Latest news with #Dominic
Top Gear
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Rapid response: can the Maserati MC20 make a good roadside recovery car?
Ever had a long wait for a recovery van? Top Gear to the rescue... with a slightly reduced toolkit Of course it's a Disco. It's always a Disco. First call out of the day and I'm first on the scene. That was the plan of course, and it's worked a treat. Now, what had Dominic told me it was likely to be? Ah, that's right, it's a Land Rover, therefore... almost anything: blown turbo, glitchy electrics, belts, water pump, front diff, front wheel hubs, air suspension, cracked engine block... I open up the MC20's toolkit. It contains a towing eye. Nothing else. Hmm. Hang about, Dominic shoved a chunky battery starter pack in the Maserati's footwell earlier, seeing as battery issues account for about 20 per cent of callouts. I connect it up. Much clicking, no life. And that's me done, out of ideas. All I'm good for right now is tea and sympathy. My shoulders sink as I realise I left my flask at the hotel this morning. I smile wanly at the beleaguered Disco driver, 'At least the sun's out...' We've all heard the horror stories, people waiting for hours for the recovery services to turn up, stranded on the hard shoulder of the M40 for two hours (that'll be me), broken down in roadworks on the M4 after a piston went through the block (also me). How to solve this? Get to people faster, duh. Where some would suggest more patrol vans, Top Gear suggests speed. We've built the AA a rapid response vehicle. Photography: Olgun Kordal Well, I say built, but what we've actually done is livery up Maserati's 620bhp mid-engined supercar, sucker some lights on top and headed off to help one of the UK's most remote patrols cover his Highland patch. My thinking was that he must have a huge area to cover and on these corking roads I could get from one end of the Highlands to the other a mite faster than a 113bhp Ford Transit. True though that may be, it's not how it works. Instead a 62-mile radius is drawn around the patrol's front door and that, literally, is their sphere of influence. Dominic Carroll has been an AA patrol for eight years. Like most others he was a mechanic first, a Gold level Vauxhall tech who fancied a change. After a month's training and two weeks working alongside a mentor, he was ready to discover a whole new world of vehicle repairs beyond Vectras and Corsas. This is his turf and today we've been brought together to form the AA's Highland Patrol, which means we can put an addendum on the AA's frankly pretty weak slogan. 'Always ahead. Thanks to 620bhp.' Actually, the AA used to have a bespoke Highland Patrol. Mounted in Land Rovers they'd cruise around looking for members they could assist. In pre-mobile times away from motorway emergency phones, that was how it was done. It's all much more high tech today. And reliable presumably, seeing as the Land Rovers have long since been retired. A few patrols up here are mounted in four wheel drive Volkswagen Transporter 4Motions to combat remote winter callouts. Dom arrives at the stranded Disco 15 minutes later, an interval in which I've learned that the Maserati's main role is to be a distraction until the cavalry arrives. The most valuable tool on board the Transit is the knowledge management system, a built in computer that's a bit like Wikipedia for patrols. Not only is it chock full of information on typical issues for any given car, it allows each patrol to edit entries to say how they fixed them. A wifi booster means it still works in remote areas. Mostly. We are very remote today. An alternator issue is quickly diagnosed, and 10 minutes later the Disco is on its way. Dom gives me a tour of his van, pointing out the immediate areas where the Maserati falls flat. 'We have to have cross cab access plus a sliding door on the safe side.' I look at the MC20 and picture clambering across the transmission tunnel and out through the upwards opening door on my hands and knees – not an image of competence and capability. 'I tend to leave the van out a bit so it protects me working around the car in front. On motorways we have to leave 18 metres of clearance between van and customer car – that's called the crush zone for obvious reasons.' Dom's Transit is brand new – he's happy because the AA fast-tracked it to him specially for today. The sliding door opens to reveal... everything. Not just big ticket items like batteries and spacesaver wheels, or generic items such as pumping airbags to get into locked cars, clutch cables, amalgamating tape, reflective card to replace mirrors, cable ties and lens tape ('Haven't used that for about a year'), but even car specific repairs. 'See this? This is really good,' Dom shows me a little metal sleeve. 'It's a gear selector repair kit for a Fiat 500 and Ford Ka – we do this repair pretty much all the time. People think they've got a clutch issue on their 500, but it's actually the gear selector's ball connector. It's plastic and wears over time. Before we got these, we used to use a disposable glove and clamp that in place. But this is pretty much permanent.' Around 80 per cent of issues can be fixed at the roadside, reckons Dom. Those that can't require recovery. The back of every Transit is filled with a compact recovery trailer (CRT) that swings out hydraulically and clamps on the towbar. 'If we hadn't been able to get that Discovery going then we'd have had to call a flatbed, because this has a tow limit of around 2,000kg.' How fitting that the AA's new spearhead has a trident badge This is akin to an issue I've run into with recovery services before – no matter how much you tell the call centre to just send recovery because every tyre is punctured or there's a hole in the engine block, for a variety of reasons around insurance and health and safety they have to send a patrol to assess the issue first. Meaning more delays and frustration. But then sometimes punters don't know what they're talking about or are, er, economical with the truth. 