#General Vehicle Servicing

[poojagblog-blog]

The global Electric Motors Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $152.2 billion in 2024 and is poised to reach $206.4 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. Due to the growing demand for electric motors within the global automotive, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, among others, the electric motor market has bloomed forth globally. All these sectors inherit demanding environments for solving problems and improving reliability. From electric vehicles to industrial machinery, consumer electronics to wind turbines, electric motors find applications in many areas. They not only ensure low energy consumption but also increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Electric Motors Market is driven mainly by Increasing demand for HVAC systems among residential, commercial, and industrial end-users, growing demand for electric motors in manufacturing industries, and rising demand for energy-efficient motors.

[techdriveplay]

What Should You Know About Edge Computing?

As technology continues to evolve, so do the ways in which data is processed, stored, and managed. One of the most transformative innovations in this space is edge computing. But what should you know about edge computing? This technology shifts data processing closer to the source, reducing latency and improving efficiency, particularly in environments where immediate action or analysis is…

[renaultmechanic]

The importance of computer-generated diagnostic testing for your Renault vehicle

Keeping your Renault in optimal condition has become relatively easier with the help of advanced computer-generated diagnostics. This advanced technology helps mechanics identify and fix issues with your car quickly and accurately. Your Renault has an OBD-II port, which is usually found under the dashboard. Connecting a diagnostic scanner to this port lets our mechanics read diagnostic trouble…

[tatatechnologies]

Opinion: Will Gen AI spark the next major disruption in automotive ER&D?

Gen AI could be the next EV moment for automotive engineering and development (ER&D) industry, as it could help companies reimagine the entire product development and realization process and reduce product development time and cost significantly to disrupt the market. This article explores the possibilities across three key areas of Technology, Data and People.

New Delhi: Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI), unveiled by Open AI in late 2022, has captivated digital consumers and Chief Experience Officers (CXOs) alike and drawn widespread attention. The State of AI 2023 Report by CB Insights reveals that Gen AI dominated 2023, attracting 48% of all AI investments with startups securing USD 42.5 billion across 2,500 equity rounds. This investment boom marks a new era in Artificial Intelligence, with companies rushing to adopt Gen AI to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency.

Gen AI’s capabilities in image design, content creation, summarization, and conversational agents have led to its adoption across various industries, including retail and advertising. Companies like Adobe have introduced their own Gen AI tools as a supplement to their existing design software, while others have integrated enterprise AI solutions to boost internal productivity. Despite this, the manufacturing sector, and specifically product engineering and development (ER&D), has witnessed a more cautious approach to Gen AI adoption, primarily limited to proofs of concept in customer service and training.

However, Gen AI could be the next EV moment for the automotive ER&D industry, as it could help companies reimagine the entire product development and realization process and reduce product development time and cost significantly to disrupt the market. Let us explore the possibilities across three key areas of Technology, Data and People.

Technology: Driving Innovation, Large Language Models (LLM) synthesize and innovate from extensive datasets, including product manuals and existing knowledge which is indexed properly. However, the product development process is fragmented across stages and spread across team/s, often using different software at various stages. A Gen AI application, whether based on an open-source LLM or a custom Small Language Model (SLM), that indexes internal design data could transform automotive design, testing, development, and realization process.

It would enable the creation of innovative designs and engineering solutions through simple commands, leveraging existing databases. This approach could produce multiple design variants and geometric engineering designs at unprecedented speeds, enhancing efficiency and innovation in automotive design like never seen before.

Imagine OEMs using Gen AI to analyze design data, performance metrics, and consumer insights, producing unique design blueprints rapidly. This method drafts new concepts and engineers design visions that align with market trends and exceed customer expectations, all at lower costs and higher speeds. With Gen AI, testing could leverage historical data for validation, testing outcomes, and synthetic data generation to deliver outcomes rapidly. Predictive and curative maintenance, powered by digital twins and Gen AI, could become the new norm, with Gen AI creating digital twins that predict breakdowns and offer solutions. Furthermore, Gen AI-powered vehicles could enhance customer experience by having intelligent conversations with drivers, assisting with travel plans, service visits, and support technicians easily in solving issues.

