#aaa auto insurance

[dahabiyasailingcruise]

[dgf2099]

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-November 6, 2024

By David G. Firestone TRACKHOUSE RACING #1 Ross Chastain #1 Moose Fraternity Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, red roof added. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, sides cleaned up. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Fishing Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2024, white with fishing motif. D- Ross Chastain #1 Worldwide Express Chevy Camaro–No change. F Ross Chastain #1 Jockey…

[thedailycounternews]

ARE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMERS?

As most of us discover car insurance companies become very strict on their claims, when you file. One Company stands out above the rest, Progessive! As we are all drawn in by the comedic antics of Flo and her group on tv, it’s sadly not so funny when you file a claim with Progressive. The Company has a history of denying a large number of claims for just about any reason they see fit. They also…

[breakingpronews]

How to Cancel AAA Auto Insurance: A Step-By-Step Guide

Quick Takeaways for How to Cancel AAA Auto Insurance? To cancel AAA Auto Insurance: Call or visit your local agent. Give them your name, policy number, and the cancellation date. If you paid upfront, you might get money back for the unused time. Watch out for possible cancellation fees, but they might not say how much. If your life is changing (like moving or getting a new car), you might…

[zeeph-containment-zone]

Okay yeah I’m still stuck in a parking lot I’m begging every single person in their mid-late 20’s who needs car insurance to stay far, far away from Triple A. Have not been contacted whatsoever despite the ETA timer being 0 for the past 20 minutes. No call about a truck coming or any sort of update since I made the tow request 5 hours ago. What was suppose to be a normal arcade run turned into a fucking nightmare.

How the hell is roadside assistance this useless the insurance company really is just okay with leaving me stranded in a parking lot for 3 hours while they sit on their ass or something I WANT TO GO HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[darkmaga-returns]

by #TBOT: Take Back Our Tech

Ever drive a new car and see that it slows itself down when you get close to the car in front of you? That's an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, something that automakers 'voluntarily' started putting in all vehicles.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is requiring all cars to be able to stop and avoid contact with the car in front of them at 62 mph. Automakers see this as an impossible task.

Large auto insurance co-op AAA released a research report showing that newer cars with AEB (2024) were twice as likely to avoid a collision than a 2017 vehicle at speeds of 34 mile per hour.

These newer systems use both camera and radar. What most people don't realize is the radar emits extremely high frequency mmWave technology typically above 50 Ghz.

Doing some research I found AEB radar companies advertising anywhere from 60-80 GHz. The average radiation coming from a microwave oven is about 2.5 GHz - most people are sitting next to something emitting far more dense radiation. And type of radiation is going to be all over our roadways.

Yes the NHTSA suggests in their studies that AEB systems can lower rear-end crashes by 49%, but at what cost to our long term health?

As Bioinitiative 2012 points out, "Health consequences have not been identified nor been factored into public safety limits" for new 5G wireless technologies. There is already a mountain of studies indicating negative bioeffects for the lower frequencies.

Can we find a better way to prevent accidents besides surveillance and extreme radiation?

[ladylooch]

https://www.tumblr.com/ladylooch/733002489968951296/when-lena-tells-everyone-shes-going-to-california

This has triggered something in my brain and now I need Lena angst.

Lena goes to California and has a super hard time adjusting to being away from home, especially her dad. She just has a hard first few months—“friends” that end up taking advantage of her, hard classes and maybe she gets into a little car accident. All she wants is her dad at the end of it.

Ohhh! Len!

California is not like the midwest. That is the only lesson Lena has learned in her first month and a half away from home. She's already had several fake friends, she's failed a test, and now, she's been in an at-fault car accident.

Lena's teeth chatter with the traffic on the busy California Interstate, sobbing into the phone with her dad as Kevin tries to walk her through what information to give the other driver. She looked away for a split second and rear-ended someone. Lena is not a mechanic, but she's pretty sure the car shouldn't look like THAT.

"Len, take a breath, baby." Her dad's calm voice comes over the phone. "You're okay. Hand your phone to the other driver."

The other driver looks to be around her dad's age, grimacing in sympathy at Lena's face. They chat, then Lena takes the phone back.

"Okay, AAA is coming. Get back in the car and wait until they are there. I'll call your brother and have him meet you at the auto shop and take you back to your dorm." Lena nods, then realizes he can't see her.

