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百田梨花を抱いて笑顔を見せる曽祖母の福地トメ子＝広島市で2001年5月ごろ撮影 　その手は、しわしわだけど、温かかった。曽祖母の手の感触を、私（百田）はよく覚えている。被爆時にガラス片が両目に刺さり、失明した福地トメ子。2013年、94歳で亡くなったが、生前、両手で私の頭から鼻、耳、頰、あごまでをゆっくりと触り、「べっぴんさんじゃねえ」と言ってくれたものだった。 　被爆した曽祖母の人生をたどった記者の深掘り記事を2部構成でお届けします。 　前編　「なんで目が見えんの?」沈黙した曽祖母　ひ孫が迫る80年前の夏 　後編　娘の花嫁姿に「きれい」と言った盲目の母　戦後の広島で5児育て上げ 　後編では、5児の育児に奔走した曽祖母の日常や写真家・土門拳の撮影に応じた思いを紹介します。 　私の両親が共働きだったため、幼少時は近所にあった曽祖母の家によく預けられた。一緒に外を歩く時は幼い私が手を引いたこともあった。トメ子はよくラジオを聴いていた。夏が近づき、ラジオやテレビで原爆のニュースが流れると、「原爆を思い出すけん、夏は嫌い」と言っていた。 　トメ子の戦後は、苦労の連続だった。 　原爆投下の翌年に次女の美津枝を産んだが、おっぱいを飲ませるにも美津枝の口がどこにあるかさえ分からない。幼い長男の勝弘と長女の和子が「もうちょっと右、左」と口の位置を教えた。 　何とか乳首をくわえさせてもすぐに外れ、美津枝は泣きじゃくった。トメ子は一日中授乳にかかりきりになることもあった。勝弘と和子はおむつを替えるタイミングを教えたり、手を引いて一緒に買い物に行ったりして、母を助けた。 　かまどでご飯を炊く際も、トメ子は火が見えず、前髪や眉毛をよく焦がした。家具や柱に体をぶつけてあざをつくることもしょっちゅうあった。そんな時、トメ子は「原爆がなければ……。目が見えていれば……」と、ぶつかった家具などをたたいた。 　美津枝を産んだ後、さらに2人を授かり、5児の母になった。周囲に「目が見えんのに子どもをつくって何を考えているのか」と言われたこともあった。運動会などの学校行事に熱心に足を運び、「足音だけでも聞きたい」と耳を澄ませた。しかし子どもが活躍する姿を見られない悔しさがこみ上げ、涙がこぼれた。 　夫の勝美も爆心地から約2・9キロで被爆した。戦後に鮮魚店を開いたが、やがて体調を崩し、満足に働けなくなった。トメ子は32歳の時、マッサージの国家資格を取るために盲学校に入った。 　生後間もない次男を背負い、当時4歳の三女を連れ、約7キロ離れた学校にバスで通った。トメ子はバス停の砂地に行き先を指で書き、同じ文字を表示したバスが来たら言うように三女に教えた。だが幼い三女が文字を判別できるはずもなく、バスを何本も乗り過ごし、半日たっても学校に着けない日があった…

北京市で開かれた「日中友好人的・文化交流フォーラム」＝2025年7月27日、畠山哲郎撮影 　「率直で熱のこもった議論があり、高い出発点、高い質、そして高いレベルのフォーラムになった。日本と中国で人的文化交流の手本になると確信している」 　7月27日、日中の研究者ら約50人が集まり北京市内のホテルで開かれた「日中友好人的・文化交流フォーラム」。閉会式で主催団体の一つ、「中国人権発展基金会」の周樹春・常務副理事長があいさつをすると、会場は拍手に包まれた。 　フォーラムは日本の公益財団法人「日中友好会館」と基金会の共催で、24年に続き2回目。岩屋毅外相が同年12月の訪中時、中国の王毅外相らと「有識者交流の機会拡充」で一致したことを踏まえ、企画された。 　こうした日中交流の会議には、政治や外交、安全保障の専門家が登場するのが通例だ。しかし今回は、日本から社会保障、博物館学などさまざまな分野の研究者が参加。中国側も、中国社会科学院日本研究所の研究員らを中心に、国際人権法、人口問題など多岐にわたる専門家が集まった。 　参加者をアレンジした加茂具樹・慶応大教授（現代中国政治）は「日中の共通課題を見つけ出す」ためだと説明した。 　議論は日中の参加者が交互に、自身の研究内容や意見を発表する形で進んだ。双方が抱える社会保障や少子高齢化の問題も俎上（そじょう）に上り、次第に熱を帯びていった。 　特に盛り上がったのは、後半、日中双方の専門家が終戦から80年になることを踏まえ、2国間関係の歴史に触れたところだった。 　「国際連盟に代表される世界の新たな主張を理解できず、中国のナショナリズムに対する知識を欠き、中国に侵略し、中国国民に多大の損害と痛みを与えた。この時期の日本の政策は、徹底的に間違っていた」 　日中友好会館の宮本雄二会長（元駐中国大使）は、1929年に起きた世界恐慌に端を発する変革期での日本の対応は失敗だったと指摘。現在も大変革期にあるとして、日中で共通の利益を追求する「戦略的互恵関係」が鍵になると主張し、「ルールに基づく現行国際秩序を改善し、補強するために協力し合う」ことが重要と強調した。 　一方、中国社会科学院日本研究所の楊伯江所長は、終戦（45年）や中華人民共和国成立（49年）から、日中国交正常化（72年）に至るまでの二十数年間が両国の「人格形成期」だったと分析。この時期に関係が断絶されていたことが2国間関係に影響を与えているとして、日中が「近いようで遠い、よく知っているようでよく知らないような関係だ」と指摘した。 　その上でこうした状態を解消しつつ、アジア太平洋地域の安全保障環境の悪化を防ぐ協力や、研究者間の理性的な対話を進めるべきだと語った。 　休憩を挟み約7時間にわたる議論を経て、会場は熱気に包まれ、双方の主催者は互いに再度の開催を誓い合った。傍聴者の一人は「形式的な議論にとどまらず踏み込んだ発言があり、面白かった」と振り返った。 　成功裏に終わったフォーラムだが、開催には、ある目的があった。…

作業員4人が落下したとみられるマンホール＝埼玉県行田市長野で2025年8月2日午後5時15分、肥沼直寛撮影 　2日午前9時25分ごろ、埼玉県行田市長野で、下水道管を点検していた作業員から「同僚がマンホールに落ち、助けに行った3人も戻らない」と119番があった。県警行田署と地元消防によると、50代の男性作業員4人が地中の下水道管に落下した。 　午後4時ごろまでに全員が救助されたが、いずれも心肺停止の状態で搬送され、病院で死亡が確認された。 　現場の下水道管は地上から約10メートルの深さに埋まり、直径2・6メートル。汚泥などが堆積（たいせき）し、汚水の深さは1・8メートルほどだったとみられる。硫化水素ガスが発生していたうえ、低酸素状態だった可能性もあるという。 Advertisement 　この日は午前9時から、行田市の業務委託を受けた土木工事会社の作業員7人が老朽化の点検をしていた。マンホール（入り口の直径約60センチ、内部の直径約90センチ）内のはしごを伝って下りた1人が転落し、助けようとした3人も相次いで落下したとみられる。 　県警は、死因の特定を進めるとともに、作業員らの装備や事前の検知作業など安全管理が十分だったかどうか、業務上過失致死傷容疑を視野に詳しい経緯を調べる。 　市下水道課によると、今回の作業は、1月に同県八潮市で起きた大規模な道路陥没事故を受けて国が全国の自治体に要請した調査の一環で、老朽化を点検するためだった。転落現場付近の下水道管は1981年に設置されたという。 　現場は、秩父鉄道行田市駅から南東1・7キロにある県立行田特別支援学校の南西側で、新忍川沿いの一角。【肥沼直寛、柿崎誠、稲垣衆史】

「第99回高野山夏季大学」で講演する元プロテニスプレーヤーの杉山愛さん＝和歌山県高野町の高野山大学松下講堂黎明館で2025年8月2日、中村真一郎さん撮影 　和歌山県高野町で開かれている「第99回高野山夏季大学」（毎日新聞社、総本山金剛峯寺主催）は2日目の2日、元プロテニスプレーヤーの杉山愛さんや小説家の京極夏彦さんら各界の講師4人が登壇した。 　杉山さんは「夢を叶（かな）える生き方～自分らしさを見つける～」をテーマに17年間のプロ生活を振り返った。25歳の時に陥ったスランプを乗り越えた経験を取り上げ「仕事を通して自分と向き合っていくことが大事と感じ、人を元気付けたいという原点を思い出した」と回想。「ピンチはチャンスへのターニングポイント」と語った。 Advertisement 　「共感性の功と罪～お化けと陰謀」を演題にした京極さんは「偏った情報の中から自分が共感した部分を選び、真実だと信じるのは危険だ」と指摘した。 　放送大学大阪学習センター所長の金水敏さんは「高野山の上で日本語と関西弁の歴史を考える」、映画監督の成田洋一さんは「思いを、心に届けたい」という切り口で講演した。【藤原弘】

韓国の革新系与党「共に民主党」の新代表に選出され、演説する鄭清来議員＝2日、ソウル近郊（聯合＝共同） 　韓国の革新系与党「共に民主党」は2日、ソウル近郊で党大会を開き、「急進改革派」と評される鄭清来議員を新しい党代表に選出した。前代表の李在明大統領が大統領選前に辞職し、代表選が実施された。鄭氏は選出後の演説で、昨年末の尹錫悦前大統領の「非常戒厳」に関わった「内乱勢力を徹底的に断罪しなければいけない」と訴えた。 　鄭氏は、保守系野党「国民の力」が戒厳令に同調したとして同党の解散も主張しており、与野党の対立が今後、激化する可能性がある。鄭氏は、権力が過大と批判されてきた検察の制度改革にも強い意欲を示す。 　鄭氏は60歳のベテラン国会議員で、代表選で朴賛大前院内代表を破った。（共同）

Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville on Thursday warned Republicans that they’re going to pay a heavy price at the ballot box this year and next because of President Donald Trump’s unpopularity. “I’m very, very, very confident that this administration is gonna be widely rejected in the elections coming up,” he told SiriusXM host Dan Abrams. “And they’re gonna be particularly widely rejected in the elections in 2026.” The prediction came as the two debated a prediction Carville made in February: that the administration would suffer a “massive collapse” in public opinion within 30 days. Carville insisted he was right, saying Trump now has a 37-40% approval rating with “terrible” marks for the economy. “I think it’s collapsing now,” he said. “It is collapsing right in front of you.” Abrams had pointed to poll aggregations from The New York Times and RealClearPolitics showing Trump with an approval rating of 44-45.8% and a disapproval rating of 51.4-53%. “That’s not a collapse,” Abrams said. “That’s basically a little bit above where he was.” Carville argued that the special elections held this year bear him out more than those polls. “I see something completely different,” he told Abrams. Democrats this year have outperformed former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 numbers during many of the special elections held so far. “I think we’re we’re running away with every election we’ve had,” he told Abrams, then pointed to two states with gubernatorial elections this year: “We’re going to run away with Virginia. We’re going to win New Jersey.” In 16 special elections held in the first months of the year, Democrats outperformed their 2024 margins by an average of 11.5%, NBC News reported in April. In June, Democrats beat expectations in five of six special elections, according to data journalist G. Elliott Morris. Morris noted this week on Bluesky that Democrats are 2.6% ahead of Republicans in generic ballot polls, which is “ahead of pace for the average out-party at this point in midterm election cycles since 2006.” And CNN data analyst Harry Enten said Trump himself is almost historically unpopular. “If we are comparing him to other presidents at this point in their presidencies, he is the second lowest on record compared only to himself, who does worse,” he said Tuesday. “If we’re comparing him to other second terms, he’s certainly in the bottom of the list” aside from Richard Nixon, who was in a “worse” position. See more of Carville’s conversation with Abrams below:

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday morning to announce a press conference on Monday that he claimed would end violent crime in the nation’s capital. “On Monday a Press Conference will be held at the White House which will, essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, D.C.” said Trump. “It has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World. It will soon be one of the safest!!!” This comes after a Thursday announcement from the White House that it will utilize federal law enforcement on the streets of Washington. Trump said the ramp-up of security would last for seven days, “with the option to extend as needed.” On Wednesday, Trump threatened to take charge of the city’s police force following an attempted hijacking in which an administration staffer was injured. Last weekend, a member of the Department of Government Efficiency, Edward Coristine, nicknamed “Big Balls,” was assaulted by a group of teenagers. Police have detained two 15-year-olds and have said they’re still looking for other members of the group. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore,” Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week. Trump said Saturday that a Monday press conference would mean the end of violent crime in the nation’s capital (AP)Trump didn’t specifically say what the press conference would include. He has, in recent months, claimed that violent crime was taking over Washington, and he has threatened to send in the National Guard. This week, he told reporters that he may attempt to repeal Washington’s limited “home rule” and that he’s considering “bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly.” Between 2023 and 2024, rates of violent crime dropped 35 percent in Washington, the lowest rates in more than three decades, according to the Department of Justice. This year, violent crime has continued to decrease, down 26 percent year-over-year, according to data released on August 8 by the Metropolitan Police Department. Violent crime has dropped significantly in Washington in the last several years (AFP via Getty Images)William McGinley served as the White House cabinet secretary during Trump’s first term. He took to X on Saturday to back up the president, saying that Trump “is taking concrete steps to make the Nation’s Capital safe, beautiful, and a capital worthy of this great nation.” “Democrats will hurl spurious insults about these moves but the blame for DC’s failures lies with the Democrats,” he added. “They know it. Do not be distracted. Hold the line and take action to support this move.” Juan Carlos Green, a community engagement manager at the DC public charter school board, wrote that “DC residents elect leaders to govern our city, and not the White House. We deserve the same right to self-govern as every state.” A White House official said that more than 120 members of a number of federal agencies were set to be on duty in Washington on Friday night. "This is the first step in stopping the violent crime that has been plaguing the streets of Washington, D.C.," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Ohio Lets Tesla Sell Cars Direct—Rivian Wants the Same originally appeared on Autoblog. Automaker Claims Franchise Law Harms ConsumersWhen Tesla bypassed traditional franchised dealerships over a decade ago and started selling its electric vehicles directly to customers it started a legal battle with the car-dealer lobby that continues to this day. This time it's Rivian's turn to skirmish. On Monday, Rivian filed a lawsuit against the registrar of Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in federal court in order to be able to sell its EVs directly to consumers in that state. The lawsuit argues that the Ohio BMV is harming consumers by blocking direct sales, according to TechCrunch. Like Tesla, Rivian has been selling cars directly to its customers from the beginning. It's never used franchised dealerships, so it is not competing against its own franchisees, which is the argument behind franchise laws that prevent established automakers from engaging in direct sales. Rivian is currently able to sell cars in 25 states and the District of Columbia, but not Ohio. 'Irrational In The Extreme'Rivian"Ohio's prohibition of Rivian's direct-sales-only business model is irrational in the extreme: it reduces competition, decreases consumer choice, and drives up consumer cost and inconvenience—all of which harms consumers—with literally no countervailing benefit," Rivian's lawyers wrote in the suit. Rivian customers in Ohio currently have to buy their cars in other states that allow direct sales, after which they're shipped to a Rivian service center in the Buckeye State for delivery. Rivian is asking the court to grant it a dealership license so it can sell vehicles in the state. Such a license was previously granted to Tesla, which has been selling cars directly to customers in Ohio since 2013. The obstacle Rivian faces is a 2014 law, which the automaker says came after intense lobbying by the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA) that essentially shut the door behind Tesla, allowing that firm to keep its dealer license but blocking other manufacturers from obtaining one. The Fight ContinuesRivianTesla's Ohio situation is a result of the state-by-state legal battles the automaker fought in the its early days of volume sales. It was able to win concessions for itself, in some cases, but state dealership lobbies were too entrenched to achieve any broad concessions in favor of direct sales. That leaves Rivian and other upstart automakers to re-fight these battles. Rivian, along with Lucid, was granted a dealership license in Illinois in 2021, and the automakers successfully fended off a legal challenge from that state's dealer association to block direct sales. In 2022, Lucid also filed a lawsuit in Texas challenging that state's direct-sales ban. That suit was unsuccessful, but Lucid has appealed, according to federal court records. Not every automaker has gone the direct-sales route. Polestar adopted a hybrid approach, with company-owned showrooms and online sales, but servicing handled by Volvo dealers. Vinfast initially planned for direct sales only, but later pivoted and signed up some franchised dealers. The Volkswagen Group's new Scout Motors brand has discussed direct sales, but is already facing legal challenges from the VW Group's franchised dealers. Ohio Lets Tesla Sell Cars Direct—Rivian Wants the Same first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Ohio Lets Tesla Sell Cars Direct—Rivian Wants the Same originally appeared on Autoblog. Automaker Claims Franchise Law Harms ConsumersWhen Tesla bypassed traditional franchised dealerships over a decade ago and started selling its electric vehicles directly to customers it started a legal battle with the car-dealer lobby that continues to this day. This time it's Rivian's turn to skirmish. On Monday, Rivian filed a lawsuit against the registrar of Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in federal court in order to be able to sell its EVs directly to consumers in that state. The lawsuit argues that the Ohio BMV is harming consumers by blocking direct sales, according to TechCrunch. Like Tesla, Rivian has been selling cars directly to its customers from the beginning. It's never used franchised dealerships, so it is not competing against its own franchisees, which is the argument behind franchise laws that prevent established automakers from engaging in direct sales. Rivian is currently able to sell cars in 25 states and the District of Columbia, but not Ohio. 'Irrational In The Extreme'Rivian"Ohio's prohibition of Rivian's direct-sales-only business model is irrational in the extreme: it reduces competition, decreases consumer choice, and drives up consumer cost and inconvenience—all of which harms consumers—with literally no countervailing benefit," Rivian's lawyers wrote in the suit. Rivian customers in Ohio currently have to buy their cars in other states that allow direct sales, after which they're shipped to a Rivian service center in the Buckeye State for delivery. Rivian is asking the court to grant it a dealership license so it can sell vehicles in the state. Such a license was previously granted to Tesla, which has been selling cars directly to customers in Ohio since 2013. The obstacle Rivian faces is a 2014 law, which the automaker says came after intense lobbying by the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA) that essentially shut the door behind Tesla, allowing that firm to keep its dealer license but blocking other manufacturers from obtaining one. The Fight ContinuesRivianTesla's Ohio situation is a result of the state-by-state legal battles the automaker fought in the its early days of volume sales. It was able to win concessions for itself, in some cases, but state dealership lobbies were too entrenched to achieve any broad concessions in favor of direct sales. That leaves Rivian and other upstart automakers to re-fight these battles. Rivian, along with Lucid, was granted a dealership license in Illinois in 2021, and the automakers successfully fended off a legal challenge from that state's dealer association to block direct sales. In 2022, Lucid also filed a lawsuit in Texas challenging that state's direct-sales ban. That suit was unsuccessful, but Lucid has appealed, according to federal court records. Not every automaker has gone the direct-sales route. Polestar adopted a hybrid approach, with company-owned showrooms and online sales, but servicing handled by Volvo dealers. Vinfast initially planned for direct sales only, but later pivoted and signed up some franchised dealers. The Volkswagen Group's new Scout Motors brand has discussed direct sales, but is already facing legal challenges from the VW Group's franchised dealers. Ohio Lets Tesla Sell Cars Direct—Rivian Wants the Same first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

