It’s been a long road back to the highest levels of motorsport for Canadian driver Robert Wickens. Six years after he was paralyzed in a violent wreck, Wickens will again be behind the wheel against some of the best drivers in North America. Wickens, from Guelph, Ont., was named the newest driver for DXDT Racing earlier this week, moving the 35-year-old up to IMSA GTD competition for 2025, the highest class on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. His promotion was made possible by a new hand control braking system created by Bosch Electronics, with help from GM Motorsports and Corvette Racing/Pratt Miller. “It’s not going to be easy but I wanted to get to the highest levels of motorsport again because, frankly, that’s where I was when I was injured,” said Wickens, who crashed at Pocono Raceway in 2018 during IndyCar’s ABC Supply 500. “But not only that, I want to prove to myself and other generations of people with disabilities that you can really do anything. “Maybe you’re having a hard time getting back to your place of work after a life-altering accident and — whatever your discipline, it doesn’t even have to be athletics — but I know it’s possible as long as you align yourself with a strong support system.” For Wickens, that’s been his wife Karli Wickens, his family and, in his professional life, organizations like Bosch and GM. Wickens’s crash left him with a thoracic spinal fracture, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a fractured right forearm, a fractured elbow, four fractured ribs, a pulmonary contusion, and an indeterminate spinal injury that combined to make him a paraplegic. As he has slowly recovered some movement in his legs, Wickens has eased back into motor racing. He drove the parade lap of the 2019 Honda Indy Toronto, competed in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then in January 2022 it was announced he would drive in the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. He and co-driver Mark Wilkins won twice in the Michelin Pilot Challenge’s TCR category with three podiums in 2022. In 2023 the pairing didn’t win, but they reached the podium seven times to earn the TCR championship. All of Wickens’s post-accident cars have been fitted with hand controls. Those conventional systems rely on paddles around the steering wheel that activate pneumatics that then press the foot pedals. Hand controls like that are acceptable for regular road vehicles and even lower levels of motorsports but in the highest classes, like IMSA GTD where cars top out at more than 280 kilometres, the lag between the driver toggling the paddle and the car responding is unacceptably slow. That’s where the Bosch electronic system comes in, with the controls linked directly to the car’s braking system, removing the pneumatics as an intermediary. “When you hit the brakes to slow the car down for each corner that was always a big challenge for me where (with) the Bosch electronic system, the latency is milliseconds not tenths of a second,” said Wickens. “It’s basically as accurate as I would be if I was an able-bodied driver wanting to apply the brake. “Honestly, it’s just better in every facet imaginable. It’s just been a true blessing.” Advances in physical rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries as well as the ongoing development of vehicle technology has made Wickens’s return to competitive motorsport possible. “I’m very fortunate in the timing of my paralysis and my career,” Wickens said Wednesday from Tampa, Fla. “If this was even a decade ago we’d be having a very different conversation today.” The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has four classes of vehicles: two sports prototype categories and two grand tourer classes. GTD is considered the highest of the four classes because each team must have at least a silver or bronze driver and more than one platinum-rated driver on a team is prohibited. “I want to win,” said Wickens. “I think the big thing for me on this journey back was I wanted to race again because I truly felt like I could still win. “I want to raise awareness for spinal cord injury and disability, not by just being a participant, but by being the guy. I want to win races, fight for podiums, win championships, every time I’m sitting in the car.” Wickens said he won’t just be a role model for people living with paralysis or other mobility disabilities, but the technology his car will employ in 2025 will likely become commercially available for use in road vehicles. “Motorsports and the automotive racing industry were founded to be a proving ground for everyday automotive vehicles,” he said. “From there you make road cars and road safety better. “Hopefully we can provide the technology and have regularly available components that can make any race car accessible for anyone that needs hand controls or any other form of disability.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Follow jchidleyhill.bsky.social on Bluesky.
FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO) Declares Distribution for December 2024By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) -The euro rallied on Thursday as French government bonds steadied a day after the collapse of France's government, even as bitcoin soared to a record past $100,000, with investors cheering the nomination of a pro-cryptocurrency head to run the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The spread between French and German 10-year yields narrowed on Thursday to 76.9 basis points, the tightest gap since Nov. 22. That has helped support the euro. Despite Thursday's gains, however, the euro was on track to post a loss this week, the fourth in the last five weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron met allies and parliament leaders on Thursday as he sought to swiftly appoint a new prime minister to replace Michel Barnier, who officially resigned a day after opposition lawmakers voted to oust his government. "The market is looking at the financial implications of the French government's collapse. The takeaway seems to be that it's not as impactful to the spending plans as initially thought, and that's keeping the euro alive," said Amo Sahota, executive director at FX consulting firm Klarity FX. "We saw a lot of similarities when Greece is going through a lot of political instability and that could be a major drag on the euro zone. We got two large economies within the euro zone with struggling governments: France and Germany and analysts are concerned about the euro and they have already lowered their projections as a result." Germany was thrown into political disarray by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition last month as well as disagreements over government spending. The euro was last up 0.6% at $1.0567, further moving away from the two-year low of $1.0332 hit at the end of November as traders braced for a drawn-out reckoning for France. In terms of technical factors, Shaun Osborne, chief FX strategist at Scotiabank in Toronto, said the positive short-term price action on Wednesday coupled with moderate gains through the low $1.05s on Thursday, have given "the euro a shot at extending a little higher to test key resistance and potential bull trigger at $1.0590." Traders are also all but certain the European Central Bank will cut interest rates next week and are pricing in around 157 basis points of easing by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, bitcoin, the world's best known cryptocurrency, has been on a tear since November on expectations that Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election win will usher in a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. It rose to an all-time high of $103,649 in Asian hours, boosted in part by President-elect Trump's nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins to run the SEC. It was last up 1.3% at $99,147, taking its year-to-date gains to more than 130%. "With a better U.S. regulatory environment and next-generation stablecoins driving adoption in Europe, we believe bitcoin and the broader crypto market could continue to go from strength to strength," wrote Arnoud Star Busmann, chief executive of Quantoz Payments, a Netherlands-based payments technology company. YEN ON THE RISE In Asia, the Japanese yen rose as high as 149.66 per dollar but was last up 0.4% at 150.01 as traders pondered whether the Bank of Japan will hike interest rates later this month. Analysts said comments from typically dovish policymaker Toyoaki Nakamura that he's not opposed to rate hikes helped push the currency higher. Expectations had been growing that the BOJ will hike rates at its Dec. 18-19 meeting, bolstered by comments from Governor Kazuo Ueda, although media reports published on Wednesday suggested the BOJ may skip a rate hike this month. The South Korean won dipped slightly as the nation's finance ministry said the government would activate 40 trillion won ($28.35 billion) worth of market stabilization funds after the chaos that followed President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on Tuesday, which he rescinded hours later. The won was last down 0.2% at 1,413 per U.S. dollar. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six rivals, fell 0.6% to 105.74. It extended losses after data showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended Nov. 30. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 215,000 claims for the latest week. The spotlight will be on Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for November, which is expected to show 200,000 jobs added in the month, according to a Reuters survey, after only 12,000 jobs were created in October, the lowest number since December 2020. Bets on Fed rate cuts held broadly steady, however, partly influenced by Wednesday's weaker-than-expected services sector data and the higher-than-expected jobless claims. Markets are pricing in about a 70% chance of a 25-bp rate cut later this month, and a 30% chance of a pause. Currency bid prices at 5 December 09:06 p.m. GMT Descripti RIC Last U.S. Pct YTD Pct High Low on Close Change Bid Bid Previous Session Dollar 105.74 106.34 -0.54% 4.31% 106.37 105. index 69 Euro/Doll 1.0583 1.0509 0.7% -4.13% $1.059 $1.0 ar 509 Dollar/Ye 150.09 150.49 -0.29% 6.39% 150.76 149. n 69 Euro/Yen 158.85 158.29 0.35% 2.07% 159.38 157. 57 Dollar/Sw 0.8786 0.8847 -0.68% 4.41% 0.8852 0.87 iss 79 Sterling/ 1.2749 1.2702 0.38% 0.19% $1.2771 $1.2 Dollar 696 Dollar/Ca 1.4026 1.4074 -0.33% 5.82% 1.4078 1.40 nadian 11 Aussie/Do 0.6449 0.643 0.31% -5.4% $0.6455 $0.6 llar 422 Euro/Swis 0.9298 0.9292 0.06% 0.13% 0.9322 0.92 s 91 Euro/Ster 0.8298 0.8277 0.25% -4.27% 0.83 0.82 ling 73 NZ 0.5883 0.5852 0.57% -6.87% $0.5886 0.58 Dollar/Do 49 llar Dollar/No 11.0336 11.0513 -0.16% 8.87% 11.0809 11.0 rway 11 Euro/Norw 11.6831 11.6168 0.57% 4.09% 11.692 11.6 ay 124 Dollar/Sw 10.8522 10.9227 -0.65% 7.8% 10.9454 10.8 eden 5 Euro/Swed 11.4844 11.4815 0.03% 3.23% 11.5235 11.4 en 83 (Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Additional reporting by Harry Robertson in London and Ankur Banerjee in Singapore; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Tom Hogue, Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Susan Fenton, Frances Kerry, and Alexandra Hudson)Federal Realty Investment Trust stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketWe very well may