"Okay." She whispers. "Daddy, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, baby. I'm going to look at flights tonight. I'll come out and take care of the insurance. We'll go look at new cars, if we need to."

[37q]

car things:

switched auto insurance last night, new provider said Due Today! to start and we were like hahaha ok... but apparently they couldnt process it right then bcuz they need to review my records LOL so now im anxiously anticipating a quote thats about the same as my egregious payment hike w my current provider 🫠 so scared!

car wont start! im cursed. either its the temp fluctuations (oil viscosity and humidity / moisture buildup and freeze) or because the undercarriage cover that i lost recently in an honestly and hilariously strange event on the road was preventing local wildlife from nesting (for warmth( and munching (for fun) on my wiring like my old car. and now its open season, especially because they can live it up during the day but resort to wintertime habits in sub freezing overnights

im out of tubular gauze :( and i bought the last one from my local cvs last week(?), so i need to go to another store! i work at 12 and i definitely need to rewrap before then, but i have a vague hour fifteen eta from aaa so hopefully ill have time...

[earthtomica]

meet mica

Mica is a 1994 Mitsubishi Delica L300 imported from Osaka, Japan. This year marks her 30th birthday, which in car years makes her a major grandma with six years of life experience on the both of us. As with any of our elders, we have learned an immense amount from her already - she is a little stubborn, tough as hell, and gives back even more to us than we unto her.

When we met Mica, she was imprisoned by the horrifying confines of a used car dealership. With no rust we could tell she had good bones, but she seemed neglected and we had to do something about it. Plus, considering we were running on a fresh-out-of-college budget, it didn’t hurt that she cost much less coin currency than her similarly imported siblings. We drove five hours to go pick her up and purchased her without hesitation (after spending four hours on the phone with insurance). We love insurance agents! They are so respectful of your time and so helpful in convincing you that you will cause $150k in damage to a local bridge. Finally we were on the road home as full of excitement and spirit as two young people could possible be driving their brand-new-super-old future home on wheels. Surely the only challenges would be steering from the wrong (right) side of the road and the 65mph top speed.

Halfway home, we took a mandatory Subway pitstop, ready to tackle the last couple of hours in the dark. Oh yea, we forgot to mention that the forecast leading into this weekend was a winter storm. But anyways, we forged on with hope in our hearts and Subway in our stomachs. At a certain point we noticed that the windshield wipers were slowing down a bit - “must just be the heavy wind and rain”, we said. Kept going. A little while later the headlights looked dim on the pitch black road- “our first upgrade should be new headlights”, we said. Kept going. After a few more minutes, the rapidly dropping fuel gauge needle caught our eyes - “FUCK”, we said, as the naivety finally started to fade. We had just filled up, so either we had a gaping hole in our fuel tank, or something worse… Surprise! It was something worse.

Internally full panic mode, externally calm. Neither of us would dare say a word.

Enter, Saugerties, NY. A small town off the highway which now holds a very specific spot in our hearts. We pulled into a gas station with relief and shut the car off. Mind you, this was still our first time taking this grandma out for a spin, and the first time this grandma had been out for a proper spin since we were born. After gathering ourselves and laughing at what might have been the scariest drive either of us had ever taken, we tried cranking her up again…

nothing.

The rest of the story isn’t underwhelming, but for the sake of the tumblr character limit, we'll just say it involves no ubers or AAA due to a state of emergency for the impending winter storm (which never came), a very kind gas station clerk who may have accidentally shorted our battery but also gave us food and water (guess we looked desperate), our first trip in a cop car (if you didn’t know you can’t let yourself out from the inside), a two night stay at a very comfortable Comfort Inn, and more auto shop phone calls than we have ever made in a 48 hour span (previous record: 0).

Eventually we were picked up by an extremely kind lady named “Mom” and she took us back home while Mica was towed to the only local shop which would dare take an old diesel van. The shop was great, but held onto Mica for over three months just to replace the alternator (the primary culprit) and change a few fluids. Despite being restless from our time apart and dented by a large bill, we were eager to dive into the abyss of building a mobile-home-studio-temple-spaceship. And thus commences over a year of dusk-till-dawn work, non-stop learning, unlearning, and a newfound friendship with Murphy’s Law…

TN KM

[dangkimnganha1990]

2024 KOREA CRISIS and government collapse vs The cost of insuring Dutch debt against default rose to its highest since January as the country slipped into crisis - 2012 Dutch general election

Bản chất câu chuyện là nếu ai làm tại SAMSUNG GROUP, đều thấy 1990 là cấp JUNIOR mà có quyền lực còn hơn cấp CEO.

