Latest news with #Uncharted
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Biden's top aides lived in ‘fog of denial' over president's cognitive decline: insider
As lawmakers continue their investigation into what former President Joe Biden's inner circle knew about his alleged cognitive decline, one insider who's written about the issue says he continues to be stunned by the 'fog of denial' that surrounded the aging president. 'They [just] convinced themselves, in effect, they believed what they wanted to believe instead of their lying eyes, even during the debate when everything went south,' said Chris Whipple, author of the book 'Uncharted,' which chronicled the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Whipple interviewed several members of Biden's inner circle in the aftermath of his widely criticized debate performance, which ultimately led to the suspension of his re-election campaign. Former chief of staff Ron Klain, who reportedly told House lawmakers this week that Biden had grown 'more forgetful' in office, was among sources who opened up for Whipple's book. 'Despite that devastating debate, which was lights out, game over, everybody knew it, Klain was still all in on Joe Biden's nomination and re-election and somehow thought he could beat Trump,' Whipple told 'America's Newsroom' Friday. 'He's been in the doghouse with Joe Biden and his inner circle ever since he was devastatingly candid to me about Joe Biden's condition in that pre-debate prep at Camp David.' Advertisement Author Chris Whipple said he was stunned by the denial he saw after interviewing former President Biden's top aides about his alleged cognitive decline. AP House Republicans have launched a probe into the former president's cognitive health and have called on former Biden administration officials to testify about what they witnessed. Most of those called have pleaded the Fifth and refused to answer lawmakers' questions, including the former president's physician. But based on his conversations, Whipple does not believe there was a secretive scheme to control the presidency. Advertisement Former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain leaving an interview with the House Oversight Committee Chairman on July 24, 2025. Getty Images 'The notion that this was somehow, you know, Biden's last year was 'Weekend at Bernie's' and that there he was non compos mentis and there was a cabal running the country with an autopen is just silly,' he said. 'The notion that they're [Republicans are] going to be able to prove that there was this dastardly cover-up on the part of Biden's inner circle is just crazy to me. I think the answer is that this thing goes nowhere.'
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Subaru Ascent Now Starts At Over $40k, Biggest Flaw Remains
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. View post: GM Beats Earnings Expectations But Still Down Year Over Year Thanks To Tariff Scare Many rivals are nicer to drive than this Subaru Subaru recently showed its sportier side with the debut of the youthful-looking Uncharted electric crossover, and we expect it to attract a new group of fans to the brand when it arrives. However, Subaru is still a pragmatic brand at heart, one that delivers value and practicality with a rugged edge. That much is still on display in the newly updated 2026 Ascent, the brand's only three-row SUV. In a segment occupied by the likes of the Mazda CX-90, can the latest Ascent still stand out? Simplified Trim Structure And New Interior Materials One trim level has been discontinued for 2026, and that's the Onyx Edition. Customers now have the following trims to choose from: Premium Limited Limited Bronze Edition Touring Onyx Edition Touring For the base Premium model, Black StarTex water-resistent upholstery has now been added, as has black accents for the exterior. This new upholstery replaces the previous cloth, and should make the cabin easier to keep clean. On the more luxurious Touring, there are new woodgrain interior accents with a matte finish, which nicely complements the Java Brown Nappa leather. Slate Black Nappa leather is another alternative for this model. That's as far as the changes go for the latest Ascent. Subaru obviously feels that the model's 2023 facelift, which included updated styling and a new 11.6-inch touchscreen, is still enough to keep the SUV fresh. All models retain standard all-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter Boxer four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a CVT, it's not the most inspiring powertrain in the class, and is still the main reason that rival SUVs are easier to recommend. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. No More Sub-$40,000 Ascent Source: Subaru The base 2025 Ascent starts at $39,995, making it the last model from the brand to start at under $40k, if only just. The 2026 Ascent range now starts at $40,795, an $800 increase. Here's the complete pricing for 2026: Premium: $40,795 Limited: $47,885 Limited Bronze Edition: $48,995 Touring: $51,165 Onyx Edition Touring: $51,995 Other than the base model, almost all other trims have the same MSRP as 2025. The Onyx Edition Touring is actually slightly cheaper than before. These prices exclude a destination and delivery charge of $1,450. The Subaru faces stiff competition in the three-row segment. Not only is the Mazda CX-90 nicer to drive, but Hyundai has just launched an all-new Palisade. The Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot are other strong choices, and all of these vehicles have more power than the Ascent. If you want standard AWD and a decent amount of safety features, the Subaru is still a sensible choice, but it fails to reach the highs of several rivals. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Ex-Biden chief of staff Ron Klain ‘cooperative' with House GOP probe of prez's mental decline
