All posts tagged: Starting

BYD upgrades its small SUV with more range, now starting at K

BYD upgrades its small SUV with more range, now starting at $11K

Published by skeptic

BYD introduced the upgraded Yuan Up, sold overseas as the Atto 2, with more range and a lower starting price. BYD Atto 2/ Yuan Up gets an upgrade The Yuan Up, sold as the Atto 2 in Europe, the UK, and other global regions, is a smaller sibling of the Yuan Plus, or Atto 3. BYD’s compact SUV is among the world’s top-selling electric vehicles. According to data from Cleantechnica, the BYD Yuan Up/Atto 2 was the fifth best-selling EV globally in the first half of 2026, following the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, BYD Song/Seal U, and Geely EX2. BYD launched the new 2027 Atto 2 in China on Thursday, adding a new longer-range variant to the lineup. Advertisement – scroll for more content The 2027 BYD Atto 2 “Flying Spur” edition is available in five trims, priced from 74,800 yuan to 104,800 yuan, or about $11,000 to $15,500. BYD is offering a limited-time “super replacement” subsidy of 5,000 yuan across the lineup, which brings prices down to between 69,800 yuan and 99,800 yuan …

BYD undercuts Tesla with new Formula S EV, starting at ,000

BYD undercuts Tesla with new Formula S EV, starting at $29,000

Published by skeptic

The Formula S series includes the first sedan and GT, launched under BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao. Starting at under $29,000, the electric sedan is cheaper than a Tesla Model 3. BYD launches new Formula S EV sedan and GT Fang Cheng Bao, or FCB for short, is BYD’s fifth sub-brand, alongside Denza, Yangwang, and its Dynasty and Ocean series. The “personalization-focused” FCB brand is known for its hardcore off-road electric and plug-in SUVs, like the Bao 8 and Bao 5. It also sells the Tai series, aimed at families. All feature a rugged, boxy, SUV-like design. BYD launched the brand’s first sedan and grand touring models, aimed directly at the Tesla Model 3, Xiaomi SU7, and other top-selling electric sedans in China. Advertisement – scroll for more content We caught a sneak peek of them at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show earlier this year, where BYD showcased everything from electric supercars to flagship SUVs. The Formula S Series includes 5 variants: 3 sedan variants and 2 GT models, priced from 189,900 yuan to 239,900 yuan, …

How Real Is the Threat of AI Starting the Next Pandemic?

How Real Is the Threat of AI Starting the Next Pandemic?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Last month, a team of scientists published a high-profile paper describing how they’d taught an AI model to help produce brand-new, deadly viruses. The AI—a “genome-language model” trained on DNA sequences—had designed multiple new genomes that scientists then synthesized into functional viruses. And some of those viruses were capable of killing bacteria in a dish. News of AI-made viruses went over poorly. The loudest reaction to the study (which had been released as a preprint about a year ago) was fear. Now that AI can design viruses that go after bacteria, perhaps someone could use the technology to manufacture pathogens that harm people—sparking a major outbreak, even a devastating pandemic. This potential threat evoked some of the same concerns that politicians, researchers, and tech leaders (including Bill Gates) have raised. And these fears are only gaining traction: On Thursday, Anthropic released a report that sparked a round of doom-laden headlines, detailing several instances in which the company banned accounts that were using its LLM, Claude, for what could have been reputable research efforts—or efforts to …

Trump says he has no regrets about starting the Iran war as U.S. dials up economic pressure

Trump says he has no regrets about starting the Iran war as U.S. dials up economic pressure

Published by Sam Flores

President Donald Trump speaks on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Sept. 9, 2026. Alex Wong | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said he has no regrets about starting the Iran war and added that “If I had it to do again, I would do exactly what I did.” Speaking to Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham on Thursday stateside, Trump said that he would have attacked Iran despite the impact on the midterm elections. “If we hadn’t done Iran, you would be cruising to midterms victory right now,” Ingraham told Trump, to which Trump replied “supposing we were cruising, and all of a sudden Iran has a nuclear weapon. They would use it.” He added that if Iran had a nuclear weapon, the Islamic Republic would “wipe out” Israel and the Middle East, and start hitting U.S. cities. His comments come as markets brace for a longer Iran war, after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that top White House advisors had discussed …