Data: Gen AI transforms historical data into an asset, creating design solutions that meet performance, safety, and consumer expectations. Automotive OEMs need to invest in data maturity to build an ecosystem that supports this transformation and creates consumable indexable reliable data. For Gen AI to succeed, it must learn from well-organized, high-quality data sets, requiring companies to invest in data collection, organization, and sanitization. Integrating AI with CAD and PLM systems requires technical innovation for seamless interoperability, while organizational changes, including AI adoption training and strict data ethics, are crucial for maintaining trust.

People: The shortage of AI talent poses a challenge, but Gen AI aims to democratize innovation, freeing creative minds from routine tasks and redirecting their focus to innovation. Gen AI enables non-coders to develop applications through simple interactions, unlocking productivity and cost efficiencies. As the automotive industry adopts Gen AI for electric vehicle development, challenges such as data maturity readiness arise.

Automotive OEMs that effectively utilize Gen AI can significantly shorten product development timelines, reduce costs, and surpass competitors. This new frontier offers traditional OEMs an unexpected advantage, allowing them to use their extensive data reserves to power SLMs and fully harness Gen AI’s potential. The future belongs to those who embrace Gen AI. The opportunity to redefine market leadership waits.

Original Source: https://www.tatatechnologies.com/media-center/opinion-will-gen-ai-spark-the-next-major-disruption-in-automotive-erd/

Santosh Singh, EVP and Global Head, Marketing and Business Excellence, Tata Technologies

[alkiyumi1]

Oman's Best UPS System:An apparatus called an uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, protects equipment and data centres against power surges and outages. UPS systems come with a battery backup system that stores incoming AC power in case the primary power source fails. It is possible that your equipment will operate on DC power for a short while. When the electricity comes back on, the batteries are replenished. Industrial UPS systems protect your PCs, servers, and other IT hardware from voltage fluctuations that could harm or even destroy it. When the power completely goes out, UPS systems provide backup power in the vital moments before your generator kicks in.

connect:https://kiyumienergy.com/

[fladco]

Body Shop Products Florida

The Body Shop offers a wide range of high-quality automotive products specifically designed for auto dealers. With a focus on superior performance and customer satisfaction, the Body Shop products cater to the unique needs of auto dealerships, providing effective solutions for vehicle maintenance, repair, and detailing. Some of the body shop products categories are automotive paints, body repair products, detailing supplies, automotive tools and equipments, safety and personal protective equipment.

[codewithcode]

Stock market today: Asian shares follow Wall Street lower

Shares were weaker in Asia on Friday, tracking a decline on Wall Street following mixed earnings reports from big companies and more signals the U.S. economy may be slowing. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.3% to 28,584.70. The Kospi in Seoul dropped 0.7% to 2,545.27. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gave up 1.2% to 20,150.53. The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney lost 0.4% to 7,333.40, while the Shanghai Composite shed…

[dnx-news]

The good, the bad, and the missing: Albee closely watching City Hall cars, orders GSO to give final report

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Sitting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is keeping a keen watch on the inventory of all government motor vehicles and has required the General Services Office to submit a final report on all serviceable, unserviceable, and missing service vehicles. Benitez had recently said he has requested the office to “reconcile” all assets so the records…

[skyeistrying]

🖤Sevika HCs🖤

just random sevika hcs. broken up into categories for general, romantic, and nsfw headcanons respectively.

i didn’t try very hard while writing this, so my writing is probably subpar here but…yolo.

im in love with sevika so i add to this like every day …

men dni. minors dni. men dni. minors dni.

safe for enby lesbians. ♥️

general

* raging butch lesbian 🧡🤍🩷.

* her place is messy but in an organized chaos sort of way.

* she smells like cigar smoke (in a good way), leather, peppery mahogany, and a hint of something sweet.

