Strict EPA Rules for 2027–2032 Vehicles Announced
The EPA’s new tailpipe emission limits are out—the tougher standards were announced on Wednesday, April 13—and everyone agrees they would do a lot to reduce the amount of these emissions in our air. That’s because the rules would mean that perhaps 67 percent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. - i.e., passenger cars, trucks and SUVs—would be all-electric by the 2032 model year. The EPA said this would reduce the average greenhouse gas emissions by 56 percent compared to the 2026 model year standards. The EPA also issued more stringent heavy-duty vehicle emission standards and said that rule would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from those trucks and vans by 44 percent compared to 2026 levels.
Let’s get back to the two-thirds market share in nine years thing. Last year, EVs made up just under 6 percent of the market in the U.S. That’s up from 3.5 percent in 2021, and we can all see how the EV market has been exploding in recent years. Still, much bigger changes have to happen soon for us to hit the EPA’s target.
The news worth spotlighting is that it is "technically and economically" feasible to hit that target, according to at least some EV researchers. The environmental group Climate Nexus, for example, points to a UC-Berkeley study that found all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. could be powered by electricity by 2035, just three years after the two-thirds deadline. But being technically feasible and realistic is not the same thing. Executive analyst Karl Brauer of iSeeCars commented that to have EV sales makeup 67 percent of the U.S. market that fast would "require an unrealistic level of investment in everything from vehicle production to infrastructure support." Brauer also pointed out that the Biden Administration’s implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act has actually reduced the number of EVs that qualify for tax credits. Still, Bloomberg reporting that the bill could save $1.6 trillion in health care and fuel costs, among other benefits could encourage the finding of some money to kick things into high gear.
Cleaner air and more electric vehicles are the goals of a move expected next week when the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reportedly will announce what insiders are already calling the toughest-ever emissions rules for new cars and light trucks. The Associated Press reported on the planned announcement, having talked to people familiar with details of the proposal and who asked not to be named because it hasn't yet been made public.
This Is Not a Gas-Engine Ban:
What the new rules won't do is ban new internal-combustion-engine vehicles outright or force people to buy electric vehicles. Instead, they're the next logical step in the U.S. government's overall push to clean up our transportation system. President Biden's official target is for half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, which for the government means all-electric, plug-in-hybrid, or fuel-cell vehicles.
The stricter rules will affect the model year 2027–2032 vehicles and deal with carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Los Angeles Times, automakers have been pushing behind the scenes to delay implementation of the new emission limits for "a few years," but we won't learn more until the proposed rules are released this week.
Source- Car & Driver
US airman charged over Pentagon documents leak
The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defense documents has been officially charged in a court appearance in Boston.
Jack Teixeira, 21, wore shackles and a prison uniform as he stood before a federal judge.
After a shout of "Love you, Jack" from a person in the courtroom, the defendant replied, "You too, Dad".
Mr. Teixeira faces up to 15 years in prison over charges of unauthorized transmission of defense information.
He is also charged with the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents.
The airman faces up to 10 years in prison for the first charge, and up to five years in prison for the second.
The dozens of leaked documents had revealed US assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as sensitive secrets about American allies.
The leaks embarrassed Washington and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information.
Mr. Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday after leaking sensitive documents via the gaming app Discord.
The judge ruled that the suspect qualifies for a public defender - a lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial for people who cannot afford legal fees.
Mr. Teixeira remains in custody until his detention trial on 19 April. US prosecutors have asked that he remain detained until his trial at a later date.
Source-BBC
Multi million dollar plan outlined to support millions facing gangs, hunger and cholera in Haiti
The United nations and its partners are to launch an appeal for US$720 million to support more than three million people in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, where gangs, hunger, and cholera have plunged nearly half the population into humanitarian need.
The 2023 funding appeal is the largest for the Caribbean country since the devastating 2010 earthquake and more than double the amount requested last year.
The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) said the number of Haitians who require aid to survive doubled over the past five years to 5.2 million, and the aim is to reach 60 per cent, or 3.2 million people.
The full 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which will be launched on Wednesday next week April,19, comes at “a critical time”, said Ulrika Richardson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti.
“With the situation in the country rapidly deteriorating, this year’s plan will address the most immediate humanitarian and protection needs while strengthening people’s and institution’s resilience to natural shocks,” she said, adding “at the same time, what the people of Haiti desperately want is peace and security, and we should all support efforts to that end”.
OCHA said the key driver of the crisis is gang violence, which continues to spread across the country. It said an estimated 80 per cent of the metropolitan area of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is either under the control or the influence of gangs.
