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Kay Patterson, who rose from janitor at segregated South Carolina capitol to state senator, diesOTTAWA - The dismissal of a class-action lawsuit over rules governing the cross-border live bee trade is casting a spotlight on political division within Canada’s beekeeping community. A federal judge has ruled against awarding commercial beekeepers damages from a decades-old partial ban on shipping live honeybees across the Canada-U.S. border, which is in place out of concerns that could bring in aggressive pests and diseases. Beekeepers from Western Canada involved in the suit claim the government’s risk assessments that inform the tight restrictions are hurting their businesses and are blown out of proportion. Michael Paradis of Paradis Honey Ltd., a seven-generation family beekeeping business based in Girouxville, Alta., and one of the representative plaintiffs in the case, said he’s disappointed with the ruling, saying it puts beekeepers in a “dangerous position” since the industry is already in crisis mode. “Canada does not have enough bees and cannot replenish its own stock at all,” he said. “It’s going to mean a lot more hardship for the industry if we cannot get access to the U.S. bees.” Beekeepers were slammed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when fewer airline flights made it harder to import bees and they suffered a nightmare year of winter losses in 2022. Manitoba commercial beekeeper Brent Ash, one of the witnesses in the case, said the ruling will hamper the industry, and makes it especially tough for apiaries in colder parts of the country like the Prairies, where most of Canada’s beekeepers are located. “Climate makes the regional divide difficult to keep those bugs alive over the course of the winter,” he said, noting honeybees are not native to North America. But Steve Moore, president of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, said his group worries about the risks of accidentally bringing in antibiotic resistant mites, the import of Africanized honeybees commonly known as killer bees, and a small hive beetle that’s capable of damaging colonies. “In Ontario here, we feel quite strongly that we don’t want to take the risk of it becoming even more challenging if some of these new and emerging threats come into the country in packages,” he said. But he empathizes with the plaintiffs. “When we go into our apiaries, we get stung by our bees. When we come home, we might be stung by a low honey price, stung by rising cost of production or stung by high overwintering losses, with the threat of new and emerging pathogens. So, we’re all facing the same challenges and it’s a challenging time to be a beekeeper,” he said. Even though a ban on U.S. live bee imports expired in 2006, Ottawa has not issued permits for the live worker bee boxes to be brought over the border since. The plaintiffs argued Ottawa owes them duty of care — and hundreds of millions in damages. The judge disagreed. “There is no duty of care owed and no negligence,” Justice Cecily Strickland wrote in a lengthy ruling, adding the plaintiffs failed to establish that Ottawa hurt their businesses. The case has a long history, dating back to a court filing from 2012, and was only certified as a class action in 2017. The problem is even older. Headlines from the 1980s screamed about fears that deadly infectious mites from U.S. states could level Canadian bee populations. Risks to bee health have only compounded since then. A 2003 risk assessment by the regulator found that importing queen bees was less risky, since they are easier to inspect. So, Canada allows imports of queen bees and their worker-bee attendants from the U.S., Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy and Malta. “Bee packages carry a higher risk of disease introduction because they are shipped with the contents of their hive, which may include mites, parasites and bacteria,” said a statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that welcomed the judge’s ruling. Canada does, however, also allow imports of worker bee packages from Italy, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, which sent Canada some 69,364 kgs of packaged bees in 2023, according to statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But importing from these countries also dramatically drives up import costs due to transportation. One of the plaintiffs, John Gibeau, wrote to CFIA a decade ago complaining that importing more than 1,200 packages for $170,000 would have cost half that if he could have purchased them from California instead. Gibeau said he wasn’t ready to comment since he hasn’t yet digested the ruling. Paradis said the larger issue for him than cost, though, is the quality of the bee stock and the timing of when shipments arrive. “We are looking at bees in the U.S. that are spring bees — young, invigorated bees,” he said, adding that gives them longer lifespans in Canada. While he was disappointed, Paradis said one of the main reasons for the lawsuit was to “bring CFIA to the table and to actually have some discussions” on the import ban, something he said has only happened recently. Canada’s honeybee pollination is estimated to contribute $3.18 billion directly to the economy, but that rises to $7 billion a year when canola pollination is factored in. Canada has some 794,341 beehives. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024.

