
Pune: The collectorate has set up a dedicated office equipped with state-of-the-art tracking systems to curb illegal sand mining in Pune district. The pilot project, launched last month, enables real-time monitoring of sand-mining activities across 200 locations throughout the district. The office features an advanced surveillance system that includes GPS tracking of vehicles involved in sand transportation. A senior official from the collectorate said the technology-driven approach will strengthen their ability to prevent unauthorised sand extraction and ensure proper monitoring of legitimate mining operations. Others said that the tracking system provides round-the-clock surveillance of designated mining zones, enabling quick response to any suspicious activities. The collectorate plans to evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot project before considering its expansion to other regions. "With GPS-enabled tracking, we can now monitor the movement of every authorised vehicle and instantly identify any deviations from approved routes or timings," the official added. There have been several illegal sand mining cases that prompted the initiative. The district administration will collate data for at least two to three months. The administration will ensure that all permissions granted for sand-mining sites at all levels are uploaded on the state government's Mahakhanij website. Recently, two revenue department staffers from Beed were suspended for failing to prevent illegal sand mining in their area and all districts were told to keep a strict watch on such activities. Senior officials found signs of rampant illegal sand mining near a river basin in Georai taluka which prompted action against the officials leading to their suspension by the Beed collector. Other collectorates have since upped their vigilance. Activists have been demanding action against illegal sand mining and excavation of the rivers' beds. There have been cases of irregularities and criminal activities and attacks by sand miners on govt officials. The new sand mining policy introduced in 2023 will help curb such activities. Under the new scheme, tenders will be invited for management of sand mining, its transportation, and construction of depots. It will also enable setting up of a technical committee under a tehsildar to monitor sand in creeks and rivers. There will be depots in all districts for storage and sale of sand. A committee headed by the collector would oversee the tendering and sale. The rulings of the National Green Tribunal will be followed, officials said. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .
Putin's New War: 50,000 Russian & North Korean Troops Ready To Storm U.S. Ally's Bases? Details Recommended Playlist Emergency Blackout In Kyiv After Russia's ICBM Attack On Ukraine | Details Russian Forces March In Kursk With North Korean Troops; Capture 5 Ukrainian Positions | Watch North Korean Soldiers Clash With Ukrainian Troops For First Time In Ukraine War, Confirms Zelensky Russia's Kursk Attack: 50,000 Putin's Men & Korean Troops Surround Ukraine Army | Report U.S. Soldiers Part Of Kyiv's ATACMS Strike On Russia? Explosive Claims 'Europe On Nuke Missile Target': Putin's Chilling Message To U.S. & NATO After Bombing Ukraine World War III Is Here? UK Confirms Will Join War Against Russia 'Tonight' If Moscow... | Watch Russia To Rain Hypersonic Hellfire On Ukraine? Putin's Huge New Order; 'Mass-Produce Oreshnik...' Putin Announces New Hypersonic Missile Test In Ukraine, Threatens Countries Aiding Kyiv Kyiv 'Helpless' As Russia Mounts 'Most Powerful Offensive'; Ukraine Army Chief's Bombshell Admission Top Viral Videos Shocking! Lawyer rams Mercedes car into Kachori shop in Delhi, Six injured In a shocking incident, six people were injured after a lawyer rammed his speeding Mercedes car into a Kachori shop in the national capital. The incident took place at Fateh Kachori in Civil Lines area. The police have taken the lawyer into custody and seized his car. The lawyer has been identified as Parag Maini who is a resident of Noida’s Sector 79. The police have registered a case against the lawyer under Section 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by endangering life). Telangana cop punched, dragged by villagers, video goes viral On Cam: Crane drags car with senior citizens sitting inside, case registered | video goes viral Instagram influencer shot dead by husband in Rajasthan's Phalodi CCTV: Thieves arrive in car, decamp with jewellery in MP's Damoh Goons hurl abuses at toll plaza employee in MP's Chhatarpur Two goons hurled abuses at a toll plaza employee in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur. One of the assailants is reportedly the brother of an MLA. The incident was filmed by an employee of ol plaza which has gone viral on social media. The goons were upset after they had to wait in the queue. Viral: Cobra blocks road in MP's Chhatarpur district Nigeria: Lion kills zookeeper at Obafemi Awolowo University CCTV: Biker crushed to death by speeding bus in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district Four women steal tray full of earrings from a jewellery shop in MP's Raisen Shirtless British man punches air steward after destroying aircraft toilet, arrested A shirtless British man punched an air steward after destroying the aircraft toilet. The man was arrested. The man went berserk soon after the flight took off . He went up to smash the plane’s toilet. The incident took place on February 7 when the flight took off from Bangkok to London. A video of the incident went viral on social media. On cam: Several injured after swarm of bees attacks guests during wedding ceremony in MP's Guna On cam: Man hurls abuses at government school teacher in MP's Chhatarpur district On cam: Man thrashes youth with stick in MP's Ujjain Doctor loses cool, misbehaves with home guard in MP's Chhatarpur On cam: Goons thrash Dalit youth in MP's Betul A Dalit youth was thrashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul. The man was brutally thrashed and forced to squat while holding his ears. