188 jili withdrawal
Number of flood evacuees drops below 100,000Georgios Terzis Purchases 85,778 Shares of Cosmos Health Inc. (NASDAQ:COSM) Stock
Finland beats US 4-3 in OT in world junior hockey; Canada rebounds from loss to top Germany 3-0 OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Tuomas Uronen scored at 1:46 of overtime to give Finland a 4-3 victory over the defending champion United States on Sunday in the world junior hockey championship. Canadian Press Dec 29, 2024 7:21 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Tuomas Uronen scored at 1:46 of overtime to give Finland a 4-3 victory over the defending champion United States on Sunday in the world junior hockey championship. Uronen, who plays for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League, came down the right side on a rush and beat goalie Trey Augustine high to the glove side. The Americans lost for the first time in three games. They'll finish Group A play Tuesday night against Canada. Finland has won two straight after an opening loss to Canada. In the late game at Canadian Tire Centre, Carter George made 18 saves to help Canada rebound from an overtime loss to Latvia with a 3-0 victory over Germany. Jesse Kiiskinen, Julius Miettinen and Arttu Alasiurua also scored for Finland, and Petteri Rimpinen made 41 saves. Carey Terrance of the Erie Otters of the OHL, Cole Hutson of Boston University and Brody Ziemer of Minnesota scored for the United States. Augustine, from Michigan State, stopped 29 shots. For Canada, Oliver Bonk opened the scoring midway through the first period, Caden Price made it 2-0 with 4:58 left in the game and Mathieu Cataford added an empty-netter. In Group B at TD Place, Sweden and Czechia each improved to 3-0 ahead of their showdown Tuesday night in the round-robin finale. Tom Willander had two goals and assist in Sweden's 7-5 victory over Switzerland. Eduard Sale scored twice to help Czechia beat Slovakia 4-2. ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Junior Hockey Unconvincing Canada tops Germany 3-0 at world juniors Dec 29, 2024 7:19 PM Dalyn Wakely scores pair to lead Colts to 3-1 victory over Battalion Dec 29, 2024 6:19 PM Lounsbury and Mercier score two goals apiece as Wildcats defeat Islanders Dec 29, 2024 5:25 PM
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HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — Amarri Tice scored 20 points and Paul Otieno added six in the overtime as Quinnipiac defeated Hofstra 75-69 on Sunday. Tice added 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Bobcats (6-7). Otieno scored 17 points and added 14 rebounds. Jaden Zimmerman shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. Jean Aranguren led the Pride (8-5) in scoring, finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Cruz Davis added 14 points and two steals for Hofstra. Michael Graham had eight points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Quinnipiac entered halftime up 36-32. Tice paced the team in scoring in the first half with 10 points. Quinnipiac was outscored by four points in the second half and the teams finished regulation tied 63-63 after two free throws by Aranguren with 38 seconds remaining. Otieno shot 2 of 3 from the field on the way to their six points in the overtime. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Missouri governor denies clemency, clears way for execution of man convicted of killing girl
2024 was a major year for new vehicle launches, with new generations of key models like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, plus the first of a new wave of Chinese auto brands entering the market. But many models also departed the Australian market, headlined by the departure of what had been the longest-running auto brand in Australia: Citroen. In fact, there were so many discontinuations that we split all the SUVs axed in Australia into a separate article . Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Scroll below for all the passenger cars axed this year, or click on one of the links below to take you directly to a vehicle. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe If you love the look of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe , rest assured you’ll still be able to buy a car that looks like this – it’ll just have electric power. BMW revealed updated versions of the 4 Series Gran Coupe and its electric i4 sibling back in April, but never confirmed timing for the combustion-powered model. Somewhat unusually, the electric version sold in considerably greater numbers than the petrol model. To the end of November, BMW sold 1866 i4s in Australia this year, against just 243 examples of the 4 Series Gran Coupe. That led to BMW pulling the plug on the petrol-powered range. “The high volume of new BMW models introduced to the local market prompts us to constantly assess our product portfolio in line with customer demand and our commitment to offering products that suit individual needs,” a BMW Australia spokesperson told CarExpert in a statement. “This has led us to restructure the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe lineup.” The 4 Series Gran Coupe was the second BMW to bear the Gran Coupe nameplate, which has been applied to a five-door liftback (the 4 Series Gran Coupe), a four-door sedan (the 2 Series ), and what you could arguably call four-door coupes (the 6 Series and 8 Series ). This nomenclature was born in a period where BMW was busily chasing niches, including coupe SUVs like the X4 and X6 and the unusual Gran Turismo models which were more upright five-door hatchbacks. The second-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe was revealed in June 2021 and arrived here later that year, sharing the same plunging double-kidney grille as coupe and convertible 4 Series models. While it later gained an electric version, the i4, it never received a full-fat M version like the other 4 Series body styles. There was no M4 version of the first-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe, either. With the axing of the base 420i in 2023, just two variants remained: the turbocharged four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive 430i and the turbocharged six-cylinder, all-wheel drive M440i xDrive. Though the Gran Coupe brought superior practicality over the 3 Series Sedan , if not the Touring wagon, it cost up to $14,100 more than its booted counterpart. 