A 55-year-old music professor has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a teenage girl who was a student of his for private music lessons at the University of Manitoba more than a decade ago. Winnipeg police said on Friday the 15-year-old girl received classes from the then-37-year-old professor between Dec. 17, 2007 and March 11, 2010. Grooming of the teen began during the lessons and sexual assaults happened off campus, police said. The girl ended the relationship and the professor tried to reinitiate contact by repeatedly emailing her, police said. The girl has since moved away from Winnipeg. She reported the incident in February to police in another jurisdiction, who contacted Winnipeg investigators. The Manitoba Prosecution Service authorized charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, police said. Oleg Pokhanovski, 55, turned himself in at the Winnipeg police headquarters on July 29. He was arrested and detained in custody, police said. "At this time the investigation is concluded. However, if new information was brought forward it would be investigated," said police spokesperson Const. Pat Saydak. The University of Manitoba said it's aware of the charges and cooperating with the Winnipeg police. "We take this matter very seriously," a spokesperson told CBC news on Friday. While the university can provide only limited information on Pokhanovski's employment situation citing privacy legislation, the spokesperson confirmed the professor is on leave and he will not be attending campus, performing any university activities or contacting members of the institution. Pokhanovski's U of M online staff biography describes him as an "accomplished virtuosic violinist, pianist, arranger, and music educator" and "in-demand adjudicator at music festivals all across Canada." Anyone who might wish to speak to an investigator can call the sex crimes unit at 204-986-6172. For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

Updated Saturday 10 a.m. ET The National Hurricane Center is painting a large potential development area for the disturbance just moving off Africa. The disturbance is large and ill-defined, but it is showing some signs of a circulation, and it's carrying a lot of moisture. The strong consensus of the various computer forecasts is that it will continue in the general direction of the Caribbean for most of next week. Unlike the previous disturbance that was tagged Invest 96L, which is tracking north into the central Atlantic, blocking high pressure will keep this system moving basically east to west for several days. The big questions are: 1) When will it fight off the dust and dry air sufficiently to develop and organize circulation with sustained thunderstorms, and 2) How will the steering currents evolve next weekend and next week? The consensus of the various computer forecasts is that a slight dip in the jet stream will weaken the blocking high over the weekend, allowing the developing disturbance to lift north slightly. This will control how close the system comes to the northeastern Caribbean. Most computer forecasts show the system as at least a tropical storm at that time. Large tropical disturbance off the western coast of Africa.Then after next weekend – too far in the future to be confident – a stronger jet stream dip and its accompanying cold front are forecast to approach the East Coast. The timing and strength of this blocking-high-weakening dip is critical because the strong consensus at the time is that it will turn the system north. It’s too early to know. How quickly the storm intensifies is important because a stronger tropical system is more likely to be pulled north by the dip because the thunderstorms extend farther up into the atmosphere when the jet-stream steering can grab the storm. On the other hand, a system that develops more slowly would tend to travel farther west before turning north. Differences in the rate of intensification and the exact depth and nature of the jet stream dip account for the various long-range forecasts you see online. Because the evolution of these details is unknowable, precisely forecasting a track a week or more from now is impossible. Online posts showing an extreme storm impacting some part of the coast are only there to get clicks. There is no news or information in those single scenario maps. What we know is that the weather pattern over the Atlantic from the Caribbean islands to the southeast US is forecast to be conducive for the system to organize and strengthen. Enough long-range forecasts show a hurricane developing that we can say with confidence that there’s a good chance we’ll see Hurricane Erin out of this. But since many of the potential tracks turn north offshore of the East Coast, there's no reason to focus on any one location for impacts. As we go through next week, if the system becomes better defined like the consensus of the forecasts indicates, we'll have more confidence in what the computer projections are telling us. Invest 96L in relation to the tropical disturbance off the western coast of Africa.The National Hurricane Center is still tracking Invest 96L. They have lowered the odds into the low range that it will develop into a tropical depression. In any case, it won't be a threat to land. The small system offshore of the Carolinas has been absorbed by a cold front and is not a factor. Original article source: Bryan Norcross: Large African disturbance has plenty of runway to develop by late next week

Car ownership is a myth-filled world, where some myths transcend from one generation of car owners to the next. We can't exactly figure out when rumors about GMC trucks having thicker steel than Chevys began, and one of the dumbest car myths we've heard is that reversing a car when the engine is cold will cause permanent and irreversible engine damage. Moreover, the worst car myths that continue to linger include the notion that lifetime fluids never need replacement. Speaking of fluids, engine oils have their fair share of myths that refuse to fade. One of 'em is that thicker oil, or one that has a higher viscosity rating, offers better protection than thinner, low viscosity oil. The truth is that choosing the right oil based on the expected ambient temperature is far more effective than debating whether thinner or thicker oil is better. If the owner's manual recommends 5W-30 synthetic oil in the summer and 0W-40 in the winter, stick to it and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, more oil myths need debunking, and we've identified four that persist despite the wealth of reliable information online. Read more: Save Your Engine: 5 Tips For Preventing And Cleaning Carbon Buildup Dark Oil Means Dirty Oil And Needs Draining ASAPPouring used engine oil into a container - Wongsakorn 2468/ShutterstockModern synthetic oils contain additives, detergents, and friction modifiers that begin working immediately after starting the motor. Fresh oil has a mostly dark golden hue, but it's relatively normal for it to darken or turn black as it cycles all over your engine. For starters, heat cycling the engine from cold to hot to cold again will naturally darken the color of your engine's oil. Furthermore, additives in modern synthetic oils tend to darken or undergo a color change when repeatedly exposed to heat, pressure, and oxidation. In addition, engine deposits and sludge have a dark brown or black color, and fresh oil will naturally darken as it breaks down and absorbs dirt and contaminants. The same applies to diesel engines that produce more soot than a comparable gasoline car, which is why diesel oil tends to turn black quicker after an oil change. In short, oil that changes color means the fluid is doing its best to clean and lubricate the engine, and the color of the oil has no bearing on when it's time to change it. A safer bet is to consult the owner's manual to know more about the recommended oil change intervals for your car. Switching From Conventional To Synthetic Oil Will Cause LeaksOil stain from leaking engine oil - Mr.Anuwat Rumrod/ShutterstockContrary to what others might say, it's relatively safe to switch from conventional oil to full-synthetic blends for older engines. The myth about synthetic oils causing oil leaks dates back to the early '70s, when early formulations of synthetic oils contained ester, a chemical compound with advanced detergents to prevent sludge and lubricants to maintain the integrity of rubber seals. Then again, scientists and researchers found out that repeated and prolonged exposure to esters causes the seals to swell and degrade, leading to unexpected oil leaks. Fortunately, oil manufacturers have shunned using esters in their synthetic oil products, and even Porsche recommends synthetic oil for vintage classics, such as air-cooled 911s and the iconic Porsche 356. Moreover, your engine probably needs new oil seals if leaks are present, and it has nothing to do with switching from conventional to synthetic oil. Perhaps the only downside to choosing fully synthetic oil is the cost, since you'll spend more at every oil change. The added money is worth it, though, since synthetic oils can last up to 8,000 or 10,000 miles between oil changes. It's Okay To Skip Oil Changes After Topping Up The Motor With OilCar owner topping up oil of a diesel SUV - Natalia Kokhanova/ShutterstockNot all engines are the same, as some have a propensity for consuming more oil than most. In some makes and models, their engines can burn enough oil to deplete the oil pan significantly enough to illuminate the low oil light, even before the factory-recommended oil change interval. We're talking about some Subaru Forester models, GMC SUVs, and high-end BMWs with 4.4-liter V8 engines, according to Consumer Reports. On the flip side, some cars like the legendary Honda S2000 can burn a quart of oil when stretching its high-revving VTEC engine to the limit, and it's typical for S2000 owners to have a quart or two of fresh oil in the trunk for instant replenishing. You're a good driver if you inspect the oil level periodically and add oil when needed. However, you deserve a spanking if you think it's okay to skip an oil change after topping up the engine. Adding fresh oil to maintain a solid level is different from adhering to regular oil changes. Changing the oil frequently and insisting on using oil with the correct viscosity is one of the surefire ways to extend the life of your car's engine. You Don't Need To Replace The Oil Filter At Every Oil ChangeComparing an old (left) and new (right) oil filter - NONGASIMO/ShutterstockSkimping on oil changes will inevitably turn old, dirty oil into sludge. However, skipping oil changes and not replacing the oil filter is a double whammy, but not in a good way. Dirty or clogged oil filters can reduce oil pressure and impede oil flow to critical engine parts, leading to premature wear and tear, increased engine heat, and reduced fuel economy. The worst-case scenario is an overheating engine and thousands of dollars worth of damage and labor, all because of an oil filter that costs anywhere from under $10 to around $100. Make it a habit to replace the oil filter whenever changing the oil. Don't forget to lubricate the new oil filter gasket with fresh oil before re-attaching it to the block. And while you're at it, resist the urge to tighten the oil filter using an oil filter wrench, since hand-tightening it is enough to form a leak-free seal. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