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. Congress leader Jitu Patwari highlighted the plight of the Dalit man. The police have launched a probe into the matter. On cam: Govt employee consumes alcohol at work place in MP's Singrauli On cam: Goons thrash liquor shop employee in MP's Gwalior CCTV: Man thrashed, abducted in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district Fight breaks out between CHC employee and patient in UP's Barabanki Short Videos BJP Orchestrated Attack On Kejriwal During ‘Padyatra’ Campaign: Delhi CM Atishi Your Autistic Child Can Also Make A Difference Your Autistic Child Can Also Make A Difference Kejriwal Questions RSS Over BJP’s 'Dirty' Tactics Against Opposition | Watch Atishi's 1st Statement After Being Picked As Delhi CM; 'Kejriwal Made Biggest Sacrifice' Kejriwal To Give Up CM Residence; AAP's Sanjay Singh Issues Big Warning... Haryana Polls: Vinesh Phogat & Bajrang Punia Join Congress; Sakshi Malik next? Putin's Big Pledge For Russian Speakers In Ukraine; 'Will Fight For...' Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Has Failed To Achieve Objectives, Declares Putin Putin Says Russia Will Support Kamala Harris In U.S. Elections Related Articles Big escalation: 'Russia launches ICBM strike' against Ukraine, shoots down UK Storm Shadow missiles 'Not enough to prevail': Zelenskyy warns of Ukraine's possible loss without US aid Stocks fall as Russia-Ukraine war rattles traders: Markets wrap Ukraine arrests commander for allegedly sharing intelligence with Russian military 'PM Modi deserves Nobel Peace prize for global mediation efforts,' says veteran investor Mark Mobius Do Today’s Wars Really Ever End? Russia-Ukraine war: Why North Korean soldiers are ready to die for Putin Donald Trump speaks to Russia's Vladimir Putin on phone, urges him not to escalate Ukraine war: Report
A Belfast-based astronomer has said a planetary defence mission with which he is involved will help scientists gather new data to potentially enable them to deflect asteroids which could crash into Earth Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, from the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast , has recently returned from ground control of the European Space Agency (ESA) Hera mission at the European Space Operations Centre in Germany. Hera, which was blasted into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, Florida, is seeking to gather new data and insights about how to deflect asteroids. In September 2022, the Nasa Dart mission hit the small asteroid moon Dimorphos and changed its trajectory, as the first test of “kinetic impactor” technology designed to deflect asteroids. Hera’s job is to measure the mass of Dimorphos moved by Dart and discover the precise effect of the impact on the moon. Speaking about the launch, Mr Fitzsimmons said: “Probably the tensest time was not the launch itself, when the spacecraft was released from the Falcon 9 booster. “And then we were waiting for acquisition of signal because if we don’t hear that signal from Hera, we have no way of communicating with the spacecraft, and then controlling it from then on. “But thankfully everything worked out fine and the spacecraft is in perfect health.” Prof Fitzsimmons said: “At the moment it is not directly heading towards the asteroids that we are targeting, it is heading towards Mars, because we are going to use Mars’s gravity to redirect Hera into a rendezvous trajectory, and we will finally get to the asteroids that we are targeting at the end of the year 2026.” He said the idea of running a spacecraft into an asteroid at high velocity to change its course has been around for a long time. He added: “It is one of three techniques we think we can try. We call it the kinetic impact technique because we are using the energy associated with the motion to move the asteroid. “We have a couple of other ideas, for example we have something called a gravity tractor, where if we can hover a spacecraft close to a small asteroid then simply the force of gravity, the gravitational pull by that small spacecraft on that small asteroid, will slowly move it into a different trajectory without touching it. “Going the other way, we have what we call blast deflection, and this is the thing you normally see in movies, where you launch a large explosive device, probably a nuclear device, and explode that. “You don’t destroy the asteroid, you explode it above the surface of the asteroid, and that vaporises part of the surface, and that vaporised asteroid goes one