Detroit -- China will soon see a massive expansion of electric vehicle battery swapping, as global battery maker CATL said Wednesday it is investing heavily in stations there next year. Battery swapping is not new — but it's had a challenging journey. Adoption of electric vehicles has varied in regions across the globe over the past several years, and that doesn't always bode well for building new infrastructure. While the technology could do well in China, it's uncertain whether it could work in other countries. Battery swapping allows EV drivers to pull into a station on a low battery and receive a swapped, fully-charged battery within minutes. An EV has to be equipped with the right technology to receive a swap — and not many models around the world currently have it. Automakers have to buy into the idea, and EV adoption among consumers also has to grow, so that investing in new infrastructure seems worthwhile. Consumers also have to be comfortable not owning their battery. China is much further along in adopting EVs than other countries. Not only is it the world's largest auto market, but in July, the country hit a milestone with 50% of new sales electric — and it accounts for most of this year's global EV sales. China supports EV growth through government subsidies and mandates. So it makes more sense for companies to invest in unique EV infrastructure there because that's more likely to be needed. The most notable example might be Israeli startup Better Place, which tried its hand at swapping in 2007. But the company shut down a few years later after investing a lot of money and coming up against roadblocks with logistics. EV adoption was especially low at the time. Startup Ample, for example, has a modular battery swapping station that it says can complete a swap in 5 minutes. That’s important as charging time remains a point of concern for prospective EV buyers. Even the fastest fast chargers could take at least 15 minutes for a decent charge. But in the U.S., pure EVs only accounted for 8% of new vehicle sales as of November. Meanwhile Nio, a rival Chinese EV brand, has about 60 swap stations in northern Europe, and the EV adoption is higher there than the U.S., but the same challenges remain. Different automakers put different batteries in their various EV models, so a station would need all of those available if the industry didn't agree to a standardized battery, and not all of those models are out yet in volume. This is something that really needs scale. Swapping could help with EV cost — currently a barrier to adoption for many — because a driver wouldn’t necessarily own the most expensive part of an EV: the battery. Greg Less, director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab, said with proper framing and education, people might like the idea of battery swapping. To him, it's not unlike buying a propane-fueled grill and purchasing a refilled tank every so often. But it would require a rethinking of car ownership. "Where I could see it working is if we went entirely away from vehicle ownership and we went to a use-on-demand model," Less added. “I don’t think we’re there yet.” Battery swapping might make most sense for ride-sharing or other fleet vehicles. Drivers of buses, taxis, Uber or Lyft vehicles want to spend as much time on the road as possible, transporting customers and making money. If battery swapping can shorten the time needed to charge EVs, that makes driving one less disruptive to their business. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn . Reach her at ast.john@ap.org . ___ Read more of AP’s climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .
Senator Mike Lee Pines for the Good Ol' Days of Incandescent BulbsWhat do the Nissan Patrol and crocodiles have in common? They’re both living dinosaurs. The Y62-generation Patrol first launched globally way back in 2010, and the major mid-life facelift you see here first debuted in 2019. It’s one of the few models currently on sale that can challenge the Mitsubishi ASX for longevity, and like its Japanese compatriot it’s still unclear when we might see a replacement – though the rumour mill is talking . For now though, the 2024 Nissan Patrol range sees one of its biggest updates in years. In lieu of Nissan’s Yukuhashi plant putting out right-hand drive models with a more modern interior like that of the US-market Armada, Nissan Australia has answered calls for more modern infotainment with a locally engineered sollution. As such, there’s a new infotainment system that finally offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and in the process of developing this solution there’s a redesigned centre stack. Otherwise, it’s the same ol’ Patrol. It’s still a beast of a thing, but compared to something like a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series feels suitably old-fashioned. But for some people, that’s exactly what they’re after in a rugged, family-ready 4WD. We got a sample of the new Patrol Warrior in the Victorian high country as a friendly reminder of the flagship Nissan SUV’s capabilities. Does it still measure up? Prices are up by $3000 across the range, with the entry-level Patrol Ti now starting from $87,900 plus on-road costs. To see how the Nissan Patrol lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool . This is where the biggest changes have been made for MY24. All the attention has been focused on the centre stack and console, centring around the revised fascia incorporating the new display, as well as a new storage option for your phone. The 10.1-inch display is fairly low set but is much larger and higher in resolution than the outgoing model’s ageing 8.0-inch display running an interface from the early stages of last decade. Additional changes include the removal of one USB-A port for a faster USB-C connection and