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Hampton University’s 28-point lead evaporates in season-closing loss at AlbanyBy Vanessa G. Sánchez, KFF Health News (TNS) LOS ANGELES — President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California’s immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state’s most impoverished residents. At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care. Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state’s progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year. Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump’s election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say. The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions , which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants. “The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities,” said Mar Velez , director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities.” Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal. Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he’s living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. “I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it’s good that he won.” He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status. “I’ve thought about it,” Selvin said, but “I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won’t deny that, obviously, I’d like to benefit — get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup.” But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn’t seen a doctor in nine years. It’s not Trump’s mass deportation plan in particular that’s scaring him off, though. “If I’m not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won’t get deported,” Selvin said. Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year. She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn’t be able to afford her visits to the dentist. A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump’s deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out. “I’ve heard people say he’s going to get rid of everyone who’s stealing.” Although she’s afraid she could be deported, she’s also hopeful about Trump. “He says he’s going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest,” she said. “That’s good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work.” Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction. “They’re just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California,” Gonzalez said. “People on the ground are saying, ‘I’m hopeful,’ because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety.” Related Articles National Politics | Mexico tests cellphone app allowing migrants to send alert if they are about to be detained in US National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process National Politics | Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flights National Politics | Advocates train immigrants to ‘prepare to stay’ in the US under Trump National Politics | Immigration drives US population growth to highest rate in 23 years as residents pass 340 million Gonzalez said he’s not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status . Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal. Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization. California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers. “Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this.” Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of government benefits. “President Trump’s mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey . Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act’s plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide , without access to subsidized health insurance. On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration’s rule. Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state. “¿Ya tiene Medi-Cal?” community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans. “¡Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! ¡Todo gratuito!” she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge. “Gracias, pero no,” said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun. Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” she said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.” This article was produced by KFF Health News , which publishes California Healthline , an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation . ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped

U.S. Surgical Staplers Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032 12-27-2024 07:16 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights U.S. Surgical Staplers Market Latest Market Overview The U.S. surgical staplers market is projected to achieve a valuation of $5.8 billion in 2024, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% between 2024 and 2032. The growing adoption of minimally invasive surgeries, coupled with advancements in stapling technology, is driving market growth. With increasing demand for precision in surgical procedures, surgical staplers are replacing conventional sutures, offering reduced procedural time and enhanced patient outcomes. By 2032, the market is estimated to surpass $10.2 billion as innovation and automation continue to shape the landscape.Market The U.S. Surgical Staplers Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the U.S. Surgical Staplers industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of U.S. Surgical Staplers Market are: Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland) - Revenue: USD 30.12 billion Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) - Revenue: USD 94.94 billion Stryker Corporation (Kalamazoo, MI, USA) - Revenue: USD 20.1 billion B. Braun Melsungen AG (Melsungen, Germany) - Revenue: USD 8.7 billion Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - Revenue: USD 5.7 billion Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/us-surgical-staplers-market Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global U.S. Surgical Staplers Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/us-surgical-staplers-market Key drivers and challenges influencing the U.S. Surgical Staplers market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the U.S. Surgical Staplers market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the U.S. Surgical Staplers market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual U.S. Surgical Staplers manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards U.S. Surgical Staplers This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to U.S. Surgical Staplers. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in U.S. Surgical Staplers areas. 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For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/us-surgical-staplers-market Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.ModivCare Inc sees $1.23m in stock purchases by major stakeholders