Car ownership is a myth-filled world, where some myths transcend from one generation of car owners to the next. We can't exactly figure out when rumors about GMC trucks having thicker steel than Chevys began, and one of the dumbest car myths we've heard is that reversing a car when the engine is cold will cause permanent and irreversible engine damage. Moreover, the worst car myths that continue to linger include the notion that lifetime fluids never need replacement. Speaking of fluids, engine oils have their fair share of myths that refuse to fade. One of 'em is that thicker oil, or one that has a higher viscosity rating, offers better protection than thinner, low viscosity oil. The truth is that choosing the right oil based on the expected ambient temperature is far more effective than debating whether thinner or thicker oil is better. If the owner's manual recommends 5W-30 synthetic oil in the summer and 0W-40 in the winter, stick to it and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, more oil myths need debunking, and we've identified four that persist despite the wealth of reliable information online. Read more: Save Your Engine: 5 Tips For Preventing And Cleaning Carbon Buildup Dark Oil Means Dirty Oil And Needs Draining ASAPPouring used engine oil into a container - Wongsakorn 2468/ShutterstockModern synthetic oils contain additives, detergents, and friction modifiers that begin working immediately after starting the motor. Fresh oil has a mostly dark golden hue, but it's relatively normal for it to darken or turn black as it cycles all over your engine. For starters, heat cycling the engine from cold to hot to cold again will naturally darken the color of your engine's oil. Furthermore, additives in modern synthetic oils tend to darken or undergo a color change when repeatedly exposed to heat, pressure, and oxidation. In addition, engine deposits and sludge have a dark brown or black color, and fresh oil will naturally darken as it breaks down and absorbs dirt and contaminants. The same applies to diesel engines that produce more soot than a comparable gasoline car, which is why diesel oil tends to turn black quicker after an oil change. In short, oil that changes color means the fluid is doing its best to clean and lubricate the engine, and the color of the oil has no bearing on when it's time to change it. A safer bet is to consult the owner's manual to know more about the recommended oil change intervals for your car. Switching From Conventional To Synthetic Oil Will Cause LeaksOil stain from leaking engine oil - Mr.Anuwat Rumrod/ShutterstockContrary to what others might say, it's relatively safe to switch from conventional oil to full-synthetic blends for older engines. The myth about synthetic oils causing oil leaks dates back to the early '70s, when early formulations of synthetic oils contained ester, a chemical compound with advanced detergents to prevent sludge and lubricants to maintain the integrity of rubber seals. Then again, scientists and researchers found out that repeated and prolonged exposure to esters causes the seals to swell and degrade, leading to unexpected oil leaks. Fortunately, oil manufacturers have shunned using esters in their synthetic oil products, and even Porsche recommends synthetic oil for vintage classics, such as air-cooled 911s and the iconic Porsche 356. Moreover, your engine probably needs new oil seals if leaks are present, and it has nothing to do with switching from conventional to synthetic oil. Perhaps the only downside to choosing fully synthetic oil is the cost, since you'll spend more at every oil change. The added money is worth it, though, since synthetic oils can last up to 8,000 or 10,000 miles between oil changes. It's Okay To Skip Oil Changes After Topping Up The Motor With OilCar owner topping up oil of a diesel SUV - Natalia Kokhanova/ShutterstockNot all engines are the same, as some have a propensity for consuming more oil than most. In some makes and models, their engines can burn enough oil to deplete the oil pan significantly enough to illuminate the low oil light, even before the factory-recommended oil change interval. We're talking about some Subaru Forester models, GMC SUVs, and high-end BMWs with 4.4-liter V8 engines, according to Consumer Reports. On the flip side, some cars like the legendary Honda S2000 can burn a quart of oil when stretching its high-revving VTEC engine to the limit, and it's typical for S2000 owners to have a quart or two of fresh oil in the trunk for instant replenishing. You're a good driver if you inspect the oil level periodically and add oil when needed. However, you deserve a spanking if you think it's okay to skip an oil change after topping up the engine. Adding fresh oil to maintain a solid level is different from adhering to regular oil changes. Changing the oil frequently and insisting on using oil with the correct viscosity is one of the surefire ways to extend the life of your car's engine. You Don't Need To Replace The Oil Filter At Every Oil ChangeComparing an old (left) and new (right) oil filter - NONGASIMO/ShutterstockSkimping on oil changes will inevitably turn old, dirty oil into sludge. However, skipping oil changes and not replacing the oil filter is a double whammy, but not in a good way. Dirty or clogged oil filters can reduce oil pressure and impede oil flow to critical engine parts, leading to premature wear and tear, increased engine heat, and reduced fuel economy. The worst-case scenario is an overheating engine and thousands of dollars worth of damage and labor, all because of an oil filter that costs anywhere from under $10 to around $100. Make it a habit to replace the oil filter whenever changing the oil. Don't forget to lubricate the new oil filter gasket with fresh oil before re-attaching it to the block. And while you're at it, resist the urge to tighten the oil filter using an oil filter wrench, since hand-tightening it is enough to form a leak-free seal. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: A study reveals the beginning of understanding of the trabeculae of the heart. We're still catching up with a great deal of Leonardo da Vinci’s ideas, including this one. Scientists combined genetics and fractal theory to analyze these branching heart structures. This story is a collaboration with Biography.com. After 500 years, researchers finally understand the anatomical function of a heart feature first described by Leonardo da Vinci. To find the answer, scientists used fractal theory, MRIs, and a lot of computational elbow grease to shed light on structures called trabeculae. They found this branching, snowflaky muscle layer plays a part in the risk of heart disease. “The inner surfaces of the human heart are covered by a complex network of muscular strands that is thought to be a remnant of embryonic development,” the researchers explain in a paper in Nature. “The function of these trabeculae in adults and their genetic architecture are unknown. Here we investigate trabeculae using the fractal analysis in 18,096 participants of the UK Biobank.” Leonardo drew pictures of the fine, lacy, snowflake-like trabeculae after examining a heart up close and dissecting it. The artist likely noticed the tree root-like branching structure, and he theorized that the trabeculae were like the systems we use now to keep sidewalks and roads from freezing: a network for blood, in this case, that was kept warm by circulating in small vessels around the warm and vibrant heart. The heart and its trabeculae, first described by Leonardo da Vinci. Spencer PhillipsIn studying the trabeculae, scientists were able to identify common features across different patient imagery and to begin to draw conclusions about what the structural trabeculae are doing. “Using biomechanical simulations and observational data from human participants, we demonstrate that trabecular morphology is an important determinant of cardiac performance,” for example, meaning certain trabecular structures meant an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. “We identified 16 significant loci that contain genes associated with haemodynamic phenotypes and regulation of cytoskeletal arborization,” the researchers explain. By studying the genome as well as trabeculae of their tens of thousands of subjects, they began to pinpoint places in the genome that spoke to how trabeculae are able to form and function—with implications about the way other body cells form and behave as well. (Arborization is just what it sounds like: the technical term for branching, like a tree.) Fractal analysis colors everything from mapmaking to botany to telecomms: anytime a major “trunk” branches into smaller and smaller areas until it has photographed the whole country, like Google Maps, or covered the entire Earth landmass with high-speed internet. In this case, the trabeculae branch into smaller and smaller threads, and the nature of the fractal network is where many of the clues lie. “Only the combination of genetics, clinical research, and bioengineering led us to discover the unexpected role of myocardial trabeculae in the function of the adult heart,” researcher Hannah Meyer said in a statement. The researchers say this is also just a first step toward a more complex understanding of the trabeculae. Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue Photo credit: Hearst OwnedGet the Issue You Might Also Like The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?

Just as ocean waves shape our shores, ripples in space-time may have once set the Universe on an evolutionary path that led to the cosmos as we see it today. A new theory suggests gravitational waves – rather than hypothetical particles called inflatons – drove the Universe's early expansion, and the redistribution of matter therein. "For decades, we have tried to understand the early moments of the Universe using models based on elements we have never observed," explains the first author of the paper, theoretical astrophysicist Raúl Jiménez of the University of Barcelona. "What makes this proposal exciting is its simplicity and verifiability. We are not adding speculative elements, but rather demonstrating that gravity and quantum mechanics may be sufficient to explain how the structure of the cosmos came into being." Related: Dark Matter May Have Existed Before The Big Bang, Study Finds YouTube ThumbnailWe don't know for certain how the very earliest stages of the Universe unfolded following the Big Bang some 13.8 billion years ago. All scientists can do at this point is come up with theories that fit the physics of the Universe we do observe. Those theories are pretty good, but there are clear shortcomings. Take the JWST's discovery of large numbers of massive galaxies earlier in the Universe than cosmologists expected, for example. The currently accepted timeline of the Universe's evolution involves a period of rapid expansion, or inflation, just after the Big Bang. From a single, one-dimensional point of infinite density – a singularity, the mathematical description of the Universe just before the Big Bang – the Universe rapidly inflated, puffing up with a hot plasma soup that cooled to form matter. The inflaton is a speculative particle or quantum field that scientists use to explain cosmological inflation and the surprising smoothness of the cosmos. In theory, the particle drives the rapid expansion of the Universe while still allowing for variations in the density of the plasma soup that eventually condense into black holes, galaxies, stars, and all the other bits and bobs of matter scattered throughout the Universe. Despite our best efforts, however, physicists have found no other evidence that supports the existence of the inflaton. Jiménez and his colleagues wanted to know if there's another way – if we can explain the early evolution of the Universe using different parameters that rely less on speculative elements. They started with a very simplified model of the real Universe consistent with general relativity and current observations of the expansion of the Universe, called de Sitter space. Within this field, quantum fluctuations in space-time – that is, gravitational waves – can be generated by a type of turbulence called tensor perturbations. YouTube ThumbnailGravitational waves are thought to fill the Universe today. They're the ripples generated in space-time by massive disruptions. The ones we can detect currently are generated by collisions between massive, dense objects such as neutron stars and black holes, but physicists believe the entire Universe is ringing with a constant background hum of gravitational waves too large for us to be able to detect (yet). The researchers found that the gravitational waves generated by tensor perturbations in their space-time model could create density variations in the primordial plasma on their own, as well as drive the early expansion of the Universe. Eventually, these variations would create clumps dense enough to collapse under gravity and form the seeds of the early Universe – the very first stars and galaxies and black holes. It's such an elegant solution, and removes the reliance on hypotheticals as the driving force behind the early evolution of the entire Universe, although further work is needed to verify it, of course. Nevertheless, "Our proposed mechanism could remove the need for a model-dependent scenario: the choice of a scalar field, as the inflaton, to drive inflation," the researchers write. Their work has been published in Physical Review Research. Related NewsAugust's Full Sturgeon Moon Is Here: What It Is And How to See It An Astrophysicist Proposes We Send a Spacecraft to Visit a Black Hole You're More Likely to Die From an Asteroid Than Rabies, Scientists Find