have seen the last of Trevor Lawrence this season. After the vicious knock from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair , Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be out for at least the next four games , and he could potentially be out for the rest of the season. (RELATED: Nick Caserio Gets Super Defensive Over Dirty-Hitting, Palestinian-Loving Azeez Al-Shaair In Ultimate Crash Out Rant) Jacksonville made the announcement Wednesday that Lawrence will be out for at least four contests due to being placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion from Al-Shaair’s hit. With that being said, however, the Jaguars only have five games left on their schedule, which could result in the team sitting Lawrence out for the rest of 2024. We have placed QB Trevor Lawrence on the Reserve/Injured list. — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 4, 2024 The dirty-hitting, Palestinian-loving player was suspended Tuesday for three games after his hit on Lawrence. He has appealed the decision from the NFL with the hearing happening Wednesday. Azeez Al-Shaair Suspended Three Games: https://t.co/U4nRmEwWMd pic.twitter.com/JYYndFvUEI — NFL345 (@NFL345) December 3, 2024 Watch Trevor Lawrence immediately after this horrific hit. His right arm suddenly flexes as his left arm simultaneously extends. This is known as the “fencing posture”—an involuntary reflex that occurs after impact in blunt head trauma. It signifies a traumatic brain injury with... pic.twitter.com/Saa8j8cffJ — Sam Ghali, M.D. (@EM_RESUS) December 1, 2024 Best wishes to Trevor Lawrence, and honestly, the NFL should have suspended Azeez Al-Shaair for the rest of the season. This whole situation has gotten ridiculous.
White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign
Aston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai EmeryApple Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsFeds outlaw another 324 types of firearms, propose donating guns to Ukraine
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Hardwicks Kyneton is to cease facilitating smaller beef and sheep kills in the new year, leaving many of Victoria's small producers without a processor. or signup to continue reading In a letter sent to clients last week, the company announced that it would no longer be able to accommodate service kill requests that do not meet the minimum volumes of 15 for beef and 50 for lamb. The change would come into effect from January 1, 2025. However, as the company's final service kill day will be on December 14, producers were effectively given two weeks of notice. vice president of primary sales Murray Jeffrey urged clients to keep the announcement confidential. "After a detailed review of our existing arrangements, we have revised our service kill arrangements, regrettably to include updated minimum volumes for the foreseeable future," he said. "We appreciate your understanding and acknowledge that this may impact how you may do business with us." Jono Hurst and Natalie Hardy, Blampied, had been supplying cattle to Hardwicks at Kyneton since 2016 and were now left with few processor options. "The timing was just awful," Ms Hardy said. "Give us some time to at least get something together." The couple typically killed two cattle a month from their , supplying to local markets and restaurants. They recently signed a lease on a further 100 acres of agistment and purchased 10 new pedigree heifers, hoping to increase their output and kill four steers or heifers a month in 2025. The Hardwicks announcement had thrown a complete spanner in the works. Fortunately, as it had for many similar producers, the Meat Crew team at Colac had agreed to take some of Ms Hardy's cattle for slaughter at Geelong. However, she insisted this was far from ideal. "It's not ideal for what we do because of the distance but we have no choice," she said. The 1.5 hour round trip to Kyneton would become a five-hour round trip to Colac every month and she said the extra distance would have an impact on animal and farmer welfare. The couple planned their finishing program 12 months in advance and the short notice from Hardwicks now had them forced to re-evaluate. "Meat Crew are helping out at the moment where they can but they can only do so much," Ms Hardy said. The Hardwicks announcement came just days after the publication of a Victorian parliamentary report which recommended that processing facilities be made more readily available for local and small-scale livestock producers. The parliament's Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee said government should define 'micro-abattoir' in the Meat Industry Act, and make micro-abattoirs a section one use in the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Green Wedge Zone and Green Wedge. The move would enable improved planning application processes for those looking to invest in micro-abattoirs within farming communities. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance welcomed the recommendation but upon hearing of the Hardwicks decision, just 48 hours later, the organisation wrote an urgent letter to the government. The alliance's president Tammi Jonas called on Agriculture Minister Ros Spence to act. Ms Jonas said the committee report recommended that the "Victorian government take immediate steps to negotiate ongoing access for smaller producers in impacted communities and pursue long-term reform to reduce smaller producers' reliance on larger commercial abattoirs". "We rejoiced at this and other very positive recommendations in the report," she said. "Today, however, we received notice that Hardwicks - the largest, most central abattoir that has conducted service kills for its entire 50-year history - is ceasing service kills of less than 15 cattle or 50 sheep effective January 1." She warned the change would "impact thousands of small and medium scale farmers". "In particular, every farm who sells their meat directly to their community will no longer have access to slaughter," she said. "The other potential abattoirs such as Benalla and Wangaratta do not have capacity to absorb all the displaced farmers, and for most, this option would substantially increase travel times with obvious major negative impacts on animal welfare." Ms Jonas called for an urgent meeting with the Minister and her officials to address the issue. "Not only are farmers affected, of course, local butcher