Latest news with #MPower
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
All You Need to Know About the 2026 BMW M2 CS
2026 BMW M2 CS ; On May 25, 2025, BMW pulled the wraps off the highly anticipated CS variant of its high-performance compact coupe, the 2026 M2. Embodying the ethos of 'Absolute Power and Extreme Lightness,' this model claims the title of the most compact yet ferociously capable M car in BMW's modern arsenal. Today, we dive deep into its official mechanical credentials. Enhanced Power from a Proven Engine At the core of the 2026 BMW M2 CS lies a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, now tuned to churn out an impressive 523 horsepower and 649 Nm of torque. That's a 50 hp and 49 Nm bump over the standard automatic M2 we previously tested at ArabGT. These new figures set a new benchmark for rear-wheel-drive performance under the BMW M Power badge. Engineers didn't just amplify performance—they also shaved 97 pounds off the curb weight, bringing the M2 CS down to 1,710 kilograms. This was made possible through strategic use of carbon fiber components including body panels, a ducktail-style trunk lid, lightweight forged wheels, and standard-issue carbon racing seats. Precision-Tuned for Performance The 2026 BMW M2 CS doesn't just pack more muscle—it's also smarter on its feet. The chassis has been meticulously re-engineered: stiffer springs, recalibrated adaptive dampers, and finely tuned systems for the electronic differential, ABS, and stability control ensure flawless power delivery and rear-wheel grip, even under intense pressure. BMW claims the M2 CS rockets from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 188 mph (302 km/h). These figures place it at the summit of rear-wheel-drive performance in the M lineup. Production Timeline and Launch Schedule Production of the M2 CS is set to commence in August 2025 at BMW's San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. Customer deliveries are slated for fall 2025, God willing. While official pricing has yet to be confirmed, early estimates suggest a global sticker price around $100,000 (SAR 375,000). That positions it well above the base 2026 M2, which starts at $69,375 (SAR 260,156). 2026 BMW M2 CS Gallery: The 2026 BMW M2 CS delivers a visceral driving experience by combining electrifying power with the weight-saving magic of carbon fiber. For enthusiasts craving a machine that fuses racetrack DNA with daily drivability, this latest CS model stands as the ultimate manifestation of M performance.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jon Vander Ark: AI is ‘wildly oversold,' but it can provide benefits
This story was originally published on Waste Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Waste Dive newsletter. Over the course of a few years, Republic Services is spending more than a billion dollars in capital investments and operational expenditures on digital solutions, CEO Jon Vander Ark said at WasteExpo's Investor Summit on May 5. He said that's giving the company a leg up. "That is a scale difference and scale benefit that only a small number of players can just physically do given the size of their business and scale of their business," Vander Ark said. "We're going to make it effortless to do business with us." New technologies fueled by robotics and artificial intelligence have reshaped certain aspects of the waste and recycling industry in recent years, including in MRFs and increasingly along collection routes. But executives have to be clear-eyed about which technologies are overhyped and which can deliver measurable returns on investment, Vander Ark said. He compared the current boom in AI investment to the "dot-com era" of the late 1990s. He noted that many companies that chased a digital footprint suffered in the 2000 market contraction, but the push to bring brands online "had tremendous and profound impact" more than 20 years later. "I think AI is on a very similar path,' Vander Ark said. "I'm not a huge AI person in the sense of, I think it is wildly oversold in terms of the timing of the impact." For a vertically integrated waste company like Republic, though, there are select applications that Vander Ark sees as beneficial to the bottom line. He said the company is currently looking at taking out repetitive back-office tasks and replacing some human customer service work with AI. Republic has also been investing heavily in digital efficiencies for its fleet. The company has nearly completed an initiative to put tablets in the cabin of each hauling vehicle connected to its "RISE" dispatch platform. On the company's Q4 2024 earnings call, executives reported RISE had generated more than $60 million in revenue in its first year of operation. The company's adoption of the MPower system, which would automate fleet maintenance tracking, is also expected to save another $20 million in revenue annually once fully online by the end of 2025. At the Investor Summit, CFO Brian DelGhiaccio said that Republic could save $5 million per year for every one minute saved across its fleet's routes. Republic has advised it can achieve another $30 million in savings through its digital initiatives, but Vander Ark said that's a conservative estimate. With AI, he anticipates further savings through route optimization. For instance, he noted large container routes typically require picking up waste from a customer, going to a landfill or transfer station, and then going back out. But there may be ways to use AI to create "point-to-point-to-point" routes that are more efficient and take out legs of a vehicle's journey, he noted. Executives also said drivers are in favor of identifying more route efficiencies. "They want that information