4 Series Gran Coupe sales had peaked in 2015 and 2022 with 858 sales in both years – incidentally, both of which were the first full years of their respective generations. MORE: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe axed in Australia, i4 EV to live on MORE: Everything BMW 4 Series Citroen C4 and C5 X Citroen had been hanging on like grim death in Australia, even as its sales winnowed away each year. From a height of 3803 sales in 2007, Citroen fell below 1000 annual units in 2016 and continued sliding. Its retail network continued to shrink, and Peugeot Citroen Australia’s decision to make Peugeot its exclusive commercial vehicle brand here killed one of its higher-volume models, the Berlingo. Most embarrassingly for the brand, it was outsold by Ferrari in 2020 and 2021. But there were signs Peugeot Citroen Australia was taking the brand seriously here, introducing the C4 in 2021 and C5 X in 2022. These replaced the old C4 and C5 that hadn’t been on sale here for several years, and came after several years of Citroen focusing on more traditionally SUV-shaped models. Not that the C4 and C5 X were conventional passenger cars themselves, with their higher-riding stances blurring the lines between cars and SUVs. Though it was the C5 X that wore the ‘X’ suffix commonly used for SUVs, it was the C4 that was classified as an SUV in VFACTS industry sales reports. There was a C4 X, mind you, but this was a sedan version of the C4 that we never received. Confused? We were too. Disinterested? Well, it seems Australians were. C4 sales peaked at 94 units in its first full year on sale, before falling; the same happened with the C5 X, with 68 sold in its first full year on sale. From launch to the end of November 2024, Citroen sold just 200 C4s and 168 C5 Xs. The rarest of them all is the C5 X Plug-in Hybrid, for which orders opened in May... just three months before Citroen announced it was pulling up stumps here. Being an order-only vehicle and priced just over $16,000 higher than the regular C5 X, itself not the most affordable vehicle of its size, it may be one of the rarest Citroens ever sold here. The C4 and C5 X may have lacked the clever hydropneumatic suspension of older Citroens, but with their quirky styling and focus on comfort – in suspension tuning and even in the construction of their seats – these cars were distinctively Citroen. Alas, it seems buyers just didn’t care. MORE: Citroen leaving Australia after more than 100 years, importer focusing on Peugeot MORE: Everything Citroen C4 MORE: Everything Citroen C5 X Citroen C3 While we received new generations of Citroen’s small and medium/large cars, the latest C3 – revealed in electric guise in October 2023, and with petrol power in April this year – was kept from us. That was perhaps an early warning that the brand wasn’t going to stick around here for long, and in August this year distributor Inchcape Australia announced it would close orders for all Citroen vehicles. The third-generation C3 arrived here in 2017, with an extremely mild facelift coming in 2021. That means the C3 is much the same as when it arrived here around seven years ago, and sales figures have reflected that. From a height of 122 sales in 2018, sales fell to double digits in 2019 and have subsequently remained relatively steady, if very, very low. The price has climbed since launch and this year sat at $32,267 before on-road costs for the single Shine variant, putting it up against vehicles the segment above. But even comparing it with similarly sized vehicles with similarly premium pricing, the C3 comes up short. From its 2017 launch to the end of November this year, Citroen has sold 544 C3s. In contrast, Audi sold 462 A1s and Skoda sold 433 Fabias in 2023 alone. Showing just how far Citroen sales have dropped off over the years, as well as the decline in light car sales, the brand sold upwards of 908 examples of the first-generation C3 in 2003. MORE: Everything Citroen C3 Fiat 500 The Fiat 500 is cute as a bug, but its ability to survive year after year well after rivals were replaced made it seem like more of a cockroach. It’s still being manufactured, but Fiat announced it was axing the petrol-powered 500 in Australia in August. As of December, however, it still has stock at its dealers. The 500 and its hotter Abarth 595 sibling are sold alongside the new-generation Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e, electric-only micro cars with similar styling but much more modern underpinnings and technology. With the Fiat 500e set to be joined by a mild-hybrid petrol-powered variant in 2026, this should finally spell the end of the old 500, which has been in production since 2007 and which launched here in 2008. In that time, Fiats from the little Panda to the Dodge Journey-based Freemont have come and gone from the Australian market, but the little 500 has kept on ticking with the occasional minor refresh. Though it no longer sells in quite the same volumes as it did in the early/mid 2010s – where it sold between 2000 and 3000 units annually – it still sells in consistent volumes in a segment that consists solely of it and the Kia Picanto . Last year, Fiat sold 581 examples of the 500 and its Abarth sibling in Australia, an increase on the year before despite the axing of their cabriolet models. MORE: Fiat culls petrol 500 in favour of $50k EV hatch in Australia MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Jaguar F-Type When the E-Type ended production in 1974, it left a hole in Jaguar’s lineup. The XJ-S that succeeded it was more of a grand tourer, a tradition which its XK replacement followed in. It wasn’t until the F-Type , which entered production in 2013, that Jaguar had