* collects bottle caps. i can’t explain it, i just have a feeling she would!!

* extremely interested in Zaun’s history. she wont go into a full rant about it but she’ll drop interesting facts about it occasionally.

* has very, very cool, gay aunt vibes!!!

* cat person. just imagine her carrying a sweet little kitty with a sweet little smile on her face.

* actually an excellent cook.

* snores… hacks in the morning like a dad.

* before she lost her dominant arm, her hand writing was neat, very bold, and she wrote exclusively in all caps. she’s relearning her penmanship now.

* very heavy handed.

* completely quit smoking after she got a spot in piltover’s council and hardly drinks anymore.

* her carabiner is on the left side. she keeps the basics on it, so just her keys and one or two old key chains she has.

* in a modern au she would be into classic cars and the process of restoring them. her dream car is a 1970 mustang boss.

* on the topic of vehicles i can see her as a biker too. like, imagine seeing her taking off that helmet … swoon! imagine being her backpack … SWOON AGAIN!!!

romantic

* i feel like she doesn’t do romance very often, if at all. so you are one lucky ducky!

* it’s a lot for her to get used to so things develop slowly. patience is key here. she isn’t used to having someone really care about her, let alone love her.

* she’s pretty standoffish and awkward in the beginning. some might say stilted. she never really saw herself having a partner.

* just be patient with her and let her come to you.

* loves hugging you from behind

* if you’re with her at the last drop, she has her arm around you constantly. if it’s not that, she’s having you sit on her lap.

* she isn’t the jealous type at all. she knows that if you’re with her, if she choses you, she has nothing to worry about. if your loyalty to her falters, you’ve got a big storm coming.

* while she isn’t jealous, oh, boy, is she possessive. very big difference between those two. she’s also fiercly protective.

* got a creep flirting with you at the bar? she lets it be known that you are taken very quickly. is at your side in a second flat, arm wrapping around you all while staring daggers at the perpetrator.

* this woman is a capital F Flirt. will talk you up one side and down the other like it’s nothing. if you’re just someone she happens to lock eyes with at the bar, you guys could go back and forth with flirting and banter.

* BUT if you and sev have been together for a bit flirting can get her flustered from time to time. you know *just* what to say to her to make her short circuit a little bit. no one can get under her skin the way you can. /pos

* calls you baby. if you’re a femme, she calls you her femme. also fond of calling you “pretty baby”.

* surprisingly soft lips.

* kissing her feels like a dream. slow and sweet and sensual. complete with a warm hand on the side of your face or settled on your hip.

* sevika prefers a partner who can take care of themselves. after all, she’s a busy woman and she can’t always come to your rescue.

* her giving love language is acts is service. need something fixed? in classic butch fashion, she’s absolutely got you covered. do you drink coffee or tea in the morning? she’s got a cup ready for you in the morning, *just* the way you like it. she’ll do anything for you when she’s got the time.

* her receiving love language? words of affirmation. she likes to know that you think she’s *good*. that she’s doing a good job and that you see that.

* loves having her hair played with and her scalp massaged. if you have long nails it’s like a dream for her.

* would be so fucking whipped for you. you’re on her mind all the time. smiles when little things make her think of you. memorizes every little detail about you every chance she gets.

* actions over words. don’t expect crazy love letters or monologues about how much you mean to her. she shows how much she loves and cares for you almost entirely through actions.

* most likely wakes up before you and sits there for a little bit just to memorize every tiny little feature about your face. she never wants to forget what you look like.

* she doesn’t have a type. like, at all.

nsfw

* stone top. there. i said it. no questions. no ifs, ands, or buts.

* nipple piercings 🙈.

* oh, she is eating that thang. this woman is a munch. she would know just how to lick or suck you to make you come before you know it. it’s a very personalized experience.

* she learns you inside and out. knows every. little. thing that makes you tick.

* vocal. like, as in, she talks. she’s dirty about it too. all “oh, yeah? you like that baby?”, “be good for me, i know you can take it”, “mmm, taste so fuckin’ good for me” or “i know what’s good for you, now fucking take it”. she talks you through it every time.

