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It has been stated that Dodge is working on a more reasonably priced, entry-level version of the all-electric Charger, which will sit far lower in the new Daytona lineup than its equivalents with internal combustion engines.

The R/T and Scat Pack, two all-wheel-drive electric versions of the next Charger generation, will be available at launch. Although the prices of both vehicles are still unknown, their respective power outputs of 496 and 670 horsepower suggest that they come with a high price tag that may be beyond the means of many people.

However, a new source suggests that a base Charger GT model may be released in the future. It is expected that this entry-level model will have rear-wheel drive and a single electric motor.

Although the precise power output of this vehicle is unknown, estimations indicate that it may be in the range of 300 horsepower, which would be consistent with the performance of the outgoing Charger GT variants. It has been reported that Dodge intends to release this model in two-door and four-door versions, with a possible release date in the second half of 2025.

The Charger GT may have an extremely long range if it employs the same 100.5 kWh battery pack as the R/T and Scat Pack. Currently, the Scat Pack is rated at 260 miles (418 km), while the R/T can go a claimed 317 miles (510 km) on a single charge.

With only one motor and a lot less power than the other two, the GT could theoretically have a range of more than 350 miles (563 km). It should also provide the same 183 kW peak charge rate, which should enable it to charge from 5 to 80% at a 350 kW charger in about 32.5 minutes.

If Dodge hopes the new model is a hit, it must also get the price right. The starting price of the outgoing Charger GT is $38,025; the destination cost is $1,595 more. It makes sense that the electric Charger GT will cost more given all the extra technology, but if Dodge can keep the price tag under $45,000, it will undoubtedly draw in customers who would not have otherwise given the Charger much thought.

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The teaser image for the 5-door Force Gurkha has revealed a few elements.

In the final weeks before its arrival in the upcoming weeks, Force Motors has finally revealed the official tease for the five-door Gurkha. The detailed teaser provides a wealth of information about the future lifestyle off-road SUV. Following a year-long hiatus, the three-door Gurkha will also make a comeback, this time with an improved powertrain compliant with BSVI stage 2.

Dimensions:

Thanks to the addition of two rear doors, the five-door Force Gurkha will have a wheelbase that is 425 mm longer than that of its three-door cousin and a more roomy cabin. Additionally, the brand has displayed a number of optional attachments, such as a roof rack and a ladder for the rear.

Exterior Design:

The teaser has verified that the circular LED headlamps, which resemble the three-door variant with LED DRLs, are here to stay, despite spy pictures suggesting the existence of a squared-off headlamp cluster. Although the double grille slate is the same, the bumpers will have a distinct design. There will also be a set of freshly designed 16-inch alloy wheels supplied. The

Interior:

The Gurkha with five doors will come in three different seating arrangements: five, six, and seven seats. Only four seats will be available in the three-door model, and additional extras will raise the premium factor. With a three-spoke steering wheel, an analogue cluster, circular HVAC vents, a touchscreen infotainment system, and leatherette upholstery, it will remain stationary. With the five-door model, there will be a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob available.

Performance:

With a maximum power output of 90 horsepower and a peak torque of 250 Nm, the well-known 2.6L four-cylinder diesel engine will power the Gurkha in both versions, so they don’t anticipate any performance modifications. It will come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, which will distribute power to all four wheels.

Price: T

He came back via the three doors. The Force Gurkha is expected to retail for approximately Rs. 15.5 lakh, while the new five-door variant may start at Rs. 16.5 lakh (both ex-showroom). It will go up against the Mahindra Thar Armada, which is expected to make its public debut on August 15, 2024 in India.

The 2.6-liter diesel engine and 5-speed manual gearbox from Mercedes are anticipated to continue to be available in the Gurkha 3-door and 5-door models. The engine’s output numbers are yet unknown, although the previous Gurkha 3-door model boasted 91 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque.

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By the fiscal year 2031, Maruti Suzuki plans to launch six electric cars on the domestic market. The strategy of the biggest automaker in the nation includes entry into a number of markets with a range of pricing points and body styles. The corporation has high expectations for itself: by the end of the decade, sales of its future range of electric vehicles should account for about 15% of overall sales.

It is well known that the eVX will be its first electric car, introduced in H1 2025. It will be powered by Toyota’s 27PL skateboard platform, which has a 60 kWh battery pack and a stated 550 km of driving range. Based on the Urban SUV concept that was unveiled last year, its Toyota brother would employ the same architecture.