a 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pocket – finally, somewhere to store your phone! A new cool box lives under the front centre armrest, too. Included in the new infotainment system is DAB+ digital radio and an iGO Street Navigation system, which comes with a complimentary one-month subscription to Hema 4×4 Navigation for off-road guidance. There’s also (finally) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both available with a wireless connection as well as wired. The new display – the product of a partnership between Nissan and Melbourne-based firm Directed Technologies – is fitted on the Premcar factory floor in Warrior versions, and at the port by Prixcar in Ti and Ti-L versions. Connecting my iPhone 15 Pro Max was a quick and easy process, and new inbuilt mapping technology is far more modern and usable than the old Nissan-supplied unit. But there’s no escaping that the user interface looks aftermarket, and the fitment of this display has removed the old model’s surround-view camera with Moving Object Detection. While these changes courtesy of the new infotainment system are well overdue, the fact the Patrol Warrior measures 5269mm long (+94mm vs Ti) and 2079mm wide (+84mm vs Ti) means parking this big rig just got a little bit tougher. It’s all otherwise unchanged from before, with the Warrior benefitting from some choice changes including gloss black trim inserts – the standard wood panels are taken out by Premcar, then resprayed and reinstalled – as well as Alcantara accents. It’s definitely more youthful and sporty than the standard Patrol Ti. As previously reported, build quality is solid and it’s almost lounge-like in the general trimmings, with leather adorning most surfaces and main touch points finished in what feel like high-quality materials. The lashings of chrome and metallic accents all help to create an upmarket ambience befitting of the price tag, though other elements betray the Patrol’s advancing age. A prime example is the instrument cluster, which like the pre-update’s infotainment system and centre stack dates back to the Y62’s original launch in 2010. The analogue dials are fine, but the basic monochrome display which lacks a digital speedometer readout would barely pass in a base Qashqai let alone a $100,000 Patrol. Here’s hoping the next-generation Patrol comes to Australia fully aligned with global specifications, so Australian customers don’t have to be jibbed unlike the rest of the markets the Patrol is sold in. As you’d expect of a vehicle with the Patrol’s hulking dimensions, space in the second row is very good. The wide and flat rear bench means seating three abreast won’t leave your kids or teenagers punching on about who rides in the middle, and taller passengers are catered for in all dimensions with good head, knee and leg room. Amenities include roof-mounted vents and separate fan controls for the rear, as well as map pockets behind the front seats, bottle holders in the doors as well as a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders in the second row. The third row is disappointing, as the fixed second-row seat bases don’t allow you to open up much legroom, and the floor is very high. It’s very much a kids-only area. Kids can have their ISOFIX seats attached to either of the outboard second-row seats, while there are also top-tether points on the outboard middle-row seats as well as the driver’s side third-row seat. To see how the Nissan Patrol lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool . There’s no downsizing or turbocharging under the long bonnet of the Nissan Patrol. To see how the Nissan Patrol lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool . Our drive of the new Patrol Warrior was almost exclusively on off-road trails near Mount Disappointment in Victoria’s northern corridor. No changes have been made to the mechanical package, but the added convenience of the infotainment upgrades make the Patrol an easier thing to live with in general. But the terrain we tackled was less about the tech changes and more about showcasing the added capabilities of the Warrior variant developed and remanufactured by Epping-based Premcar. We did a brief on-road stint en route from Premcar’s factory in Epping, Melbourne, before driving the entire Warrior by Premcar range up some trails through the Mt Disappointment State Forest. After plenty of rain the day before, the trails were wet and muddy. We traversed slippery climbs, watery dips, and everything in between. The Navara Warrior models were driven by us first, then the Patrol. It was quite interesting to realise just how settled and effortless the Patrol was to drive following the utes, with its intelligent 4WD system able to adapt to most scenarios without having to fiddle with 4WD mode dials and locking diffs. It may be big and heavy – the Warrior is nearly 2.9t – but the grunt from the V8 petrol engine under the bonnet and the traction from the 4WD system, in addition to the chunky Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tyres, helps it to pretty effortlessly navigate slippery and boggy terrain. Even with 323mm of ground clearance, we noticed the Warrior knocked its running boards on some dips and breakovers during our off-road drives, but as far as we know there was no damage or loose bits hanging off the car as a result. The sheer width of the thing (2079mm excluding mirrors), also means some skinnier trails will have you brushing the mirrors or the sides of the vehicle on overhanging foliage. If you care about your paint, it might be worth getting paint protection film if you plan on going bush often. On higher-speed dirt roads with wider boundaries and no obstacles, the Patrol Warrior makes a fine dirt buggy. It’s nigh on unshakeable even with damp dirt under its tyres, and it does an impressive