Latest news with #Silence
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Micro-mobility shifts gears in the race to go green
As the push to decarbonise transport intensifies, a new class of compact, low-emission vehicles is rising to meet the challenge. From Nissan's NanoCar to the UK-based Yo-Go, micro-mobility is redefining what sustainable urban travel can look like, without demanding a wholesale change in consumer behaviour. The pressure is on to find alternatives to internal combustion engine-driven vehicles. EVs present the obvious solution, and in many ways, the most appealing for customers who want a solution to the threat of climate change that doesn't mean changing their lifestyle. Public transport offers a more effective solution, but would require a huge amount of investment to make it an appealing alternative to car ownership. Micro-mobility is an option that can split the difference. 'In its simplest form, Micro-mobility is light weight, low speed vehicles,' explains Gareth Dunsmore, Managing Director of e-Micro Mobility Nissan AMIEO. 'That makes it an ideal form of transportation to reduce emissions and traffic in dense environments such as cities and towns.' It is a category that includes electric scooters and bikes, as well as 'micro cars'; buggy-like vehicles that are visually similar to golf carts but are a great deal more powerful. Dunsmore is overseeing a collaboration between Nissan and Spanish renewable energy conglomerate ACCIONA to distribute the new Silence S04 NanoCar, a lightweight, 100% electric four-wheeled vehicle specifically designed for urban living. Nissan holds distribution rights for the NanoCar in France and Italy, alongside Silence's electric motorcycles. It gives ACCIONA's electric vehicle brand, Silence, access to Nissan's European network of dealerships across Europe. The goal is to lower the barrier for consumers who want to go electric, making the transition more inclusive and accessible. 'Nissan has done this rather than build its own vehicle because it gives us the best of both worlds,' Dunsmore tells us. 'We get to use all our expertise in electric vehicles from the last 15 years to accelerate the adoption of these vehicles and bring more people in. But at the same time, we can work with a young, agile start-up whose focus and passion are directed just at this segment, so we can benefit from what they have learned from the last decade in the electric bike sector.' Meanwhile back in the UK, the CEO and inventor of the Yo-Go, Sam Bailey, likes to differentiate micro-mobility from what he calls 'Mini-mobility'. 'It's to differentiate it from bikes and scooters,' Bailey says. 'It's a market that is yet to be addressed. We don't consider ourselves as an alternative to the e-scooter. We are offering a new form of transport.' It is a nascent sector, but a promising one, and while it is new to the UK market, other locations are already showing the way that market might evolve. 'There's an island in Hong Kong called Discovery Bay that is exclusively for golf buggies,' says Bailey. 'It started out as a solution to moving around a golf course, and it's evolved to actually become a usable mode of transport. It's not a vehicle you'd use on a golf course. It's faster, sturdier, road legal, and while it ostensibly looks like a golf buggy, it now represents a step up in engineering and mechanics.' In Europe the market has already been around for quite some time, with a presence in France, Italy, Greece, Spain and around the Mediterranean coast. 'The sector developed originally from French and Italian brands, using ICE vehicles. They have been in it for a long time, but they were only focused on selling to their own domestic markets,' Dunsmore tells us. 'We have seen around 60,000 vehicles sold in the last 12 months from all the competitors in the top three markets, but one of the interesting things is how poorly this sector is documented.' The issue is that the lower power version of the micro-car does not require registration, making it harder to keep track of numbers. That said, Dunsmore says there are studies that expect distribution to approach 300,000 units by 2028. He puts this down to three factors. First, more competitors are entering the market, including mainstream OEMs such as Toyota and Nissan. 'It brings a level of scale through our retailer networks that wasn't here in the past,' Dunsmore tells us. At the same time, a broader group of customers are starting to look for new forms of mobility. 'The entry price for a Ford has gone from below £10,000 to above £20,000 in a decade,' says Dunsmore. 'That is not just inflation. That's leaving customers behind.' Finally, there is a wave of new, younger customers entering the market who take electrification and the need for zero emissions seriously, but who simply cannot afford to pay £20,000 for a new electric vehicle. 'Their decisions are informed by societal challenges we face such as air pollution and climate change, but they cannot afford and do not have the means to ignore affordability,' Dunsmore tells us. Currently the UK market is a small one, under 5600 vehicles a year, but as Dunsmore points out, the potential is there. 