at their fingertips. They don't want to experience the inefficiencies of, let's say, a traffic jam," DelGhiaccio said. "They'd rather know about that in advance and reroute to make sure that they can be more efficient and get home quicker to their family and finish their routes." Vander Ark was also bearish on the prospect of autonomous hauling vehicles removing the need for drivers, saying that was likely still 50 years away. He said that was because drivers today aren't just maneuvering the vehicle but are overseeing a complex series of tasks. Larson Richardson, senior vice president of operations, said technology in fleets "doesn't replace the need for leadership from an individual." "Technology enables them to have autonomy over their route, but there's certainly elements in their route that requires the athlete behind the steering wheel of the truck to operate in an efficient and effective way," he added. Recommended Reading Republic posts strong start to year amid ambiguity around credits, tariffs Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
After visa issues steal Uorfi Javed's Cannes 2025 dream, she calls upon netizens to share their ‘rejection stories': ‘I ain't stopping…'
Former Big Boss contestant and content creator Uorfi Javed was all set to make her Cannes debut this year. However, an unfortunate set of events dashed her French Riviera dreams. In an emotional post on Instagram, Javed revealed that she has been missing in action for a while, owing to multiple failed businesses and rejections. 'I haven't been uploading anything or been seen anywhere cause I was going through a phase. My business didn't work, I tried a bunch of other different things, only to face rejections,' she wrote. Amid it all, she had received an opportunity to go to Cannes, and her team was busy preparing for the momentous occasion. 'Got an opportunity to go to Cannes… But as fate would have it, my visa got rejected. Was working on a few crazy outfit ideas, my team and I were very disheartened. I'm sure a lot of you guys must be going through rejections yourself, and I would love to know your stories,' she added. Ever resilient in the face of odds, Javed continued, 'After rejections, feeling dejected and crying over it is normal, in fact healthy. Even I do cry but what happens after? Every rejection is an opportunity if you look carefully. After so many rejections in life. I ain't stopping and so shouldn't you.' The post was supplemented with an inspiring caption: 'Rejections don't define you. It's what you make out of that situation. Guys let's all share our rejection stories and inspire others. Upload a story using #rejected and tag me. Let's talk about it!' Counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa told that crying is the body's natural way of processing emotions—much like a pressure valve releasing steam. According to her, finding a safe space to cry rather than bottling up feelings is important. 'Allowing emotions to be expressed healthily helps prevent emotional overload,' she said. Rima Bhandekar, psychologist at MPower, Aditya Birla Trust, added that rejections can feel disheartening, and emotions run high. 'The journey often is accompanied by moments of self-doubt, loneliness, and conflicts with those who disagree with your classification of success. However, going through challenges and learning and growing from them can lead to tremendous joy, personal satisfaction, and resilience in the face of rejection,' she said. Muskan Marwah, psychologist at MPower, concurred that instead of taking it to heart and losing all hope, you should reframe your mindset to seek approval from within instead of external sources. 'This mindset involves shifting your belief that your value depends on others' opinions. You are worthy, regardless of how others see you. Focus on self-validation and find ways to build your self-esteem through self-compassion and personal accomplishments,' she explained. Marwah also suggested practicing self-care. 'It is essential for recharging and maintaining emotional health. When you care for yourself, you become more equipped to engage with others healthily. Remember, self-care is not selfish—necessary for a balanced life,' she added. According to her, these strategies help you clearly focus on what excites and motivates you to reach further and what initially inspired you to fulfill your dreams. This sense of meaningful purpose helps you avoid constant comparison, which can sometimes lead to moments of vulnerability, along with feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malakoff issues inaugural RM250m Asean green sukuk
KUALA LUMPUR: Malakoff Corporation Bhd, through its wholly owned subsidiary Malakoff Power Bhd (MPower) has issued its inaugural RM250 million Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah (Issuance) under its RM1.2 billion Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (IMTN). This is Malakoff's first sustainability offering under its Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah and the first by an independent power producer in Malaysia. The proceeds from the issuance shall be utilised to finance eligible projects by MPower, Malakoff and its subsidiaries, in accordance with Malakoff's Sustainable Finance Framework, which has been in place since December 2023. Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) acted as the sole lead manager and facility agent while Maybank Islamic Bhd was the shariah adviser for the Issuance. Maybank IB was also the sustainability structuring adviser for Malakoff's Sustainable Finance Framework. As part of its broader commitment to sustainability and energy transition, Malakoff in a statement yesterday said it has made significant strides over the past year in advancing its sustainability commitment. The group achieved a 3.7% year on-year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity moderately contributed as well by a 17.0% reduction in Scope 2 emissions with respect to the Group's electricity consumption. It also launched its flagship Biomass Co-firing Project at the 2,100 MW Tanjung Bin Power Plant for a trial run under the National Energy Transformation Roadmap. The project achieved a 2% biomass co-firing ratio. Malakoff is committed to scale up the biomass co-firing to a higher ratio of 15% by 2027. This milestone is projected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by approximately 755,000 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to the carbon offset of 142 million mature trees. In parallel, the group commenced construction of three run-of-river small hydropower plants along Sungai Galas in Kelantan, expected to offset a further 272,424 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The group also continued expanding its renewable energy (RE) portfolio, achieving 173 MW in total RE capacity – a 496.6% increase from its 2021 baseline. This includes 17.4 MWp of completed commercial and industrial solar installations and the acquisition of equity stakes in ZEC Solar Sdn Bhd (51%) and TJZ Suria Sdn Bhd (49%), contributing an additional 29 MW. Malakoff managing director and group CEO Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib (pic) said: 'This transaction marks a significant milestone for Malakoff Power, as it represents our first Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah issuance via a book-building exercise under our IMTN Programme. 'Given that MPower's last public sukuk issuance was in December 2013, we are very encouraged by the strong demand from a diverse investor base for this issuance, which has set a new pricing benchmark for MPower. 'Looking ahead, Malakoff will continue to broaden its assets portfolio through strategic partnerships and circular economy initiatives. 'As a trusted partner in Malaysia's green transition, we remain focused on strengthening capabilities, enhancing efficiencies and delivering long-term value in an evolving energy landscape'. On the back of growing demand for sustainability assets and the scarcity value of Sukuk offerings by MPower, the transaction was oversubscribed by 10.34 times. Supported by the strong orderbook, the price guidance was revised and tightened multiple times. The issuance was finally priced at MGS +70 basis points across both tenures of 7 and 10 years, which is 30 basis points lower than the upper end of the initial price guidance. Maybank Investment Bank Bhd CEO Michael Oh-Lau said: 'Maybank Investment Bank is proud to have lead-managed and advised Malakoff Power's maiden Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah issuance, underscoring our commitment to be a sustainability leader in the region. 'The strong response from investors is testament of the market's confidence in Malakoff as well as Maybank IB's ability to secure strong participation despite market seasonality. 'The pricing outcome also positions this landmark transaction as one of the lowest spreads for a corporate within the AA-/AA3 rating band in recent times.'
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malakoff unit issues RM250mil Asean Sustainability Sukuk
KUALA LUMPUR: Malakoff Corp Bhd's unit Malakoff Power Bhd (MPower) has issued its inaugural RM250 million Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah under its RM1.2 billion Islamic medium-term notes programme. This marks the group's first sustainability offering under its Asean Sustainability SRI Sukuk Murabahah and the first by an independent power producer in Malaysia. The proceeds from the issuance will be utilised to finance projects by MPower, Malakoff and its subsidiaries, in accordance with Malakoff's sustainable finance framework. Malakoff managing director and group chief executive officer Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib said this is a significant milestone for MPower, as the group's last sukuk issuance was in December 2013. "We are very encouraged by the strong demand from a diverse investor base for this issuance, which has set a new pricing benchmark for MPower. Looking ahead, Malakoff will continue to broaden its assets portfolio through strategic partnerships and circular economy initiatives. "As a trusted partner in Malaysia's green transition, we remain focused on strengthening capabilities, enhancing efficiencies and delivering long-term value in an evolving energy landscape," he said in a statement. The transaction was oversubscribed by 10.34 times, backed by growing demand for sustainability assets and the scarcity value of sukuk offerings. Malakoff said the price guidance was revised and tightened multiple times, supported by the strong orderbook. The issuance was priced at 70 basis points above the Malaysian Government Securities yield for both the seven- and 10-year tenures, which is 0.30 percentage point lower than the upper end of the initial pricing guidance. Over the past year, Malakoff achieved a 3.7 per cent year-on-year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity, partly supported by a 17 per cent drop in Scope 2 emissions related to the group's electricity consumption. Its other notable sustainability commitments include its flagship Biomass Co-firing Project at the 2,100 megawatt Tanjung Bin Power Plant for a trial run under the National Energy Transformation Roadmap. Malakoff is committed to scale up the biomass co-firing to a higher ratio of 15 per cent by 2027. This is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 755,000 tonnes annually.
