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Engadget
a day ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
Tesla's robotaxi debut will reportedly be limited to only 10 cars in very specific areas
The long-promised launch of Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin is scheduled for June 22, and it sounds like the company's initial offering will be modest at best. The Financial Times writes that Tesla will only have around 10 cars available for rides and that the company plans to make them "avoid the city's most challenging intersections." If issues arise, remote operators will also reportedly be able to take control of the cars to make sure they reach their final destination. Tesla CEO Elon Musk told CNBC in May that the robotaxi service might launch with less than a dozen cars, so that's not necessarily a surprise, but the actual scope may be even smaller. Analysts The New York Times spoke to believe rides in Tesla's robotaxi will only be available to "company employees or invited guests." It could take months before the service is made available to the wider public. Musk formally introduced the company's robotaxi service and its self-driving Cybercab at an event in October 2024, but the idea has been a promised feature for Tesla owners for even longer. The pitch goes that since all Teslas are equipped with the cameras necessary for the company's self-driving system, any of them can be converted into a cab while not in use. Musk believes autonomous transport could be so widespread that it becomes as cheap as mass transit, while being safer than relying on a human driver. Whether the company's Full Self Driving system can pull that off is an open question. Tesla is currently being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for autonomous driving-related crashes. The company has also reportedly blocked the city of Austin from handing over its robotaxi records, which suggests it's at least somewhat self-conscious about how it will perform.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Apollo Global Could Invest Up To $100 Billion In Germany Over The Next Decade, FT Report
Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is one of the 11 Best Financial Services Stocks to Buy Right Now. The Financial Times reported that Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) would spend as much as $100 billion in Germany over the next ten years. A team of professional financial investors in a modern office analyzing Investment opportunities. This potential investment supports the efforts of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to promote Germany's economic expansion. Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) President Jim Zelter pointed out the scope of the possibility, stating, 'We see in this country alone the opportunity to put $100 billion in the ground in the next decade.' Currently, Europe accounts for $100 billion of the company's $800 billion in assets under management. Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO)'s strong belief in Germany's long-term economic potential is made clear by this announcement, which places the country at the center of its European investment plan. According to Zelter, this degree of dedication would be 'hard to match around the globe,' focusing on the company's perception of Germany as being particularly appealing. The possible capital deployment is interpreted as a significant endorsement of Germany's investment landscape and Merz's pro-growth policies. While we acknowledge the potential of APO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Graziadaily
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Sydney Sweeney And Julianne Moore's New Thriller, Echo Valley, Is Out Now – But Is It Worth Watching?
Two of the biggest stars of the moment, Julianne Moore ( Sirens ) and Sydney Sweeney ( Anyone But You ) star opposite each other in the new thriller Echo Valley, directed by Michael Pearce and written by Brad Ingelsby, which is available to stream on Apple TV+. The story follows Kate Garrett (Moore), who works training horses on her southern Pennsylvania farm, when one night her daughter Claire (Sweeney) arrives at her door covered in blood that is not hers, and Kate has to decide what she is willing to do to protect her daughter. The film also stars Domhnall Gleeson, Kyle MacLachlan, and Fiona Shaw. But with a disappointing 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is Echo Valley worth watching? Here's what the critics think. Peter Bradshaw at The Guardian gave the film two stars. 'The film gets mired in some very credulity-stretching stuff about what has to happen when bodies need to be recovered and the twisty finale is overwrought and silly,' he writes. 'The estimable cast all do their utmost but the overall effect is frustratingly implausible.' However, Kevin Maher at The Times called it 'American cinema for adults', awarding Echo Valley four stars. 'It's slightly illogical, yes,' he put, 'but by then we're so invested in the film and so attached to the characters that it hardly matters.' The Financial Times ' Danny Leigh also gave the film four stars. 'I'll take the side of the kind of film that is neither the nth instalment of a franchise, nor fishing for an Oscar, but simply seeks to entertain while also giving you something to chew on,' he reviewed. 'Echo Valley supplies just that.' Elsewhere Gleeson's turn as the film's villain has won praise for his ability to 'successfully create a manipulative monster'. A film fan on X also loved the film writing, 'Went to an early preview screening of #echovalley tonight and I loved it. Julianne and Domnhall are fantastic, and the storyline has so many twists and turns I didn't expect.' Another viewer posted, 'Sydney Sweeney in Echo Valley is magnificent in a visceral role. She displays an emotional intensity that captures the fragility and desperation of her character. Frankly, she is one of the best actresses around these days (though there was never any doubt).' So, despite a poor review from The Guardian and a mixed response (so far) on Rotten Tomatoes, there are plenty of people who have thoroughly enjoyed the film and think the plot is gripping and well-crafted. That means the only way to decide if it's worth watching is to watch it yourself. Echo Valley is available to stream on Apple TV+. Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).