For over a decade, China has become increasingly aggressive on the world stage. It has clashed with neighbors on fishing rights. Its military has attempted to build man-made islands and then turn them into “unsinkable carriers.” It has used economic power to take control of key industries in both neighboring and far-flung countries. And, as they’ve done so, their film industry has released a series of movies, often to massive ticket sales and rave reviews, that sell the idea of an aggressive, world-leading China to the Chinese people. Now, the nickname for modern Chinese foreign policy comes from one of those blockbuster movie franchises, and scholars say that it and similar movies might be inextricably linked with aggressive foreign policy. It would be like if we renamed our own foreign policies “Top Gun” diplomacy and all our diplomats slapped “Maverick” stickers on their laptops. “Wolf Warrior” FilmsWhen you have this many traumatic brain injuries, you don’t look at explosions. (We All Go USA Entertainment) (YouTube/We All Go USA Entertainment)The movie “Wolf Warrior” came out in 2015. If you haven’t seen it, it’s available on Pluto TV with English subtitles covering most of the action (and thank god for the subtitles, because I understand Chinese like Omar speaks Italian). The action scenes are about as believable as a Jackie Chan movie, but a lot of the cinematography is legitimately awesome. Seriously, it opens with a massive fight at an old industrial complex where dozens of soldiers clash with criminals amidst explosion after explosion. But then the assault is terminated because no one brought weapons strong enough to penetrate the walls, since high-caliber weapons would be dangerous (more dangerous than multiple hand grenades?). The point is that it’s fun to watch with your brain off. And it also hypes the idea of constant, militarized foreign interventions by China around the world – again, if your brain is off. The movie got rave reviews in China, which is odd. Chinese audiences, like their diplomats, have historically preferred classic Chinese tales or war movies in which China defended itself against foreign aggression, typically against Japan during World War II. Scroll the list of movies with the highest ticket sales in China, and you’ll find most of them were made in the 1980s or earlier, and few of them are boisterous, Western-style action movies. But “Wolf Warrior” was a massive commercial success. And its sequel, “Wolf Warrior 2,” was the highest-grossing film in Chinese history from its debut in 2017 until 2021, and it still holds the all-time number three spot. The number two highest-grossing film is “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” a 2021 fictionalized retelling of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, in which China counter-invaded the U.S. and re-established communist control over North Korea. Not exactly a classic or peaceful. Wolf Warrior DiplomacyAs Chinese cinema has made the turn toward aggressive, Western-style interventionism, so has its diplomacy. The tie is so strong that some scholars of Chinese culture specifically point to China’s foreign policy as the cause of a cultural shift in its people and cinema. Meanwhile, Chinese diplomacy experts have used the movie title “Wolf Warrior” as a descriptor for the new diplomatic stance. Xiao Yang, a researcher in Australia, wrote in The China Quarterly an article that: “…argues that the Belt and Road Initiative, one of the state’s prominent foreign policies and global strategies in this period, played a crucial role in shaping the production of the wolf warrior cycle films under a trend of the politicization of commercial blockbusters in the Chinese film industry. In turn, these films contributed to the formation of the “wolf warrior diplomacy” image by reinforcing the proactiveness of China’s diplomacy and nationalistic stereotypes in Chinese society towards international relations.” Yang is most focused on four movies, “Wolf Warrior,” “Operation Mekong,” “Wolf Warrior 2,” and “Operation Red Sea.” Each of them promotes the idea of Chinese interventionism, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where a major branch of China’s Belt and Road Initiative passes. China’s Belt and Road(Graphic by Wei Lai Zhì Zhe )Yup, we should talk about how these movies interact with the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road is an absolutely massive infrastructure investment plan that started in 2013 and is expected to continue through 2049. It has seen China spend billions on trade networks connecting 140 countries and 75 percent of the world population. The initial phases have gone well for China. China structured much of the assistance as loan packages to other governments, and it has been able to recoup costs through either payments or by seizing major assets funded through the program. Through deals tied to Belt and Road funding, China now has liens or partial ownership of ports or port infrastructure in over 120 countries, including two entrances to the Panama Canal. Even where China receives no direct payment or control through the initiative, it still benefits them through trade and diplomacy. The roads, ports, railroads, and other infrastructure all tie back to China, increasing the country’s importance as a trading partner for recipients. And it’s hard for a country to go against China diplomatically when Chinese experts with Chinese funds are actively building infrastructure in their countries. Should you watch the “Wolf Warrior” movies?The “Wolf Warrior” movies are fun, if a little brain-dead. It’s honestly like watching a “Fast and Furious” movie if you had to read subtitles the whole time. But while the rise of the movies parallels changes in Chinese foreign policy, especially in how they call for rising Chinese clout in the Belt and Road Era, they don’t, themselves, provide any special insight into how China will act going forward. It’s not like Chinese diplomats watch the movies and take notes on how to spin-kick their Western counterparts in their next meeting. So they’re fun movies, but you won’t get any smarter from watching them. Watch them if you’re curious, but, to stay informed, just assume that you’ll keep seeing an aggressive China going forward. Maybe imagine some Chinese flags instead next time you watch “Top Gun.” That’s basically the experience of Chinese moviegoers right now. 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The former U.S. Army soldier accused of gunning down four people at a Montana bar has been captured following a weeklong manhunt, the Granite County Sheriff's Office said Friday. Michael Paul Brown, 45, is suspected of opening fire on Aug. 1 at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a city of about 9,000 people in southwestern Montana, authorities said. He shed his clothes and fled the scene following the shooting in a stolen vehicle, according to officials. There had not been a confirmed sighting of him in the days afterward. Anaconda - Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center - PHOTO: An undated photo of Michael Paul Brown."One week ago today, devastation struck this small Montana community of Anaconda," Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said during a press briefing on Friday. "'Thank you' does not cover what we owe to these brave men and women," he said. "Sacrifice, time away from families, placing their lives on the line to bring peace of mind back to this community and this criminal to justice." MORE: Manhunt intensifies for Montana bar shooting suspect, 38 agencies part of the 'unrelenting' search At approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, authorities apprehended and arrested the suspect "near the search area in Anaconda," Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. Knudsen said he believes a large law enforcement presence on a hill in the search area on Thursday -- about 130 personnel -- helped in ultimately locating the suspect. "We think that was directly correlated to flushing him out today -- getting him down into an area that we know we had searched before," Knudsen said during a press briefing on Friday. "It was not someplace he'd been hiding. He was flushed out." The suspect was armed, according to Knudsen, who did not elaborate on the weapon. Brown is now in custody of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities, Knudsen said. Montana DOJ - PHOTO: Michael Paul Brown flees the scene after he allegedly opened fire killing a bartender and three patrons at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, Aug. 1, 2025.The homicide investigation remains ongoing, Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith said during Friday's press briefing. No details will be released at this time "to ensure the fairness and the integrity of the case as it moves forward," she said. Those killed in the shooting were bartender Nancy Loretta Kelly, 64, and patrons Daniel Edwin Bailey, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Brown lived next door to the bar and investigators believe he was familiar with most of the victims, authorities said. He is an Army veteran who served in the Iraq War and the Montana National Guard, according to Knudsen. MORE: Wife of convicted Delphi murderer breaks her silence: 'My husband's not a monster' Over 250 law enforcement personnel were involved in the search effort in the area from more than 39 local, state and federal agencies, according to Knudsen. Gianforte said law enforcement personnel "spent hours climbing over these mountains looking for this criminal." The governor attributed the length of the search to the terrain. "It took a week because of the country he was in," Gianforte said. Montana Sen. Steve Daines thanked the "brave law enforcement officials who helped apprehend the Anaconda shooting suspect." "For the past week, Anaconda and the surrounding community showed the country the resilience and grit that makes MT special," he said on social media. "Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families."

US Vice-President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy are hosting a meeting of senior security officials near London to discuss the war in Ukraine. Earlier on Saturday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and said they agreed it would be a "vital forum" to discuss progress towards peace. Zelensky has stressed he will make no territorial concessions to Russia ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to discuss the future of the war. Trump earlier signalled Ukraine may have to cede territory to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Saturday's meeting is understood to be taking place at Chevening, Lammy's official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are currently staying, and to have been called at the request of the US. Senior security officials from the US, Ukraine and Europe will take part. Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on 15 August to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine. Speaking on a potential deal to end the war, Trump said on Friday that there "will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both". "You're looking at territory that's been fought over for three and a half years, a lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died," the US president said. Russia has consistently insisted on Ukraine recognising Russian sovereignty over several Ukrainian regions, agreeing to demilitarisation and abandoning its Nato aspirations. Trump's position has also consistently involved Ukraine sacrificing land for peace. While Zelensky has been careful not to criticise Trump, his post on social media makes clear that he will not accept it. In a Telegram post on Saturday, he said "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier", and reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any solution for peace. "We are ready, together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for a real, and most importantly, lasting peace - a peace that will not collapse because of Moscow's wishes." This is what Ukraine, and many European allies, were always worried about - Trump and Putin trying to do a deal without Ukraine present. In a post on X on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine's future could not "be decided without the Ukrainians" and warned that "Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake". Trump's words on Russia may have hardened in recent months, but for Ukraine they have yet to be followed by tangible actions. On Friday, a deadline set by the US president for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face more sanctions passed without any apparent consequences. The BBC's US partner CBS News, citing a senior White House official, reported that it remains possible Zelensky could end up being involved in the meeting between Putin and Trump in some way, as planning for the Friday meeting is still fluid. On the ground there is a resignation that any initial peace talks may not include Ukraine. Soldiers and civilians the BBC spoke to expressed a strong desire for peace. There is exhaustion from the constant fighting and Russian drone and missile attacks. But there is little evidence that Ukraine is willing to accept a peace at any price - much less one that will be forced on it without its voice being heard. Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska for Ukraine talks next week

