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What did experts learn from an ‘unusual’ US presidential primary season?

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 18:37
As the primary season comes to a close, analysts weigh in on what the results can tell us about the Biden-Trump rematch.

Novak Djokovic pulls out of French Open with knee injury

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 18:34
The world number one suffered an injury in his right knee in the third round at Roland-Garros.

Is Israel going to back the Biden-announced Gaza peace plan?

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 18:25
The US president says that the plan came from Israel itself, but comments from Israeli leaders are far from supportive.

Have Republican busing schemes made immigration a priority for voters?

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 18:16
Experts say Republican initiatives to bus migrants north have contributed to voter concerns about immigration in the US.

India shares plunge on concerns of a narrower win for India’s Modi

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 17:48
At day's low, indexes saw biggest intraday fall since March 2020, when stocks were battered by first COVID-19 lockdown.

Biden suggests Netanyahu prolonging Israel’s Gaza war for political gains

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 17:33
US president's remarks come as Washington pursues a truce and captives deal between Israel and Hamas to end conflict.

Photos: BJP and opposition supporters celebrate India election results

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 17:06
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to retain power at the head of a governing coalition.

Hezbollah ‘ready’ for an all-out war with Israel, deputy head says

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:53
Sheikh Naim Qassem tells Al Jazeera that Hezbollah is not seeking to widen its conflict with Israel.

‘Political and moral defeat’ for Modi says India’s Congress party

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:41
"Now it is clear that this mandate has gone against Modi", says the president of India's Congress Party.

Spanish government decries ‘mudslinging campaign’ as PM’s wife summoned

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:16
Government spokesman slams right and far-right parties for going after Begona Gomez.

There is a measure of desperation in Biden’s ceasefire plan

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:48
The US president and Israeli prime minister are anxious to get out of a war destroying their political prospects.

Modi’s BJP to lose majority in India election shock, needs allies for gov’t

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:11
Defying exit polls, opposition parties stun the BJP in vital states, resetting India's political landscape.

LogOn: Swarms of drones can be managed by one person

Technology - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:45
The U.S. military says large groups of drones and ground robots can be managed by a single person without added stress to the operator. In this week’s episode of LogOn, VOA’s Julie Taboh reports the technologies may be beneficial for civilian uses, too. Videographer and video editor: Adam Greenbaum