shops and restaurants will also lose access to local meat, with cascading effects on the resilience and viability of rural communities," she said. Morwell MP Martin Cameron was a member of the parliamentary committee which recommended for greater for Victorian producers. "It's like anything, the little fella gets forgotten about," he said. "There is an actual need now for the micro-abattoirs." He urged the government to consider the committee's recommendation. Barry is a journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. He previously worked in agricultural media in his native Ireland and hails from a small beef and sheep farm in the country's south-east. Email Barry at barry.murphy@stockandland.com.au. Barry is a journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. He previously worked in agricultural media in his native Ireland and hails from a small beef and sheep farm in the country's south-east. Email Barry at barry.murphy@stockandland.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!Hardwicks Kyneton is to cease facilitating smaller beef and sheep kills in the new year, leaving many of Victoria's small producers without a processor. or signup to continue reading In a letter sent to clients last week, the company announced that it would no longer be able to accommodate service kill requests that do not meet the minimum volumes of 15 for beef and 50 for lamb. The change would come into effect from January 1, 2025. However, as the company's final service kill day will be on December 14, producers were effectively given two weeks of notice. vice president of primary sales Murray Jeffrey urged clients to keep the announcement confidential. "After a detailed review of our existing arrangements, we have revised our service kill arrangements, regrettably to include updated minimum volumes for the foreseeable future," he said. "We appreciate your understanding and acknowledge that this may impact how you may do business with us." Jono Hurst and Natalie Hardy, Blampied, had been supplying cattle to Hardwicks at Kyneton since 2016 and were now left with few processor options. "The timing was just awful," Ms Hardy said. "Give us some time to at least get something together." The couple typically killed two cattle a month from their , supplying to local markets and restaurants. They recently signed a lease on a further 100 acres of agistment and purchased 10 new pedigree heifers, hoping to increase their output and kill four steers or heifers a month in 2025. The Hardwicks announcement had thrown a complete spanner in the works. Fortunately, as it had for many similar producers, the Meat Crew team at Colac had agreed to take some of Ms Hardy's cattle for slaughter at Geelong. However, she insisted this was far from ideal. "It's not ideal for what we do because of the distance but we have no choice," she said. The 1.5 hour round trip to Kyneton would become a five-hour round trip to Colac every month and she said the extra distance would have an impact on animal and farmer welfare. The couple planned their finishing program 12 months in advance and the short notice from Hardwicks now had them forced to re-evaluate. "Meat Crew are helping out at the moment where they can but they can only do so much," Ms Hardy said. The Hardwicks announcement came just days after the publication of a Victorian parliamentary report which recommended that processing facilities be made more readily available for local and small-scale livestock producers. The parliament's Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee said government should define 'micro-abattoir' in the Meat Industry Act, and make micro-abattoirs a section one use in the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Green Wedge Zone and Green Wedge. The move would enable improved planning application processes for those looking to invest in micro-abattoirs within farming communities. The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance welcomed the recommendation but upon hearing of the Hardwicks decision, just 48 hours later, the organisation wrote an urgent letter to the government. The alliance's president Tammi Jonas called on Agriculture Minister Ros Spence to act. Ms Jonas said the committee report recommended that the "Victorian government take immediate steps to negotiate ongoing access for smaller producers in impacted communities and pursue long-term reform to reduce smaller producers' reliance on larger commercial abattoirs". "We rejoiced at this and other very positive recommendations in the report," she said. "Today, however, we received notice that Hardwicks - the largest, most central abattoir that has conducted service kills for its entire 50-year history - is ceasing service kills of less than 15 cattle or 50 sheep effective January 1." She warned the change would "impact thousands of small and medium scale farmers". "In particular, every farm who sells their meat directly to their community will no longer have access to slaughter," she said. "The other potential abattoirs such as Benalla and Wangaratta do not have capacity to absorb all the displaced farmers, and for most, this option would substantially increase travel times with obvious major negative impacts on animal welfare." Ms Jonas called for an urgent meeting with the Minister and her officials to address the issue. "Not only are farmers affected, of course, local butcher shops and restaurants will also lose access to local meat, with cascading effects on the resilience and viability of rural communities," she said. Morwell MP Martin Cameron was a member of the parliamentary committee which recommended for greater for Victorian producers. "It's like anything, the little fella gets forgotten about," he said. "There is an actual need now for the micro-abattoirs." He urged the government to consider the committee's recommendation. Barry is a journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. He previously worked in agricultural media in his native Ireland and hails from a small beef and sheep farm in the country's south-east. Email Barry at barry.murphy@stockandland.com.au. Barry is a journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. He previously worked in agricultural media in his native Ireland and hails from a small beef and sheep farm in the country's south-east. Email Barry at barry.murphy@stockandland.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!