* kisses it after she eats it. :)

* weewooweewoo WE GOT A MAN HANDLER OVER HERE!!!! she will move you every which way, any way she needs you to be. if you’re flexible, she absolutely has fun with that.

* has a collection of straps. different strokes for different folks, am i right?

* will sex you with sensual r&b playing in the background.

* touching on one of her receiving love languages being words of affirmation …

* she loves to be praised.

* it’s something she would never explicitly ask you to do. it’s a subtle thing.

* it’s in the way she short circuits when you tell her how good she’s doing, how good she makes you feel. you can tell she likes that, knowing that she is good for you, in the way her hands tremble or her hips stutter or, if she’s going down on you, the way her eyes go soft.

* she will fuck you senseless and then be so, so sweet on you after. makes sure you’re taken care of, that there’s something for you to drink, has towels ready for you incase you don’t feel like showering for a while after you finish. seriously, it’s like two different people.

okay thats it. i am obsessed with this woman and just wanted to share some headcanons i had for her while i finish up a fic i’m trying to write🎠.

cant believe my first writing here was some random hcs but whatever!!!

requests currently open for multiple fandoms, including arcane :).

dividers by cafekitsune

[obaewankenope]

American to English translation for fic

So I read and write fanfic, as do lots of others, and I've noticed that when it comes to British shows or movies, Americanisms or American terms crop up often. It's mostly because most don't know we have specific terms for things in the UK, and I've seen references here and there before, but I've decided to write one of my own. Feel free to add to it tho! I'm gonna put it up on Ao3 too and any additions, I'll reference the tumblr and link them on Ao3 too.

AO3 link is here!!

Anyway, here we go I guess.

Some Americanisms to English-isms

Gas = fuel/petrol/diesel (we tend to specify the type of fuel the vehicle uses, diesel vehicle or petrol vehicle for example)

Gas station = petrol/fuel station

Gas court = petrol/fuel court, or sometimes forecourt (not often with this one tho)

License plate = registration plate/reg

Diner = cafe

Fast-food = takeaway (this is sort of interchangeable. McDonald's is called fast food, a meal from a pizza place that delivers is takeaway)

Motel = hotel

Side-note: We tend to use specific named hotel chains like Premier Inn (or Prem-Inn for short) or Holiday Inn or Travelodge. We also have Britannia Hotels and several others. If the fic is based in a specific place, local hotels or famous ones may be better options. For example, in Liverpool, we have The Shankly or Adelphi.

Cab = taxi or black hac for a specific type of taxi.

Side-note: These are what you see in BBC Sherlock, for example, and are a UK staple. They're less popular or common-place nowadays but there are dedicated taxi companies that use them. There's on in my town that operates until 4pm each day. They are also usually more expensive than a car taxi but they have oodles of space and you can have a pram/buggy kept upright rather than folded-down in them which is brilliant.

Cop = police officer

Side note: more informal, colloquial terms include "copper", "the fuzz", "tit-head" (because of the nipple hat okay, just look up the hat, it's hilarious), "bobby", "rozzer" (pronounced r-o-z-er not Row-zer), and "the bill" (there's an actual show called this btw. It can be a good reference for anyone writing crime fic in UK). There's more but those are the most common. Older terms do include "peelers" and "old bill".

Second side-note: the police have a whole host of terms, colloquial and slang that can be a great thing to include in fic, which I'll link a glossary of here. It's not all UK centric but cross-country policing is a thing so that may just be a boon imho. Also the short-hand acroynmns used are useful so here's a link to the Metropolitan Police glossary of those too!