The dismissal of a class-action lawsuit over rules governing the cross-border live bee trade is casting a spotlight on political division within Canada’s beekeeping community. A federal judge has ruled against awarding commercial beekeepers damages from a decades-old partial ban on shipping live honeybees across the Canada-U.S. border, which is in place out of concerns that could bring in aggressive pests and diseases. Beekeepers from Western Canada involved in the suit claim the government’s risk assessments that inform the tight restrictions are hurting their businesses and are blown out of proportion. Michael Paradis of Paradis Honey Ltd., a seven-generation family beekeeping business based in Girouxville, Alta., and one of the representative plaintiffs in the case, said he’s disappointed with the ruling, saying it puts beekeepers in a “dangerous position” since the industry is already in crisis mode. “Canada does not have enough bees and cannot replenish its own stock at all,” he said. “It’s going to mean a lot more hardship for the industry if we cannot get access to the U.S. bees.” Beekeepers were slammed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when fewer airline flights made it harder to import bees and they suffered a nightmare year of winter losses in 2022. Manitoba commercial beekeeper Brent Ash, one of the witnesses in the case, said the ruling will hamper the industry, and makes it especially tough for apiaries in colder parts of the country like the Prairies, where most of Canada’s beekeepers are located. “Climate makes the regional divide difficult to keep those bugs alive over the course of the winter,” he said, noting honeybees are not native to North America. But Steve Moore, president of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, said his group worries about the risks of accidentally bringing in antibiotic resistant mites, the import of Africanized honeybees commonly known as killer bees, and a small hive beetle that’s capable of damaging colonies. “In Ontario here, we feel quite strongly that we don’t want to take the risk of it becoming even more challenging if some of these new and emerging threats come into the country in packages,” he said. But he empathizes with the plaintiffs. “When we go into our apiaries, we get stung by our bees. When we come home, we might be stung by a low honey price, stung by rising cost of production or stung by high overwintering losses, with the threat of new and emerging pathogens. So, we’re all facing the same challenges and it’s a challenging time to be a beekeeper,” he said. Even though a ban on U.S. live bee imports expired in 2006, Ottawa has not issued permits for the live worker bee boxes to be brought over the border since. The plaintiffs argued Ottawa owes them duty of care — and hundreds of millions in damages. The judge disagreed. “There is no duty of care owed and no negligence,” Justice Cecily Strickland wrote in a lengthy ruling, adding the plaintiffs failed to establish that Ottawa hurt their businesses. The case has a long history, dating back to a court filing from 2012, and was only certified as a class action in 2017. The problem is even older. Headlines from the 1980s screamed about fears that deadly infectious mites from U.S. states could level Canadian bee populations. Risks to bee health have only compounded since then. A 2003 risk assessment by the regulator found that importing queen bees was less risky, since they are easier to inspect. So, Canada allows imports of queen bees and their worker-bee attendants from the U.S., Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy and Malta. “Bee packages carry a higher risk of disease introduction because they are shipped with the contents of their hive, which may include mites, parasites and bacteria,” said a statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that welcomed the judge’s ruling. Canada does, however, also allow imports of worker bee packages from Italy, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, which sent Canada some 69,364 kgs of packaged bees in 2023, according to statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But importing from these countries also dramatically drives up import costs due to transportation. One of the plaintiffs, John Gibeau, wrote to CFIA a decade ago complaining that importing more than 1,200 packages for $170,000 would have cost half that if he could have purchased them from California instead. Gibeau said he wasn’t ready to comment since he hasn’t yet digested the ruling. Paradis said the larger issue for him than cost, though, is the quality of the bee stock and the timing of when shipments arrive. “We are looking at bees in the U.S. that are spring bees — young, invigorated bees,” he said, adding that gives them longer lifespans in Canada. While he was disappointed, Paradis said one of the main reasons for the lawsuit was to “bring CFIA to the table and to actually have some discussions” on the import ban, something he said has only happened recently. Canada’s honeybee pollination is estimated to contribute $3.18 billion directly to the economy, but that rises to $7 billion a year when canola pollination is factored in. Canada has some 794,341 beehives.The City of Denmark will have a new mayor after the city's mid-February elections. Incumbent Mayor Gerald Wright did not file for re-election, ending decades of public service on Denmark City Council. Current Councilman Harold Johnson and Letitia Dowling filed to run for Denmark mayor. The nonpartisan election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11. Wright was first was elected to Denmark City Council in 1975. He was the first African American elected official in Denmark and Bamberg County. He served until 1992, when he was named superintendent of schools. He has served as mayor of Denmark since 2009. The two-week filing period for the city's elections ended at noon Friday. Should Johnson be elected mayor, his seat will have to be filled by a special election, according to Bamberg County Director of Voter Registrations and Elections Athena Moorer. If he is not elected, he will retain his seat on council. Dowling has run unsuccessfully for mayor twice before. In addition to the mayoral seat, three at-large city council seats are also up for election. Incumbents Rosa Ray James and Jake Bookard filed for reelection. Bonnie H. Love did not. Chris Murray also filed. Murray unsuccessfully ran for a council seat in 2019. James, Bookard and Murray all will run unopposed. The seats carry four-year terms. Councilmembers Calvin Odom and Charnda Williams were not up for re-election. The early voting period for the election begins on Monday, Jan. 27 and ends on Friday, Feb. 7. Early voters can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Bamberg County Voter Registration and Election Office located at 1234 North St. in Bamberg. At the polls, voters will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification: • S.C. driver’s license • S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles ID card • S.C. Voter Registration card with photo • Federal military ID • U.S. passport Registered voters who cannot vote in person are eligible to vote by absentee ballot, which can be obtained from the Bamberg County Voter Registration and Election Office by calling 803-245-3028. On election day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations: • East Denmark – Brooker Center, 19 Maple Ave., Denmark • West Denmark – Old Train Depot, 18748 Heritage Highway, Denmark Any person who wishes to register to vote in the election must do so no later than 30 days prior to the election, or Friday, Jan. 10. For more information about registering to vote, visit scvotes.gov or call 803-245-3028. Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. T&D Staff Writer {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Muscat: In a landmark achievement for Oman and the Middle East, the Sultanate successfully launched its first experimental rocket, "Duqm-1," on Thursday. This historic event was executed by Edaq, a subsidiary of the National Space Services Company (NASCOM), under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT). The launch is part of Oman's broader strategic vision to advance its space sector. The rocket was launched at 10:05 AM local time from coordinates 18°N, 56°E, south of the Wilayat of Duqm. Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shezani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at MTCIT, hailed the successful launch as a pivotal step in putting Oman on the global space sector map. He emphasised that this milestone could attract international investors and space companies to explore opportunities in Oman for space-related investments and activities. The ministry is actively building strategic partnerships on local and international levels while formulating incentives to drive investment into the burgeoning space sector. Dr. Al-Shezani expressed optimism that this launch would pave the way for establishing a dedicated spaceport in Oman and fostering initiatives to localise space technologies. His Highness Sayyid Azan bin Qais Al Said, Founder and CEO of NASCOM, expressed his delight at the mission's success, stating: "We are immensely proud of this historic event. From the outset, our vision has been to position Oman as a leader in space exploration in the Middle East and establish the region’s first spaceport. The success of this launch has garnered global attention, particularly within the international space community. We extend our gratitude to the MTCIT for their invaluable partnership, which has been instrumental in achieving this milestone as part of a national strategic vision to elevate Oman’s space sector. NASCOM’s objectives align with the ministry’s ambition to make Oman a regional gateway to space." Dr. Saud bin Hamid Al-Shuaili, Director-General of Policies and Governance and Head of the National Space Programme, underscored the significance of the launch as a crucial step in advancing Oman’s space capabilities. He remarked: "This successful experiment reflects Oman’s sustained efforts to develop its space sector. Leveraging our unique geographical location, we aim to attract investments and strengthen collaborations with the private sector. We look forward to undertaking more launches in the near future, contributing to our strategic objectives and enhancing Oman’s international standing in this rapidly evolving industry." Talal bin Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel, said: “We congratulate the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology on the successful launch of Oman’s first experimental rocket. This milestone signifies a remarkable advancement in the Sultanate’s communications and information technology sector, setting the stage for a future driven by innovation and strategic geographical advantages.”

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: Breakups can be difficult. And splitting after decades together can be even more complicated. Now, add in having to do it all in the public eye and the situation doesn’t get any easier. Still, there have been longtime celebrity couples who’ve expressed their intent to put their best foot forward as they navigate this new chapter. Take Daddy Yankee and his wife Mireddys González , for instance—who recently announced their breakup after 29 years of marriage. "With a heart full of respect and honesty, I want to share some important news about my personal life," the “Gasolina” artist wrote in Spanish on his Instagram Stories Dec. 2. "After more than two decades of marriage and after many months of trying to save my marriage, which my wife and I share, today my lawyers responded to the divorce petition received from Mireddys." While Daddy Yankee called the split “Mireddys' decision,” he noted it’s one he respects. "I appreciate the time we shared, full of blessings and values, of love and with a beautiful family that will continue to be our priority,” the musician—who shares kids Jesaaelys and Jeremy with Mireddys and is also dad to daughter Yamiley from a prior relationship—added. “This is not an easy time, but I understand that it is part of my life process." Similarly, Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman , announced their divorce in September after 26 years of marriage and 33 together. “We are incredibly proud of the loving family we have created and our countless memories together,” the fashion designer and the venture capitalist—who share sons Skyler and Kaius —stated in a Sept. 9 Instagram post. “Our number one priority has been and will always be our children. We are committed to co-parent our boys and continue to work together within the many businesses we share.” And they aren’t the only long-term pairs to go their separate ways. Leah Remini noted in August that she and husband Angelo Pagán made their decision to divorce after 21 years of marriage with “a lot of thought and care” and a “positive outlook because we know it’s what’s best for us.” “We are proud of how we have worked through this together,” The King of Queens actress, who was with the Swordfish actor for a total of 28 years, tweeted on Aug. 29. “Yes, we’re sad, and we’ve got some figuring out to do as we continue to move forward into our new normal—together still in many ways, and apart in some new ones. But here’s the thing: we’ve been best friends for so many years. We are still celebrating holidays together, watching our favorite tv shows together, and gathering as a family.” So why did Leah and Angelo —whose family consists of daughter Sophia as well as his sons Angelo Jr ., Alex and Nico from a previous relationship—split if they’re on such good terms? “To put it simply, we both changed, as people do, and we got used to playing roles that didn’t fit us anymore,” the Kevin Can Wait alum continued. “After a lot of effort and consideration, we’ve decided to take this step, which reflects who we are today. Our bond is still strong—it’s just evolved into something different. We think a marriage that lasted this long and created so many beautiful memories, especially raising our incredible daughter, is something to celebrate. From our perspective, this marriage was a huge success.” And while some formerly wed couples are raising a glass to their years together, other are...well, keep reading to find out. The NFL star and the supermodel touched down in divorce court after 13 years of marriage, confirming Oct. 28, 2022, on their respective social media platforms that they had finalized the terms of their split. "We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together," Tom, who shares kids Benjamin and Vivian with Bündchen, wrote in his Instagram Story message. "We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve." The Super Bowl MVP—who is also dad to son Jack from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan —noted that he and Gisele didn't take their decision lightly. "Doing so is, of course, painful and difficult, like it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world," he continued. "However we wish only the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written." Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus Parents to daughters Miley and Noah as well as son Braison (plus he adopted her daughter Brandi and son Trace and fathered son Christopher in a previous relationship) the couple tied the knot in 1993. The country singer filed for divorce in 2010, saying in a statement at the time that they were "trying to work through some personal matters." Mission accomplished, at least temporarily, because Billy Ray withdrew his petition in March 2011. However, he refiled in June 2013 , and she counter-filed. And yet, they stayed together again, Tish crediting couples therapy for bringing them closer. But they would later find themselves drifting apart. Though Tish filed for divorce a third time in April 2022, her petition stated that she and her husband of 29 years had actually been living apart since February 2020. "It is after 30 years, five amazing children and a lifetime of memories, we have decided to go our separate ways—not with sadness, but with love in our hearts," the exes told People in a joint statement. "We have grown up together, raised a family we can be so proud of, and it is now time to create our own paths." Later that year, Billy Ray got engaged to Firerose , whom he wed in October 2023. But after less than a year of marriage, the "Old Town Road" artist filed for divorce in June 2024. Following a contentious split, they settled their divorce two months later. Meanwhile, Tish accepted Prison Break star Dominic Purcell 's proposal in 2023 and married him that year. The parents of three and co-founders of the internationally renowned Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation revealed in May 2021 they were splitting up after 27 years of marriage . A Washington judge finalized their divorce just three months later, a ready-to-roll separation contract making the division of their estimated $130 billion fortune less onerous. Both recently divorced, Sean from Madonna and Robin from Dane Witherspoon , the actors fell in love making the 1990 crime drama State of Grace . They welcomed daughter Dylan in 1991 and son Hopper in 1993 and tied the knot in 1996. They purposely moved to Northern California to raise their kids away from "the bubble of celebrity," Robin would later explain to Vanity Fair , but tumult followed and, after a few false starts, they officially divorced in 2010 . "I believe we were together not only to have our beautiful children but to learn how to love...for the next time around, the right way," the House of Cards star said. "And then, what I'm looking for in people now is kindness." At the time she was back on with ex-fiancé Ben Foster , but after that ended she moved on with Clement Giraudet , marrying him in 2018. TMZ reported in September 2022 that Robin filed for divorce , citing July 31, 2022, as their date of separation. Sean famously dated Charlize Theron for a couple of years and then married Leila George in January 2020, but she filed for divorce in October 2021 . A power couple even before they were governor and first lady of California, the bodybuilder-turned-actor and renowned journalist announced in May 2011 that they had separated after 25 years of marriage . A week later, Arnold came clean about fathering a son with his family's former housekeeper of more than 20 years. Joseph Baena enjoys a relationship with his dad (as well as an affinity for the weight room) and is pursuing his own career as an actor. The Shriver-Schwarzenegger union, which produced daughters Katherine and Christina as well as sons Patrick and Christopher didn't officially end until December 2021, when The Terminator star and the author finalized their divorce . His-and-hers prison sentences for fraud were not kind to the Real Housewives of New Jersey stars' 20-year marriage. He ended up being deported to Italy after spending three years behind bars, and they divorced in September 2020 . "I can't get mad at her," Joe told E! News of his ex a month later . "She's the mother of my four daughters and she's taking care of them right now because obviously I can't. What am I going to do, have the kids move here to a country that they don't even know the language? That would be a disaster...Thank God they're tough kids, but it's still a damn shame. At the end of the day, you know, we're doing our best." Teresa is once again a married woman, wedding Luis Ruelas in August 2022 after they met during a chance encounter at the Jersey shore . The bride's four daughters— Gia , Gabriella , Milania and Audriana —were all in attendance. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins Married for all intents and purposes, if not on paper, the Oscar winners separated in the summer of 2009 after 23 years together, having met making the rowdy 1988 baseball romance Bull Durham . They share sons Jack and Miles plus Tim helped raise Susan's daughter Eva Amurri . "People were coming up to me in the street and saying, 'I cried and cried when I heard,'" the Thelma & Louise star told The Telegraph in 2010 after her breakup with the director. "Well, I was sadder! I didn't think it would ever happen, either. You bring people into your life at certain times. Maybe you have a relationship to have children and you realize that it's fulfilled after that point." Tim ended up marrying actress Gratiela Brancusi in 2017, but it wasn't widely known they'd taken that step until he filed for divorce in January 2021. Though Robyn didn't file for divorce from the father of her seven children until April 2009, according to Reuters , their separation began just days after his explosive drunk-driving arrest in July 2006 . "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," they said in a 2009 statement confirming the end of their union. At the time, Mel was already expecting a child , his eighth, with then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva . (He's since become a dad of nine, welcoming son Lars in 2017 with Rosalind Ross .) "It was an unfortunate incident," the Braveheart actor said on Variety 's Playback podcast in 2016, referring to his 2006 arrest and the resulting backlash over antisemitic comments he made to the officer that pulled him over. "I was loaded and angry and arrested. I was recorded illegally by an unscrupulous police officer who was never prosecuted for that crime...So, not fair. I guess as who I am, I'm not allowed to have a nervous breakdown, ever." The TLC star's third of four sister wives—and mother of six of his 18 children— left the family's Arizona home in November 2021 after 27 years together and moved to Utah. "I started thinking maybe this isn't working for me," Christine told People in August 2022. "And then I stopped believing in polygamy. I realized I didn't really want to live it anymore. I didn't like sharing a husband or feeling like I wasn't important." Kody legally married first wife Meri Brown in 1990, after which sister wives Janelle Brown and Christine joined him in spiritual matrimony in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He and Meri divorced and fourth wife Robyn Brown became his legally recognized spouse in 2014. "I want a guy who actually loves me and wants to be with me intimately," Christine, who wed David Woolley the following year, added. "I will be a monogamist from here on out." Janelle has also since left the fold , Kody revealing in the December 2022 reunion special that they were separated. Meri followed suit soon after, with her and Kody announcing in January 2023 they decided to "permanently terminate" their spiritual marriage. OK, so the couple that earn their first billion together don't necessarily stay together. News of the Amazon founder and sometimes-richest-man-in-the-world's divorce from his wife of 25 years came as a shock in January 2019—though mainly because Jeff was already involved with not-yet-divorced Good Day L.A. co-host Lauren Sanchez and the National Enquirer published their romantic text messages. (Jeff, who shares four children with MacKenzie, countered that they were long-separated so the tabloid didn't have much of a scoop.) MacKenzie, who married Seattle science teacher Dan Jewett in March 2021, received a reported $38.3 billion worth of Amazon stock in her divorce settlement, turning her into one of the world's richest people as well. She signed The Giving Pledge, a promise to give at least half of her fortune to charity, in 2019. Dan made the vow as well after their wedding, but MacKenzie filed for divorce on Sept. 26, 2022 , and it was finalized in early 2023. Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman Married for 30 years, the Matilda co-stars announced in 2012 that they were separating—but the parents of three never pulled the trigger on a divorce. "We're still separated, but we see each other often, and we're still a family," Perlman told People in August. "We can do things together, we can do things separately. I'm really, really glad that Danny and I were able to navigate some rough days to be able to have this different kind of relationship. I think it's pretty rare, but we agree on so many things that it makes sense." This story was originally published Sept. 14, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. PST.