The one big thing Jameis Winston refuses to let his interceptions do: Mary Kay Cabot
NoneOlly Lee was delighted with his Norwich City under-21s' performance as they beat European giants PSV Eindhoven at Carrow Road. Goals from Ken Aboh and Dan Ogwuru sealed a valuable three points for the young Canaries in their Premier League International Cup group, taking them second ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool. Lee praised his players' quality on the night as well as their work rate in recent weeks, having seen them follow up a 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa on Monday with the cup victory. "A really good night for the boys," he told the Pink Un. "I thought they were excellent. Obviously PSV are a top side and they gave us some challenges, and I think the boys really rose to the challenge. It was a really good performance to top off a good week's work. "It's a world-famous club, and they had some excellent players, but the boys stepped up to it. There's really quality in there, we just need to be able to put it together as much as we can and find that consistency. "You realise that with young players. Sometimes they're up and sometimes they're down, and we're just trying to keep them on an even keel. They've been excellent this last couple of weeks, we've been putting bits together, and they've got the fruits of their labour this week." After two clean sheets in four days, it was the defensive side of the game that especially pleased Lee. "That's something we're driving," he continued. "I spoke about it after the Villa game, that even 3-0 up with a couple of minutes to go, we've got to make sure we're staying at it. It was the same again [against PSV]. "Even 2-0 up, a couple of minutes to go, you've got to realise how important it is to keep the ball out of your net. One goal can quickly change the momentum of a game, so it was really important and the lads did that really well. I thought the back four were excellent."
NoneResearchers launch “moonshot” to cure blindness through eye transplants
Aston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai EmeryAsia’s gasoline margins dipped on Wednesday, after hitting a 15-week high in the previous session, even as 200,000 barrels of the benchmark grade of octane exchanged hands at the closing window. The crack dipped to $6.93 per barrel over Brent crude, from $7.06 on Tuesday. In naphtha, the margins declined for a fourth consecutive session on weak demand for the light distillate, leading to refining cuts. The crack dipped by $2.72 to $82.73 per metric ton over Brent crude. Light distillate stocks, including naphtha and gasoline, at the Fujairah commercial hub rose by 123,000 barrels to 5.823 million barrels in the week ending Nov. 25, S&P Global Commodity Insights data showed. U.S. gasoline inventories rose by 1.81 million barrels, and distillate stocks rose by 2.54 million barrels, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Oil prices edged up on Wednesday, with markets assessing the potential impact of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah and Sunday’s OPEC+ meeting, in which the group could delay a planned increase to oil output. Oil producers in Canada and Mexico will likely be forced to reduce prices and divert supply to Asia if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump imposes 25% import tariffs on crude imports from the two countries, traders and analysts said. Two gasoline deals and one naphtha trade. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Haridas; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
Mammoet’s SK6000 – the world’s strongest land-based crane – has been tested for fully electric operation. It now offers zero-emission capability to projects taking place anywhere in the world. Through this innovation, Mammoet is demonstrating its commitment to helping customers reduce the emissions profile of large projects. The technology also reduces the noise generated by crane operations, resulting in a better work environment where communication is easier. In turn, large projects are made safer, cleaner and easier to finance. The SK6000 can now operate directly from grid power – or, at sites without power network access or with supply stability issues – via batteries or hydrogen generators. Testing was carried out using two 600kWh Battery Boxes from power supply specialist Bredenoord, connected in series to deliver 1,200kWh; around the same output as 20 electric cars. Connection took a day shift, in parallel with test weight reconfiguration activity. This proves that the use of batteries has minimal impact on site operations. Battery packs capable of operating the SK6000 are becoming widely available, in standard 20ft shipping container form factors, which can easily be mobilized to and from site. Niek Bezuijen, Global Sustainability Advisor at Mammoet, said: “Thanks to this test we can now say that the SK6000 operates fully zero-emissions on-site. Electrification isn’t a matter for the future of heavy lifting – it is needed now, and through innovations like this Mammoet can help its customers lead on safety, efficiency, sustainability and cost”. By plugging into a medium voltage network – commonly available in heavy industry – the SK operates directly from the grid. At port facilities, so-called ‘shore power’ connections, typically used to prevent cargo vessels idling at port, are capable of powering the crane. Battery functionality offers a further option, with the additional benefit of being chargeable from lower power networks. The significant periods of time between individual ring crane lifts allow the chance for battery packs to recharge. Hydrogen generators can be used where neither grid power nor battery power is an option, for example at remote sites without significant infrastructure. With SK6000 electric functionality confirmed, Mammoet can now offer a fully zero-emission, low noise marshalling service to customers in the offshore wind sector. Oil and gas projects benefit from complete elimination of carbon impact during the heaviest lifting scopes, at the same time as realizing the largest possible economies of scale from modular construction methodologies. In the nuclear sector, reduced noise levels will enhance safety levels at complex new build sites while allowing projects to deliver low-carbon energy in a sustainable way. This project was part-funded by the Subsidieregeling Schoon en Emissieloos Bouwmaterieel in the Netherlands; a research and demonstration fund to develop zero-emission initiatives at construction sites. Source: Mammoet Global