Patrolman = constable or police constable

Antenna = aerial or TV aerial

Fall (season) = autumn

Bill = banknote or specifically "tenner", "fiver", "twenny" (not "twenty"). We don't have single banknotes like a dollar bill. We have pound coins

Dimes, nickels, etc = pound coin, two-pound coin, fifty-pence, penny, two-pence, five-pence, ten-pence, twenty-pence (link here about the coin currency)

Drug store = chemist or pharmacy

Optometrist = optician

Primary care physician = GP (general practitioner) here's a link about UK medical terms for doctors etc

Side-note: here's a link about medical terminologies etc between American and UK

Social security number = national insurance number

Liquor store = off-license or, specifically, Bargain Booze™

Liquor = spirits (usually)

Store = shop

Target, Walmart, etc = honestly, it's probably gonna be Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, ALDI or Lidl

Superstore = supermarket

Shopping cart = shopping trolley or just "trolley"

Yard-sale = car-boot/car-bootie/car-boot sale

Attorney = barrister or solicitor (solicitors you go to for legal help, barristers tend to be involved in actual court matters, like a the Crown Prosecution Service), here's a link that explains it better

Janitor = caretaker

French-fries = chips (although McDonald's French-fries are just that, French-fries)

Intersection = crossroad

Highway/freeway = motorway

Interstate = usually an A-road or a motorway, we don't really have interstates here)

Overpass = flyover

Turnpike = toll motorway

Windshield = windscreen

Trunk of a car = boot or car boot

Hood of a car = bonnet or car bonnet

Truck = lorry

Sedan = saloon car

Blowout = puncture or flat tyre

Pavement = road

Sidewalk = path

Subway = underground (like the London Underground)

Drapes = curtains (though we do use "drapes" we tend to say "curtains" more)

Pacifier = dummy or "dodo" or "dodi"

Diaper = nappie or a pull-up (if its like underwear for toddlers)

Baby crib = baby cot (though we do use "crib", we tend to say "cot" more)

Baby carriage/pushchair/stroller = pram or buggy (more specific type tho, here's a link about the differences)

Trash/garbage can = bin, dustbin, rubbish bin

Garbage/trash collector = binman/binmen

Mail = post

Mailman = postman

Mailbox = postbox

The movies = cinema or pictures

Movie = film (less common nowadays with influence of Americanisms but I still use "film" and a lot of people my age and older do too (25+)

First floor = ground floor okay, it's the ground floor because it's on ground level

Sneakers = unless they're Converse, it's probably just "trainers"

Baggage = luggage

Purse (as in the bag) = handbag, or "purse" but that tends to be the thing you put your money and cards in then put in your handbag

Vacuum cleaner = hoover or a specific brand like Henry Hoover™, which you'll find we tend to just call Henry (though I have a John Lewis hoover I got from George, ASDA that I've named 'George' and yes, I do say "I need to use George in a bit to hoover" regularly)

Sweater = jumper or, if it buttons up it's a cardigan or cardi

Closet = wardrobe

Elevator = lift

Call collect = reverse charges

Schools = we have primary/infants (11yrs)and secondary/high school (11-16yo) with some high schools have sixth-form college (16-18yo) or actual independent colleges for the same ages

College = university

Semester = term

Vacation = holiday

Kindergarten = nursey/reception

Flashlight = torch

Wrench = spanner

Backyard = garden

Cookie = biscuits

Chips = crisps (like Walkers™ or Lays™ in the States)

Pants = trousers

Cottoncandy = candyfloss

Dude = bloke/fella/mate

John Doe = John Smith

Exhausted (tired) = knackered

Cell phone = mobile

Cell data = mobile data/4G/5G

Bathroom/restroom = loo/toilet (informal term "bog")

Thanks = cheers

Soccer = football

Y'all = "you lot"

Fuck off/hit the road/go away = bugger off

Some slang phrases too

Bits and bobs = stuff, usually random

Take the mick/mickey = making fun of someone or over-exaggerating

Bob's your uncle = there you go, basically

Bog standard = typical, run of the mill kind of deal

Gutted = feel upset, disappointed

Dull as dishwater = basically really, really fuckin boring

Chinwag = basically "shooting the breeze" or just having a talk/chat

.

