betfred poker iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF ( NYSEARCA:HEWC – Get Free Report ) shares shot up 0.1% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $28.86 and last traded at $28.83. 3,100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 3,603 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.80. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF Price Performance The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $28.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.83. The firm has a market cap of $12.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.49 and a beta of 0.76. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF (HEWC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap Canadian stocks, hedged against movements in the Canadian dollar for USD investors. HEWC was launched on Jul 1, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The leader of Ireland’s Labour Party has held talks with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste as efforts to form a new coalition government intensify. Ivana Bacik had separate meetings with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris on Tuesday afternoon. Fianna Fail, which won 48 seats in last month’s general election, and Fine Gael, which secured 38 seats, headed up the last coalition in Dublin and are expected to continue that partnership into the next mandate. However, with a combined 86 seats, they are just short of the 88 required for a majority in the Dail parliament. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner, or a handful of independents. Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out doing business with Sinn Fein, which won 39 seats. The centre-left Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party, both of which won 11 seats in the election, are seen as the only two realistic options if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael seek to convince a smaller party to join the coalition. In a statement, the Labour Party said Ms Bacik outlined key policy priorities in her meetings with Taoiseach Mr Harris and Tanaiste Mr Martin. “There was discussion in both meetings on policies and manifesto commitments on housing, health, climate, workers’ rights and disability services among other issues,” said the statement. “The parliamentary party will meet at 1pm on Friday where the party leader will provide an assessment of engagement to date and consider the outcome of these meetings.” A spokesman for Mr Harris said there had been a “constructive engagement” with Ms Bacik. “The Taoiseach is grateful for the time and engagement on a range of substantial policy issues,” he said. The spokesman said Mr Harris had also met independent TDs who are aligned together in what is called the regional group. “These meetings have been productive,” he added. Mr Harris and party colleagues are due to meet the Social Democrats on Wednesday. Fianna Fail deputy leader Jack Chambers and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee met on Tuesday evening for discussions on government formation, with the parties’ full negotiating teams set to meet on Wednesday. Fine Gael said the meeting between Ms McEntee and Mr Chambers was “positive” and focused on the “structure and format” of the substantive negotiations going forward. When the two parties entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of taoiseach halfway through the term. With Fianna Fail’s lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions around the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, he has suggested that he expects Fianna Fail’s greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. However, Mr Harris has insisted that Fine Gael’s mandate cannot be taken for granted when it comes to government formation. Richard Boyd Barrett from People Before Profit-Solidarity, which won three seats, urged Labour not to “prop up” up a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael administration. “We think that’s a huge mistake,” he told reporters in Dublin. “They shouldn’t do it. They should learn the lessons of the past and actually work with other parties of the left to form a decent left opposition to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and campaign on the issues that matter.” His party colleague Paul Murphy pointed to the experience of the Green Party, which lost all but one of its 12 seats in the election. “In reality, what is going to happen is a changing of the mudguard for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael,” he said. “And for those who are now auditioning to be a new mudguard for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, there is a very, very sharp and stark lesson in what happened to the Green Party – obviously almost entirely wiped out. “We think it is a very major mistake for anyone who has the perception of being left, with the votes of people who are looking left, to seek to go into coalition with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.”

ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.”MG has been busily overhauling its model range, and the next cab off the rank is the ZS SUV. It’s arguably the brand’s most important vehicle launch this year, too, as the ZS is its best seller. Not only that, it’s Australia’s best-selling small SUV. Unusually, MG is launching the ZS as a hybrid first. While the outgoing model was offered with hybrid power overseas, wearing the VS nameplate, this is the first time such a powertrain has been offered in the car locally. The 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+, as it’s known, is due in showrooms this month. MG says petrol-powered models will follow during the first quarter of 2025. It hasn’t detailed their powertrains, but says the ZS will offer two separate petrol engines. The current ZS EV will be replaced by an unrelated model that wears the ES5 nameplate in China, and which rides on the MG 4’s dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform. This is due during the second quarter of 2025. The new petrol and hybrid ZS use the same platform as the latest MG 3 , which was launched earlier this year. The Hybrid+ system is also borrowed from the light hatch. The new ZS wears the brand’s latest corporate face, as seen on the latest MG 3 and HS . It’s a meaner mug than that of the outgoing ZS and ZST , but otherwise the design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. There are defined side creases and hip lines like the outgoing car, but the belt line doesn’t have as sharp an uptick behind the rear doors. The tail lights don’t have the cool ‘piano key’ look of the outgoing ZST, either. The result is a design that ultimately doesn’t look much different and, where it does, appears more conservative. If you parked a new ZS against the old ZST, you could definitely tell the difference, but a layperson mightn’t be able to tell which one is newer. In a segment with some bold designs like the Hyundai Kona and Chery Omoda 5 , the ZS looks rather... generic. Where it looks better than Chinese rivals like the Omoda 5 and the GWM Haval Jolion is in its stance. Those models both have an awkward, narrow-track look, like their bodies are too big for their chassis. No problem here with the ZS. The ZS also has a particularly handsome interior, but more on that later. The MG ZS is joining a growing contingent of small hybrid SUVs, which includes the Toyota Corolla Cross and its more stylish C-HR cousin; the Hyundai Kona; and another Chinese crossover in the GWM Haval Jolion. MG is launching it with promotional pricing which will remain in effect for an unspecified period of time. It sees the ZS Hybrid+ Excite, priced at $33,990 before on-road costs, wear a sticker of $33,990 drive-away. Likewise, the top-spec Essence is priced at $36,990 before on-road costs and, for an unspecified period of time, $36,990 drive-away. In terms of pricing, its closest rival is the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid which is currently being offered for $31,990 drive-away in Premium guise, $34,990 drive-away as a Lux, and $37,990 drive-away as an Ultra. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The exterior mightn’t look radically different from the old ZS and ZST, but the interior is a major step forward in terms of useability and modernity. There’s a distinctive (and large!) new gear shifter, as well as hexagonal air vents and even hexagonal cupholders. It all looks very modern. The 8.0-inch touchscreen of the old car is gone, replaced by a larger 12.3-inch unit running the brand’s latest generation of infotainment system. There are still no physical buttons for the climate control apart from an on/off button and switches for the front and rear demisters, but it’s now much easier to adjust climate settings. The home screen has a climate control widget where you can easily tap the screen to adjust the fan speed or temperature without diving into another menu. This sits next to widgets for smartphone mirroring, media and navigation. Not only this, but you can also program one of the rectangular toggles on the steering wheel to adjust climate control settings. Few cars let you adjust these settings with a steering wheel switch, and it helps make up for the lack of physical dials and buttons on the dash. The infotainment system is more responsive and attractive than the old car’s, while the physical switches underneath the touchscreen are nicely damped and allow you to easily jump to the home screen or adjust the volume. Smartphone mirroring does require a cable, and this must be plugged into a USB-A outlet; there’s a USB-C outlet next to it, but it’s only for charging. The ZS also has a USB outlet behind the rear-view mirror. Oddly, there appear to be two obvious spots on the centre console for a wireless charging pad, and yet this feature isn’t available on any Australian-market ZS. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, which contains a 7.0-inch central screen flanked by a pair of digital readouts. It’s attractive, although there are some usability issues when you’re on the go. Having the speed readout on the left of the cluster means you often can’t see it behind your hand, while the central screen’s insistence on switching to a screen depicting the car and other surrounding vehicles is frustrating. Yes, I know there’s a car ahead of me to the left – I can see it out the windscreen! While everything looks different from the old ZS and ZST, some things feel the same. The Essence’s leatherette-upholstered front seats are very soft and squishy in Chinese car fashion, just like the old ZST. Also soft is the trim used for the top and front of the dash, as well as the inserts of the door cards. This is much like the previous-generation vehicle. It’s a shame the tops of the doors are finished in hard plastic though, while the slope of the door cards means you can’t easily rest your arm. In the Excite, the dash features grey cloth inserts that are quite handsome and tie in with the seats; in the Essence, this trim is leatherette. The Essence can also be had with an optional pale interior colourway which looks quite modern, though may not be ideal if you’re using the ZS as a family vehicle. The Excite’s interior has a cheaper headliner and halogen lighting up front, while the Essence upgrades to a nicer ceiling and LED lighting. In terms of storage, there’s a small open shelf on the dashboard, a decently large glove compartment, a not-so-large centre console bin, and bottle holders in the doors. Those hexagonal cupholders may prove awkward for certain receptacles, however. Step into the back and you’ll find a spacious place to sit. At 180cm tall I could sit behind my seating position with plenty of headroom and legroom. The battery and hybrid control unit sit under the rear bench, but don’t impact back-seat space. Amenities include air vents, a single USB-A outlet and, in the Essence, map pockets. Boot space is good. There’s 443L of cargo volume – more than the Kona and Haval Jolion – expanding to 1457L with the rear seats folded. However, there’s no spare wheel under the boot floor, just a tyre repair kit. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch just one powertrain will be offered: a petrol-electric hybrid shared with the MG 3 hatchback. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The MG ZS’s hybrid system is impressive. The ZS can run on pure electric power until around 30km/h, when the petrol engine kicks in. This in turn charges the battery, while at higher speeds the electric motor and petrol engine work in parallel. There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – as well as three separate levels of energy recuperation, adjustable via the infotainment touchscreen. None of that sounds especially unique in the context of hybrid systems, and yet what does stand out with the ZS is how smoothly it shifts from electric to petrol power. Even when you overtake and the petrol engine fires up, noise suppression is good; likewise, at 110km/h the engine is sitting at 2600rpm and making barely a peep. When you do hear the petrol engine, it has an appealing, thrummy sound. While it never felt hot hatch fast, I was never left wanting for more power. You do occasionally get a bit of tyre chirp if you’re heavy on the throttle while going around a corner, though. The powertrain may be quiet, but unfortunately a bit of other noise leaks into the cabin despite MG’s claims of noise, vibration and harshness reduction. Tyre roar can be quite loud on coarse-chip surfaces and there’s a bit of wind and road noise at highway speeds. More annoyingly, both ZS examples I tested had an annoying whistling noise that I couldn’t seem to place. The Essence I drove was particularly bad, with a whistle that would appear at speeds of above 50km/h and prove remarkably persistent; the Excite I drove also had a whistling noise, but it was more sporadic. Then there’s the irritating overspeed alert that defaults to on. If you turn this off, you lose the speed sign recognition function. MG may make some sporty cars still, but it’s not like the old days under British ownership when the whole lineup was sport-focused. Despite a somewhat firm – if generally quite comfortable – ride, the ZS isn’t particularly engaging to drive, at least not in the way that, say, a Suzuki Vitara or Volkswagen T-Roc is. The centre of gravity feels high, and the ZS’ default is understeer. It won’t be your small SUV of choice for a winding road. But then MG isn’t marketing this as a sporty SUV, and for the typical ZS buyer we imagine it’ll be just fine. The steering that lacks in feel has a nice weighting that avoids being feather-light but makes the ZS easy to twirl around a carpark; the squared-off, leather-wrapped wheel in the Essence is also delightful. The steering only gets annoying when you turn on the Intelligent Cruise Assist. As we’ve experienced in the MG 4, the lane centring function makes the steering squirm and make lots of small corrections. It doesn’t feel natural. Fortunately, you can just use regular adaptive cruise control. You can also toggle the lane systems between emergency lane-keep assist, regular lane-keep assist, or a simple lane-departure warning function, while alert sensitivity can be toggled between low, medium and high. We didn’t have any other issues with the active safety technology apart from the forward collision warning being set off once on a highway on-ramp. Fortunately, the autonomous emergency braking didn’t activate. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool For now, the new-generation ZS range consists of just two variants, both with hybrid power. ZS Hybrid+ Excite highlights: ZS Hybrid+ Essence adds: Both ZS models come with 12 months’ complimentary access to iSmart connectivity. This allows you to use a smartphone app to check the vehicle’s fuel level and location, and remotely control the locks and climate settings, among other connected services. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool MG says the new ZS is currently going through Euro NCAP testing, although it’s unclear when this will be completed and when ANCAP will award its rating. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool MG covers its range with a lengthy 10-year, 250,000-kilometre warranty in Australia. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool We don’t yet know how the petrol-powered MG ZS models will drive, but the new-generation small SUV has made a good first impression with its hybrid powertrain. We’ll need to see how good fuel economy is in the daily commute, but over our drive route we found a good mix of economy and performance and impressive refinement – at least from the engine, with a bit too much road and wind noise getting into the cabin. The ZS isn’t particularly fun to drive, but it should prove a comfortable commuter. The cabin is a nice place to sit, with slicker technology than the old car and some nice materials. Throw in a long list of standard safety equipment and a price that undercuts rivals from Hyundai and Toyota, and the ZS is a compelling new addition to Australia’s hybrid SUV menagerie. Interested in buying an MG ZS? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything MG ZSUS News Today Live Updates on December 30, 2024 : Panama President Jose Raul Mulino slams Donald Trump’s claims of Chinese control over Panama Canal

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Chief appraiser flags six Tarrant school districts that could be at risk of state funding cutsMeals on Wheels of Hillsborough County is spreading joy and warm wishes to the 1,200 older adults it serves. Meals on Wheels' mission is to meet the social and nutritional needs of older adults in the community. The organization said many look forward to seeing its volunteers year-round, but the holiday gift program helps spread some extra holiday spirit for those who need it. "The holiday gift program supports our nutritional program," said Zach Paone, director of development for Meals on Wheels. "We are already providing nutritional meals for folks, but what so many people we're seeing out there rely on is that person-to-person contact of the delivery driver." Anyone interested in helping out with Meals on Wheels' mission can find more information on its website .

Mark Z. Barabak: History gets Jimmy Carter wrong, both underrated and overrated

Professor Geoffrey Hinton said we need to be "very careful" and "very deliberate" in developing AI, which he sees as "potentially very dangerous". He previously estimated there was a 10 percent chance of the technology causing the extinction of the human race, but now predicts that number is between "10 and 20 percent" due to the rapid development of AI. "We have never before dealt with anything more intelligent than ourselves," Hinton told BBC Radio 4. "How many examples do you know of something more intelligent controlling something less intelligent? There are very few of them. There is the example of mother and child - evolution has gone to great lengths to allow the child to control the mother, but that is almost the only example I know," he added. Professor Hinton, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics this year, warned that AI was changing "much faster" than he had expected and that there had not been enough time to carry out the research he felt was necessary. While his work laid the groundwork for machine learning—the technology that allows computers to mimic human intelligence—his recent efforts have focused on advocating for safer AI. He left Google last year amid concerns that "bad actors" could use the technology to do harm. sdecoret / Shutterstock.com "I didn't think we'd get to this so soon. I thought it was going to be a long way off," Hinton said, referring to expectations about the development of artificial intelligence when he began his work. He added: "Now most experts in the field think that in the next 20 years we will develop AI that is smarter than humans. That is a very scary thought." He compared the future of AI to the relationship between a three-year-old child and an adult: "We will be three-year-olds and AI will be adults." Professor Hinton said the impact of AI on the world could be similar to the industrial revolution. "During the industrial revolution, human power became less relevant because machines were more powerful. Now we have something that replaces human intelligence. Ordinary human intelligence will no longer be at the forefront of innovation - it will be machines," he declared. Summit Art Creations / Shutterstock.com When asked what life might be like in 10 or 20 years, Hinton said it "will very much depend on what our political systems do with this technology." He emphasized the need for regulation to prevent misuse of the technology. "We have to be very careful in developing a potentially very dangerous technology. AI will bring many benefits, especially in health and industry, but regulations are needed to prevent abuses," he said. He added that he is concerned that AI will worsen social inequality if many lose their jobs and the benefits are concentrated among the wealthy. "If there's a big gap between the rich and the poor, that's very bad for society." "During the industrial revolution, machines could not take over because humans had intelligence. Now there is a threat that these technologies can take over," he warned. Professor Hinton is considered one of the three "godfathers of artificial intelligence", along with Yann LeCun and Yoshua Bengio, after winning the Turing Award for their work in the field. Podeli:

( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) The global loading spout market is set for significant growth, driven by industrial expansion, automation, and environmental regulations. Key regions such as East Asia, North America, and Western Europe will lead the market, with technological advancements boosting demand. NEWARK, Del, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the global sales of loading spouts , a crucial component in bulk material handling systems, are set to witness significant growth in the coming years. The market is estimated to be worth USD 4,283.2 Million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.32% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2034, reaching a value of USD 8,324.3 Million by the end of the decade. This growth is being driven by the increasing demand for efficient and sustainable solutions in logistics, mining, and bulk material handling across various industries. The loading spout market is experiencing rapid growth due to several factors, including the rise in global trade, infrastructure development, and a focus on reducing operational costs and environmental impacts. The growing need for optimized bulk material handling systems, particularly in sectors such as food grains, minerals, cement, and shipping, is fueling the demand for loading spouts. One of the key drivers for the market's growth is the increasing demand for scalable, efficient, and dust-free loading and unloading of materials. Loading spouts are designed to enhance productivity and reduce material losses by ensuring that the handling process remains clean, safe, and efficient. Their ability to handle materials such as grains, powders, and minerals without excessive spillage or dust is a key advantage, particularly in industries where these factors are critical. Technological Advancements and Efficiency Boosting Market Demand Technological advancements in loading spout design are another major factor propelling market growth. The loading spout is equipped with flexible extension and retraction capabilities, which make it suitable for diverse loading requirements. These spouts are designed to be easy to install, adaptable to various types of materials, and able to provide controlled material flow, reducing the risk of spillage and dust emissions. As industries continue to focus on reducing operational downtime and improving material efficiency, leading manufacturers in the loading spout sector are increasingly implementing cutting-edge technologies. This includes innovations that reduce operational costs and enhance the lifespan of the equipment. With a lifespan of up to 10 years or longer, loading spouts provide durable and long-term solutions, making them an attractive choice for industries that rely on bulk material handling . Addressing the Challenges with Innovative Solutions One of the most significant challenges in traditional loading systems is material spillage and dust emissions during the loading process. This leads to operational inefficiencies, product loss, and environmental compliance issues. Such problems not only drive up operational costs but also create safety hazards, ultimately reducing overall productivity and profitability. To address these challenges, manufacturers are focusing on developing innovative loading spout solutions that minimize dust and material losses. These new solutions include advanced features such as automated controls, self-adjusting nozzles, and energy-efficient designs. As these technologies become more prevalent, companies are increasingly adopting them to enhance material handling operations while ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Sustainability is becoming a key focus for many industries, and the loading spout market is no exception. The rising awareness of the environmental and health impacts of dust pollution has prompted industries to seek more eco-friendly and energy-efficient loading solutions. The growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that bulk material handling processes meet environmental regulations is driving the demand for advanced loading spouts that offer both operational efficiency and environmental compliance. Manufacturers in the loading spout industry are increasingly focusing on developing solutions that address these concerns. Eco-friendly loading spouts that minimize dust emissions and reduce material wastage are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in industries with strict environmental