a genuine spiritual successor to the E-Type. An E-Type successor had existed in development hell during the 1980s and 1990s, before Jaguar revealed the F-Type concept in 2000... only for a planned production version to be scrapped before it could see the light of day. Fast-forward to the 2011 Frankfurt motor show and the F-Type as we came to know it was previewed in concept form, albeit featuring a supercharged V6 hybrid powertrain that never reached production. Instead, the production coupe – which looked essentially identical to the concept – was launched with a choice of supercharged V6 or V8 powertrains. Like the E-Type, there was also a convertible; unlike the iconic Jag, there was an all-wheel drive option. Also in a departure from past Jaguar two-doors, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine joined the range. Designed under Ian Callum, the F-Type was widely regarded as gorgeous. Somehow a facelift, revealed in 2019, arguably improved the styling with a more aggressive look up front. The F-Type featured all-aluminium construction, and Jaguar touted the coupe as the most torsionally rigid production car it had ever built. While the four- and six-cylinder powertrains weren’t shrinking violets, the supercharged V8 was the star. For 2022, Jaguar Australia dropped the four- and six-cylinder engines entirely, leaving the blown 5.0-litre in 331kW/580Nm P450 and 423kW/700Nm R tunes. In June 2024, Jaguar revealed the final F-Type and what it says will be its final combustion-powered sports car: a supercharged 5.0-litre V8-powered convertible in classic green-over-tan. A total of 87,731 F-Types were produced between 2013 and 2024. MORE: Jaguar reveals its last-ever petrol-powered sports car, bound for a museum MORE: Jaguar’s last ever petrol-powered sports car is coming to Australia MORE: Everything Jaguar F-Type Jaguar XE When Jaguar used the Ford Mondeo platform to create its first BMW 3 Series rival, many scoffed. To Jaguar’s credit, it went back to the drawing board and developed a rear/all-wheel drive sports sedan with tasteful, modern styling and poised dynamics. Look out, BMW! Except the XE is now being axed almost a decade after it entered production in 2015, as part of Jaguar’s pivot to being a more exclusive, electric-only brand. Jaguar is done trying to take on BMW and is aiming higher, with JLR design boss Gerry McGovern saying in 2023: “What we won’t worry about is being loved by everybody, because that’s the kiss of death.” “That’s what’s put Jaguar where it is today, which is with no equity whatsoever,” he said. The XE never could match its German rivals in the sales race, and JLR confirmed the sedan wasn’t profitable – something likely not helped by its use of aluminium suspension componentry and a bonded and riveted aluminium unitary structure, unusual for this segment. The 3 Series rival was offered with a range of powertrains, including turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines plus a supercharged V6. Jaguar even developed the limited-run SV Project 8, which featured a supercharged V8 engine. Sadly, the SV Project 8 never came here, nor did it presage a more widely available BMW M3 rival. The six-cylinder and diesel engines were also eventually phased out in Australia. Disappointing sales and the resultant lack of profitability doomed the XE, which was axed in the US in 2020 but grimly held on for a few more years in markets such as ours. Unusually, Jaguar Australia switched the XE from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive for 2021 for reasons unclear. For 2023, the XE range was whittled down to a single model and, though it still appears on Jaguar’s local website, production ended this year. In its best year, 2016, global sales for the XE reached 44,095 units. The same year, BMW produced over 400,000 3 Series models globally. In Australia, the XE’s best year was also 2016 with 1524 sold, beating the Infiniti Q50 and Volvo S60 and falling just short of the Lexus IS . But sales fell each year, plunging to double-digits in 2022. Last year, the XE was outsold by every single one of its rivals, with its 58 sales bested by the Genesis G70 (81 sales) and Volvo S60 (152). From launch to the end of November 2024, Jaguar sold 4332 XEs in Australia. While rivals received significant facelifts or new generations, the XE was left to soldier on as its lineup shrunk. It’s a sad end for what was an extremely promising BMW 3 Series rival. MORE: Everything Jaguar XE Jaguar XF If any car could make Jaguar’s XE look like a sales success, it’s the second generation of the brand’s BMW 5 Series rival. The first-generation XF was a breath of fresh air when it was revealed in 2007, with the Ian Callum-penned sedan casting aside the shackles of Jaguar’s retro design language in favour of a more modern yet still elegant look inside and out. The second generation wasn’t as impactful. Also attributed to Mr. Callum, the design was conservative, looking more like a stretched version of the XE with which it shared its new platform. Unlike the XE, however, there was a wagon version; this made the trip to Australia, even though the first-generation model was offered here only in sedan guise. Globally, the XF was offered with a choice of turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines, plus a turbo-diesel V6 and a supercharged petrol V6. Sadly, there was no supercharged V8 XFR as there had been with the first generation. To Jaguar Australia’s credit, it offered almost every available powertrain, and even brought the niche wagon here. But the British 5 Series rival was met with buyer apathy: sales shrunk compared to the outgoing model, with just 433 sold in 2016. That was down from the over 800 units Jaguar shifted in 2013 and 2014. Sales fell below three digits in 2019 with 50 units, and below two digits in 2023 with just 6 sold. By this point the XF range had been shrunk to a single variant, as for model year 2021 Jaguar axed all rear-wheel drive, diesel, six-cylinder and wagon variants in favour of a lone all-wheel drive turbo-petrol