top646 slot

top646 slot Owning a car means different things to different people. It can be a source of pride or a source of frustration for some while others see it as a necessary evil. Furthermore, preferences vary wildly from one to another, although many drive what is both practical and affordable with the hope it is relatively trouble-free. And while that sort of vehicle works for most, there is a certain segment of the population with a preference for driving machines of a bygone era, classic cars. It might be helpful to define a classic and collectible car, and there is a huge swath of gray area here. Hagerty , which insures antique, vintage, and classic automobiles, says a classic car is generally more than 20 years old with a 40-year limit — beyond that it is vintage. However, in common vernacular, a classic car can be considered anything from prior decades. But not all classic cars are collectible. A 1984 Buick Century may be a classic '80s sedan, but few would argue it is collectible. Jay Leno says, "The vehicle should be of technical or historical interest, it should be fun to drive, and it should be pleasant to look at." The Century fails on all accounts. The problem is that many collectible classics are expensive to own and difficult to maintain, but not all of them. For ideas of cars you could own that won't break your bank or your back, check out these collectible classics. One could argue the most famous classic car worldwide is the Volkswagen Type 1, otherwise known as the Beetle. With decades of production ending in 2003 — American sales ceased in 1978 — Beetles that were once ubiquitous on the roadways are still plentiful on the used market, and there are many reasons a Beetle is worth buying . One of the Beetle's primary selling points, and even part of its original design, is easy maintenance and repair. The engine is air-cooled, requiring no water pump, cooling fan, hoses, or radiator, eliminating a common point of failure. The rear-engine design puts the engine and transaxle together and makes the carburetor and ignition easily accessible. Furthermore, they are held in by just four bolts, and an experienced shop can complete removal in just 20 minutes. Everything about the car is basic and simple, and fixing or maintaining everything is low effort. The other part of the Beetle's original design is to be affordable. Factory production ended years ago, but a robust parts supply still exists with countless aftermarket parts available. Additionally, Beetles are popular for custom builds, and suppliers keep a vast supply of modified parts and accessories available. Furthermore, Volkswagen Classic Parts offers OEM parts for a wide range of its air-cooled classics. Since the 1964.5 debut model, the Ford Mustang has been an automotive juggernaut continuing through today. Its popularity has waned little, if any, and it remains appreciated by nearly anyone to encounter one. It is also the most popular classic American car export – more than 20,000 left U.S. ports from 2011 to 2021. But style should not be the sole reason for choosing a classic car. The cost to own it matters, too. Fortunately for classic Mustang lovers, they are easy to maintain and costs won't kill you either. Built before emissions controls, the engines are straightforward and uncluttered. Even back in the '80s, according to a 1984 article from the New York Times , mechanics thought cars of the early 1960s were the easiest for maintenance and repair. They probably think our modern cars are a nightmare. However, with a lack of electronics and digital controls, maintenance schedules are heavier and require several adjustments to components such as points, valves, and carburetors. It's easy maintenance, there's just more of it. One issue in owning one of these Mustangs is that dirt cheap examples probably no longer exist. To buy one in good drivable condition without being pristine can still cost $20,000. But once you make that investment, owning it is cheap. Reproduction and aftermarket parts are abundant and available from dozens of companies. Few, if any, parts are unavailable — complete body shells are in production right now — and continued demand keeps prices reasonable. Although Dodge used the Dart name beginning in 1959, not until 1963 did it affix the badge to a compact and low-cost model built for volume sales to buyers on a budget. This turned out to be a good strategy as it continued to sell until the name was first retired in 1976 (the name was revived for the Alfa Romeo-based Dart in 2013). The debut model only offered the long-lived and robust Slant-6 engine but added a V8 option the next year. Because of this, the Dart has since become more than just an old economy car. With a V8 engine, the Dart becomes a lightweight muscle car, and its clean and uncluttered design has made it a popular choice for racing and hot rods. Dodge also sold a lot of these, and finding one today in decent condition is not difficult, although a '68 Hemi Dart can go for upwards of $300,000. Otherwise, a few thousand can get you something to work on and drive. Plus, whether you pick