January 31, 2021
Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe
SpaceX's first high-altitude test flight of its Starship rocket, which launched successfully but exploded in a botched landing attempt in December, violated the terms of its Federal Aviation Administration test license, according to two people familiar with the incident. Both the landing explosion and license violation prompted a formal investigation by the FAA, driving regulators to put extra scrutiny on Elon Musk's hasty Mars rocket test campaign.
The December test launch of the "Serial Number 8" Starship prototype at SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas, facilities was hailed by Musk as a success: "Mars, here we come!!" the chief executive tweeted moments after the rocket exploded on its landing, celebrating SN8's successful 8-mile-high ascent with his followers. The FAA, which oversees ground safety and issues licenses for private launches, was not so happy.
The so-called mishap investigation was opened that week, focusing not only on the explosive landing but on SpaceX's refusal to stick to the terms of what the FAA authorized, the two people said. It was unclear what part of the test flight violated the FAA license, and an FAA spokesman declined to specify in a statement to The Verge.
"The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to evaluate additional information provided by the company as part of its application to modify its launch license," FAA spokesman Steve Kulm said Friday. "While we recognize the importance of moving quickly to foster growth and innovation in commercial space, the FAA will not compromise its responsibility to protect public safety. We will approve the modification only after we are satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements."
The heightened scrutiny from regulators after the launchpad spectacle has played a role in holding up SpaceX's latest "SN9" Starship test attempt, which the company said would happen on Thursday. The shiny steel alloy, 16-story-tall rocket was loaded with fuel and ready to fly. But at the time, FAA officials were still going through their license review process for the test because of several changes SpaceX made in its license application, a source said. Musk, frustrated with the process, took to Twitter.
"Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure," he tweeted on Thursday. "Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars."
The license violation (and subsequent license review process) has escalated tensions between SpaceX and the world's biggest transportation agency. For years, Musk and others in the space industry have bemoaned the age-old US regulatory framework for launch licensing as innovation and competition in space skyrockets. In response, the US Department of Transportation - which delegates its launch oversight duties to the FAA - unveiled new streamlined launch licensing regulations last year. They have yet to go into effect.
In the meantime, Musk's tweet, calling out the FAA to his 44 million followers, was the latest embodiment of the billionaire's disgruntled attitude toward regulators that deal with his businesses' rapid rate of development.
SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, has sued the Air Force twice, once successfully in 2014 for the right to compete for Pentagon launches, and another unsuccessfully in 2018 for losing out on competitive development funds for Starship and the company's other rockets. In 2018, when he was fined $20 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly misleading Tesla investors via Twitter, Musk told 60 Minutes, "I do not respect the SEC. I do not respect them."
A few hours before the SN8 Starship test in December, while Musk was in Boca Chica securing approval for the FAA license that SpaceX ultimately violated, he was asked in a virtual interview with The Wall Street Journal what role government should play in regulating innovation. Musk replied: "A lot of the time, the best thing the government can do is just get out of the way."
The December test launch of the "Serial Number 8" Starship prototype at SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas, facilities was hailed by Musk as a success: "Mars, here we come!!" the chief executive tweeted moments after the rocket exploded on its landing, celebrating SN8's successful 8-mile-high ascent with his followers. The FAA, which oversees ground safety and issues licenses for private launches, was not so happy.
The so-called mishap investigation was opened that week, focusing not only on the explosive landing but on SpaceX's refusal to stick to the terms of what the FAA authorized, the two people said. It was unclear what part of the test flight violated the FAA license, and an FAA spokesman declined to specify in a statement to The Verge.
"The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to evaluate additional information provided by the company as part of its application to modify its launch license," FAA spokesman Steve Kulm said Friday. "While we recognize the importance of moving quickly to foster growth and innovation in commercial space, the FAA will not compromise its responsibility to protect public safety. We will approve the modification only after we are satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements."
The heightened scrutiny from regulators after the launchpad spectacle has played a role in holding up SpaceX's latest "SN9" Starship test attempt, which the company said would happen on Thursday. The shiny steel alloy, 16-story-tall rocket was loaded with fuel and ready to fly. But at the time, FAA officials were still going through their license review process for the test because of several changes SpaceX made in its license application, a source said. Musk, frustrated with the process, took to Twitter.
"Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure," he tweeted on Thursday. "Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars."
The license violation (and subsequent license review process) has escalated tensions between SpaceX and the world's biggest transportation agency. For years, Musk and others in the space industry have bemoaned the age-old US regulatory framework for launch licensing as innovation and competition in space skyrockets. In response, the US Department of Transportation - which delegates its launch oversight duties to the FAA - unveiled new streamlined launch licensing regulations last year. They have yet to go into effect.
In the meantime, Musk's tweet, calling out the FAA to his 44 million followers, was the latest embodiment of the billionaire's disgruntled attitude toward regulators that deal with his businesses' rapid rate of development.
SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, has sued the Air Force twice, once successfully in 2014 for the right to compete for Pentagon launches, and another unsuccessfully in 2018 for losing out on competitive development funds for Starship and the company's other rockets. In 2018, when he was fined $20 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly misleading Tesla investors via Twitter, Musk told 60 Minutes, "I do not respect the SEC. I do not respect them."
A few hours before the SN8 Starship test in December, while Musk was in Boca Chica securing approval for the FAA license that SpaceX ultimately violated, he was asked in a virtual interview with The Wall Street Journal what role government should play in regulating innovation. Musk replied: "A lot of the time, the best thing the government can do is just get out of the way."
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January 30, 2021
Next-Gen Mercedes-AMG GT Rendered Showing Off Sharper Rear Styling
The Mercedes-AMG GT debuted in 2014, and subsequent iterations have proven it to be a performance powerhouse. The capability culminated with the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series that set a record for production vehicles around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Now, the designers are sculpting the next generation, and this rendering from Motor.es imagines how the coupe might look from the back.
The design in this rendering has the familiar AMG GT appearance but with updates to keep it looking fresh. There's a more prominent teardrop shape for the tail that's a bit less bulbous than the current look. The upward kink along the rear section of the window accentuates the sharper styling. Skinny taillights span the full width of the rear. Along the side, the vents behind the front fenders are larger than on the existing model.
This rendering isn't entirely speculative. In late 2019, a video showed Lewis Hamilton checking out a clay model that appeared to depict the next-gen AMG GT. It might not have been a final design but gave an idea of what to expect.
The next-gen AMG GT will reportedly only be available as a hardtop coupe because Mercedes will allegedly reserve a convertible variant for the new SL-Class. Depending on the grade, buyers might be able to get the GT with four-, six-, See: diagnostic scanner. and eight-cylinder engines, and many of those mills would have hybrid assistance to keep up with emissions regulations. Another fascinating rumor is that every variant would adopt all-wheel drive.
Look for the new GT to debut in the first half of 2022. Deliveries should begin in the latter part of that year. Like with the first-gen version, expect versions with increasing levels of performance to arrive over its lifetime.
The design in this rendering has the familiar AMG GT appearance but with updates to keep it looking fresh. There's a more prominent teardrop shape for the tail that's a bit less bulbous than the current look. The upward kink along the rear section of the window accentuates the sharper styling. Skinny taillights span the full width of the rear. Along the side, the vents behind the front fenders are larger than on the existing model.
This rendering isn't entirely speculative. In late 2019, a video showed Lewis Hamilton checking out a clay model that appeared to depict the next-gen AMG GT. It might not have been a final design but gave an idea of what to expect.
The next-gen AMG GT will reportedly only be available as a hardtop coupe because Mercedes will allegedly reserve a convertible variant for the new SL-Class. Depending on the grade, buyers might be able to get the GT with four-, six-, See: diagnostic scanner. and eight-cylinder engines, and many of those mills would have hybrid assistance to keep up with emissions regulations. Another fascinating rumor is that every variant would adopt all-wheel drive.
Look for the new GT to debut in the first half of 2022. Deliveries should begin in the latter part of that year. Like with the first-gen version, expect versions with increasing levels of performance to arrive over its lifetime.
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January 29, 2021
Vergecast: This week’s GameStop timeline
The Verge had extensive coverage this week of how the subreddit r/WallStreetBets sent GameStop's stock skyrocketing, and the chaos that ensued thereafter.
For this week's episode of The Vergecast, The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Elizabeth Lopatto attempt to chronicle that chaos into a timeline of events, while also explaining the interweaving machinations of stock trading, short selling, and internet culture.
Listen here or on your preferred podcast player to hear the full discussion.
Verge stories featured in this episode:
For this week's episode of The Vergecast, The Verge's Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, and Elizabeth Lopatto attempt to chronicle that chaos into a timeline of events, while also explaining the interweaving machinations of stock trading, short selling, and internet culture.
Listen here or on your preferred podcast player to hear the full discussion.
Verge stories featured in this episode:
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'I Can See Your Voice' Renewed for Season 2 at Fox
Fox has renewed its musical guessing game "I Can See Your Voice" for a second season, the broadcast network said Wednesday.
Host Ken Jeong will return for Season 2 later in 2021, as will Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton as "permanent" celebrity detectives.
The first season of "I Can See Your Voice" featured Hines and Bailon-Houghton as they joined a rotating panel of celebrity detectives and a musical superstar to help one contestant tell the difference between good and bad singers - without ever hearing them sing a note. With $100,000 on the line, the contestant attempts to weed out the bad "Secret Voices" from the good, based on a mystifying lip sync challenge, interrogation and a series of clues. In the end, the singer whom the contestant picks reveals if they are good or bad in a duet performance with the musical superstar, resulting in an amazing musical collaboration - or a totally hilarious train wreck.
Guest celebrity detectives featured on Season 1 included Joel McHale, Niecy Nash, Rick Springfield, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke and Katharine McPhee, among others.
Season 1 of the show averaged a 1.3 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic and 6 million total viewers, according to Nielsen's "Live + 7 Day" data.
"'I Can See Your Voice' is such a deeply fun and genuinely suspenseful show, with the amazing Ken Jeong at the heart of it," Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment & specials at Fox Entertainment, said. "We are so grateful to our producers, James McKinlay and Craig Plestis, along with the entire crew, who brought this show to life and are working to make Season Two even bigger and better."
"I Can See Your Voice" is produced by FoAlternative Entertainment. James McKinlay, Craig Plestis and Jeong serve as executive producers. McKinlay also serves as showrunner. The series is based on a South Korean format from CJ ENM.
Host Ken Jeong will return for Season 2 later in 2021, as will Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton as "permanent" celebrity detectives.
The first season of "I Can See Your Voice" featured Hines and Bailon-Houghton as they joined a rotating panel of celebrity detectives and a musical superstar to help one contestant tell the difference between good and bad singers - without ever hearing them sing a note. With $100,000 on the line, the contestant attempts to weed out the bad "Secret Voices" from the good, based on a mystifying lip sync challenge, interrogation and a series of clues. In the end, the singer whom the contestant picks reveals if they are good or bad in a duet performance with the musical superstar, resulting in an amazing musical collaboration - or a totally hilarious train wreck.
