Iran jails British-Iranian researcher for nine years for subversion: report
DUBAI (Reuters) - A court in Iran has handed a nine-year jail sentence to British-Iranian anthropologist Kameel Ahmady, after convicting him of conducting “subversive” research work, the semi-official news agency Tasnim said on Sunday.
Ahmady was also fined 600,000 euros ($727,000) - the sum Iranian authorities said he received for his research from institutions accused of seeking to topple Iran’s Islamic government, Tasnim reported.
There was no immediate official comment on the sentence, which was also reported by other Iranian news agencies and a human rights groups, as well as by Ahmady’s lawyer, who said that he would appeal.
“Ahmady was accused of acquiring illicit property from his cooperation in implementing subversive institutions’ projects in the country,” Tasnim said.
Ahmady, an ethnic Kurd who had researched controversial issues such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) in Iran, was detained in August 2019 but released on bail three months later, according to human rights groups.
Ahmady said on Twitter he had been denied access to a lawyer during his detention.
“Contrary to all...hope for a fair trial, I was sentenced after being denied access to a lawyer during 100 days of detention and extrajudicial interrogations, and after two unprofessional trial sessions full of judicial violations,” Ahmady tweeted.
Ahmady’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, said his client had received an eight-year sentence for “collaborating with a hostile government”.
“We will present an appeal request against this ruling and we are still hopeful,” Raesian said on Twitter.
The reason for the apparent discrepancy about the length of Ahmady’s sentence was not immediately clear.
After Ahmady’s arrest, his wife told the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran that his work was independent and published with government approval.
Rights activists have accused Iran of arresting dozens of dual nationals to try to win concessions from other countries - a charge that the Islamic republic has regularly dismissed.
Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Frances Kerry and Bernadette Baum
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
More than 130 anti-Lukashenko protesters detained in Belarus - rights group
Belarus, a country of 9.5 million that Russia sees as a security buffer against NATO, has been rocked by mass protests since an Aug. 9 presidential election that Lukashenko said he won. His opponents say the vote was rigged.
More than 120 marches took place in the Belarus capital Minsk and other cities on Sunday, with numbers at each ranging from dozens to several hundred, according to local news outlet Nasha Niva. Police regularly arrest participants, issuing numbers of detainees on Mondays.
Some protesters marched in outlying residential areas of Minsk, waving white flags with a red stripe in the middle, a symbol of the opposition, and shouting “long live Belarus”.
More than 30,000 people have been detained in Belarus since the start of the protests in August, according to opposition leaders.
Lukashenko has been in power for 26 years. The European Union imposed travel bans and asset freezes on almost 50 Belarusian officials in protest over the election the West says was rigged and over Lukashenko’s crackdown on opponents.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Police in Belarus detained 135 demonstrators at a Sunday march, the Belarusian rights group Viasna-96 (Spring-96) said, as weekly protests demanding the resignation of veteran President Alexander Lukashenko continued.
Belarus, a country of 9.5 million that Russia sees as a security buffer against NATO, has been rocked by mass protests since an Aug. 9 presidential election that Lukashenko said he won. His opponents say the vote was rigged.
More than 120 marches took place in the Belarus capital Minsk and other cities on Sunday, with numbers at each ranging from dozens to several hundred, according to local news outlet Nasha Niva. Police regularly arrest participants, issuing numbers of detainees on Mondays.
Some protesters marched in outlying residential areas of Minsk, waving white flags with a red stripe in the middle, a symbol of the opposition, and shouting “long live Belarus”.
More than 30,000 people have been detained in Belarus since the start of the protests in August, according to opposition leaders.
Lukashenko has been in power for 26 years. The European Union imposed travel bans and asset freezes on almost 50 Belarusian officials in protest over the election the West says was rigged and over Lukashenko’s crackdown on opponents.
Bloomberg News Chinese staff member detained in Beijing
By Yew Lun Tian, Tony Munroe
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have detained a Chinese national working for the Bloomberg News bureau in Beijing on suspicion of endangering national security, the news agency and China’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
According to a Bloomberg report, Haze Fan was seen being escorted from her apartment building by plain-clothes security officials on Monday, shortly after she had been in contact with one of her editors.
“Chinese citizen Ms. Fan has been detained by the Beijing National Security Bureau according to relevant Chinese law on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardize national security,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in response to a Reuters query.
“The case is currently under investigation. Ms. Fan’s legitimate rights have been fully ensured and her family has been notified,” the ministry said.
The Beijing National Security Bureau could not immediately be reached for comment.
“We are very concerned for her, and have been actively speaking to Chinese authorities to better understand the situation,” a spokeswoman for New York-based Bloomberg said in an emailed statement to Reuters. “We are continuing to do everything we can to support her while we seek more information.”
Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait and other senior editors told China-based staff that Chinese authorities had said Fan had not been detained in relation to her work, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources.
Fan has been at Bloomberg since 2017 and previously worked for Reuters, as well as for CNBC, Al Jazeera and CBS News, according to her LinkedIn profile.
China has expelled more than a dozen foreign journalists at U.S. media organizations this year by cancelling their press credentials as its relations with Washington have worsened.
By Yew Lun Tian, Tony Munroe
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have detained a Chinese national working for the Bloomberg News bureau in Beijing on suspicion of endangering national security, the news agency and China’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
According to a Bloomberg report, Haze Fan was seen being escorted from her apartment building by plain-clothes security officials on Monday, shortly after she had been in contact with one of her editors.