A 17-year-old has been arrested after allegedly shooting three people in Times Square early Saturday morning, police said. The incident occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. on 44th Street and 7th Avenue when, police believe, the 17-year-old suspect got involved in a dispute with a 19-year-old before shots were fired, according to the New York Police Department. MORE: Suspect alleged to have killed woman and shot 2 officers in Virginia dies after being captured Three people were shot -- a 19-year-old male in the right foot, a 65-year-old male in the left leg and an 18-year old female who was grazed in the neck – but all of the victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital where they remain in stable condition, the NYPD said. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via Shutterstock - PHOTO: Officers of the New York City Police Department recover evidence at the shooting scene in Times Square.Authorities said it is unclear what the dispute was about and if the victims and the suspect are known to each other. MORE: Royal Caribbean water slide malfunction injures cruise ship guest WABC - PHOTO: A shooting in Times Square wounds 3 people, Aug. 9, 2025, in New York.MORE: 2 hikers rescued by helicopter from remote beach after rising tides cut off exit route A total of three shots were fired and the firearm used in the incident was recovered on scene. Charges are pending and the investigation into the shooting remains open. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Roberto Reyes had barely left his Fontana, California, apartment and was just a block down the road on his way to work when four white cars swarmed him, boxing in his vehicle. Within moments, the 32-year-old father frantically looked for an escape as he noticed an immigration officer hop out of one of the cars. Tapping into his survival instincts, Reyes spotted a gap between the vehicles and fled, leaving his wallet, keys and other belongings inside the car. As he ran back to his apartment, Reyes said he called his wife and daughter to open the door – all while the agents chased him, not far behind. In security camera video from Reyes’ apartment, the Nicaraguan immigrant can be seen narrowly escaping the agents’ grasp as he rushed inside his apartment and shut the door. Reyes along with his wife, three children, and mother-in-law, have been barricaded inside their home for more than a week out of fear of being detained by immigration agents. They arrived from Nicaragua three years ago, seeking asylum. “We are afraid and we’ve seen there are cases where they separate the children, their parents are deported, the children are left here, that is my fear,” Reyes said. Officers seen kicking door and waving keys in front of cameraAfter Reyes shut the door to his apartment on July 30, one of the agents fiercely kicked the front door multiple times as if trying to break it down, the security footage shows. “But I was at the door holding it because they were doing everything they could to get in,” Reyes said, noting his daughter hit her head as she tried to help keep the door shut. Later, an officer appears to be taunting Reyes by waving a set of keys in front of one of the security cameras installed outside the family’s apartment. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed federal immigration agents attempted to detain Reyes last week. He was described as a “dangerous criminal illegal alien from Nicaragua with a criminal history including assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and disturbing the peace.” Reyes told CNN he was wrongfully accused in relation to an incident with a neighbor and the case has been dismissed. CNN reached out to the San Bernardino County Superior Court to confirm the case was dismissed. Since his encounter with immigration agents, Reyes said no warrant or summons has been presented to him or his family. But the agents have not stopped approaching their apartment and the family has seen unknown cars parked near or in his apartment building’s parking lot, he said. “They send infiltrators to knock on my door to see if we’re there, they park in some parking spaces,” Reyes said. Isolated but bolstered with community supportNeither Reyes, who is an electrician, has been able to go to work, nor his children have attended school. They are also worried about his mother-in-law who is recovering from lung surgery and could need medical care. The incident and the isolation have started to weigh on their mental health. Even hearing a knock on the door has become traumatic for Reyes’ family, they said. “My wife seems anxious, she has not been able to sleep, she is very skinny, she has not been able to eat,” Reyes said. Reyes’ daughter said her worst nightmare is that immigration agents would enter the apartment and take her mother. In the past days, community members and a local immigration coalition have rallied to support the family through the ordeal. Javier Hernandez, executive director for the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said he was able to bring the family food, personal hygiene items and water. “Our first thought again, was their well-being … their physical well-being, ‘Do they have water? Do they have food?’” Hernandez said. Now, the organization is set on trying to figure out how to keep the family in the country. Reyes and his family left Nicaragua after being persecuted for their political activism, and sought asylum at the southern border, Hernandez said. At the time, the family sought an immigration attorney for their asylum case but couldn’t afford the high fees. They were asked for an initial payment of $8,000 with a total fee amounting to $25,000 for their entire family, Reyes said. “I was the only one supporting my wife and my children, and we didn’t have the resources to pay a lawyer, and so we can’t afford one,” Reyes said, adding he wants to continue his application process. For now, Reyes said he is willing to stay at home as long as is needed and do whatever is in his hands. “I want to work legally, go forward and provide for my children,” Reyes said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