up a Slant-6 or V8 car, maintenance is a breeze thanks to the uncomplicated engines and uncluttered engine bays. Like other popular classic American cars, the Dart is supported by many suppliers of affordable parts. For example, Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts specializes in Mopar and offers an array of parts, including an impressive supply of new old stock (NOS) parts in their original 50-year-old-packaging. A NOS distributor breaker plate with new points is only $35. The original Camaro introduced in 1967 was and is a great pony car and remains a Chevrolet icon. However, they are highly coveted today and can be extraordinarily expensive, which makes second generation models, built from 1970 to 1981, a more attractive alternative for a classic Camaro. Driving a second-gen Camaro can be a thrilling experience. They can be made incredibly fast, although the handling falls far short compared to a modern Camaro. Regardless, they are relatively comfortable — except for passengers in the rear — and have a decent ride when everything is in working order. Best of all, these cars look inarguably cool. While the later models are hampered by emissions controls, principally the low compression, they can be made to have power and burn clean today. Furthermore, Chevrolet offers a range of licensed restoration parts through authorized distributors, and the Camaro remains as popular as ever, meaning robust parts availability. Being powered by the small-block Chevy V8, maintenance is simple and dirt cheap, and you can even get a powerful crate engine for about $2,000. It matters not whether you are talking about the original Datsun 240Z, its 260Z successor, or the 280Z and 280ZX that closed out the Datsun model line, they're all cool cars. Although it was based on the existing Datsun 510, the new 240Z was built to emulate the Jaguar E-Type while competing against a Porsche or Alfa Romeo. It then became a car with a style and cachet all to itself. 240Z cars came with a stout 2.4-liter straight six fed by a pair of Hitachi carburetors, growing to 2.8-liters and equipped with fuel injection by 1975. They sold very well thanks to their driver-focused interior design and tight handling. Early Z-cars have gained a lot of value, but later models, like the 280ZX, can still be found at reasonable prices. Maintenance on a Z-car should be typical of its contemporary Japanese cars. You may need some specialized knowledge to deal with fuel injected models, but they are generally reliable to begin with. A loyal fanbase ensures parts and accessories abound. Regardless, Z Car Depot is but one company offering a comprehensive catalog of parts for prices similar to any late model car, and companies such as Skillard produce custom accessories, although they can be pricey. Lastly, the catalog from Advance Auto Parts lists most common replacement parts with many in stock. One potential issue, according to some Reddit users, is that some specific parts like molding or trim, either interior or exterior, can be essentially unobtainable. Anyone with a passing fancy about cars and mechanics should recoil in horror at the suggestion that a Jaguar is either cheap or easy to maintain, much less both. On YouTube, the Car Wizard claims the Jaguar V12 to be among the most difficult to repair while Regular Car Reviews says of a 1987 XJ6 that forums recommended only taking them to a Jaguar specialist. So how could a classic Jag be cheap and easy to maintain? It's possible with a small-block Chevy. Jaguar XJ styling is elegant and sporty, a beautiful car designed to offer an engaging driving experience without compromising on comfort. However, the engines could be complex and full of sketchy Lucas electricals. Today, if you want a Jaguar that won't break you, get one with one of the greatest V8 engines ever made, the small-block Chevy . The small-block conversion is moderately cheap and easy to do, and it gains tons of potential power output with legendary Chevy reliability. Jaguar used GM automatic transmission until 1993, so it should also be good to go. Older swaps used Chevy 350 or 327 engines, but a modern LS will work. The best way to cut cost and effort is to buy one already converted. You could find a swapped 1983 XJS Tuned Port 350 in Washington for just $4900 or the pristine 1972 XJ6 LS1 that Bring a Trailer sold for $16,000 with a little luck. The Triumph Spitfire 1500 is the quintessential British sports car. Named for the WWII fighter plane, the Spitfire is a plucky and attractive little roadster built solely to put a smile on your face. Production commenced in 1962, and the final Spitfire 1500 was made from 1974 to 1980. With a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, it was not necessarily fast, but its handling was superb thanks to its go-kart-like dimensions. Spitfires are collectible and still in the affordable range, although prices have been climbing. Engine work is a breeze as the fenders and hood are one piece that flips forward to reveal the entire engine bay. I learned how to repair cars with my 1978 Spitfire by sitting on the exposed tire