Chan eyes opportunities in GBA and beyondLONDON (AP) — Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday. Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand. Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates. The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield. Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard. Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally. “It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down," Havertz said. "They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.” Arsenal is a point above third-place Chelsea and two points clear of season surprise team Nottingham Forest in fourth. Seagulls and Bees share the points on south coast Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run to six league games. It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count. Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance. Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury. One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago. The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press

Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Brentford: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Seagulls fail to capitalize on chances

With two of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s pharmacies back under local ownership, its former owner — now a partial owner — hopes it can get back to providing exceptional customer service. Both Simpson’s Pharmasave in Virgil and Pharmasave Simpson’s Apothecary in Old Town were sold on Oct. 18, with partial ownership returning to Sean Simpson. After initially selling the stores to SRx Health Solutions, a Toronto-based pharmaceutical company, in 2023 for an undisclosed amount, Simpson approached the Boggio Family of Pharmacies, a Niagara-based pharmaceutical business, to buy the stores back together. Aaron and Kyle Boggio were happy to join in on the venture. The Boggios are now two of six major shareholders of the company, including Sean and Stephanie Simpson and Connor and Morgan Gates, both with the Boggio Family of Pharmacies. Before talking to the Boggios, Simpson approached SRx about buying the stores back. With their permission, he then approached the Boggios, he said. Simpson would not share the percentage of his stake in the company, nor that of the other shareholders. He also did not disclose how much he and the Boggios paid to buy back the pharmacies. The Boggio Family of Pharmacies, in operation since 1983, has several locations across the Niagara region — now including the two in NOTL. “I’ve known the Simpsons for many years. I actually did an internship with them back when I was coming out of pharmacy school,” said Aaron Boggio. “I know their values align with our values at Boggio Family Pharmacies and they are strong supporters of the community.” Despite giving up ownership of Simpson’s Pharmasave, Simpson never really left the company, assuming the title of pharmacy liaison after the sale. However, he wanted to increase his share in the company after noticing a decline in the quality of customer service at the pharmacies and supply issues after the new owners took over, he said. “It got to a point where it became very apparent to me that the business was going to suffer if something wasn’t done,” Simpson said. From there, Simpson asked permission to buy back the company and reached out to the Boggios to go into business together. “I’m very confident now with the group, especially our local roots and local presence, that I think is going to help us get back to the service standard that we are known for and what people expect from us,” he said. Boggio said the former owners didn’t necessarily have the level of care small-community customers expect. “That’s something that we look forward to bringing back to Niagara-on-the-Lake,” he said. “We are a local owner and we treat our customers like family.” With the swap, Boggio said customers shouldn’t expect too much of a change aside from increased levels of customer service. “Because we have so many stores locally there’s an opportunity for us to better service our patients, our pharmacies work as a family so we can share stock and do whatever it takes to get the product to the patient who needs it,” he said. Simpson said there is no limit to the level of customer service those visiting the pharmacy can expect. “I’m really looking forward to the next few years and really trying to not only get back to where we were but to exceed that level and raise the standard even higher,” he said.DEAN McCullough has been blasted by I'm A Celebrity fans as he made a 'cheeky' request to Danny Jones. Viewers watched as Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles finally arrived in the main camp. They had successfully won their secret mission and subsequent eating challenge, meaning the celebrities all received a junkfood buffet. But as they all returned to camp, talk shifted to the sleeping arrangements for their new additions. McFly's Danny Jones immediately moved into a bed, giving up his uncomfortable hammock. But Radio 1's Dean McCullough didn't seem impressed, asking Danny if he could move to the bed beside the mice and rats. more on i'm a celebrity Danny declined, leaving Dean less than happy, before he later took a nap on the bed. I'm A Celebrity viewers at home fumed on social media over the exchange, with one writing: "Dean just spent the night on a comfy luxurious bed and is back in the camp not even 10 minutes and expecting Danny to swap his bed for his own comfort." A second wrote: "Dean not only didn’t give his bed up but wanted Danny to swap with him. What a twat." "Can’t believe Dean asking Danny to switch beds, firstly if he had any decency he should of offered Rev Richard a bed to sleep in and took the hammock, no morals that one," raged a third. Most read in TV While a fourth commented: "Dean expecting Danny to give his bed up for him but won’t give it up for Richard." Meanwhile, Dean was left furious at Coronation Street's Alan Halsall for waking him up from a nap to help Jane Moore collect firewood. Read Rebekah Vardy's latest I'm A Celebrity column here . i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz , Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street , was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women . She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher . Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan . It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth."

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100A U.S.-made-and-supplied Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense battery was reportedly used on Friday morning against a ballistic missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen at Israel. The THAAD battery arrived in Israel in October. The move was hailed at the time as a step forward in U.S.-Israeli military cooperation, even in the context of difficult relations between the governments of U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters reported : An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity. ... In October, Biden placed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin , in Israel along with about 100 U.S. soldiers to help defend the country. THAAD is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered air defense systems and added to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses. However, critics also noted that increasingly direct U.S. involvement Israel’s defense could be exploited by an unfriendly administration, as Biden attempted to do when he withheld certain munitions from Israel in protest at Israel’s decision to enter the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. The move also placed U.S. soldiers at risk in the war zone, adding to the possibility of further U.S. involvement. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .

A closer look at the best-selling automotive groups for plugin vehicles — part 2 of 4. This is the second edition of a look into the top EV-selling OEMs . To have a look at the first edition, please check it out here . In this second one, we have a look at Hyundai–Kia, Toyota, GAC, and Mercedes. For more information on these OEMs, don’t forget to check out our report on the top 20 EV brands and auto groups in the world . Hyundai Motor Company, as it is officially known, is a South Korean automotive group based in Seoul. It was founded in 1967 and currently it is the full owner of the namesake brand (Hyundai) and the luxury brand Genesis , while being the largest shareholder (34%) in former rival Kia — since Kia declared bankruptcy in 1997, during the Asian financial crisis . While Kia is formally part of the Hyundai group, because it isn’t fully owned by Hyundai, that means that Kia retains a certain degree of autonomy. So, while the Hyundai–Kia association isn’t an Alliance of Equals , like the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance , Kia’s status isn’t as limited as, say, Audi, within Volkswagen Group. Hence why on the sales articles I call them Hyundai–Kia. Within the three brands, Kia is the best selling one, with 51% of the OEM’s sales. It is closely followed by Hyundai, with about 47% of the OEM’s sales. Niche Genesis is responsible for the remaining 2%. Looking at individual models, the OEM has a balanced lineup, with the top sellers being the retro-futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 5 , representing 19% of the OEM’s EV sales this year, and its sportier cousin, the Kia EV6 , is second, with 13% of sales. Those two are followed closely by the Kia Niro (BEV+PHEV) and Hyundai Kona EV , with 12% of sales each. With several new models landing or in ramp-up stage ( Kia EV3 & Kia EV5 , Hyundai Inster/Casper EV , & Hyundai Ioniq 9 ), expect the Korean OEM to continue growing steadily in 2025, probably reaching the break-even point in its EV business as a consequence. When it comes to China, the fact that its operations there are minimal — they represent just 1% of all of the OEM’s plugin sales, and counting all powertrains sales, they move fewer than 250,000 units a year, or 6% of total Hyundai–Kia sales — will eventually serve as an advantage to the Koreans. It means that if they eventually leave China, their sales and production output will not be seriously affected. Something that other legacy OEMs cannot say.... It feels a bit strange to treat Toyota as a middle-of-the-pack OEM , but that is the current reality of the Japanese make when it comes to plugins. Toyota is the biggest Japanese carmaker (and the largest in the world). Based in the Aichi prefecture, it started making vehicles in 1936, and it is a familiar name worldwide. The Toyota OEM has a few brands under its umbrella: Toyota itself Lexus — luxury arm of Toyota Daihatsu — brand focused on city and kei cars, but also offers a few compact MPVs and crossovers Hino — commercial vehicle maker. Besides these fully-owned brands, Toyota is also the largest shareholder of Subaru (20%) and part of a couple of joint ventures (JV) in China, like FAW–Toyota and GAC–Toyota , where it holds 50% of them. FAW–Toyota makes the China-only Toyota bZ3 sedan, while GAC–Toyota makes the local Toyota bZ4X . In this case, we will be focusing on the namesake brand, which is by far the best-selling plugin make in the group, representing 80% of sales. Unlike what some might believe, Toyota’s sales aren’t that PHEV-heavy, as 44% of Toyota’s total plugin sales are actually coming from pure electrics, and two out of the three best-selling models are BEVs. The bZ4X SUV is responsible for 24% of its plugin sales, while the China-only bZ3 sedan amounts to 19% of deliveries. Still, the best-selling Toyota plugin is a PHEV. That version of the Toyota RAV4 represents 25% of sales. The Japanese brand has significant exposure to China, with that market representing 22% of its plugin sales this year. So, if by any chance Toyota gets swallowed by the downward spiral of other Japanese brands in China (Honda, we are looking at you) , its overall output will be significantly reduced. No wonder, then, that Toyota needs to reach out to its Chinese partners in order to launch its upcoming EV models, the bZ3C and the bZ3X . As for 100% Toyota-developed new EVs? (crickets....) Guangzhou Automobile Group Co, also known as GAC Group, is a state-owned Chinese OEM based in Guangzhou, a city of 19 million people in the Guangdong province. It was founded in 1954 and is currently the 5 th largest OEM in China, with around 2 million units sold in 2023. Despite not having a galaxy of brands , like other Chinese OEMs, GAC has a few of them under its belt: Trumpchi — GAC’s ICE brand, focusing on SUVs and MPVs, with a few of its models also offering PHEV versions Aion — mainstream BEV brand Hyptec — luxury sub-brand of Aion GAC–Hino — joint venture, where GAC owns 90% of shares — makes Hino-based commercial vehicles. It has 50% stakes in joint ventures with Honda ( GAC–Honda ) and Toyota ( GAC–Toyota ), where it makes models from the respective Japanese OEMs. Finally, GAC has a minority (25%) stake in Hycan , a small BEV brand born out of cooperation with NIO. But since the startup brand left Hycan, in 2022, there hasn’t been any investment in it, and the brand is expected to disappear soon. The main