way, pushing the asteroid the other way, due to the laws of physics. “That is something we could try in the future but we’d rather not use nuclear devices. We have had a treaty since 1967 not to use nuclear devices in outer space and we’d like to keep it that way.” Prof Fitzsimmons said while most large asteroids have now been discovered by astronomers, there is still a risk to Earth from smaller asteroids. He said: “Asteroid impacts on Earth are a natural phenomenon, it is a natural disaster just like earthquakes and volcanoes, hurricanes and tidal waves. Now, all those happen much more frequently. “Asteroid impacts don’t happen that often but when they do they have quite an effect, at least over the local area, and possibly they can have global effects. “This has been happening ever since the Earth was created 4.6 billion years ago, and if we do nothing they will happen again in the future. “Look at the dinosaurs, they were wiped out partially, if not solely, by a large asteroid hitting them. “They didn’t have a space programme, we do and we are at the stage where we could prevent this type of natural disaster. “That is important to realise, because we still can’t prevent a volcanic eruption or an earthquake or a hurricane, but it is amazing to think that this, albeit rare, natural disaster, we could prevent entirely, we could stop an impact actually happening in the first place. “That is a fantastic thing for our civilisation to have reached that point, so why not do it?” He added: “At some point in the future we know we will discover an asteroid that is going to hit us after that discovery point. “At that point we really will have to do something. The great thing is that all the work done by all the teams, all the engineers and scientists in their fields, are working towards that point. “We are getting more and more confident, not complacent, that if we do things right and we discover that future impact early enough, we will be able to prevent it.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker provided a memorable moment in the Cougars' commanding 36-14 victory over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl , intercepting top NFL Draft prospect Shedeur Sanders and mimicking his father Deion Sanders' famous dance. The celebration added to Colorado's woes as BYU concluded their 11-2 season. Glasker intercepted Sanders during the penultimate drive of the game, sealing BYU's win. After the interception, Glasker performed Coach Prime's signature footwork dance, made famous during his Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys, right in front of the Colorado players. Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders end Colorado careers on sour note Bryce Underwood turns heads at first Michigan practice after alarming NIL deal The move set social media ablaze, with BYU's official channels posting the video captioned, "Nice dance moves," which quickly amassed over 19,000 views. Despite Shedeur throwing a late 2-yard touchdown pass to Sav'ell Smalls with two minutes left, it was too little too late. BYU's dominance across all aspects of the game ensured a decisive victory, leaving Colorado without any answers. The Cougars outperformed the Buffaloes with 331 total yards of offense, including a 64-yard punt return touchdown by Parker Kingston. Their defense contained Colorado, limiting them to just 210 total yards, including a mere two rushing yards. BYU's victory marked their second 11-win season under head coach Kalani Sitake, solidifying a strong campaign for the No.17-ranked Cougars. The internet had mixed reactions to Glasker's celebration. The audacity of the celebration sparked mixed reactions, with a fan commenting, "Hit the celly in front of Deion Sanders after picking off Shedeur Sanders. Legend status." DON'T MISS: Former college football quarterback dies in tragic hunting accident at 27 Shannon Sharpe provides update on Kirk Herbstreit dispute played out on ESPN LSU star Flau'jae Johnson goes official with college football player boyfriend While some hailed it as legendary, others slammed the move as "classless" and took shots at BYU's image. Nonetheless, the incident became an iconic part of the match. For Glasker, the sophomore linebacker, this was yet another standout moment in a season that saw him receive Honorable Mention All-American accolades from Sports Illustrated and All-Big 12 First Team recognition from the College Football Network. Despite his team's defeat, Shedeur Sanders is still seen as a top-three prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, with many expecting him to be the first pick by the New York Giants. Before the match, Sanders hinted at his possible future with the Giants through custom cleats, though he chose standard team colors on the day of the game. Sanders concluded his last college season with impressive stats: 3,926 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. Despite the Alamo Bowl loss, his prospects for the NFL remain undimmed as he gears up for the 2025 NFL Combine and Draft. For BYU, their victory was a testament to their program's resilience, countering what some believed to be biased media favoritism towards the Buffs before the game began. As for Glasker, his provocative dance may well become one of the most memorable acts of his college football tenure.