Guest celebrity detectives featured on Season 1 included Joel McHale, Niecy Nash, Rick Springfield, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke and Katharine McPhee, among others.
Season 1 of the show averaged a 1.3 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic and 6 million total viewers, according to Nielsen's "Live + 7 Day" data.
"'I Can See Your Voice' is such a deeply fun and genuinely suspenseful show, with the amazing Ken Jeong at the heart of it," Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment & specials at Fox Entertainment, said. "We are so grateful to our producers, James McKinlay and Craig Plestis, along with the entire crew, who brought this show to life and are working to make Season Two even bigger and better."
"I Can See Your Voice" is produced by FoAlternative Entertainment. James McKinlay, Craig Plestis and Jeong serve as executive producers. McKinlay also serves as showrunner. The series is based on a South Korean format from CJ ENM.
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January 28, 2021
Civilian Toyota Mega Cruiser: A Comprehensive Tour - YouTube
If there's one granddaddy of all land yachts, it's the Toyota Mega Cruiser. The house-sized truck was sold exclusively in Japan during the late '90s and despite it having the aerodynamic characteristics of a brick, it's one of the most collectible off-roadrs out there... that is, if you can actually find one.
Fortunately, we've managed to find not just one, but two of these absolute units for sale on Facebook Marketplace. If you've been looking for one-or happen to have an extra $120, See: autel maxitpms. 000 burning a hole in your pocket-the time is now.
In case you aren't familiar with our Lord and Savior Toyota Mega Cruiser, let's have a quick history rundown of how this limited-run truck came to be.
Surely you're familiar with the Hummer H1. It's the gigantic military-turned-civilian-market truck that Arnold Schwarzenegger himself endorsed, and it single-handedly set a precedence for what king of the road vehicles must be. Piloting it was like driving an off-road-capable boulder down the highway, all whilst guzzling a gallon of fuel every 10 miles. Toyota soon saw the western infatuation with the H1 and-in the height of the Japanese bubble economy that helped to cement many of the '90s classic tuners into history-immediately decided to build its own competing offering release exclusively for Japan.
Soon, the Mega Cruiser was born and much like the H1, it was a military use truck that just so happened to also have a civilian offering, respectively coined as the BXD10 and BXD20.
The Japan-only release of the civilian-issued Mega Cruiser and its limited-number production makes it insanely collectible in the United States. Unfortunately, under usual circumstances, U.S. import regulations forbid vehicles newer than 25 years old to be imported for road use. That means the majority of these beasts can't be brought stateside, even if you happen to find one of the estimated 149 examples that Toyota built for civilians. That all changed last year when some of the first units became of age, and now they've started making their way over.
Still, even though it was quite obvious that the Mega Cruisers would eventually become available in the U.S., we were surprised when we happened across a Facebook Marketplace ad offering up a beautiful white example with just 44,000 miles on the odometer. What's more, this white example is left-hand drive. Toyota only produced an estimated 12 units with the steering wheel on that side, which may or may not be desirable depending on which direction you prefer to enter the drive-thru.
As it turns out, Valentin saw the opportunity to begin importing these trucks as a business venture, forecasting their rise in collectability. He reached out to numerous contacts around the world and slowly began accumulating a small collection of both BXD10 and BXD20 Mega Cruisers and shipping them across the ocean.
His asking price for this particular example? $120,000-about 42 percent more than what the vehicle sold for in Japan when it was launched. Talk about an appreciating asset.
For the budget-conscious, Valentin also has another Mega Cruiser up for sale with a contrasting black paint job for a slightly more attainable $90,000. This example has a bit more time on the road with an estimated 85,000 miles under its belt, and some interesting modifications to both the interior and exterior, but it isn't any less glorious. Just look at that roof rack with bold "MEGACRUISER" lettering.
The Mega Cruiser had absolutely everything one could want from an off-roader. It came equipped with inboard brakes, portal axles (which actually gave the truck around half an inch more clearance than the Hummer H1), a Torsen limited-slip differential, four-wheel steering, and even central tire inflation. The truck also sported a number of quirks that separated it from the monotonous norm of everyday SUVs-dual rear wipers, a pull-out step, offset mirrors, and an overly spacious interior that just didn't quit.
Toyota continued to build the low-volume Mega Cruiser until about 2001 and officially ended sales the following year. The fact is, the truck simply wasn't fit for narrow Japanese roads and the incredibly expensive ownersh...
Fortunately, we've managed to find not just one, but two of these absolute units for sale on Facebook Marketplace. If you've been looking for one-or happen to have an extra $120, See: autel maxitpms. 000 burning a hole in your pocket-the time is now.
In case you aren't familiar with our Lord and Savior Toyota Mega Cruiser, let's have a quick history rundown of how this limited-run truck came to be.
Surely you're familiar with the Hummer H1. It's the gigantic military-turned-civilian-market truck that Arnold Schwarzenegger himself endorsed, and it single-handedly set a precedence for what king of the road vehicles must be. Piloting it was like driving an off-road-capable boulder down the highway, all whilst guzzling a gallon of fuel every 10 miles. Toyota soon saw the western infatuation with the H1 and-in the height of the Japanese bubble economy that helped to cement many of the '90s classic tuners into history-immediately decided to build its own competing offering release exclusively for Japan.
Soon, the Mega Cruiser was born and much like the H1, it was a military use truck that just so happened to also have a civilian offering, respectively coined as the BXD10 and BXD20.
The Japan-only release of the civilian-issued Mega Cruiser and its limited-number production makes it insanely collectible in the United States. Unfortunately, under usual circumstances, U.S. import regulations forbid vehicles newer than 25 years old to be imported for road use. That means the majority of these beasts can't be brought stateside, even if you happen to find one of the estimated 149 examples that Toyota built for civilians. That all changed last year when some of the first units became of age, and now they've started making their way over.
Still, even though it was quite obvious that the Mega Cruisers would eventually become available in the U.S., we were surprised when we happened across a Facebook Marketplace ad offering up a beautiful white example with just 44,000 miles on the odometer. What's more, this white example is left-hand drive. Toyota only produced an estimated 12 units with the steering wheel on that side, which may or may not be desirable depending on which direction you prefer to enter the drive-thru.
As it turns out, Valentin saw the opportunity to begin importing these trucks as a business venture, forecasting their rise in collectability. He reached out to numerous contacts around the world and slowly began accumulating a small collection of both BXD10 and BXD20 Mega Cruisers and shipping them across the ocean.
His asking price for this particular example? $120,000-about 42 percent more than what the vehicle sold for in Japan when it was launched. Talk about an appreciating asset.
For the budget-conscious, Valentin also has another Mega Cruiser up for sale with a contrasting black paint job for a slightly more attainable $90,000. This example has a bit more time on the road with an estimated 85,000 miles under its belt, and some interesting modifications to both the interior and exterior, but it isn't any less glorious. Just look at that roof rack with bold "MEGACRUISER" lettering.
The Mega Cruiser had absolutely everything one could want from an off-roader. It came equipped with inboard brakes, portal axles (which actually gave the truck around half an inch more clearance than the Hummer H1), a Torsen limited-slip differential, four-wheel steering, and even central tire inflation. The truck also sported a number of quirks that separated it from the monotonous norm of everyday SUVs-dual rear wipers, a pull-out step, offset mirrors, and an overly spacious interior that just didn't quit.
Toyota continued to build the low-volume Mega Cruiser until about 2001 and officially ended sales the following year. The fact is, the truck simply wasn't fit for narrow Japanese roads and the incredibly expensive ownersh...
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January 27, 2021
Now hosted in Saudi Arabia, the 43rd edition of what used to be known as the Paris-Dakar Rally featured Honda taking the overall win with a 1-2 on two wheels thanks to Argentinian ace Kevin Benavides and America's Ricky Brabec, followed to the podium by British KTM rider Sam Sunderland. In the top car class, aided by his new co-pilot Édouard Boulanger, You may need: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. Stéphane Peterhansel scored his eighth triumph on four wheels, marking his 14th title with six motorbike wins as well. What's more, 2021's victory comes 30 years after "Mr. Dakar's" first win with Yamaha in 1991.
The Frenchman once again drove a fully custom Mini John Cooper Works Buggy built by the experts at X-Raid, a car that also took third place on the podium with Carlos Sainz, behind Nasser Al-Attiyah's Toyota GR Hilux placed second. As amazing as these trucks are, it's worth remembering that up until around 1985, amateurs had a fair chance of winning this challenge with converted road cars built in a shed, or a basic 4x4 lifted for dune duty. V8-powered Range Rovers took home two of the three first Dakar trophies. However, when looking at our favorites, it would be rude not to mention the Mitsubishi Pajero, an off-roader that was part of the Dakar story from 1983 until 2009, with its first win in 1985 and 11 more until 2007's with-who else-Stéphane Peterhansel behind the wheel.
1985
With Volkswagen, Mini, Peugeot and Toyota battling it out with their extreme diesel buggies in the last decade or so, it's time we looked back at five unlikely Dakar heroes, sometimes powered by the most humble of engines.
The story of how the 70, or perhaps 75-horsepower Iltis could win the second Paris-Dakar Rally is a fun one. Basically, Volkswagen had this truck built by Audi using its experimental four-wheel-drive system that later evolved into Quattro, and because this was a niche vehicle that was expensive to produce, VW decided to campaign four of these at the 1980 event, hoping to attract a contract from the French military.
The second Dakar saw fellow vehicle manufacturers Yamaha, Lada and BMW taking part, as well as the introduction of a truck class. As a result, the number of competitors went up from the previous 170 to 216. Only 81 teams completed the event. 49 cars of 116, 25 bikes of 90, and seven trucks out of the 10. The mighty Iltis turned out to be unstoppable. While according to Patrick Zaniroli, their vehicles were closer to stock, the Audi-developed 4x4s still headed towards Senegal with bigger carburetors, hotter camshafts, and of course the selectable four-wheel drive offering an extra low-gear for those tricky dune situations.
Team Volkswagen took first place with Freddy Kottulinsky and Gerd Löffelmann, second with Zaniroli and Philippe Colesse, and fourth with Jean Ragnotti and Georges Vaills, because the podium wouldn't have been the same without the French Marreau brothers' equally four-wheel drive Renault 4 Sinpar.
As proven time and time again, lifted Porsche 911s can do remarkably well in a "Safari" environment. Back in 1984, the Stuttgart crew wasn't quite ready with its Group B technology, leading to a fleet of fairly stock naturally-aspirated, 3.2-liter Carrera 4x4s being sent to race at the Dakar. This turned out to be a better idea than the still 911-powered, yet 959-bodied mules of the 1985 race, since instead of failing, a 1984 car won with René Metge, followed by Jacky Ickx in sixth place.