regulations. “As industries continue to expand and adopt more efficient and environmentally responsible practices, the loading spout industry is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of bulk material handling across a wide range of sectors. With innovations aimed at reducing operational costs, enhancing material flow, and improving environmental compliance, the loading spout market is poised to meet the evolving needs of industries worldwide,” - opines Nikhil Kaitwade , Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights (FMI). Key Takeaways from the Report: Explore Report Details for More Valuable Insights! Competitive Landscape and Market Outlook The global loading spout industry is highly competitive, with a mix of established material handling equipment manufacturers and specialized companies focusing on bulk loading technologies. This competitive landscape is encouraging innovation, with manufacturers striving to develop more advanced, efficient, and application-specific loading spout designs. As global trade continues to expand and industries push for more automation and operational efficiency, the demand for advanced loading spout technologies is expected to remain strong. The focus on improving throughput rates, reducing material losses, and enhancing worker safety will continue to shape the market's future growth trajectory. Leading Industry Players: Market Segmentation Analysis: By Loading System: By Product Type: By End Users: By Region: Spanish Translation: Según Future Market Insights (FMI), las ventas globales de bocas de carga , un componente crucial en los sistemas de manipulación de materiales a granel, experimentarán un crecimiento significativo en los próximos años. Se estima que el mercado tendrá un valor de USD 4283,2 millones en 2024 y se proyecta que crecerá a una sólida tasa de crecimiento anual compuesta (CAGR) del 5,32 % durante el período de pronóstico de 2024 a 2034, alcanzando un valor de USD 8324,3 millones para fines de la década. Este crecimiento está siendo impulsado por la creciente demanda de soluciones eficientes y sostenibles en logística, minería y manipulación de materiales a granel en varias industrias. El mercado de las bocas de carga está experimentando un rápido crecimiento debido a varios factores, entre ellos el aumento del comercio mundial, el desarrollo de infraestructuras y el enfoque en la reducción de los costos operativos y los impactos ambientales. La creciente necesidad de sistemas optimizados de manipulación de materiales a granel, en particular en sectores como los cereales, los minerales, el cemento y el transporte marítimo, está impulsando la demanda de bocas de carga. Uno de los principales impulsores del crecimiento del mercado es la creciente demanda de una carga y descarga de materiales escalable, eficiente y sin polvo. Las bocas de carga están diseñadas para mejorar la productividad y reducir las pérdidas de material al garantizar que el proceso de manipulación se mantenga limpio, seguro y eficiente. Su capacidad para manipular materiales como granos, polvos y minerales sin derrames excesivos ni polvo es una ventaja clave, en particular en industrias donde estos factores son críticos. Los avances tecnológicos y la eficiencia impulsan la demanda del mercado Los avances tecnológicos en el diseño de las bocas de carga son otro factor importante que impulsa el crecimiento del mercado. La boca de carga está equipada con capacidades flexibles de extensión y retracción, lo que la hace adecuada para diversos requisitos de carga. Estas bocas están diseñadas para ser fáciles de instalar, adaptables a varios tipos de materiales y capaces de proporcionar un flujo de material controlado, lo que reduce el riesgo de derrames y emisiones de polvo. A medida que las industrias continúan enfocándose en reducir el tiempo de inactividad operativa y mejorar la eficiencia de los materiales, los fabricantes líderes en el sector de las bocas de carga están implementando cada vez más tecnologías de vanguardia. Esto incluye innovaciones que reducen los costos operativos y mejoran la vida útil del equipo. Con una vida útil de hasta 10 años o más, las bocas de carga brindan soluciones duraderas y a largo plazo, lo que las convierte en una opción atractiva para las industrias que dependen del manejo de materiales a granel . Abordar los desafíos con soluciones innovadoras Uno de los desafíos más importantes de los sistemas de carga tradicionales es el derrame de material y las emisiones de polvo durante el proceso de carga. Esto genera ineficiencias operativas, pérdida de producto y problemas de cumplimiento de las normas medioambientales. Estos problemas no solo aumentan los costos operativos, sino que también generan riesgos de seguridad, lo que en última instancia reduce la productividad y la rentabilidad generales. Para abordar estos desafíos, los fabricantes se están centrando en el desarrollo de soluciones innovadoras de bocas de carga que minimicen la pérdida de polvo y de material. Estas nuevas soluciones incluyen características avanzadas como controles automatizados, boquillas autoajustables y diseños energéticamente eficientes. A medida que estas tecnologías se vuelven más frecuentes, las empresas las adoptan cada vez más para mejorar las operaciones de