brand in the plugin market is Aion, which represents 80% of the group’s plugin vehicle sales. The share it has of the OEM’s exports is marginal (1%), but it is expected to grow in 2025. With slowing sales in 2024, due to the lack of successful new models, and a BEV focus that led GAC to lose out in the current PHEV/EREV surge in China, the OEM hopes that new models, like the revised Aion V crossover or the new Aion UT compact hatchback, will pull them back into the growth path. Looking at the best-selling models, Aion lives on the continued success of the Aion S and Aion Y , with the sedan being responsible for 39% of the brand’s sales while the crossover represents 46% of its sales. Mercedes-Benz Group AG , also known as Mercedes, or Merc to its closest friends, is one of the most famous automotive brands worldwide, making cars in one form or another since 1885. It is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and is known as one of the Three German Premium Mary’s (Audi, BMW, and Mercedes). The OEM is made of its namesake brand and a number of sub-brands associated with it, like the sport-focused Mercedes-AMG , the high-end luxury Mercedes-Maybach , and Mercedes Vans. On top of this, it still has a 30% stake in Daimler Truck AG , a spinoff company of its former commercial vehicle division, as well as a 50-50% joint venture with Geely, Smart , which started in 2019. For the purpose of counting its sales volume, because Smart is now based in Ningbo, China, and is using Geely’s platforms, drivetrains, and technology, with Mercedes being only responsible for design, I have been counting these sales under the Geely umbrella. This means that the OEM’s volume output is basically the same as the namesake brand’s output now. Mercedes has a large lineup of EVs, both BEV and PHEV, which means that the sales of its three best-selling EV models ( Mercedes EQA , EQB , and GLC PHEV ) counted together represent just 40% of its total sales. Looking at the glass half full, this means that it is not dependent on the lifecycle of one particular model, but looking at the glass half empty, it means that it lacks a star player on the team. While its exposure to the Chinese EV market is not that significant, with that market representing just 8% of Mercedes’ total PEV sales, when looking at the total number of sales, all powertrains included, things become more concerning. In 2023, over one third of all Mercedes global sales were in China , surpassing even the total number of Mercedes sold in Europe during the same period. This sales discrepancy with regard to China (8% of EV sales vs. 33%+ of overall sales) should be one of the major items of concern for the German make, because Mercedes could lose some 25% of its total sales, or over half a million sales, in a PEV-based Chinese market. And that scenario is less than five years away.... Looking at the sales of each OEM , one can see the extraordinary evolution of these OEMs in the past five years. In fact, while the best-selling one had little more than 100,000 sales in 2019, in 2024, the lowest selling of them is expected to clock in over 300,000 units. Looking at individual OEMs, the good work being done by Hyundai–Kia is clearly visible, with steady development over the years, and with the exception of 2023, it’s always the one with the highest volumes among these OEMs. Given its low exposure to the Chinese market, consistent sales performances, and technological expertise, the Korean group is probably the legacy OEM that is best managing the EV transition, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became the largest of the legacy OEMs in a PEV-based global market. And that would allow Hyundai–Kia to compete for the 4 th position in a future global OEM ranking. Mercedes was also growing consistently, until this year, so the next couple of years will be decisive for the German OEM. The much expected 2025 CLA BEV needs to land sooner than later, and it has to be a success, just like the 2026 GLC BEV, or else things can start to get messy in Stuttgart.... GAC is also in trouble, dropping sales YoY by over 50,000 units in 2024. Next year will need to see it return to growth. Hence the launch of new models and a new focus on exports. In the cut-throat Chinese market, GAC doesn’t have the scale of Geely or SAIC, let alone BYD, to be safe in the future. Finally, Toyota. A giant in the overall market, not so much in the plugin market. Looking at the graph, while the past two years have finally seen it move the needle, that has more to do with a need to follow the electrification trend in China, where Toyota is expected to sell over 1.5 million units this year, all powertrains included, than a concerted effort to make itself noticed in the EV arena. The Japanese OEM still has tremendous potential to be one of the main players in a PEV-based automotive market. The thing is, as years go by, the window of opportunity is starting to close, and markets where Toyota is still a major player, like China and Southeast Asia, are going EV and losing their loyalty to the Japanese OEMs, and Toyota in particular. Unlike Hyundai–Kia, where one can see consistent deployment of new vehicles and platforms, on the Toyota side, excluding the China-only models (which are made with the help of local players), besides some average-specced PHEVs and the middle of the road bZ4X, there’s little more than plans, or concepts of a plan . Quo Vadis , Toyota? CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit

Putin signs law letting Ukraine fighters write off bad debtsI f there’s one thing about me that those I know can agree on, it’s that I love my sleep . I haven’t always been very good at sleeping, and for many years I wrestled with insomnia and a chronic lack of deep sleep. Over the past six years, sleep has become an obsession for me and employed a raft of strategies, tools and technologies to improve my relationship with it. Earlier this year, I stumbled on a whole subgenre of TikTok content dedicated to the practices I’d been carefully researching and honing, so I was pretty thrilled. Sleepmaxxing is the latest viral wellness trend, but unbeknownst to me, I’d been doing it for almost a decade. However, there were a few things about the trend that concerned me so I decided to take a closer look at my own habits and consult some experts about the practice of sleep optimisation. According to Dr Harry Jarrett, head of science and research at Heights , a health and wellness brand, sleepmaxxing “is the practice of sleep optimisation, focusing on the quality and quantity of one’s sleep, to improve overall mental and physical wellbeing. “The trend includes the use of various gadgets, techniques and supplements in an attempt to induce a deeper and longer sleep. In general, many people are combining a number of these techniques to optimise their chances of getting a good night’s sleep, in the hope of achieving specific physical and mental benefits.” A few years back, my chronic tiredness was interfering with my life. My memory was terrible, I found myself zoning out at work and experiencing heightened anxiety over the smallest things. I also felt like I was getting sick all the time and couldn’t work out why. Through research, I identified my lack of sleep was the problem. My sleeping hours were limited, I was spending most of my time in light sleep and I was waking up all of the time, which meant my body couldn’t recover and I felt as though I had a permanent hangover. The results of my personal sleepmaxxing journey have been overwhelmingly positive. I no longer suffer from insomnia, I fall asleep quickly and I sleep through the night. But I frequently worry about the quality of my sleep and how much I’m getting. I panic if I’m not able to adhere to my pre-sleep rituals and I’ll check in on the biometric stats from my Oura ring and Whoop band as soon as I wake up. My partner and I will often spend time comparing our sleep scores – romantic, I know. Like many people who sleepmaxx, I use wearables and smart devices to track how much deep, light and REM sleep I get each night, and I take supplements , sleep drinks and night powders to ensure my body is chock full of the nutrients that will aid better rest. But that’s not all. Over the years I’ve invested in new bed linen and pyjamas made from natural fabrics for skin and hair health – silk pillowcases and new duvets don’t come cheap, I might add. I’ve also bought myself wrap-around eye masks, ear plugs, sunrise alarm clocks and SAD lamps and subscribed to apps that play soothing bedtime stories, binaural sounds and Solfeggio frequencies. My bedroom is equipped with a smart mattress topper that regulates my temperature and an air purifier that removes toxins and I slather my body in magnesium moisturiser before hopping into bed. After reading James Nestor’s book Breath , I started mouth-taping and eventually learned how to breathe exclusively through my nose while I slept. And recently, I’ve started using hi-tech devices, including a PEMF mat – sending a pulsed electromagnetic field through the body is not only reported to help with healing by reducing inflammation, but it can also send signals to the brain that improve circadian rhythm and prevent you from waking in the night. I’ve also been wearing an ECG band, which helps me track my brainwaves while I snooze so that when I wake up, I can adjust my habits to improve my sleep latency. Then, of course, there are the more woo-woo practices – mindfulness and meditation, yoga nidra, pillow mists and dream journals. In short, I have done it all. Read more: The best sleep aids of 2024, tried and tested by a wellness editor But as I’ve watched a slew of sleepmaxxing videos on TikTok, I’ve begun to wonder whether I and all these other people are doing too much. Sleep is natural after all and though daily stresses, anxiety, hormones and a host of other factors can interfere with sleep, if you’re tired enough, you’ll eventually get there. “Sleep is a passive process that can take care of itself,” explains sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski . “You’re better off enjoying your day, being social, and looking after the things you do have control of – this will lead to better sleep, not worse. Those who try to control their days to make sleep perfect, like cancelling important social time with friends or skipping the gym and passively resting with less outdoor time, will sleep worse.” I like to think I follow Romiszewski’s advice. I won’t eschew a night out with friends in favour of a few more hours in bed, but I am likely to worry about my sleep score in the morning. Some experts have suggested that sleep tracking can lead to an unhealthy obsession with getting a perfect night’s rest – this is medically referred to as orthosomnia and it’s something our wearables might be driving us to, particularly after watching too many sleepmaxxing videos online. The average age for TikTok users is 24 years old and the majority of sleepmaxxing videos I have watched are made by people in their early twenties. They too were using all the products and techniques I had used to fix my sleep issues, but of course, I couldn’t possibly know to what extent these tools were actually helping the people on my screen. Social media never tells us the whole story. Dr Jarrett explains that “as with any wellness trend on social media, the majority of information provided to audiences is not scientifically tested and predominantly comes from individuals with no expertise in the healthcare sector. This can lead people to invest time and money in practices that may not work and lead to frustration when the sleep benefits are not achieved. “Another concerning trend is the use of ingredients that really should only be prescribed and used under the care of a licensed doctor. For example, many influencers suggest the use of melatonin , which is available without prescription in many countries, but not in the UK.” I wondered whether I might have benefitted from seeing this kind of content years ago when I was in the depths of my sleep struggles, or whether it might have made my anxiety more acute. There seemed to be a competitive edge to many of the videos, a battle over who was doing the most, who had the most sleep aids and who was the most high maintenance sleeper. One of the risks of comparing your sleep routine to someone else’s is increased anxiety, which, ironically, can keep you awake. There’s also the financial cost of sleep aids and gadgets to consider. These products, while helpful, are not necessarily essential. My partner and I often joke that my rituals are far too complex, but they have worked for me and I feel healthier as a result. A recent health check-up showed that my biological age is five years younger than my actual age and I genuinely don’t think that would have been possible if I’d not fixed my sleep issues with all the tools and tricks at my disposal. A lack of sleep can age you, while optimal rest is restorative. Still, I do often wonder if I’m too evangelical about tracking my sleep and using all my various sleep aids and whether people in their twenties should be obsessing as hard over perfecting the art of rest. Improvement is one thing, but perfection is nigh impossible, especially when it comes to something like sleep. The TikTok videos I watched seemed to be projecting an element of snobbery that is so often found in connection to wellness. The idea that if you’re not doing the utmost to better every aspect of fairly mundane bodily functions, you’re failing. Read more: Best sunrise alarm clocks that will wake you up naturally “Sleep is very individualistic, not everyone has the same sleep needs and what works for one person may not work for another,” explains Dr Jarrett. “For example, research suggests that women experience the urge to sleep earlier than men and sleep 11 minutes more a night than their male counterparts.” Studies show that we’re all likely to require different amounts of quality sleep at different stages of our lives. People going through puberty and menopause , for example, require more hours of sleep due to their sleep being lower quality as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Shifting hormones can cause night sweats, muscle pains, anxiety dreams and a host of other symptoms that can disturb sleep and break up the natural cycle of rest. “Sleep naturally goes through variations with the seasons, weeks, and months,” explains Romiszewski. “It’s impossible to control it all, but we can stick to the most influential behaviours and then let go of our need for it to be exactly the same each night – that’s impossible.” There will always be external influences, like your job, friendships and lifestyle, which can all contribute to how well you’re able to regulate your sleep, so it’s important to remember that no two days will ever be the same. Your sleep score will fluctuate and your needs are probably different to the influencer you’re watching in the latest sleepmaxxing video online. “If one thing worked for an influencer but didn’t work for you, try not to get frustrated and anxious,” says Dr Jarrett. “The most helpful element of the sleepmaxxing trend is that it encourages people to think about their sleep hygiene and ways to improve their sleep routines, which is crucial for overall physical and mental health. My main piece of advice would be to relax and try new techniques without any pressure on the results. Overthinking this will only lead to a poorer night’s sleep.” Doing my research and using hi-tech tools and wellness products has helped me to sleep better and without knowing it, I’ve become one of the most dedicated sleepmaxxers out there. However, the rise of orthosomnia and the performative status of “perfect sleep” driven by TikTok trends has made me think twice about the emotions I experience when my Oura tells me to “pay attention” to my rest score. I plan to stick with my sleep habits, after all, I’ve spent years finding the perfect balance, but I’ve vowed not to allow perfectionism to creep in and spoil something that none of us should really waste time overthinking. Read more: Why everyone is suddenly taking magnesium?

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