With a whopping 427 entries, the Dakar blasted through Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mauritania for the first time. The fact that a raised 911 with a basic 4x4 system could beat both the Range Rover of Patrick Zaniroli and Andrew Cowan's Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution to the top is a testament to both triple Dakar champion Metge's driving skill, and Porsche's build quality.
The Buggy Schlesser is a custom Baja-spec truck that won twice overall despite being rear-drive only, with several more class wins and other off-road trophies grabbed along the way. It's the creation of now 72-year-old French racing ace Jean-Louis Schlesser, who had a short and rather unfortunate stint in Formula 1, and a much longer and successful one in tour...
The Frenchman once again drove a fully custom Mini John Cooper Works Buggy built by the experts at X-Raid, a car that also took third place on the podium with Carlos Sainz, behind Nasser Al-Attiyah's Toyota GR Hilux placed second. As amazing as these trucks are, it's worth remembering that up until around 1985, amateurs had a fair chance of winning this challenge with converted road cars built in a shed, or a basic 4x4 lifted for dune duty. V8-powered Range Rovers took home two of the three first Dakar trophies. However, when looking at our favorites, it would be rude not to mention the Mitsubishi Pajero, an off-roader that was part of the Dakar story from 1983 until 2009, with its first win in 1985 and 11 more until 2007's with-who else-Stéphane Peterhansel behind the wheel.
1985
With Volkswagen, Mini, Peugeot and Toyota battling it out with their extreme diesel buggies in the last decade or so, it's time we looked back at five unlikely Dakar heroes, sometimes powered by the most humble of engines.
The story of how the 70, or perhaps 75-horsepower Iltis could win the second Paris-Dakar Rally is a fun one. Basically, Volkswagen had this truck built by Audi using its experimental four-wheel-drive system that later evolved into Quattro, and because this was a niche vehicle that was expensive to produce, VW decided to campaign four of these at the 1980 event, hoping to attract a contract from the French military.
The second Dakar saw fellow vehicle manufacturers Yamaha, Lada and BMW taking part, as well as the introduction of a truck class. As a result, the number of competitors went up from the previous 170 to 216. Only 81 teams completed the event. 49 cars of 116, 25 bikes of 90, and seven trucks out of the 10. The mighty Iltis turned out to be unstoppable. While according to Patrick Zaniroli, their vehicles were closer to stock, the Audi-developed 4x4s still headed towards Senegal with bigger carburetors, hotter camshafts, and of course the selectable four-wheel drive offering an extra low-gear for those tricky dune situations.
Team Volkswagen took first place with Freddy Kottulinsky and Gerd Löffelmann, second with Zaniroli and Philippe Colesse, and fourth with Jean Ragnotti and Georges Vaills, because the podium wouldn't have been the same without the French Marreau brothers' equally four-wheel drive Renault 4 Sinpar.
As proven time and time again, lifted Porsche 911s can do remarkably well in a "Safari" environment. Back in 1984, the Stuttgart crew wasn't quite ready with its Group B technology, leading to a fleet of fairly stock naturally-aspirated, 3.2-liter Carrera 4x4s being sent to race at the Dakar. This turned out to be a better idea than the still 911-powered, yet 959-bodied mules of the 1985 race, since instead of failing, a 1984 car won with René Metge, followed by Jacky Ickx in sixth place.
With a whopping 427 entries, the Dakar blasted through Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mauritania for the first time. The fact that a raised 911 with a basic 4x4 system could beat both the Range Rover of Patrick Zaniroli and Andrew Cowan's Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution to the top is a testament to both triple Dakar champion Metge's driving skill, and Porsche's build quality.
The Buggy Schlesser is a custom Baja-spec truck that won twice overall despite being rear-drive only, with several more class wins and other off-road trophies grabbed along the way. It's the creation of now 72-year-old French racing ace Jean-Louis Schlesser, who had a short and rather unfortunate stint in Formula 1, and a much longer and successful one in tour...
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January 26, 2021
Tom Izzo thinks Michigan State basketball can play Thursday at Rutgers
Michigan State basketball is back to practice finally. And Tom Izzo is ready for the games to resume.
The coach said on his weekly radio show Monday night he believes the Spartans will play Thursday at Rutgers, which would be their first game in 20 days.
"We're playing Thursday as far as I know," Izzo said. "That's all I'm focused on. ... On Wednesday, we're taking off. Whoever can play is gonna play, and whoever can coach is gonna coach."
The Spartans (8-4, 2-4 Big Ten) are scheduled to face the Scarlet Knights (8-6, 4-6) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Piscataway, New Jersey.
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IZZO ON THE TOURNEYS: Michigan State basketball's Tom Izzo cautious but thinks Big Ten, NCAA tourneys will go on
SHAWN WINDSOR: Why MSU's healing off the court could lead to getting better on it
An MSU team spokesman confirmed team activities resumed Monday with the Spartans' first team practice since Jan. 13. That day, Joshua Langford became the program's third player to test positive for COVID-19, Autel Maxicom MK908p
. forcing postponement of a trip to Iowa for a game the next day. MSU had been working out in small groups and individually since Jan. 16.
Mady Sissoko tested positive Jan. 10, two days after the Spartans' 55-54 home loss to Purdue, and Izzo's son Steven on Jan. 12. A fourth player - walk-on Davis Smith, son of MSU and NBA great Steve Smith - tested positive Jan. 17 and remains in isolation.
Izzo said Sissokko isolated for 10 days and since has returned to practice. But it is unclear if his son or Langford are back or if they have undergone the Big Ten's mandatory heart screening upon exiting isolation. The Hall of Fame coach said Monday night that 10 of the 15 players on MSU's roster participated in the Spartans' practice, which, he added, included some scrimmaging. Izzo did not identify the five missing players - Smith was one - or say if anyone else within the program had tested positive.
Sissoko dropped from 235 pounds to 213 due to the coronavirus, but the freshman forward said he is back up to 225 pounds.
"I was feeling good the whole time," Sissoko said on Izzo's show.
"He was one of the lucky ones. He did not have many symptoms," added Izzo, who battled COVID-19 in November. "He's come back and he's able to workout some."
Sissoko is eligible to return to competition Thursday after going through the Big Ten-required 17-day stoppage and passing mandatory cardiac testing. Steven Izzo's 17-day clock expires Saturday and Langford's is over Sunday, the day the Spartans visit Ohio State for a 1 p.m. tipoff. Smith's 17 days are scheduled to be up in time for the Feb. 3 home game vs. Nebraska.
With the Feb. 6 game at Michigan postponed due to the Wolverines' two-week stoppage, MSU will have at least four conference games to make up. Games at Iowa and at home against Indiana and Illinois were called off because of the Spartans' COVID-19 issues. That will present scheduling challenges and logjams.
However, Izzo is more concerned with the short-term at the moment. And that includes trying to figure out how his team will respond to the nearly three-week layoff - assuming the game at Rutgers goes on as scheduled Thursday.
"That's a good question nobody knows the answer to," Izzo said. "The first week, we got to get a little rest, and that might have been good. Then, by the time of the second week and now the third week, everybody will handle that differently."
The coach said on his weekly radio show Monday night he believes the Spartans will play Thursday at Rutgers, which would be their first game in 20 days.
"We're playing Thursday as far as I know," Izzo said. "That's all I'm focused on. ... On Wednesday, we're taking off. Whoever can play is gonna play, and whoever can coach is gonna coach."
The Spartans (8-4, 2-4 Big Ten) are scheduled to face the Scarlet Knights (8-6, 4-6) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Piscataway, New Jersey.
MAILBAG: Michigan State mailbag: When will Spartans play basketball again? Mel Tucker's biggest need
IZZO ON THE TOURNEYS: Michigan State basketball's Tom Izzo cautious but thinks Big Ten, NCAA tourneys will go on
SHAWN WINDSOR: Why MSU's healing off the court could lead to getting better on it
An MSU team spokesman confirmed team activities resumed Monday with the Spartans' first team practice since Jan. 13. That day, Joshua Langford became the program's third player to test positive for COVID-19, Autel Maxicom MK908p
. forcing postponement of a trip to Iowa for a game the next day. MSU had been working out in small groups and individually since Jan. 16.
Mady Sissoko tested positive Jan. 10, two days after the Spartans' 55-54 home loss to Purdue, and Izzo's son Steven on Jan. 12. A fourth player - walk-on Davis Smith, son of MSU and NBA great Steve Smith - tested positive Jan. 17 and remains in isolation.
Izzo said Sissokko isolated for 10 days and since has returned to practice. But it is unclear if his son or Langford are back or if they have undergone the Big Ten's mandatory heart screening upon exiting isolation. The Hall of Fame coach said Monday night that 10 of the 15 players on MSU's roster participated in the Spartans' practice, which, he added, included some scrimmaging. Izzo did not identify the five missing players - Smith was one - or say if anyone else within the program had tested positive.
Sissoko dropped from 235 pounds to 213 due to the coronavirus, but the freshman forward said he is back up to 225 pounds.
"I was feeling good the whole time," Sissoko said on Izzo's show.
"He was one of the lucky ones. He did not have many symptoms," added Izzo, who battled COVID-19 in November. "He's come back and he's able to workout some."
Sissoko is eligible to return to competition Thursday after going through the Big Ten-required 17-day stoppage and passing mandatory cardiac testing. Steven Izzo's 17-day clock expires Saturday and Langford's is over Sunday, the day the Spartans visit Ohio State for a 1 p.m. tipoff. Smith's 17 days are scheduled to be up in time for the Feb. 3 home game vs. Nebraska.
With the Feb. 6 game at Michigan postponed due to the Wolverines' two-week stoppage, MSU will have at least four conference games to make up. Games at Iowa and at home against Indiana and Illinois were called off because of the Spartans' COVID-19 issues. That will present scheduling challenges and logjams.
However, Izzo is more concerned with the short-term at the moment. And that includes trying to figure out how his team will respond to the nearly three-week layoff - assuming the game at Rutgers goes on as scheduled Thursday.
"That's a good question nobody knows the answer to," Izzo said. "The first week, we got to get a little rest, and that might have been good. Then, by the time of the second week and now the third week, everybody will handle that differently."
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January 25, 2021
Shell agrees to buy ubitricity, a leading provider of on-street charging for electric vehicles (EVs)
Shell has signed an agreement to buy 100% of ubitricity, a leading European provider of on-street charging for electric vehicles (EVs). The move represents a further step in Shell's efforts to support drivers as they switch to lower-carbon transport. Subject to regulatory clearance, the deal is expected to be completed later this year.