'I was at the Move Conference 2025 (18-19 June), and you saw a breadth of micro-car offerings coming to the market,' he tells us. Yo-Go and the NanoCars each represent the forms that the new offering coming to market could take. Yo-Go is offering a mobility solution that is in many ways similar to the micro-mobility schemes built around scooters and e-bikes, but that is not who Yo-Go is competing against. 'We are trying to provide an alternative to a car that a scooter or bike can't address,' Bailey says. 'It is lower cost than a full-size EV, with lower CO2 emissions than a full-size car. That is something you wouldn't get from a bike or scooter. It offers safety, a roll cage, seatbelts, and you can't fall off. It gives you weather protection from the roof and has space for luggage and passengers.' The great potential of the 'mini-mobility' market lies in its potential to offer a compact, low emission, low price alternative to cars while providing the key advantages people get from car use. 'The reason we believe it can be a unique proposition on the marketplace is its nano-sized, but it's not a compromise,' Dunsmore says. 'We provide air conditioning as standard, which might sound strange, but I have just come back from the south of France, and every person that jumps in your car there says, 'Thanks for the air conditioning.' It acts as a heater too, demisting the windows. It makes a big difference when most of our competitors don't have it.' The Yo-Go buggy offers seating with more room, 240 litres of boot space, but perhaps most appealingly, it includes a removable battery. At a time when charging infrastructure is still one of the biggest obstacles to customers looking to transition to electric, the ability to remove your battery and charge it in your house is a strong competitive edge. These advantages come into their own when presented to the unique commercial environment of London. 'In London, car usage is quite strange. 90% of all private vehicle miles are from 9% of the population, and the journeys are very small. 70% of them are under three miles,' Bailey points out. 'What we want is to create a close replacement for people who are using cars, but then offer them the advantage that you can fit four of them in a parking space.' It is a product with potential for a huge impact on congestion. The question is how many cars can these solutions actually take off the road? 'Our obvious competitors are conventional electric vehicles,' Bailey tells us. 'We're not looking at long distance, we only want to use it in a wide 20-mile-an-hour zone. But within that market, we think it's a compelling proposition.' Dunsmore points not just to how many cars NanoCars can potentially take off the roads, but at the impact each like-for-like substitution will actually have. 'Because they are smaller, even a direct one-for-one swap results in a vehicle that takes up less space and reduces congestion, helping the environment,' Dunsmore says. 'But in cities, especially, there is a generation that is delaying their purchase of a car until later in life. Those people need to move around, and at the moment their options are trains, buses or Lyfts and Ubers.' There is demand for a solution that moves away from big cars with a single occupant, but the simplicity of an A-to-B drive is still more appealing than trying to tie together car-sharing schemes or various forms of public transport. 'Bringing micro cars into that suite of offerings for cities lets people be more efficient,' Dunsmore says. But while the potential and demand for microcars or NanoCars is huge, the new sector still has early obstacles to overcome if it hopes to become a widespread transport solution. 'At the moment, the big challenge is getting enough scale that we can provide a reliable, available service,' Bailey tells us. 'If you look at Lime Bikes, if I open the app, there's a good chance of finding a bike within a two- or three-minute walk. We are not yet at that scale. We want to achieve sufficient density. 99% of the time we want people to open the app and find a Yo-Go on their street.' At the same time, mini-mobility solutions also need to fight a battle of perception. They have a product that offers things people want, but customers need to know that. 'If you look at the history of these vehicles, some of the original ones weren't much more than one-person milk floats,' Dunsmore says. 'These were very basic vehicles. They got a bit of traction in the UK, but that is not what a microcar is today. Just as we saw with electric vehicles, we need to work hard on shifting that perception.' One factor that may shift the needle is the presence of brands such as Nissan and Renault moving into the market, and the credibility that comes with that. But ultimately, beyond brand recognition, Bailey argues that it is the environmental impact that is going to turn microcars from a novelty into a mainstream form of transport. 'These produce less CO2 per kilometre than a cyclist does,' Bailey argues. 'If you compared that to an EV's CO2 reduction, you'll never offset the battery manufacturing. When we look at how we build our cities in the future, and how to reduce our carbon footprint, it will be about making use of the space available. We think the answer is moving to a smaller vehicle that is low carbon, low cost and creates good traffic flow through good use of space.' As well as individual drivers and passengers, both Dunsmore and Bailey are excited about the possibilities of micro-cars in other business sectors. 