four-cylinder. MORE: Everything Jaguar XF Maserati Quattroporte Technically, Maserati didn’t sell any Quattroportes in Australia in 2024, with global production wrapping late last year. No further examples were delivered this year but as it appeared on Maserati’s local website during 2024, we’ve included it in this article. The Quattroporte nameplate is taking a leave of absence, with a replacement – featuring electric power – delayed until 2028. It’s not the first time the Quattroporte nameplate has taken a lengthy leave of absence, with gaps of several years between the first and second and the third and fourth generations. The Quattroporte competed in an extremely low-volume segment in Australia, battling the likes of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class . Maserati executives would therefore clearly bristle at the mention of the Quattroporte sharing a platform with Chrysler and Dodge. “From the Chrysler 300 we carried over the electrical system, a portion on the platform where seats are hinged and some elements of the air conditioning, that is all,” then-Maserati global CEO Harald Wester told Automotive News Europe back in 2013. The current, sixth-generation Quattroporte entered production that year, underpinned by what Maserati called its M156 platform which was also used by the Ghibli and Levante . The gorgeous, lithe Pininfarina styling of its predecessor made way for an in-house design that was more fuller-figured and conservative, with a clear kinship with the cheaper Ghibli. If it looked bigger than the previous Quattroporte, that’s because it was – in length alone, the Quattroporte VI grew by over 200mm. A Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V8 remained available, along with a twin-turbo V6 developed with the Prancing Horse brand. This was also the first Quattroporte to offer a diesel engine, a turbocharged V6 mill sold here from 2014 to 2019. While the Quattroporte had a decade-long production run, there were updates made during this time. In 2016, the Quattroporte received a new infotainment system and more standard equipment including a suite of active safety features. This suite was expanded in a subsequent update in 2018. In 2020, Maserati revealed a hot Trofeo version of its luxury limo, featuring a 433kW/730Nm tune of the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 – up 43kW and 80Nm on the GTS. This coincided with another minor facelift for the Quattroporte line that saw the old Chrysler-derived infotainment system swapped for one running on Android Automotive. The Quattroporte consistently sold in the double digits each year in Australia, before slumping to just three units in 2023. Even in a low-volume segment, that was very low. MORE: Everything Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Ghibli The Ghibli was first a stunning coupe and convertible in the 1960s, then a rather brutalist two-door in the 1990s, before being revived as a BMW 5 Series sedan rival that was revealed at the 2013 Shanghai motor show. It represented a return to a segment which Maserati last occupied in 1995 with the 430, a descendant of the Biturbo. With the introduction of the Ghibli and Levante, which entered production in 2013 and 2016 respectively, Maserati was chasing broader market appeal and therefore greater sales volumes. By the 2000s, after the end of the Biturbo era, its lineup had receded to a small, more exclusive one. In 2013, it announced plans to sell 50,000 vehicles each year around the world in 2015, more than eight times as many as it sold in 2011. The Ghibli used the M158 platform of the new sixth-generation Quattroporte, and shared its twin-turbocharged V6 petrol and turbocharged V6 diesel engines. There was a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, while an eight-speed automatic transmission was standard across the range. The Quattroporte’s twin-turbo V8 wasn’t added until 2020, while at the other end of the spectrum the Ghibli gained a turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain. Other changes to the Ghibli during its lengthy run mirrored those of the Quattroporte: new infotainment and a suite of active safety tech for 2017, and an expanded suite in 2018 enabled by the switch to an electric-assisted power steering setup. The Ghibli helped Maserati reach its 50,000-unit target, albeit a couple of years late. Alas, the brand’s sales dropped from then. In 2022, Maserati announced its plans to transition to an EV-only lineup by 2028, but conspicuous by its absence from these plans was the Ghibli nameplate. Instead, both it and the Quattroporte are set to be replaced by a single sedan model bearing the latter’s nameplate, though this has subsequently been delayed to 2028. In Australia, from a height of 345 sales in 2015, the Ghibli gradually declined before an uptick in 2021 to 152 sales. They then slumped to double digits, and just 17 Ghiblis found homes in Australia this year to the end of November. From its debut year, the Levante took over as Maserati’s best-selling vehicle locally, a title it maintained until the launch of the smaller Grecale SUV in 2023. The Ghibli remains on Maserati’s local website, but with production having ended it’s only a matter of time before the nameplate is retired for a third time. MORE: Everything Maserati Ghibli Mini Clubman Even as it rolls out new electric vehicles (EVs) like the Aceman , Mini has updated its long-running three- and five-door hatchbacks and convertible and given them a slightly fresher look. The same treatment hasn’t been extended to the long-running Clubman , which Mini ended production of in February after two generations. It’s probably best to blame the Countryman as, in many markets including ours, given the choice of a wagon or an SUV most buyers will opt for the latter. BMW launched Mini as a standalone brand in 2000, and for the first several years of its life it only sold a hatchback. A convertible followed, before the Clubman was launched as Mini’s third body style. It came during a period where Mini was rapidly and creatively