The automotive industry saw rapid growth, technological innovations, and a shift in consumer preferences during the 1960s changed the automotive landscape forever. It was an undoubtedly exciting time, but there were also plenty of challenges that put automakers to the test. New government safety regulations required auto manufacturers to incorporate things like seat belts, improved lighting, and windshield wipers into their vehicle designs -- all of which cost extra -- while labor disputes interrupted assembly line production and added to the financial strain. The culture shift of the '60s played a part in the desire for smaller, compact vehicles, and muscle cars had a boom. Of course, women also became a target market for new models in this era. The auto industry saw a few major players take the lead, consolidating their dominance in the automotive world. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were all solidifying their place as America's top sellers and producers. All these factors contributed to the role the 1960s played in shaping the automotive industry, and some really awesome rides came out of this classic car era. On this list, you'll find details about some of the most popular cars of the 1960s, arranged based on the units sold or produced during that model year. Read more: These Are The Cars You'd Buy If They Were $20,000 Cheaper 1963 Chevrolet Corvette — 21,513 Units BuiltA white 1963 Chevrolet Corvette from the rear parked in a garage. - Heritage Images/Getty ImagesGiven some of the production figures we'll see later, 21,513 units may not seem like a huge number of 1963 Chevrolet Corvettes built, but it did represent a 50% increase over 1962 production. It's a popular sports car, and the 1963 Corvette has some unique qualities that make it highly sought after today by collectors and sports car enthusiasts. The 1963 Corvette was the only year to receive a split rear window, although the column that split the window obstructed visibility and made it hard to see. So by 1964, models featured a solid rear window, making the rare split-window design of the '63 model extremely desirable for collectors. This model also has stylish grilles on the hood, although they serve no function. You could get the 1963 Corvette as a coupe or convertible, and sales were split almost evenly between the style options. Several engines were available for the classic 1963 'Vette, providing horsepower ranging from 250 with the base V8 engine to 360 hp with the top-tier version of the V8. The engine mates to either a three- or four-speed manual transmission, and with the right setup, the '63 Corvette can hit a top speed of more than 130 mph. It's not hard to see why this car was among the most popular sports car models in the early '60s. 1964 Volkswagen Microbus — 40,115 Units BuiltA red and white 1964 Volkswagen Microbus on the grass. - Sergey Kohl/ShutterstockThe iconic 1964 Volkswagen Microbus was a very popular model year in VW's Type 2 lineup, with 40,115 units built. The van's spacious interior is versatile, with room for lots of passengers and gear. It's often converted into a camper with sleeping space, perfect for nomadic hippie lifestyles that were common in the mid-'60s. Marketed as a budget-friendly model, the 1964 VW Microbus sold for $2,100 to $2,600 when it was new. Today, a Microbus from 1964 can sell for more than $100,000, with a model in perfect condition possibly selling for $187,000 or more. Not a bad price increase if there are any original owners out there who kept their VW buses in top shape. The rear-mounted engine in the Microbus helps reduce noise a bit for riders inside, but its minimal hp makes it better suited to flat terrain. Since the car's air-cooled engine was designed and built in Germany, it has issues with overheating during warm American summers. However, the engine's location makes it simple to work on and repair. The Microbus's distinct boxy shape gained it popularity with counterculture rebels looking for a unique vehicle that would set them apart from the pack. 1966 Lincoln Continental — 54,755 Units SoldA 1966 Lincoln Continental in matte black on the road. - Different_brian/Getty ImagesThe 1966 Lincoln Continental achieved the model's highest sales figures yet, with 54,755 units making their way to consumers. This was a 36% increase over 1965 Continental sales. Most people opted for the sedan body style, which sold 35,809 units. The coupe was also popular, and had sales of 15,766 units. A convertible was available, but it didn't sell as well, achieving only 3,180 sales. The Continental's long wheelbase ensures seating feels spacious even when the car is fully loaded with six passengers. A powerful 7.6-liter V8 engine delivers 340 hp, and the three-speed automatic transmission means no clutch to interfere with a relaxing cruise in the Continental down Main Street. Almost every model came with air conditioning, and the car's plush interior is elegantly appointed in a very '60s fashion. As a more luxurious model, the 1966 Lincoln Continental came at a much higher price point than the average model of the time. To purchase a Lincoln Continental brand new in 1966, you would have paid a starting price of $5,550 -- about double the average price for a new vehicle in 1966, which was around $2,650. 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner — 84,420 Units SoldA Plymouth Roadrunner in black on pavement. - Sergey Kohl/ShutterstockPlymouth, a Chrysler brand, introduced the Roadrunner in 1968, and sales of the car nearly doubled by 1969, going from 44,303 to 84,420 units sold. The executives at Chrysler paid Warner Bros. $50,000 to use the Roadrunner and Wiley E. Coyote names and likenesses, and they invested an additional $10,000 to get the car's horn to sound like the Roadrunner's signature "beep-beep." This likely helped boost the popularity of the 1969 Roadrunner, making it a smart move for the company's decision makers. The Plymouth Roadrunner is now an iconic muscle car, and it has a few engine options. In its rarest form, the Roadrunner features a 426 HEMI V8 with a 425-hp output. Of course, the most common engine is the 383 cubic-inch V8 that was standard for the model. Plymouth added a Six Pack 440 V8 for the 1969 model year that delivers 390 horses. A convertible body style is the most desirable among collectors of the old 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, as it only had sales of 2,128 units. 1960 Ford Thunderbird — 92,843 Units SoldA red 1960 Ford Thunderbird with a white roof parked outdoors on a sunny day. - VanderWolf Images/ShutterstockWho hasn't heard of the Ford Thunderbird? This longstanding model was first introduced in 1955, but its second generation only had a two-year run from 1958 to 1960. These second-gen versions went from being two-seaters to having room for four passengers, giving them a wider market. The car's wheelbase was also increased for a roomier feel in the cabin. Sales of the Thunderbird, which was famously also known as a T-Bird -- or for second-gen models specifically, Square Bird -- steadily increased. By 1960, Ford sold 92,843 units of the family-friendly Thunderbird, far exceeding the roughly 67,000 units sold the previous year. An optional sunroof was added for the model, and it incorporated a three-light design to the rear taillights. Aside from an updated grille, not much changed in the looks of the second-generation Thunderbirds. Base price for a new 1960 Thunderbird was $3,755, but for a convertible you would have paid $4,222. Hagerty lists the highest selling price for a 1960 Ford Thunderbird as $348,332, but most models will sell for much less. The average selling price is closer to the $20,000 to $30,000 range, depending on the condition of the Thunderbird and its features. 1968 Dodge Charger — 96,100 Units SoldA bright red Dodge Charger R/T posed on the driveway of an old building. - Heritage Images/Getty ImagesThe Dodge Charger is an iconic and legendary American muscle car, and 1968 was a good sales year for the model. A whopping 96,100 units of the 1968 Charger sold, which was well over the projected 35,000 units Dodge thought it would move. In part, the car's exceptional design made it an attractive choice. However, the Charger came with tons of options, appealing to a wide variety of consumer tastes. For instance, the standard powertrain for a 1968 Charger was the 3.7-liter inline-6 with a 145 hp output. But buyers could choose from several optional powertrains capable of anywhere from 101 hp up to 425 hp. A three-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmission added to the options for this muscle car, and buyers could choose between the Base or R/T trim levels. Playing a prominent role in "Bullitt," an action film starring big names like Steve McQueen, Robert Duvall, and Norman Fell, put the 1968 Dodge Charger in front of millions. In the film, the Charger is up against a Mustang, and the two cars partake in an epic car chase scene through San Francisco. Dodge also had the Charger making the NASCAR circuit, giving it another massive audience to gain popularity. 1966 Pontiac GTO — 96,946 Units SoldA white convertible 1966 Pontiac GTO parked against a gray background. - JoshBryan/ShutterstockAt 96,946 unit sales, the 1966 Pontiac GTO was a hugely popular muscle car in the '60s and beyond. It was, in fact, the best-selling muscle car of 1966, possibly because it was among the first of its kind -- the Pontiac GTO helped define an identity to the muscle car movement. Giving the car coke bottle curves offers a rounded softness to its exterior, but the unique grille, sleek roofline, and scooped hood give GTOs a distinct look that still resonates well today. Power for the GTO comes from one of two engine configurations. A 389 cubic-inch V8 block generates 335 hp or 360 hp depending on the carburetor setup. Racing the Pontiac GTO from zero to 60 mph in about six seconds is possible with the 360-hp V8. After that, it could reach a top speed of more than 120 mph, which was impressive for its day. Body styles for the GTO include the coupe, convertible, and hardtop, all of which have two doors and seating for five. The most popular 1966 GTO model was the hardtop, with over 73,000 unit sales. A new Pontiac GTO cost less than $3,000 in 1966, making it an affordable muscle car with timeless style and deep-throated growl. 1961 Rambler American — 136,000 Units SoldAn old picture of a 1961 Rambler American parked outdoors with a family of four in the background. - Transcendental Graphics/Getty ImagesSwelling to sales of 136,000 units, the 1961 Rambler American had an appeal that helped it find its way into driveways across the U.S. The car had a fresh, boxy exterior even though it was set on an aged 1950s Nash Rambler platform. It came with one of two inline-6 engines offering either 90 or 125 hp. Fuel economy for this compact car was efficient, and it came in two-door and four-door options, making it great as a family car or commuter. A convertible top was offered for the 1961 Rambler American, and at just $2,369, it was the most affordable convertible available in the '61 model year. The convertible top was only available at the Custom trim level, but you could have the car without the convertible in DeLuxe and Super trims for a lower price. Base Rambler American models had a starting price of $1,831, which likely helped boost sales for the early '60s model. Today, the average value of a 1961 Rambler American is around $14,000. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro — 243,085 Units SoldA side view of an orange 1969 Chevy Camaro paked on a gravel road. - Heritage Images/Getty ImagesBuilt to compete in the pony car class, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro has an aggressive fascia, sharp angles, and a pointed grille that helps it cut through the air. First-gen Camaros, which ended production with the 1969 year model, experienced rapidly increasing sales since debuting in 1967. At its height in 1969, the Camaro sold 243,085 units. The muscular Camaro features a variety of engines ready to suit any driving style. Some options were available throughout first-gen production, but a few powertrains were only offered for 1969 Camaros. A 200-hp L14 5.0-liter V8 was available for the first time, and to get 250 or 255 hp, the LM1 or the L65 5.7-liter V8 made excellent options. This 1969 pony car also came with a 7.0-liter V8 capable of either 425 or 430 hp at 5,600 or 5,200 rpm, respectively. Buyers could choose between RS and SS packages when building their 1969 Chevy Camaros. Versions with the RS package have cool design elements like recessed headlights, upgraded wheels, and special badging that make it stand out, while an SS Camaro equips performance-oriented options. The SS models also have enhanced suspension systems and power disc brakes for a superior driving experience. 1967 Volkswagen Beetle — 320,692 Units SoldA vintage 1967 Volkswagen Beetle in blue parked on grass. - Althom/Getty ImagesIn the 1960s, the Volkswagen Beetle wasn't just a car -- it was a statement. When drivers in the '60s wanted an inexpensive vehicle that was easy to work on, relatively reliable, and didn't break the bank at the pump, the Beetle was it. Plus, the small VW's unconventional look appealed to the counterculture attitude that prevailed in the '60s. The 1967 VW Beetle, a car fondly referred to as the Bug, was among the most popular models produced during the decade, with more than 320,000 1967 Volkswagen Beetles sold. One reason 1967 models are so popular is that it was the only or last year many unique features were available. This means you'll only see a full metal dashboard, rounded bumpers, and a 12-volt electrical system upgrade for the 1967 Beetle model or earlier. In addition, two-speed windshield wipers, slimmed down exterior chrome trim, and a standard driver's side mirror are first year or exclusive features for the 1967 VW Beetle. Despite its high sales number for 1967, this vintage Beetle is still highly sought after by collectors. 1962 Chevrolet Corvair — 328,500 Units SoldA red 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder with a red convertible top parked on grass. - Gestalt Imagery/ShutterstockChevrolet debuted the sporty Corvair Monza Spyder for the 1962 model year, with a convertible and turbocharged engine also both available for the very first time. Of the 328,500 '62 Corvairs sold, fewer than 10,000 were Monza Spyders, although the 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible is now considered a highly desirable car in the vintage car collector community. A turbocharged 150-hp air-cooled flat-six engine in the rear powered the Monza Spyder Corvair. At the time, you'd have been hard pressed to find either a rear or turbocharged engine in an American production car. The 2.4-liter engine uses a four-speed manual gearbox to boost the Corvair to a top speed of 105 mph. Aside from the Monza Spyder, the 1962 Corvair came as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, four-door station wagon, and the Greenbrier van. This meant lots of options tailored to everyday driving needs. The popular Chevy model was available with factory-installed air conditioning, two-speed windshield wipers, and front seat belts. A new 1962 Corvair was only around $2,000, but the median price for this car today is approximately $10,000, depending on condition, body style, and engine. 1965 Ford Mustang — 559,451 Units SoldA white 1965 Ford Mustang with a fastback body style driving on the road. - Different_brian/Getty ImagesYou're probably not shocked to see the earliest Ford Mustang, a pioneer in the pony car class, on a list of the most popular cars of the 1960s. While some Mustangs were actually produced in 1964, all VINs denote them as being made in 1965. Mustang sales skyrocketed after its half-year debut in 1964 with 121,538 units sold before jumping to 559,451 units by the end of 1965. Despite seeing higher sales in 1966, the Mustang's strong start in 1965 makes it a vital year for the stylish pony car. Available in a variety of body styles and with several engines, the 1965 Ford Mustang value varies based on its style and equipment. Convertibles are relatively rare among 1965 Mustangs, as only 73,112 were sold. If you come across a convertible with the 3.3-liter inline-6 engine or a model in the Poppy Red paint job, you could have something worth a few bucks. Of course, the high sales numbers for the 1965 Mustang mean it's fairly common, but its charm and legendary style make it a classic '60s model. 1965 Chevrolet Impala — 1,074,925 Units SoldA blue 1965 Chevy Impala parked on a brick street. - Milos Ruzicka/ShutterstockIn 1965, Chevrolet hit a record by selling more than a million units of a single model -- the Impala. This remains the highest average single-model sales volume in the U.S. So why was this model so hot in 1965? Well, for starters, '65 Impalas featured abundant powertrain options and new styling that helped the model compete with the Mustang and other top-selling models of the 1960s. A new coil suspension system improved the Impala's handling on curves and during braking and acceleration, while the new Girder-Guard chassis made the car more rigid, enhancing safety. Buyers could have the '65 Impala with two or four doors and as a coupe, sedan, sport sedan, convertible, or wagon body style. With so many options, it's no wonder people flocked to the Chevy Impala. Standard for the Impala were 140-hp and 195-hp engines, but there were optional powertrains that delivered between 220 and 425 hp. The 15 different paint colors allowed for excellent customization, not to mention they provided even more options for making this vehicle one of a kind. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