'Businesses looking to reduce costs and their impact on the environment might be one of the fastest to adopt,' Dunsmore tells us. 'We see potential in airports with run-a-round vehicles, or big campuses.' Bailey also sees potential for micro-cars as a fleet leasing alternative. 'In future, we may offer the ability to lease at a lower cost than a full-size car. Providing that as an option we think could make this form of transport affordable for consumers and businesses,' Bailey says. He is also looking forward to the ways the range of micro-vehicles can expand in future. 'It'd be great to have more variation. At the moment, we have two seats and space at the back for four bags of shopping,' Bailey says. 'We are looking at having a commercial version with enough space for last-mile deliveries or tools for tradesmen. Do that, and suddenly we have a viable alternative to a van. We'd also love to get more seats in for parents with children.' For now, Yo-Go is looking at expanding its geographic footprint beyond its home in London, maybe even moving into markets with more developed micro-mobility segments. 'We are targeting denser cities such as Oxford, where city council talks have already begun. Bristol and Bath have also expressed an interest,' says Bailey. 'We are also looking at the potential of locations such as Berlin and Paris.' It looks like the Micro-mobility sector could be going full circle. "Micro-mobility shifts gears in the race to go green" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Smoke, mirrors, and a dead CEO: Who's hiding what in the Markus Jooste death mystery?
Former Steinhoff chief executive Markus Jooste. Steinhoff's Asian business has secured new funding and rebranded under the name Greenlit. Photo: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA) The Silence of Authorities: Investigating the Death of former Steinhof CEO Markus Jooste Image: Aemand Hough It has been over a year since the mysterious death of former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. Yet, questions surrounding the circumstances of his demise remain unanswered, sparking concerns about the authorities' lack of transparency. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has maintained silence on the investigation, offering no updates or explanations about the case. Officially, Jooste was said to have died by suicide last year, but details remain scarce. Reports indicate that Jooste succumbed to a gunshot wound at his Cape Town residence in Hermanus, but crucial questions linger: Were witnesses present? Was a proper investigation conducted? And what do the post-mortem reports reveal? A day before his death, Jooste was under intense scrutiny from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which had imposed a R475 million administrative fine on him for accounting irregularities linked to his former company, Steinhoff. The fallout from the scandal had already shaken South Africa's financial sector, with allegations that Jooste's actions had jeopardised billions of rand in public funds. The Progressive Civics Congress (PCC), a social justice organization, has expressed frustration over the lack of progress. Deputy Secretary Sipho Shange expressed concern over 'the unresolved questions surrounding Jooste's death' and the broader implications for public accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Jooste was involved in compromising the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, amounting to R200 billion belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF),' Shange stated. 'The Steinhoff scandal was a national issue, yet we have no answers about what happened to those pension funds. 'The public deserves transparency and accountability—and the silence from authorities raises suspicion.' Shange further criticized the silence of labor unions, which traditionally advocate for workers' rights and oversight in such matters. He argued that their inaction may have contributed to the ongoing economic crisis, asserting that the loss of investment confidence and subsequent budget deficits have directly impacted ordinary citizens. Adding to the concerns, Mary de Haas, a renowned crime expert and violence monitor, pointed out the broader issues of accountability and the integrity of investigations. She said provincial police commissioners have the authority to expedite inquiries but have seemingly done little to resolve the case or uncover the truth. 'Questions about whether Jooste truly died by suicide or was murdered remain unanswered,' de Haas said. 'The only way to find out is through the post-mortem report, but access to such crucial documents is often denied or delayed. Without it, we are left to speculate.' De Haas also highlighted the broader pattern of disappearances and unexplained deaths linked to political and financial scandals in South Africa, raising fears that some cases might be deliberately obscured to protect powerful interests. As of the last official update to IOL early this year, Western Cape then acting police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that the case remains under investigation, with no new developments reported. 'The docket concerning Markus Jooste's death is still open, and we are awaiting further findings,' Traut stated. Once a prominent business mogul, Jooste's career was marred by scandal, culminating in the exposure of fraudulent activities that cost the South African economy nearly R200 billion. His death has left many questions about the stewardship of public funds and the accountability of those entrusted with South Africa's economic stability. As the 13-month mark passes, the public, civil society, and victims of financial misconduct continue to demand answers. However, the silence from authorities only deepens suspicion, highlighting the urgent need for transparency in uncovering the truth behind Markus Jooste's death and safeguarding public trust. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe and the Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novelwa Potane did not respond to IOL. IOL Politics