Power theft: 3.9k raids find 750 violations, 1.3 Cr loss detectedThe mellowing of electric-vehicle adoption hasn’t prevented General Motors from introducing several such models, specifically for the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands. In particular, Chevrolet has three available, including the Blazer EV. A fourth – the Corvette EV – is expected sometime in 2025, with others reportedly in the development stage. The scalable platform, which is used for all GM EVs, large and small, can handle front, rear or front and rear electric motors. For the midsize five-passenger Blazer EV, the prominent nose does have a type of grille, but it’s mostly for aesthetics. The rest of the bodywork shares nothing – as in zero – with the gasoline Blazer, which remains in production. Both are same length, but the EV has about a 23-centimetre advantage in distance between the front and rear wheels. That means easier rear-seat access through the generously sized doors, plus plenty of legroom. Despite the EV’s lower roofline, cargo volume is greater than the gasoline Blazer’s, with the seat upright or folded flat. There’s no storage beneath the hood – commonly called a front trunk or a frunk – for smaller items, which is frequently found in other EVs, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The interior has a 17.7-inch infotainment screen and a fashionably large 11.1-inch driver-information display. Instead of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, the Blazer EV gets Google software. Oversized air vents are positioned on either side of the dashboard and directly above the floor console. The base 300-horsepower LT lists for $57,900, including destination charges. It’s available in front- or all-wheel-drive ($61,400), has a range of 453 and 538 kms, respectively. Equipment includes the usual power features as well as heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 19-inch wheels and standard active-safety technology such as front and rear emergency braking, active cruise control and blind-spot warning. The 365-horsepower rear-wheel-drive RS ($68,400) can also go up to 538 kms on a charge, but AWD claws that back to 453. The performance-oriented AWD Blazer SS ($73,400) makes 595 horsepower and 645 pound-feet. According to Chevrolet, it can hit 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in less than four seconds. The range is advertised as 470 kms. For every 10 minutes the Blazer EV is plugged in to a Level 3 DC fast charger, 125 kms of range will be added. With a 240-volt home charger, expect a full top-up overnight. Note that the dual-level charge cord needed for Level 2 and Level 3 use is optional. The RS and SS come with heated and ventilated front seats, heated flat-bottom steering wheel and a hands-free power liftgate. They both have exterior lighting between the grille and the hood that illuminates when the driver approaches. Exclusive to the SS is a head-up driver’s info display (projects information such as speed onto the windshield), a rear-view camera/mirror, Brembo-brand front brakes, premium-grade interior trim and unique 22-inch wheels (21-inch versions are fitted to the RS). Standard with the SS is the latest version of General Motors’ Super Cruise system that allows hands-free driving on more than 640,000 kms of roads in the United States and Canada. GM says that Super Cruise allows the Blazer to safely overtake slower-moving traffic and return to the original lane, all without driver involvement. Chevrolet also says it is creating a Police Pursuit Vehicle model based on the SS, which, given its power output, likely makes the most sense. Given its size, styling, output and variety of trim levels, the Chevrolet Blazer EV has plenty going for it. It also happens to be competitively priced, further enhanced by government rebates. These factors are helping to create increased buyer interest and acceptance in electric vehicles.