Trước tháng 9/2013, mối quan hệ với CEO KOREAN căng thẳng, nguyên nhân chính xuất phát từ NÓ MUỐN CHUYỂN 1990 sang làm 3 core sections quan trọng, mà tất cả các cấp SENIOR MANAGERS đều mơ ước, vì vào phân khúc đó, được HÃNG đãi ngộ rất tốt, vì đây là chuyện chưa có tiền lệ tại SAMSUNG GROUP.

Tuy nhiên, thằng chó đẻ KOREAN, nó không biết 1990, mới là người ban ơn cho đám SAMSUNG GROUP, vì 1960s, nhà SAIGON FRANCO chuyển cho JAPAN một số kỹ thuật, và đăng ký bằng sáng chế dưới tên JAPANESE 1960S, cho nên toàn bộ danh sách sáng chế kỹ thuật quan trọng, nhà SAIGON FRANCO nắm giữ trước khi sụp đổ 30/4/1975.

Cũng như, nếu giúp đám KOREAN thì tụi nó sẽ trở quẻ và vượt mặt JAPAN and CHINA, vì bản quyền mỗi nhà, 1990 đều nắm, nguyên tắc chung, không nên ăn cắp cái không phải của mình.

Do đó 1990 từ chối chuyển vị trí công tác, và kể từ đó bùng nổ cuộc chiến giữa 1990 và KOREAN CEO, tới khi kết thúc tháng 4/2014.

NẾU đồng ý vào thời điểm 2013, thì KOREA sẽ auto né được như DUTCH GOVERMENT, đáng lẽ năm 2014, sẽ đi HÀ LAN và NA UY, chắc qua kia là ngồi trong phòng nghiên cứu tiếp tục tạo mô hình thống trị toàn thế giới một cách hợp pháp, vì thời gian đó, ASML Holding đang thống lĩnh thị trường, NA UY có nguồn dầu mỏ dồi dào.

https://www.dnb.nl/media/yyonohk0/working_paper_no-824.pdf

https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/european-fears-grip-investors-worldwide-112042400055_1.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/world/dutch-coalition-teeters-over-cuts-as-eu-pact-struggles-idUSBRE83M07I/

Dutch Queen Beatrix has asked for parliament to be dissolved so that elections can be held on September 12, leaving the country open to months of political and economic uncertainty after the government collapsed in a row over budget cuts.

The triple-A rated Netherlands has been one of the euro zone’s most stable countries but has been plunged into a political crisis, worrying financial markets focused on the region’s debt troubles.

“The euro zone fiscal compact will lose what remains of its credibility if even one of the AAA members is politically unable to implement the austerity measures required to adhere to this rule,” Rabobank said in a research note.

After losing his main ally, care-taker Prime Minister Mark Rutte is desperately trying to find support from opposition parties for budget cuts to put the country on track to meet the European Union’s deficit targets.

The largest opposition parties on Tuesday refused to back his 14 to 16 billion euros package of cuts, and now he has less than a week to win support from smaller parties so he can present his plans to the EU by April 30.

With doubts growing across Europe about the price of austerity, parties to Rutte’s left said trying to meet the EU’s deficit target of 3 percent of gross domestic product in 2013 would hurt the economy and the Dutch people.

A statement issued by the prime minister’s office said the Queen of the caretaker government requested the dissolution of the House of Representatives, to allow elections to go ahead on September 12.

Rutte’s centre-right government tendered its resignation on Monday after only 18 months in power and the elections will be the fifth in ten years.

Rutte’s two-party coalition had relied on the Freedom Party headed by Geert Wilders, the eurosceptic, anti-Islam politician - to get legislation through parliament, even though the Freedom Party remained outside the government.

But Wilders withdrew that support at the weekend after seven weeks of negotiations on the extra budget cuts, without which the deficit is forecast to reach 4.6 percent of GDP next year.

REUTERS - The Dutch government teetered on the verge of collapse on Monday in a crisis over budget cuts, spelling the likely end of a coalition which has strongly backed a European Union fiscal treaty and lectured Greece on getting its finances in order.