“Chinese citizen Ms. Fan has been detained by the Beijing National Security Bureau according to relevant Chinese law on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardize national security,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in response to a Reuters query.
“The case is currently under investigation. Ms. Fan’s legitimate rights have been fully ensured and her family has been notified,” the ministry said.
The Beijing National Security Bureau could not immediately be reached for comment.
“We are very concerned for her, and have been actively speaking to Chinese authorities to better understand the situation,” a spokeswoman for New York-based Bloomberg said in an emailed statement to Reuters. “We are continuing to do everything we can to support her while we seek more information.”
Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait and other senior editors told China-based staff that Chinese authorities had said Fan had not been detained in relation to her work, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources.
Fan has been at Bloomberg since 2017 and previously worked for Reuters, as well as for CNBC, Al Jazeera and CBS News, according to her LinkedIn profile.
China has expelled more than a dozen foreign journalists at U.S. media organizations this year by cancelling their press credentials as its relations with Washington have worsened.
QUEBEC INC.
Series of gaps allowed massive Desjardins data breach, privacy watchdog says
OTTAWA — A series of technological and administrative gaps caused a high-profile data breach at Desjardins — the largest to date in the Canadian financial services sector, the federal privacy watchdog has found.
© Provided by The Canadian Press
Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien said Monday that Desjardins did not demonstrate the level of attention needed to protect the sensitive personal information entrusted to its care.
The incident compromised the data of nearly 9.7 million Canadians, the commissioner's report says.
"Canadians expect banking information to have a high level of protection, given its sensitivity," Therrien told a news conference..
"We recognize that's easier said than done for a financial institution given the amount of personal data it owns and the level of complexity of its systems. However, an organization such as Desjardins has the means to comply with the law."
For at least 26 months, a rogue employee was siphoning sensitive personal information collected by Desjardins from customers who had purchased or received products through the organization, Therrien found.
For some, the data included first and last names, dates of birth, social insurance numbers, street addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and transaction histories.
"Such data elements can be considered sensitive on their own," the report said. "When combined, they can also be exploited by malicious individuals to steal the identities of the persons concerned."
This information was originally stored in two data warehouses to which the employee in question had limited access, the commissioner said.
However, other employees, in the course of their work, would regularly copy that information onto a shared computer drive. As a result, employees who would not usually have the required clearance or need to access some of the confidential data were able to do so, Therrien found.
Desjardins had recognized some of the security weaknesses that ultimately led to the breach and had developed a plan to remedy them, but did not put it in place in time to prevent what happened, Therrien noted.
The breach occurred over more than a two-year period before Desjardins became aware of it, and then only after the organization had been notified by police, he added.
The commissioner said his investigation sheds light on the risks posed by internal threats, whether they are intentional or not.
The probe revealed that Desjardins failed to meet several of its obligations under the federal privacy law governing companies. Therrien found:
— Desjardins did not ensure proper implementation of its policies and procedures for managing personal information, some of which were inadequate;
— The access controls and data segregation of the company's databases and directories were lacking;
— Employee training and awareness were inadequate, considering the sensitive nature of the personal information;
— Desjardins did not have proper procedures regarding the periodic destruction of personal information.
Desjardins agreed to recommendations to improve information security and the protection of personal data, Therrien said.
The company has committed to provide progress reports every six months as well as hire external auditors to assess and certify its programs.
"Ultimately, we are satisfied with the overall mitigation scheme that Desjardins is providing to affected individuals, which goes beyond what we have seen from other organizations," Therrien said.
In a statement, Desjardins said its investigation suggests 4.2 million people who had active accounts might have had their data disclosed; not the 9.7 million that includes people with inactive accounts as well.
But the institution said it has tightened controls. Desjardins created a 900-person security office with a budget starting at $150 million in 2019 and it's to expand its data-protection capabilities substantially in 2021.
"Desjardins has made great strides in information security over the past 18 months and will continue to apply international best practices," the statement said.
"Over the next few years, Desjardins will continue to work with other partners to create a digital identity platform for Canadians. This will allow information to be shared more securely and give people more control over their own information."
Therrien's office and the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec, which also published a report Monday on the breach, agreed last year to co-ordinate their respective probes.
Diane Poitras, head of the Quebec commission, said the consequences of the lapse, the largest to occur in the province, "should convince any organization to implement all appropriate measures to prevent this type of incident from happening, something Desjardins failed to do."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2020.
Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien said Monday that Desjardins did not demonstrate the level of attention needed to protect the sensitive personal information entrusted to its care.
The incident compromised the data of nearly 9.7 million Canadians, the commissioner's report says.
"Canadians expect banking information to have a high level of protection, given its sensitivity," Therrien told a news conference..
"We recognize that's easier said than done for a financial institution given the amount of personal data it owns and the level of complexity of its systems. However, an organization such as Desjardins has the means to comply with the law."
For at least 26 months, a rogue employee was siphoning sensitive personal information collected by Desjardins from customers who had purchased or received products through the organization, Therrien found.
For some, the data included first and last names, dates of birth, social insurance numbers, street addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and transaction histories.
"Such data elements can be considered sensitive on their own," the report said. "When combined, they can also be exploited by malicious individuals to steal the identities of the persons concerned."
This information was originally stored in two data warehouses to which the employee in question had limited access, the commissioner said.