Middle East Eye
11-06-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
US embassy in Iraq prepares for partial evacuation ahead of Iran talks
The US is reducing staff levels at its embassy in Iraq on security concerns, US officials told several media outlets on Wednesday, as Iran threatened US bases if conflict breaks out. "Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq," a US official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, The Financial Times reported that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised the voluntary departure of military dependents throughout the Middle East. The withdrawals come as Iran's defence minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, said on Wednesday that Tehran would target US military assets in the region in response to any attack 'without hesitation'. "God willing, things won't reach that point, and the talks will succeed," he said, adding that the US side "will suffer more losses" if it came to conflict. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to negotiate a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord that US President Donald Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. The next round of talks is scheduled for Thursday. 'Ordered departure from US Emb Baghdad could reflect a major threat, but also is impactful as a means of signaling possible near-term military action against Iran. It's a big move, hard to reverse quickly, comes at some cost. So if signaling, you play this card when you mean it,' Daniel Shapiro, the US's former ambassador to Israel, wrote on X. Shapiro added that it doesn't "necessarily" mean military action is imminent but said that the move provides "important leverage in nuclear talks". Trump had previously expressed optimism about the talks, saying during a Gulf tour last month that Washington was "getting close" to securing a deal. But in an interview published on Wednesday, Trump said he was "less confident" the US and Iran could reach a deal, in response to a question on whether he believed he could stop Tehran from enriching uranium. "Something happened to them, but I am much less confident of a deal being made... Maybe they don't wanna make a deal, what can I say? And maybe they do. There is nothing final." Trump maintained that Washington would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons, saying that "it would be nicer to do it without warfare, without people dying'. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday. Trump says he had been holding back Netanyahu from launching preemptive strikes on Iran. Oil prices jumped almost four percent on Wednesday amid the tensions.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pentagon to review AUKUS submarine deal with Australia and Britain
The Pentagon is reviewing the AUKUS agreement on sharing nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia and the United Kingdom — a decision immediately condemned by congressional Democrats and one that may cause angst among U.S. allies. 'The Department is reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous Administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda,' a Pentagon spokesperson wrote in a statement Wednesday. The spokesperson did not say who was involved in the effort, when it would conclude or why it was initiated — except to say that the Pentagon was concerned about the readiness of its forces and the U.S. defense industry. 'This review will ensure the initiative meets these common sense, America First criteria,' the statement continued. AUKUS countries update rules on sharing defense kit The Financial Times first reported news of the review. As part of the trilateral defense pact, Britain and Australia will build a nuclear-powered submarine, with the United States selling Virginia-class boats to Canberra in the interim. The agreement also includes a separate goal for the three countries to develop advanced technology together, such as quantum computing and hypersonic missiles. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Singapore just over a week ago, where he met with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, multiple times. In a major speech on the Trump administration's Asia policy, Hegseth didn't mention AUKUS, something Marles dismissed in an interview with Defense News later. 'We've spoken extensively about AUKUS — both of our countries, including Secretary Hegseth himself. We don't feel a need to keep reiterating it on every single occasion,' Marles said, arguing the program was 'on track.' In his March confirmation hearing, Pentagon head of policy Elbridge Colby expressed some hesitancy about AUKUS — in particular, America's difficulty increasing its own production of nuclear-powered submarines, which would conceivably make it harder to sell extra boats to Australia. 'If we can produce the attack submarines in sufficient number and sufficient speed, then great. But if we can't, that becomes a very difficult problem because we don't want our servicemen and women to be in a weaker position,' Colby said. 'It should be the policy of the United States government to do everything we can to make this work,' Colby continued. Colby has also argued that Australia, which is increasing defense spending to around 2.4% of GDP by the mid-2030s, should raise its defense budget far faster. In a Pentagon readout after Hegseth and Marles met, the U.S. said it wanted that number to be 3.5% of GDP. In April, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, defended the initiative's value in testimony before the House and said the effort on nuclear submarines was 'meeting every milestone' operationally. 'AUKUS delivers something to INDOPACOM that is critical and could be a key advantage, and that is a Indian Ocean submarine base. This gives us faster response time to the South China Sea than in Hawaii, in Washington, in San Diego,' Paparo said. To help America build more submarines, Congress has spent billions of dollars in recent defense bills targeted at the effort. Australia, too, has pledged $3 billion in its own funding to help the U.S. build more of the boats, which Marles referenced in his interview with Defense News. 'It is a challenge, but I think it's a challenge we can meet,' he said. The Australian embassy didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the British embassy, meanwhile, responded to the news with reassurance. 'It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the U.K. did last year.' Senate Democrats criticized the White House for casting doubt on the future of the AUKUS agreement. 'If this administration is serious about countering the threat from China — like it has said as recently as this morning — then it will work expeditiously with our partners in Australia and the U.K. to strengthen this agreement and ensure we are taking steps to further boost our submarine industrial base,' Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said in a statement. 'Anything less would play directly into China's hand.' Fellow Senate Armed Services Committee member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said the news that Trump may abandon AUKUS 'will be met with cheers in Beijing' and further weaken America's standing in the world. 'At a moment when we face mounting threats from [China] and Russia, we should be encouraging our partners to raise their defense spending and partnering with them on the latest technologies — not doing the opposite,' she said. Military Times reporter Leo Shane III contributed to this story.