The row erupted at the weekend when the anti-EU Freedom Party refused to agree with the centre-right coalition on how to cut 14 to 16 billion euros from the budget and get the Dutch deficit down to the EU target. New elections are now a near certainty.

“I assume it is inevitable,” deputy foreign minister Ben Knapen told Dutch news programme RTL Z. “It is important that everyone who bears responsibility stays calms and makes sure we get an orderly budget. We do have big problems,” Knapen said before he entered a cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s minority cabinet, which relies on the populist Freedom Party to get legislation through parliament, met to discuss whether it had any hope of pushing through the budget cuts - and whether to offer its resignation. New elections could be announced as early as Monday, and would most likely be held in September or October, analysts said.

Rutte and Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager - who flew back from IMF talks in Washington when the crisis broke - have been among the euro zone’s harshest critics of “budget sinners” such as Greece and Portugal.

The Netherlands has been close to Germany in calling for tough austerity measures across the euro zone, and in supporting the EU’s fiscal pact which must win parliamentary ratification by the end of the year in the 25 countries whose governments signed up to the treaty.

The prospect of new elections pushed up borrowing costs for the Netherlands, traditionally one of the strongest euro zone economies, as the country was drawn into Europe’s debt crisis.

Rutte, whose coalition has been in power since October 2010, failed to agree the cuts with Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders after seven weeks of talks on the same weekend that the far right performed strongly in French elections.

French jolt

Anti-immigration crusader Marine Le Pen jolted the French establishment on Sunday by winning 18 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential election, the best result for a candidate of the National Front.

The Dutch crisis also flared at a time of wobbling support for the EU fiscal pact.

The Socialist frontrunner to win the French runoff next month, Francois Hollande, has promised to renegotiate the compact. This has alarmed financial markets, which fear he could throw the EU’s commitment to fiscal discipline into question, although his aides insist he will not try to pick the treaty apart.

France has already lost its triple-A credit rating and the Netherlands may follow suit if it fails to make the budget cuts.

“Our competitiveness, credibility and triple-A status are at risk because Wilders has walked away. That is very costly. The interest rate on our state bonds can run up,” former Dutch minister and current European Commissioner Neelie Kroes was quoted as saying in Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

The cost of insuring Dutch debt against default rose to its highest since January as the country slipped into crisis. Dutch five-year credit default swaps rose 9 basis points to 128 bps after the failure to agree on the budget with Wilders, whose party is outside the coalition.

“This represents a potential sizeable stumbling block to the already challenged fiscal compact,” Rabobank said in a research note. “A failure on the part of a core country (and one we judge as ‘true core’ at that) to adhere to compact’s deficit limits will represent a powerful debasement of the treaty.”

The crisis would make it harder for Germany and other core members to sell the idea to voters that “bailouts are not a free lunch - they come with a policy straitjacket”, it added.

[autotherside]

Does AAA Insurance Cover Car Break-Ins? Uncover Facts!

AAA Insurance typically covers car break-ins through its comprehensive coverage option. Policyholders can claim for theft and damage resulting from such incidents. Understanding your auto insurance coverage is crucial, especially when facing the unexpected stress of a car break-in. AAA Insurance offers a sense of security to its members, with comprehensive policies that usually include…

[dgf2099]

The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-October 30, 2024

By David G. Firestone TRACKHOUSE RACING #1 Ross Chastain #1 Moose Fraternity Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, red roof added. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, sides cleaned up. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Fishing Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2024, white with fishing motif. D- Ross Chastain #1 Worldwide Express Chevy Camaro–No change. F Ross Chastain #1 Jockey…

[shadowystudentreview]

How Climate Condition Can Affect Your Claim: Insights from a Winter Park Lawyer

Introduction

Navigating the complex world of insurance coverage claims can seem like an uphill struggle, especially when climate condition enter play. Whether it's rain-soaked roadways, icy patches, or foggy conditions, unfavorable weather condition can considerably influence the situations surrounding cars and truck mishaps. In this car accident attorney extensive guide, we'll check out how these weather conditions can impact your claim with insights from a Winter season Park attorney. By comprehending these elements, you empower yourself to make informed choices in the aftermath of an accident.

How Weather Can Impact Your Claim: Insights from a Winter Park Attorney

When you think about automobile accidents and insurance claims, weather condition may not be the first thing that enters your mind. However, it plays an essential role in determining fault and liability. A Winter Park car accident lawyer will tell you that inclement weather can change the dynamics of a mishap circumstance dramatically.