Founded in Berlin, Germany, ubitricity operates in a number of European countries, and is the largest public EV charging network in the UK with over 2,700 charge points (currently over 13% market share1). The company has also established emerging public charging positions in Germany and France and has installed over 1,500 private charge points for fleet customers within Europe2.
ubitricity works with local authorities to integrate EV charging into existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards. The result is EV charging that is affordable, accessible and convenient for anyone who wants to charge their EV while it is parked on the street. This solution is particularly useful for people who lack a private driveway but want to charge their EV overnight.
This acquisition marks Shell's expansion into the fast-growing on-street EV charging market and will provide critical competencies, See: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. helping Shell to scale its overall EV charging offer. This already includes over 1,000 ultra-fast and fast charging points at approximately 430 Shell retail sites plus worldwide access to over 185,000 third party EV charging points3 at a range of public locations including forecourts, motorway service stations, and destinations.
Commenting on the acquisition, István Kapitány, Executive Vice President of Shell Global Mobility, said, "Working with local authorities, we want to support the growing number of Shell customers who want to switch to an EV by making it as convenient as possible for them. On-street options such as the lamp post charging offered by ubitricity will be key for those who live and work in cities or have limited access to off-street parking. Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to provide our customers with accessible and affordable EV charging options so they can charge up no matter where they are."
Explaining why Shell was the ideal company to support ubitricity's growth strategy, Lex Hartman, ubitricity's CEO, said, "What excites so many people about ubitricity is that our integration of EV charge points into existing on-street infrastructure makes EV charging easy and accessible for everyone who needs it, where they need it. Particularly in larger cities where there is limited access to off-street parking, this is the solution many people have been waiting for to allow them to transition to EV ownership. Combining this piece of the puzzle with Shell's existing range of EV charging solutions gives EV drivers access to a full range of charging options, making Shell and ubitricity a perfect match."
This is the latest move from Shell as it expands its low-carbon transport options for customers, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint. Shell's own ambition is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, or sooner, in step with society.
Once the deal is completed, ubitricity is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell.
1 https://www.zap-map.com/statistics/#share, 22/01/2021
2 ubitricity also provides private off-street EV charging solutions for business customers in Germany
3 Shell's Global charging point network: through Shell affiliated brands and partner networks
Founded in Berlin, Germany, ubitricity operates in a number of European countries, and is the largest public EV charging network in the UK with over 2,700 charge points (currently over 13% market share1). The company has also established emerging public charging positions in Germany and France and has installed over 1,500 private charge points for fleet customers within Europe2.
ubitricity works with local authorities to integrate EV charging into existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards. The result is EV charging that is affordable, accessible and convenient for anyone who wants to charge their EV while it is parked on the street. This solution is particularly useful for people who lack a private driveway but want to charge their EV overnight.
This acquisition marks Shell's expansion into the fast-growing on-street EV charging market and will provide critical competencies, See: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. helping Shell to scale its overall EV charging offer. This already includes over 1,000 ultra-fast and fast charging points at approximately 430 Shell retail sites plus worldwide access to over 185,000 third party EV charging points3 at a range of public locations including forecourts, motorway service stations, and destinations.
Commenting on the acquisition, István Kapitány, Executive Vice President of Shell Global Mobility, said, "Working with local authorities, we want to support the growing number of Shell customers who want to switch to an EV by making it as convenient as possible for them. On-street options such as the lamp post charging offered by ubitricity will be key for those who live and work in cities or have limited access to off-street parking. Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to provide our customers with accessible and affordable EV charging options so they can charge up no matter where they are."
Explaining why Shell was the ideal company to support ubitricity's growth strategy, Lex Hartman, ubitricity's CEO, said, "What excites so many people about ubitricity is that our integration of EV charge points into existing on-street infrastructure makes EV charging easy and accessible for everyone who needs it, where they need it. Particularly in larger cities where there is limited access to off-street parking, this is the solution many people have been waiting for to allow them to transition to EV ownership. Combining this piece of the puzzle with Shell's existing range of EV charging solutions gives EV drivers access to a full range of charging options, making Shell and ubitricity a perfect match."
This is the latest move from Shell as it expands its low-carbon transport options for customers, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint. Shell's own ambition is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, or sooner, in step with society.
Once the deal is completed, ubitricity is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell.
1 https://www.zap-map.com/statistics/#share, 22/01/2021
2 ubitricity also provides private off-street EV charging solutions for business customers in Germany
3 Shell's Global charging point network: through Shell affiliated brands and partner networks
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January 24, 2021
2021 is the first year of the World Endurance Championship's Hypercar spec that's eligible to race in its top class, and reigning overall 24 Hours of Le Mans winners Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled their new Hypercar today. This is the 2021 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, and it's a rad 670-horsepower beast.
Toyota says it used technology it developed in its outgoing TS050 Hybrid Le Mans racer to go into this brand-new Hypercar, which in turn will be the basis for a road-going hypercar. Series regulations prevent the racing version from making as much power as its street-legal counterpart, limiting the GR010 Hybrid to just 500 kW (or 671 horsepower/680 PS).
How the four-wheel-drive GR010 Hybrid limits things to 671 hp is pretty clever. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 internal combustion engine is capable of making all 671 hp to the rear wheels, but the car also has a 268-hp electric motor generator unit on the front axle. To keep it under the 671 hp cap, the GR101 Hybrid's electronics system reduces engine power as the amount of hybrid power increases. So, if the hybrid system pulls a Nissan and quits, they've at least still got the full 671 hp from the V6.
Developing the new car was an 18-month joint effort between Toyota's WEC team headquarters in Cologne, See: Car Battery Tester. Germany, and Toyota's hybrid experts in Higashi-Fuji, Japan.
Toyota has been dominating the WEC's top class in the past few years, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the past three races in a row and winning the WEC LMP1-class championship for the past two seasons. Problem is, they haven't had much competition after Porsche and Audi withdrew their hybrid LMP1 cars, and everyone's hoping that the introduction of the Hypercar class will change that.
The Hypercar spec is a bit of a step back from the pricey engineering wonderland that was the outgoing LMP1 spec, with a big focus on cost-cutting in order to attract more participants and even the playing field.
While many of those are waiting to enter when the also-Hypercar-eligible and importantly, also-IMSA-eligible LMDh spec starts up, that across-the-board cost-cutting seems to have worked, even if the first season will have a smaller field. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and ByKolles are competing in the first season with their own Hypercars, plus Alpine running a grandfathered-in LMP1 in the same class with some performance changes to keep things competitive. Toyota isn't too happy about that grandfathered-in car, but it isn't the first time WEC allowed a grandfathered-in but modified spec when there's a major rules change, as Sportscar365 notes. WEC plans to use a balance-of-performance system to try and keep all of the cars somewhat competitive with each other.
That also means that the GR010 Hybrid has some significant changes that will result in it being an estimated 10 seconds slower around Le Mans' Circuit de la Sarthe than the TS050 Hybrid. (Hey, if that means closer racing, I'm for it.) The GR010 Hybrid also has 32% less power and is 357 pounds heavier than the TS050 Hybrid, and is bigger all around, too: 10 inches longer, 4 inches wider and 4 inches taller.
This is also the first year Toyota won't have a motor generator unit on its rear axle, as only the front-axle MGU is allowed. Thus, the car has a starter motor just like a regular internal-combustion road car, plus fully hydraulic rear brakes.
Hypercars are also only allowed one set of homologated bodywork in the new technical regulations, with only one adjustable aerodynamic device, meaning that there won't be different bodywork for high- and low-downforce tracks as there was in the recent past.
This is Toyota's ninth season in WEC, and they're keeping their full driver line-up from the 2019-2020 season. Season champs Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José MarÃa López will share the No. 7 car, while Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley will drive the No. 8 car. Nyck de Vries is also continuing as the team's test and reserve driver.
For now, this season is scheduled to kick off with the 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 19, although as The Week In Sports Cars notes, c...
Toyota says it used technology it developed in its outgoing TS050 Hybrid Le Mans racer to go into this brand-new Hypercar, which in turn will be the basis for a road-going hypercar. Series regulations prevent the racing version from making as much power as its street-legal counterpart, limiting the GR010 Hybrid to just 500 kW (or 671 horsepower/680 PS).
How the four-wheel-drive GR010 Hybrid limits things to 671 hp is pretty clever. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 internal combustion engine is capable of making all 671 hp to the rear wheels, but the car also has a 268-hp electric motor generator unit on the front axle. To keep it under the 671 hp cap, the GR101 Hybrid's electronics system reduces engine power as the amount of hybrid power increases. So, if the hybrid system pulls a Nissan and quits, they've at least still got the full 671 hp from the V6.
Developing the new car was an 18-month joint effort between Toyota's WEC team headquarters in Cologne, See: Car Battery Tester. Germany, and Toyota's hybrid experts in Higashi-Fuji, Japan.
Toyota has been dominating the WEC's top class in the past few years, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the past three races in a row and winning the WEC LMP1-class championship for the past two seasons. Problem is, they haven't had much competition after Porsche and Audi withdrew their hybrid LMP1 cars, and everyone's hoping that the introduction of the Hypercar class will change that.
The Hypercar spec is a bit of a step back from the pricey engineering wonderland that was the outgoing LMP1 spec, with a big focus on cost-cutting in order to attract more participants and even the playing field.
While many of those are waiting to enter when the also-Hypercar-eligible and importantly, also-IMSA-eligible LMDh spec starts up, that across-the-board cost-cutting seems to have worked, even if the first season will have a smaller field. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and ByKolles are competing in the first season with their own Hypercars, plus Alpine running a grandfathered-in LMP1 in the same class with some performance changes to keep things competitive. Toyota isn't too happy about that grandfathered-in car, but it isn't the first time WEC allowed a grandfathered-in but modified spec when there's a major rules change, as Sportscar365 notes. WEC plans to use a balance-of-performance system to try and keep all of the cars somewhat competitive with each other.
That also means that the GR010 Hybrid has some significant changes that will result in it being an estimated 10 seconds slower around Le Mans' Circuit de la Sarthe than the TS050 Hybrid. (Hey, if that means closer racing, I'm for it.) The GR010 Hybrid also has 32% less power and is 357 pounds heavier than the TS050 Hybrid, and is bigger all around, too: 10 inches longer, 4 inches wider and 4 inches taller.
This is also the first year Toyota won't have a motor generator unit on its rear axle, as only the front-axle MGU is allowed. Thus, the car has a starter motor just like a regular internal-combustion road car, plus fully hydraulic rear brakes.
Hypercars are also only allowed one set of homologated bodywork in the new technical regulations, with only one adjustable aerodynamic device, meaning that there won't be different bodywork for high- and low-downforce tracks as there was in the recent past.
This is Toyota's ninth season in WEC, and they're keeping their full driver line-up from the 2019-2020 season. Season champs Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José MarÃa López will share the No. 7 car, while Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley will drive the No. 8 car. Nyck de Vries is also continuing as the team's test and reserve driver.
For now, this season is scheduled to kick off with the 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 19, although as The Week In Sports Cars notes, c...
