baths Hall, Darlington, in 1987. “It’s lovely and warm and I’ve worn it every winter for 37 years,” she said. Her husband, Norman, said: “She does take it off to go to bed.” March Voltigeur, the Richmond-bred racehorse which won the 1850 Epsom Derby at odds of 16-1, died at Aske Hall in 1874. A triumphal arch, on the bank down to Gilling West, was built in his honour by his owner, Lord Zetland, and so many in the town won so much by backing him, that 10 of them drank themselves to death within a year. On February 24, 1964, the first members of Weardale Ski Club launched themselves down their first run as they opened the North East’s only real snow ski club. Back then, they averaged 45 days of skiing a year. Now, as the climate changes, they are down to about 10. Cllr Jan Cossins and members of the Bradshaw family, Kate, Sam and Viveca, and the plaque dedicated to Clara Lucas To mark International Women’s Day, the mayor of Darlington, Cllr Jan Cossins, unveiled a blue plaque on the home in Abbey Road of Clara Curtis Lucas, who, in 1918, became the first woman to be elected to the town council. Because of the windbaggery of the 27 other male councillors, her first meeting dragged on so long, she said at the end of it: “If we are going to be here all this time every month, I’ll bring my knitting.” Among the spring bulbs, a Yellow Star of Bethlehem was spotted growing in Darlington’s North Lodge Park. Usually it is a riverbank plant, but it grows in the park on the edge of what was once a boating lake. Was it planted there by banker William Backhouse in the 1820s when he laid the parkland out as a pleasureground? The Darlington and District Joint Stock Bank, formed in 1833, crashed in 1888 following the antics of its Leyburn branch manager, Edwin Beetham, who began speculating with other people’s money on the stock market. In desperation in ten days in June 1883, he raised £20,000 (about £2.4m today) by conning local people into signing false documents. He lost the lot and the bank never recovered. April Albert the Good with his head in Durham At the entrance to Durham’s Wharton Park is a headless statue with the words “Albert the Good” beneath it. It is thought the statue arrived in the park around the start of the Second World War, but no one knows from where, or who Albert the Good might be. Mark Nimmins sent in a rare picture from the late 1960s showing it when it had a head – but when did it lose its head? In June 1927, the largest railway operation ever carried three million people into the North East and North West to witness a total eclipse of the sun. LNER’s arrangements included taking “60 flat fish boxes without lids” to Richmond which were placed on the tracks beneath the lavatory outlets of the special excursion trains, but whatever did they do with whatever was caught in the fish boxes? King Alfonso XIII of Spain leaves the Imperial Hotel in Darlington on July 4, 1928 On July 3, 1928, King Alfonso XIII of Spain stayed at the Imperial Hotel in Blackwellgate, Darlington, prior to his visit to Darlington Forge where he spent seven hours watching steel being made. A keen metallurgist, at the end of his visit he was presented with an ashtray pressed out of the steel he had seen in its molten state. Marna and John Pacey's outhouse - perhaps a vote-winning cowhouse - in Brompton, near Northallerton After the Great Reform Act of 1832, people qualified for a vote by owning property of a certain value. In the Northallerton constituency, Liberal candidate William Battie-Wrightson bought up much land, divided it into small plots on which he built a cowhouse that was just big enough for the owner to qualify for a vote. Then he gave the cowhouses to people who must have promised to vote for him. Amazingly, we found that at least four of these vote-rigging cowhouses still exist in the Northallerton area. Bentley Beetham on the right of the front row at base camp Everest with Andrew Irvine and George Mallory standing on the left of the back row Barnard Castle schoolteacher Bentley Beetham, born in Darlington, was on the ill-fated Everest expedition led by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine in 1924. It is believed that had not he been overwhelmed by sciatica, he may well have joined Mallory on the final push for the summit. The expedition ended in tragedy and mystery: both Mallory and Irvine died, but before or after reaching the top? In this centenary year, retreating snows on Everest revealed Irvine’s boot, complete with his nametag sewn into his sock. Squire Henry Cocks (above) of Middleton St George died in 1894, aged 89. He was unmarried, but in his will he left money to his five “reputed sons” and his three “reputed daughters”. They were the children of Margaret Graham and Mary Robinson. During his lifetime, Squire Cocks had paid for the Methodist chapel to be built in Middleton One Row with identical houses on either side of it – one, it is said, for his mistress Graham and the other for his mistress Robinson. READ MORE: THE SAD STORY OF THE ECCENTRIC STONEMASON WHOSE CURIOUS BUILDINGS STILL GRACE DARLINGTONNEW 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. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. 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. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect's threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park." Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't a trolling-free zone for Trump's adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A." In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump's taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.