impression of a V8-powered Dakar rally car – I’ll tell you how. We had one of Premcar’s engineers explain the various modes of the Warrior’s bi-modal exhaust system. While it adapts the valves to throttle input, revs and vehicle speed, if you flick it into manual mode the valves stay open. So what do you think I did on these sections? I started shifting manually via the gearshift like a sequential ‘box, and held gears to let the Patrol’s side-exit exhaust bellow through the forest as we transited between trails. It does this just as nicely on pavement if you’re game, and it’s a brassy, bassy tone that is just about unrivalled in modern-day motoring as most vehicles continue to downsize and introduce forced induction. Bliss. As a reminder, the Warrior’s upgrades include a 29mm suspension lift with the remaining 21mm of lift provided by the all-terrain tyres, while the dampers have been retuned and the suspension upgraded including an 120kg GVM increase. There’s also a Warrior-branded steel bash plate up front, two rear recovery points, as well as black fender flare extensions to match the black-painted grille and mirror caps. Let’s be clear, the standard Patrol was already a very capable machine – check out our 4WD Mega Test for proof – but the Warrior enhances that further with a tougher aesthetic to boot. Keep in mind, Nissan offers you all this capability for over $40,000 less than a LandCruiser 300 GR Sport , too. To see how the Nissan Patrol lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool . Nissan Australia offers three variants of the Patrol. Patrol Ti standard equipment: *Replaces outgoing model’s surround camera with Moving Object Detection Patrol Ti-L adds: Patrol Warrior by Premcar adds – over Patrol Ti: The Nissan Patrol remains unrated by safety authority ANCAP. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Like the wider Nissan range, all versions of the Patrol are backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. With strict new emissions laws looming, the Nissan Patrol as we know it could be on borrowed time. The thundering V8 is expected to be replaced by a twin-turbo V6 in the next generation, with more power and torque but also increased complexity, less noise, and less linear response. For some that will be a godsend. The improved low-down surge of torque will likely make the next Patrol more effortless to drive in town and easier on fuel; and the anticipated tech upgrade could be two or three generations’ worth of improvements compared to the car on sale here today. But that’s not why Australians love the Patrol so much, part of the reason the Premcar partnership and Warrior program came to be. It’s the analogue-ness of the Patrol that many have come to love. That’s on top of that beast of an engine, Nissan’s and the Patrol nameplate’s reputation for reliability, as well as the overall comfort and refinement the Y62 has been lauded for. The proof is in the pudding. To the end of May there have been 3724 new Patrol units registered in Australia, a 46.3 per cent increase on the Jan-May period in 2023 – cost of living crisis who? Premcar is also anticipating its Warrior volume to double in 2024 across its Navara- and Patrol-based offerings, further demonstrating the humungous appetite in Australia for vehicles like this. This living dinosaur has some legs in it yet... MORE: Buy a Nissan Patrol MORE: Everything Nissan Patrol
When baseball historian Bill Humber first heard about the golden at-bat idea that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred floated on a recent podcast, he was a little taken aback. “I kind of laughed, actually,” Humber said Wednesday. “I thought it was one of the stupidest ideas I’d ever heard.” MLB has seen its share of change of late, but the thought of a team using one at-bat each game to send any hitter it wants to the plate — even if it’s not their turn in the batting order — was quite a curveball. “This can’t be real,” former Blue Jays pitcher and seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens posted on social media. Wild-card playoff tinkering, pitch clocks, shift rules and automatic runners are some of the more significant changes to the game in recent years. All had varying levels of detractors and the golden at-bat discussion is no different. Critics are eyeing it like a meatball thrown across the middle of the plate. “It doesn’t really fit within the logic of the game in my mind,” said Humber, a Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer. “I look upon it quite askance to be honest with you. I don’t see the point of it in a way. “I mean to some extent, the magic of baseball is those unheralded batters who arrive at a situation that one wouldn’t have thought that they would ever have been in, and allowing them to bat in place.” Humber cited a number of grand baseball moments that might not have happened if a golden at-bat rule were in effect. “One can imagine when Bobby Thomson hit his famous home run against the (Brooklyn) Dodgers in 1951, Willie Mays was on deck,” he said of the ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ that gave the New York Giants the National League pennant. “What if they had a golden at-bat and put Mays at bat, maybe he would have struck out or popped up or hit into a double-play or who knows what. There’s lots of situations like that.” What about the two famous World Series-winning walkoffs? Would the skippers have used a golden at-bat to get their best pure hitter to the plate? Bill Mazeroski went deep to give Pittsburgh the Fall Classic in 1960 and Joe Carter’s walkoff blast in 1993 gave the Blue Jays their second straight World Series title. Mazeroski’s power numbers were middling while Carter, who led the Blue Jays in homers and RBIs that year, had a mediocre batting average. “I think the magic of the game are those