'I once had a callout where a customer had told us his car was suffering a fuel cutoff issue and when I got there, there was fire, police, ambulance and the car was upside down in the middle of a field. The fuel cutoff wasn't the only issue there, was it?' I'm hoping for similar drama today, but the next call sounds fairly prosaic – a Mercedes with a flat tyre. That and batteries are the most common callouts. Having failed to slot the spacesaver spare in the Maserati's boot, I hotfoot to despatch tea and sympathy... well sympathy, to the afflicted party. The trouble is that on single track Highland roads the Maserati isn't actually that fast. Even by supercar standards ground clearance is hopeless. It scuffs and scrapes its belly everywhere, so I slow down and the Transit catches up. There's a nose lift, but it drops back down above 25mph. But it does have things in its favour. Speed, when you can deploy it, comes as effortlessly as breathing, the twin turbo V6 barely having to work. It's comfortable too, with fine seats and a calm, placid ride, plus it sups fuel sparingly (even though the fuel gauge is a terrible fibber, screaming at you to fill up when there's still 20 litres in there). Spend a day in here? No issue at all. But mainly the MC20 looks flipping fantastic as an AA early warning vehicle. When the sun's on it the Giallo Genio paintwork proves a near exact match for the AA's Ford M8 yellow. Bit more costly though – thick, rich and heavily pearlescent, it's a £9,650 option at Maserati, but comes free with every AA van. Special order obviously, seeing as the vans are built in batches by Ford and VW (the only two AA suppliers). The last order was 740 new shape Transits. They join a nationwide fleet of 2,800 vans, 250 trucks and one (temporary) Maserati. Personally, I'm looking past Maserati's troubled relationship with reliability and focusing on how fitting it is that the AA's new spearhead has a trident badge. And winter tyres. And a V6 that doubles as a boot warmer. Not sure that's intentional. Or desirable, as when I pull up at the Mercedes and open the boot I rediscover the teacakes I bought on the way up yesterday to dispense to those in need. Chocolate is seeping out of the foil cases. The Merc CLS is a breeze. The owner wasn't confident using the jack, so Dom and I look like high-vis heroes, wielding trolley jack and wheel gun and switching it to the spacesaver in F1 pitstop time. One thing though – to absolve itself of complete responsibility the AA tells customers they need to check the wheelnut torque in 30 miles. Bet none do. And yes, there is an algorithm that prioritises cases based on location, gender, age, weather conditions, danger and so on. It doesn't chide you for choosing an unreliable car though, so that's something if you have a Fiat, McLaren (yes, Dom has seen a few – 'Always electrics in those') or Jaguar Land Rover product.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sligo swimmer set personal bests after rushing from final exam to nationals
Among the performers was local swimmer Dominic French, who delivered excellent displays of skill in what marked his fourth consecutive year competing at this competition. Now training at the University of Limerick and coming off a solid block of preparation, French began his campaign with a composed and strategic swim in the 200m Individual Medley, securing a personal best time of 2:14.01 and earning a place in the evening's semi-finals. Maintaining his strong form, Dominic delivered another impressive performance in the semi-finals, placing 6th overall and advancing to the A Final. In the 200m Individual Medley A final, Dominic showcased both skills, resilience and determination, finishing as the 6th ranked Irish swimmer in a highly competitive field, his achievement was particularly commendable, as it came despite the added challenge of travelling to the University of Limerick to complete a final practical exam before returning to Dublin for the final. On the final morning of the competition, French competed in the demanding 400m Individual Medley preliminaries – a test of a swimmer's power, endurance and ability to transition smoothly between all four strokes. He once again showcased his talent by setting a new personal record of 4:54.36 in the heats, securing his place in the evening's A Final. Rising to the challenge, he improved further in the A Final, cutting 1.10 seconds off his previous time to finish in 4:53.26. This impressive performance propelled him from an 18th place entry seed to an overall 7th Irish competitor in the finals and 8th overall, capping off an outstanding campaign for this young man. In the same week, fresh off a successful national competition French returned to Limerick to compete in the Munster Open Splash. Continuing his upward trajectory, he achieved three new personal bests in the 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly, earning two golds and one bronze medal. Dominic now shifts his focus to the upcoming Munster Long Course Championships, where he will make his debut. Following this he will begin preparations for the Irish Summer Nationals in July.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
6 all-time viral National Spelling Bee moments you need to rewatch
Happy 100th anniversary to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the event that teaches us all about great sportsmanship, the intensity of competition and -- oh, right -- how to spell some really, really REALLY tough words. But since the event was televised -- mostly on ESPN for a while -- we've been given some wild, weird and downright shocking moments as these impressive kids try to win a ginormous trophy and the glory of having their name among the all-time spelling champs. With 100 years of S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G to look back on, we selected six of the wildest viral National Spelling Bee moments that you should rewatch. Here they are, in no particular order of importance: This is the first viral moment I can remember from young Rebecca, who knew EUONYM for the win and nailed it with ease. Dominic nailed the spelling AND the line from Napoleon Dynamite. 10/10. I love when there's a pop culture reference, as you can see. And now I'll never forget what a bacchius is. Poor Akshay Buddiga. He stumbled, he fell .. and then got up nailed the word. Admit it: you laughed too, didn't you? Oops. But this was a happy mistake in my opinion! We need more funny sentences involving Drake and Kelis and beyond! Even with how intense it all is, a little humor breaks it all up, right? This article originally appeared on For The Win: National Spelling Bee best moments over past 100 years