If you have any others that you think of or want added, reblog and add em! Tags too if you'd prefer but reblogs would be easier ☺️

[poojagblog-blog]

Delray Beach, FL, Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Electric Motors Market size is expected to grow from USD 152.2 billion in 2024 to USD 206.4 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.3% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. The electric motor market has bloomed forth globally. All these sectors inherit demanding environments for solving problems and improving reliability. From electric vehicles to industrial machinery, consumer electronics to wind turbines, electric motors find applications in many areas. They not only ensure low energy consumption but also increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

[reasonsforhope]

"The Hague made international headlines for being the first city in the world to approve legislation prohibiting marketing of fossil fuel-related products and services. This major ruling, issued earlier this month, seeks to limit the promotion of items with a high carbon footprint, such as gasoline, diesel, aviation, and cruise ships. The ban, which goes into effect at the start of next year, will affect both government and privately funded advertisements, including those on billboards and bus shelters throughout the Dutch metropolis.

This groundbreaking legislation establishes an important precedent in the global fight against climate change. Other cities have attempted to limit the reach of high-carbon items through council ordinances or voluntary agreements with advertising operators, but The Hague’s prohibition is the first that is legally binding. It is a major step forward for cities around the world that want to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change head-on.

A response to global calls for action

The prohibition comes after UN Secretary-General António Guterres called earlier this year for countries and media outlets to take tougher action to combat fossil fuel advertising, citing parallels with existing tobacco advertising bans. Guterres stressed that, as with the tobacco industry in the past, fossil fuel businesses are contributing to a worldwide public health crisis—in this case, climate change. Governments can help change public behavior and prevent the normalization of high-carbon lifestyles by limiting their capacity to market.

Several cities have already made tiny moves in this direction. Edinburgh, for example, approved a council vote in May prohibiting fossil fuel-related ads in city-owned venues. The Scottish capital also prohibits enterprises that sell these products from sponsoring events or developing partnerships. However, unlike The Hague’s legislation, Edinburgh’s ban is voluntary and only applies to council spaces.

A legally binding first

The Hague’s new law is significant since it is legally binding. The restriction affects not only specific items, such as gasoline, diesel, and fossil fuel-powered vehicles but also businesses such as aviation and cruise ships. However, the rule exempts fossil fuel firms’ political advertising or efforts supporting a generic brand, allowing these businesses to keep prominence...

The impact of advertising on behavior

Advertising’s impact on consumer behavior is well-documented, and many experts say that fossil fuel marketing undercut climate legislation by encouraging unsustainable behavior. Thijs Bouman, an associate professor of environmental psychology at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, stated that “fossil fuel advertising normalizes the use of high-carbon products and services, making it more difficult to change consumer habits.” ...

Catalyzing change worldwide

The Hague’s move may have repercussions beyond its borders, spurring similar actions in other cities around the globe. Cities such as Toronto, Canada, and Graz, Austria, are already launching campaigns to outlaw advertising for fossil fuels. In the Netherlands, both Amsterdam and Haarlem have outlawed marketing for climate-damaging products like beef, but these measures have yet to become legislation.

Sleegers believes that The Hague’s move will act as a spur for other towns to follow suit. “More cities have a wish to implement the fossil ad ban through ordinance, but they were all waiting for some other city to go first. The Hague is this city,” she said, predicting that more local governments will now feel empowered to act...

As the world grapples with the rising costs of climate change, The Hague’s pioneering move provides a potential model for other cities looking to minimize their carbon footprints. With cities like Toronto and Amsterdam keeping a careful eye on things, this legislation has the potential to start a global campaign to prohibit fossil fuel advertising. 

More cities may follow suit in the coming years, hastening the transition to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future."

-via The Optimist Daily, September 26, 2024

[27moremoons]

Summary of the West Bank scene over the past hours: (X)

General scene:

A dangerous escalation throughout the West Bank, as the occupation's crimes escalate from raids, arrests and widespread demolition, while the resistance responds with heroic operations and continuous clashes. At the same time, the violations of the PA's apparatuses against the resistance and citizens are increasing, which increases the complexity and tension of the scene.