Nabil Habashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 51st Annual Conference of the Association of Egyptian American Scholars, held in the New Administrative Capital on Sunday. At the conference’s opening, Habashi delivered a speech on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, extending the Minister’s greetings and best wishes for a successful event. He emphasized the conference’s alignment with the Ministry’s goals of strengthening connections between Egyptians abroad and their homeland. Habashi stressed the importance of utilizing the expertise, skills, and knowledge of Egyptian expatriates to support Egypt’s development, particularly through the fields of science, education, and scientific research, which are seen as crucial pillars for human development and the establishment of advanced, technology-driven projects. The Deputy Foreign Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to enhance communication with Egyptians living abroad. These efforts include improving resources, addressing expats’ needs, and resolving issues through collaboration with various governmental bodies. Habashi pointed out the recent achievements made after the integration of the Ministry of Emigration and the Affairs of Egyptians Abroad into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This integration has significantly increased efficiency, improved services, and accelerated the delivery of support to Egyptians overseas. In his concluding remarks, Habashi reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining ongoing communication with Egyptian scientists and students around the world. He encouraged them to contribute their expertise to Egypt’s development, particularly in areas such as education, industry, healthcare, renewable energy, digital transformation, and modern scientific disciplines. He urged Egyptian scientists abroad to actively engage with national initiatives aimed at Egypt’s modernization and development. Founded over half a century ago, the “Association of Egyptian American Scholars” brings together leading Egyptian scientists from universities, research institutions, and industries across the United States and Canada. The Association organizes an annual meeting in Egypt to contribute to the nation’s development efforts, especially in the realms of education and scientific research.
Ashcroft putting political office on holdBANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, arrive to attend a joint news conference Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China's BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March. A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan's market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany's Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, pose for photographers during a joint news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. "Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn't currently play," that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan's electric Leaf and Ariya haven't sold well in the U.S., they're solid vehicles, Fiorani said. "They haven't been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology," he said. "They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation." Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to "negative," citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan's share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector. The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China. Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico. Meanwhile, analysts say there is an "affordability shift" taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that's forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits. ____ Airbags, advanced driver assistance features, and high-strength materials mean that the safest cars today are far better at protecting people from injuries than ever before. Although most new cars compare well to their predecessors, some stand above the rest. The safest cars for 2025 offer excellent occupant protection and also do a good job of preventing accidents from happening in the first place. Based on testing data from the , or IIHS, and the , or NHTSA, these are some of the safest cars available today. Ranging from inexpensive compact cars and mainstream midsize sedans to stylish station wagons, posh luxury cars, and sporty coupes and convertibles, shares a list that has something for just about everyone. For those who prefer a higher seating position and maybe some added practicality, Edmunds' list of is for you. The stylish Mazda 3 has a lot to offer compact-car shoppers, including great looks, a composed driving experience, and reasonable fuel economy from its base 2.0-liter engine. It's also one of the safest cars in its class, earning a perfect five stars in NHTSA crash testing and sterling crashworthiness and collision avoidance scores from the IIHS. Its standard features are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. With mature styling, a premium interior, and an efficient hybrid powertrain option, the 2025 Honda Civic is a great option if safety is a concern since it aces almost all of the IIHS' crash tests and earns a five-star safety rating from the federal government. It also comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Civic falls short slightly in the IIHS' updated moderate overlap front test, which now accounts for rear passenger safety, but even so, it's one of the safest cars in its class. Reflective of parent company BMW, today's Mini Cooper is well constructed and features premium safety features that belie its small size, including automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Although the Mini hasn't been tested by NHTSA, the IIHS gives the Cooper its highest score of Good in the original driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side-impact tests. That said, the IIHS doesn't place the Cooper on its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists since it hasn't been evaluated on the updated battery of passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, or side-impact tests. Expect the new-for-2025 Mini Cooper to earn decent crash ratings in those scenarios, especially since it shares its strong platform with the outgoing model. With its recent redesign, the Toyota Prius transformed from a frumpy little caterpillar to a stylish and efficient butterfly. It also became a very safe hybrid hatchback. Perfect scores in all of its government and IIHS crash tests, as well as a sophisticated system of collision avoidance technology, earn it top marks. It's also one of our favorite cars on the market, period, as evidenced by its status as a vehicle. The Honda Accord is among the safest midsize sedans on the market today thanks to excellent crashworthiness scores and a competent standard collision prevention system. It's a Top Safety Pick+, beating out rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Subaru Legacy, and the Accord also earns a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA. Honda's hybrid-intensive product planning is on full display here—all but the two lowest Accord trims have a hybrid powertrain—and it's also among the most spacious cars in its class. Like its Honda Accord rival, the Toyota Camry is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star NHTSA rating. It also has a very impressive suite of driver assistance and safety technology, including lane departure prevention with active centering, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Camry edges out the Accord in IIHS testing thanks to a more effective collision avoidance system, but both cars are remarkably well matched otherwise. The fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers excellent safety and collision prevention, with excellent scores across the entire line of IIHS tests. The Ioniq 6 hasn't been tested for rollover resistance by NHTSA, but it earned a four-star front safety rating and a five-star side-impact rating in government tests. Like most EVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. It also offers up to 342 miles of all-electric driving in its longest-range trim level. The Acura Integra is a close mechanical cousin to the Honda Civic, so it's no surprise it does well in both the IIHS' and NHTSA's crash tests. The luxury hatchback is a Top Safety Pick+ and earns a perfect five stars in government testing. The AcuraWatch safety suite is standard on the Integra, bringing automatic emergency braking, lane centering, lane departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a safe option in the popular small luxury sedan segment thanks to its good scores in IIHS crash testing. Mercedes' best-selling sedan also comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, which helps it earn a Top Safety Pick award. However, it hasn't been tested by the NHTSA. Both the Genesis G80 and the fully electric earn a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS thanks to their good scores on the agency's crash tests, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features that avoided collisions with simulated pedestrians. The internal-combustion-engine G80 earned a perfect five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and although the Electrified G80 hasn't been tested by the feds just yet, it should likely excel in those tests too. The flagship Genesis G90 sedan competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, and the South Korean automaker clearly hasn't skimped on safety in its fight against the establishment. Although it hasn't been subjected to the NHTSA array of tests, it aced almost all of its IIHS tests, and a long list of standard active safety and driver assistance features sets it apart from the stingy German makes that charge extra for them. With handsome styling and a well-finished interior, the Volvo V60 is a very appealing station wagon for those looking for such a thing. It's also quite safe, with good crashworthiness scores in the IIHS' original moderate overlap front and side-impact scores. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been tested with the updated versions of those tests, it didn't earn this year's Top Safety Pick award, but it was called a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022. NHTSA also gives the V60 a five-star safety rating. Although the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain isn't a traditional wagon — it follows the lifted almost-crossover formula shared with the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country — we'll take what we can get in this dwindling category. The All-Terrain hasn't been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but a previous-generation E-Class earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, and Mercedes isn't the kind of company that goes backward when it comes to safety. The E 450 All-Terrain comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, though, at this price, Benz should just make other active safety features standard. With a five-star NHTSA safety rating, standard forward collision warning and emergency braking, and excellent IIHS crashworthiness scores on its original tests, the Audi A6 Allroad does a good job protecting people (both passengers and pedestrians) from crashes. However, since the IIHS hasn't subjected the Allroad to its updated side and moderate front crash criteria, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status in 2022. Still, it should be a fine option for luxury longroof shoppers. Both the Ford Mustang coupe and convertible perform well in crash testing. The coupe received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and both variants scored decently on all the IIHS tests they've undergone. They also come standard with forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, and automatic emergency braking. However, the IIHS needs to test both models on its updated criteria before it will rate them. Although the government hasn't tested it, the Toyota GR86 aced all of its IIHS crashworthiness tests when it was new for the 2022 model year. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been subjected to the IIHS' updated testing since then, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status. Still, this is a fun-to-drive, sporty coupe that comes standard with a long list of active safety features, and it's reasonably priced to boot. Mechanically identical to the Toyota GR86, the 2025 Subaru BRZ achieves the same safety ratings—who would have thought? It likewise received a Top Safety Pick+ score in 2022 that lapsed when the IIHS updated its criteria for 2023, but like the Toyota, it has a long list of active safety features to go along with its lightweight, rip-roaring sports car attitude. The Audi A5 lost its traditional two-door coupe body style after 2024, but the five-door Sportback body style remains before it's replaced later in 2025. Although it hasn't seen the IIHS' more stringent test regimen, its original crashworthiness scores were good enough to earn it a Top Safety Pick award as recently as 2022. The Sportback is the only variant to be tested by the government, where it earned a five-star safety rating. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
Top 7 Sugar Daddy Apps That Send Money Without MeetingJimmy Carter , a one-term U.S. president who dedicated his time after the White House to widespread humanitarian work, has died at age 100. Carter, who became the oldest living ex-president after the death of George H.W. Bush in November 2018, had the longest post-presidency in U.S. history, having left the White House in January 1981. On Feb. 18, 2023, The Carter Center ― a charity founded by the former president ― announced that after a “series of short hospital stays,” Carter would begin receiving hospice care at home “instead of additional medical intervention.” On Nov. 17, the Center announced his wife Rosalynn Carter had also entered hospice care after previously being diagnosed with dementia. She died two days later. Despite being in hospice, Carter appeared at her funeral. On May 14, Carter’s grandson Jason, the chair of The Carter Center, said the former president was nearing the end of his life. “He really is, I think, coming to the end that, as I’ve said before, there’s a part of this faith journey that is so important to him,” he said . “And there’s a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end. And I think he has been there in that space.” The Carters made their last public appearance together in September, when they were spotted riding in a black SUV at the Plains Peanut Festival in Plains, Georgia, seven months after the former president entered hospice care. Carter had few public appearances over the last years of his life. He and his wife skipped Joe Biden ’s presidential inauguration in January 2021, their first time missing the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. But Carter continued to speak out about humanitarian and political issues. In January 2021, Carter joined with other former living presidents to condemn the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, calling it a “national tragedy” and “not who we are as a nation.” The following year, Carter penned an op-ed for The New York Times expressing concern about U.S. democracy and called on leaders and candidates to “uphold the ideals of freedom and adhere to high standards of conduct.” He spoke out in February 2022 against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing the “unjust assault” threatened “security in Europe and the entire world.” Carter experienced several health setbacks in his later years. He was admitted to the hospital in November 2019 for a procedure to relieve pressure on his brain caused by several falls. He continued to face health issues that year, including a broken hip, pelvic fracture and a urinary tract infection . In August 2015, Carter revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer . He received radiation treatment for melanoma and was declared cancer-free that December, announcing four months later that he no longer needed to receive treatment. The bout with cancer forced Carter to come to terms with mortality. In a 2019 address to a church in his hometown, he said he was “ completely at ease ” with death. “I assumed, naturally, that I was going to die very quickly,” Carter told the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. “I obviously prayed about it. I didn’t ask God to let me live, but I asked God to give me a proper attitude toward death. And I found that I was absolutely and completely at ease with death.” He was born James Earl Carter Jr. in Georgia in October 1924, the first of his parents’ four children. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, then served seven years in the Navy before returning to Georgia, where he operated a peanut farm, then served as state senator and governor. Carter, a Democrat, kicked off his presidential run in December 1974, choosing Walter Mondale as his running mate. In November 1976, he defeated Gerald Ford, who had become president two years earlier when Richard Nixon resigned. During his four years in the White House, Carter dealt with a national energy crisis, expanded the national park system and installed solar panels on the White House. He signed the bill that allowed for the creation of the U.S. Department of Education. Perhaps his greatest achievement, the Camp David Accords , settled hostilities between Egypt and Israel and established diplomatic relations. But it failed to live up to his hopes for serious negotiations toward Palestinian statehood. His administration was dogged by other foreign policy issues, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iran hostage crisis . Carter was deeply unpopular by the time Republican Ronald Reagan defeated him in the 1980 election and he left office with a 34% approval rating, according to Gallup . After the presidency, Carter became a champion for international human rights. He monitored elections across the globe and devoted time to building houses for the charity Habitat for Humanity. His efforts through The Carter Center nearly eliminated Guinea worm disease, an infection that has plagued Africa for centuries. He became a self-styled international diplomat, sometimes working unofficially. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work “to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development” through The Carter Center. “He remains such a controversial figure,” Julian Zelizer, a professor of history at Princeton University and a Carter biographer, told The Atlantic in 2012 . “But like it or not, he re-invented the post-presidency.” He wrote books and spoke his mind on contemporary political issues. In July 2015, for example , he said the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that allowed unlimited campaign donations had turned America into an “oligarchy.” “It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system,” Carter said. “Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president.” He also spoke out against then-President Donald Trump, telling The Washington Post in August 2018 he thought Trump was “a disaster” after previously arguing that the media were too harsh and saying he had prayed for him . Carter married Rosalynn in 1946. They had four children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren . The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021 with a private reception attended by former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, country artists Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and more. Rosalynn was heavily involved in the humanitarian work her husband did after leaving the White House, and advocates for several causes on her own , including mental health and caregiving. Carter, a Baptist, was deeply religious, and told The Atlantic in July 2015 he believed he’d led “several hundred” people to Christ through one-on-one interaction. He taught Sunday school lessons every other week at Maranatha Baptist Church for decades after he left the White House. He told HuffPost Live in 2015 that he approved of same-sex marriage, saying he believed Jesus would as well. “I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else, and I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else,” he said. While speaking at The Carter Center in 2019, Carter described his aspirations for the Center’s future initiatives, he said he hoped it would speak out against armed conflicts and “wars by the United States.” “I just want to keep the whole world at peace,” Carter said. Ryan Grenoble, Shruti Rajkumar and Carla H. Russo contributed reporting. Related From Our Partner
World leaders react to the death of former President Jimmy CarterIndia will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time in February next year which will be a global platform for its creative talents, fostering collaborations and showcasing the country's potential as a hub for world-class content creation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke extensively about the WAVES Summit in his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' Radio address on Sunday. Comparing the WAVES to global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Modi said the leaders from the media and entertainment industry as well as creative minds from across the globe will gather in Delhi for the Summit being held from February 5-9. "This Summit is an important step towards making India a hub of global content creation," he said. The prime minister emphasized the pivotal role of young creators in the preparations for WAVES, reflecting the dynamic spirit of India's creative community. He expressed pride in the enthusiasm of the country's youth and their contribution to the burgeoning creator economy, a key driver as India advances toward becoming a five trillion dollar economy. "Whether you are a young creator or an established artist, associated with Bollywood or regional cinema, a professional from the TV industry, an expert in animation, gaming, or an innovator in entertainment technology, I encourage you to be a part of the WAVES Summit," Modi said. He urged all stakeholders in the entertainment and creative industries to actively participate in the WAVES. "The WAVES Summit is poised to serve as a global platform for India's creative talents, fostering collaborations and showcasing the country's potential as a hub for world-class content creation," Modi said. The Summit will also highlight India's advancements in animation, gaming, entertainment technology, and regional and mainstream cinema, he added. Modi also paid heartfelt tributes to ace director Raj Kapoor and singer Mohammed Rafi on their 100th birth anniversaries. Raj Kapoor's role in showcasing India's soft power through his timeless films and Mohammed Rafi's mesmerizing voice that continues to resonate with all generations, he said. Modi also recalled Akkineni Nageswara Rao's contributions in elevating Telugu cinema while reflecting the Indian traditions. He also honored Tapan Sinha's socially conscious films that inspired unity and awareness. Modi said these legends not only shaped the golden era of Indian cinema but also strengthened India's cultural heritage, leaving behind an everlasting legacy for generations to admire and draw inspiration from.