WASHINGTON — Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain was 'cooperative' Thursday with House Republicans investigating Joe Biden's cognitive slippage while president — after Klain badmouthed his former boss in a recent book about the 46th commander-in-chief. Klain — a member of a purported 'Politburo' that made high-level decisions as Biden grew less cogent during his term — appeared before the House Oversight Committee to respond to accusations that senior aides shielded the 46th president's physical and mental infirmity. 'Evidence emerges on a daily basis that would suggest Joe Biden wasn't mentally fit to be president,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters, citing claims the former chief executive was put on 'mind-altering' sleeping pills before his debate flop against Donald Trump. Advertisement Comer said his team was asking about preparations for the June 27, 2024, showdown and reviewing clips of Biden's scattered interview with special counsel Robert Hur, after which the investigator concluded he could not charge the president with willful retention of national security information in part because a jury would likely not convict an 'elderly man with a poor memory.' Although several other prominent former aides have invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions from the committee, Klain didn't exercise his constitutional protection against self-incrimination. 6 Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain appeared before the GOP-led House Oversight Committee Thursday. Courtesy Kendall White Advertisement 'I found Mr. Klain to be very credible, he answered every single question, he was fully cooperative,' said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). 'There's times where he was asked about personal conversations with the president and he was forthcoming.' 'In my opinion, he's not trying to avoid answering the questions,' added Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). 'He's saying the things that I kind of expected him to say.' Former Biden White House aides weren't surprised that Klain would be answering questions — noting that he's had a rocky relationship with his former boss over his willingness to be quoted in tell-all books like Chris Whipple's tome 'Uncharted.' 6 House Republicans are investigating Joe Biden's mental decline and potential abuses of the autopen. X / @RNCResearch Advertisement 'Ron Klain taking the opportunity to speak is so classic — always yapping,' said one former official. 'Nobody seems surprised he didn't go plead-the-Fifth route, given that he's been prone to speak unprompted.' Klain has publicly presented himself as slavishly loyal to his former boss — even openly sobbing in February 2023 as he departed the top White House job and blubbering during a good-bye party in the East Room that 'I learned everything I know about how to be a good father from Joe Biden.' 6 Klain has publicly presented himself as slavishly loyal to his former boss, openly sobbing in February 2023 as he departed the top White House job. AP Advertisement But tension has existed for years inside the Biden camp over Klain's candor — with the lieutenant said to have had to apologize to the future president after siding with those opposed to his running in 2016. More recently, Klain has attempted to call Biden to apologize for his remarks to book authors, thought it's unclear whether the ex-president, who has bitterly denied being on the cusp of senility, returned his calls. In 'Uncharted,' Whipple said Klain believed Biden to be 'exhausted and out of it' when the former chief of staff arrived at Camp David to prep him for the Trump debate. 6 'Evidence emerges on a daily basis that would suggest Joe Biden wasn't mentally fit to be president,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters. csuarez 'We sat around the table,' Klain recalled to the author. '[Biden] had answers on cards, and he was just extremely exhausted. And I was struck by how out of touch with American politics he was. He was just very, very focused on his interactions with NATO leaders.' At one point, Whipple writes, Klain 'wondered half-seriously if Biden thought he was president of NATO instead of the US.' 'He's saying the things that I kind of expected him to say, which is reflective of the book, the Whipple book, and some of the articles written about that,' Biggs said Thursday. According to another book expose, 'Original Sin,' Klain was one of five senior aides who were really 'running the country.' Advertisement 'Joe Biden was at best a senior member of the board,' a source familiar with the White House's inner workings told co-authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. 6 According to the Biden White House tell-all, 'Original Sin,' Klain was one of five senior aides who were really 'running the country.' AFP via Getty Images 'I've never seen a situation like this before, with so few people having so much power. They would make huge economic decisions without calling [Treasury] Secretary [Janet] Yellen,' spilled an unidentified cabinet secretary about the Politburo's influence. The bombshell book also described Klain as 'disappointed' in Biden's debate prep, which featured frequent naps and an ill-timed cold. Advertisement 'He'd been assured that Biden had been reviewing his prep materials before he arrived at Camp David, but he hadn't,' Tapper and Thompson wrote. Yet another book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America' by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, quotes Klain privately declaring 'we're f–ked' after Biden's unsteady June 2024 debate performance. 6 The ex-president has bitterly denied being on the cusp of senility. AFP via Getty Images Previous aides hauled in to testify about Biden's decline include fellow former senior adviser Annie Tomasini and first lady Jill Biden's powerful former chief of staff Anthony Bernal, as well as former presidential physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor. Advertisement Tomasini had initially agreed to come before the committee willingly but eventually requested a subpoena. During her hearing last week, Tomasini pleaded the Fifth. Jill Biden's 'work husband' Bernal also took the Fifth in his Oversight hearing earlier this month — after O'Connor did the same. The Oversight Committee will bring in four more members of Biden's inner circle for questioning, including Zients, who was recently revealed to have given the final stamp of approval to eleventh-hour pardons signed with an autopen.
Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Subaru considers more affordable EV below the Uncharted
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: Walmart Is Selling a 'Wonderful' $360 Outdoor Griddle for $136, and Shoppers Say It's 'Convenient and Portable' Automaker's EV Lineup May Not Be Done Growing Having just unveiled the Uncharted, a small electric crossover twinned with the next-generation Toyota C-HR, Subaru is considering an even smaller, more affordable electric model, reports Autocar. 'It's something that is up for consideration, because we need to prepare a wider range of BEVs to meet every customer's expectations,' Masahiko Inoue, Subaru's global EV product head, told the magazine in a recent interview. Autocar reported that Subaru has taken note of the sales success of the new Renault 5, the all-electric revival of the compact hatchback once sold in the United States as the Le Car, which has logged impressive sales of 30,000 units in Europe since the beginning of the year. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Full screen Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? These 5 rivals might change your mind Watch More The Uncharted is almost seven inches shorter than the Subaru Solterra, the automaker's only current EV, which itself is about the same length as the gasoline Impreza hatchback. So a smaller EV would be properly compact, more in the vein of the Subaru Justy hatch sold in the U.S. from 1987 to 1994, and one of the smallest cars Subaru has ever sold outside Japan. Smaller EV May Take Awhile To Arrive Source: Subaru All of Subaru's EVs have been jointly developed with Toyota, and that's likely to be the case with additional models as well. Autocar notes that Andrea Carlucci, Toyota's product boss in Europe, previously said an electric Yaris 'is the idea,' which would provide the perfect basis for a smaller Subaru EV. But Carlucci also said 'this is not quite now.' Subaru itself doesn't seem to be in a rush to roll out this model. Subaru Europe boss David Dello Stritto said the automaker has been watching the European electric small-car segment, which is set to expand with the Volkswagen ID 2 and smaller models from Cupra and MG, but wants to 'wait and see how the Uncharted does' before deciding on a new entry-level model. 'I reckon we need about two years to find out how it's performing,' he said. 'We might have come up with new ideas during that period, so in two years' time we can talk again.' Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Will It Reach The U.S.? Europe may soon have a vibrant small EV segment, but the business case for a smaller Subaru EV in the U.S. is likely less compelling. While price has long been a major obstacle to EV adoption, the Uncharted is already a fairly small car by the standards of this market, so it's unclear if consumers will bite even with a low price. But such a car would provide an alternative to the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV, due to arrive later this year. For now, Subaru has one of the freshest EV lineups in the industry. In addition to the Uncharted, which made its public debut last week, the automaker unveiled a refreshed Solterra and the new, Outback-like, Trailseeker at the 2025 New York Auto Show earlier this year. Both are also slated to reach showrooms as 2026 models. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Subaru unveils new front-wheel-drive Toyota-based Uncharted EV
Subaru has whipped the wraps off the Uncharted, a Toyota-based all-electric crossover, which will initially be available in front-wheel drive. The Subaru Uncharted shares its e-TNGA platform with the new Toyota CH-R+, but receives Subaru-specific styling and chassis tuning to set it apart from the crossover/SUV it is based on. Significantly, the Uncharted debuts as Subaru's only front-wheel-drive model, with all-wheel-drive variants set to be introduced at a later stage. The FWD-equipped Premium model features a single electric motor that generates 164kW. The AWD GT and Sport variants will produce 544kW from a dual electric-motor setup. Subaru claims the more powerful variants are capable of completing the 0-100km/h sprint in less than five seconds. All trims utilise a 74.7kWh battery pack, which supports 150kW DC fast charging. Plugged into the latter facility, Subaru says the battery is capable of recharging from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. An 11kW AC onboard charger that can be used to charge at home is also present. The single- and twin electric-motor models offer 480km and 466km of all-electric operating range, respectively, the company says. Inside, the Uncharted plays host to a 14-inch, touch-enabled infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring, dual wireless smartphone chargers, and dedicated USB-C ports for rear passengers. Standard safety features include the firm's EyeSight driver assistance technology, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance alert, and a driver-monitoring system. Sport and GT trims receive X‑Mode, a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera array, and distinct upholstery options. Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! Related The post Subaru Unveils New (Front-Wheel-Drive) Toyota-Based Uncharted EV appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