Escalation of the occupation and armed resistance:

• Al-Qassam Brigades and resistance factions engage in armed clashes with the occupation forces during the storming of Tulkarm camp, with the detonation of explosive devices and targeting of occupation vehicles.

• Shooting at the vehicle of the commander of the "Etzion" Brigade of the occupation army near Tekoa, after an operation targeting a settler vehicle.

• For the third day, the occupation fails to reach the perpetrators of the "hotel" operation, and closes roads and intersections with earth mounds and barriers, with intensive flights of reconnaissance aircraft.

• Three cousins, including two children, were martyred in a raid on Tamoun, south of Tubas, and another martyr succumbed to his wounds.

Occupation crimes and violations:

• Targeting Palestinians with arrests and raids in Qalqilya, Adh Dhahiriya, Qadura camp, and Aqaba, with a wide escalation in Tulkarm, Nablus, and Tubas.

• Demolition of two houses in Kafr Ad-Dik, and widespread destruction in Aqraba and Mikhmas.

• Settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the northern Jordan Valley, with an attempt to steal farmers' cows.

• Khaled Al-Najjar was injured with fractures and a Palestinian woman was wounded as a result of the occupation's attack in Tulkarm camp.

• Occupation forces attacked Kisan School in Bethlehem and fired tear gas at students and teachers.

Violent confrontations:

• Ongoing clashes in Tulkarm, Anabta, and Ya'bad, and clashes erupted in Burin, Odala, and Madama in Nablus, with the occupation targeting them with explosive devices.

• Young men throw stones at settlers' vehicles in Hizma, Hawara, Haris, and other areas.

Violations by the Palestinian Authority's security services:

• Clashes between the PA security and the resistance in Jenin.

• A wide-scale arrest campaign in Jenin that included wanted persons and journalists, and an assault on Hajj Asem Abu al-Rish and his family in al-Eizariya because of his sermon on the sanctity of Muslim blood.

Al-Aqsa Mosque:

• Groups of settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the occupation, in light of the continued restrictions on Palestinians in Jerusalem.

[kingthunder]

I saw a few of those "bg3 characters driving a car" headcanons and decided to do one myself for fun.

Lae'zel: She learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road from everyone else and her instincts are all wrong for her current location, but back home she's an excellent driver with a spotless driving record. She actually follows the service schedule in the car manual. She gets incensed at people who don't maintain their vehicle properly or who disobey road rules. Her car is immaculately clean. She would love to speed a motorcycle down one of those desert highways with no speed limit, but she's never gotten the opportunity and knows it's too reckless besides. But she wants to.

Karlach: She's had a motorcycle for ages and is a skilled if aggressive driver. However, she only recently learned how to drive a car. She is very enthusiastic about it and always volunteers to drive even though she's not very good yet. She's one of those people that do driving "pranks" like swerving back and forth to make people shriek/laugh, or doing "3, 2, 1 BLASTOFF" and gunning it. Could easily be provoked into an impromptu street race. Drives way too far on empty or with the check engine light on.

Shadowheart: Drives stick so that no one else can drive her car. It's a beat up old station wagon with a busted tail light and looks like shit on the outside, but inside she turned it into a goth mobile with like black velvet seat covers and stuff. She named the car but she won't tell you what. She has an air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror that smells like night orchids. She's a perfectly good boring driver with nothing to note about it UNTIL one day a cop tries to pull her over for her busted tail light and she hits the gas and pulls out all these street racing moves that you had no idea she was capable of and shakes the cop. She'll let you pick the music but if she doesn't like it her silent disapproval is so withering that you voluntarily change it to something she does like.

Astarion: Never got a driver's license and isn't about to get one now. Passenger princess who likes to control the radio but his taste in music sucks. He makes funny mean comments about other drivers and pedestrians. He'll complain if you ask him to fill the gas tank but he'll do it; you're paying for it, though. Actually pretty fun to go on a road trip with because he doesn't care about stuff like "making good time" and he's up for stopping anywhere that looks like it might be entertaining.