with full access to the engine, and few jobs could not be done from that position. In my experience, maintenance is no more difficult than other cars, but you will do it way more often. The electrical system is highly problematic, and various seals may go — I used to have to bleed my clutch while seated in the car before I could drive. Websites like British Parts Northwest make sourcing parts so much easier than it was back in 1992, and prices are about the same as late-model cars, such as a new alternator for $119.99. If you have the time and patience to tolerate its quirks, I can say from experience that the sheer joy of driving a Spitfire is worth it. While it is not technically a car, the Chevrolet C/K full-size pickup, aka Square Body, built from 1973 to 1987 – heavy duty versions continued to be offered until 1990 — is both collectible and classic. Built at a time when utility took precedence over style for trucks, they have become sought after partially for the rectangular design. When it debuted, it introduced several improvements to the ride, stability, cabin space, and more. Square Bodies are undeniably collectible. Hemmings reported early in 2024 that rising values have led to certain examples selling for as much as $64,995 with a floor of $7,000. This will make it tough to find the deal for a thousand bucks that was once common. Regardless, should you already own a square body, the most expensive part of it is done. The work of maintaining a Square Body should be among the easiest of any vehicle you own. The engine bay is cavernous, providing enough room to literally climb inside to swap a gasket or pull the distributor. Later models will have the GM HEI distributor, which is extremely reliable, and fuel injection was not introduced until 1987. Otherwise, the Rochester carburetors are well-built. Furthermore, Hemmings says their popularity has kept a better supply of affordable parts than ever, and there are plenty of places to find parts for a classic Chevrolet . One word of advice though is to avoid trucks with the infamous 5.7-liter Oldsmobile diesel V8, if any still exist . When AMC released the Jeep Cherokee, it was a sensation that broke the mold and at least partially started today's domination of the "crossover" SUV. This is because it was built on a monocoque chassis that kept total weight low while remaining strong enough for off-road use and increased ground clearance. It was smaller than similar vehicles of the day and featured computer-aided-design heavily in its development. Most consequentially, its sporty design attracted a wide array of customers who otherwise would not likely buy any Jeep product. With nearly 20 years of production ending in 2003, it is not only barely considered a classic but also extraordinarily long lived, especially with essentially no design changes. The immensely popular 4.0-liter inline-6 AMC engine provided excellent torque and legendary durability. And with the engine design being based on much older AMC architecture, it was no frills and dead simple. Cherokees came with a problematic Renix fuel injection from parent company Renault, but Chrysler's system improved things after it bought the brand . This means for owners of newer Cherokees, pretty much everything is tested technology that works reliably. Furthermore, they are not too far removed from modern vehicles and offer a similar level of refinement and comfort. No matter what year you choose, off-roaders ensure the parts and especially accessories availability is endless. Sites like Quadratec provide seemingly every part you might ever need and then some. There's no doubt that the C8 Corvette is one of the coolest Chevrolets ever . It's also an expensive car that is too technologically complex for a home mechanic, and maintenance is pricey. Edmunds long-term test Corvette cost them $9,500 in its first 25,000 miles. While it is nowhere near as powerful and fast, a much more affordable option that is still cool, can be serviced at home, and won't cost much more than an ordinary sedan is a C3 Corvette, produced from 1968 to 1982. You should know that specific early models can cost you more than $1 million. However, later models can be picked up for less than $10,000 in good drivable condition. These cars started off with a bang as big block models delivered up to 390 horsepower while the fiberglass body kept everything very light. Sadly, after a few years, power took a sharp nosedive that continued to the end in 1982. Regardless of output, these exotically-styled cars are still Chevys with the venerable small-block V8, except for a handful of now-very-expensive big-block cars. They all use familiar Chevrolet components and most service is no different from a pickup. One exception is the 1982 model, which received crossfire injection, a fuel system with too many design limitations. Otherwise, the rest of the bunch makes for easily tuned power with ample aftermarket parts support from dedicated suppliers like Corvette Central . Perhaps it's time to get a Vette and find new roads .Inventus Mining (CVE:IVS) Trading Down 21.1% – Should You Sell?