The Fallout Of Viral Snow Forecast Posts On Social Media
Goldmarketer.com Revolutionizes Financial Services with the World's First 24-Hour AI Intelligent Customer Service
Jimmy Carter's love of tennis intersected with his presidency
Tragic twist in sickening murder of woman set on fire by illegal migrant on NYC subway READ MORE: Chilling video shows NYC subway 'killer' watching victim burn By LAURA PARNABY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:29 EST, 24 December 2024 | Updated: 14:32 EST, 24 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments The woman who was burned alive on a New York City subway last week is yet to be identified, most likely because of how badly charred her remains were, according to a law enforcement official. NYPD confirmed detectives are yet to determine the victim's identity, and a separate source told DailyMail.com this is likely due to the dire state of her remains. 'She was burned, she was torched to death,' the official said when explaining the ID delay. Th e woman, who is believed to have been homeless, was not thought to have been carrying an ID at the time of the attack. It's the latest horrific twist in the sickening murder, allegedly by Guatemalan migrant Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, who appeared at Brooklyn Supreme Court charged with murder and arson on Tuesday. He has not yet entered a plea. Zapeta-Calil is accused of lighting the unnamed passenger on fire as she slept on the F train at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island just before 7.30am on Sunday. Disturbing videos show the suspect watching from the safety of the platform as the woman became engulfed by the blaze, and even stopped to fan the flames at one point. Meanwhile, New Yorkers filmed the carnage on their phones and NYPD cops appeared to stroll by without intervening. NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a press conference that officers who responded were not aware the suspect was on the scene at the time. The woman who was burned alive on a New York City subway last week is yet to be identified, most likely because of how badly charred her remains were, according to a law enforcement official. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil (pictured) has been charged with murder and arson Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is shown sitting on a subway bench watching as the woman he set fire to burns alive. In front of him is an NYPD officer who walked past him, unaware he was allegedly responsible for the sickening crime Zapeta-Calil appeared stony-faced when he appeared at Brooklyn Supreme Court on Tuesday. Officers said he told them he was drunk at the time of the horrific subway homicide, and doesn't remember it. His friends at the homeless shelter where he had been living said he was a heavy drinker who chain-smoked a synthetic drug known as K2. They added that on the day of the murder, Zapeta-Calil shared a breakfast of French toast, sausage and grits at the facility with one of his roommates, before things took a heinous turn. 'He said, 'I'm going out to make my normal run,' then the next thing I hear what he did on the news,' Raymond Robinson, who slept next to Zapeta-Calil at the shelter, told the New York Post . 'He smoked K2, drank and bugged out,' Robinson said. 'He would bug out and talk to himself when he was high, but he never harmed nobody or himself. When he wasn't high he'd talk like we're talking regular.' Following the alleged murder, Zapeta-Calil eventually boarded the F train again, and he was flagged by high schoolers at York Street Station in downtown Brooklyn who recognized him from police pictures distributed on Sunday. NYPD officers alerted MTA, who stopped the train eight stops north from the sighting at Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan. Cops boarded the subway and detained Zapeta-Calil as he sat in a busy carriage, as caught in dramatic videos shared online. Police Commissioner Tisch praised the police response to the heinous incident as 'an example of great technology and even greater old fashioned police work' during a press conference on Sunday night. Pictured: Sebastian Zapeta is arraigned in Brooklyn Suprreme Court after he was arrested for setting a woman on fire on the F train in Brooklyn on Sunday morning Train surveillance cameras caught the man setting fire to the woman and then watching as she suffered in agony She added that detectives do not believe Zapeta-Calil and the victim knew each other, while giving more details about the 'depraved crime'. 'The suspect calmly walked up to the victim, who was in a seated position at the end of a subway car,' she said. 'The suspect used what we believe to be a lighter to ignite the victim's clothing, which became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds. 'Officers who were on patrol on an upper level of that station smelled and saw smoke and went to investigate. What they saw was a person standing inside a train car, fully engulfed in flames. 'With the help of an MTA employee and a fire extinguisher, the flames were put out. Unfortunately it was too late, and the victim was pronounced (dead) on the scene. 'Unbeknownst to the officers who responded, the suspect had stayed on the scene and was seated on a bench on a platform just outside the train car. 'The body-worn cameras on the responding officers produced a very clear, detailed look at the killer.' Zapeta-Calil was wearing the same 'gray hoodie, distinct wool hat, paint-splattered pants and tan boots' when officers tracked him down, and he also had a lighter in his pocket, the NYPD said. Fox News described him as a Guatemalan migrant. This has not been confirmed by police. Share or comment on this article: Tragic twist in sickening murder of woman set on fire by illegal migrant on NYC subway e-mail Add comment