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2025-01-11   

Star Australian golfer Cameron Smith introduced himself simply as “Cameron” as he shook hands with his playing partners Nick Voke and Ben Schmidt and their caddies on the first tee at Kingston Heath last Sunday morning at 7.22am. He was about to play the final round of the Australian Open, the last leg of a busy Australian tour in which he had played four tournaments in five weeks for three podium finishes – but no victory. Cam Smith finished runner-up in the Australian PGA and kept drawing big galleries despite being well off the pace in the Australian Open Credit: Getty Images He had played in Brisbane, Swan Hill and then Melbourne during a visit that brought the Australian summer of golf to life, giving it the necessary star factor to make the tour visible. A small crowd took photos of him as soon as he emerged from the Kingston Heath clubhouse in his LIV Golf team’s Ripper GC cap, customary final day maroon shirt and white pants. They watched him chat to his loyal caddy Sam Pinfold and hand the starstruck son of a security guard a golf glove from his bag as a memento. By the time Smith finished his round about four and a half hours later, the gallery watching his every move had swelled to at least a 1000 as he drew a huge roar when finishing the tournament with a birdie. All this was before the main contenders, Smith’s LIV teammate Lucas Herbert and unknown American Ryggs Johnston, had even teed off. With the mullet, a dynamite short game and a laid-back, polite Australian vibe that appeals to all generations, the 31-year-old attracted 20 times more spectators to his round than any other competitor every time he took to the fairways. “He’s a massive drawcard. He still had the biggest crowds out there,” former golf professional Ewan Porter said. Throw in a willingness to disrupt the old (and often older) order, which he showed when he joined LIV Golf just months after landing the 2022 British Open (to, it must be said, significant backlash) and you can see why recognition of his name has crossed over to non-golf fans. That box-office appeal has given him the potential to be the most influential voice in shaping the future of Australian golf. When Smith finally flew out of Melbourne that night, headed for Saudi Arabia after failing to land that elusive national title at his 10th consecutive attempt in what he described as “a long week”, he left golf administrators pondering a range of questions they are finding hard to answer. Working together (from left) Gavin Kirkman, CEO, PGA of Australia; Karen Lunn, CEO, WPGA Tour Australasia; and James Sutherland, CEO of Golf Australia. Credit: Courtesy WPGA Tour of Australasia Smith had spoken out against the way Kingston Heath had been prepared in a thinly veiled criticism of the dual format where men and women play in the tournament at the same time. He also wondered aloud to at least one source, who preferred to remain anonymous, at how difficult it had become for Australia’s best golfers to make their way to the world tour despite participation rates being high. Not only does his status, alongside Adam Scott, Jason Day and Min Woo Lee as one of the country’s best male golfers, give him credibility on such issues. But he has also supported the Australian tour with his presence in the past decade. His logic on the dual format was backed too by star Australian golfer Hannah Green who said in an ideal world the women’s event would be held in February. Smith had also just done hard yards to support the state titles, heading to Murray Downs to play in the NSW Open, a moment former professional Mike Clayton said was “like the Beatles going to Swan Hill”. Smith’s headline-grabbing comments resonated enough to eventually force a response from Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland, who said that it was “not that easy” to separate the men and women’s competition, as the women’s tournament lost money, and attempted to explain the professional golfing labyrinth and the issues facing Australian golf. Different directions According to two sources who preferred to remain anonymous, Smith has a view that Australian golf would be well-advised to leverage off LIV and develop an alliance with the International Series played on the Asian Tour to provide a lucrative pathway for young Australian golfers. Australia’s Ripper GC team of (left to right) Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, Cameron Smith and Matt Jones celebrate their teams win at LIV Golf Adelaide. Credit: Getty That’s impossible for Australian golf right now. The Australian PGA has a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour (the European tour) until 2026 that connects to the American circuit, which they put in place before LIV Golf emerged. They also have the “Australian Golfing Strategy”, which has a range of objectives including taking advantage of the participation increase that started during the COVID-19 pandemic – reversing a constant decline over the previous 20 years – increasing female participation and breaking down some of the perceptions around golf that made many Australians see it as pale, male and stale – and inaccessible. British Open champion, respected golf commentator and chair of the Australian PGA Ian Baker-Finch is a fan of Smith’s as well as being well aware of Australia’s golfing landscapes. He respects Smith’s support for Australian golf and its emerging golfers, which includes an academy for young Australian golfers at his home in Jacksonville, where they learn about what is required to make it in the extraordinarily competitive world of professional golf (a former recipient was this year’s Australian PGA winner Elvis Smylie). “I can’t say anything bad about him,” Baker-Finch said. “He is giving back. He offers opportunities to junior golfers through his charitable endeavours himself ... I like what Cam is doing. I am a big fan.” But there is a caveat that echoes Sutherland’s thoughts – “it’s not that easy” to execute a strategy that pleases everyone. “Golf Australia and our PGA are trying to create pathways, put money into junior golf, create more and more opportunities ... we have 300 or more Australian PGA Tour members, men and women. We have to look after pathways for 300, not just one or two to make their way on to LIV. The Australian PGA Tour’s [objective] is to get as many of our players as possible on to the other world tours to improve their play, improve their position, to get them to play for more money.” The LIV Golf Tournament is huge for spectators but it only includes four Australian golfers. Australian golf