Many Americans still shying away from EVs despite Biden's push, poll finds

Technology - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:38
Washington — Many Americans still aren’t sold on going electric for their next car purchase. High prices and a lack of easy-to-find charging stations are major sticking points, a new poll shows.   About 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they would be at least somewhat likely to buy an EV the next time they buy a car, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, while 46% say they are not too likely or not at all likely to purchase one.   The poll results, which echo an AP-NORC poll from last year, show that President Joe Biden’s election-year plan to dramatically raise EV sales is running into resistance from American drivers. Only 13% of U.S. adults say they or someone in their household owns or leases a gas-hybrid car, and just 9% own or lease an electric vehicle.   Caleb Jud of Cincinnati said he’s considering an EV, but may end up with a plug-in hybrid — if he goes electric. While Cincinnati winters aren’t extremely cold, “the thought of getting stuck in the driveway with an EV that won’t run is worrisome, and I know it wouldn’t be an issue with a plug-in hybrid,″ he said. Freezing temperatures can slow chemical reactions in EV batteries, depleting power and reducing driving range. A new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency requires that about 56% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2032, along with at least 13% plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars. Auto companies are investing billions in factories and battery technology in an effort to speed up the switch to EVs to cut pollution, fight climate change — and meet the deadline.   EVs are a key part of Biden’s climate agenda. Republicans led by presumptive nominee Donald Trump are turning it into a campaign issue.   Younger people are more open to eventually purchasing an EV than older adults. More than half of those under 45 say they are at least “somewhat” likely to consider an EV purchase. About 32% of those over 45 are somewhat likely to buy an EV, the poll shows.   But only 21% of U.S. adults say they are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy an EV for their next car, according to the poll, and 21% call it somewhat likely. Worries about cost are widespread, as are other practical concerns.   Range anxiety – the idea that EVs cannot go far enough on a single charge and may leave a driver stranded — continues to be a major reason why many Americans do not purchase electric vehicles.   About half of U.S. adults cite worries about range as a major reason not to buy an EV. About 4 in 10 say a major strike against EVs is that they take too long to charge or they don’t know of any public charging stations nearby.   Concern about range is leading some to consider gas-engine hybrids, which allow driving even when the battery runs out. Jud, a 33-year-old operations specialist and political independent, said a hybrid "is more than enough for my about-town shopping, dropping my son off at school'' and other uses.   With EV prices declining, cost would not be a factor, Jud said — a minority view among those polled. Nearly 6 in 10 adults cite cost as a major reason why they would not purchase an EV.   Price is a bigger concern among older adults.   The average price for a new EV was $52,314 in February, according to Kelley Blue Book. That's down by 12.8% from a year earlier, but still higher than the average price for all new vehicles of $47,244, the report said. Jose Valdez of San Antonio owns three EVs, including a new Mustang Mach-E. With a tax credit and other incentives, the sleek new car cost about $49,000, Valdez said. He thinks it's well worth the money.   "People think they cost an arm and a leg, but once they experience (driving) an EV, they'll have a different mindset,'' said Valdez, a retired state maintenance worker.  The 45-year-old Republican said he does not believe in climate change. “I care more about saving green” dollars, he said, adding that he loves the EV's quiet ride and the fact he doesn't have to pay for gas or maintenance. EVs have fewer parts than gas-powered cars and generally cost less to maintain. Valdez installed his home charger himself for less than $700 and uses it for all three family cars, the Mustang and two older Ford hybrids. With a recently purchased converter, he can also charge at a nearby Tesla supercharger station, Valdez said.   About half of those who say they live in rural areas cite lack of charging infrastructure as a major factor in not buying an EV, compared with 4 in 10 of those living in urban communities.   Daphne Boyd, of Ocala, Florida, has no interest in owning an EV. There are few public chargers near her rural home “and EVs don’t make any environmental sense,″ she said, citing precious metals that must be mined to make batteries, including in some countries that rely on child labor or other unsafe conditions. She also worries that heavy EV batteries increase wear-and-tear on tires and make the cars less efficient. Experts say extra battery weight can wear on tires but say proper maintenance and careful driving can extend tire life.   Boyd, a 54-year-old Republican and self-described farm wife, said EVs may eventually make economic and environmental sense, but “they’re not where they need to be” to convince her to buy one now or in the immediate future. Ruth Mitchell, a novelist from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, loves her EV. “It’s wonderful — quiet, great pickup, cheap to drive. I rave about it on Facebook,″ she said. Mitchell, a 70-year-old Democrat, charges her Chevy Volt hybrid at home but says there are several public chargers near her house. She’s not looking for a new car, Mitchell said, but when she does it will be electric: "I won't drive anything else."

Preview: Belgium will be tricky opponents at Euro 2024, De Bruyne says

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:35
Belgium were quarterfinalists at past two editions, and captain Kevin De Bruyne says his team are ready for Euro 2024.

War on Gaza, the view from Israel

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:10
Public support for Israel's war aims may be faltering, but not necessarily for the reasons many might expect.

Singer Kehlani’s stand for Palestine in new music video

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:03
American singer Kehlani expressed support for Palestine in their new music video.

How do activists sustain momentum while advocating online?

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:00
We’ll explore how organisers find new ways to ‘beat the algorithm’ and keep their audiences - and themselves - engaged.

Video: Woman detained by French police over Palestinian scarf

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 13:49
Watch the moment police detained and fined a woman wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf known as a keffiyeh.

Russia denies Eiffel Tower coffin stunt an anti-Ukraine undertaking

Around The Globe - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 13:38
The mysterious prank comes as Moscow warns the West against expanding support for Ukrainian forces.

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