‘Jharkhand Asmita’ with Hemant as INDIA bloc sweeps 27 out of 28 ST reserved seats1 2 Ranchi: Congress, a part of the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, has consolidated its position in the state while BJP, which ran an aggressively polarized campaign, suffered a major loss, both as part of NDA and individually too. Beating all political pundits' prediction of being a weak cog in INDIA bloc's wheel in Jharkhand, the grand old party repeated its 2019 performance by bagging 16 out of 30 seats it contested this time. In contrast, the BJP, contesting 68 seats as part of the NDA, secured 21 seats—a decline of four seats compared to its individual tally in 2019. The saffron camp also suffered a debacle on tribal-dominated seats despite its attempt to foray into the adivasi belt, citing ‘Bangladeshi infiltration plank'. In 2019 assembly polls, BJP won two tribal seats but five years down the line, its tribal outreach continued to fail as it could win only one seat (Seraikela) this time. On the contrary, Congress managed to win six tribal seats. Also, despite losing some of its sitting seats such as Jamshepdur West, Jarmuni and Jharia, it managed to clinch new seats such as Bokaro, Chatterpur and Kanke to make up for the losses. Except Bokaro, it, however, couldn't make any impact in urban pockets which continue to remain BJP's fortress. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 Results Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Results : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue Newly elected Lohardaga MLA and outgoing finance minister Rameshwar Oraon said, "We fought on development agenda compared to negative politics by BJP. Our coalition govt in last five years faced several challenges starting from Covid-19 to political turmoil, but we remained steady, focused on welfare measures to serve the people. Some of the schemes like free electricity, Maiyan Samman Scheme, universal pension scheme gave both Congress and INDIA bloc a decisive verdict this time." BJP's working president Ravindra Kumar Rai on the other hand said the verdict was contrary to their expectations but they would continue to work as a strong opposition. He said, "Now that the verdict is out, we humbly accept it. We will continue to raise people's voice in next five years with more vigour to ensure the promises made by INDIA bloc is fulfilled. We will continue to fight both inside the assembly and on the streets for people's cause."

The mellowing of electric-vehicle adoption hasn’t prevented General Motors from introducing several such models, specifically for the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands. In particular, Chevrolet has three available, including the Blazer EV. A fourth – the Corvette EV – is expected sometime in 2025, with others reportedly in the development stage. The scalable platform, which is used for all GM EVs, large and small, can handle front, rear or front and rear electric motors. For the midsize five-passenger Blazer EV, the prominent nose does have a type of grille, but it’s mostly for aesthetics. The rest of the bodywork shares nothing – as in zero – with the gasoline Blazer, which remains in production. Both are same length, but the EV has about a 23-centimetre advantage in distance between the front and rear wheels. That means easier rear-seat access through the generously sized doors, plus plenty of legroom. Despite the EV’s lower roofline, cargo volume is greater than the gasoline Blazer’s, with the seat upright or folded flat. There’s no storage beneath the hood – commonly called a front trunk or a frunk – for smaller items, which is frequently found in other EVs, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The interior has a 17.7-inch infotainment screen and a fashionably large 11.1-inch driver-information display. Instead of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, the Blazer EV gets Google software. Oversized air vents are positioned on either side of the dashboard and directly above the floor console. The base 300-horsepower LT lists for $57,900, including destination charges. It’s available in front- or all-wheel-drive ($61,400), has a range of 453 and 538 kms, respectively. Equipment includes the usual power features as well as heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 19-inch wheels and standard active-safety technology such as front and rear emergency braking, active cruise control and blind-spot warning. The 365-horsepower rear-wheel-drive RS ($68,400) can also go up to 538 kms on a charge, but AWD claws that back to 453. The performance-oriented AWD Blazer SS ($73,400) makes 595 horsepower and 645 pound-feet. According to Chevrolet, it can hit 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in less than four seconds. The range is advertised as 470 kms. For every 10 minutes the Blazer EV is plugged in to a Level 3 DC fast charger, 125 kms of range will be added. With a 240-volt home charger, expect a full top-up overnight. Note that the dual-level charge cord needed for Level 2 and Level 3 use is optional. The RS and SS come with heated and ventilated front seats, heated flat-bottom steering wheel and a hands-free power liftgate. They both have exterior lighting between the grille and the hood that illuminates when the driver approaches. Exclusive to the SS is a head-up driver’s info display (projects information such as speed onto the windshield), a rear-view camera/mirror, Brembo-brand front brakes, premium-grade interior trim and unique 22-inch wheels (21-inch versions are fitted to the RS). Standard with the SS is the latest version of General Motors’ Super Cruise system that allows hands-free driving on more than 640,000 kms of roads in the United States and Canada. GM says that Super Cruise allows the Blazer to safely overtake slower-moving traffic and return to the original lane, all without driver involvement. Chevrolet also says it is creating a Police Pursuit Vehicle model based on the SS, which, given its power output, likely makes the most sense. Given its size, styling, output and variety of trim levels, the Chevrolet Blazer EV has plenty going for it. It also happens to be competitively priced, further enhanced by government rebates. These factors are helping to create increased buyer interest and acceptance in electric vehicles.Iowa turns to former walk-on QB to start against Maryland