However, other employees, in the course of their work, would regularly copy that information onto a shared computer drive. As a result, employees who would not usually have the required clearance or need to access some of the confidential data were able to do so, Therrien found.
Desjardins had recognized some of the security weaknesses that ultimately led to the breach and had developed a plan to remedy them, but did not put it in place in time to prevent what happened, Therrien noted.
The breach occurred over more than a two-year period before Desjardins became aware of it, and then only after the organization had been notified by police, he added.
The commissioner said his investigation sheds light on the risks posed by internal threats, whether they are intentional or not.
The probe revealed that Desjardins failed to meet several of its obligations under the federal privacy law governing companies. Therrien found:
— Desjardins did not ensure proper implementation of its policies and procedures for managing personal information, some of which were inadequate;
— The access controls and data segregation of the company's databases and directories were lacking;
— Employee training and awareness were inadequate, considering the sensitive nature of the personal information;
— Desjardins did not have proper procedures regarding the periodic destruction of personal information.
Desjardins agreed to recommendations to improve information security and the protection of personal data, Therrien said.
The company has committed to provide progress reports every six months as well as hire external auditors to assess and certify its programs.
"Ultimately, we are satisfied with the overall mitigation scheme that Desjardins is providing to affected individuals, which goes beyond what we have seen from other organizations," Therrien said.
In a statement, Desjardins said its investigation suggests 4.2 million people who had active accounts might have had their data disclosed; not the 9.7 million that includes people with inactive accounts as well.
But the institution said it has tightened controls. Desjardins created a 900-person security office with a budget starting at $150 million in 2019 and it's to expand its data-protection capabilities substantially in 2021.
"Desjardins has made great strides in information security over the past 18 months and will continue to apply international best practices," the statement said.
"Over the next few years, Desjardins will continue to work with other partners to create a digital identity platform for Canadians. This will allow information to be shared more securely and give people more control over their own information."
Therrien's office and the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec, which also published a report Monday on the breach, agreed last year to co-ordinate their respective probes.
Diane Poitras, head of the Quebec commission, said the consequences of the lapse, the largest to occur in the province, "should convince any organization to implement all appropriate measures to prevent this type of incident from happening, something Desjardins failed to do."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2020.
Quebec's la Caisse and Desjardins pump $50m into fintech fund
GREEN CAPITALI$M
French blue-chips back climate risk disclosure code
PARIS (Reuters) - France’s blue-chip CAC-40 companies threw their support behind global recommendations on climate risk disclosures, a major Paris business organisation said on Saturday.
All 40 companies on the benchmark index endorsed the code developed by the international Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Paris Europlace said.
The pledge came as President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson co-hosted an online U.N. event marking the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“We have very little time before us,” Macron told the meeting. “We need immediate action.”
The TCFD, established by the global Financial Stability Board, in 2017 published voluntary disclosure principles designed to inform investors of climate-related financial risk.
Despite supportive corporate statements, however, the level of climate risk disclosure in practice remains inadequate, the task force recently warned.
Reporting by Laurence Frost. Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau. Editing by Mark Potter
Apple CEO calls for stricter corporate, government climate goals at U.N. summit
(Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook on Saturday called on governments and businesses to implement stronger climate targets starting next year, during remarks at the United Nations’ Climate Ambition Summit.
“We call on companies and governments around the world to do all we can to make 2021 the year we turn the corner for good,” Cook said, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters.
Cook did not call for specific goals during his remarks but disclosed that Apple is assisting 95 of its suppliers to transition to renewable energy, up from a figure of 70 disclosed in July. The iPhone maker earlier this year said it has become carbon-neutral for its corporate operations and set out plans to make its full supply chain and product lineup carbon-neutral by 2030.
The summit is being held on the fifth anniversary of the international Paris climate agreement and ahead of U.N. talks next year in Glasgow, Scotland.
President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2017. Cook publicly criticized the withdrawal as “wrong for our planet,” though he did not name Trump in his criticism
French blue-chips back climate risk disclosure code
PARIS (Reuters) - France’s blue-chip CAC-40 companies threw their support behind global recommendations on climate risk disclosures, a major Paris business organisation said on Saturday.
All 40 companies on the benchmark index endorsed the code developed by the international Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Paris Europlace said.
The pledge came as President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson co-hosted an online U.N. event marking the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“We have very little time before us,” Macron told the meeting. “We need immediate action.”
The TCFD, established by the global Financial Stability Board, in 2017 published voluntary disclosure principles designed to inform investors of climate-related financial risk.
Despite supportive corporate statements, however, the level of climate risk disclosure in practice remains inadequate, the task force recently warned.
Reporting by Laurence Frost. Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau. Editing by Mark Potter
Apple CEO calls for stricter corporate, government climate goals at U.N. summit
(Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook on Saturday called on governments and businesses to implement stronger climate targets starting next year, during remarks at the United Nations’ Climate Ambition Summit.
“We call on companies and governments around the world to do all we can to make 2021 the year we turn the corner for good,” Cook said, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters.
Cook did not call for specific goals during his remarks but disclosed that Apple is assisting 95 of its suppliers to transition to renewable energy, up from a figure of 70 disclosed in July. The iPhone maker earlier this year said it has become carbon-neutral for its corporate operations and set out plans to make its full supply chain and product lineup carbon-neutral by 2030.
The summit is being held on the fifth anniversary of the international Paris climate agreement and ahead of U.N. talks next year in Glasgow, Scotland.