expanding its lineup or, to put it less charitably, throwing things at a wall and seeing what stuck. If debuted in 2007, and was followed in 2010 by the Countryman SUV (which did stick) and the Roadster, Coupe and Paceman (which didn’t). Mini wisely added a pair of conventional rear passenger doors with the second-generation Clubman, which launched in Australia in 2015, replacing the suicide door setup of its predecessor. A more practical alternative to the hatchback it was based on, the second-generation Clubman stuck with the rear barn doors of its predecessor – highly unusual for a wagon in 2024. The second-generation Clubman moved to the UKL2 platform underpinning vehicles like the BMW 1 Series . While this platform was used for a raft of vehicles including BMW and Mini-branded hatchbacks, sedans and even a people mover, the quirky Clubman was the only wagon. While it offered a choice of petrol powertrains (though as with its predecessor, no diesel in Australia), including a hot John Cooper Works model with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Between the launch of the second-gen model and the end of November 2024, Mini Australia sold 3143 Clubmans. It was a steady if unexceptional seller, but over the same period Mini sold around twice as many Countryman SUVs. MORE: Everything Mini Clubman Peugeot 508 The 508 may have been the prettiest mid-sized Peugeot since the 406 Coupe of the 1990s, but that wasn’t enough to save it. While it lives on in Europe, in September Peugeot Australia pulled the plug on the liftback and wagon “in response to changing consumer preferences in the segment”. It arguably wasn’t a surprise, given Ford, Kia and Volkswagen, among other brands, had already exited the mid-sized segment. Peugeot sales have also been broadly on a downward trajectory over the past decade. Peugeot Australia added a plug-in hybrid version of the 508 Fastback in 2022, with a Sportwagon PHEV following in 2023. But with one hand Peugeot Australia giveth, and with one another it taketh away. Later in 2023, Peugeot axed the petrol-powered 508s, leaving only the pricier PHEVs. Unusually, the Sportwagon PHEV was introduced after Peugeot revealed a facelifted version of the 508 in Europe, for which it conspicuously didn’t announce specific local launch timing. The facelifted model never came, and when Peugeot UK announced earlier this year it was axing the 508, its local demise appeared inevitable. The second-generation 508’s best year in Australia was 2021, with 240 sold. That was a far cry from the first-generation model which in 2012, its first full year on the market, recorded 1085 sales. In fairness to the 508, mid-sized passenger car sales have fallen over the past decade or so. But in 2023, the 508’s 156 sales saw it outsold by the Volkswagen Passat and Arteon , and even more niche models like the Volvo V60 Cross Country. MORE: Another mid-sized car gets the axe in Australia MORE: Everything Peugeot 508 Renault Megane You can still buy a Renault Megane in Australia, but it’s quite a different creature. The last examples of the RS Trophy hot hatch, the sole remaining member of the combustion-powered Megane range, were sold earlier this year as the new electric Megane E-Tech joined the local lineup. The RS-badged Megane hatch, sent off with a special-edition RS Ultime, was the last member of a once significantly wider lineup of small Renaults. The current, fourth-generation Megane was revealed in 2015 and went on sale locally late in 2016. Wagon and sedan models, introduced in 2017, were dropped in 2019 along with the entry-level Zen hatch, while the RS Sport and RS Cup hatchbacks were axed in 2021. That left just the RS Trophy. Not only was the Australian Megane lineup winnowed down locally, the car was discontinued in almost every market. Turkish production continues, however, of the sedan. This mirrors what happened with the Ford Focus , with a once-wide lineup continually chipped away at in Australia until a single hot hatch was left, before the nameplate was axed entirely. The Focus is also being discontinued globally. Renault only sold 69 Meganes in Australia in 2023. That was well down on the 1259 units it shifted in 2017, its first full year on sale. The Megane RS Trophy (and RS Ultime) used a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 221kW of power and 420Nm of torque (400Nm in the manual) Those outputs remained competitive even among a growing contingent of hot hatches on the local market. While Renault is moving away from hot petrol-powered models, it’s entering the hot electric hatch fray with both its namesake brand and its Alpine spinoff. It remains to be seen whether these hot EVs will come here, however. MORE: Everything Renault Megane MORE: Every SUV discontinued in Australia in 2024 MORE: Every car and SUV discontinued in Australia in 2023 MORE: Every car discontinued in 2022 MORE: Every car discontinued in 2021 MORE: The cars we lost in 2020SM Group to support math, science scholarsTeens, older adults find common interests in Bookends discussion group in Greenfield
WNBA teams reveal schedules on social media with humorous videosNew York developer Luzy Ostreicher on Tuesday starred in a public groundbreaking for one of the city’s largest private investments in years — a $500 million hillside real estate project overlooking Lake Superior. A day earlier, a separate Ostreicher real estate venture in Duluth, Endi Plaza LLC, quietly filed for bankruptcy after its lender said it falsified financial statements and defaulted on a nearly $52 million loan. The Ostreicher arm in 2021 bought the Endi apartment complex on Duluth’s east side near the lakefront. In November, Fannie Mae sued Endi Plaza LLC and asked a state court to appoint a receiver to essentially run the company. Endi Plaza on Tuesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which allows a company to reorganize its finances while shielded from ongoing litigation and the claims of its creditors. Ostreicher is the force behind Incline Village, a planned collection of buildings