Follow Emirates 24|7 on

S&P 500 futures are little changed after index closes at record highs: Live updates - CNBC

It's been and the . The rookie quarterback achieved his latest feat in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons when he reached 820 rushing yards on the season, which passed the previous record for a rookie signal-caller set by Robert Griffin III – who also did it with Washington – in 2012. Daniels ran his way to the record thanks to his third straight productive game on the ground. As the Commanders struggled early to establish a run game, he led his team with 85 rushing yards on 10 attempts, including a 25-yard keeper up the left sideline in the third quarter. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 66 yards against the New Orleans Saints and . Daniels has six rushing touchdowns to go along with the 24 he's thrown. He's been efficient with his legs all season and entered Sunday averaging 5.76 yards per carry. There have been three games this season he rushed for 22 yards or less, and the Commanders lost all three. "I wanted Jayden Daniels to break my rookie rushing record because I’m not about rooting against the next generation. He EARNED IT. He is the FUTURE," . "Some of these old heads need to stop drinking all that haterade (sic) and lift up these young guys instead of tearing them down."Telangana: Woman waiting at bus stop raped in Nirmal

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards. Altmeyer put Illinois in front with a 30-yard TD run with 3:07 to go. He passed to Josh McCray on the 2-point conversion, making it 30-24. Rutgers responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Athan Kaliakmanis had a 15-yard run on fourth down. He passed to running back Kyle Manangai for a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining. Illinois then drove 75 yards in eight plays for the unexpected win. Kaliakmanis was 18 for 36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 84 yards and two TDs. Monangai had a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards. Kaliakmanis found Ian Strong for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first half, and he scored on a 1-yard run to lift Rutgers to a 24-15 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois responded with Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run, setting up the roller-coaster finish. The start of the second half was delayed because of a scrum between the teams. There were no punches thrown and the officials called penalties on both schools. Monangai become the third player in Rutgers history to rush for 3,000 yards when he picked up 4 on a third-and-1 carry early in the second quarter. The defending conference rushing champion joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis in hitting the mark. Illinois: The great finish keeps the Illini in line for its first nine-win season since 2007 and a prestigious bowl game this season. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were seconds away from their first in-conference three-game win streak since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Illinois: At Northwestern next Saturday. Rutgers: At Michigan State next Saturday. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

TEHRAN –The head of the Information Technology Organization of Iran, Mohammad-Mohsen Sadr, and the head of Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space & Technology Commission, Mohammed Altamimi, have explored the potential for enhancing collaborations between the two countries in different fields. The officials met on the sidelines of the Saudi Arabia Internet Governance Forum (Saudi IGF) which took place from December 15 –19. The two sides expressed interest in boosting joint activities in the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector, and exchanged views on existing capacities in the two countries, Mehr news agency reported. Utilizing mutual infrastructures, sharing experiences in native information technology, and messaging platforms, expanding cooperation in post-services, and optical fiber, conducting joint projects in artificial intelligence, as well as joint activities by start-ups and knowledge-based firms were among the main focuses of the meeting. The officials also emphasized using the Iranian private sector’s capacities in Saudi-Arabia’s ICT projects. A memorandum of understanding will be provided to follow up on the agreements. The 19th annual IGF was held in a hybrid format, accommodating participants onsite in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and online. The main objectives of the forum were to advocate for an open, globally connected, trustworthy Internet for everyone by highlighting the current risks of Internet fragmentation, and to provide the knowledge and skills needed to a new generation of Internet leaders to defend the Internet and empower them to take action. It also spotlighted and showcased the important work of the global Internet Society community. The theme for this year’s IGF was “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future”. The program was centered around the following sub-themes: Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space, enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability, advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age, and improving digital governance. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is the highest authority in the field of ICT in the country. All activities related to the information and communication technology industry are directly related to the ministry. The government pays special attention to plans and policies in this sector in order to maximize the use of ICT to facilitate people’s lives. The successful designing, building, and launching of a satellite show the growth of the national technology and scientific power of a country. Space technology has been considered a tool to expand prosperity, peace, scientific-cultural development, and economic progress in human societies. Different nations of the world exploit this technology in some way based on their capacity, capabilities, and efforts. Currently, 13 universities and a research institute affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology are offering aerospace majors, thus Iran has a high capability in training specialists and experts in the aerospace sector and is a leading country in the region. Access to telecommunication services in rural areas of the country had improved over the period as the overall number of villages with access to communication services rose to 52,182, around 93 percent of all villages, while 47,837 villages had access to home landline services. Moreover, the number of Iranian mobile users reached nearly 135.890 million, according to the CRA which put the mobile phone penetration rate in the country at 161.67 percent. The figures showed, however, that fixed broadband adoption in Iran had stalled at 14 percent with nearly 11.921 million customers having access to the Internet via those services. This statistic shows that fixed broadband internet has grown by less than 2 percent compared to last year and mobile internet has experienced a growth of 10 percent. However, it can be said that the speed of mobile internet expansion is 5 times the speed of fixed internet. MT/MG

