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After Tesla relaxes monitoring of drivers using its Autopilot technology, US regulators seek answers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is letting some drivers use its Autopilot driver-assist system for extended periods without making them put their hands on the steering wheel, a development that has drawn concern from U.S. safety regulators.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ordered Tesla to tell the agency how many vehicles have received a software update making that possible and it’s seeking more information on what the electric vehicle maker’s plans are for wider distribution.“NHTSA is concerned that this feature was introduced to consumer vehicles and, now that the existence of this feature is known to the public, more drivers may attempt to activate it,” John Donaldson, the agency’s acting chief counsel, wrote in a July 26 letter to Tesla that was posted Wednesday on the agency’s website. “The resulting relaxation of controls designed to ensure that the driver remain engaged in the dynamic driving task could lead to greater driver inattention and...

Russia says major Ukraine drone attack reaches deep into its territory while Kyiv barrage kills 2

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine sent waves of drones deep into western Russia in nighttime attacks that lasted more than four hours and struck military assets, Russian officials and media reports said Wednesday.The drones hit an airport near Russia’s border with Estonia and Latvia, causing a huge blaze and damaging four Il-76 military transport planes, which can carry heavy machinery and troops, Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.With at least six regions of Russia targeted, the barrage appeared to be the most extensive Ukrainian drone attack on Russian soil since the war began 18 months ago. The Kremlin has repeatedly accused the Ukrainian military of cross-border incursions on the Belgorod region of Russia and of launching drones toward Moscow. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials, who usually refuse to take responsibility for any attacks inside Russia. The Kremlin’s forces, meanwhile, hit Ukraine’s capital with drones and missiles ...

Hungary’s Orbán urges US to ‘call back Trump’ to end Ukraine war in Tucker Carlson interview

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, said in a sprawling interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the only path to ending the war in Ukraine would be the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency. In the interview, posted Wednesday on Carlson’s page on X, formerly known as Twitter, Orbán praised Trump’s foreign policy while blasting the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and its approach to the war. He said that Trump’s return to office would be “the only way out” of the conflict, and that any suggestion that Kyiv could win the war against Russia was “a lie.”“The Russians are far stronger, far more numerous than the Ukrainians,” Orbán said. “Call back Trump. … Trump is the man who can save the Western world.”The 30-minute video interview, filmed Aug. 21 on the opulent terrace of the prime minister’s office overlooking Budapest, was the second in two years between Carlson and the right-wing leader. Wh...

Witnesses claim teen injured on CNE’s Polar Express stood up on moving ride

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

The popular Polar Express ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) remains closed after a rider was thrown from the attraction earlier this week.Emergency crews were called to Exhibition Place around 9:25 p.m. Monday for reports of someone injured in the midway. A man was taken to hospital by paramedics and police say he suffered a concussion after being tossed from a ride.CityNews has learned the injured victim is an 18-year-old man and witnesses are saying he may have acted recklessly on the ride before being ejected.Some bystanders who were at the CNE on Monday night say it appeared that the young man tried to stand up on the Polar Express while it was moving at high speed. He was ejected from the ride as he attempted to get out of his seat.“It looks like he undid his seatbelt to stand up,” says one woman who witnessed the incident, speaking to CityNews. “If it was a malfunction more people would have gotten hurt. It was only one.”The police tape is ...

National Bank Q3 profit edges higher, provision for credit losses also up

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

MONTREAL — National Bank of Canada reported its third-quarter profit edged higher compared with a year ago even as the money it set aside for bad loans in the quarter also rose.The Montreal-based bank says it earned $839 million or $2.36 per diluted share for the quarter ended July 31, up from $826 million or $2.35 in the third quarter of 2022. Revenue for the quarter totalled $2.52 billion, up from $2.41 billion in the same quarter last year.National Bank’s provision for credit losses amounted to $111 million for the quarter, up from $57 million a year earlier.On an adjusted basis, National Bank says it earned $2.21 per diluted share, down from $2.35 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.Analysts on average had expected an adjusted profit of $2.38 per share, according to estimates compiled by financial markets data firm Refinitiv.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:NA)The Canadian Press