that would house 1,180 apartments, 120 condominiums and retail space. It’s expected to cost $450 million to $500 million and would sit on the 53-acre site of the former Duluth Central High School. Ostreicher was in Duluth on Tuesday, celebrating the commencement of Incline Village’s construction with Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert and other city dignitaries. Reinert did not return a call requesting comment, nor did Roz Randorf, the City Council president. Incline Village’s first phase will receive $75 million in redevelopment tax increment financing (TIF) from the city, intended to pay Ostreicher back for infrastructure such as utility connections. Subsequent TIF districts, one needed for each phase, still need to be approved. Apart from Incline Village, Osteicher’s investments in Duluth total $85 million, anchored by the Endi and Kenwood Village apartment and retail complexes. The Endi, located at 2120 London Road, has 142 apartments and 13,876 square feet of retail. Ostreicher’s Endi Plaza LLC in 2023 took out a $51.8 million mortgage on the property. The lender, Greystone Servicing, assigned the Endi Plaza loan to Fannie Mae, a government-sponsored mortgage company. Fannie Mae declared Endi Plaza in default in early September after four months of missed payments. Endi also defaulted because “various financial reports” it supplied to Fannie Mae showed “significant inconsistencies and inaccuracies,” the mortgage agency said in filing in St. Louis County District Court. “At least one of the financial reports contains false information that is the result of fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct, or material misrepresentation or omission.” Endi Plaza is “siphoning rents” from the property “for the benefit others, and to the detriment” of Fannie Mae, the court filing continued. Endi Plaza also allegedly granted an encumbrance on the property to a New York attorney, an attempt to keep it “out of reach” of Fannie Mae. An attorney in Duluth representing Endi Plaza declined to comment. Endi Plaza LLC filed Chapter 11 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to seek “relief” from the Fannie Mae suit. Chapter 11 bankruptcy freezes Fannie Mae’s attempt to appoint a receiver over the company. Endi Plaza LLC, based in Monsey, N.Y., said in a bankruptcy filing that its Duluth property was dealing with “substantial increases in operating expenses and certain commercial vacancies” this spring. Also, a preferred stock investor from Toronto put an unauthorized “restrictive covenant” on the property. Endi Plaza has $50 million to $100 million in both assets and liabilities, according to its bankruptcy filing, though it hasn’t yet disclosed its list of creditors. The company noted it will have to restructure debts with various unsecured lenders, including Lift Bridge Partners, which is owed $8.6 million. This story includes reporting from staff writer Jana Hollingsworth.None
Share Tweet Share Share Email Latin America has rapidly emerged as a vibrant hub for startups, driven by innovation, technological advancements, and a growing pool of entrepreneurial talent. From fintech and edtech to healthcare and tourism, the region is witnessing an explosion of businesses that are transforming industries and opening up new opportunities for growth. Among these trailblazers are Biz Latin Hub and Medical Tourism Packages , two companies exemplifying the potential and dynamism of Latin America’s startup ecosystem. Biz Latin Hub: Simplifying Market Entry and Expansion Biz Latin Hub has established itself as a leading provider of back-office and market entry services across Latin America. Founded by Craig Dempsey, the company is renowned for its professional and reliable approach to helping foreign businesses establish a presence and operate smoothly in the region. Acting as a ‘one-stop shop,’ Biz Latin Hub provides legal, accounting, and recruitment solutions, making it easier for companies to navigate complex regulatory environments and focus on growth. Its reputation for responsiveness and expertise has made it a trusted partner for businesses looking to capitalize on Latin America’s expanding markets. Medical Tourism Packages: Redefining Healthcare and Travel Experiences Another standout example of innovation is Medical Tourism Packages , which is revolutionizing the medical tourism industry. By combining world-class healthcare services with exceptional travel experiences, this company caters to upscale clients seeking reliable treatments in Latin America. With a focus on quality and convenience, Medical Tourism Packages has positioned itself as a trusted partner for patients who value both health and leisure. Its curated approach ensures access to top-tier medical professionals and seamless travel arrangements, setting a new benchmark in the industry. Other Notable Startups in Latin America The startup scene in Latin America extends far beyond these two examples, with fintech, edtech, and healthtech sectors leading the charge. Companies like Nubank , one of the world’s largest independent digital banks, are reshaping financial services with accessible and innovative solutions. Platzi , a prominent edtech platform, is transforming education by offering online courses tailored to Latin America’s workforce. In the healthtech space, Clivi , a telemedicine platform, is making healthcare more accessible through technology. In addition, Rappi , a Colombian delivery service, has evolved into a super-app, providing everything from groceries and restaurant delivery to banking and payment solutions. Its rapid expansion has solidified its status as a major player in Latin America’s tech ecosystem. Similarly, MercadoLibre , often referred to as Latin America’s answer to Amazon, has revolutionized e-commerce and fintech in the region, enabling millions of people to shop and conduct financial transactions online with ease. Driving Innovation and Economic Growth The success of these startups highlights Latin America’s growing role as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. Factors