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January 23, 2021
Michigan reports 2,157 new COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths Friday
The Michigan health department reported 2,157 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 new deaths Friday.
Michigan now has a total of 546,468 confirmed cases and 14,070 deaths since March.
As of Thursday, the state has shipped 1,096,225 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and has administered 642,111 doses - 58.5% of those shipped.
Michigan had a positivity rate of 5.07% Thursday, reporting that 2,208 of 43,532 diagnostic test results returned were positive.
More: Fast-spreading UK coronavirus variant means Michigan must vaccinate 90% of population
More: Michigan restaurants can reopen indoor dining with limited capacity, curfew on Feb. 1
The state has a fatality rate of 2.6% among known cases, according to data from the state health department.
Michigan now reports 48,452 probable COVID-19 cases and 881 probable deaths. The probable cases combined with the confirmed cases make up a cumulative total of 594,920 cases and 14,951 deaths.
Contact Slone Terranella
and follow her on Twitter @SloneTerranella.
Michigan now has a total of 546,468 confirmed cases and 14,070 deaths since March.
As of Thursday, the state has shipped 1,096,225 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and has administered 642,111 doses - 58.5% of those shipped.
Michigan had a positivity rate of 5.07% Thursday, reporting that 2,208 of 43,532 diagnostic test results returned were positive.
More: Fast-spreading UK coronavirus variant means Michigan must vaccinate 90% of population
More: Michigan restaurants can reopen indoor dining with limited capacity, curfew on Feb. 1
The state has a fatality rate of 2.6% among known cases, according to data from the state health department.
Michigan now reports 48,452 probable COVID-19 cases and 881 probable deaths. The probable cases combined with the confirmed cases make up a cumulative total of 594,920 cases and 14,951 deaths.
Contact Slone Terranella
and follow her on Twitter @SloneTerranella.
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Volkswagen AG announces preliminary figures for the business year 2020
Despite the ongoing unprecedented Covid 19 situation, the Volkswagen AG has proved to be quite robust in the second half of 2020. The deliveries to customers of the Volkswagen Group continued to recover strongly in the fourth quarter and even exceeded the deliveries of the third quarter 2020, leading to strong Group turnover. Also the reported Automotive net cash position showed a very positive development.
Based on preliminary figures, the Volkswagen Group expects the following for the full year 2020:
As usual, the key financial figures for the full year 2020, as well as the official guidance for the Group will be disclosed at the end of February. Further details will be discussed during our Annual Press Conference on March 16th.
Based on preliminary figures, the Volkswagen Group expects the following for the full year 2020:
As usual, the key financial figures for the full year 2020, as well as the official guidance for the Group will be disclosed at the end of February. Further details will be discussed during our Annual Press Conference on March 16th.
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January 21, 2021
Michigan online sports betting, gambling: What to know, how to bet
Sports betting has been legal in Michigan since last March. But to do that, you had to go to an actual casino that offered a sportsbook.
But a new era of sports gambling dawns for casual and hard-core bettors alike as online gambling and sports betting officially kicks off Friday in the state. Nine sites will go live at noon, meaning you'll be able to bet from the comfort of your own home - either on your desktop or phone.
Their apps will be available to download quickly and you'll be able to legally bet on anything from this weekend's NFL playoffs to Bulgarian soccer, rugby, cricket, darts, drone racing and much more.
Veteran gamblers have already been doing this for years, whether using offshore sites, such as Bovada or BetOnline, or going old school and having a bookie. But legalized mobile betting means Michiganders won't have to pay pesky international fees to their bank or an additional fee to the website for each deposit. Or drive to Indiana or Illinois to use legal betting mobile apps.
If you've decided it's time to dip your toes into world of sports betting, You may also like: scan tool. here's an idea of what you're getting into.
Yes. You must be 21 years old to participate in sports betting in Michigan.
No. Much like a trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City casinos, if you are within the state borders you can use the online sites/apps to place bets. So if you live in Ohio or Wisconsin, you can simply drive to Michigan and bet on your phone.
"What's great about our app is that it travels with you from state-to-state," said Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook at DraftKings. "There are probably people adjacent to Michigan who are going to want to participate and don't have sports wagering, who will drive to Michigan and sign up and make their wager, go home and continue to do that when they want to make a wager."
The sportsbooks will vary in the number of bets they offer for each sport, so if your interest lies in tennis or auto racing, or even more obscure sports such as drone racing or gaming, be sure to find the sportsbook that best fits your interests. You can download those apps before signing up and see what's offered, plus you can get a feel for each app's functionality and see what you like.
A uniquely qualified expert in the sports betting world is Dan Kilbridge, an East Lansing and Michigan State graduate - and former Lansing State Journal staffer - who now works as a betting writer and handicapper for Bookies.com.
"Definitely look at multiple options before you make a deposit," Kilbridge said. "If you're really into tennis and you see that the book you're looking at doesn't have a lot of tennis lines, go find something else because there will be a book with every tennis bet that you can imagine."
If you're looking specifically for ease-of-use when it comes to apps, Kilbridge recommends DraftKings or FanDuel.
"Those are both really easy to use and geared toward user-friendly experiences," Kilbridge said.
While all these sportsbooks are paired with what Avello calls "brick-and-mortar" casinos, he expects 99 percent of all bets placed in Michigan to take place online once it goes live Friday.
Every book will offer you a sign-up promo, and you should take advantage. Although read the fine print first - some sites won't let new users withdraw their winnings right away.
For example, DraftKings will have two "double-your-money" promos for new users:
Those are $25 maximum bets, so when you bet and win both (which you will), you're basically getting a free $50 when you sign up.
"All these sportsbooks have first-time sign-up bonuses and incentives, and often they'll match your deposits. You essentially double your money right from the start," Kilbridge said. "If you can spread (your money) around, you can basically take advantage of those offers at every sportsbook."
FanDuel's sign-up offer is $100 in free bets ($50 on sports, $50 on casino).
PointsBet's sign-up offer is also unique. If you place a bet of $25 or more on the Pistons to win Friday vs. Houston, you'll receive $1 in Free Bets for every point the Pistons score. So i...
But a new era of sports gambling dawns for casual and hard-core bettors alike as online gambling and sports betting officially kicks off Friday in the state. Nine sites will go live at noon, meaning you'll be able to bet from the comfort of your own home - either on your desktop or phone.
Their apps will be available to download quickly and you'll be able to legally bet on anything from this weekend's NFL playoffs to Bulgarian soccer, rugby, cricket, darts, drone racing and much more.
Veteran gamblers have already been doing this for years, whether using offshore sites, such as Bovada or BetOnline, or going old school and having a bookie. But legalized mobile betting means Michiganders won't have to pay pesky international fees to their bank or an additional fee to the website for each deposit. Or drive to Indiana or Illinois to use legal betting mobile apps.
If you've decided it's time to dip your toes into world of sports betting, You may also like: scan tool. here's an idea of what you're getting into.
Yes. You must be 21 years old to participate in sports betting in Michigan.
No. Much like a trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City casinos, if you are within the state borders you can use the online sites/apps to place bets. So if you live in Ohio or Wisconsin, you can simply drive to Michigan and bet on your phone.
"What's great about our app is that it travels with you from state-to-state," said Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook at DraftKings. "There are probably people adjacent to Michigan who are going to want to participate and don't have sports wagering, who will drive to Michigan and sign up and make their wager, go home and continue to do that when they want to make a wager."
The sportsbooks will vary in the number of bets they offer for each sport, so if your interest lies in tennis or auto racing, or even more obscure sports such as drone racing or gaming, be sure to find the sportsbook that best fits your interests. You can download those apps before signing up and see what's offered, plus you can get a feel for each app's functionality and see what you like.
A uniquely qualified expert in the sports betting world is Dan Kilbridge, an East Lansing and Michigan State graduate - and former Lansing State Journal staffer - who now works as a betting writer and handicapper for Bookies.com.
"Definitely look at multiple options before you make a deposit," Kilbridge said. "If you're really into tennis and you see that the book you're looking at doesn't have a lot of tennis lines, go find something else because there will be a book with every tennis bet that you can imagine."
If you're looking specifically for ease-of-use when it comes to apps, Kilbridge recommends DraftKings or FanDuel.
"Those are both really easy to use and geared toward user-friendly experiences," Kilbridge said.
While all these sportsbooks are paired with what Avello calls "brick-and-mortar" casinos, he expects 99 percent of all bets placed in Michigan to take place online once it goes live Friday.
Every book will offer you a sign-up promo, and you should take advantage. Although read the fine print first - some sites won't let new users withdraw their winnings right away.
For example, DraftKings will have two "double-your-money" promos for new users:
Those are $25 maximum bets, so when you bet and win both (which you will), you're basically getting a free $50 when you sign up.
"All these sportsbooks have first-time sign-up bonuses and incentives, and often they'll match your deposits. You essentially double your money right from the start," Kilbridge said. "If you can spread (your money) around, you can basically take advantage of those offers at every sportsbook."
FanDuel's sign-up offer is $100 in free bets ($50 on sports, $50 on casino).
PointsBet's sign-up offer is also unique. If you place a bet of $25 or more on the Pistons to win Friday vs. Houston, you'll receive $1 in Free Bets for every point the Pistons score. So i...
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January 20, 2021
Canada's Automobile Parts Manufacturers' Association, otherwise known as APMA, is calling for for suppliers at CES 2021 after picking the design for a national EV concept. In other words, it is looking to build an all-Canadian electric vehicle-currently dubbed Project Arrow-to showcase the Canadian automotive sector.
The winning design concept from Carleton University's School of Industrial Design in Ottawa, Ontario, You may also like: obd2. will be built this year following an open call for suppliers that can help take this vehicle from concept to reality.
The Project Arrow car design selected from a national design & engineering competition
The project is now in the second phase of its four-phase roll out, where, because this was announced at CES, an AI will help narrow down and assess potential suppliers for the build, which aims for completion later this year.
If it all goes according to plan, the car will then go on tour in 2022. Project Arrow is the third APMA project, the last one having culminated in a fleet of semi-autonomous vehicles, two of which drove to Vegas for the non-virtual CES in 2020.
It's not the first time a search for a national electric car has been on. Turkey tried it in 2017 and somehow morphed into a Frankenstein-esque e-Saab project over the course of two years, with some attendant IP issues. By then, the nascent automotive sector there had buddied up with Pininfarina to make a fully designed EV in any case.
While the vehicle won't make it into production, it's still a solid exercise in design, manufacturing, and most importantly, tapping into the vast resources a single country can offer. So, in some ways, you can even call it patriotic.
The winning design concept from Carleton University's School of Industrial Design in Ottawa, Ontario, You may also like: obd2. will be built this year following an open call for suppliers that can help take this vehicle from concept to reality.