MidxMidwest Brings 90+ Venture Capitalists to Kansas City to Drive Regional Investment ActivityNoneJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel unleashed its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last week, killing at least 11 people on Monday after the Lebanese militant group fired a volley of projectiles as a warning over what it said were Israeli truce violations . The projectiles were apparently the first time that Hezbollah took aim at Israeli forces after the 60-day ceasefire went into effect last Wednesday. The increasingly fragile truce aimed to end more than a year of war between Hezbollah and Israel — part of a wider regional conflict sparked by the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza . In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant Hamas group in Gaza, saying on social media that if they are not freed before he takes office in January there would be “HELL TO PAY.” It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. The U.S. has given Israel crucial military and diplomatic support throughout the nearly 15-month conflict. A new exchange of fire threatens Lebanon ceasefire Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike on the southern village of Haris killed five people and wounded two while another airstrike on the village of Tallousa killed four and also wounded two. Israel's military carried out a string of airstrikes late Monday against what it said were Hezbollah fighters, infrastructure and rocket launchers across Lebanon, in response to Hezbollah firing two projectiles toward Mount Dov — a disputed Israeli-held territory known as Shebaa Farms in Lebanon where the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel meet. Israel said the projectiles fell in open areas and no injuries were reported. Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired on an Israeli military position in the area as a “defensive and warning response” after what it called “repeated violations” of the ceasefire deal by Israel. It said complaints to mediators tasked with monitoring the ceasefire “were futile in stopping these violations.” Before the Hezbollah projectiles, Israeli carried out at least four airstrikes and an artillery barrage in southern Lebanon, including a drone strike that killed a person on a motorcycle, according to Lebanese state media. Another strike killed a corporal in the Lebanese security services. Israel has said its strikes are in response to unspecified Hezbollah violations, and that under the ceasefire deal it reserves the right to retaliate. Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days by launching airstrikes, demolishing homes near the border and violating Lebanon's airspace. Officials in the U.S. — which along with France helped broker the truce and heads a commission meant to monitor adherence to the deal — played down the significance of Israeli strikes. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, “Largely speaking, the ceasefire is holding.” “We’ve gone from dozens of strikes down to one a day maybe two a day,” Kirby told reporters, referring to Israeli strikes. “We’re going to keep trying and see what we can do to get it down to zero.” Under the deal, Iran-backed Hezbollah has 60 days to withdraw its fighters and infrastructure from southern Lebanon. During that time, Israeli troops are also to withdraw to their side of the border. ‘RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!’ In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump called for Palestinian militants to free all of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still held inside Gaza , around two-thirds of whom are believed to be alive. If not, Trump said, “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!” Hours earlier, the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government. The Biden administration is mounting a last-ditch effort to try to restart talks between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on Trump's post though President Isaac Herzog welcomed it. Fears of hunger mount in Gaza In Gaza, meanwhile, alarm is mounting over increasing hunger. The amount of food allowed in by Israel has plunged over the past two months, compounded by a decision Sunday by the United Nations to halt aid deliveries from the main crossing into the territory because of the threat of armed gangs looting convoys. Experts have already warned of famine in the northernmost part of Gaza , which Israeli forces have almost completely isolated since early October, saying they're fighting regrouped Hamas militants there. Displaced families have set up tents surrounded by piles of garbage on the streets of Gaza City. Bilal Marouf, 55, said he and 11 family members fled the Israeli offensive “barefoot and naked.” “We had nothing. Hunger and thirst killed us, and we did not have a single shekel, nor clothes, nor a mattress, nor a blanket,” he said, speaking near his tent. Israel’s campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, has driven almost the entire population of the territory from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians now live in squalid tent camps, relying on international aid. The Israeli military said it allowed 40 trucks carrying 600 tons of flour for the World Food Program to enter the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday night, as well as 16 other food trucks. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. November saw an increase in the average number of humanitarian trucks it let into Gaza, up to 77 daily from 57 the month before, according to official Israeli figures. But the levels are still nearly the lowest of the entire 15-month war. And the U.N. says less than half of that actually reaches Palestinians because Israeli military restrictions, fighting and robberies make it too dangerous to deliver the aid. The World Food Program was able to only deliver aid to some 300,000 Palestinians in November across the Gaza Strip due to ongoing Israeli military offensives and the looting of convoys, Carl Skau, WFP’s deputy executive director, said Monday. In a tent camp in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, Palestinians lined up at makeshift mud ovens trying to buy a few loaves of flatbread for their families. With the price of flour mounting because of scarcity, the bakers — women displaced from further north — said they could bake less bread, and families could afford far less. “They divide them to their children, one loaf every day,” said one woman baker, Wafaa al-Attar. Abou AlJoud reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Fatma Khalid in Cairo contributed to this report. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-wars

