All posts tagged: points

UK public EV charge points surpass 75,000 as infrastructure booms

UK public EV charge points surpass 75,000 as infrastructure booms

Published by skeptic

The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has hit a significant milestone, with the number of public charge points surpassing 75,000. According to the latest data from Zapmap, as of the end of February 2025, there are 75,675 public EV charge points across the country. This represents an impressive 32% year-on-year increase from February 2024, when the total stood at 57,290. Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “Having 75,000 public charge points available across the different charging use cases is a significant milestone for the UK EV market. “An extensive network of public charging, especially high visibility hubs, helps drive confidence for the next wave of drivers who will be making the switch to electric over the next few years. “As the infrastructure continues to grow, Zapmap’s focus is to make sure that EV drivers have access to the best up-to-date information so they can find and pay for public charging with confidence.” Ultra-rapid charging leads the charge Among the fastest-growing segments of the EV charging network, high-powered ultra-rapid charge points (150kW+) have experienced …

Airborne lead pollution may have cost ancient Romans 3 IQ points

Airborne lead pollution may have cost ancient Romans 3 IQ points

Published by skeptic

Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. Why didn’t the Romans invent the steam engine, electricity, or the airplane? Perhaps because they were 3 IQ points less clever than they could have been. The culprit: lead pollution — but not of the kind we already knew about. Odd and violent behavior The Romans drank tap water from lead pipes, prepared and ate their food on lead-containing kitchenware, used lead in their cosmetics, and even sweetened and preserved their wine with lead acetate. Ingesting lead is harmful to the body and brain, and it has been blamed for the odd and violent behavior of some emperors, and even the fall of the Roman Empire itself. However, these dangers would have only affected a small urban elite. A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) quantifies a much more widespread form of lead pollution: via the air. This affected everyone, including the Empire’s rural …

Audi’s Rebrand in China Points to Bigger Changes in the Auto Industry

Audi’s Rebrand in China Points to Bigger Changes in the Auto Industry

Published by skeptic

It’s also a rejiggering for the German automaker, which entered China in the late 1980s and became, thanks to a partnership with domestic manufacturer FAW, the first global premium brand to adapt its autos to the Chinese market. For many years, Audi was synonymous with foreign luxury and later became the standard ride of the party elite. But the precipitous rise of Chinese automakers, buoyed by generous state support and a new middle class, have left global automakers playing catch-up. Mitsubishi stopped production in China last year; Hyundai and Ford have closed or reduced operations at factories. This month, General Motors reported that its Chinese business, operated jointly with several Chinese automakers, has seen sales fall by almost 20 percent this year. GM said it would restructure its business in the country, taking a $5 billion write-down in the process. The Volkswagen Group, which sells Audis and also Porsches, Bentleys, Škodas, and Lamborghinis in China, has seen a 10 percent dip in vehicles sold in the country this year. The drop was responsible, in part, …

AI that clicks for you: Microsoft’s research points to the future of GUI automation

AI that clicks for you: Microsoft’s research points to the future of GUI automation

Published by skeptic

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More A comprehensive new survey from Microsoft researchers and academic partners reveals that artificial intelligence agents powered by large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly capable of controlling graphical user interfaces (GUIs), potentially changing how humans interact with software. The technology essentially gives AI systems the ability to see and manipulate computer interfaces just like humans do — clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating between applications. Rather than requiring users to learn complex software commands, these “GUI agents” can interpret natural language requests and automatically execute the necessary actions. “These agents represent a paradigm shift, enabling users to perform intricate, multi-step tasks through simple conversational commands,” the researchers write. “Their applications span across web navigation, mobile app interactions, and desktop automation, offering a transformative user experience that revolutionizes how individuals interact with software.” Think of it as having a highly skilled executive assistant who can operate any software program on your behalf. You simply tell the …

New survey points to correlation between Christian nationalism and authoritarian views

New survey points to correlation between Christian nationalism and authoritarian views

Published by skeptic

(RNS) — Americans who hold Christian nationalist views are also likely to express support for forms of authoritarianism, according to a new report, pointing to a possible link between those who advocate for a Christian nation and people who agree with statements such as the need to “smash the perversions eating away at our moral fiber and traditional beliefs.” The Public Religion Research Institute unveiled the new survey last week during Religion News Service’s 90th anniversary celebration in New York City, presenting the data to a room of faith leaders, advocates and reporters. A statement sent to RNS on Monday (Sept 16), Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI, framed the study as an effort to connect recent research on Christian nationalism with longstanding efforts to assess authoritarianism. “While most Americans do not espouse authoritarian views, our study demonstrates that such views are disproportionately held by Christian nationalists, who we know in our past research have been more prone to accept political violence and more likely to hold antidemocratic attitudes than other Americans,” Deckman said. In addition …