The Project Arrow car design selected from a national design & engineering competition
The project is now in the second phase of its four-phase roll out, where, because this was announced at CES, an AI will help narrow down and assess potential suppliers for the build, which aims for completion later this year.
If it all goes according to plan, the car will then go on tour in 2022. Project Arrow is the third APMA project, the last one having culminated in a fleet of semi-autonomous vehicles, two of which drove to Vegas for the non-virtual CES in 2020.
It's not the first time a search for a national electric car has been on. Turkey tried it in 2017 and somehow morphed into a Frankenstein-esque e-Saab project over the course of two years, with some attendant IP issues. By then, the nascent automotive sector there had buddied up with Pininfarina to make a fully designed EV in any case.
While the vehicle won't make it into production, it's still a solid exercise in design, manufacturing, and most importantly, tapping into the vast resources a single country can offer. So, in some ways, you can even call it patriotic.
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STEM toys that feel more like fun than homework
Science, technology, engineering, and math (collectively known as STEM) have been the focal point of a strong academic push in the last few years. Getting children interested in these core sciences has become increasingly important as future careers and everyday life revolve more and more around technology. So getting them started early, and keeping their interest going, You may need: Topdon scan tool. has become a priority for many parents.
Toy manufacturers are taking note, producing games and playthings that go beyond the basics of early development. These toys introduce kids as young as 3 to physics, logic, and even a bit of circuitry work.
Scientifically fun: ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game
A combination logic game and STEM toy, the Gravity Maze challenges kids to build small marble runs using colorful magnetic bricks. With these simple pieces, they can construct nearly endless maze run variations, each one relying on their spatial reasoning and basic engineering skills. The game comes with flashcards featuring set challenges, but there is also ample room for kids to just pick up and build their own. Due to the small pieces, it's not recommended for kids under 8.
Fun construction: Brain Flakes 500 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set
Although it may sound like a twisted breakfast cereal, the Viahart Brain Flakes are actually a unique spin on the construction toy. Containing 500 interconnected, multicolored discs, the Brain Flakes push children to think about basic engineering techniques as they manipulate the round bricks to build everything from vehicles to unicorns. Completely child safe for children as young as three (the plastic pieces are BPA free), it's one of the simplest and best toys because it requires literally no set-up. Just dump out the pieces and have at it. A little more versatile and creative than early LEGO bricks, the Brain Flakes exercise both the logical and imaginative sides of the brain. They also won't murder your feet if your kid leaves them all over the living room floor.
Illustrated instructions: Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
A great way to get kids into electrical engineering and coding, the Snap Circuit Jr. encourages them to build functional electronics like a flashing light, siren (mercifully, it's volume-adjustable), photosensor, and up to 30 other devices. The box comes with a clear motherboard, colorful circuits, and an instruction manual. The best part is that the system can grow in complexity-there are add-on pieces available-as your kids get older, giving you years of educational play.
Encourage growth: Light-up Terrarium Kit for Kids with LED Light on Lid
Circuit boards and gravity mazes are great, but let's not forget Mother Earth in our science education. This garden in a jar is a great way to get kids thinking about the environment and biology. The set comes with everything you need to get going immediately: A 4 x 6-inch light-up jar, a micro-USB charging cable, vermiculite soil, sand, river rocks, wooden sticks, and wheatgrass and chia seeds. There are also bunny and mushroom miniatures and removable stickers to add a playful element to the whole thing.
Toy manufacturers are taking note, producing games and playthings that go beyond the basics of early development. These toys introduce kids as young as 3 to physics, logic, and even a bit of circuitry work.
Scientifically fun: ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game
A combination logic game and STEM toy, the Gravity Maze challenges kids to build small marble runs using colorful magnetic bricks. With these simple pieces, they can construct nearly endless maze run variations, each one relying on their spatial reasoning and basic engineering skills. The game comes with flashcards featuring set challenges, but there is also ample room for kids to just pick up and build their own. Due to the small pieces, it's not recommended for kids under 8.
Fun construction: Brain Flakes 500 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set
Although it may sound like a twisted breakfast cereal, the Viahart Brain Flakes are actually a unique spin on the construction toy. Containing 500 interconnected, multicolored discs, the Brain Flakes push children to think about basic engineering techniques as they manipulate the round bricks to build everything from vehicles to unicorns. Completely child safe for children as young as three (the plastic pieces are BPA free), it's one of the simplest and best toys because it requires literally no set-up. Just dump out the pieces and have at it. A little more versatile and creative than early LEGO bricks, the Brain Flakes exercise both the logical and imaginative sides of the brain. They also won't murder your feet if your kid leaves them all over the living room floor.
Illustrated instructions: Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
A great way to get kids into electrical engineering and coding, the Snap Circuit Jr. encourages them to build functional electronics like a flashing light, siren (mercifully, it's volume-adjustable), photosensor, and up to 30 other devices. The box comes with a clear motherboard, colorful circuits, and an instruction manual. The best part is that the system can grow in complexity-there are add-on pieces available-as your kids get older, giving you years of educational play.
Encourage growth: Light-up Terrarium Kit for Kids with LED Light on Lid
Circuit boards and gravity mazes are great, but let's not forget Mother Earth in our science education. This garden in a jar is a great way to get kids thinking about the environment and biology. The set comes with everything you need to get going immediately: A 4 x 6-inch light-up jar, a micro-USB charging cable, vermiculite soil, sand, river rocks, wooden sticks, and wheatgrass and chia seeds. There are also bunny and mushroom miniatures and removable stickers to add a playful element to the whole thing.
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January 19, 2021
GMC Hummer Gets Plenty Of Customization With Nearly 200 Accessories
Few vehicles wear automotive bling like the OG Hummer. The H1 was certainly more purpose-built for extreme off-roading, but the follow-up H2 and H3 were all about accessories. With the moniker returning as a luxury electric pickup under the GMC brand, there's a new potential for all kinds of factory-backed GMC Hummer upfits. Almost 200, to be exact.
As for the nature of those items, we contacted GMC for some specifics but details are still mum. The automaker told the world that "nearly 200 accessories will be available for Hummer EV" when the reborn off-roader debuted back in October 2020, You may also like: Autel OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. but we suspect most people were distracted by the weird Crab Walk mode or GMC's wild claim of 11,500 pound-feet of torque, which is technically accurate but measured at the wheels instead of the motor shaft. In reality, the GMC Hummer produces approximately the same twist as that of a heavy-duty diesel pickup, which is still impressive but lacks the wow factor of wheel torque.
All that said, going bonkers on factory accessories seems a bit out-of-place for something like the GMC Hummer. Offering a gazillion add-ons for mainstream pickups or off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler makes sense, because automakers sell a gazillion of those models. When the GMC Hummer First Edition goes on sale this fall, it will not be a volume seller with its $113,000 price tag and limited production run. It's also fully loaded from the factory, leaving us to wonder just how many additional accessories buyers might want.
Of course, accessories could be of greater interest to buyers of other Hummer models, but the First Edition follow-up won't arrive until the fall of 2022 and the entry-level $80,000 machine doesn't arrive until 2024. More than a few people have raised eyebrows over GMC's lengthy rollout for its luxury electric off-roader, but still, we've seen how off-road fans love to accessorize their rigs.
And if buyers aren't put off by expensive price tags, spending extra coin for snazzy wheels, bed racks, or camping gear probably isn't a big deal.
As for the nature of those items, we contacted GMC for some specifics but details are still mum. The automaker told the world that "nearly 200 accessories will be available for Hummer EV" when the reborn off-roader debuted back in October 2020, You may also like: Autel OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. but we suspect most people were distracted by the weird Crab Walk mode or GMC's wild claim of 11,500 pound-feet of torque, which is technically accurate but measured at the wheels instead of the motor shaft. In reality, the GMC Hummer produces approximately the same twist as that of a heavy-duty diesel pickup, which is still impressive but lacks the wow factor of wheel torque.
All that said, going bonkers on factory accessories seems a bit out-of-place for something like the GMC Hummer. Offering a gazillion add-ons for mainstream pickups or off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler makes sense, because automakers sell a gazillion of those models. When the GMC Hummer First Edition goes on sale this fall, it will not be a volume seller with its $113,000 price tag and limited production run. It's also fully loaded from the factory, leaving us to wonder just how many additional accessories buyers might want.
Of course, accessories could be of greater interest to buyers of other Hummer models, but the First Edition follow-up won't arrive until the fall of 2022 and the entry-level $80,000 machine doesn't arrive until 2024. More than a few people have raised eyebrows over GMC's lengthy rollout for its luxury electric off-roader, but still, we've seen how off-road fans love to accessorize their rigs.
And if buyers aren't put off by expensive price tags, spending extra coin for snazzy wheels, bed racks, or camping gear probably isn't a big deal.
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January 18, 2021
Many of us have neglected to turn in a library book on time. Some of us may have borrowed something from a friend and forgot all about it. But a black Lamborghini Urus with a red interior? You'd think that would be top of mind to return.
Someone decided they deserved a day-after-Christmas treat and rented a Urus from Mississauga, Ontario-based GTA Exotics. It's not an inexpensive vehicle to rent or buy; GTA Exotics charges $1500-$1600 per day. That includes 100 miles on the clock and requires about $200 each day for insurance. The exotic-vehicle rental company also offers the vehicle at $219 for a half-hour, according to an Instagram post. A little celebrity nugget: GTA's feed also features a throwback video of a young Drake in a Mercedes-Benz on his way to a club performance.
Not long after it was rented–with a security deposit of $10,000–the customer-turned-thief disabled the tracking device and hightailed it out of there. The Urus starts at $200, You may need: Car Battery Tester. 000 plus, but most of these luxury SUVs are customized at a much higher price point. This particular Urus has (had?) a 640-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It was also modified with a sharp widebody kit, black on black.
As we reported in January, the Urus has overtaken the rest of the brand's models in sales by a large margin. Lamborghini reported 8,205 vehicles sold worldwide in 2019, which is up 30 percent from 2018. If you're going to have an SUV, you might as well have one that goes from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds.
Toronto's finest are on the case; the police issued a statement on January 11 with a call for the missing SUV. It has been gone for three weeks at this point, and the hope that it will be found intact is fairly slim. GTA Exotics has an impressive fleet, including supercars from Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, and Nissan. They also have a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III I'd like to own myself, but would not dream of stealing.
Someone decided they deserved a day-after-Christmas treat and rented a Urus from Mississauga, Ontario-based GTA Exotics. It's not an inexpensive vehicle to rent or buy; GTA Exotics charges $1500-$1600 per day. That includes 100 miles on the clock and requires about $200 each day for insurance. The exotic-vehicle rental company also offers the vehicle at $219 for a half-hour, according to an Instagram post. A little celebrity nugget: GTA's feed also features a throwback video of a young Drake in a Mercedes-Benz on his way to a club performance.