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground's Record Attendance Breaks 87-Year-Old All-Time RecordHelping to drown out the noise

The state government will commission a new mobile filtration plant to clean up tap-water supplies in the Blue Mountains that have been tainted by a plume of cancer-linked “forever chemicals”. The additional filtration is already being installed at the Cascade Water Filtration Plant in Katoomba, which supplies drinking water to nearly 50,000 residents across the area on the World Heritage List. A new mobile water filtration plant will be installed at Katoomba to remove cancer-linked PFAS contaminants from tap-water supplies. Credit: Wolter Peeters The plant will deploy granular activated carbon and ion exchange resin technology to purify the water. The per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) were discovered at elevated levels in Blue Mountains drinking-water supplies after the state government was pressured into testing by a Herald investigation in June. The article challenged authorities’ assumptions there were “no known PFAS hotspots in our drinking-water catchments” . After initially dismissing the Herald’s reporting, authorities quietly commissioned tests that revealed the true extent of contamination. Levels have been detected in the Cascade Water Filtration Plant that would breach Australia’s proposed new drinking-water guidelines for forever chemicals, set to be finalised by April next year. The new filtration technologies are expected to significantly reduce PFAS levels and ensure Sydney Water can comply with the new guidelines. “It is important that communities are confident in the knowledge that they have access to safe and secure water, and this new technology will help us in those efforts,” NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said. “We will continue to support our water authorities across the state to deliver the highest-quality drinking water to every home and business.” Jon Dee, who leads the local STOP-PFAS action group, saw the move as proof the state government knew it needed to act to make the region’s drinking water safe again. “This is a great win for the Blue Mountains community and The Sydney Morning Herald’s push to reduce our community’s exposure to forever chemicals,” he said. NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone The source of the contamination in the drinking water is yet to be identified, but independent tests have linked it to a 1992 petrol tanker crash on the Great Western Highway. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year. Granular activated carbon traps PFAS contaminants due to its porous structure, while ion exchange resin swaps unwanted ions, such as PFAS, with safer ions. “While PFAS treatment is still an evolving field, we are leading the way with new ideas, such as this one, to ensure the continued delivery of world-class drinking water across the Sydney Water network,” Sydney Water managing director Roch Cheroux said. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Pollution Blue Mountains New South Wales Katoomba How To Poison a Planet Water Cancer Carrie Fellner is an investigative reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Politics Loading

Developers will have to show that their project either helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill, or replaces an older, less efficient incinerator. The move forms part of the Government’s drive to increase recycling rates, which have held at about 45% of household waste since 2015. Environment minister Mary Creagh said: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer. “That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants – they must be efficient and support net zero and our economic growth mission, before they can get the backing needed to be built.” Developers will also have to ensure their incinerators are ready for carbon capture technology, and demonstrate how the heat they produce can be used to help cut heating bills for households. The Government expects that its “crackdown” on new incinerators will mean only a limited number are built, while still reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and enabling the country to process the waste it produces. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the country was almost at the point where it had enough waste facilities to handle non-recyclable rubbish, and so had limited need for new incinerators. But the proposals stop short of the plans included in the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto, which committed to a complete ban on new incinerators due to their “impact on local communities” and declining demand as recycling increased.

Hitachi Rail partners with Invest Ontario to develop next generation of urban rail signalling technology in Toronto C$100m investment to create cutting-edge Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) product for urban rail operators in Canada and globally R&D program to integrate AI and 5G tech in new SelTracTM solution, creating 100 new high skilled jobs and growing Canadian employees to 1,200+ TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hitachi Rail is proud to partner with Invest Ontario as part of a more than C$100 million investment to upgrade its world-leading Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology. Hitachi Rail aims to develop a new generation of its CBTC technology, SelTracTM (G9), which will integrate artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communications, edge and cloud computing. The next generation system will offer transit operators worldwide lower costs, minimized carbon footprint and enhanced passenger experience. The investment includes the expansion of Hitachi Rail’s workforce in Toronto, Ontario, creating 100 new jobs and retaining 1,000 highly skilled positions in its York Mills office, including R&D and engineering roles. “The over $100 million investment in the next generation of our world-leading SelTracTM technology is hugely exciting – and we