The eVX debut in 2026 may be followed by the electrified MPV, internally dubbed YMC, which will be the result of the modular platform. It should be mentioned that Maruti Suzuki is also developing a tiny SUV to compete with the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, as well as a compact MPV based on the Japanese Spacia.

The inexpensive zero-emission hatchback that the Indo-Japanese automaker plans to introduce in 2027 will be based on the eWX concept, which was shown at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo in 2023. It will be priced aggressively and have a high local content level. In the future, the Fronx might be added to the mix, and the Jimny lifestyle off-road SUV will also receive EV treatment.

Maruti Suzuki has been bolstering its ICE portfolio over the past few years as a precaution. The brand made a wise decision by focusing more on adding new UVs. The introduction of the new Grand Vitara, Fronx compact SUV coupe, and Brezza small SUV has significantly increased its volume sales. Last fiscal year, it was the most popular UV manufacturer.

Maruti Suzuki reported UV sales of 6,42,296 units during that time, a staggering YoY increase of 75.42 percent, compared to 3,66,129 units during the same period the previous FY. Additionally, Maruti Suzuki is developing a potent hybrid drivetrain with a significant amount of indigenous components.

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Launch of the AMG C 63 e-Performance and S 63 e-Performance by June 2024

Mercedes-Benz’s 2024 portfolio includes the AMG S 63 e-Performance and C 63 e-Performance models, which are expected to go on sale in June. These fast cars use advanced hybrid technology that was inspired by Formula 1e.

New E-Class LWB Launch by End of the Year

Later in the year, auto aficionados can anticipate the introduction of the new E-Class LWB. It is anticipated that this much anticipated car will redefine refinement and luxury in the sedan market.

Mercedes to Have Six EVs by End 2024

By the end of 2024, Mercedes-Benz intends to add six new electric vehicles to its lineup, marking a significant step towards sustainability. The brand’s dedication to environmentally friendly mobility solutions is emphasised by this strategy change.

All-New E-Class, EVs Incoming

Mercedes-Benz will also unveil three new electric cars and the much awaited all-new E-Class in addition to the AMG variants. These new models show off the brand’s innovative approach to automotive technology and design.

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New U.S. research on alleged “forever chemicals” in seafood, which was released on Friday, calls for the establishment of more stringent public health recommendations for the permissible daily intake of marine fish and shellfish.

According to a news release from the study’s authors, seafood consumption among 1,829 “Granite Slaters” in New Hampshire may have an impact on exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are man-made chemicals linked to cancer, fetal abnormalities, high cholesterol, thyroid, liver, and reproductive disorders in humans.

The research, which was published in the journal Exposure and Health, aimed to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the risk-benefit ratio of consuming seafood by comparing an analysis of PFAS concentrations in fresh seafood with a statewide survey of eating habits. This would enable people to make educated diet decisions, especially for vulnerable groups like expectant mothers and children.

The study also drew upon a wealth of information compiled by the state regarding additional sources of pervasive and persistent additives (PFAS), including drinking water, plastics, non-stick coatings, firefighting foams, and many more. These sources are a legacy of the toxins’ molecular stability, which confers versatility, but also renders them nearly unbreakable, hence the term “forever chemicals.”

The majority of current study focuses on PFAS levels in freshwater species, which do not constitute the majority of human diets. We saw it as a gap in the research, particularly for a New England state where we know people enjoy seafood,” Megan Romano, an epidemiology associate professor at Geisel Medical School and study co-author, said.

The highest concentrations were found in shrimp and lobster, which could average as high as 1.74 and 3.30 nanograms per gram, according to tests for 26 PFAS types in samples of the most popular species, including cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallop, shrimp, and tuna that were bought fresh from a market along the state’s coast. Overall readings for the other species were less than 1 nanogram per gram.

The study noted that because PFAS are so widely distributed in the environment, it is challenging to determine exactly where and how the chemicals enter the marine food chain. However, it also cautioned that because shellfish live and feed on the seafloor and are close to sources of PFAS that enter the sea from land, they may be especially vulnerable to PFAS buildup in their cells.

Furthermore, by consuming smaller species that have PFAS deposits, larger marine animals may consume PFAS.