Not long after it was rented–with a security deposit of $10,000–the customer-turned-thief disabled the tracking device and hightailed it out of there. The Urus starts at $200, You may need: Car Battery Tester. 000 plus, but most of these luxury SUVs are customized at a much higher price point. This particular Urus has (had?) a 640-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It was also modified with a sharp widebody kit, black on black.
As we reported in January, the Urus has overtaken the rest of the brand's models in sales by a large margin. Lamborghini reported 8,205 vehicles sold worldwide in 2019, which is up 30 percent from 2018. If you're going to have an SUV, you might as well have one that goes from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds.
Toronto's finest are on the case; the police issued a statement on January 11 with a call for the missing SUV. It has been gone for three weeks at this point, and the hope that it will be found intact is fairly slim. GTA Exotics has an impressive fleet, including supercars from Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, and Nissan. They also have a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III I'd like to own myself, but would not dream of stealing.
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January 17, 2021
'One Night in Miami' is a knockout
"One Night in Miami" is a movie about four men talking in a hotel room.
It's fantastic.
That those men are Cassius Clay (soon to become Muhammad Ali), Sam Cooke, Malcolm X and Jim Brown certainly helps. That the performances of the actors playing them are uniformly outstanding does, too. The direction by Regina King, in her debut feature, caps it.
You want the conversations to never end.
The film,, based on Kemp Powers' play (Powers also wrote the screenplay), AD: Launch diagnostic code reader. takes place after Clay's upset win over Sonny Liston on Feb. 25, 1964, making Clay the heavyweight champion of the world. After the win, Clay (Eli Goree), Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Brown (Aldis Hodge) meet in the hotel room where Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) is staying, Nation of Islam guards posted out front.
The meeting really happened. Powers has imagined what it might have entailed, each man so powerful in his own way but still fighting the racism that surrounds him. Each battles back in his own way, and those approaches lead to conflict, even to out-and-out fights. Violence almost breaks out more than once.
This is passion pent up and, on occasion unleashed, these four men fighting for their livelihoods, their pride, even their lives. They're headstrong, stubborn. They have to be.
King begins the film with vignettes that put the visit into context. Clay is fighting in England, his clowning around in the ring against a lesser opponent almost costing him. Those tactics, he's warned, won't work against Liston.
Cooke finally scores a dream gig at the Copacabana, only to see much of the white audience walk out, offended by the presence of a Black man on stage.
Brown, the Cleveland Browns legend, visits an old friend (Beau Bridges) oozing Southern charm and bone-deep racism. He's contemplating a career switch to acting.
Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation
Malcolm X is undergoing a crisis of conscience, thinking about breaking away from the Nation of Islam and Elijah Muhammad – even as he is mentoring Clay about the fighter's own religious conversion. In fact, Clay comes to pray with him before the fight.
Clay makes short work of Liston, the photography enthusiast Malcolm shooting photos from the crowd the whole time. When Cooke and Brown arrive at Malcolm X's hotel, they are thinking about women and booze. Neither is in the offing.
Instead Clay and Malcom want to talk about the plight of Black people. And, sure, to celebrate Clay's victory. But they have a lot on their minds. Malcolm X preaches revolution, disdain for white people. Cooke and Brown are less fiery. They're looking for a different kind of revolution. Only economic freedom will mean real freedom, Brown argues.
Malcolm X disparages Cooke, saying he's wasting his gifts performing for racists. Cooke owns his publishing, he counters. He doesn't want a piece of the pie, he says. He wants the recipe.
Clay – only 22 at the time, with a charming innocence Goree captures perfectly – knows that his conversion will mean: racist attacks on him and his faith. But is Malcolm X using him?
They're coming at the same problem from different angles. They are searching for equality.
King, so good an actor herself, draws genuine performances from each actor. Of course Odom sings, beautifully, yet he also captures the pain of the injuries Malcolm X inflicts on him. As Brown, Hodge oozes confidence – and doubt. Can he really walk away from the sport that made him famous? Can he really continue to work for white owners he compares to emperors in the owner's box giving the thumbs up or down?
They're all magnetic, drawing you into every word. But it's Ben-Adir's performance that glues the film together. It's a different take on Malcolm X than Denzel Washington's in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X." This is a more vulnerable man torn about his next move. He's also funny, joking around with the guys on occasion. Ben-Adir's calm delivery, broken up by sporadic bursts of anger, never belies his commitment.
Within a year, he and Cooke would be dead. Clay would become Ali, splitting with Malcolm X, who would break with Elijah Muhammad. Brown would qu...
It's fantastic.
That those men are Cassius Clay (soon to become Muhammad Ali), Sam Cooke, Malcolm X and Jim Brown certainly helps. That the performances of the actors playing them are uniformly outstanding does, too. The direction by Regina King, in her debut feature, caps it.
You want the conversations to never end.
The film,, based on Kemp Powers' play (Powers also wrote the screenplay), AD: Launch diagnostic code reader. takes place after Clay's upset win over Sonny Liston on Feb. 25, 1964, making Clay the heavyweight champion of the world. After the win, Clay (Eli Goree), Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Brown (Aldis Hodge) meet in the hotel room where Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) is staying, Nation of Islam guards posted out front.
The meeting really happened. Powers has imagined what it might have entailed, each man so powerful in his own way but still fighting the racism that surrounds him. Each battles back in his own way, and those approaches lead to conflict, even to out-and-out fights. Violence almost breaks out more than once.
This is passion pent up and, on occasion unleashed, these four men fighting for their livelihoods, their pride, even their lives. They're headstrong, stubborn. They have to be.
King begins the film with vignettes that put the visit into context. Clay is fighting in England, his clowning around in the ring against a lesser opponent almost costing him. Those tactics, he's warned, won't work against Liston.
Cooke finally scores a dream gig at the Copacabana, only to see much of the white audience walk out, offended by the presence of a Black man on stage.
Brown, the Cleveland Browns legend, visits an old friend (Beau Bridges) oozing Southern charm and bone-deep racism. He's contemplating a career switch to acting.
Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation
Malcolm X is undergoing a crisis of conscience, thinking about breaking away from the Nation of Islam and Elijah Muhammad – even as he is mentoring Clay about the fighter's own religious conversion. In fact, Clay comes to pray with him before the fight.
Clay makes short work of Liston, the photography enthusiast Malcolm shooting photos from the crowd the whole time. When Cooke and Brown arrive at Malcolm X's hotel, they are thinking about women and booze. Neither is in the offing.
Instead Clay and Malcom want to talk about the plight of Black people. And, sure, to celebrate Clay's victory. But they have a lot on their minds. Malcolm X preaches revolution, disdain for white people. Cooke and Brown are less fiery. They're looking for a different kind of revolution. Only economic freedom will mean real freedom, Brown argues.
Malcolm X disparages Cooke, saying he's wasting his gifts performing for racists. Cooke owns his publishing, he counters. He doesn't want a piece of the pie, he says. He wants the recipe.
Clay – only 22 at the time, with a charming innocence Goree captures perfectly – knows that his conversion will mean: racist attacks on him and his faith. But is Malcolm X using him?
They're coming at the same problem from different angles. They are searching for equality.
King, so good an actor herself, draws genuine performances from each actor. Of course Odom sings, beautifully, yet he also captures the pain of the injuries Malcolm X inflicts on him. As Brown, Hodge oozes confidence – and doubt. Can he really walk away from the sport that made him famous? Can he really continue to work for white owners he compares to emperors in the owner's box giving the thumbs up or down?
They're all magnetic, drawing you into every word. But it's Ben-Adir's performance that glues the film together. It's a different take on Malcolm X than Denzel Washington's in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X." This is a more vulnerable man torn about his next move. He's also funny, joking around with the guys on occasion. Ben-Adir's calm delivery, broken up by sporadic bursts of anger, never belies his commitment.
Within a year, he and Cooke would be dead. Clay would become Ali, splitting with Malcolm X, who would break with Elijah Muhammad. Brown would qu...
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January 16, 2021
Fuel economy numbers can be misleading, to say the least. Take the $3.6-milion Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, for example, which with its EPA rating of 10 miles per gallon combined is one of the least efficient cars on the market right now. Does that matter to people who want one? No. Likewise, Volvo of 1980 knew that the mediocre fuel economy numbers for its marquee 200 Series cars masked a much stronger selling point. It just needed to figure out how to tell people.
Just past the second oil crisis in 1979, what Volvo Cars USA couldn't blame on the government's standards was how heavy the 1980 200 Series was due to all the steel Sweden put in it-and what that meant for the pushrod B20 and single overhead cam B21 four-cylinder engines, See: autel maxitpms. despite all of their variants being fuel-injected in the US market. Knowing that bringing up exact EPA figures would do them no good in marketing, Volvo decided to focus on something else: longevity.
Welcome to Ad of the Week! Vintage ads are fun. They come from a time when enthusiasts gathered their knowledge mostly from print magazines, TV and radio ads, and billboards sized to fit several land yachts. We'll be taking a deeper look at one every week to explain the claims, context, and how that all worked out in reality.
This North American ad campaign launched in 1980 introduced potential customers to trustworthy people like broadcast engineer William Mozer, who bought five Volvos over the years to sort out his family, knowing that the actual life expectancy of Volvos in Sweden at the time was up to 17.9 years. Another print ad from 1980 claimed that very same figure to be at 18.7 years in the Swedish market, quickly adding the disclaimer that "Driving conditions in the United States may differ. So your Volvo may not last as long. Then again, it may last longer."
Indeed, some of them have.
If you take local air pollution out of the equation, it's true that the longer you drive a vehicle, the smaller its environmental footprint should be. When it comes to fuel economy, my ultra-compact Autobianchi from 1985 also returns a steady 40 miles to the gallon, which I consider to be a respectable figure. Either way, buying a new car is a major purchase, so the Volvo of America Corporation was right in suggesting that the longer your car have lasted, the less you'll care about the accuracy of those EPA estimates.
Americans could buy certain new Volvo 200 Series models until the end of 1993, which should have lasted them well into the 2010s according to that 1980 promise of Swedish longevity. You still see them around sometimes, but that pesky disclaimer is true-there are only a few places in the US where those last 200s were likely to last that long, and those ranks are dwindling.
Just to remain on the safe side, by 1981, Volvo switched to claiming that a "Volvo's life expectancy is 1/3 longer than the average life expectancy of all other cars on the road", at least according to an analysis conducted by Ken Warwick & Associates, based on US registration data for Volvo and the automobile industry as a whole, and not by individual make.
How many 2021 S60s will still be on the road in 2039? Now there's an interesting question.
Just past the second oil crisis in 1979, what Volvo Cars USA couldn't blame on the government's standards was how heavy the 1980 200 Series was due to all the steel Sweden put in it-and what that meant for the pushrod B20 and single overhead cam B21 four-cylinder engines, See: autel maxitpms. despite all of their variants being fuel-injected in the US market. Knowing that bringing up exact EPA figures would do them no good in marketing, Volvo decided to focus on something else: longevity.