are grateful to the Government of Ontario and Invest Ontario for their support,” said Ziad Rizk, Managing Director, Urban Rail Signalling, Hitachi Rail . “By integrating AI, 5G, edge and cloud computing, our system will allow urban rail transportation operators around the globe to improve passenger journeys and operate more efficiently. This Ontario-invented technology is a Canadian success story that is creating jobs and boosting economic growth.” CBTC is a modern urban signalling system that uses wireless communication between trains and infrastructure to operate urban transit and subway systems more efficiently and safely than conventional signalling. SelTracTM, invented in Ontario, is the world’s first moving block CBTC signalling system, currently operating in more than 100 lines in 40 major cities around the world including the O-Train in Ottawa. Ontario, home to one of the largest tech clusters in North America, is renowned for its strength in AI, automation and connectivity technologies. The province’s expertise in smart mobility, combined with Hitachi Rail’s global competence centre, makes Ontario the natural place to develop next-generation digital solutions for urban rail and metros. “As one of the largest and most sought-after tech hubs in North America, Ontario is driving the development of next-generation technologies that will strengthen economic growth across key sectors, including automation and transportation,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade . “Through Invest Ontario, we are proud to support Hitachi Rail’s expansion in Toronto and thank them for choosing our province as the ideal place for their continued growth and success.” The company’s York Mills office in Toronto serves as its engineering centre of excellence, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including labs, testing areas, and simulation environments. This expansion adds to Hitachi Rail’s growing presence in Canada that includes around 1,200 employees across the country, who are delivering and maintaining major transit projects in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa. Toronto is home to the company’s international urban transit signalling technology business, as well as large program teams based downtown and Mississauga that are delivering major new transit infrastructure, like the Ontario Line and Hurontario. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America, connecting millions more Ontarians to reliable and affordable public transit. Today's announcement means Hitachi Rail will be helping even more workers gain the critical expertise needed to deliver Ontario's generational projects,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation . “Hitachi Rail’s investment is a testament to Ontario’s strengths in future technologies that are transforming industries from manufacturing to transportation. We are excited to support the company in advancing a made-in-Ontario technology that keeps cities around the world on the move,” said Jennifer Block, Interim CEO of Invest Ontario . In support of this investment, Ontario is providing $4.5 million in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund . Contact: Adam Love, Hitachi Rail on +1 (437) 234 4024, adam.love@hitachirail.com Notes to the editors: Hitachi Rail invented moving block CBTC technology in 1974 in Toronto with the support of the Ontario government. Since then, it has evolved into the world's leading technology for urban rail and transit systems. The investment in G9 coincides with the 50 th anniversary of the invention of the original technology. We have deployed CBTC technology in Ottawa, Montreal, London, Hong Kong, Doha, New York, Chile, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE in the past 10 years. About Hitachi Rail Hitachi Rail is committed to driving the sustainable mobility transition and has a clear focus on partnering with customers to rethink mobility. Its mission is to help every passenger, customer and community enjoy the benefits of more connected, seamless and sustainable transport. With revenues of over €7bn and 24,000 employees across more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail is a trusted partner to the world's best transport organisations. The company's reach is global, but the business is local - with success built on developing local talent and investing in people and communities. Its international capabilities and expertise span every part of the urban, mainline and freight rail ecosystems – from high quality manufacturing and maintenance of rolling stock to secure digital signalling, smart operations and payment systems. Hitachi Rail, famous for Japan's iconic high speed bullet train, draws on the digital and AI expertise of Hitachi Group companies to accelerate innovation and develop new technologies. Hitachi Group is present in 140 countries with over 270,000 employees and global revenues of €54.55bn / ¥8,564 bn. For more information, visit hitachirail.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b33bb2d6-81f0-4e40-9dd0-f3e21c70080e

Vince Dunn's second goal comes in overtime as Kraken rally past Canucks 5-4Michigan GOP lawmaker says gay marriage should be 'illegal again'

There are few clearer signs of the destructive power that Hurricane Beryl unleashed on Barbados in July than the scene at the temporary boatyard in the capital, Bridgetown. Scores of mangled and cracked vessels sit on stacks, gaping holes in their hulls, their rudders snapped off and cabin windows broken. Yet these were the lucky ones. At least they can be repaired and put back out to sea. Many others sank, taking entire family incomes with them. When Beryl lashed Barbados, the island's fishing fleet was devastated in a matter of hours. About 75% of the active fleet was damaged, with 88 boats totally destroyed. Charles Carter, who owns a blue-and-black fishing vessel called Joyce, was among those affected. "It's been real bad, I can tell you. I had to change both sides of the hull, up to the waterline," he says, pointing at the now pristine boat in front of us. It has taken months of restoration and thousands of dollars to get it back to this point, during which time Charles has barely been able to fish. "That's my living, my livelihood, fishing is all I do," he says. "The fishing industry is mash up," echoes his friend, Captain Euride. "We're just trying to get back the pieces." Now, six months after the storm, there are signs of calmer waters. On a warm Saturday, several repaired vessels were put back into the ocean with the help of a crane, a trailer and some government support. Seeing Joyce back on the water is a welcome sight for all fishermen in Barbados. But Barbadians