1. Comprehending Different Weather Condition Conditions Click here for info

1.1 Rain and Wet Roads

Rain can develop slippery surface areas that increase stopping distances and lower traction. Did you know that nearly 70% of all weather-related mishaps take place on wet pavement? This statistic highlights the importance of being cautious throughout rainy conditions.

1.2 Snow and Ice

In areas where snow and ice are prevalent, drivers deal with special difficulties. The American Auto Association (AAA) reports that over 1,300 deaths happen each year due to winter driving conditions. A winter park car accident attorney understands how often these situations lead to misconceptions about liability.

2. Showing Fault in Unfavorable Weather

2.1 Gathering Evidence

Gathering evidence becomes crucial when proving fault in negative climate condition. Photos of the scene, eyewitness accounts, and police reports can help clarify what happened.

2.2 Function of Traffic Laws

Traffic laws don't alter based upon weather condition; nevertheless, they may be interpreted in a different way under certain circumstances. For instance, if a chauffeur stops working to adjust their speed according to road conditions, they may still be held liable for a mishap even if it was raining.

3. How Insurance Companies Assess Claims

3.1 Adjusters' Point Of Views on Weather-Related Accidents

Insurance adjusters assess claims based on numerous factors consisting of climate condition at the time of the mishap. They may try to find proof showing whether drivers followed safe practices provided the circumstances.

3.2 Recording Damage Claims After Serious Weather Condition Events

In cases where severe storms have caused widespread damage, recording damage becomes a lot more important for claim resolution.

4. The Effect of Visibility Issues on Driving Safety

4.1 Fog and Lowered Visibility

Fog provides special challenges for drivers as presence can drop dramatically within seconds. Statistically speaking, fog contributes to around 30% of all fatal cars and truck mishaps in specific regions.

4.2 Evening Driving in Poor Weather Conditions

[needyforhelp]

California State Automobile Association (CSAA)

 The California State Automobile Association (CSAA) is a major affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA), serving Northern California, Nevada, and Utah. Established in 1900, CSAA has grown from a small group of motoring enthusiasts into a trusted organization providing a range of services to millions of members. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, it has become synonymous with roadside assistance, travel planning, and automotive services.

CSAA’s flagship offering is its 24/7 roadside assistance, which includes services like towing, battery replacement, fuel delivery, and tire changes. This service is a lifeline for drivers, ensuring they are never stranded due to vehicle issues. Beyond roadside aid, California State Automobile Association provides a variety of insurance products, including auto, home, and renters insurance, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its members.

Travel services are another cornerstone of CSAA's offerings. Members have access to exclusive discounts on hotels, rental cars, and attractions. The association also provides personalized trip planning, complete with maps, travel guides, and expert recommendations. Additionally, CSAA promotes safe driving through educational programs and resources aimed at reducing accidents and enhancing road safety.

California State Automobile Association is committed to environmental sustainability, with initiatives to promote electric vehicles and reduce carbon footprints. It also engages in community service, supporting causes like traffic safety and disaster relief. Members benefit not only from services but also from advocacy efforts that influence transportation policy and infrastructure improvements.

With a strong focus on innovation and customer service, CSAA continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its members, making it an indispensable resource for drivers across the region. Whether through insurance, travel perks, or emergency assistance, CSAA is dedicated to enhancing the driving experience and fostering safe, worry-free journeys.

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’ (AP) Just as there are good odds the turkey will taste dry, airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end in another record day for air travel in the United States. The people responsible for keeping security lines, boarding areas and jetliners moving—from the U.S. transportation secretary and airline chiefs on down the line—swear they are prepared for the crowds. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year. “This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

America’s Rivals Have a New Favorite Weapon: Criminal Gangs (WSJ) There is a growing threat facing Western security agencies already stretched thin by war and terrorism: alliances between adversarial states and criminals, including drug gangs and lone wolves hired online. Dealing with crime was once the domain of law enforcement, while threats from foreign countries were the responsibility of intelligence agencies. Today the confluence of these foes is increasingly rendering such distinctions obsolete. Numerous incidents in recent years have awakened Western intelligence officials to the problem. Among their allegations: Russia recruits criminals on social media to commit acts of sabotage across Europe. China outsources overseas cyberattacks to private hackers. Iran hires teenage boys in Scandinavia to lob grenades at Israeli embassies. North Korea deals in drugs and cyber-fraud. Even the Indian government contracted a notorious gangster’s associates to kill a Sikh separatist in Canada. In July 2020, Italian police seized 84 million captagon tablets at the port of Salerno. The drugs, worth 1 billion Euros, were manufactured by the Islamic State group in Syria, which uses drug trafficking to finance its terrorist operations. The new threat is forcing Western governments to rethink decades of national-security and intelligence practices.