President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2017. Cook publicly criticized the withdrawal as “wrong for our planet,” though he did not name Trump in his criticism
GREEN CAPITALI$M
Amazon's autonomous vehicle startup Zoox just unveiled a robotaxi EV without a steering wheel that can go 16 hours without charging - see what it looks like
© Zoox The firm says its first vehicle can run for 16 hours at a time.
Amazon-owned autonomous-taxi company Zoox unveiled its first vehicle Monday.
Zoox designed the vehicle for cramped city streets, giving it the ability to drive in both directions and steer with all four wheels.
The electric vehicle can travel 16 hours between charging, Zoox said.
After six years in business, Zoox - Amazon's autonomous vehicle company - unveiled its first self-driving taxi.
The firm on Monday took the wraps off of an electric "purpose-built robotaxi" that it developed for its future ride-hailing service. The "carriage-style" vehicle has two bench seats that face one another and accommodates up to four passengers. It's designed to be fully self-driving and doesn't have a steering wheel.
© Zoox The firm's new vehicle will be deployed as part of a future ride-hailing service.
Zoox developed the vehicle to shuttle passengers around in dense urban environments. As such, it's only 143 inches long - shorter than a Mini Cooper. It also has bidirectional-driving capabilities and four-wheel steering, which enables it to maneuver in small spaces and change directions without needing to reverse.
The taxi has a top speed of 75 mph and can travel up to 16 hours on a full charge of its 133 kWh battery.
Zoox developed the vehicle to shuttle passengers around in dense urban environments. As such, it's only 143 inches long - shorter than a Mini Cooper. It also has bidirectional-driving capabilities and four-wheel steering, which enables it to maneuver in small spaces and change directions without needing to reverse.
The taxi has a top speed of 75 mph and can travel up to 16 hours on a full charge of its 133 kWh battery.
© Zoox The taxi seats four passengers.
With a system of lidar, radar, and cameras mounted at all four corners, Zoox said its vehicle eliminates "typical blind spots" and allows for a 270-degree view at each corner.
Zoox hasn't revealed when it will launch its ride-hailing service but confirmed to Bloomberg that it won't be in 2021. The company is currently testing its technology in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City
With a system of lidar, radar, and cameras mounted at all four corners, Zoox said its vehicle eliminates "typical blind spots" and allows for a 270-degree view at each corner.
Zoox hasn't revealed when it will launch its ride-hailing service but confirmed to Bloomberg that it won't be in 2021. The company is currently testing its technology in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City
.
© Zoox is currently testing its technology in San Francisco, Foster City, and Las Vegas.
Zoox is one of several companies sprinting to bring autonomous vehicles to city streets. This year, Waymo and GM's Cruise announced plans to begin testing fully driverless cars to the streets of Phoenix and San Francisco, respectively.
And Cruise revealed its own dedicated, autonomous six-passenger vehicle called the Origin in January. But many major players integrate their automated-driving technology into existing cars - so Zoox's new taxi sets the company apart in that respect.
Zoox is one of several companies sprinting to bring autonomous vehicles to city streets. This year, Waymo and GM's Cruise announced plans to begin testing fully driverless cars to the streets of Phoenix and San Francisco, respectively.
And Cruise revealed its own dedicated, autonomous six-passenger vehicle called the Origin in January. But many major players integrate their automated-driving technology into existing cars - so Zoox's new taxi sets the company apart in that respect.
© Zoox said its system of radar, lidar, and cameras gets rid of typical blind spots.
The vehicle's debut comes as the autonomous-vehicle space has started to consolidate - the industry is coming to terms with how challenging it is to develop driverless cars without immense financial resources.
Amazon bought Zoox for a reported $1.2 billion earlier this year, and Aurora Innovation announced it would acquire Uber's self-driving division, Uber ATG, this month.
The vehicle's debut comes as the autonomous-vehicle space has started to consolidate - the industry is coming to terms with how challenging it is to develop driverless cars without immense financial resources.
Amazon bought Zoox for a reported $1.2 billion earlier this year, and Aurora Innovation announced it would acquire Uber's self-driving division, Uber ATG, this month.
Read the original article on Business Insider
GREEN CAPITALI$M
Aptera has taken more than 3,000 orders for a new solar-powered EV arriving in 2021 that it says never needs to be charged
tlevin@businessinsider.com (Tim Levin)
Electric-vehicle startup Aptera has taken more than 3,000 orders for the futuristic, three-wheeled EV it launched this month.
Aptera claims it has built the first "never-charge solar vehicle," and says the vehicle's integrated solar panels can deliver thousands of miles of driving range each year.
The startup plans to start production in 2021 and deliver the first vehicles the same year.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Aptera has taken more than 3,000 orders for a new solar-powered EV arriving in 2021 that it says never needs to be charged
tlevin@businessinsider.com (Tim Levin)
© Aptera Motors Aptera's first batch of 330 special-edition EVs sold out within 24 hours. Aptera Motors
Electric-vehicle startup Aptera has taken more than 3,000 orders for the futuristic, three-wheeled EV it launched this month.
Aptera claims it has built the first "never-charge solar vehicle," and says the vehicle's integrated solar panels can deliver thousands of miles of driving range each year.
The startup plans to start production in 2021 and deliver the first vehicles the same year.
Aptera launched its new solar-powered electric vehicle earlier this month, and after one week it has taken thousands of preorders.