Lucid reported Q2 earnings on Tuesday, and the results were rough. The company lost more than $850 million ($632 million on an adjusted basis) on revenue of about $260 million. It delivered a sort of respectable 3,309 vehicles in the quarter, but is also guided toward lower total 2025 production of 18,000-20,000 units, and in any case Lucid really needs to crank up manufacturing and overcome supply chain issues to hit that mark. The company said it has close to $5 billion in liquidity available, but of that less than $2 billion is actual cash. The stock was hammered in post-market trading Tuesday and opened 7% down on Wednesday. Not exactly an ideal outcome because Lucid also wants to do a reverse stock split, turning ten shares into one and getting the company out of penny-stock territory, staving off a NASDAQ delisting if shares fall below $1. The company says it can sustain itself until mid-2026, but there's no question that it needs to raise a lot more money to continue its current burn rate — probably as much as it raised in its 2021 public offering, a SPAC deal that brought in $4.4 billion. Oh, and Lucid still doesn't have a true CEO, after Peter Rawlinson departed earlier this year. Read more: Everrati's Electric Porsche 911 RSR Has Me Driving Into The Future With Open Arms What About The Saudis?Actor Timothee Chalamet standing next to a Lucid Gravity SUV - LucidThe book on Lucid has always been that PIF, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, will forever backstop the startup. PIF owns about 60 percent of Lucid and has seemed content to pour billions into what has been an impressive cash-incinerating operation. PIF is estimated to have between $600-700 billion, so keeping Lucid going isn't ruinously expensive. But at some point you have to ask yourself how much PIF is willing to let Lucid lose. Because Lucid really does look structurally unprofitable, as it's currently being operated (and there's nothing newly named brand ambassador Timothée Chalamet can do about that). In three months, it spent over $850 million to bring in $260 million. That was mainly on sales of its pricey Air sedan, as the new Gravity SUV hasn't yet ramped up to assume the sales burden. According to interim CEO Marc Winterhoff on the conference call with analysts after Q2 numbers were announced, the Gravity has also suffered delays due to difficulties obtaining enough magnets from China, which the SUV needs for its electric motors. But even if Lucid resolves that problem, it has to massively increase revenue to break even on a quarterly basis. And the cheaper, sub-$50,000 vehicle that could enable it to achieve more scale is slated to arrive until 2026. A Weak EV Market And Miserable Fundraising ProspectsA Lucid Air sedan driving on a road in side view - LucidCarrying its beleaguered balance sheet into an EV market that's slowing and rapidly losing federal government incentives in the U.S. is terrifying. Lucid is also facing significantly more competition than Tesla ever did, when the latter was struggling to validate its business in the mid-2010s. Consumers have lots of options these days when it comes to buying all-electric SUVs, so Lucid can't assume that it's going to convert even the lower end of its 2025 production guidance to sales. And even if it did, it's uncertain that those sales would be even remotely profitable. Overall, Lucid has followed the pattern of many SPAC companies and basically become challenging as an investment (the stock has declined over 70 percent from its peak). You'd normally expect PIF to be thinking about taking the company private to escape what could be a death spiral, but the reverse split implies that Lucid will try to ride out this dismal period and attempt to get Gravity into a decent position. Lucid will generate plenty of numbers between now and mid-2026, but the ones that matter are topline and cash-burn. Absent a major funding infusion or some epic deals with other automakers, that yawning gap has to narrow or Lucid could confront some dire scenarios. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

Rolling your motorcycle into the back of your RV sounds like the kind of road trip Instagram influencers cook up in a fever dream of wanderlust and caffeine. But in reality, hauling a motorcycle with your RV isn't just a matter of strapping it down and hitting the road. Do it wrong and you risk wrecking your bike, your rig, or both. So here's how to do it the right way, with your sanity and suspension intact. You could have a custom-built Campervan or a huge Brabus Big Boy luxury RV but first, determine how you'd want to haul your motorcycle. There are two main approaches –– mounting it to your RV using a hitch-mounted carrier, or towing it with a dedicated trailer. Hitch-mounted carriers attach directly to the rear of your RV and cradle your motorcycle above the ground. These are perfect for space-saving setups but are limited by weight constraints. Dedicated motorcycle trailers, on the other hand, roll behind your RV and offer more stability, capacity, and flexibility. The right choice depends on your rig's tow ratings and your willingness to deal with extra gear. You'll also need to factor in your motorcycle's weight, axle weight rating, state towing limits, and the total Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your setup. And yes, these numbers actually matter because if you exceed them, you're not just breaking the law, you're risking a white-knuckle trip with compromised handling and braking. Read more: Call Me A Luddite, But These Modern Features Only Seem To Make Cars Worse Hitch A Ride Or Tow The LineA person attaching a trailer onto a hitch. - Felix Geringswald/ShutterstockIf you're thinking hitch-mount, start by figuring out what kind of hitch your RV's rocking and its tongue-weight limit. That's the number that really matters, not the towing capacity, beacuse you're not towing anything. You see, a motorcycle carrier isn't a trailer, it's a lever that presses downward on your rig's spine. And unlike tow capacity, you can't just beef up your tongue weight with a couple of bolt-on upgrades. Push that limit and you're not just flirting with damage to your hitch or frame, you're asking for squirrelly handling and sketchy braking when things get spicy on the road. Let's say your RV has a Class III hitch with a tongue-weight rating of 350 to 600 pounds. A motorcycle carrier is an easy choice. It's compact, relatively inexpensive, and doesn't require a trailer hookup. The only catch is that even a standard motorcycle can push 350 to 550 pounds, and that's before factoring in the weight of the carrier. So you're cutting it dangerously close to your hitch's max rating, and a lighter motorcycle is ideal. Heavier or multiple rides to be hauled? Flatbed open trailers spread the load over two or more axles and stress your hitch a bit less. You'll still need tie-down points, wheel chocks, and a loading ramp, but the peace of mind is worth it. Most RVs have enough towing capacity to haul a motorcycle on a trailer. Just remember, towing a trailer changes how your RV handles and brakes, and knowing the easiest way to back up a trailer is helpful. Dedicated motorcycle trailers are the gold standard. They're purpose-built, with low loading heights and integrated tie-down systems. They also tend to be lighter than general-purpose trailers, which helps keep your towing setup within safe limits. Tie It Down Like Your Bike's Life Depends On It (Because It Does)Two motorcycles strapped on a trailer. - Romanbabakin/Getty ImagesNow that you've picked your hauling method, it's time to actually secure the bike. This is where too many RVers wing it, only to find their beloved two-wheeler leaning sideways at the next rest stop. Don't be that person. Use proper ratchet straps or cam buckles, not bungee cords, and secure at leat four solid points, with two at the front and two at the rear. Ideally, go for the lower triple tree up front and the frame or swing arm at the rear. Compress the suspension slightly when you strap it down so the bike doesn't bounce. And use a wheel chock if you've got one. It's not just helpful, it's almost essential for keeping the front wheel from flopping around. Before you hit the road, double-check every strap. It would help to ensure that the trailer is level. Check them again after your first fuel stop. Vibrations and bumps can loosen things up. And remember, your motorcycle isn't just extra luggage you're towing, but a machine that deserves respect — especially when you're hauling it behind your moving vacation home in a bid to enjoy it at the destination. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

For the third time this year, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen have battled at the front of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Field at a Road Course, the first two times ended with one driver winning each, but that luck may've warn off as the JR Motorsports teammates tangled with 16 laps remaining in the Misson 300 at Watkins Glen. Shane van Gisbergen led Zilisch at the opening of stage two and held him off fiercely from 20 laps to go down to 16, when entering turn six, Connor Zilisch pulled alongside the No. 9 of van Gisbergen, went wide in their battle, and while rejoining the race ended up turning van Gisbergen by hitting his rear right side. van Gisbergen went hard into the barriers to grab enough damage to retire from the race. Zilisch continues on with scruffs along his nose and left side. Zilisch asked his spotter to be real with him, to understand if he overreacted and caused the wreck. "I just don’t know where I could’ve gone," Zilisch radioed. "He didn’t leave me any room to rejoin." "You’ve got to shake it off and win this race, worry about it later," Josh Williams replied. "Don’t lie to me if I f***ing wrecked him either like you did at Iowa, if I wrecked him, tell me," Zilisch clarified. "I’m not lying to you, you had one lane to get back on the track," Williams assured. van Gisbergen has not rewatched the incident yet, and will not comment on whether he felt Zilisch was at fault or not, but feels 'gutted' for the team for a race that could've resulted in a win ended prematurely. "Not ideal," van Gisbergen told The CW. "Pretty gutted actually. Gutted for the JR Motorsports team. Our car wasn’t great, but we still went and managed to get ourselves in a good position." Zilisch restarted fifth and took the lead quickly. The race is currently under red flag for a huge crash with nine to go, which started with a major hit on Michael McDowell. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car

Ford Drops Sporty 2025 Explorer ST Lease Offer for August originally appeared on Autoblog. A sportier take on a family favoriteFor more than three decades, the Ford Explorer has been a familiar sight on American roads, evolving from a boxy SUV into a refined family hauler. However, the 2025 Explorer ST ups the excitement, blending everyday practicality with the performance and style of a true enthusiast’s machine. The ST isn’t just about sharper looks—it’s powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 with muscle to spare and backed by a chassis tuned for spirited driving. It’s proof that a three-row SUV can still make your pulse quicken. This August, Ford’s lease offer makes stepping into one more tempting than ever. Ford’s August lease deal turns headsThis month, shoppers can lease a 2025 Explorer ST for $492 per month for 48 months with $6,139 due at signing. The offer includes 10,500 annual miles, waives the security deposit, and excludes taxes, title, and license fees. 2025 Ford Explorer STFordGiven the ST’s blend of performance and luxury features, this lease stacks up well against other performance-oriented SUVs in its class—especially considering its three-row versatility. Freshened design meets high performanceFor 2025, the Explorer lineup gets a subtle refresh, and the ST wears it especially well. A reshaped grille, slimmer LED headlights, and bold wheel designs give it an athletic stance, while inside, upgraded soft-touch surfaces and available contrast stitching add to the upscale feel. 2025 Ford Explorer ST Ford View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen runs Ford’s quicker SYNC 4A infotainment system, and the available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps key performance data front and center. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, so you can keep your favorite driving soundtrack queued up without the cord clutter. Under the hood, the ST packs a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It’s enough to launch this family hauler with surprising urgency while still offering up to 5,600 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. Why the ST is more than just speedYes, the ST is quick—but it’s also built for daily life. Three rows of seating, up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features mean it’s as practical as it is fun. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and multiple USB ports make long trips easier, whether you’re ferrying the kids to practice or heading out for a weekend getaway. 2025 Ford Explorer ST Ford View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article With a wide dealer network and a lease offer that puts it within reach for more buyers, the Explorer ST stands out as a rare blend of performance, comfort, and capability in the three-row segment. Final thoughtsPerformance SUVs often require big compromises in space, comfort, or price—but the 2025 Explorer ST manages to keep things balanced. This August’s lease offer gives driving enthusiasts a chance to get behind the wheel of one without stretching too far. If you’ve been waiting for an SUV that can haul both your gear and your adrenaline, the ST might be your perfect match. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Ford Drops Sporty 2025 Explorer ST Lease Offer for August first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.