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{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-27T23:05:16+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-27T23:05:16+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-28T05:49:56+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22167/news/technology/rwanda-deploys-ai-to-help-boost-gorilla-conservation", "headline": "Rwanda deploys AI to help boost gorilla conservation", "description": "An innovative solution is being rolled out in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park where AI would be used to conserve mountain gorillas and at the same time...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22167/news/technology/rwanda-deploys-ai-to-help-boost-gorilla-conservation" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64986.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64986.jpg" }, "articleBody": "An innovative solution is being rolled out in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park where AI would be used to conserve mountain gorillas and at the same time empower communities around the park. Dubbed “interspecies money,” the system allows mountain gorillas in the park to raise money for their conservation through digital wallets powered by AI-facial recognition. Last week, the initiative was named among the top ten implausible-sounding scenarios for 2025 by The Economist. ALSO READ: Restored land expected to improve habitat for mountain gorillas The platform has successfully been piloted on 20 mountain gorillas in the park. It is expected to enable the apes to pay for essential conservation services, such as hiring park rangers to remove snares set by poachers. These digital wallets, similar to mobile money accounts like Momo, link the gorillas to the financial system, allowing funds to be spent on protecting their habitat and ensuring their well-being. Created by Tehanu, an Africa-based startup, the system also offers financial incentives for local communities to participate in wildlife conservation. People in rural areas can earn money by completing tasks that support the ecosystem, such as photographing wildlife, recording animal sounds, or reporting sightings of specific species. ALSO READ: Experts call for more involvement of policymakers in wildlife conservation In an exclusive interview with The New Times, Jonathan Ledgard, the CEO and co-founder of Tehanu, said the project is a transformative initiative that could redefine how humans interact with the natural world. He noted that the system creates digital identities and wallets for wildlife, recognizing the vital role gorillas play in Rwanda’s ecosystems and economy, and helps build a real-time database of biodiversity, benefiting both the environment and the local economy. “By integrating both wildlife and humans into the financial system, the interspecies money initiative aims to create a circular economy that fosters mutual prosperity.” Ledgard stressed that people in rural areas can earn money by completing tasks that support the ecosystem, such as photographing wildlife, recording animal sounds, or reporting sightings of specific species. “In Kigali, you can send money to your village using Momo. Now imagine a bat, a tree, or even a gorilla being able to receive and spend money, all for services that benefit them,” Ledgard stated. ALSO READ: Rwanda to double budget on biodiversity restoration The initiative aims to recognise the often-overlooked but essential services that non-human species provide to the ecosystem, such as pollination, seed dispersal, and soil regeneration, and to integrate them into the economy. Ledgard’s system intends to create a circular economic system that benefits both humans and wildlife by acknowledging this value and using it to support local communities. Through the project, 20 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park were given digital wallets linked to AI-powered facial recognition systems. These wallets allow the gorillas to spend funds on services that protect their habitat. The technology goes a step further, using AI to analyse the gorillas’ behaviours and assess their needs, identifying patterns that could help predict and address threats to their welfare, he added. “For example, AI might recognize a gorilla’s behaviour and suggest that a ranger remove a snare or that a researcher tracks its movements for conservation purposes,” Ledgard explained. The AI could also be used to identify the preferences and needs of other species, like elephants or even trees. “While the project is focused on mountain gorillas, the long-term goal is to extend the system to a wider variety of species, including those that provide important ecological functions, like the straw-coloured fruit bats and insects vital for pollination. Recognising their economic value could help protect these species and their contributions to the ecosystem.” He stated that Rwanda was chosen as the ideal place to launch the initiative due to its progressive conservation efforts and technological adoption. Ledgard, who previously worked on pioneering projects like Zipline’s drone delivery system for medical supplies, believes that the country’s strong governance and open-minded approach to innovation make it a perfect testing ground for the interspecies money project. “Interspecies money intends to directly benefit local communities, where people could earn money for simple actions like photographing birds, recording animal sounds, or reporting sightings of specific species,” he said. These small tasks would provide a new source of income and contribute to a real-time database that monitors Rwanda’s biodiversity. Additionally, farmers could receive financial