Immigrants Across U.S. Rush to Prepare for Trump Crackdown (NYT) President-elect Donald J. Trump has vowed to slash immigration—both legal and illegal—and ramp up deportations on Day 1. Immigrants are racing to get ahead of the crackdown. Foreign-born residents have been jamming the phone lines of immigration lawyers. They’re packing information meetings organized by nonprofits. And they’re taking whatever steps they can to inoculate themselves from the sweeping measures Mr. Trump has promised to undertake after he is inaugurated on Jan. 20. “People that should be scared are coming in, and people that are fine with a green card are rushing in,” said Inna Simakovsky, an immigration lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, who added that her team has been overwhelmed with consultations. “Everyone is scared,” she said. In total there are about 13 million who have legal permanent residency. And there were an estimated 11.3 million undocumented people in 2022, the latest figure available.

Trump and his allies see a role model in Argentina’s Milei (Washington Post) For the American right, there’s a new icon on the bloc. The week after Donald Trump’s election victory, Argentine President Javier Milei appeared at a black-tie bash at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was received with the same effusive enthusiasm that he himself took to the proceedings. In a short speech, the libertarian economist exulted in Trump’s win, saying “the forces of heaven [were] on our side.” Milei surged to power a year ago. Since taking office in December, he has moved quickly and radically, slashing public spending, erasing several governmental ministries and deregulating broad swaths of the economy. His zeal has won admirers in Trumpworld, where Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with leading the so-called Department of Governmental Efficiency, are keen to follow Milei’s example. Ramaswamy, pushing for mass federal layoffs, has called for “Milei-style cuts, on steroids” as Trump and his allies act on their long-held desire to dismantle the administrative state.

Romania in shock after far-right populist enters presidential election’s runoff with most votes (AP) Romania’s political landscape is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election, electoral data showed Monday, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister. Calin Georgescu, 62, who has no party of his own and who campaigned largely on TikTok, will likely face center-right opposition party leader Elena Lasconi in a Dec. 8 presidential run-off vote. Some fear Georgescu’s victory could threaten Romania’s staunchly pro-Ukraine stance.

Ukraine’s Western Missiles Threaten Big Russian Assets (WSJ) A half-dozen U.S. ballistic missiles, fired by Ukraine, slammed into an ammunition depot some 75 miles across the Russian border early Tuesday, setting off further detonations that turned the sky red. The following morning, 10 British-provided cruise missiles pounded the vicinity of a Kremlin-run sanatorium that was apparently used as a military headquarters, smashing one after another in the town of Marino, located in Russia’s Kursk region about 20 miles from the front line there. These two strikes, the first Kyiv launched with Western-supplied missiles after receiving authorization from the U.S. and allies, show the range of military targets now available to Kyiv. Russian airfields, ammo depots and training grounds are no longer safe as Ukraine chooses what to target. Hundreds of targets are now within reach of the newly authorized weapons, which pack more punch than the long-range drones Ukraine has been using to strike deep inside Russia. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, has compiled a map of some 200 military targets in range of ATACMS, which has a range of up to 190 miles, and Storm Shadow, which can hit about 155 miles.

Thousands of Imran Khan supporters defy tear gas, lockdown and arrest to head to Pakistani capital (AP) Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former premier Imran Khan have defied a lockdown and widespread arrests to head to the capital Monday to demand his release. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. The lockdown, which has been in place for two days, has disrupted daily life. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible. Ambulances and cars were seen turning back from areas along the key Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab province, where shipping containers were used to block roads. Despite the crackdowns, senior PTI activists have reportedly entered the city limits of Islamabad, as part of convoys that have been organized to gather in the city center. Images have also begun circulating on social media of PTI supporters in the city trucking in gigantic fans, aimed at blowing away tear gas expected to be fired at protestors by Pakistani police. So far, authorities in Pakistan have arrested an estimated 4,000 PTI supporters.