The startup announced Friday that it accepted more than 3,000 reservations for its efficient three-wheeler from US and international customers, totaling to more than $100 million in sales. Within 24 hours after its December 4 launch, Aptera allocated all 330 reservations for its Paradigm and Paradigm Plus models, which it will build first once production begins.
However, seeing as one can reserve an Aptera vehicle with a refundable $100 deposit, the startup is still far from realizing that $100 million sales figure. As production nears, many of those preorder holders may give up their reservation for one reason or another.
The startup announced Friday that it accepted more than 3,000 reservations for its efficient three-wheeler from US and international customers, totaling to more than $100 million in sales. Within 24 hours after its December 4 launch, Aptera allocated all 330 reservations for its Paradigm and Paradigm Plus models, which it will build first once production begins.
However, seeing as one can reserve an Aptera vehicle with a refundable $100 deposit, the startup is still far from realizing that $100 million sales figure. As production nears, many of those preorder holders may give up their reservation for one reason or another.
© Aptera Motors Aptera's vehicles will cost $25,900 to $46,900 USD. Aptera Motors
Aptera was founded in 2005 and ran out of money in 2011, but reformed in 2019. This month, the startup debuted its new EV, a lightweight two-seater that it claims will offer up to a 1,000-mile range. There will also be lower-range models that can go 250, 400, and 600 miles on a charge, according to Aptera, and the lineup ranges in price from $25,900 to $46,900.
Aptera's bold "never-charge" claim stems from the 700W of integrated solar panels that it says can provide up to 45 miles of driving range per day or up to 11,000 miles per year. But the jury is still out on just how useful Aptera's solar capability will be - the mileage a buyer can expect will depend heavily on where they live, where they park, and the weather on a given day.
Aptera was founded in 2005 and ran out of money in 2011, but reformed in 2019. This month, the startup debuted its new EV, a lightweight two-seater that it claims will offer up to a 1,000-mile range. There will also be lower-range models that can go 250, 400, and 600 miles on a charge, according to Aptera, and the lineup ranges in price from $25,900 to $46,900.
Aptera's bold "never-charge" claim stems from the 700W of integrated solar panels that it says can provide up to 45 miles of driving range per day or up to 11,000 miles per year. But the jury is still out on just how useful Aptera's solar capability will be - the mileage a buyer can expect will depend heavily on where they live, where they park, and the weather on a given day.
© Aptera Motors The vehicle's solar panels can provide 11.6-40.9 miles per day in the US, according to the firm's estimates. Aptera Motors
Aptera does recognize that and offers a solar calculator on its website that tells prospective buyers how much juice they can derive from the sun depending on their location. According to Aptera's calculations, most US drivers could drive an Aptera vehicle between 11.6 and 40.9 miles per day on solar power - but it's not clear yet how realistic those predictions are.
The company plans to start production in 2021 in San Diego and to begin delivering vehicles in 2021 and early 2022.
Aptera does recognize that and offers a solar calculator on its website that tells prospective buyers how much juice they can derive from the sun depending on their location. According to Aptera's calculations, most US drivers could drive an Aptera vehicle between 11.6 and 40.9 miles per day on solar power - but it's not clear yet how realistic those predictions are.
The company plans to start production in 2021 in San Diego and to begin delivering vehicles in 2021 and early 2022.
Read the original article on Business Insider
GREEN CAPITALI$M
RWE sells stake in U.S. wind farms to Algonquin Power for $600 million
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -RWE, Europe's third-largest renewables company, agreed to sell onshore wind assets in Texas worth $600 million to Canada's Algonquin Power & Utilities, freeing up more cash to expand its business in other clean energy
© Reuters/Wolfgang Rattay FILE PHOTO:
Steam rises from the cooling towers of the coal power plant of RWE in Niederaussem
The sale of a 51% stake in four onshore wind farms -- two in operation and two under construction -- equates to 439 megawatts of capacity, RWE said, adding the deal was expected to close in the first quarter of 2021.
"The transaction with Algonquin demonstrates the attractiveness of RWE's portfolio in North America. The U.S. play a key role in RWE's strategy to grow its renewables business and to become carbon neutral by 2040," RWE said.
In the United States, the group operates 25 onshore wind farms and has about 1 gigawatt (GW) under construction.
The move gives RWE more financial fire power to expand its renewables portfolio to more than 13 GW by the end of 2022 via net investments of 5 billion euros ($6.1 billion). The group earlier this year rose 2 billion euros in a share sale.
Even though selling a majority, RWE will remain the operator of the wind farms, a common way by utilities to monetise renewable assets, which are attracting large investor interest due to their fixed returns and carbon neutrality.
The sale of a 51% stake in four onshore wind farms -- two in operation and two under construction -- equates to 439 megawatts of capacity, RWE said, adding the deal was expected to close in the first quarter of 2021.
"The transaction with Algonquin demonstrates the attractiveness of RWE's portfolio in North America. The U.S. play a key role in RWE's strategy to grow its renewables business and to become carbon neutral by 2040," RWE said.
In the United States, the group operates 25 onshore wind farms and has about 1 gigawatt (GW) under construction.
The move gives RWE more financial fire power to expand its renewables portfolio to more than 13 GW by the end of 2022 via net investments of 5 billion euros ($6.1 billion). The group earlier this year rose 2 billion euros in a share sale.
Even though selling a majority, RWE will remain the operator of the wind farms, a common way by utilities to monetise renewable assets, which are attracting large investor interest due to their fixed returns and carbon neutrality.