Approximately one ounce of seafood is consumed daily by men and women in New Hampshire, which is more than the national average for both and higher than the amounts reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the northeast. This information was gathered from the team’s eating survey. Children in New Hampshire between the ages of 2 and 11 consumed 0.2 ounces per day, which was at the highest end of the national average for children.

Almost all adults said they had eaten seafood in the past year, with 94% reporting having done so in the previous month and 2/3 having done so in the previous week. However, the data showed notable variations based on the respondents’ socioeconomic class and place of residence.

In contrast to those with higher incomes who ate seafood less frequently, over 60% of those with annual household incomes under $45,000 reported eating seafood at least once a week.

Given that seafood is a recognized source of lean protein and omega fatty acids, Romano said the study’s advise was not to avoid it but rather to raise awareness of a potentially underreported source of PFAS exposure in people.

The authors emphasized that stricter safety regulations are particularly needed in coastal areas like New England, where fish is an essential part of the local way of life due to PFAS contamination and industrial pollution.

“PFAS are not limited to manufacturing, fire-fighting foams, or municipal waste stream — they are a decades-long global challenge,” toxicologist Jonathan Petali of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, who co-authored the paper, stated.

“New Hampshire was among the first states to identify PFAS in drinking water. We’re a data-rich state due to years spent investigating the impacts of PFAS and trying to mitigate exposure.”

Establishing safety criteria would help protect those who are more susceptible to contaminants, according to co-author and assistant professor of environmental studies at Middlebury College Kathryn Crawford. However, she said that others with more typical consumption habits need not worry.

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According to a new study, hypertensive problems during pregnancy are associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality for up to a year after delivery.

The most recent study’s results, which were published in the journal Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, show that all but gestational diabetes—conditions that commonly result in dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy—doubled women’s chance of dying from cardiovascular disease.

These conditions include eclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, preeclampsia with severe characteristics, persistent hypertension, and gestational hypertension.

“Maternal and postpartum mortality rates in the U.S. are higher than in other high-income countries and rising, but more than half of cardiovascular disease-related deaths are preventable. This study provides new information about how each hypertensive disorder is related to fatal cardiovascular disease, so healthcare providers can monitor patients with such complications more closely and develop strategies for keeping them healthy postpartum,” Lead author Rachel Lee of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School stated in a news release that the study

Researchers assessed pregnancy-related death rates for females between the ages of 15 and 54 from 2010 to 2018 by looking through the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

 
Researchers found hypertensive problems in 11% of the more than 33 million delivery hospitalizations. Over time, the number rose, as the researchers observed.

Pregnancy-related hypertension diseases affected 9.4% of study participants in 2010. The news statement said that by 2018, that percentage had increased by more than half to 14.4%.

“We’ve gotten better at predicting, diagnosing, and treating preeclampsia in this country, so the risk of death is falling for any individual patient with that condition,” stated Cande Ananth, the study’s principal author.

But according to Ananth, the increased ability to treat chronic hypertension has been more than compensated by the substantial rise in the number of individuals who develop it.

“Cases of chronic hypertension are rising sharply among people of childbearing age, but optimal treatment strategies remain uncertain. While we’re treating more pregnant people with mild hypertension with antihypertensive medications, there remain many questions about the right definitions of hypertension in pregnant compared to non-pregnant individuals,” according to Ananth.

Heart disease symptoms can mirror regular pregnancy indications, thus expectant moms with high blood pressure conditions—especially those with pre-existing hypertension—need to be given extra consideration.

Postponed diagnosis may raise the risk of preventable consequences like strokes. Therefore, researchers emphasized the significance of prompt identification and appropriate treatment of high blood pressure problems, including preeclampsia-eclampsia.

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As part of the Artemis lunar exploration program, Japan will land an astronaut on the moon first, following the United States, according to an agreement between the two countries revealed on April 10.

A deal pertaining to Japan’s additional contribution to Artemis, a pressurized lunar rover known as Lunar Cruiser, was signed by Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Masahito Moriyama at a Washington ceremony.

NASA will send the rover to the moon, and according to the agencies, this will happen before the Artemis 7 mission, which isn’t supposed to leave Earth until 2031. As the first agency outside of NASA to secure berths on landing missions, NASA will also provide astronauts from the Japanese space agency, JAXA, two seats on upcoming Artemis lunar landing missions.