Harry and Meghan now ‘starting to question’ UK move | Royal | News

Harry and Meghan now ‘starting to question’ UK move | Royal | News

Published by Sam Flores

A royal source has said that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have started to question their move to the UK after they were informed by the palace that their positions within the Royal Family would not change. The pair were informed by King Charles III that they will remain non-working members of the family. The decision was made clear in a letter to Government officials, the military and Lord Lieutenancies from the monarch “to help avoid doubt or confusion”. The couple shocked the world when they decided to move back to the UK in August after six years in California, having quit royal duties back in 2020. They have both since spoken openly about their life as royals and have faced criticism for sharing private details of their time in the Royal Family. A rift has since formed between Harry and William, with whom he used to be incredibly close. An insider now says that Harry and Meghan are questioning their UK move, as William allegedly urged the King to reaffirm the couple’s status as …

China’s clean energy surge is starting to squeeze out coal

China’s clean energy surge is starting to squeeze out coal

Published by skeptic

Photo: China News Service China’s clean energy machine is now moving so fast that it’s meeting soaring electricity demand and pushing coal power backward at the same time. Coal generation has stopped growing in 17 of the 26 Chinese provinces and regions analyzed in a new report from energy think tank Ember. Those regions include industrial heavyweights such as Shandong and Hunan, and together they account for more than half of China’s thermal power capacity. Thermal generation – most of it coal – fell 0.7% in 2025, even as electricity demand jumped 5%. China’s thermal generation fell in 2015, when electricity demand barely moved, rising just 0.5%. That’s a very different story from what happened last year: Clean electricity grew fast enough to cover rising demand and start replacing coal. Advertisement – scroll for more content Coal generation has also been flat on a 12-month rolling average since early 2024, according to Ember, so the 2025 drop doesn’t appear to be a one-off. Clean power is finally eating into coal China has spent the past …

Antonelli ends 60-year wait for home winner after starting 19th at Italian GP

Antonelli ends 60-year wait for home winner after starting 19th at Italian GP

Published by Sam Flores

That meant that when Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari had scrappy sessions, Gasly was there to pick up the pole. It would not have been a surprise had he qualified on the front two rows, though.  It was a disappointment for George Russell, who missed out by just 0.06sec. Still, it could have been better but it could have been worse. Starting on the front row is no bad thing here and it is expected that Mercedes will have a faster race car (and possibly the fastest) than Alpine. With Antonelli starting at the back because of an engine penalty, it gives Russell the chance to eat into Antonelli’s title lead.  What would be a satisfying amount today? Well, if Russell wins and Antonelli fights his way back to fourth, say, that is a 13-point gap, meaning Russell would be 46 points adrift heading into Madrid next week. Still, let’s not forget that Russell will have to take one of these engine penalties soon, too… Source link

Hyundai opens orders for its new EV van, starting at about ,500

Hyundai opens orders for its new EV van, starting at about $66,500

Published by skeptic

Hyundai’s electric van is bigger than the Kia PV5 and Volkswagen ID. Buzz, with enough room for nine passengers. Hyundai Staria Electric van prices and specs We got our first look at the Staria Electric in January when Hyundai unveiled it at the Brussels Motor Show. The electric van is essentially the EV version of the gas-powered model sold in Europe, South Korea, and other global markets. After launching it in Korea earlier this year, Hyundai is opening orders for the Staria Electric across Europe. In Germany, Hyundai’s electric van starts at €57,450, or about $66,500. Advertisement – scroll for more content Measuring 5,253 mm (206.8″) in length, 1,997 mm (78.6″) in width, and 1,990 mm (78.3″) in height, with a 3,273 mm (128.8″ wheelbase, the Staria Electric is about 200 mm (7.8″) longer than Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9. Although it looks about the same as the gas version, the Staria Electric stands out with EV-like elements, including a closed-off grille and a full-length light bar across the front. The flat floor and open-plan design …

€705m to fund winners of ERC Starting Grant competition

€705m to fund winners of ERC Starting Grant competition

Published by skeptic

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the 421 winners of its latest Starting Grant competition, who will each receive a share of the €705m funding. The Starting Grants will help researchers develop ambitious ideas, build their own teams and establish their independence at a pivotal stage in their careers. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said: ‘Congratulations to all the successful applicants. I am particularly pleased to see that 21 researchers currently based in the United States and Canada plan to relocate to Europe to pursue their work. Their decision reflects Europe’s growing appeal for frontier research and is an encouraging sign that the EU’s Choose Europe initiative is helping to attract the next generation of scientific talent while reinforcing Europe’s position as a destination of choice for excellent research.’ President of the European Research Council, Prof. Maria Leptin, said: ‘The creativity and ambition of this new generation of grantees are inspiring. Over 50 nationalities are represented amongst these researchers who will carry out their work across Europe. ERC Starting Grants will …