CAPITALI$M IS ADDICTION
Two Sacklers behind OxyContin maker to appear before U.S. House panel
© Reuters/George Frey FILE PHOTO: Bottles of prescription painkiller OxyContin made by Purdue Pharma LP on a counter at a local pharmacy in Provo
(Reuters) - Two Sackler family members who previously served on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP's board have agreed under pressure to testify this week before a U.S. House of Representatives panel examining the nationwide opioid epidemic, avoiding subpoenas threatened by the committee's chairwoman.
David and Kathe Sackler reached an agreement in recent days with the House Oversight Committee to appear at a hearing set for Thursday, according to a Monday memo from Democratic Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney to members of the panel. The two are among the Sackler family members who own Purdue.
Purdue Chief Executive Craig Landau is also slated to testify at the hearing, the memo said. Landau was not at any point threatened with a subpoena, two people familiar with the matter said.
In a statement, Purdue confirmed that Landau agreed to testify, adding that the company has "consistently cooperated" with the committee. Landau's testimony will include steps that Purdue is taking to address the opioid crisis, which includes a proposal to settle widespread litigation from U.S. communities that it values at more than $10 billion, the company said.
A spokesman for Kathe Sackler declined to comment. A spokesman for David Sackler did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of roughly 450,000 people in the United States since 1999 due to overdoses from prescription painkillers and illegal substances such as heroin and fentanyl, constituting an enduring public health crisis. Purdue reaped more than $30 billion from opioid sales over the years that enriched Sackler family members, and it funneled illegal kickbacks to doctors and pharmacies, investigations have found.
Maloney in November invited four family members - David, Richard, Kathe and Mortimer D.A. Sackler - as well as Landau to testify. On Dec. 1, lawyers for the four Sacklers declined the invitation and did not respond to subsequent overtures from committee staff to move the hearing to January, the memo said. That prompted Maloney last week to threaten subpoenas unless family members voluntarily agreed to appear.
After "numerous consultations" between committee staff and Sackler lawyers, the two sides reached agreement for the two family members to testify, Maloney said in the memo.
The hearing, to be conducted remotely, was originally set for Tuesday. It was delayed by two days to accommodate scheduling concerns, which included Purdue bankruptcy proceedings also set for Tuesday.
In her memo, Maloney pointed to documents the committee obtained in an ongoing investigation that she contends show the Sacklers closely involved in Purdue's efforts to expand market share for OxyContin, even after a company affiliate faced U.S. criminal charges of misbranding the painkiller in 2007.
The scheduled hearing follows a far-reaching U.S. Justice Department settlement with the Sacklers and Purdue in October that drew criticism from congressional Democrats and state attorneys general suing the company and its owners over the opioid crisis.
The lawmakers and attorneys general have said the deal failed to hold the Sacklers more accountable and faulted its endorsement of a Purdue bankruptcy plan to restructure it as a public benefit company. The envisioned new entity, while no longer controlled by the Sacklers, would still sell OxyContin, the company's addictive prescription painkiller that has figured prominently in the opioid epidemic.
GUILTY PLEA
Purdue in November pleaded guilty to criminal charges over its handling of OxyContin, which included defrauding the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and paying illegal kickbacks to doctors and a healthcare records vendor, all to help keep opioid prescriptions flowing. The plea deal was part of a broader settlement allowing the company to effectively sidestep paying billions of dollars in penalties.
Sackler family members agreed to pay $225 million to resolve Justice Department civil claims that they disputed. They were not criminally charged.
The Justice Department contends that the settlement, which foregoes most of a $2 billion forfeiture on the condition Purdue receives court approval for its bankruptcy plan, allows more money to flow to U.S. communities suffering from the opioid epidemic.
Purdue and its Sackler family owners have been at the center of thousands of lawsuits and investigations for several years seeking to hold alleged perpetrators responsible for fueling the epidemic.
Federal, state and local officials have outlined a longstanding effort by Purdue and Sackler family members to aggressively market opioids while minimizing their potential for abuse and overdosing. Sackler family members have said they acted ethically and responsibly while relying on assurances from Purdue management that the company's practices complied with regulations and legal requirements.
Justice Department officials have said recent settlements do not foreclose future criminal prosecutions of individuals associated with Purdue.
(Reporting by Mike Spector in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Will Dunham)
(Reuters) - Two Sackler family members who previously served on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP's board have agreed under pressure to testify this week before a U.S. House of Representatives panel examining the nationwide opioid epidemic, avoiding subpoenas threatened by the committee's chairwoman.
David and Kathe Sackler reached an agreement in recent days with the House Oversight Committee to appear at a hearing set for Thursday, according to a Monday memo from Democratic Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney to members of the panel. The two are among the Sackler family members who own Purdue.
Purdue Chief Executive Craig Landau is also slated to testify at the hearing, the memo said. Landau was not at any point threatened with a subpoena, two people familiar with the matter said.
In a statement, Purdue confirmed that Landau agreed to testify, adding that the company has "consistently cooperated" with the committee. Landau's testimony will include steps that Purdue is taking to address the opioid crisis, which includes a proposal to settle widespread litigation from U.S. communities that it values at more than $10 billion, the company said.
