Latest from Akhbarak
Bloomberg
11 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Tesla Starts Long-Awaited Robotaxi Service With Low-Key Rollout
Tesla Inc. rolled out its long-promised driverless taxi service to a handful of riders Sunday, a modest debut for what Elon Musk sees as a transformative new business line. The first robotaxi trips were limited to a narrow portion of Tesla's hometown of Austin, with an employee in each vehicle keeping tabs on the operations. The carmaker hand-picked a friendly crop of initial riders, which featured investors and social-media influencers who live-streamed their trips.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers' Haliburton hurt early in game seven against Thunder
Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers sustains an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game seven of the NBA Finals (Justin Ford) Indiana's star Tyrese Haliburton limped out of game seven of the NBA Finals in the first quarter in a devastating blow to the Pacers' hopes of toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder to claim the title. Haliburton was already nursing a right calf strain and was a near game-time decision for game six -- when the Pacers routed the Thunder in Indianapolis to force the decisive game seven. Advertisement It was tied at 16-16 with five minutes left in the fist period when Haliburton caught a pass from Obi Toppin and appeared to slip as he tried to drive past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Haliburton sprawled forward, beating the court with one hand in apparent pain. His teammates quickly surrounded him before he was helped from the floor and departed for the locker room -- hopping on one leg and supported by Pacers staff. The Pacers later confirmed Haliburton would play no further part in the game after suffering a "right lower leg injury", ESPN reported. Haliburton had made three three-pointers on the way to nine points before the injury. Advertisement Without their talisman the Pacers -- who had led by as many as dug in to keep it close, the Thunder leading 25-22 at the end of the first quarter. "It's a heartbreak, man," Myles Turner told broadcaster NBC as the second quarter got underway. "It's unfortunate, you know, biggest game of the year that injury didn't, like, hold up. "But, you know, we've got his back and that's what it's all about." bb/rcw
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Danielle Smith touts Alberta supremacy at Rotary International Convention in Calgary
Premier Danielle Smith welcomed thousands of Rotary International delegates to Calgary on Sunday, using the stage to tout Alberta's economic strength, energy ambitions and approach to addiction recovery. More than 15,000 Rotary members from more than 120 countries are expected to gather in Calgary this week for the Rotary International Convention, a five-day event that runs through Wednesday at Stampede Park. Speaking at the official opening ceremony at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Smith — a former Rotarian herself — described Alberta as 'Canada's economic engine,' pointing to the province's population growth, economic climate and natural resource wealth. 'I want to take this opportunity to do just a little bit of bragging about this beautiful province,' she said. 'That is one of the perks of my job. I get to be the lead cheerleader for my favorite place in the world.' Peace pole, House of Friendship and more: What to know about the Rotary International Convention in Calgary Rotary convention kicks off at Stampede Park with House of Friendship grand opening Smith cited recent Statistics Canada data showing that Alberta led the country in population growth during the first quarter of 2025, gaining more new residents than the rest of Canada combined. Between Jan. 1 and April 1, Alberta's population grew by 20,562, while four provinces and one territory saw population declines, including record quarterly losses in Ontario and British Columbia. Alberta also had the highest net gain from interprovincial migration during that time. Smith attributed the growth to economic opportunity and a 'welcoming and free society,' drawing people to the province. 'Alberta has drawn in people from near and far for a few very good reasons,' she said. 'Investors see our low corporate taxes, our skilled workforce, and our business-friendly climate as an increasingly attractive package and our tech sector is growing as a result.' Smith also highlighted her government's efforts to expand mental health and addiction services, referring to the so-called 'Alberta recovery model.' 'Since 2019, our government has added around 10,000 addiction treatment spaces, including detox treatment and long-term recovery spaces,' she said. 'We recognize that we have a lot more work to do, but the Alberta recovery model is showing early signs of success, and we're very proud of what we have accomplished so far.' Much of her speech focused on promoting Alberta's energy sector. Smith praised the province's level of oil and gas production — currently averaging about four million barrels a day — and said the government intends to double that output. 'Over the years this industry has delivered extraordinary prosperity to our province and to the rest of Canada, and Alberta is proud to be one of the world's foremost producers of oil and natural gas, and we are proud of what that energy means for the world.' Smith also noted industry efforts to move toward a lower-carbon future, citing net-zero commitments and the province's leadership in carbon capture and hydrogen production. 'If, as we know, the world will need more oil and gas for decades to come, then our trading partners might as well buy it from a supplier that cares about human rights, a supplier that protects the environment and reduces emissions even as it increases production,' she said. While Rotary International is not a political organization, the international convention comes at a time of global geopolitical tension. Rotary International president Stephanie Urchick also addressed the audience, emphasizing the organization's mission to build unity across borders. 'The world right now can feel divided, but Rotary brings together people from every corner of the globe, not to erase our differences, but to celebrate them,' she said. 'That's how we spread peace, because peace is more than the absence of conflict, it's the presence of understanding.' Rotary International is a global service organization that boasts more than a million volunteer members focused on community and humanitarian efforts. The convention is expected to pump $81 million into Calgary's economy.