According to a statement from JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa, “the pressurized rover will be a powerful contribution to the overall Artemis architecture as Japan and the U.S. go hand in hand with international and industry partners to the lunar surface and beyond.” “JAXA is ready to assist MEXT and push this forward with our science and technological expertise to establish sustainable human presence on the moon.”

Under contracts announced April 3, three American companies are constructing a Lunar Terrain Vehicle for NASA; this Japanese rover will support longer explorations from Artemis landing sites that are outside of its range. The rover has a ten-year lifespan overall and can hold two astronauts for up to thirty days.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement, “America no longer will walk on the moon alone. With this new rover, we will uncover groundbreaking discoveries on the lunar surface that will benefit humanity and inspire the Artemis Generation,” 

However, the release provided no information regarding the scheduled date of the Japanese astronauts’ lunar landing. The two nations “announced a shared goal for a Japanese national to land on the moon on a future NASA mission assuming benchmarks are achieved.” Nelson responded when asked about timetables during a briefing on April 10.

At the briefing, Lara Kearney, manager of NASA’s extravehicular exercise and human surface mobility program, stated, “No mission has been currently assigned to a Japanese astronaut,”

“The timing of the flight opportunities will be determined by NASA in line with existing flight manifesting and crew assignment processes and will take into account program progress and constraints, MEXT’s request for the earliest possible assignment of the Japanese astronauts to lunar surface missions, and major PR milestones such as when the PR is first deployed on the lunar surface.” the implementing agreement stated. Progress on the pressurized rover, or PR, is one of the factors that will be taken into account when assigning crew members to missions.

Many in the business, however, believe that at least one astronaut will go to the skies before the rover is delivered, perhaps even as soon as the second crewed landing, Artemis 4, occurs in the late 2020s.At a meeting of the National Space Council on December 20, Vice President Kamala Harris declared, “We intend to land an international astronaut on the surface of the moon by the end of the decade.”

As part of an earlier agreement about its contributions to the lunar orbiting facility, Japan also has a spot on a future Artemis mission to the lunar Gateway in addition to the two landing missions. The European Space Agency has not yet been assigned a seat on a landing mission, although it has three seats on Artemis missions for its contributions to the lunar Gateway, two of which are probably on Artemis 4 and 5.

Canada holds a spot on a future Gateway mission and is sending an astronaut on the Artemis 2 circumlunar trip, which launches in late 2025. Since finalizing an agreement with NASA in January to create an airlock module, the United Arab Emirates is also assigned to a seat on a Gateway mission.

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In October 2020, Google debuted its own VPN service, first offering it in conjunction with expensive 2TB+ Google One subscriptions. The company enhanced its VPN service over time by bringing it to other markets and combining it with less expensive One options. Access to a free limitless VPN with a Google One membership was a great bonus, despite its narrow use case. Unfortunately, Google is discontinuing its VPN service “later this year” in true Google form because of poor usage.

To let users know about this change, Google has sent emails to Google One subscribers. The email does not give a more precise timeline, only stating that VPN by Google One would be discontinued later this year. In place of the Google One VPN app, if you own a Pixel 7 or later, you may still take use of free VPN by going through Pixel settings.

Google is discontinuing the VPN service from Google One, according to a corporate statement, since “people simply weren’t using it.” The business will instead focus its efforts on enhancing other well-liked Google One features. And maybe for that reason—despite eliminating one of One’s benefits—Google is not cutting One’s subscription costs.

Pixel VPN Service will Remain Free of Charge

There is a benefit to Google discontinuing One’s VPN service. When utilizing the Google One VPN on the Pixel 7, a persistent notification appears. With the Pixel 8 series, this isn’t the case because a VPN is pre-installed. You won’t have to bother with the constant VPN notice once the Pixel 7 and other compatible devices transition to the built-in Pixel VPN integration.

When Google first introduced the Pixel VPN service along with the Pixel 7, in October 2022, the company said that the service will be available for five years, so it shouldn’t be taken away anytime soon. You can check out some of our top VPN services if you want to avoid depending just on Google for your VPN needs.

Furthermore, as of May 15, Google will no longer provide free shipping on some print orders placed through Google Photos in the US, Canada, UK, and EU.

Additionally, users to Google One receive emails from Google about the expansion of access to premium editing tools for Google Photos, such as Magic Eraser and Portrait Light, as well as the introduction of Dark web surveillance to all qualified Google accounts.