incentives for actions that promote species diversity in their agricultural practices. Ledgard envisions that by 2050, Rwanda will experience improvements in soil health, forests, and wildlife. “By introducing financial incentives to protect biodiversity, people will start to see it as a valuable asset both economically and ecologically,” he said. The system looks forward to building emotional connections between people and wildlife, as the success of the project relies on more than just economic factors. It requires people to care about these species. “People need to feel a sense of connection to these species for the system to work,” Ledgard said. He said that while the project is still in its early stages, it has great potential to change how people approach conservation and value biodiversity. If successful, it could set an example worldwide, showing that recognising the economic value of animals and nature can help protect them and create benefits for both humans and the environment.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joan Mbabazi" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }Sony continues to dominate console gaming and if nothing else 2024 showed that even in a relatively quiet year, PlayStation can just keep on trucking. We didn’t get a whole heap of exclusives, but the ones we got were meaningful additions to the publisher’s portfolio (except that one), and while the new hardware still feels a little superfluous, it sets up an exciting 2025 for the likes of Ghost of Yotei . The brand also celebrated its 30th Anniversary, with hardware variants and fan-favorite themes thanking players for their part in its journey - and with such a comfortable lead over Xbox, it feels it’ll continue ever onwards. Did we need the new hardware? The PS5 remains a very capable console that, while not as strong as the Xbox Series X on paper, certainly doesn’t feel like it needed a hardware revision - but that’s what we got. The PS5 Pro is a tougher sell than the PS4 Pro , though. That console promised 4K , which made sense at the time given the surge in 4K TV adoption. The PS5 Pro offers new graphical modes in some games, and while it’s largely been successful in finding a balance when having to choose between 4K resolution and 60fps fluidity, it’s really in developers’ hands now. On the one hand, that means the likes of Insomniac can get even more out of 2023’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 , but equally Bungie hasn’t released any PS5 Pro enhancements for Destiny 2 - despite being a Sony first-party studio now. More developers are adding PS5 Pro patches, but at such a high asking price, it makes it a tough sell right now. As games start to see upgrades and new releases like Monster Hunter Wilds arrive, expect adoption to pick up, but for now the PS5 Pro is a “nice to have” rather than a “must have”. Sticking with hardware, PSVR 2 added some fresh features and PC compatibility, but it remains a niche product that feels like Sony has begun to move away from already. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. We also saw the release of the new PlayStation Pulse Elite headset, which we dubbed “the next evolution of official PS5 headsets” in our review. It’s pricey and hefty, but it offers fantastic sound quality and comes with a really interesting development in gaming headsets in the form of planar magnetic drivers. Finally, Sony celebrated its 30th Anniversary in style. Besides the nostalgic themes that cover PlayStation’s history from 1994 onward, the company released PS5 consoles, controllers, and a hardware bundle in the iconic grey of the PlayStation 1 - albeit in limited numbers which have proved incredibly popular and hard to get hold of, selling out each time stock appeared. An unlikely hero On the first-party side of things, Sony’s games-as-a-service push saw polarized fortunes (more on that shortly), while the company tied up deals for the likes of Stellar Blade , Rise of the Ronin , and Black Myth: Wukong - all of which were great games, if not system sellers by themselves. That put pressure on first-party exclusives to deliver, and while it’d be fair to say Lego Horizon Adventures is fun enough and the Until Dawn Remake still feels somewhat unwarranted, Astro Bot handily offered some of the most fun you can have on PS5. The little robot has grown from starring in tech demos to becoming a bona fide PlayStation mascot in a world where those things don’t seem to exist as much, offering a fantastic, imaginative platformer that’s right up there with Nintendo’s best. Sure, it’s not a genre that sees much love on the system (or on Xbox, for that matter), but if Sony has finally realized the power the diminutive droid has, we could be seeing a lot more of him. Especially after Astro Bot took home Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024 . Games as a service stumbles Has a publisher ever had two titles with such conflicting responses in the same year before, released within similar genres? Helldivers 2 caught many off guard in the best way. A sleeper hit that spread like wildfire through word of mouth, the fascism-lampooning PvE shooter became that rare title that captured the imagination of players worldwide as they dropped, dropped, and dropped again on console and PC. And, while Sony almost killed its golden goose by shifting the goalposts as far as PSN account requirements for PC play were concerned, it proved Sony’s shift to live-service titles wasn’t as foolhardy as some have suspected... at least for a few months. Concord demonstrated the other side of the coin. A game seemingly developed in a vacuum, it launched in August following a tepid reception to its beta, with promises of weekly story content and excruciatingly detailed cutscenes for players willing to log in. Then, after just two weeks, Sony pulled the plug on the entire game and proceeded to shutter developer Firewalk Studios in October. It casts doubts on titles like FairGame$ and Marathon , the latter of which comes from Bungie which laid off over 200 employees in August - despite Destiny 2 ’s latest expansion, The Final Shape , being a critical