moments that are unpredictable and yet kind of create some of the joy of the game in our memories,” Humber said. ” I think this kind of runs afoul of that tradition. “I’m not a fan, let me say that. But that’s not to say it won’t happen.” Manfred first mentioned the golden at-bat idea publicly in an interview with John Ourand on Puck’s “The Varsity” podcast. The commissioner said the subject came up at a recent owners’ meeting. Retired sportswriter Dave Perkins, who covered the Blue Jays for years over his long career at the Toronto Star, said use of a golden at-bat would be “a travesty.” “On the surface I say it’s absolutely stupid and ridiculous,” he said. “But a lot of other things I thought were stupid and ridiculous worked their way into the games and they’re even OK with me now.” The subject of potential rule changes like the golden at-bat came up when Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins met with the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America earlier this week. “It’s interesting to me because we went through so much change over the last couple of years,” he said. “Getting to that change was a scratch and a claw and a climb. And then once the change happened, everyone — for the most part — thought, ‘OK, that went OK and it seems like there’s a better product on the field.’ “So now the dialogue around change is with a much more open mind whether it be players, staff, the exchanges, the ideas, even if they seem very difficult to wrap your head around. They’re not getting stiff-armed as much as they were the first go-round.” Scott Crawford, operations director of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said he prefers a traditional setup where any player can be a hero at any time. “I like the team aspect of the game where you get your shot,” he said. “You can be a No. 8 hitter and you can come up with a big hit and win a World Series and (a superstar like Shohei) Ohtani can strike out.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Follow @GregoryStrongCP on X. Gregory Strong, The Canadian PressThis ain’t Texas-this is buffering. As Beyoncé gets ready to perform during the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens Christmas Day halftime show at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston, she couldn’t help but poke a bit of fun at Netflix, who will be live-streaming the game on their platform. In a video posted to her social media accounts Dec. 24, the Grammy winner could be seen sitting on a football field wearing a flowing cape, big hat and sunglasses and strumming a banjo to the tune of her hit “Texas Hold ‘Em.” As Beyoncé removes her sunglasses, the camera zooms in on her face before giving viewers the classic Netflix red circle buffer. The “Diva” singer-who shares children Blue Ivy Carter, 12, and twins Rumi Carter and Sir Carter, 7, with husband Jay-Z-can then be heard laughing over the buffer, before the video cuts to a reminder about the game. “I’m sending you big joy and love on this Cowboy Christmas Eve,” the 43-year-old wrote alongside the promo. “I’ll see y’all tomorrow, in my city HTX.” And of course fans were delighted by the trolling, with Netflix even jumping in to share their own thoughts. “now hold on,” they wrote in the comments of her video on X, formerly Twitter, before changing their bio on the platform to, “roasted by beyoncé 12.24.25.” Beyoncé’s halftime performance marks the first time she’s taken the stage since wrapping her Renaissance World Tour in October 2023, and also the first since the March release of her latest album, Cowboy Carter. And while the Texans-Ravens game will start streaming on Netflix at 4:30pm, fans will still have three hours to catch her performance on the platform after the game ends, according to Variety. But it’s not all about football for Beyoncé, as mom Tina Knowles recently shared a few of the family’s holiday traditions that they’ll be enjoying this year. “For the kids, we buy toys just like in any other family,” she told E! News. “That’s what they like.” And it’s not just gifts they’ll be enjoying, as Tina has another recipe for success up her sleeve, noting she’ll be, “making my amazing gumbo.” “I just made it for Thanksgiving,” she added, “it was so many people that came over. Just good food and company and family.”FuriosaAI Ends 2024 on a High Note: Llama 3.1 Performance, SDK Release, Leadership Expansion
Marvell Technology, Inc. Reports Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 Financial ResultsSignature Global Eyes Rs 50,000 Crore Expansion In Delhi-NCR Amid Strong Demand
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Jun 2, 2024; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Joel Dahmen hits his tee shot at the fourth hole during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports/ File Photo Joel Dahmen has handled the pressure of closing out a PGA Tour victory, but even that didn't equate to the emotional weight he felt standing over a 5 1/2-foot putt in Georgia on Friday. Miss it, and Dahmen was assured of missing out on fully exempt status on the PGA Tour for 2025. Make it, and he would get to live to fight another weekend. The 37-year-old steadied his hands to drain the putt and make the cut on the number at 1-under par at The RSM Classic on Sea Island, Ga. Dahmen enters the weekend projected to finish 126th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings -- only the top 125 earn fully exempt status for next year. "It was a great putt. I was very nervous," he admitted after the round. "But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us like at halftime. But without that and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend. "I'm hoping I play great this weekend and I hit 36 greens and I just kind of plod my way around and it's super easy, but that's not the way