manipulación de materiales y, al mismo tiempo, garantizar el cumplimiento de las estrictas normas medioambientales. El papel de la sostenibilidad en la configuración del crecimiento del mercado La sostenibilidad se está convirtiendo en un tema clave para muchas industrias, y el mercado de las bocas de carga no es una excepción. La creciente conciencia sobre los impactos ambientales y de salud de la contaminación por polvo ha impulsado a las industrias a buscar soluciones de carga más ecológicas y energéticamente eficientes. El creciente énfasis en la reducción de las emisiones de carbono y en garantizar que los procesos de manipulación de materiales a granel cumplan con las regulaciones ambientales está impulsando la demanda de bocas de carga avanzadas que ofrezcan tanto eficiencia operativa como cumplimiento ambiental. Los fabricantes de la industria de las tuberías de carga se centran cada vez más en el desarrollo de soluciones que aborden estas preocupaciones. Las tuberías de carga ecológicas que minimizan las emisiones de polvo y reducen el desperdicio de material son cada vez más populares, en particular en industrias con estrictas regulaciones ambientales. Conclusiones clave del informe: “A medida que las industrias continúan expandiéndose y adoptando prácticas más eficientes y responsables con el medio ambiente, se espera que la industria de las bocas de carga desempeñe un papel fundamental en la configuración del futuro del manejo de materiales a granel en una amplia gama de sectores. Con innovaciones destinadas a reducir los costos operativos, mejorar el flujo de materiales y mejorar el cumplimiento ambiental, el mercado de las bocas de carga está preparado para satisfacer las necesidades cambiantes de las industrias en todo el mundo”, opina Nikhil Kaitwade , vicepresidente asociado de Future Market Insights (FMI). Panorama competitivo y perspectivas del mercado La industria mundial de las bocas de carga es altamente competitiva, con una combinación de fabricantes de equipos de manipulación de materiales establecidos y empresas especializadas que se centran en tecnologías de carga a granel. Este panorama competitivo fomenta la innovación, y los fabricantes se esfuerzan por desarrollar diseños de bocas de carga más avanzados, eficientes y específicos para cada aplicación. A medida que el comercio mundial continúa expandiéndose y las industrias presionan por una mayor automatización y eficiencia operativa, se espera que la demanda de tecnologías avanzadas de bocas de carga se mantenga fuerte. El enfoque en mejorar las tasas de rendimiento, reducir las pérdidas de material y mejorar la seguridad de los trabajadores seguirá dando forma a la trayectoria de crecimiento futuro del mercado. Principales actores de la industria: Análisis de segmentación del mercado: Por sistema de carga: Por tipo de producto: Por los usuarios finales: Por región: About Future Market Insights (FMI) – Industrial Automation The industrial automation division of Future Market Insights (FMI) offers a novel approach and innovative perspective in analyzing the industrial automation market. Comprehensive coverage of capital, portable, process, construction, industrial, and special-purpose machinery across the manufacturing sector and distinctive analysis of the installed base, consumables, replacement, and USP-feature-application matrix make us a pioneering voice in the industry. We are preferred associates with established as well as budding industry stakeholders and channel partners when it comes to sustaining, growing, and identifying new revenue prospects. Author by: Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries. His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making. Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times. Explore Future Market Insights, Inc. Extensive Coverage in Industrial Automation Domain: The global material handling equipment market is expected to be valued at USD 6,555.9 Million in 2033. The global stationary battery storage industry is projected to grow from an estimated USD 18,443.8 Million in 2024. The global gas detection equipment market size is to exceed USD 6,801.6 Million in 2034. The global industrial safety gloves market share will surpass USD 13.5 Billion by 2034. The global scissor lift industry size is projected to reach a value of USD 4251.7 Million by 2034. The global oil and gas seal industry value is forecasted to surpass USD 1871.8 Million in 2034. The global inflatable tent sales are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period 2024 to 2034. The global variable air volume systems demand is expected to surge at 10.2% CAGR in the forecast period from 2024 to 2034. The global head protection equipment industry revenue to reach USD 8.4 Billion mark by 2034. The global test and measurement equipment industry revenue share will cross USD 61,534.3 Million by 2034. Explore the latest news on Locomotive Drive Shaft Market Outlook: 2024-2034 About Future Market Insights (FMI): Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, USA and India. FMI's latest market research reports and market analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted market insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: ... 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