“There is a constant climate of fear, especially in Port-au-Prince. Haitians put their lives at risk simply by trying to go to work, feed their families, or take their children to school,” said Richardson.
OCHA said armed violence disproportionately impacts women and girls, but boys are also affected.
Rape, including gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence, is being used to terrorize the population, including children as young as age 10, the UN agency said. Meanwhile, many gangs also recruit children into their ranks.
Source-CMC
Drake reacts to AI version of "Munch (Feelin' U)"
Drake has reacted to an artificial intelligence version of him rapping to Ice Spice's "Munch (Feelin' U)." He reposted The Shade Room's Story about Universal Music Group's request to block artificial intelligence companies on his Instagram Story, specifically sharing the slide in which the AI version of Drake is heard rapping Spice's song.
"This is the final straw AI," he wrote. His disapproval of artificial intelligence was shared by Universal Music Group, which asked DSPs to stop artificial intelligence companies from training technology with UMG's music.
“We have a moral and commercial responsibility to our artists to work to prevent the unauthorized use of their music and to stop platforms from ingesting content that violates the rights of artists and other creators," a UMG spokesperson said in a statement, per Variety. "We expect our platform partners will want to prevent their services from being used in ways that harm artists.”
Source-ABC
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT FOR APRIL 5TH 2023
Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 9th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 5 April 2023 at the Governor’s residence on Grand Turk.
All Members were present with the exception of the Hon. Morris, the Hon. Taylor, Hon. Robinson and the Hon. Malcolm who were all out of the country.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Noted a proposal to lift a moratorium to grant a business licence. Cabinet requested further information from the applicant and will consider at another Cabinet.
· Approved the vision for a state-of-the-art TCIG marine and fisheries laboratory to support the critical management of the TCI marine environment and provide first class laboratory services within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It is named in honour of the late Clifford Leroy Brooks of South Caicos. Cabinet requested further financial information from the Ministry of Tourism and will consider at another Cabinet.
· Approved an application from a named individual to re-parcel a road located between parcel 61112/5, 6, 8 and 9 and the unregistered road parcel.
· Noted recommendations from the observers of the TCI general elections held on 19 February 2021 and agreed to forward to the public (including political parties) for further consideration and feedback.
· Approved plans for new investments by the Grand Turk Carnival Cruise Centre.
· Approved re-appointments of the following persons to the Telecommunications Board whose appointments expired 31 March 2023:
Clayton Been – Chairman
Delleriece Hall – Member
Chalsianna Misick – Member
Lerone Ingham – Member
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs – Ex-officio
· Along with the replacement of Lacal Palmer – Member, who has served five (5) years on the Board, approved re-appointments of the following persons to the Adoption Board:
Tiffany Thomas-Browne – Chair
Roxanne Wake-Forbes – Member
Marjorie Bassett – Member
Carolyn Dickenson – Member Ex-officio
Shayone Handfield-Gardiner – Member Ex-officio
Betty-Ann Benn – Member Ex-officio
Edgar Howell – Member
James Astwood – Member Ex-officio
Bishop Edwin Lightbourne replaced Pastor Pedro Williams
· Noted the concerns raised regardingPrince of Wales Drive beach access and requested an information paper be prepared for Cabinet’s next sitting.
· Approved the Supplementary Appropriation (2022/2023)(No. 2) Bill 2023 and for its advancement to the House of Assembly.
· Re-approved the following contract awards:
I. PN 005617, TR 21/57, Software Digitization Project – Lot A: Electronic Procurement and Contract Management System
II. PN 005617, TR 21/57, Software Digitization Project – Lot B: Equipment
III. PN 005717, TR 22/38, Vehicles for Inland Revenue Department
IV. PN 005629, SSP, Installation of City Water Lines in Wheeland, Blue Hills and Long Bay
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Andrew Wiggins cleared for Game 1 of NBA playoffs with the Warriors
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has been cleared to play in Game 1 of the team's first-round series against the Sacramento Kings.
"Andrew looks great, feeling good, and is ready to go," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after practice Thursday afternoon.
Wiggins hasn't played since Feb. 13, missing the Warriors' final 25 games of the regular season because of a family matter. He was away from the team for two months before returning for the last week but sat out of the Warriors' last three games as he worked on his conditioning.
Golden State is still deciding whether Wiggins will retain his starting position or come off the bench. Donte DiVincenzo has been starting in his place.
The team is also unsure what Wiggins' minutes' load will look like. Kerr said he will consult with the director of sports medicine Rick Celebrini before deciding.
"I think it sort of depends on how he feels tomorrow and going into Saturday," Kerr said. "On the one hand, Wiggs is one of those guys who just doesn't seem to fall out of shape or get tired. He's just a naturally gifted athlete. On the other hand, he hasn't played in 10 weeks. So maybe the game will dictate it. We'll just have to play it by ear."