such as rising internet penetration, an expanding middle class, and increased investment in technology have created fertile ground for startups to thrive. Companies like Biz Latin Hub and Medical Tourism Packages are not only addressing market gaps but also contributing to economic development by creating jobs and attracting foreign investment. Why Invest in Latin America? Latin America offers a unique combination of opportunities for businesses and investors. Its young, tech-savvy population and favorable market conditions make it an attractive destination for startups. Furthermore, the region’s commitment to digital transformation continues to unlock new avenues for growth and innovation. Explore the Possibilities For entrepreneurs and investors looking to tap into Latin America’s dynamic business environment, the time is now. Whether you’re expanding into the region or exploring new ventures, companies like Biz Latin Hub and Medical Tourism Packages showcase what’s possible in this thriving ecosystem. Visit their websites to learn more about how they’re shaping the future of business in Latin America. Bignewsnetwork.com Nearshoring in Latin America: Opportunities for Your Business! As global supply chains continue to evolve, nearshoring has become a key strategy for businesses looking to improve resilience and operational efficiency. With the possibility of a return of Donald Trump to the White House, this trend is likely to accelerate. Companies will increasingly reassess their geographical footprints, considering closer options for manufacturing and service needs. Latin America, particularly countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Panama, stands out as a prime region for nearshoring, offering strategic advantages that align perfectly with modern business needs. Key Advantages of Nearshoring Nearshoring provides several compelling benefits that can significantly enhance your business operations. One of the main advantages is access to a skilled, cost-effective workforce. Latin America is home to a vast talent pool, with professionals proficient in English and familiar with North American markets, making it easy for businesses to expand their teams. This cultural and language alignment ensures smoother communication and better collaboration, reducing misunderstandings and increasing overall efficiency. Furthermore, nearshoring to Latin America provides businesses with the opportunity to tap into a growing market of skilled professionals in the technology, IT, and customer support sectors. By relocating operations closer to home, your business can take advantage of both the logistical benefits and the cost savings that come with nearshoring. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama: Leading Nearshoring Destinations for Tech Staffing Brazil: As the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil is a top destination for nearshoring, especially in the tech sector. The country is home to a large, highly skilled workforce in fields such as software development, IT support, and engineering. Brazilian cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Florianópolis are emerging as tech hubs, with a wealth of talent available to support your business. While navigating Brazil’s regulatory landscape can be complex, the opportunity to tap into its skilled workforce makes it an attractive choice for businesses. For those looking to establish a presence, LLC formation in Brazil is a crucial step in setting up operations. Colombia: With its youthful workforce and rapidly growing tech sector, Colombia is becoming a leading destination for nearshoring in IT and customer support. Cities like Bogotá and Medellín are attracting tech startups and multinational companies alike, thanks to a thriving talent pool of software developers, engineers, and IT professionals. The Colombian government offers tax incentives and a favorable business environment, making it an ideal location for businesses seeking to outsource tech services. Costa Rica: Known for its strong educational system and political stability, Costa Rica is another prime location for outsourcing tech roles. The country is home to a highly educated workforce, particularly in fields such as software development and IT support. Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability and business-friendly policies further enhance its appeal as a nearshoring destination. For companies looking to outsource tech functions while improving their corporate social responsibility profile, Costa Rica offers the ideal balance. Panama: Located at the crossroads of North and South America, Panama provides significant logistical advantages for nearshoring. The country has a growing tech industry and a skilled workforce in software development, data analysis, and IT support. Panama’s strategic location and favorable tax policies, along with a robust legal framework for foreign investors, make it an attractive destination for companies looking to tap into Latin America’s talent pool. Accelerating Trends and Strategic Positioning As global trade policies continue to shift, the need for nearshoring becomes even more compelling. The potential return of Trump to the presidency could lead to changes in tariffs, trade agreements, and foreign policy that may prompt companies to reconsider overseas manufacturing. Rising transportation costs and the increasing demand for resilient supply chains—highlighted by recent global disruptions—have further emphasized the need for businesses to optimize their operational strategies. Countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Panama are strategically positioned to take advantage of these changes. Their favorable business climates, access to skilled labor, and prime locations make them ideal hubs for companies looking to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain high-quality standards. What’s Next for Nearshoring in Latin America? The trend of nearshoring in Latin America is set to continue gaining momentum, and now is the time for your business to seize the opportunity. Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Panama offer the right mix of talent, infrastructure, and business-friendly environments to help you grow. By tapping into these markets, your company can optimize its operational strategy, stay ahead of the competition, and ensure resilience in an increasingly dynamic business landscape. Nearshoring isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about smarter business operations, closer collaboration, and better efficiency. By strategically positioning your business in these leading Latin American countries, you can gain a competitive edge that will help you thrive in the future. As organizations consider the formation of LLCs in Brazil and other Latin American nations, they will find a rich array of opportunities waiting to be harnessed in this dynamic region. The time is ripe for businesses to explore the potential of nearshoring in Latin America—a move that could redefine their operational strategies for years to come. Related Items: Latin America's , Startup Ecosystem Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsNone
These were Juan Soto’s numbers in 2024: 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, a .288 batting average. Keep doing that over the next 15 years and he’ll be making roughly $1.2 million for every home run, $467,890 for every RBI, or $307,229 for every hit. (All of those figures are pre-tax, of course.) Soto’s $765 million, 15-year agreement with the New York Mets — the richest contract in terms of total value to a player in U.S. major sports history, a massive move by billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen — provides a chance to look at the numbers in some very silly ways. He’ll make $314,815 per game. Based on his numbers this season, he’ll get $671,053 for every extra-base hit, or $46322 every time he swings the bat no matter if he misses, hits a tapper back to the mound or has Mr. Met celebrating in the stands after driving one out at Citi Field. Of course, that’s assuming Soto remains as healthy and productive as he was in 2024. If he misses significant time, those rates just go up. “Thank you Uncle Steve,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo wrote on social media. Some of the numbers around the sports world, when broken down by accomplishment, are simply eye-popping in this era. (These examples are based on current earnings, not taking into account restructurings or any other potential changes.): MLB | Blake Snell, Dodgers: The two-time Cy Young winner will earn about $65 million in 2025, most of which is a signing bonus that comes his way in January. He’s never made more than 32 starts in a season. If he makes 32 starts in 2025, he’d be getting (when factoring in the signing bonus) $2,031,250 per game. For comparison’s sake, Detroit’s Tarik Skubal made $2.65 million for the entire 2024 season — and won a Cy Young award. MLB | Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: His record $700 million deal is no longer a record because of the Soto deal, but Ohtani still holds the mark for average total value at $70 million a year. The only member of baseball’s 50-50 club (54 homers, 59 stolen bases in 2024) would — at this past season’s rate — be making $619,469 every time he hits one out or steals a base. NFL | Dak Prescott, Cowboys: It’s unfair to break down his stats this year because he’s hurt, but Prescott’s current deal is worth an average of $60 million a season. Based on his career average, that means over the lifetime of his current contract with Dallas, the quarterback gets $13,680 for every passing yard. NFL | Quarterbacks in general: The per-game numbers in the NFL for starting quarterbacks are wild. Patrick Mahomes’ current $450 million contract isn’t even at the top of the cash-per-game standings: Prescott gets about $3.5 million for every Dallas regular season game, while Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Green Bay’s Jordan Love are around $3.25 million per game. NBA | Stephen Curry, Warriors: At nearly $56 million this season, Curry leads the NBA salary race (for this year, anyway). The NBA’s all-time 3-point king is earning about $680,000 per game in 2024-25; if he was paid by the 3-pointer only, he’d be getting about $161,908 every time he makes one of those this season for Golden State. NBA | Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Brown is starting a five-year deal worth around $285 million, and Tatum will start a five-year deal next year worth around $314 million. At those rates, Boston would be paying their two best players (at their current scoring paces) around $27,406 for every point scored. To compare — Larry Bird, for his career, made about $1,100 per point. NHL | Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: He’ll start a contract next year with Edmonton that will pay him an average of $14 million a season over eight seasons. At his current rate of scoring, he’d be earning roughly $119,393 for every goal or assist over that span. NHL | Igor Shesterkin, Rangers: Shesterkin just got the richest extension for a goalie at $92 million over eight years. At his current averages, every time he makes a save for New York, he’ll be earning $5,084. MLS | Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Based just on his MLS guaranteed salary, Messi got just over $1 million per goal this season ($20.4 million, 20 goals). His full deal with Inter Miami is worth at least $150 million for 21⁄2 years — Messi made $229 every second he was on the field in the 2024 regular season. Golf | Scottie Scheffler, PGA: Scheffler’s official earnings in 2024 were $29,228,357 (plus an Olympic gold medal, which is priceless). And that doesn’t include $34,037,500 million in bonuses and unofficial earnings, including $25 million for winning the FedEx Cup. Add it all up, and that meant the world’s No. 1 player earned about $11,243 per shot he took this season. Get local news delivered to your inbox!NoneNo. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streak