are acutely aware that climate change means more active and powerful Atlantic hurricane seasons - and it may be just another year or two before the fishing industry is struck again. Beryl, for example, was the earliest-forming Category 5 storm on record. Few understand the extent of the problem better than the island's Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr Shelly Ann Cox. "Our captains have been reporting that sea conditions have changed," she explains. "Higher swells, sea surface temperatures are much warmer and they're having difficulty getting flying fish now at the beginning of our pelagic season." The flying fish is a national symbol in Barbados and a key part of the island's cuisine. But climate change has been harming the stocks for years. At the Oistins Fish Market in Bridgetown, flying fish are still available, along with marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna, though only a handful of stalls are open. At one of them, Cornelius Carrington, from the Freedom Fish House. fillets a kingfish with the speed and dexterity of a man who has spent many years with a fish knife in his hands. "Beryl was like a surprise attack, like an ambush," says Cornelius, in a deep baritone voice, over the market's chatter, reggae and thwack of cleavers on chopping boards. Cornelius lost one of his two boats in Hurricane Beryl. "It's the first time a hurricane has come from the south like that, normally storms hit us from the north," he said. Although his second boat allowed him to stay afloat financially, Cornelius thinks the hand of climate change is increasingly present in the fishermen's fate. "Right now, everything has changed. The tides are changing, the weather is changing, the temperature of the sea, the whole pattern has changed." The effects are also being felt in the tourism industry, he says, with hotels and restaurants struggling to find enough fish to meet demand each month. For Dr Shelly Ann Cox, public education is key and, she says, the message is getting through. "Perhaps because we are an island and we're so connected to the water, people in Barbados can speak well on the impact on climate change and what that means for our country," she says. "I think if you speak to children as well, they're very knowledgeable about the topic." To see for myself, I visited a secondary school – Harrison College – as a member of a local NGO, the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), talked to members of the school's Environmental Club about climate change. The CYEN representative, Sheldon Marshall, is an energy expert who quizzed the pupils about greenhouse gases and the steps they could take at home to help reduce carbon emissions on the island. "How can you, as young people in Barbados, help make a difference on climate change?" he asked them. Following an engaging and lively debate, I asked the pupils how they felt about Barbados being on the front line of global climate change, despite having only a small carbon footprint itself. "Personally, I take a very pessimistic view," said 17-year-old Isabella Fredricks. "We are a very small country. No matter how hard we try to change, if the big countries – the main producers of pollution like America, India and China – don't make a change, everything we do is going to be pointless." Her classmate, Tenusha Ramsham, is slightly more optimistic. "I think that all great big leaps in history were made when people collaborated and innovated," she argues. "I don't think we should be completely disheartened because research, innovation, creating technology and education will ultimately lead to the future that we want." "I feel if we can communicate to the global superpowers the pain that we feel seeing this happen to our environment," adds 16-year-old Adrielle Baird, "then it would help them to understand and help us collaborate to find ways to fix the issues that we're seeing." For the island's young people, their very futures are at stake. Rising sea levels now pose an existential threat to the small islands of the Caribbean. It is a point on which the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has become a global advocate for change – urging greater action over an impending climate catastrophe in her speech at COP29 and calling for economic compensation from the world's industrialised nations. On its shores and in its seas, it feels like Barbados is under siege - dealing with issues from coral bleaching to coastal erosion. While the impetus for action comes from the island's youth, it is the older generations who have borne witness as the changes unfold. Steven Bourne has fished the waters around Barbados his whole life and lost two boats in Hurricane Beryl. As we look out at the coastline from a dilapidated beach-hut bar, he says the island's sands have shifted before his very eyes. "It's an attack from the elements. You see it taking the beaches away, but years ago you'd be sitting here, and you could see the water's edge coming upon the sand. Now you can't because the sand's built up so much." By coincidence, in the same bar where I chatted to Steven was Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams, who has responsibility for national disaster management. I put it to him that it must be a a difficult time for disaster management in the Caribbean. "The whole landscape has changed entirely," he replied. "Once upon a time, it was rare to get a Category Five hurricane in any year. Now we're getting them every year. So the intensity and the frequency are cause for concern." Even the duration of the hurricane season has changed, he says. "We used to have a rhyme that went: June, too soon; July, standby; October, all over," he tells me. Extreme weather events like Beryl have rendered such an idea obsolete. "What we can expect has changed, what we've prepared for our whole lives and what our culture is built around has changed," he adds. Fisherman Steven Bourne had hoped to retire before Beryl. Now, he says, he and the rest of the islanders have no choice but to keep going. "Being afraid or anything like that don't make no sense. Because there's nowhere for we to go. We love this rock. And we will always be on this rock."NEW YORK (AP) — There's no place like home for the holidays. And that may not necessarily be a good thing. In the wake of the very contentious and divisive 2024 presidential election, the upcoming celebration of Thanksgiving and the ramp-up of the winter holiday season could be a boon for some — a respite from the events of the larger world in the gathering of family and loved ones. Hours and even days spent with people who have played the largest roles in our lives. Another chapter in a lifetime of memories.