Wiggins participated in heavy team practice and scrimmage on Wednesday and light practice on Thursday -- all of which he exited looking and feeling good.
Wiggins is a key player for Golden State and was a crucial part of its championship win last season. His absence was obvious during his time away.
Source-ESPN
NATIONAL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS CARDS READY FOR COLLECTION BATCH #001/23
The Citizenship & Naturalization Department here
by invites the following persons to visit or contact the Customer Service Center in Grand Turk and Providenciales , on the numbers/email addresses provided below, as it relates to the National Turks and Caicos Islander Status Card.
The telephone numbers are:
(649) 338 2982 - Grand Turk
(649) 338 4121 – Providenciales
Email: customerservice@gov.tc
or citizenshipandnaturalizati on@gov.tc
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IMF says it is working “hard” to resume programme with Suriname
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Thursday said it has been working very hard” with Suriname, and hopes to send a mission to the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country as soon as possible.
The acting director of the IMF Western Hemisphere Department, Nigel Chalk told a news conference that during the middle of last year, the IMF got into a position “where we were unable to keep reviews” with Paramaribo.
Chalk, who was briefing reporters on the economic outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, said that “some part of that was the change in some personnel in the government, some part of that was policy related”.
Last September, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said divine intervention played a significant role in the IMF agreeing to his administration’s request to renegotiate its existing loan agreement.
The IMF had previously announced that it had approved a new 36-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (RFF) for Suriname — an estimated US$688 million.
The Suriname government has said that it would urge the IMF to make changes to the recovery plan as its implementation weighs heavily on the people.
Among other things, the increase in electricity rates by 15 per cent had been considered heavy for a large part of the society and Suriname’s largest trade union federation, C-47, had demanded that the increase be reversed.
“We have had a very close dialogue with Suriname over the past year or so. We have been working quite hard with them to try and bring the programme back on track in order to continue the investments, and macro stability the government is making.”
He said Surinamese officials are in Washington attending the IMF Spring meetings and that discussions are taking place with them on the matter.
“We hope we will be able to field a mission soon in order to try and deepen those discussions and come to a conclusion (so) we can proceed with the programme,” he said.
Chalk said regarding the issue of bilateral creditors “This is a tricky issue for Suriname” adding that the CARICOM country “has a large share of their official public sector debt to China.
“In the programme previously we had basically moved forward on a programme on the basis that they were essentially not paying the debt to China and it would eventually be restructured.
“So I think we are looking for some progress in terms of that restructuring of the Chinese debt. Suriname has already reached agreement with its Paris Club creditors and it is close to reaching an agreement with India which is the other big creditor and so I think having more
Progress on the debt with China would help,” Chalk told reporters.
Suriname owes more than US$550 million to China.
Source-CMC
President Biden in Ireland: "Coming here feels like coming home"
President Joe Biden traveled to the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday and was greeted with a massive welcome in County Louth [LOWTH], where his Finnegan ancestors are from. Crowds lined the streets of downtown Dundalk to greet only the second Irish Catholic president with American flags and banners.
Earlier in the day, he took a tour of Carlingford Castle, built back in the 1100s, which the White House said would have been the last Irish landmark that his great, great grandfather saw before he departed for New York. Owen Finnegan was a shoemaker by trade who emigrated to the United States in 1849.
On Thursday, the president fulfills his diplomatic obligations, starting with a meeting with President Michael Higgins and then Taoiseach ('TEE-shock') Leo Varadkar followed by a scheduled address to the Irish Parliament. This evening, Biden will be honored with a gala dinner at Dublin Castle -- a very historic and significant site for the Irish people.
Source-ABC
Mo'Nique claims CBS and Paramount owe her millions in new lawsuit
Mo’Nique has filed a lawsuit against Paramount and CBS, which she claims owe her millions for her show The Parkers.
Variety reports the actress, born Monique Hicks, notes UPN paid a below-market fee to air the show, which itself was sold for cable distribution for below-average market rates, all in an effort to suppress profitability.
The suit states Mo'Nique was underpaid and is owed 2.5% of adjusted gross receipts, but has "not been permitted to share in the fruits of" the show's success.
The suit comes months after the show's creators Ralph Farquhar, Sara Finney-Johnson and Vida Spears sued CBS for allegedly engaging in financial malfeasance to curb profit payments. The case was eventually settled.
The Parkers ran from 1999 through 2004 on UPN, spanning a total of five seasons. Mo'Nique portrayed the role of the star character Nicole "Nikki" Ann Parker.
Source-ABC