Latest news with #Garson
TimesLIVE
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Vegetable orchestra plays classics on carrots and zucchini
The classical music of Mozart could be heard echoing around the streets of the southern English town of Esher. Outside Garson's farm shop, an ensemble of musicians turned carrots, zucchini and bell peppers into working instruments to perform famous tunes for passers-by.
TechCrunch
16-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Mystery investor's attempt to stop Canoo asset sale shot down by judge
The judge in Canoo's bankruptcy case has blocked an attempt by a mysterious financier to disrupt the sale of the EV startup's assets. In a hearing Tuesday, Judge Brendan Linehan Shannon ruled the financier, a UK-based man named Charles Garson, lacked standing to request the sale to Canoo's own CEO be vacated. While Garson had told the court he was willing to pay as much as $20 million for Canoo's assets, he missed the deadline to formally submit that bid. Garson also never made it clear where he was sourcing that money from, causing the bankruptcy trustee in the case to raise concerns the bid could get blocked by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The last remaining challenge to the asset sale comes from Harbinger Motors, a commercial electric trucking startup created by a handful of former Canoo employees. Harbinger objected to the sale before it was finalized in April. The judge denied Harbinger's objection, but the company has since appealed that decision. Jason Angelo, a lawyer for Garson, framed his client's attempt to disrupt the sale as a 'David versus Goliath type matter.' Angelo tried to make the case during the hearing that Garson's conversations with the bankruptcy trustee — which were submitted to the court under seal — led him to believe he had until the end of April to formalize a bid. He also repeated the claims made in Garson's original filing about the sale allegedly being unfair because the assets ultimately went to Canoo's CEO Anthony Aquila. 'I think it would make sense here to allow a redo, so to speak,' Angelo said, citing 'the sincerity and earnestness' of his client. 'I know that is asking a lot, I do.' Mark Felger, the lawyer representing the bankruptcy trustee, disagreed by saying there was little in dispute and the negotiations were fair. 'We think it's pretty clear-cut in terms of the facts. There's no he said, she said,' he told the judge. 'Your Honor, it's all in the emails. I've read them over many, many times. I don't see any miscommunication. I don't see any deception. It was clear how we were proceeding. He knew there was a sale hearing on the ninth, and he chose not to file anything.' Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW Regarding the fairness of the sale process, Felger said he and the trustee 'were concerned about this insider sale [to the CEO].' 'But they're the ones who stepped up, right and we negotiated hard. We went back and forth a dozen times on that agreement,' he said. Felger also repeated the trustee's claims, made in earlier filings and testimony, that the cost of maintaining Canoo's assets — especially its battery packs — was costing too much money. Letting a sale process drag out for too long could damage the value of the estate, he said. Judge Shannon, after hearing the arguments from Angelo, Felger, and a lawyer for Aquila, ruled swiftly against Garson. He said the financier lacked standing to properly argue his motion to vacate the sale, since he is not owed any money by Canoo and did not submit a formal bid before the deadline. 'I am sympathetic to Mr. Garson's frustration at what I sense and am satisfied is a genuine interest to provide a superior bid and purchase these assets,' Shannon said. 'But it was a complex process run by the chapter seven trustee that I don't think Mr. Garson had a full handle on exactly what the process was, and what was necessary in order to fully engage in that process.' Shannon also pointed out it was made clear to the trustee from the beginning who Aquila was, and that his role as CEO alone did not preclude him from buying his company's assets.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Burner phones could get you in trouble at the U.S border. What about anti-Trump posts?