South Wales Argus
12 minutes ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
British father-to-be feels like ‘second class citizen' over family visa rules
David Todd, 33, is calling on the Government to reform the policy, including to scrap or lower the minimum income requirement (MIR) for British citizens to bring their partners to the country, as ministers mull over updating the visa route. His plea comes as charities Reunite Families UK and Coram published reports on Monday documenting the 'significant emotional and psychological harm' to families from the policy, particularly for children who grow up under long separation from one of their parents. Mr Todd had hoped to move back to the UK from Germany with his American wife, Claire Todd, 32, before the birth of their first baby which is due in October. But the couple are facing being split up for Mr Todd to return to the UK alone to build up enough income proof as the British citizen in the relationship, or raise savings of more than £88,500 dictated by the visa rules to allow them to return as a family. Mr Todd told the PA news agency: 'There's been lots of times where I've stayed awake at night worrying about it and how it's all going to work out, because you feel completely helpless. 'It's like we're second class citizens because we married someone who fell in love with someone who wasn't British.' Earlier this month the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) set out its recommendations after a review requested by the Home Secretary to look at how to set an MIR for family visas that balances economic wellbeing and family life. It warned against raising the threshold for family visas to the same level for skilled workers, as planned by the previous government. Skilled workers are only eligible to come to the UK if they earn a salary of £38,700 or more, compared to £29,000 required mainly for family visas. The UK's current £29,000 threshold, which was set in 2024, is high compared to other high-income countries reviewed by the MAC. It was previously set at £18,600 since 2012. Mr Todd, from Solihull, West Midlands, added increasing the level to £38,700 would be 'devastating'. 'Even with this MAC report now, we don't know what the Government's going to do, how they're going to react,' the classical music conductor said. 'It's this feeling that you're kind of helpless, you're stuck in limbo, and you're desperately trying to contort yourself into this position where you can make it work just because you want to live with your wife or husband.' The couple, living in Wurzburg, Germany, first left the UK after Ms Todd's student visa ended and moved to the European nation so they could be together seven years ago. After building 'good careers' as classical musicians on the continent, the couple began trying to make a return to the UK up to a year ago, wanting to be near family as they start their own. For Mr Todd, he said the Government should at least make the ways to prove income easier, and to include the spouse's salary to contribute to the income threshold. He said it is 'ridiculous' his wife's income cannot be used to meet the salary requirement despite her remote job as a content creator paying enough to mean they 'could move to the UK tomorrow'. Mr Todd said he wants to 'avoid at all costs' the prospect of being separated from his wife and child, adding: 'It just feels wrong, am I going to have to turn to my child when she's older and say to her: 'Well, sorry, the reason I wasn't with you for the first year of your life was because I was trying to get work for the family to move.'' Ed Moon with his wife Amber and daughter Maya, currently living in Taiwan and are trying to move back to the UK (Ed Moon/PA) British father Ed Moon, currently living in Taipei with his Taiwanese wife Amber Moon and four-year-old daughter Maya, is also applying to the family visa route to move back to the UK as Maya reaches school age. He told PA the most difficult thing is the 'extremely extensive' documentation you need to provide with any errors meaning the visa is denied and the process must be started again, with visa fees costing around £2,000. 'We're having to dip into every ounce of our savings to do this,' the 36-year-old from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said. 'You feel just unwanted by your country essentially. It's been especially tough, really like from a personal perspective.' The journalist also said it is a waste of money for the taxpayer for him to grow up and be educated in the UK, to then not let him and his family live there, adding: 'I want to be able to contribute to the UK.' The research by Reunite Families and Coram found that British citizens face exile, increased financial pressure and separation from their partners often for long periods of time from the family visa policy. For children separated from one of their parents, the charities warned they can face life-changing trauma and distress. The report also highlighted how the rules particularly discriminate against those including British mothers, who are more likely to experience hardship, working class and low income partners and black and ethnic minority workers, who are more likely to earn less than their white counterparts. Reunite Families UK executive director Caroline Coombs said 'simple and practical changes' from the Home Office could make significant differences to families, starting with scrapping the MIR and simplifying the rules and application process to stop the need for expensive legal advice. 'These rules have become the tax on love. People are suffering and want to be heard.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We understand the minimum income requirement for family visas needs to balance a respect for family life while also maintaining the UK's economic stability, which is why the Home Secretary commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a review. 'We are now considering its findings and will respond in due course.'
Chicago Tribune
12 minutes ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffers lower right leg injury in Game 7 of NBA Finals
By TIM REYNOLDS OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, who was playing with a strained right calf, went down with a lower right leg injury in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night and immediately began punching the court in frustration. Haliburton put no weight on the leg as was taken to the Pacers' locker room for evaluation. Virtually the entire Indiana playing, coaching and medical staff surrounded him on the court once he got hurt. There was no immediate word from the Pacers on the severity of the non-contact injury. Haliburton had nine points, all on 3-pointers, when he got hurt with 4:55 left in the quarter. ___ AP NBA:
