Tesla launches long-discussed robotaxi service

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TESLA began offering robotaxi services Sunday in the US city of Austin, Texas, an initial step that Elon Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave.
“Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @ Robotaxi launch!!” Musk posted on the X platform that he owns.
“Culmination of a decade of hard work.” The kickoff — which comes as Musk refocuses on his business ventures following a contentious stint in Donald Trump’s administration — will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.
The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between the US president and the world’s richest person, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.
Since then, Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his statements, while his company’s Texas operation has readied the Austin push — part of a major drive on autonomous technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla believes will yield huge profits.
Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said autonomous technology could be a catalyst for potentially $1 trillion or more in additional market value. “There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Ives, who predicted Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.”
Business-friendly Texas
One of the robotaxi’s self-described first users was Tesla fan Herbert Ong, who livestreamed his ride Sunday in a red vehicle that included a person in the passenger seat monitoring the trip for operational safety.
The unveiling in the Texas state capital comes amid questions about how Tesla will try to overcome criticism of Musk’s activities for Trump.
Tesla saw profits plunge 71 per cent in the first quarter following poor sales in several markets.
In picking Austin for the debut of the autonomous vehicle (AV) service, Musk is opting for a US state known for its business-friendly approach to regulation. — AFP

Source: GNLM

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Tesla launches long-discussed robotaxi service
Tesla launches long-discussed robotaxi service
TESLA began offering robotaxi services Sunday in the US city of Austin, Texas, an initial step that Elon Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave.“Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @ Robotaxi launch!!” Musk posted on the X platform that he owns.“Culmination of a decade of hard work.” The kickoff — which comes as Musk refocuses on his business ventures following a contentious stint in Donald Trump’s administration — will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between the US president and the world’s richest person, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.Since then, Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his statements, while his company’s Texas operation has readied the Austin push — part of a major drive on autonomous technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla believes will yield huge profits.Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said autonomous technology could be a catalyst for potentially $1 trillion or more in additional market value. “There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Ives, who predicted Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.”Business-friendly TexasOne of the robotaxi’s self-described first users was Tesla fan Herbert Ong, who livestreamed his ride Sunday in a red vehicle that included a person in the passenger seat monitoring the trip for operational safety.The unveiling in the Texas state capital comes amid questions about how Tesla will try to overcome criticism of Musk’s activities for Trump.Tesla saw profits plunge 71 per cent in the first quarter following poor sales in several markets.In picking Austin for the debut of the autonomous vehicle (AV) service, Musk is opting for a US state known for its business-friendly approach to regulation. — AFPSource: GNLM
Coffee cultivation to expand by 1,000 acres in Taninthayi Region , Coffee cultivation to expand by 1,000 acres in Taninthayi Region
Coffee cultivation to expand by 1,000 acres in Taninthayi Region
Taninthayi Region will expand its coffee plantations by 1,000 acres in the 2025-2026 financial year, as the crop is recognized as one of the region’s potential commercial crops, according to the Taninthayi Region Agriculture Department.With suitable water sources, land conditions and climate, Taninthayi Region is not only home to perennial crops such as rubber, oil palm and coconut but also favourable for cultivating Robusta coffee. Due to these advantages, the department is implementing plans to expand coffee cultivation across the region this year.“In the 2024-2025 financial year, we expanded coffee by 1,874 acres in Taninthayi Region. As of today, the total area under coffee cultivation has reached 3,022 acres. In Myeik District alone, 940 acres were added in 2024-2025, bringing the district’s total to 1,200 acres. For 2025-2026, we plan to expand by 1,000 more acres region-wide, including 500 acres in Myeik District. We have already nurtured 170,000 coffee seedlings for distribution,” said an official from the regional Agriculture Department.Coffee farmers in these areas are receiving the seedlings free of charge from the department. Farmers are also supported with technical advice on common cultivation issues, such as soil quality, good seed varieties, pest and disease control, and planting techniques. These services are available at any time through the respective district and township agriculture offices.