Edmunds: Best used electric vehicles under $25,000

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

Pricing for new electric vehicles can be daunting for many shoppers. But more and more EVs are becoming available on the used vehicle market, and that’s creating greater opportunities for buying a lower-priced used EV. There’s also a further incentive to purchase a used EV that costs less than $25,000 thanks to an available federal tax credit of up to $4,000.To qualify for the federal tax credit, the EV you’re interested in must meet these criteria: 1) It must be purchased from a licensed dealership; 2) the sale price must be $25,000 or less; and 3) it must be at least two model years old from the current year. The credit is calculated at 30% of the sale price and caps out at $4,000. To be clear, this isn’t a discount on the price, it’s a nonrefundable tax credit that can only be used if you owe federal taxes the year the EV is purchased.To help you decide what options you have for a used EV, the car experts at Edmunds highlighted their top five picks for a used EV that can be purch...

How to avoid the No. 1 text message scam putting your money at risk

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission recently revealed the most reported text message scam: bank impersonations.Reports of bank impersonations by text in 2022 jumped to 20 times the number reported in 2019. According to the FTC, consumers reported a loss of more than $330 million to text message scams in 2022. And cash that’s lost because of bank fraud or scams isn’t covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or National Credit Union Administration.Banks are a safe place to keep your money, but there are still a few basic but important precautions you can take to ensure you don’t fall for a bank-impersonation text scam. Here’s how to protect your money from text message scams impersonating your financial institution.DON’T MAKE MONEY MOVES UNDER PRESSUREText message scammers will try to make you feel like action is required immediately — at the risk of losing your money. It may come as an urgent message warning you to call or click on a link because of alleged suspicious activity.“Any ty...

SKY STRIKER: Midwest’s tallest pendulum thrill ride coming to Six Flags Great America in 2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

After weeks of teases, Six Flags Great America has announced its first new major thrill attraction in five years. Sky Striker is a 172-foot pendulum ride that has riders sitting in a circle on a spinning disc. The ride will swing back and forth while reaching speeds up to 75mph. While it won’t go completely over the top, it will get close enough to make riders feel as if they are upside down, with plenty of moments of weightlessness. As hinted at in the Great America teaser campaign, Sky Striker will take the place of the former Dare Devil Dive attraction, which is located in the County Fair section near the back of the park. County Fair has another pendulum swing ride called Revolution that is much smaller. Great America could not confirm if Revolution will be removed from the park, be relocated elsewhere or stay where it is. The new Sky Striker is a Giga Discovery ride made by the manufacturer Zamperla. A few other Six Flags parks have versions of this ride, includi...

Turbulence during Delta flight bound for Atlanta sends 11 to hospital

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Eleven people on a Delta Air Lines flight were taken to the hospital on Tuesday after the plane hit turbulence while heading to Atlanta, officials said.Flight 175 had left Milan, Italy, and was about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the crew reported severe turbulence, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which said it would investigate.The Airbus A350 landed safely at the airport shortly before 7 p.m. Delta settlement offers refunds to some passengers over COVID cancelations: Do you qualify? Eleven passengers and crew members were taken to the hospital, Delta said. It didn't provide details on their injuries or conditions.The plane was carrying 151 passengers, 10 flight attendants and four pilots, Delta said.“Delta Care Team members are mobilizing to connect with customers,” Delta said in a statement. “Our priority is taking care of our customers and crew who sustained injuries.”The airline sai...

Did you know each full moon has its own name? Here's why

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:29:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There is a full moon each month, but did you know each full moon has its own name?According to the Farmer's Almanac, names for the moons were historically used to track the seasons. Now, their names are thought of as "nicknames." Most moons also have more than one name. Best places to view the supermoon around Austin Many of the names stem from Native American, Colonial American or other traditional North American sources passed down through generations. Many of the names listed in the Farmer's Almanac are English interpretations of the words used in Native American languages.Below is each month's moon name, and the meaning behind it, per the Farmer's Almanac. January - Full Wolf MoonThis moon is named after the fact that the howling of wolves was often heard at this time of year. According to the Almanac, many sources state that wolves howled due to hunger, but they actually howl to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and gather for hu...