Gale: Never got a driver's license because he was always too busy with his studies to care and his mom drove him around and/or did all his errands for him anyway. He's real good at maps though and likes to be helpful by being the navigator. He's the smartest man in the world but he's completely stymied by a gas pump; you're better off pumping the gas yourself and sending him into the gas station for snacks. He always manages to conjure a full meal out of convenience food, somehow, and he's really good at feeding you while you drive.

Wyll: He saved up and bought his own fixer-upper car after getting kicked out of the house as a teenager. Good driver in general. People always think he would make a good designated driver, but actually he likes drinking socially and will politely decline requests to be the DD unless there's no one else available. Sometimes when he's having a bad day he blasts music really loud and finds a deserted area to just fuckin tear ass down as fast as he can go (he'll only do this alone and doesn't tell anyone about it). Never lets you pay for gas even if you offer. Will pick up hitchhikers.

Halsin: Has been driving the same car since 1973. Drives that specific car really well. If you gave him a modern car he would have no idea what anything on the dashboard does. Honestly, he prefers to walk or bike anyway.

Jaheira: Has a fuck-off huge SUV full of empty cans and wrappers from her kids. Absolute maniac of a driver who tailgates and speeds with no regard for road signs or lane markings. She is going to GET where she is GOING and gods help you if you get in the way.

Minsc: Failed the driving test three times and just gets rides from Jaheira. This does not bother him in the slightest. He tells you that Boo can drive vehicles you've never even heard of.

Minthara: Has run someone over on purpose.

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #31

August 23-30 2024

The Department of Transportation announced $521 million to help increase the number of electric vehicle charging ports. They money will go to projects in 29 different states, DC, and 8 tribal governments. It'll help build over 9,200 EV charging ports. Since Biden took office publicly available EV chargers has doubled, there are now over 192,000 public EV chargers in the nation with about 1,000 new ones being added every week.

The Department of The Interior announced the first ever lease for off-shore wind power in Oregon. When fully developed the two sites in Southern Oregon will generate 3.1 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy, enough to power a million homes. Under the Biden-Harris administration first of their kind off-shore wind power projects have been approved and started in the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. In total 13 gigawatts of clean energy from offshore wind projects, enough to power nearly 5 million homes, has been approved.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland finalized the protection of 28 million acres of public lands across Alaska.  In the last days of the Trump Administration protections for these lands were lifted. The Trump Interior Department did not consult with the Alaska natives who depend on these protected lands before lifting the protections. Deb Haaland the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the Interior declared "Tribal consultation must be treated as a requirement – not an option"

The Department of Health and Human Services announced $558 Million for improving maternal health. This is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's effort to address the maternal health crisis, which has been lead by Vice-President Harris. $440 million of the money will help expand a program of home visiting services for maternal, infant, and early childhood. $118 million, through the CDC, will go to 46 states, and six territories, over 5 years to help build the public health infrastructure to better identify and prevent pregnancy-related deaths.

It was announced that Maine will join the IRS' Direct File program for tax year 2025. Maine joins Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Wisconsin along with the original 12 states. The Direct File program, made possible by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, allows tax payers to file, for free, simple returns with the IRS. The 140,000 tax payers who used the pilot program in 2024 saved a collective $5.6 million in filing costs. Maine's Revenue Services plans to work with the ISR to allow tax payers to file their state taxes by just transferring the info from the ISR direct file.

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 Electric, 2024. The Austria specialist manufacturers of fire-service vehicles have revealed an electric version of the Panther 6x6 tender. Over 90% of the Panther’s duties can be discharged on electric power. For the rest, there's an “Energy Backup System” diesel generator, ensuring continuous use of the high-performance pump in emergencies. Its tanks have a capacity of up to 12,000 litres of water, 1,450 litres of foam, and 250 kilograms of powder.