golf is. Really proud of myself today, but there's still work to do." Nothing has come easy this season for the winner of the 2021 Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. Ranked as high as 58th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Dahmen has plummeted as low as 240th this year while posting a lone Top 10 finish against 10 missed cuts in 28 events. This week marks No. 29, including all eight during the FedEx Fall swing as Dahmen has attempted to improve his FedEx Cup ranking. He finished T14 in Mexico two weeks ago, but hasn't managed better than a T40 in the other six. That included a missed cut in Bermuda last week, which ratcheted the pressure up that much more. "You can't get away from anything. The room's a little more quiet around you. Like a pitcher throwing a no-hitter this week, it's a little different," Dahmen said. "Once I missed the cut in Bermuda last week, stress has been high. "You lay in bed, try to go to sleep, but it's like you're sleeping on the lead of a major every night. That's kind of what it feels like, but a little more stressful than that." Dahmen's chances of securing exempt status appeared bleak after opening with a 73 on Thursday. He fell to 2 over with an opening bogey on No. 1, then managed three birdies over his next 15 holes to set up the all-important putt on 18. When the putt dropped, Dahmen hugged his wife, Lona, and playing partner Mark Hubbard said the all the drama during a Friday round in November caused him to "stress drink." "I'm sorry for them, I'm sorry that they're feeling the way I'm feeling," Dahmen said. "I know my wife has been stressed. I have a lot of great people around me and so it's hard on them, but it's just because they love me and they care about me. "I mean, job's not done. ... We have two more steps to go." If Dahmen doesn't improve his standing at least one spot by the end of the weekend, he will still retain conditional status in the Nos. 126-150 category. Either way, Dahmen -- who gained "every man" fame along with caddie Gino Bonnali in the Netflix documentary "Full Swing" -- said his professional golf story is far from done. "I still got more to write this weekend, for sure, but without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year," he said. "What happens this weekend, my story's still not done. I have a lot left in me and I'm going to give my all. "But this weekend's big, for sure." --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowWASHINGTON (AP) — China is expanding its nuclear force , has increased military pressure against Taiwan and has strengthened its ties with Russia over the past year, according to a Pentagon report Wednesday that details actions accelerating key areas of conflict with the United States. The report, however, also notes that the recent rash of corruption allegations within China's powerful Central Military Commission , which oversees the People’s Liberation Army, is hurting Beijing’s military growth and could slow its campaign to modernize. The impact, said a senior defense official, is a bit of a mixed bag because while there has been progress in some programs, China has slid back in others. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the U.S. assessment, warned that Beijing is working toward developing a more diverse and technologically sophisticated nuclear force . While the expected number of nuclear warheads has maintained consistent growth, China is broadening its targeting abilities. Beijing is going to be able to go after more and different types of targets, do greater damage and have more options for multiple rounds of counterstrikes, the official said. The U.S. is urging China to be more transparent about its nuclear program, while also warning that America will defend its allies and take appropriate steps in response. According to the report, which provides the annual U.S. assessment of China’s military power and is required by Congress, China had more than 600 operational nuclear warheads as of May, and the U.S. expects it will have more than 1,000 by 2030. The Biden administration has worked to maintain a balance with China, building up the U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region to be ready to counter Beijing while also encouraging increased communications between the two countries at the diplomatic and military levels. That uptick in talks has coincided with a decrease in coercive and risky intercepts of U.S. aircraft since late 2023, compared with the previous two years. China still, however, does what the U.S. military considers “unsafe” flights near American and allied forces in the region. The Pentagon’s national defense strategy is built around China being the greatest security challenge for the U.S. , and the threat from Beijing influences how the U.S. military is equipped and organized for the future. The corruption within the PLA has resulted in at least 15 high-ranking officials being ousted in a major shakeup of China’s defense establishment. “This wave of corruption touches every service in the PLA, and it may have shaken Beijing’s confidence," the report said. In June, China announced that former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor, Wei Fenghe, were expelled from the ruling Communist Party and accused of corruption. Last month, another senior official, Miao Hua, was suspended and put under investigation, according to China's Defense Ministry. The U.S. report points to a persistent increased military presence by China around Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as its own. It said China's navy has been in the region more and that there have been increased crossings into the island's air defense identification zone and major military exercises in the area. Just last week, a large deployment of Chinese navy and coast guard vessels in the waters around Taiwan triggered alarm as Taiwanese officials said it looked like China was simulating a blockade . Officials have said there were as many as 90 ships involved in what Taiwan described as two walls designed to demonstrate that the waters belong to China. Taiwan split from communist China in 1949 and has rejected Beijing’s demands that it accept unification . China says it will do so by force if necessary, and leaders have said they want to be ready to do so by 2027. The United States is obligated under domestic law to help defend Taiwan and give it weapons and technology to deter invasion. The island democracy has been the chief source of tension between Washington and Beijing for decades and is widely seen as the most likely trigger for a potentially catastrophic U.S.