success. Elsewhere, with The Last Of Us ’ multiplayer title being canceled, we didn't know what flagship studio Naughty Dog was up to until The Game Awards on December 12th . Days Gone ’s Bend Studio has been quiet for some time, while Bluepoint’s next project, remake or otherwise, is still unknown. Perhaps most exciting is the future of Insomniac and Housemarque. While the former’s Marvel’s Wolverine game is surely getting closer to a full reveal, the latter has been quiet since 2021’s excellent Returnal - here’s hoping we hear more from each in due course. Sony’s year has been relatively quiet, but its new hardware sets up an exciting 2025. Still, its commitment to live-service titles feels like it’ll be under further scrutiny - for every Helldivers 2 , there is likely to be more than one Concord , and it remains to be seen whether the publisher will stay the course set by outgoing CEO Jim Ryan. The best PS5 games to play right now The best PS4 games to go for if you're still rocking the last-gen PlayStation PS5 Pro vs PS5 : comparing specs, design, dimensions, features, and more
JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with a crew member injured. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and U.N. colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said, without mentioning the source of the bombardment. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in the cities of Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel's military didn't immediately respond to questions about Tedros' post but issued a statement saying it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively.” The strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned" as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. The United Nations has noted that the targeted ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014 . Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv . Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that the council condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying weapons to the rebels. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight , the territory's Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said that all were militants posing as reporters. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The journalists were working for the local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, which ignited the war. The Israeli military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, had confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups operate political, media and charitable operations in addition to their armed wings. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. Sobbing young men attended the funeral outside the hospital. The bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with blue press vests draped over them. The Committee to Protect Journalists says more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel has banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accused six of its Gaza reporters of being militants . The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Separately, Israel's military said that a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza early Thursday. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation more than a year ago. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border in an attack on nearby army bases and farming communities. They killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It says more than half the fatalities have been women and children, but doesn't say how many of the dead were fighters. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and driven around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said that it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. A previous version of this story was corrected to show that the name of the local news outlet is Al-Quds Today, not the Quds News Network. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-warTwo bootcamp teens are missing as Oranga Tamariki officials front on participant’s death
Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters awayThe proposed auto-enrolment pensions plan has been labelled a "waste of resources" by a former actuary. The Department of Social Protection' retirement savings scheme for employees is set to be implemented on September 30th next year. Under auto- enrolment , all employed workers who are not already in a pension scheme will be automa tically enrolled in the new national scheme. Employees, employers and the State will all pay a certain amount into an employee's pension fund. A new public body - the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority - will oversee the administration of the new scheme. Employees can opt out of the scheme after six months if they wish. Former actuary and past president of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland Colm Fagan, however, has described the pensions plan as a "waste of resources". On The Pat Kenny Show , Mr Fagan claimed two aspects of the plan would be very costly to the State. "One is the total contributions being paid by employees, employers and the State," he said. "That would be €20 billion in the first 10 years of the scheme and then it would be €4 billion a year after that." "It’s incomprehensible that they’ve agreed to go into this without any consideration of whether they’re getting good value for money ." Mr Fagan said Ireland's auto-enrolment plan is modelled off the UK's National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) scheme. "I n the NEST scheme, there is between a quarter and a third of the people who leave every year. "If we have the same experience as the NEST scheme, of the 80 0,000 people who join, only 30,000 of them will still be there after 10 years." Mr Fagan is calling for the Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI) to assess Ireland's proposed auto-enrolment scheme before it is enacted next year. "All I'm saying is we should have the ESRI go through it with a fine-tooth comb," he said. You can listen back here: Feature image: Bank notes, coins and a calculator are laid out on a surface, Alamy.