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mother seeks answers after police release homicide suspect's car
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A mother is still searching for answers after police released a suspect vehicle involved in the fatal shooting of her 21-year-old son after nearly two years. Her only son, Dominic O'Neal, is gone, and she says she doesn't know why. 'All I hear is the gunshots in my head every day,' said Barbara O'Neal, mother. On October 4, 2023, Dominic was leaving his South Memphis home to visit his girlfriend at Regional One, who was about to go into labor with their child. Memphis Police say they were called to a shooting on Tate Avenue and McKinley Street around 8 a.m. Dominic was pronounced dead on the scene. TAKE A LOOK: Photo of homicide suspect's car released A man was walking in the area when police say unknown suspect(s) stopped nearby in a white Ford Fusion and shot him. The suspect(s) are accused of leaving the scene, going south on McKinley Street in the Ford Fusion. 'I watched him walk all the way up the street and turned the corner and walk till I couldn't see him walk no more,' said the mother. 'And I went back in the house. To get ready to put my clothes on, and I heard four gunshots.' She said she saw her son lying on the ground, and she could not do anything but scream because she had just talked to him and seen him leave. Last week, police sent out a picture of a small white Ford Fusion in the shooting. A nearby pastor told Barbara he saw the same car drive off that morning after the shooting. Pastor Andrew Terry's church is right around the corner. He was heading there the morning that Dominic was shot. 'A little small car made a right turn. And just as it made the right turn, it came up on him,' said Pastor Terry. Lanes on I-40 bridge to close for inspections in June He says the windows on the car were tinted very dark, so you couldn't see who was inside. 'But I see him stop. He stopped. He stuck his head in that car,' said Pastor Terry. 'Just as I was passing the stop sign down there, I made that right to go toward the church. I heard two shots ring out.' Pastor Terry went back and found Dominic on the ground, with a head wound. 'It's been a disaster. We just keep praying and having faith and hope that whomever killed him, it will. It will come out. That's all we can do,' said Barbara O'Neal. Now, with a photo of the car that may have been involved, O'Neal's family is hoping someone will finally come forward with information. If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
JK Rowling's eight-word response to Harry Potter child stars casting in reboot
HBO Max's Harry Potter reboot has cast Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout as the title character, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively Author has addressed the casting of three actors in the roles of the title character, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in the TV reboot of Harry Potter. It comes after the news about the HBO series was shared yesterday. It was revealed that Dominic McLaughlin will portray Harry Potter in the show, with Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout cast as Hermione and Ron respectively. There had been an open casting call for actors aged between 9 and 11. Following the news, author Rowling, 59 - who is an executive producer on the upcoming series - shared her thoughts on the casting in a post on X last night. She was responding to a fan who shared support for the three cast members. Tagging the author and other accounts, they wrote: "Please tell Dominic, Arabella and Alistair that they are already loved by the fandom and we can't wait to see the show! We wish them all the best and that they have a magic time." Rowling described cast members Dominic, Arabella and Alastair as "wonderful" in her response to the post. Replying to the fan's message on the platform, she shared yesterday: "All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier." Dominic, Arabella and Alastair follow in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who previously played literary characters Harry, Hermione and Ron on-screen. The trio appeared in the Harry Potter film series, which ran for eight films from 2001 to 2011. The praise of the new cast by Rowling comes two months after she was thought to have made a dig at Radcliffe, Watson and Grint in a post. Responding to a question that asked which actor instantly ruins a movie, Rowling - who has disagreed with some former Harry Potter stars over her views on the transgender community in recent years - said: "Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible." She then used laughing emojis. The upcoming TV series has been described as a "faithful adaptation" of her book series. It's been suggested that the show's cast will "lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years". There's been speculation over stars from the film series potentially making cameos in the show since it was announced. Radcliffe, however, previously dismissed the prospect whilst speaking to back in 2023. Radcliffe said: "My understanding is that they're trying to very much start fresh and I'm sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere. [...] I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I'm very excited to have that torch passed." Following the latest casting news, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and fellow executive producer Mark Mylod said: "After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen." They added in a statement shared alongside the casting announcement: "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there." It was previously revealed that John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu and Nick Frost will be series regulars, with them playing Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and Rubeus Hagrid respectively. Other cast members include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, whilst Paul Whitehouse will appear as Argus Filch in the upcoming show.
