It was neither Punjab nor Haryana — the two States caught in the political slugfest for burning stubble — but Madhya Pradesh that recorded the highest number of stubble burning incidents this year, according to data released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) on Saturday. In fact, the total number of farm fires dropped in Punjab and Haryana but rose in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Since 2020, this is the first time that M.P. has topped the list. Farmers set fire to paddy stubble to quickly clear the agricultural fields for sowing wheat as the window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat — mid-October to mid-November — is short. Delays in the sowing of grain affect production. Stubble burning has been considered a major cause of pollution in Delhi and its adjoining regions during this period. “M.P., U.P. and Rajasthan have shown a significant increase in farm fires, and we are looking into the issue. But we are yet to find out a conclusive reason for this. The reasons why farmers burn stubble are different in these three States compared to Punjab and Haryana,” a Central government official said. Accuracy There have been multiple reports of farmers in Punjab and Haryana “burning stubble after around 4 p.m.” to escape the watch of satellites. Moreover, the IARI considers September 15 to November 30 as the complete harvest season. But it shifts beyond this period in some regions, as per officials. The Hindu had also reported last month that the paddy burnt area “increased in 2023 in Punjab and Haryana”, but the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) did not share this with the Supreme Court or put it in the public domain. Published - December 01, 2024 01:31 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditGlobal Layoffs of 2024: Key Lessons Job Seekers Must Carry Into 2025
Collegiate programming contest for West Asia heldUS BILLIONAIRE Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia’s proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to A$49.5 million (S$43 million) for companies for systemic breaches. Australia’s centre-left government on Thursday introduced the bill in parliament. It plans to try an age-verification system to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date. “Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,” Musk, who views himself as a champion of free speech, said in a reply late on Thursday to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s post on X about the bill. Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia’s policy could become one of the most stringent with no exemption for parental consent and pre-existing accounts. France last year proposed a ban on social media for those under 15 but allowed parental consent, while the US has for decades required technology companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13. Musk has previously clashed with Australia’s centre-left Labor government over its social media policies and had called it “fascists” over its misinformation law. In April, X went to an Australian court to challenge a cyber regulator’s order for the removal of some posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, prompting Albanese to call Musk an “arrogant billionaire”. REUTERS
Vasko's 4 TDs power Coastal Carolina past Georgia State 48-27 to become bowl eligibleBBC Strictly Come Dancing fans place 'bet' over Sarah Hadland as they scream 'robbed'LG Cinebeam Q review: Close, but no HDRGUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH) ("EHang" or the "Company"), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, today announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., (“Changan Automobile”), a leading Chinese car manufacturer listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (ticker symbol:000625), in the presence of the Chongqing Municipal Government and representatives from various industry sectors. The parties will collaborate on the research and development, manufacturing, sales, and operation of flying car-related products, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft and innovative flying cars. Leveraging EHang's strong product development capabilities in aerial vehicles and low-altitude flight management technology solutions and combining Changan Automobile's robust production and manufacturing foundation and rich market resources in the automotive sector, the parties will explore the establishment of a joint venture focused on future mobility ecosystem technologies. This cross-industry strategic partnership will further enrich and expand EHang's eVTOL product line, unlocking a vast potential market for flying cars targeting a broad C-end customer base. Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang and Xiaoyu Zhang, Executive Vice President of Changan Automobile sign a strategic cooperation agreement The signing ceremony was held at the planned site of the Changan Global Science and Art Center in Chongqing. Distinguished attendees included Henghua Hu, Deputy Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Chongqing, and Xiangdong Zheng, Vice Mayor of Chongqing, and management from Changan Automobile, including Huarong Zhu, Chairman; Jun Wang, President; and Benhong Tan, Chief Human Resources Officer. Also present were EHang's Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO; Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer, and Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer. Ceremony highlights included a flight of the EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft. The EH216-S pilotless eVTOL performs a flight demonstration at the signing ceremony, while the EH216-F and EH216-L pilotless eVTOLs are displayed on-site As one of China's top four automotive groups, Changan Automobile boasts strong capabilities in R&D, manufacturing infrastructure, supply chain, sales channel resources, and significant market influence in automobile market. EHang, as a pioneer in the global UAM