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Martin Scorsese Announces Documentary Featuring Pope Francis' Final Interview
Martin Scorsese will release Aldeas – A New Story, a full-lengthy documentary film featuring Pope Francis' 'final in-depth on-camera interview for cinema.' The film will reflect on the work of Scholas Occurrentes, a non-profit, global education project founded by Pope Francis in 2013. Part of the project has been cultivating filmmaking in communities around the world to help create 'the culture of encounter from the peripheries, gathering together the beauty of human diversity, and fostering unity in a divided world.' Aldeas – A New Story will feature short narrative films made in Indonesia, the Gambia, and Italy. More from Rolling Stone John Oliver Slams RFK Jr.: 'Clearly in Way Over His Worm-Riddled Head' Pope Francis' Funeral Draws 250,000 Mourners to the Vatican Happening Now: How to Watch Pope Francis Funeral Livestream Online Produced by Aldeas Scholas Films in association with Scorsese's Sikelia Productions and Massive Owl Productions, the film will intertwine the short films with Pope Francis' interviews with Scorsese during a return to his ancestral hometown in Sicily. 'Aldeas is an extremely poetic and very constructive project because it goes to the roots of what human life is, human sociability, human conflicts… the essence of a life's journey,' Pope Francis said in a statement before his death in April. Scorsese added, 'Now, more than ever, we need to talk to each other, listen to one another cross-culturally. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by sharing the stories of who we are, reflected from our personal lives and experiences. It helps us understand and value how each of us sees the world. It was important to Pope Francis for people across the globe to exchange ideas with respect while also preserving their cultural identity, and cinema is the best medium to do that.' A press release notes, 'By empowering communities to tell their own stories and preserve their cultural legacies, the feature documentary stands as a testament to the enduring belief that creativity is not only a means of expression but a path to hope and transformation. The short films themselves will ultimately premiere in newly established local cinemas, serving as lasting hubs for cultural expression and education.' Aldeas – A New Story was produced by Scorsese along with Teresa Leveratto, Ezequiel del Corral, and Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. It was executive produced by Lisa Frechette, Romilda de Luca, Ariel Tcach, and Ariel Broitman. It was directed by Clare Tavernor and Johnny Shipley, and produced by Massive Owl Productions' Amy Foster. Cinematographers Ellen Kuras and Salvatore Totino also contributed to the film. Scorsese met with Pope Francis several times over the years. The filmmaker used their conversations to help inform his films The Last Temptation of Christ and Silence. He paid tribute to Francis following his death, saying, 'He was, in every way, a remarkable human being. He acknowledged his own failings. He radiated wisdom. He radiated goodness. He had an ironclad commitment to the good. He knew in his soul that ignorance was a terrible plague on humanity. So he never stopped learning.' He added, 'The loss for me runs deep — I was lucky enough to know him, and I will miss his presence and his warmth. The loss for the world is immense. But he left a light behind, and it can never be extinguished.' A release date for the film has not been announced, but Aldeas Scholas Films noted on Instagram that it is coming 'soon.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers icon Ally McCoist admits ‘it's made my day' as he spots special guest close to his heart at Goodison Park