A spokesman for Kathe Sackler declined to comment. A spokesman for David Sackler did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of roughly 450,000 people in the United States since 1999 due to overdoses from prescription painkillers and illegal substances such as heroin and fentanyl, constituting an enduring public health crisis. Purdue reaped more than $30 billion from opioid sales over the years that enriched Sackler family members, and it funneled illegal kickbacks to doctors and pharmacies, investigations have found.
Maloney in November invited four family members - David, Richard, Kathe and Mortimer D.A. Sackler - as well as Landau to testify. On Dec. 1, lawyers for the four Sacklers declined the invitation and did not respond to subsequent overtures from committee staff to move the hearing to January, the memo said. That prompted Maloney last week to threaten subpoenas unless family members voluntarily agreed to appear.
After "numerous consultations" between committee staff and Sackler lawyers, the two sides reached agreement for the two family members to testify, Maloney said in the memo.
The hearing, to be conducted remotely, was originally set for Tuesday. It was delayed by two days to accommodate scheduling concerns, which included Purdue bankruptcy proceedings also set for Tuesday.
In her memo, Maloney pointed to documents the committee obtained in an ongoing investigation that she contends show the Sacklers closely involved in Purdue's efforts to expand market share for OxyContin, even after a company affiliate faced U.S. criminal charges of misbranding the painkiller in 2007.
The scheduled hearing follows a far-reaching U.S. Justice Department settlement with the Sacklers and Purdue in October that drew criticism from congressional Democrats and state attorneys general suing the company and its owners over the opioid crisis.
The lawmakers and attorneys general have said the deal failed to hold the Sacklers more accountable and faulted its endorsement of a Purdue bankruptcy plan to restructure it as a public benefit company. The envisioned new entity, while no longer controlled by the Sacklers, would still sell OxyContin, the company's addictive prescription painkiller that has figured prominently in the opioid epidemic.
GUILTY PLEA
Purdue in November pleaded guilty to criminal charges over its handling of OxyContin, which included defrauding the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and paying illegal kickbacks to doctors and a healthcare records vendor, all to help keep opioid prescriptions flowing. The plea deal was part of a broader settlement allowing the company to effectively sidestep paying billions of dollars in penalties.
Sackler family members agreed to pay $225 million to resolve Justice Department civil claims that they disputed. They were not criminally charged.
The Justice Department contends that the settlement, which foregoes most of a $2 billion forfeiture on the condition Purdue receives court approval for its bankruptcy plan, allows more money to flow to U.S. communities suffering from the opioid epidemic.
Purdue and its Sackler family owners have been at the center of thousands of lawsuits and investigations for several years seeking to hold alleged perpetrators responsible for fueling the epidemic.
Federal, state and local officials have outlined a longstanding effort by Purdue and Sackler family members to aggressively market opioids while minimizing their potential for abuse and overdosing. Sackler family members have said they acted ethically and responsibly while relying on assurances from Purdue management that the company's practices complied with regulations and legal requirements.
Justice Department officials have said recent settlements do not foreclose future criminal prosecutions of individuals associated with Purdue.
(Reporting by Mike Spector in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Will Dunham)
Newfoundland House of Assembly approves pension unlocking
BOURGEOIS ECONOMICS ARE DANGEROUS
CBC/Radio-Canada 2 days ago
Criteria for defining 'financial hardship'
The changes passed Monday evening apply to people who once held a pension, but no longer do, and have has those pension funds transferred to a bank or financial institution into one of three types of separate retirement savings accounts: LIRAs, LIFs, and LRIFs.
Those accounts currently cannot be touched until retirement age, and the proposed amendments would allow people to be able to unlock some of those funds and put the money toward demonstrated financial need.
On Monday afternoon, the government said the proposed amendments define financial hardship as the following:
Threat of foreclosure due to inability to make monthly mortgage payment.
Threat of eviction due to inability to make rent payment.
Inability to make first month's rent or security deposit when trying to rent accommodations.
Inability to pay for medical costs.
Inability to pay costs related to equipment or treatment related to disabilities.
People who have also been living outside of Canada for more than two years will also be able to unlock their funds. All requests for unlocking must be backed up by documentation, and the person must acknowledge the financial risks of using retirement savings toward present-day financial problems.
"Given these retirement savings arrangements are designed specifically to hold locked-in savings for individuals and their surviving spouses or partners, consent would also have to be obtained from the spouse or co-habiting partner to unlock a retirement savings arrangement," reads a media release issued Monday afternoon, outlining the proposed changes.
The government also stated that requests from low-income earners in the province would be considered. That would be based on a formula that "defines a low-income threshold of 66.66 per cent of yearly maximum pensionable earnings — which is $41,063 for 2021 — and is consistent with other jurisdictions, including Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia."
NDP Leader Alison Coffin said she won't be supporting the proposed changes, arguing that it doesn't help people right now and the government should look at other solutions, like a $15 minimum wage.
She said changing the pension legislation is "misguided."
Independent MHA Paul Lane said he supports the changes, noting he knows people who would benefit from accessing these funds, but said the issue could have been communicated more clearly.
FOR WORKING PEOPLE
CBC/Radio-Canada 2 days ago
© CBC The House of Assembly reopened Monday, after political proceedings were stalled Thursday in what was expected to be a one-day sitting.
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians have passed legislative changes to pension fund rules, after an afternoon of debate Monday and a false start last week.
The bill passed 31-3 in the House of Assembly Monday evening, with NDP members voting against it.
Under the amendments, a small number of people in the province will be allowed to unlock their pension funds.