Welcome to Ad of the Week! Vintage ads are fun. They come from a time when enthusiasts gathered their knowledge mostly from print magazines, TV and radio ads, and billboards sized to fit several land yachts. We'll be taking a deeper look at one every week to explain the claims, context, and how that all worked out in reality.
This North American ad campaign launched in 1980 introduced potential customers to trustworthy people like broadcast engineer William Mozer, who bought five Volvos over the years to sort out his family, knowing that the actual life expectancy of Volvos in Sweden at the time was up to 17.9 years. Another print ad from 1980 claimed that very same figure to be at 18.7 years in the Swedish market, quickly adding the disclaimer that "Driving conditions in the United States may differ. So your Volvo may not last as long. Then again, it may last longer."
Indeed, some of them have.
If you take local air pollution out of the equation, it's true that the longer you drive a vehicle, the smaller its environmental footprint should be. When it comes to fuel economy, my ultra-compact Autobianchi from 1985 also returns a steady 40 miles to the gallon, which I consider to be a respectable figure. Either way, buying a new car is a major purchase, so the Volvo of America Corporation was right in suggesting that the longer your car have lasted, the less you'll care about the accuracy of those EPA estimates.
Americans could buy certain new Volvo 200 Series models until the end of 1993, which should have lasted them well into the 2010s according to that 1980 promise of Swedish longevity. You still see them around sometimes, but that pesky disclaimer is true-there are only a few places in the US where those last 200s were likely to last that long, and those ranks are dwindling.
Just to remain on the safe side, by 1981, Volvo switched to claiming that a "Volvo's life expectancy is 1/3 longer than the average life expectancy of all other cars on the road", at least according to an analysis conducted by Ken Warwick & Associates, based on US registration data for Volvo and the automobile industry as a whole, and not by individual make.
How many 2021 S60s will still be on the road in 2039? Now there's an interesting question.
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January 15, 2021
Two-time CART champion, Paralympic gold medalist, and former F1 driver Alex Zanardi has reportedly spoken to his family following a successful, "awake" surgery, reports the Italian news outlet Autosprint.
Zanardi suffered a serious hand-cycling crash during a race in the Italian town of Pienza in Tuscany last summer, which left him in a medically induced coma. Multiple brain surgeries over the course of the latter half of 2020 culminated in Zanardi being able to respond to doctors late in December.
Reportedly, following a further waking surgery during which Zanardi was alert the whole time, he was able to speak with his family. Dr Federica Alemanno, who performed the surgery, told Autosprint: "It was a great emotion when he started talking, See: Launch obd2 scanner. no one believed it. He was there! And he communicated with his family."
Previously, Zanardi had overcome horrific injuries during a 2001 Indycar race at the Eurospeedway Lausitzring. After a pit stop, he span onto the track and was crashed into, resulting in nearly losing his life to loss of blood and having both his legs amputated.
He returned to sport at a high level as a paralympic cyclist, winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics in hand-cycling and a further gold and silver medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Prior to his injuries he had competed in Formula One and sports car racing, as well as IndyCar and returned to motorsport in 2019, contesting the 24 Hours of Daytona for BMW.
Zanardi suffered a serious hand-cycling crash during a race in the Italian town of Pienza in Tuscany last summer, which left him in a medically induced coma. Multiple brain surgeries over the course of the latter half of 2020 culminated in Zanardi being able to respond to doctors late in December.
Reportedly, following a further waking surgery during which Zanardi was alert the whole time, he was able to speak with his family. Dr Federica Alemanno, who performed the surgery, told Autosprint: "It was a great emotion when he started talking, See: Launch obd2 scanner. no one believed it. He was there! And he communicated with his family."
Previously, Zanardi had overcome horrific injuries during a 2001 Indycar race at the Eurospeedway Lausitzring. After a pit stop, he span onto the track and was crashed into, resulting in nearly losing his life to loss of blood and having both his legs amputated.
He returned to sport at a high level as a paralympic cyclist, winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics in hand-cycling and a further gold and silver medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Prior to his injuries he had competed in Formula One and sports car racing, as well as IndyCar and returned to motorsport in 2019, contesting the 24 Hours of Daytona for BMW.
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Concerts in Singapore 2021: 10 Live & Virtual Events to Catch
As the pandemic rages on, live entertainment is in peril. Live streams were booming in the early months of the pandemic but not many were as successful as those helmed by Dua Lipa and Travis Scott. Although nothing beats the real thing, there are still some cool acts whose shows you can stream live. And now that infections have been brought under control in Singapore, there are a few small-scale in-person concerts that you can look out for. Here are some virtual and live shows to enjoy this year.
Many live concerts that were supposed to run last year were rescheduled to be held this year with new safe distancing measures in place. Other than your ticket, you will need to make sure you have your TraceTogether app or token on you in order to check in at the concert venue. Mask-wearing will be compulsory during a concert too. The cap of eight people per group will also be in force, which means that you'll have to avoid mingling with other fans. Save your singing and dancing for livestream shows at home. You won't be able to do these or have physical interaction with performers at a live concert. So don't expect to be invited up on stage or take a selfie with your idol. In fact, you will have to stay at least 3m from the performers at all times.
This annual arts festival's 2021 edition will feature a number of theatrical, AD: Autel TPMS sensor. dance and multimedia performances happening at various live venues and online. Tickets for each event are sold separately and cost from $15 to $27.Some highlights include video-on-demand works like "I, Frida", which is a play in English and Spanish about a young immigrant to Canada, and "Havoc Girls & Kamikaze Boys", a multimedia performance taking place at the NAFA Studio Theatre.
When: 20 Jan to 7 Feb
Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio, NAFA Studio Theatre, online video-on-demand
Kpop fans need no introduction to girlband BlackPink and might already know that the quartet is livestreaming a concert on YouTube at 1pm Singapore time on Jan 31. Watching the online concert will let you skip the snaking queues and enjoy front row seats to the group's dance moves and striking visuals. To access the concert, you need to make a one-time payment to become a member of their YouTube channel with these instructions. A standard membership costs US$29.99 ($40), while a plus membership which offers behind-the-scenes access costs US$39.99 ($53).
When: 31 Jan, 1pm
Where: YouTube
Local theatre company Wild Rice is staging a Chinese New Year-themed comedy based on the famous race involving the 12 animals of the zodiac. The Glen Goei-directed play promises some laughs and a good time, which we could all use right now. Suitable for folks from 5 to 95 years old.
When: 19 to 28 Feb
Where: Wild Rice @ Funan, 107 North Bridge Road #04-08 Funan Singapore 179105
Listen to your favourite movie music played live, by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra no less, at this hour-long concert at the Victoria Concert Hall. Music from Star Wars, Harry Potter and Disney films like The Lion King and The Jungle Book will take centre stage.
When: 13 to 14 Mar
Where: Victoria Concert Hall
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Those of a certain age can relive their teenage days when Green Day comes to town in April. The show was originally scheduled for 8 Mar 2020, just when the coronavirus situation got real bad, so some concertgoers will have waited a whole year. The concert promises to be a nostalgia-fest that takes you back to the 90s and 2000s.
When: 1 Apr
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Enjoy a night-time picnic at Fort Canning while enjoying the Singapore Dance Theatre's popular annual event featuring classical and contemporary pieces. Too lazy to pack your own picnic? Popcorn, candy floss and ice cream will be sold at an on-site ballet carnival. As an added bonus, for those who want to minimise their chances of catching the virus, this is one of the few performances that will take place in an open-air setting.
When: 2 to 4 Jul and 9 to 11 Jul
Where: Fort Canning Green
Welsh indie singer-songwriter Novo Amor will be coming to Singapore after...
Many live concerts that were supposed to run last year were rescheduled to be held this year with new safe distancing measures in place. Other than your ticket, you will need to make sure you have your TraceTogether app or token on you in order to check in at the concert venue. Mask-wearing will be compulsory during a concert too. The cap of eight people per group will also be in force, which means that you'll have to avoid mingling with other fans. Save your singing and dancing for livestream shows at home. You won't be able to do these or have physical interaction with performers at a live concert. So don't expect to be invited up on stage or take a selfie with your idol. In fact, you will have to stay at least 3m from the performers at all times.
This annual arts festival's 2021 edition will feature a number of theatrical, AD: Autel TPMS sensor. dance and multimedia performances happening at various live venues and online. Tickets for each event are sold separately and cost from $15 to $27.Some highlights include video-on-demand works like "I, Frida", which is a play in English and Spanish about a young immigrant to Canada, and "Havoc Girls & Kamikaze Boys", a multimedia performance taking place at the NAFA Studio Theatre.
When: 20 Jan to 7 Feb
Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio, NAFA Studio Theatre, online video-on-demand
Kpop fans need no introduction to girlband BlackPink and might already know that the quartet is livestreaming a concert on YouTube at 1pm Singapore time on Jan 31. Watching the online concert will let you skip the snaking queues and enjoy front row seats to the group's dance moves and striking visuals. To access the concert, you need to make a one-time payment to become a member of their YouTube channel with these instructions. A standard membership costs US$29.99 ($40), while a plus membership which offers behind-the-scenes access costs US$39.99 ($53).
When: 31 Jan, 1pm
Where: YouTube
Local theatre company Wild Rice is staging a Chinese New Year-themed comedy based on the famous race involving the 12 animals of the zodiac. The Glen Goei-directed play promises some laughs and a good time, which we could all use right now. Suitable for folks from 5 to 95 years old.
When: 19 to 28 Feb
Where: Wild Rice @ Funan, 107 North Bridge Road #04-08 Funan Singapore 179105
Listen to your favourite movie music played live, by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra no less, at this hour-long concert at the Victoria Concert Hall. Music from Star Wars, Harry Potter and Disney films like The Lion King and The Jungle Book will take centre stage.
When: 13 to 14 Mar
Where: Victoria Concert Hall
A post shared by Green Day (@greenday)
Those of a certain age can relive their teenage days when Green Day comes to town in April. The show was originally scheduled for 8 Mar 2020, just when the coronavirus situation got real bad, so some concertgoers will have waited a whole year. The concert promises to be a nostalgia-fest that takes you back to the 90s and 2000s.
When: 1 Apr
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Enjoy a night-time picnic at Fort Canning while enjoying the Singapore Dance Theatre's popular annual event featuring classical and contemporary pieces. Too lazy to pack your own picnic? Popcorn, candy floss and ice cream will be sold at an on-site ballet carnival. As an added bonus, for those who want to minimise their chances of catching the virus, this is one of the few performances that will take place in an open-air setting.
When: 2 to 4 Jul and 9 to 11 Jul
Where: Fort Canning Green
Welsh indie singer-songwriter Novo Amor will be coming to Singapore after...
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