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVERTON bid a special goodbye to their Goodison Park home with a 2-0 victory over Southampton today. And TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist had a special moment of his own as he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Everton enjoyed their final game at Goodison Park with a 2-0 win over Southampton Credit: Getty 3 Ally McCoist was co-commentating on the game and was delighted to see a familiar face in the crowd Credit: Alamy 3 Ex-Everton and Rangers star Duncan Ferguson pointed the special guest out to his old teammate Credit: Getty McCoist was in the commentary booth for the game, which saw Everton's men's team play their final match at Goodison after 133 years. And he and commentator Darren Fletcher were joined in their coverage by former Toffees heroes Phil Jagielka and Duncan Ferguson behind the dugouts. Ferguson, an ex-teammate of McCoist's at Rangers, spotted a special guest in attendance at the game and shared the moment with the Ibrox legend. Ferguson said to McCoist: "Was it not wonderful to see Walter Smith's widow up there, looking so well?" McCoist responded to Ferguson: "Aw Fergie, it made my day! "It's a privilege to be here, but that particular moment made my day." McCoist played under Smith and later joined his coaching staff at Ibrox, and enjoyed a close relationship with the much-loved former boss' family. He has opened up in the past on the moment he found out about Smith's passing in 2021, and revealed that his thoughts immediately went to Smith's wife Ethel and sons Neil and Steven. Writing in his book 'Dear Scotland: On The Road With The Tartan Army', McCoist reflected: "I was working at talkSPORT, doing the breakfast show, when I saw I had a missed call from Steven, Walter's son, and I knew what was coming. "I'd been to the hospital and at the house to see him, and so knowing how unwell he was, I took myself away to make the call back. Ally McCoist fights back tears as he reacts to passing of pal Walter Smith 'Silence. It is hard to know what to say, but knowing just how much Walter adored his wife Ethel, his kids and his grandkids, and the severe grief they were now going through, my thoughts were immediately with them. "Neil and Steven are two chips off the old block, the best company like their father, and I am so pleased to call the whole family friends." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Pays Tribute to Sabu on Monday Night Raw
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The professional wrestling world was shaken when news spread that ECW icon and hardcore wrestling legend Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, had passed away at 60 years old. WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to Sabu's family, friends and — WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025 Countless wrestlers paid tribute to the legend online, thanking him for the contributions he had made to the business. More Pro Wrestling: Wrestling Legend Sabu Passes Away at 60 WWE did the same on Monday Night Raw, and multiple members of the roster proceeded to follow suit. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Professional wrestler Sabu holds up his autobiography "Sabu: Scars, Silence, & Superglue" during ToyCon 2020 at the Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel on March 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Professional wrestler Sabu holds up his autobiography "Sabu: Scars, Silence, & Superglue" during ToyCon 2020 at the Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel on March 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee kicked off the show with a tribute to Sabu, calling him a "trailblazer" and "legendary." "The wrestling world lost a trailblazer over the weekend: legendary ECW superstar Sabu." Cole said. "He was a hardcore extraordinaire. He passed away at the age of 60. A two-time ECW World Champion who had a legendary rivalry with a friend of mine named Tazz." Honoring the life and remembering the legendary career of SABU.#ThankYouSabu — WWE (@WWE) May 13, 2025 "I was incredibly lucky to grow up during the era of ECW," McAfee said. "Obviously, we all had our own trampoline wrestling associations around the country. We all followed the way of the ECW superstars. And what Sabu did every time he performed was put his life on the line for everybody's entertainment. We are forever grateful for his service to this industry." "We all remember Sabu tonight, send our condolences to his family and his friends," Cole concluded as the crowd chanted "Thank you, Sabu." More Pro Wrestling: Recently Released Superstar Working With WWE Again This wasn't the only time Sabu was remembered on Raw. Before he entered into the ring, CM Punk stood on the apron and pointed to the sky in homage to ECW's Evel Knievel. "He influenced everyone and everything," CM Punk later said on Instagram. "You read about him and when you finally saw him, he somehow exceeded the expectations. He was infamous. There will never be another." "The nephew of WWE Hall of Famer, The Sheik, Sabu became a national star as part of ECW, where he was a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, leaping from chairs and driving his opponents through tables and even barbed wire," WWE said in an online tribute. "In 2006, Sabu signed with WWE as part of WWE's revival of the ECW brand. Finally unleashed on WWE, Sabu competed in marquee contests with Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena for the WWE Championship. "One of his greatest accomplishments came when he and fellow ECW Originals, The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer and Van Dam were victorious at WrestleMania 23 in Sabu's native Detroit in front of over 80,000 fans. "Sabu left WWE soon after in 2007 and continued to travel the world as sports-entertainment's human highlight reel." More Pro Wrestling: Hulk Hogan Breaks Silence on Negative Public Image WWE Legend Jake 'The Snake' Roberts Undergoes Surgery For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