sector, is leading the way in the R&D and design, mass production, certifications and large-scale safe operation for pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft. Under this agreement, the two parties will leverage their respective strengths and resources to jointly develop flying cars and with cutting-edge technologies, future-oriented design, and market competitiveness. The collaboration covers R&D, production, market promotion, channel development, user experience and after-sales service, while integrating low-altitude economy applications to accelerate the commercialization of flying cars and EHang's pilotless eVTOL products. The signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation agreement between EHang and Changan Automobile The low-altitude economy represents a national strategic emerging industry and a new quality productive force. The 2024 Central Economic Work Conference clearly pointed out the importance of leading the development of new types of productive forces with technological innovation and carrying out large-scale application demonstrations of new technologies, products, and scenarios. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments in China have proposed to encourage the research and development of flying car technologies, product validation, and the exploration of commercial application scenarios, with a strong focus on developing unmanned, electric, and intelligent low-altitude equipment. As a new type of aircraft for the development of the low-altitude industry, eVTOLs have vast development potential. According to data by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the scale of China’s low-altitude economy exceeded 500 billion yuan in 2023, and it is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, with the market potentially growing to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. Earlier this year in September, the Chongqing Municipal Government Office issued the Action Plan for Promoting Low-Altitude Airspace Management Reform and High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy (2024–2027) . The plan aims to position Chongqing as an innovative benchmark city in low-altitude economy and supports intelligent automobile manufacturers in exploring eVTOL R&D and production. EHang and Changan Automobile are collaboratively aligning with the low-altitude economy development strategy, basing strategies upon Chongqing’s favorable policies to accelerate the complementary integration of the automotive and low-altitude economy industry. The emergence of a new generation of low-altitude mobility products will introduce a higher-quality, more efficient, and environmental-friendly three-dimensional transportation solution designed to meet the challenges of Chongqing's complex mountainous terrain. This innovation will set a new benchmark for advancing the low-altitude economy. Huarong Zhu, Chairman of Changan Automobile, speaking at the strategic cooperation signing ceremony Huarong Zhu, Chairman of Changan Automobile, said: "The cooperation between Changan Automobile and EHang in the development of flying cars is of great significance, allowing both parties to leverage their respective strengths. Over the next five years, Changan Automobile plans to invest more than 20 billion yuan in the low-altitude economy sector to accelerate the development of the flying car industry. Over the next decade, we will invest more than 100 billion yuan to explore integrated mobility solutions across land, sea and air." Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang, speaking at the strategic cooperation signing ceremony Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang, stated: "During this rapid development stage of the low-altitude economy, EHang remains committed to collaborating with upstream and downstream partners to enhance the pilotless eVTOL industrial chain and its ecosystem. We look forward to more cross-industry cooperation with mature domestic automakers, leveraging each other's strengths and resources to create complementary and synergistic effects, continuously enriching and developing eVTOL product series that cater to diverse scenario demands and customers. This strategic partnership with Changan Automobile, aimed at jointly advancing the R&D, manufacturing, sales, and operation of next-generation flying cars product, will further enrich the ecosystem of the low-altitude economy and offer consumers more travel options." About EHang EHang (Nasdaq: EH) is the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company. Our mission is to enable safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone. EHang provides customers in various industries with unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) systems and solutions: air mobility (including passenger transportation and logistics), smart city management, and aerial media solutions. EHang’s flagship product EH216-S has obtained the world’s first type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for pilotless eVTOL issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. As the forerunner of cutting-edge UAV technologies and commercial solutions in the global UAM industry, EHang continues to explore the boundaries of the sky to make flying technologies benefit our life in smart cities. For more information, please visit www.ehang.com . About Changan Automobile Changan Automobile is one of the four major Chinese automobile groups, with 40 years of car manufacturing experience, we have 14 manufacturing bases and 34 plants worldwide. As a leading Chinese car manufacturer, CHANGAN Automobile has self-owned brands including CHANGAN UNI, CHANGAN NEVO, CHANGAN LCV, DEEPAL, AVATR, and joint venture brands including CHANGAN Ford, CHANGAN Mazda, and JMC. Changan Automobile has more than 18,000 engineers and technicians from 31 countries around the world, and has established R&D network of ten cities in six countries in Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Dingzhou in Hebei, Hefei in Anhui, Turin in Italy, Yokohama in Japan, Birmingham in the UK, Detroit in the US and Munich in Germany. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to those relating to certifications, our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and solutions and the commercialization of UAM services, our relationships with strategic partners, and current litigation and potential litigation involving us. Management has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While they believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management’s control. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause EHang’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Investor Contact: ir@ehang.com Media Contact: pr@ehang.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e078a45c-d232-4360-9ccd-f2c624229d3f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d1d7cca-a3c7-42da-bbd5-aee441cb9eb3 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8087df72-cd5f-4df3-8772-51fe658cf54f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32fcc1ba-ca7c-4c2b-9ffd-c491d718d62e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c31ca29-bc7e-48d9-bdbb-283d17141c43 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d5bed0b-bb04-4526-acfb-0c09989d1a6c
Tottenham boss was impressed with Archie Gray’s maturity to fulfil a new role at left-back against Roma Archie Gray featured in Tottenham Hotspur’s recent Europa League clash against AS Roma. The England Under-21 international, who arrived at the North London club from Leeds United in the summer, lined up at left-back for Ange Postecoglou’s side on Thursday evening as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Claudio Ranieri’s AS Roma in the Europa League. It was the teenage prodigy’s 12th outing in a Tottenham strip since joining from Leeds United. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Archie Gray is yet to feature in his preferred position at Spurs. Instead, he has been used everywhere across the backline, as Ange Postecoglou looks to manage his injury-hit squad. Gray’s maturity and versatility in playing numerous roles has earned him plenty of praise from his gaffer Postecoglou. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tottenham’s forthcoming encounter with Fulham, the Big Ange said (h/t Football London): “There’s a real maturity at only 18. We asked him to play left-back, he has never played that position in his life but does it with a real efficiency & calmness. “I am so excited by Archie and that’s another positive for us that we have another 18-year-old who just plays and no one mentions that he is 18, they just measure his performance and, like I said, I am asking him to do different jobs. “It would probably be more comfortable for him if he was settled in one position but he is playing football at a really high level in Europe and the Premier League. “That’s going to set us up really well for the player that he is going to become.” Gray has had to be patient at his new club due to the intense competition within the Spurs squad. Against Roma, it was only his seventh start in a Tottenham shirt . The teenager has yet to start a Premier League game for the Lilywhites, which should be frustrating given he arrived from Leeds amid a lot of fanfare. This has alerted plenty of Championship clubs ahead of a potential January swoop, with ex-employers Leeds also keen to have Gray on loan for the second half of the season. However, the Durham-born talent is not interested in sealing a loan exit from Tottenham in January . He believes staying at Spurs will improve his chances of making a breakthrough under Big Ange. With Spurs hit with a lot of injuries to key players, as well as Rodrigo Bentancur suspended for seven domestic games by the FA for off-field matters, Gray is expected to get a lot of minutes over the busy fixture schedule. He has predominantly operated across the backline but Bentancur’s suspension could open the door for the Englishman to get chances to shine in his preferred No.6 role. With his maturity and flexibility, Gray has certainly charmed Big Ange and it is only a matter of time before he makes his first Premier League start for Spurs. This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system . The dollar represents roughly 58% of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMF and major commodities like oil are still primarily bought and sold using dollars. The dollar's dominance is threatened, however, with BRICS' growing share of GDP and the alliance's intent to trade in non-dollar currencies — a process known as de-dollarization. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy." At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of “weaponizing” the dollar and described it as a “big mistake.” “It’s not us who refuse to use the dollar,” Putin said at the time. “But if they don’t let us work, what can we do? We are forced to search for alternatives.” Russia has specifically pushed for the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network, SWIFT, and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners. Trump said there is "no chance" BRIC will replace the U.S. dollar in global trade and any country that tries to make that happen "should wave goodbye to America.” Research shows that the U.S. dollar's role as the primary global reserve currency is not threatened in the near future. An Atlantic Council model that assesses the dollar’s place as the primary global reserve currency states the dollar is “secure in the near and medium term” and continues to dominate other currencies. Trump's latest tariff threat comes after he threatened to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to do more to halt the flow of illegal immigration and drugs into the U.S. He has since held a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after meeting Trump, without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on Canada.
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