Loras had the magic. It just ran out in the clutchest of moments. Kyndall Kells made a penalty kick save in the final round of the shootout, but Emory’s goalkeeper did the same as the Eagles ousted top-seeded Loras in the NCAA Division III tournament sectional semifinal on Saturday at the Rock Bowl. Emory won the shootout, 4-3, after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes. Emory (13-3-4) advanced to play Amherst or Illinois Institute of Technology in Sunday’s sectional final at the Rock Bowl. Loras (20-0-2) was seeking its second trip to the Elite Eight and was in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season. “I’m so proud of the whole team, it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Loras coach Matt Pucci said. “We’re one of three teams in the country to be in four straight Sweet 16s and that’s not easy to do. Our seniors graduate with four losses in their career. That’s absurd. Four goals against all season. That’s absurd. “Credit to the whole team and the program before and after us as well because to do this year in and year out, I think it becomes white noise and it shouldn’t because this is an incredible accomplishment. I’ve said it before, there’s over 430 schools (in Division III) and four years in a row we’re in the top 16 and one of those years we’re in the top four, so credit to all our players.” Savannah Johnson, Sierra Morgano and Isabel Russmann scored in the shootout for Loras. Emerson Gasmann’s shootout attempt missed wide right and Reagan Lindsay’s shot in the fifth and final round was saved by Emory goalkeeper Sophia Garcia. “Penalties are tough,” Pucci said. “It’s a mental thing as much as a technical thing. We train it, we work hard and I have full faith in every one of the 10 that went up there. Credit to their keeper, she made a save in a big moment. Our keeper made a save in her big moment as well. It was just kind of indicative of what the game was like: back and forth and two good teams going at it.” The Eagles, who also defeated Loras in the 2012 Sweet 16, will be making their third appearance in the Elite Eight. They finished as national runners-up in 2012. “We’re sad about losing in the Sweet 16 (but) we hold our chin high with that,” Russmann said. “We get here every year and if this is the worst part of our season, I’ll take it. We work hard day in and day out and I think that coming into here, it wasn’t like this when we got here. Having four seasons in a row getting to the Sweet 16, getting to the Final Four, can’t ask for more. Johnson opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Lindsay sent a free kick into the box, but it eventually came back to her after a failed clearance attempt by the Emory defense. Lindsay sent it into the box again and Athena Sheets tapped it over to Johnson, who slotted it past a diving Garcia. It was Johnson’s 18th goal of the season and the 53rd of her career, which left her fourth on the program’s all-time list behind Ryleigh O’Brien (54), Katie Truesdale (58) and Michelle Wieser (87). “When she came in, we didn’t know we were getting a future All-American,” Pucci said. “She worked her butt to get to where she’s at and that’s just the mantra of who we are as a team. Everybody comes in and starts at a certain level and nowhere near their ceiling. I like to think that our seniors get to that ceiling by the end of their career. Savannah is another one just like the rest, you come in and see what’s it like and you can either raise the bar or stand still and she sure as heck didn’t stand still.” Johnson, a fifth-year senior, finishes with two entries on the program’s single-season goals chart. Her career-high 24 goals last year ranks third; her total from this season is tied with Wieser’s 2001 freshman season for seventh. It was also the first goal allowed in the tournament by Emory, which out had outscored its first two NCAA opponents, 7-0. The Eagles pulled even with just less than 25 minutes left in the match. Samantha Lim drove toward the corner before sending the ball back for Kaitlyn Nimmer to take a shot. Emily Woodall was in the perfect spot to redirect and used her head to deflect the shot past Loras goalkeeper Kyndal Kells. Kells, who has already shattered the program’s career record with 44 shutouts, finished with 11 saves, including a punch over the crossbar that denied Emory a potential-go-ahead goal with 9 minutes left in regulation.NoneTrae Young, Hawks hoping to win big in Vegas at the NBA Cup semifinals

Letter: Mandate?? What mandate?Syria refutes propaganda claims

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise decision to impose martial law in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years — and then just as swiftly reverse course — sparked whiplash in the country’s foreign-traded assets and caught global markets off guard, at one point sending U.S. Treasury yields lower as traders sought a haven from potential instability. In an emergency address delivered live to the nation, Yoon stunned voters, lawmakers and investors alike by declaring martial law on Tuesday after accusing the opposition of trying to paralyze his administration. The decision, Yoon said, was made to protect freedom and constitutional order, but the market’s early verdict was swift: South Korean-related ETFs, its currency and most actively traded stocks all sharply weakened, while U.S. government bonds and even bitcoin were also briefly caught up in a risk-off flight to quality.Apartments are in high demand Families priced out of Brisbane’s red-hot housing market are driving a surge in apartment demand, with units costing as little as a quarter of the median house price. Exclusive data has pinpointed the suburbs where units deliver the best value — not only slashing costs compared to freestanding houses but also offering generous living space. Research by SuburbData also highlighted a divide between luxury suburbs, where apartments were far cheaper than houses, and more affordable areas, where unit prices were as much as 70 per cent of houses but had comparable floor space. This Auchenflower unit sold for $741,000 Leading the list of 29 suburbs was ritzy Teneriffe, where a typical unit priced at $908,000 was just 22 per cent of the jaw-dropping median house price of $4.11m. Buyers in Paddington and Auchenflower also benefitted, with units priced at 34.6 and 33.8 per cent of houses, providing proximity to the city without the hefty outlay. SuburbData’s analysis shows units in key family-oriented areas still delivered on space, with those in Taigum and Highgate Hill offering 38.5 and 36 per cent of the typical house block size. In Taigum, units averaged 2.4 bedrooms compared to 3.6 for houses, with a typical buy-in of 71.6 per cent of the median house price of $809,000 — a balance attracting young families seeking space without breaking the budget. A three-bedroom apartment in Kedron sold for $675,000 More affordable markets were Redbank Plains in Ipswich, where units cost $513,000 and typically offer one quarter of the space of freestanding houses, and Michelton, where the average apartment value of $597,000 was half the price of a house. The research considered relative house and unit prices in each suburb, as well as typical floor space or house block size and number of bedrooms in the respective dwelling types. The growing preference for units reflected broader lifestyle changes, according to industry experts. PropTrack’s latest Home Price Index showed Brisbane apartment prices surged 17 per cent over the past year to a median value of $670,000 in October, outpacing houses which were up 12 per cent to $970,000. A three-bedroom apartment in Kedron sold for $675,000 MORE NEWS ‘Unfair’ bank policy stopping thousands from owning a home Surprise factor making homes 10pc cheaper Revealed: the lifestyle hotspots in line for 100 new homes SuburbData analyst Jeremy Sheppard said the research showed where some of the best unit buying opportunities were in the current market. “There’s the potential for buyers to get good value in a location where they want to live but can’t afford a house,” Mr Sheppard said. He noted that the gaps between unit and house prices were at record highs in some areas, suggesting apartment buyers could get more value than usual. A common theme among the markets where units were selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than similarly-sized houses in the area was a long history of house subdivisions nearby. Highgate Hill apartment sold for $825,000 “Unit sizes tend to be fairly similar across areas, while houses can vary,” he said. “Often the best value units are in established areas where most of the houses are on smaller blocks.” But Mr Sheppard also cautioned buyers to be highly selective in the types of units they targeted. “One of the problems with units is that oversupply can be a real killer of the long-term value,” he said. “It’s best to try to avoid units in high-rise buildings and rather focus on boutique blocks where there are only a few apartments there. “A good sign is if there’s no lift. It means there will be less apartments jammed into the same building and the strata fees are often lower.” Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said inner-city unit markets were leading growth. Picture: Supplied Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said the trend mirrored other states, with inner-city areas leading the charge. Bowen Hills was recognised as Australia’s top Supercharged Suburb by the Hotspotting Spring 2024 Price Predictor Index, indicating potential for future price growth. “In areas like Newstead, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, and the Brisbane CBD, units are in high demand and often preferred over houses,” Mr Ryder said. “This precinct is desirable for its close proximity to the CBD and is benefitting from ongoing improvements to connectivity and amenities, such as the $6.3b Cross River Rail project.” TOTAL Property Group managing director Adrian Parsons said younger, high-net-worth buyers aged between 35 and 45 were leading demand for luxury apartments, while working families were drawn to convenience, lifestyle and affordability. ABS figures show 32 per cent of interstate arrivals were aged between 25 and 44 years. Total Property Group director Adrian Parsons said younger buyers were active in the luxury apartment sector. Picture: Glenn Hampson. “The market in southeast Queensland has matured and there’s now a significant focus on apartment living, which has become more desirable because of the high level of luxury amenities developers are adding within the apartment buildings,” Mr Parsons said. “The way people are living has changed. Technology has given us the freedom to live and work where we want to, while on the other hand we have become increasingly busy. “People in their prime working years either don’t have time, or do not want to maintain a house and yard and this has changed the way younger people view their living environments. “The introduction of larger, two and three-bedroom apartment residences in key locations is attracting young families, who traditionally would have purchased a house with a yard. It makes sense these days as children are spending less time outdoors and when they do go outside, they are happy to play at a local park or the beach,” he said. Elisa McMahon said house-sized apartments were selling fast. Picture: Josh Woning McMahon Estate Agents principal Elisa McMahon has just settled 11 house-sized apartments in Park Lane Residences, a project in Lutwyche — all to owner-occupiers. “The majority of apartments are three-bedroom plus a multi-purpose room, or four bedrooms,” Ms McMahon said. As well as downsizers, the buyers were made up of families with school-aged children looking for a more affordable option in an inner-city market, she said. “What I’m finding interesting is apartments seem to be accelerating in price growth at the same pace as houses, or actually outperforming them in some markets.” Ms McMahon said many young, professional singles and couples were also opting for an apartment over a house because of affordability and lifestyle preferences. “Since 2014, we’re really seeing people starting to make the downsizing move (to an apartment) earlier as Brisbane’s lifestyle and entertainment precincts improved,” she said. “We’re now delivering beautiful, owner-occupied stock compared to the investor-driven apartment product on the market 10 years ago.” Unit in Teneriffe sold for $810,000 TOP VALUE UNIT MARKETS Suburb/units typical value/unit prices as % of houses TENERIFFE/$908000/22.1 KANGAROO POINT/$821000/39.8 HIGHGATE HILL $903000/ 44.5 PADDINGTON $789000/ 34.6 AUCHENFLOWER $691000/33.8 WEST END $790000/ 47.4 WOOLLOONGABBA $709000/ 46 GORDON PARK $667000/ 39.6 CLAYFIELD $696000/ 36.7 WINDSOR $614000/ 38.6 KEDRON $635000/ 45.3 CANNON HILL $651000 /53.4 ALDERLEY $744000/ 49.6 SHERWOOD $690000/ 44.4 LUTWYCHE $656000/ 56.2 TAIGUM $580000/ 71.6 NORMAN PARK $776000/55.8 WOODY POINT $780000/ 103.6 WYNNUM $801000/ 64.8 MITCHELTON $597000/ 54.1 NUNDAH $629000/ 55.7 GREENSLOPES $673000/ 51.5 WYNNUM WEST $666000/ 70.5 MORNINGSIDE $714000/ 77.7 REDBANK PLAINS $513000/ 73.5 CARINA $809000 /72.6 REDCLIFFE $712000/ 83.8 COORPAROO $698000/ 52.5 ANNERLEY $662000/ 61.3 * source: SuburbDataDeficit soars as Biden heads out the door