-China war. More broadly, the report concluded that the PLA continued its drive to develop greater military capabilities but “made uneven progress toward its 2027” milestone for modernization. One area of expansion, the report said, is with unmanned aerial systems, which officials said are “quickly approaching U.S. standards.” Regarding Russia, the report said China has supported Russia's war against Ukraine and sold Russia dual-use items that Moscow's military industry relies on. Dual use items can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Tech stocks and artificial intelligence pull Wall Street to more recordsCountry singer Caleb Kennedy, who competed in American Idol Season 19, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 car crash that killed a man in Pacolet, South Carolina. Kennedy pled guilty last week to the felony charge of driving under the influence resulting in death, according to the Greenville News . He was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, but he had that sentence and fine reduced to eight years and $15,100, with three of those years served in home detention. He also received credit for the nearly three years he has already served. Additionally, the singer will serve five years of probation, and he is required to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling. The legal update comes nearly three years after Kennedy, then 17, struck and killed 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris while driving his Ford F-150 on February 8, 2022. Warrants alleged that Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, and he was arrested on the DUI charge on the day of the crash. Ryan Beasley, Kennedy’s attorney, told the News that the sentencing was fair. “He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened,” Beasley said. “This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.” Beasley also said that Kennedy is “very remorseful” and that the sentencing “starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation.” (The News notes that Parris’ family wanted the maximum 25-year sentence.) Kennedy made it to the Top 7 of American Idol Season 19 but withdrew from the competition after a video of him standing next to a person wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style hood resurfaced. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse,” Kennedy said, in part, on social media at the time. “I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.” More Headlines:
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Olivia Lloyd | (TNS) The Charlotte Observer CHARLOTTE, N.C.— A pet food company based in North Carolina is recalling puppy mix sold in seven states after a batch tested positive for salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The contamination came to light when a litter of puppies got sick after consuming Blue Ridge Beef’s Puppy Mix, and the customer reported it to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, according to the FDA. The FDA said it notified the company that the food tested positive for salmonella on Nov. 27, and Blue Ridge Beef issued a voluntary recall on its 2-pound plastic-wrapped logs sold in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The recall affects puppy mix sold from Aug. 6 to Aug. 23 with logs labeled with lot numbers 08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25, with UPC 854298001696. It’s not the company’s only recall in the past year. In January, Blue Ridge Beef expanded a December 2023 recall of its puppy mix, as well as some of its kitten food, due to possible salmonella and listeria contamination, FDA records show. “Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting,” according to the FDA. “Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.” Related Articles Nation | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign Nation | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions Nation | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York Nation | US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags Nation | Today in History: December 4, journalist freed after years as Hezbollah hostage Pet owners who notice these symptoms should notify their veterinarian. Humans are also at risk of contracting the food-borne illness if they don’t wash their hands or sanitize surfaces the product has touched. The FDA said customers who believe they purchased the recalled mix should return the product to the place they bought it or destroy the food in a way that ensures no humans or animals will be contaminated. The company declined to comment on the recall to McClatchy News on Dec. 3. Blue Ridge Beef is located in Statesville in Iredell County, about a 40-mile drive north from Charlotte. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.President-elect Donald Trump is poised to make significant changes within his upcoming administration by appointing several key figures to prominent roles. Jay Bhattacharya has emerged as a primary candidate to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), potentially overseeing significant reforms. Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Richard Grenell, a seasoned former intelligence chief, is being considered for a special envoy position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Trump looks to reshape U.S. foreign policy. In a series of strategic appointments, Trump's selections such as Martin Makary for the FDA and Scott Bessent for the Treasury reflect a plan to prioritize regulatory changes and economic strategies. These moves highlight Trump's intent to implement his policy agenda through experienced appointees across various sectors. (With inputs from agencies.)TOKYO (AP) — Troops surround South Korea's parliament overnight when the president declares martial law. He accuses pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Lawmakers voice outrage and vote to end the declaration, and the president lifts the decree before daybreak. President Yoon Suk Yeol spread fear and confusion through South Korea overnight by issuing his sudden edict late Tuesday, the first martial law declaration since more than four decades ago when the country was controlled by a dictatorship. The declaration, the rushed vote by lawmakers to overturn it and the president's lifting of martial law soon afterward were moments of high drama for an unpopular leader who has struggled with political deadlock in an opposition-dominated parliament and scandals involving him and his wife. While there was no direct evidence presented, Yoon raised the specter of North Korea as a destabilizing force. Yoon has long maintained that a hard line against the North is the only way to stop Pyongyang from following through on its nuclear threats against Seoul. Amid the surreal scenes of troops massing around parliament, here are some things to know as this story unfolds: Immediately after Yoon's declaration the military chief called in key commanders for talks. South Korean troops set up barricades and then made their way into parliament. The leader of the main opposition, which controls parliament, ordered lawmakers to return to the building, where they eventually voted to lift the declaration of martial law. Yoon lifted the martial law decree around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Yoon's declaration had been accompanied by an accusation that the opposition was engaged in “anti-state activities plotting rebellion.” But he did not explain what that means, and provided no specific evidence. The vague statement is reminiscent of the heavy-handed tactics of the South Korean dictatorships that ended in the late 1980s. A series of strongmen repeatedly invoked North Korea when struggling to control domestic dissidents and political opponents. The opposition lambasted Yoon's move as un-democratic. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.” But the sudden declaration was also opposed by the leader of Yoon's own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” “The people will block the president’s anti-constitutional step. The military must be on the side of the public in any case. Let’s resolutely oppose it,” Kim Dong Yeon, the opposition party governor of Gyeonggi province, which surrounds Seoul, wrote on X. Average South Koreans were in shock. Social media was flooded with messages expressing surprise and worry over Yoon’s announcement. “Martial law? I thought it was deepfake content, but is it really a martial law decree?,” one X user wrote. “I first thought about a war with North Korea when he said he would impose a martial law,” another X user wrote. There were quick claims that the emergency declaration was linked to Yoon’s political struggles. His approval rating has dropped, and he has had little success in getting his policies adopted by a parliament that has been controlled by the opposition since he took over in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition moves are political revenge for investigations into the opposition leader, who is seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027. Just this month, Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. The claims have battered his approval ratings and fueled attacks by his rivals. The scandal centers on claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the conservative ruling People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president . Yoon has said he did nothing inappropriate. South Korea became a democracy only in the late 1980s, and military intervention in civilian affairs is still a touchy subject. During the dictatorships that emerged as the country rebuilt from the destruction of the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders occasionally proclaimed martial law that allowed them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or in public places to prevent anti-government demonstrations. Such scenes are unimaginable for many today. The dictator Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for nearly 20 years before he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979, led several thousand troops into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, in the country’s first successful coup. During his rule, he occasionally proclaimed martial law to crack down on protests and jail critics. Less than two months after Park Chung-hee’s death, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country’s second successful coup. The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people. In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced Chun’s government to accept direct presidential elections. His army buddy Roh Tae-woo, who had joined Chun’s 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987 thanks largely to divided votes among liberal opposition candidates. AP writers Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this story.