The bill was introduced in an expedited process on Monday afternoon. Service NL Minister Sarah Stoodley began the debate by outlining the proposed changes, which she unveiled to reporters last week, before proceedings stalled on the floor Thursday.
All MHAs had to agree to disregard the usual, lengthier timeline for passing a bill, but one, Independent MHA Perry Trimper, objected last week.
Trimper's qualms came not from unlocking pension funds but because he wanted to ask a question about flooding in Mud Lake, a community in his district of Lake Melville.
Time in question period was not allotted for Trimper to do so, and he then withdrew his consent to continue with the Pension Act amendments, tying up the process.
Trimper got to ask his question Monday, and then joined all other MHAs and agreed to discuss the changes to pension legislation
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians have passed legislative changes to pension fund rules, after an afternoon of debate Monday and a false start last week.
The bill passed 31-3 in the House of Assembly Monday evening, with NDP members voting against it.
Under the amendments, a small number of people in the province will be allowed to unlock their pension funds.
The bill was introduced in an expedited process on Monday afternoon. Service NL Minister Sarah Stoodley began the debate by outlining the proposed changes, which she unveiled to reporters last week, before proceedings stalled on the floor Thursday.
All MHAs had to agree to disregard the usual, lengthier timeline for passing a bill, but one, Independent MHA Perry Trimper, objected last week.
Trimper's qualms came not from unlocking pension funds but because he wanted to ask a question about flooding in Mud Lake, a community in his district of Lake Melville.
Time in question period was not allotted for Trimper to do so, and he then withdrew his consent to continue with the Pension Act amendments, tying up the process.
Trimper got to ask his question Monday, and then joined all other MHAs and agreed to discuss the changes to pension legislation
. 
© Sherry Vivian/CBC Independent MHA Perry Trimper, who left the Liberal Party in November, said he wanted time to ask questions about flooding in his district. On Monday, he got to ask his question.
Last week's political blockade drew the ire of other MHAs, as well as at least one person hoping to unlock their pension funds; Terry Hewlin spoke to CBC News on Friday, detailing his hope to be able to access some money due to low income.
Trimper, a former cabinet minister and former Speaker, left the Liberal caucus in November amid a rift over comments in which he said some homeless people chose their lifestyle.
Last week's political blockade drew the ire of other MHAs, as well as at least one person hoping to unlock their pension funds; Terry Hewlin spoke to CBC News on Friday, detailing his hope to be able to access some money due to low income.
Trimper, a former cabinet minister and former Speaker, left the Liberal caucus in November amid a rift over comments in which he said some homeless people chose their lifestyle.
Criteria for defining 'financial hardship'
The changes passed Monday evening apply to people who once held a pension, but no longer do, and have has those pension funds transferred to a bank or financial institution into one of three types of separate retirement savings accounts: LIRAs, LIFs, and LRIFs.
Those accounts currently cannot be touched until retirement age, and the proposed amendments would allow people to be able to unlock some of those funds and put the money toward demonstrated financial need.
On Monday afternoon, the government said the proposed amendments define financial hardship as the following:
Threat of foreclosure due to inability to make monthly mortgage payment.
Threat of eviction due to inability to make rent payment.
Inability to make first month's rent or security deposit when trying to rent accommodations.
Inability to pay for medical costs.
Inability to pay costs related to equipment or treatment related to disabilities.
People who have also been living outside of Canada for more than two years will also be able to unlock their funds. All requests for unlocking must be backed up by documentation, and the person must acknowledge the financial risks of using retirement savings toward present-day financial problems.
"Given these retirement savings arrangements are designed specifically to hold locked-in savings for individuals and their surviving spouses or partners, consent would also have to be obtained from the spouse or co-habiting partner to unlock a retirement savings arrangement," reads a media release issued Monday afternoon, outlining the proposed changes.
The government also stated that requests from low-income earners in the province would be considered. That would be based on a formula that "defines a low-income threshold of 66.66 per cent of yearly maximum pensionable earnings — which is $41,063 for 2021 — and is consistent with other jurisdictions, including Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia."
NDP Leader Alison Coffin said she won't be supporting the proposed changes, arguing that it doesn't help people right now and the government should look at other solutions, like a $15 minimum wage.
She said changing the pension legislation is "misguided."
Independent MHA Paul Lane said he supports the changes, noting he knows people who would benefit from accessing these funds, but said the issue could have been communicated more clearly.
© Ted Dillon/CBC Service NL Minister Sarah Stoodley is spearheading proposed changes to legislation to allow some people to unlock their pensions.
Stoodley said last week that if the amendments passed, banks would need several months to get the appropriate paperwork in order for unlocking to begin March 1 at the earliest.
She said last week that requests for the change had doubled since COVID-19 hit.
Stoodley said last week that if the amendments passed, banks would need several months to get the appropriate paperwork in order for unlocking to begin March 1 at the earliest.
She said last week that requests for the change had doubled since COVID-19 hit.
ASKED FOR BY WHOM - LOBBYISTS OF COURSE
The federal government and several provinces, including Ontario, allow pension fund unlocking. ALL PASSED BY CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENTS
People who contribute to a pension, or retirees drawing from one, would not be eligible to unlock their funds under the proposed amendments.
The federal government and several provinces, including Ontario, allow pension fund unlocking. ALL PASSED BY CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENTS
People who contribute to a pension, or retirees drawing from one, would not be eligible to unlock their funds under the proposed amendments.
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