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Everything did not go according to plan on Lionel Messi’s first official trip to Mexico.

In Wednesday’s second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals—the Concacaf version of the Champions League—Monterrey defeated Inter Miami 3-1. A 5-2 aggregate victory over Miami was secured thanks to goals from Brandon Vazquez, Germán Berterame, and Jesús Gallardo.

The lone goal for Miami was scored in the 85th minute by Diego Gómez. Though he had only one opportunity in the first half of the game, Messi got the start.

“As a coach, I’m happy to eliminate a great team. Gerardo [Martino] and Leo [Messi] are a great coach and player who are recognized worldwide,”  Fernando Ortiz, stated, “We have the satisfaction to win the series.”
 

Prior to the quarterfinal, Ortiz expressed his confidence in his team’s abilities but expressed concern that Messi’s presence would have an impact on the officials.

“I said that we were going to beat them, not for a lack of respect for Miami, just because I thought that my players would understand what needed to be done,” Ortiz stated. “To me, Leo is the greatest player of all time, I did not mean to offend anyone, I just gave an honest opinion.”

Nico Sanchez, the assistant coach for Monterrey, apologized earlier this week following an audio recording in which he described Lionel Messi as a “possessed dwarf” and claimed that Messi had “the face of the devil” following an altercation during the first leg in Miami…

Messi, who participated in two exhibition games in Mexico in 2011 and one in 2006, lost the opportunity to lead Miami to the tournament’s inaugural semi-final.

Coach Gerardo Martino of Miami stated, “Today’s defeat takes away the illusion that we have to keep moving forward in this competition,”

Messi was attempting to win his second competition since joining Miami a year earlier. He had won the Leagues Cup the previous summer.

Martino declared, “We’ve competed well in the first game against Monterrey and in this one we did until Berterame’s goal, that’s when the series ended,”

Last Saturday, Messi played in the second half of an MLS match at Colorado after missing the first two with a hamstring issue that had been bothering him since March 13. He scored once in the 2-2 draw.

Monterrey is attempting to make it to their first final since winning their fifth Concacaf championship in 2021.

The MLS team protested over the amount of cards they were issued, which led to a heated altercation during the first match between Monterrey and Miami. After Jordi Alba was sent off in the 78th minute of the second leg, Inter Miami was reduced to 10 men.

Even though Miami lost in the quarterfinals, they can still participate in the Club World Cup in 2025. The competition’s extended version, which will be held in the US, will feature the champions of continental titles from North and Central America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Teams that qualified under the new Fifa points system will also be included in the revised structure, along with one wildcard side from the US, which will serve as the host country. Fifa has not yet disclosed how the slot would be distributed. “Further details [will be] provided in due course,”  a December 2023 statement from Fifa stated.

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Following a continuing disagreement over royalties with her music distributor Universal Music Group, Taylor Swift’s music is once again available on TikTok.

Her songs have returned to the well-known social media platform just before the highly anticipated release of her most recent album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which is scheduled for release next week.

Following the release of a statement titled “An open letter to the artist and songwriter community — why we must call time out on TikTok,” in which it stated that its licensing agreement with the platform was expiring, Universal Music Group removed music from a number of its artists in January, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, and Rihanna.

Consequently, the music of Universal artists was taken out of any TikTok videos along with a notice stating that copyright violations were the reason for the removal.

TikTok offered to pay its artists and composers “a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay,” according to a statement made at the time by Universal Music Group.

In the end, TikTok stated in a statement that it is “Ultimately TikTok is trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music,”

Nevertheless, Universal said that TikTok barely generates 1% of its overall income.

Moreover, the business expressed dissatisfaction with TikTok’s decision to permit AI-generated music to be played on the site and its development of tools to “enable, promote and encourage” this kind of music production, which it claimed would “massively dilute the royalty pool for human artists.”

With Swift’s return to TikTok, it’s unclear what conditions have been fulfilled. A request for comment was not answered by the Universal Music Group, TikTok, or a representative for Taylor Swift. Other Universal artists’ music is still not accessible on the platform.

In February, Swift revealed her most recent album while accepting her 13th Grammy. Ever since, she has been teasing the album cover, song titles, and the countdown to its release on Friday, April 19, on social media. Her 11th studio album will be released.

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