Telling a client to take a burner phone with them to the U.S. is 'the stupidest advice' you could give, says a Toronto-based immigration lawyer. Canadian travelling to the U.S. are facing increased scrutiny by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, which has led to fears of detainment or denial of entry based on the contents of travellers' devices. However, presenting a burner phone is the equivalent of 'turning the lights off' and then telling a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer, 'Okay, now search me,' says Evan Green, one of the two managing partners, with Green and Spiegel. 'It's an indication that you have something to hide. It's negligent advice,' he told National Post. This past weekend, the Canadian government revised its U.S. travel advisory to warn travellers about the extensive powers of U.S. border officers, emphasizing the need for acting prudently. Searches of devices such as phones and laptops can include accessing text messages and social media activity. CBP officers can search devices without any evidence of wrongdoing, including demanding passwords to unlock phones, laptops, or tablets. Refusing to unlock devices could lead to confiscation, delays, denial of entry, or even detention while awaiting deportation. David Garson, managing partner with Toronto-based Garson Immigration Law shares the view that presenting a burner phone will simply arouse suspicion. The Customs and Border Protection officers 'are trained in this kind of thing.' Presenting a phone with no texts and no social media is more likely to make the officer think, 'Wait a minute. Isn't this strange. This person has something to hide,' Garson told National Post. And it may result in 'a domino effect' leading to you being barred from entering the country, he adds. Device searches have been rare, says Garson, less than one per cent of potential entrants in 2024. The American Civil Liberties Union confirms this. A recent ACLU statement says U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) searches of electronic devices at the border are relatively uncommon, even if they have been increasing in frequency. In 2024, CBP reported that only 0.1 per cent of travellers crossing the border had their devices searched, indicating that these inspections are rare. However, says the ACLU, the number of searches has grown significantly over the years: CBP searched over 41,000 devices in 2023, compared to just 8,503 in 2015. The bottom line, says Green, is that 'the rules haven't changed, even if the refs are calling it more strictly.' Anyone crossing into the U.S. still has to answer the questions, he adds. Green advises travellers, whether they're going to the United States for business or pleasure to carry all their back-up documents. 'Take your flight itinerary, a copy of your hotel reservation, a letter from your employer about the conference you're attending or the theatre tickets to the Broadway shows you're going to see.' It should be noted that travellers seeking entry don't have much of a leg to stand on if they insist on their rights. 'Not a helluva lot' once you're on U.S. soil, says Garson. The U.S. doesn't extend the same rights to non-immigrants that Canada does. However, Garson suggests there are small things you can do. For example, he suggests that you don't give the border patrol officer the code needed to access your phone. 'Open it yourself.' His best advice to Canadians is to 'self-assess.' Cut the risk of being barred from the U.S. could mean asking yourself about how you have been active on social media or in attending anti-U.S. rallies. If you are barred from entry, a future desire to enter the U.S. will require a waiver to do so, he cautions. But what about those anti-Trump social media posts? Will they prevent you from getting into the country? 'No,' Green insists. 'Half the country didn't vote for him.' Though Green had one person call his firm about being refused entrance. That person had antisemitic content on his device, he says. On that point, Garson is also cautious. 'They are starting to look at evidence of antisemitism more seriously.' Entering the U.S. by air provides more flexibility for Canadians who aren't comfortable with questions from U.S. border authorities. While still on Canadian soil, you can decide not to go south. You don't have that luxury if you are entering by land and are on U.S. soil when you're being questioned. Then you can be detained while awaiting deportation. While on Canadian soil 'the only reason for the border officers to hold you is if they think you have committed a crime. In that case, they will contact local police,' says Green. Garson agrees that pre-flight areas in Canadian airports offer more flexibility. Still, he says, travellers should keep in mind that one million people a week apply to enter the U.S. 'If you're going to do what you say you're doing, you'll be all right. If you're evasive, it signals you have something to hide.' Ultimately, says Green: 'Just be polite. Answer the questions. Have the documents needed to support your answers.' Canadians travelling to the U.S. may be affected by new registration requirements What are some reasons Canadians may be denied entry at the U.S. border? Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Man injured after hitting pedestrian on I-81
