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Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global markets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Osamu Furukawa has driven lots of Japanese cars for his business converting classic gasoline-powered models to electric. But his favorite ride is an import: A battery-powered SUV from China’s BYD Auto.BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.’s chief financial officer says “are scary.”Furukawa said he ordered an ATTO 3 when it went on sale Jan. 31, for its user-friendly features and appealing price of 4.4 million yen ($33,000) — or about one-quarter less than a Tesla.“It’s perfect,” Furukawa said in his office in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.Other ambitious Chinese EV exporters include NIO, Geely Group’s Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.Some compete on price. Others emphasize performance and features, putting pressure on Western and Japanese premium brands.NIO Inc....

Awards, admirers and key albums: Some facts about Gordon Lightfoot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

Some facts about Gordon Lightfoot, the folk singing legend who died Monday night at age 84.Born: Nov. 17, 1938, Orillia, Ont.Musicians who have performed Lightfoot songs: Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary, Ian & Sylvia, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri, Harry Belafonte, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, George Hamilton IV.Awards: Order of Canada, Governor General’s Award, inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, 12 Juno Awards (including one in 1970 when it was called the Gold Leaf), as well at four top folk singer RPM Awards — the 1960s predecessor to the Junos — and four Grammy nominations.Albums include: “Lightfoot!” (1966)“The Way I Feel” (1967)“Did She Mention My Name” (1968)“Back Here On Earth” (1968)“Sunday Concert” (1969)“If You Could Read My Mind” (1970)“Summer Side Of Life̶...

Some key dates in the life and career of singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

Some key dates in the life and career of Gordon Lightfoot:Nov. 17, 1938: Gordon Lightfoot is born in Orillia, Ont.1951: Lightfoot, a 13-year-old soprano, wins a talent contest at the Kiwanis Music Festival, held at Toronto’s Massey Hall.1956: While making music with his high school friends he pulls in enough money to temporarily move to the United States to study music. He ultimately returns to Toronto to pursue his career.1963: Lightfoot marries Brita Olaisson with whom he would have two children.1964: Singer Ian Tyson takes interest in two of Lightfoot’s original compositions, “Early Mornin’ Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me,” which helps elevate Lightfoot’s career after spending years playing in Toronto coffee houses and appearing on local television shows.1965: Freshly signed with manager Albert Grossman, Lightfoot secures a deal for Peter, Paul and Mary to record “For Lovin’ Me,” exposing him to a new audience.1965:...

Quebec flooding: Two firefighters missing northeast of capital, states of emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

BAIE-SAINT-PAUL, Que. — Provincial police have confirmed that two people swept away by the current on the flooded Rivière du Gouffre in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, where up to 60 millimetres of rain fell within a 24-hour period, are firefighters.Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the Quebec provincial police, said the firefighters were swept away while helping two residents near St-Urbain, Que., around 100 kilometres northeast of the provincial capital. The residents were airlifted away and are now safe, she said.Earlier on Monday, provincial police said they were investigating reports that two firefighters were swept away in Rivière du Gouffre near St-Urbain. Police spokesman Sgt. Claude Doiron said two helicopters were deployed to participate in the search.In Baie-St-Paul, Que., just south of St-Urbain, Mayor Michaël Pilote declared a state of emergency due to heavy rains that washed away roads and isolated homes. Fire Chief Alain Gravel said his members helped in...

White House, DHS to end COVID-19 vaccination rule for foreign travellers by May 12

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign air travellers and at the Canada-U.S. border are being lifted as of May 12.The day before, May 11, will mark the end of the COVID-19 emergency the U.S. imposed back in 2020 as the world was coming to grips with the scale of the pandemic. New York Rep. Brian Higgins, a vocal advocate of eased border restrictions, is cheering the news as a victory for families, tourists and long-suffering border communities. Canada ended its own vaccination requirements for foreign visitors back in October. The U.S., however, has continued to require federal workers, contractors and most international air travellers to show proof of vaccination. The White House says deaths from COVID-19 around the world are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic, and 95 per cent lower in the U.S. than they were in January 2021.“We are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of ...

What are the safety rules and regulations for skydiving?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An experienced skydiver died in Central Texas after a possible parachute malfunction on Friday. A spokesperson for Skydive Spaceland, a skydiving center in Caldwell County, said a 31-year-old licensed, experienced skydiver died while skydiving over Fentress, Texas, which is about 20 minutes outside of San Marcos. APD investigating homicide in northwest Austin after 2 found dead in apartment The company said the person was wearing its own gear when it appears the primary parachute malfunctioned. They said the person, who has not been identified, did not survive the landing despite the use of the backup parachute. Skydiving accident investigationsThe Federal Aviation Administration said it is aware of the situation and is investigating it. Specifically, the government agency said it is investigating the packing of the main and reserve parachutes and the rules of flight for the pilot and aircraft.Scott Maschek has been skydiving for nine years now. He owns Skydive Sk...

Judge grants motion for new jury selection after lack of Hispanic representation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A Travis County judge granted a defense attorney's motion to bring in a new, more representative jury panel Monday, according to court documents. The defense attorney in this case, Charlie Baird, contended the 75-member group of potential jurors did not fairly represent Austin's Hispanic population. The client he represents is Hispanic.Judge Julie Kocurek granted the motion Monday morning. Her office told KXAN it cannot comment further on the motion because it's still an active case. The court document itself states the defendant's motion asks to "compel a [jury panel] constituting a fair cross-section of the Hispanic or Latino population of Travis County."The Travis County District Clerk's Office said the jury pool is always selected randomly. KXAN is still compiling information about the jury summons process, check back for updates.

David Fickling: Planning to power your car with cooking oil? Fat chance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

Is there any way the auto industry can withstand the onslaught of electric vehicles? Chevron Corp. is hoping so.The oil producer sent three Toyota Motor Corp. models on a trip across the US last week with the objective of proving that its “renewable gasoline blend” might provide a better option for decarbonizing road transport than battery-powered vehicles. Fossil fuels make up less than half of the blend and it’s more than 40% less carbon-intensive than conventional gasoline, according to Chevron.This isn’t just marketing. The company spent $3.15 billion last year taking over Renewable Energy Group Inc., or REG, a leading producer of biodiesel. Crucial to that deal was REG’s expertise in turning waste into fuel — roughly 70% of the feedstocks for its bio-refineries comes from waste oil and waste agricultural produce.That’s a tempting prospect. It’s relatively easy to convert the sort of sugars and vegetable oils that you’ll find...

Watch video from the Met Gala 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

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Gordon Lightfoot dies: Canadian folk singer was 84

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:01 GMT

TORONTO — Gordon Lightfoot, Canada’s legendary folk singer-songwriter whose hits including “Early Morning Rain” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” told a tale of Canadian identity that was exported worldwide, died on Monday. He was 84.Representative Victoria Lord said the musician died at a Toronto hospital. His cause of death was not immediately available.Considered one of the most renowned voices to emerge from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s, Lightfoot went on to record 20 studio albums and pen hundreds of songs, including “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown.”Once called a “rare talent” by Bob Dylan, dozens of artists have covered his work, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, Jane’s Addiction and Sarah McLachlan.Most of his songs are deeply autobiographical with lyrics that probe his own experiences in a frank manner and explore issues surrounding the Canadian national identity.His 1975 song “The Wreck of ...