“Coffee trees are planted at the beginning of the rainy season, in June. They start bearing fruits in their fourth or fifth year. Harvesting takes place in December and January. Locally grown coffee is also being exported,” added the official.Moreover, land-use efficiency is being improved by planting coffee as an intercropping crop between other perennial crops like rubber and areca palm. The plan also aims to increase farmers’ income, improve livelihoods, create local job opportunities, and help Myanmar coffee enter international markets. To support this, the department is providing both training and free seedlings to farmers. Coffee plantations in Myeik District have been established in Taninthayi and Mawtaung townships, as well as in Bokpyin Township, with acreage expanding in targeted areas.Farmers can maintain regular contact with the department for ongoing technical support. As coffee cultivation expands, farmers’ incomes and the local socio-economic conditions are expected to improve. — Myint Oo (Myeik)/KZLSource: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Won't renew Belt and Road deal with China, says Panama president amid US pressure
Won't renew Belt and Road deal with China, says Panama president amid US pressure
Panama will not renew its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President José Raúl Mulino announced after a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The decision makes Panama the first Latin American country to withdraw from the global infrastructure initiative. A broad agreement between Panama and China to contribute to China's Belt and Road initiative, under which the Asian country expanded investment in Panama during previous administrations, will not be renewed, Mulino said as per a Reuters report. Mulino stated that the agreement is set for renewal in the next one to two years, and his government will evaluate the possibility of terminating it earlier. "We'll study the possibility of terminating it early," he said. Panama initially joined the initiative in 2017 under a previous administration. "I do not feel that there is any real threat at this time against the (neutrality) treaty, its validity, and much less the use of military force to make the treaty," Mulino said, adding that it will be important to have face-to-face talks with Trump. The BRI, launched by China in 2013, has served as a key mechanism for Beijing to extend its global economic influence by financing infrastructure projects in various countries. Panama joined the initiative in 2017 during the administration of former President Juan Carlos Varela, securing increased Chinese investments in infrastructure..Source: The Economic Times
Mobile device shipment jumped 19.0 per cent to 1.92 billion dollars. South Korea remains a significant market for mobile devices, with major brands like Samsung and LG being prominent players. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
S Korea’s export grows for 12th month in September
SOUTH Korea’s export grew for the 12th straight month due to strong demand for locally-made semiconductors and automobiles, government datashowed Tuesday.Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, gained 7.5 per cent from a year earlier to US$58.77 billion in September, continuing to increase since October last year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.Import rose 2.2 per cent over the year to $52.12 billion in September, sending the trade surplus to $6.65 billion. The trade balance stayed in blackfor the 16th consecutive month since June last year. Of the country’s 15 majorexport items, six products saw an expansion in outbound shipment.Semiconductor export advanced 37.1 per cent over the year to $13.62 billion in September, keeping an upward trend for the 11th successive month.The double-digit growth was attributed to chip demand relevant to artificial intelligence, higher memory chip prices, and the launch of new smartphones.Mobile device shipment jumped 19.0 per cent to $1.92 billion thanks to the global smartphone market recovery, while computer export more than doubled to $1.51 billion on a continued demand for solid state drive (SSD).Display panel export shrank 4.3 per cent to $1.73 billion last month, keeping a downward trend for the second straight month.Automotive shipment mounted 4.9 per cent to $5.48 billion in August, rebounding in four months on the back of robust demand for hybrid electric vehicle. — Xinhua
An aerial photo taken on 20 August 2023 shows a view of Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Limited in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. PHOTO: XINHUA
German stakeholders are striving to prevent a crisis in the auto industry
AS the predicament in Germany’s auto giant Volkswagen (VW) unfolds, several jobs are on the line. Stakeholders from various sectors are collaborating to prevent a crisis in the automotive industry, particularly concerning VW.Earlier this week, German Economics Minister Robert Habeck convened a “car summit” to discuss the headwinds facing the country’s auto industry with representatives of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, workers’ union IG Metall and leading carmakers such as VW, BMW and MercedesBenz. The summit aimed to find common ground to navigate the industry challenges.The summit failed to yield an immediate solution, but Habeck was quoted by local media as saying that the government would devise concrete measures to tackle the current crisis. Some analysts said this puts the German auto industry at a “make or break” moment. — Xinhua
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