A 28-year-old East Stroudsburg man and a 48-year-old truck driver from Lehighton suffered serious injuries in a crash on Interstate 81 Monday morning, state police said. The crash occurred along the southbound lanes at mile marker 131 near Mahanoy City when the driver of a Freightliner, Carson W. Garson of Lehighton, was standing in the middle of the road checking on people involved in an earlier crash. Police said another motorist, Thomas T. Buist, of Gananoque, Ontario, slowed down to avoid road debris as he approached the scene. However, a motorist behind him, Jonathan T. Parker of East Stroudsburg, failed to slow down in his Kia Spectra, striking Garson, according to police. After hitting the pedestrian, Parker continued south on I-81, but he was involved in a second collision when his car hit the back of Buist's Ford F-150 XLT, police said. Parker and Garson suffered suspected serious injuries, according to police. Parker was transported by the Ryan Twp. Emergency and Rescue Squad, while Garson was transported by the Frackville Community Ambulance Association, police said. Buist did not report any injuries. Both Parker's and Buist's vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene. Police said the first crash occurred around 6 a.m. when Garson's Freightliner truck was hit from behind by a Ford F-150 XLT driven by Jared A. Longenecker, of Palmyra, who had one passenger. No one was injured in that crash, according to police.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
AI-enabled satellites could help the US evade a crippling cyber attack
The Pentagon is developing AI-enabled satellite technology. AI satellites offer advantages amid intensifying competition in space. They could supercharge data analysis and help evade the consequences of a Chinese cyber-attack. A vast network of military satellites belonging to the US has long underpinned its dominance in space. But China is challenging the US status as the space superpower, and its satellite system is in the crosshairs. Defense News reported last month that the US Navy is moving forward with plans to build a network of fully autonomous satellites that are able to navigate independently without GPS or ground control. Analysts say that AI could help the US stay ahead, providing its satellites with the capacity to evade the consequences of a potentially crippling attack, as well as more power to collect and analyze large amounts of data. The stakes in the battle for satellite supremacy are high, Melanie Garson, an associate professor in International Conflict Resolution & International Security at University College London, told Business Insider. The winner would control a vital aspect of space infrastructure, which would also provide an advantage in intelligence gathering and precision strikes in the event of a war. AI "will provide additional capabilities for surveillance and espionage as well as being able to interfere with the other's space assets through spectrum warfare or cyberattacks," Garson said. The US has hundreds of military satellites in orbit, with China and Russia not far behind. If a war were to break out between the US and China, military experts say that China has the capability to do serious damage to US space-based assets through a range of anti-satellite, or ASAT, capabilities, including programming its satellites to attack others. A CIA report that leaked in 2023 said China was focusing its efforts in the event of a war on hacking the systems used to control US satellite networks. Systems confrontation and destruction warfare is believed to be a preferred Chinese military tactic for 21st-century warfare. Crippling these systems would leave satellites unable to transfer communications and data, or even coordinate with each other, the report said. AI for satellites could be crucial to preserving US capabilities. Unlike satellites that require human input, autonomous satellites can operate independently, processing and analyzing data to make their own decisions. The autonomy makes them less vulnerable to possible attacks on bases or communications networks or to being cut off from operators by electronic warfare like signal jamming, said Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project and a senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Decentralized decision-making may add resilience by decreasing the reliance on ground-based infrastructure," Krista Langeland, deputy lead of the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative, told BI. "AI capabilities could also help with detection and characterization of an attack." Another advantage is that AI could help process vast amounts of data in space, and identify potentially hostile satellites more quickly. "Space is huge," Swope said, "so AI will help satellites better understand what's happening around them and keep track of what other satellites are doing." "That could help US satellites maneuver to avoid accidental collisions but also stay clear of potentially hostile adversarial satellites," he said. The power of the technology to revolutionize US satellite technology and security is significant, Alison Grey, a satellites expert at PA Consulting, told BI. "Ultimately, AI-enabled automation can enable a network to react and recover from various threats in space," she said, "whether that's from natural phenomena, anomalies in one's own system, or potentially hostile activity." However, while the technology is already being applied in some military satellites, realizing its full potential is likely to be some way off. Space Force's former top acquisition official, Frank Calvelli, told an event last year that he expects satellites to be "significantly more autonomous" within the next 10 to 15 years. Even so, efforts are intensifying to begin realizing its potential. Defense News said that the US Navy is researching a fully autonomous model, the Autosat, and wants to take the tests further. "We've done a demo of this and proven out the principles and are looking for the next step," Steven Meier, director of space technology at the Naval Research Laboratory, said at a recent summit in Virginia. "We want to get funding to actually build a system along these lines and launch it." Read the original article on Business Insider