In southern Lebanon, even war can’t stop the olive harvest (NZZ/Switzerland) This fall, like every year, whole families in Lebanon are traveling to their villages of origin to pick a fruit that has long been a national symbol. Kaukaba is a tiny village with around 200 inhabitants. It lies on a slope opposite Mount Hermon, which everyone here calls Haramoun. The family’s olive grove is located in the valley below, surrounded by other groves that also belong to local families. Between the leafy branches, stone walls and unpaved paths, the voices of children playing can be heard. Whole clans have come here to harvest their olives. The picking is a meditative affair. You stand in the middle of the trees and run your hand along the rough branches. The sun is shining and the air is warm. Sometimes the leaves rustle in the wind. Everything seems peaceful. You think about God and the world—and not about the war. But the war is nearby. The Syrian workers helping us used to live in a neighboring village. They fled from the bombs. A man called Aymad says he has already sent his family to Aleppo because of the war. When asked what he will be doing in the near future, he shrugs his shoulders. «Picking,» he says. «After all, I have to earn money.» Then, abruptly, the bombing starts. It is coming from the nearby Shiite village of Khiam, where Israel and Hezbollah are engaged in fierce battles. The Syrian workers carry on undeterred until the early afternoon, when they pack the harvest into sacks and drive away. According to legend, Jesus once rested here, along with the Mother of God. For this reason, the local council had a huge statue of the Virgin Mary erected on top of the mountain above Kaukaba. Her white face of stone now stares fixedly down at the war.

Lebanon’s Shiite Muslims pay high price in war between Israel and Hezbollah (AP) The Lebanese civilians most devastated by the Israel- Hezbollah war are Shiite Muslims, and many of them believe they are being unfairly punished because they share a religious identity with Hezbollah militants and often live in the same areas. “This is clear,” said Wael Murtada, a young Shiite man who anxiously watched paramedics search rubble after a recent Israeli airstrike destroyed his uncle’s two-story home and killed 10 people. “Who else is being attacked?” Israel has concentrated its attacks on villages in southern and northeastern Lebanon and neighborhoods south of Beirut. This is where many Hezbollah militants operate from, and their families live side by side with large numbers of Shiites who aren’t members of the group. Israel insists its war is with Hezbollah and not the Lebanese people—or the Shiite faith. It says it only targets members of the Iran-backed militant group to try to end their yearlong campaign of firing rockets over the border. But Israel’s stated objectives mean little to people like Murtada as growing numbers of Shiite civilians also die in a war that has escalated sharply in recent months.

Hundreds flee north Gaza as IDF orders more evacuations amid intense airstrikes (Guardian) The IDF ordered the evacuation of more parts of northern Gaza over the weekend, forcing hundreds of Palestinians to flee the area. The Israeli attacks only add to the hellish situation in northern Gaza, according to multiple international aid agencies—tens of thousands of people in the area are unable to access water, sanitation, food, and medical supplies thanks to Israel’s sustained offensive. Over the weekend, a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet said that the IDF would be stationed in Gaza “for years,” stating, “Gaza will never be a threat to the state of Israel, no matter how long it is going to take … I think that we are going to stay in Gaza for a long time … I think most people understand that that will be years.”

From eyesore to asset: How a smelly seaweed could fuel cars (BBC) When large swathes of invasive seaweed started washing up on Caribbean beaches in 2011, local residents were perplexed. Mounds of unsightly sargassum were carpeting the region’s prized coastlines, repelling holidaymakers with the pungent stench emitted as it rots. Now, a pioneering group of Caribbean scientists and environmentalists hope to turn the tide on the problem by transforming the troublesome algae into a lucrative biofuel. They recently launched one of the world’s first vehicles powered by bio-compressed natural gas. The innovative fuel source created at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados also uses wastewater from local rum distilleries, and dung from the island’s indigenous blackbelly sheep which provides the vital anaerobic bacteria. The team says any car can be converted to run on the gas via a simple and affordable four-hour installation process, using an easily available kit, at a total cost of around $2,500 (£1,940).

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The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-October 23, 2024

By David G. Firestone TRACKHOUSE RACING #1 Ross Chastain #1 Moose Fraternity Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, red roof added. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, sides cleaned up. A Ross Chastain #1 Busch Light Fishing Chevy Camaro-New sponsor for 2024, white with fishing motif. D- Ross Chastain #1 Worldwide Express Chevy Camaro–No change. F Ross Chastain #1 Jockey…