Tories fall to new low in latest poll as Reform closes gap to three points

Tories fall to new low in latest poll as Reform closes gap to three points

Published by Sam

The Conservatives have dropped to a new polling low, with Reform UK closing the gap to just three points. Having already hit a five-year low last week with the pollster Savanta, the share of people planning to vote for the Conservative Party has slumped by a further two points amid warnings of a “collapse” in support. The exclusive poll for The Telegraph showed Labour on 42 per cent (up two points), the Tories on 19 per cent and Reform on 16 per cent (up two). It is the third poll in a row in which Reform has achieved its highest share in a Savanta poll since the party’s official creation in January 2021. The Liberal Democrats were on 9 per cent (down two points) with the Green Party on 5 per cent (down one) and the Scottish National Party on 3 per cent (no change). Savanta interviewed 2,103 UK adults aged 18 and over between June 19 and 21. Emma Levin, Savanta’s associate director, said: “Our research suggests that we could be watching the collapse …

Biden Leads Trump By 2 Points In Fox News Poll

Biden Leads Trump By 2 Points In Fox News Poll

Published by Sam

US President Joe Biden has jumped ahead of former President Donald Trump in a Fox News poll of a hypothetical matchup between the two for the first time since October, a shift since Trump was convicted on all counts in his Manhattan hush money trial. The Fox News poll found 50% of surveyed voters would cast their ballots for Biden while 48% would do so for Trump in a two-way race. That’s a two percentage point shift since the network’s last poll in May, where Trump led Biden 49% to 48%. The results are within the margin of error. But it’s the first time Biden has polled ahead of Trump since October 2023 in a Fox News survey and comes amid other signs the former president’s trial may have left a lasting impression on voters before the two men take the debate stage in Atlanta next week. A jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to the porn star Stormy Daniels last month, the …

Labour Surges Leads Polls By 30 Points Over Tories

Labour Surges Leads Polls By 30 Points Over Tories

Published by skeptic

Labour has taken a 30-point opinion poll lead over the Tories – just days after Rishi Sunak said the UK was heading for a hung parliament. YouGov put support for Keir Starmer’s party on 48%, with the Conservatives on just 18%. Reform UK are just five points behind the Tories on 13%, with the Lib Dems on 9% and the Greens on 7%. It is the biggest lead Labour has enjoyed since Liz Truss’s disastrous time as prime minister. The poll is yet another hammer blow for Sunak, who is still reeling from Natalie Elphicke’s shock defection to Labour yesterday. Earlier this week, the PM said last week’s local elections – in which the Tories lost nearly 500 council seats – “suggest we are heading for a hung parliament with Labour as the largest party”. But according to the Electoral Calculus website, Labour would have a 452-seat majority if the YouGov poll was replicated at the general election, with the Tories left with just 13 seats. Announcing his decision on X (formerly Twitter) he said: …

Gilgeous-Alexander Has 29 Points to Help Thunder Roll Past Mavericks in Game 1 of West Semifinals

Gilgeous-Alexander Has 29 Points to Help Thunder Roll Past Mavericks in Game 1 of West Semifinals

Published by skeptic

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual self and Luka Doncic wasn’t. Gilgeous-Alexander had 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists to help the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Gilgeous-Alexander made 8 of 19 field goals and 11 of 13 free throws before coming out of the game with 3:26 remaining and the Thunder leading 111-89. Doncic, an MVP finalist like Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting and had five turnovers. He bristled when asked about his shooting. “Who cares,” he said. “We lost. We just got to move onto the next one. We’ve got to be better.” Lu Dort got most of the work guarding Doncic, with rookie Cason Wallace getting some of the action and 7-foot-1 center Holmgren pestering him near the rim. Photos You Should See – April 2024 Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Dort, one of the league’s best perimeter defenders did his job. “He’s just a warrior,” Daigneault said. “Brings the …

Met Gala: Eight talking points as AI Katy Perry photo fools her mum and Ed Sheeran’s outfit draws film comparisons | Ents & Arts News

Met Gala: Eight talking points as AI Katy Perry photo fools her mum and Ed Sheeran’s outfit draws film comparisons | Ents & Arts News

Published by Sam

As the biggest fashion event of the year, the Met Gala is made for talking points.  Here are some of the celebrities that sent social media into overdrive at this year’s “Garden Of Time” themed fundraiser in New York. Singer carried up steps in sand dress The Met steps make for a grand entrance to the gala – but they also present a tricky obstacle for some of the more delicate costumes. Grammy-winning singer Tyla had to be lifted up the stairs in her sand-adorned Balmain gown. Image: Tyla is lifted up the stairs to the Met Gala. Pic: DPRF/STAR MAX/IPx 2024/AP She accessorised it with a sand-filled hourglass instead of a handbag – which one of her entourage carried as she was carefully lifted from one step to the next. Asked by E!’s team on the red carpet whether she’d be able to sit down during the event, Tyla responded: “Who cares, guys, I’m cute!” Image: Tyra held a sand-filled hourglass instead of a handbag. Pic: AP The dress that took 13,500 hours to …