officials need to cater for the broader game. Credit: Getty Because the broadcast revenue some other sports command is not there for golf, the sport has to rely on commercial partners who rely, in turn, on broadcast for exposure. It means the PGA has to invest in getting coverage of tournaments through Foxtel, with many, including this week’s low-profile Victorian PGA event at Moonah Links, available on Kayo. But without any big drawcards playing in those tournaments, the broad interest in the results is minimal. The Smith impact Smith, on the other hand, is key to keeping the game on the front and back pages in summer. He knows it and so does Golf Australia. Sutherland was keen to emphasise last week that the players “are the stars of the show”. “The last time we saw anything like it was when Greg Norman was in his halcyon days when he was world No.1 and would come back and play,” Porter said. “People like Cam. Kids find him very relatable, there were real or fake mullets supporting him and I saw Ripper GC merch everywhere. His presence has been great for the grassroots.” Smith’s genuine desire to help Australian golf has been overshadowed for some because LIV Golf is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund. There has been ongoing controversy surrounding LIV Golf’s emergence and the challenge it laid down to the hegemony of America’s PGA Tour. Smith leads an All-Australian LIV Golf team called Ripper Golf Club that includes Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones, who won the team’s title in 2024. In some ways, the foursome is golf’s Kelly gang. “The notion they don’t care is garbage,” Porter said. The team now has a new managing director in Nick Adams and hopes to set up a high-performance centre in Brisbane. Smith’s presence ensures Australia will not be forgotten by the LIV hierarchy, which is about to announce a Scott O’Neil as Norman’s replacement as CEO. Possible paths for Australian golf “I think our tour needs to look to LIV,” Porter said. “It needs to look to Asia. When you do that you get the funding behind it to potentially do something more impactful than what we have now. But I think the tour has done a really good job since COVID to increase the playing opportunities for our players and increase the pathways, which we have seen David Micheluzzi [the 2022-23 Order of Merit winner] take advantage of in Europe. “It has all been beneficial, but it would grow exponentially if they were to align themselves with LIV and Ripper GC.” David Micheluzzi played in this week’s Victorian PGA after playing on the DP World Tour. Credit: Getty Images A pragmatic Baker-Finch says the two strands can co-exist in Australian golf for now as LIV and PGA of America merger talks (DP World Tour is a party to those discussions) continue at snail’s pace. He stands firm behind the need for Australian officials to take a broad view and would like to see LIV Golf “give back a bit more through junior golf” although he has no philosophical objection to the roadshow. “I actually am one to think there is a place for LIV. I am OK with LIV being a Formula 1 tour and travelling around the world 14 weeks a year,” Baker-Finch said. “If the Australian players want to go and try out for LIV or try our for the International Series, that is fine go have a game, but we can’t align with the tour that is against our principles of supplying opportunities to as many players as possible. “I love the fact they [Ripper Golf Club players] come home and play here if there is no tournament on or in the LIV tournament. We want to welcome them back.” Welcomed back they are by local fans. Smith felt the support of Australian crowds who don’t care for the debates. They just want to see players as quietly charismatic as Smith, who wows crowds when he fires golf balls off tees like Exocet missiles, as he did in the past five weeks. What became clear in the past month is that Smith is the most valuable asset in Australian golf right now. His second in the Saudi International on Saturday after a play-off confirmed his status among the world’s best. That he wants to strengthen Australian golf is clear, but his satisfaction with its direction can’t be taken for granted. Getting the decision right on the format and locations of the country’s biggest tournaments next summer is vital and will play a part in whether Smith and the equally supportive Scott return next year. Smith made his point but left the door open to be back as he has every year since 2012 – bar during COVID-19 when the tournament was cancelled – to play in the Australian Open. “It’s nice to be back to support those [tournaments] and give back ... hopefully I can keep doing it in the future,” Smith said. News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .jolibet apk 。

Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter Market Industry Dynamics and Contributions by Cloudflare, Fortinet, Twingate, ZoneZero, Cisco, NordLayer, Perimeter 81, Zscaler 12-15-2024 08:49 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: STATS N DATA Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter Market The Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) market is rapidly evolving, driven by the increasing need for enhanced security measures in an era of relentless cyber threats. As organizations worldwide continue to shift towards remote work and cloud services, the relevance and scope of Zero Trust architecture have become paramount. This innovative security model, which operates on the principle of ""never trust, always verify,"" offers robust protection for sensitive data and critical infrastructure. With its key applications spanning various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government, the Zero Trust SDP market is positioned for significant growth. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=94912 Recent developments in cybersecurity have underscored the importance of Zero Trust principles. Factors driving growth include advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which enhance threat detection and response capabilities. Additionally, strategic collaborations among technology providers are fostering innovation and developing more comprehensive solutions tailored to evolving market demands. Organizations are increasingly adopting Zero Trust frameworks to safeguard their digital environments, making it essential for stakeholders to stay informed about current trends and market dynamics. Key Growth Drivers and Trends Shaping the Market The Zero Trust SDP market is influenced by several critical factors that are driving demand. Sustainability initiatives, along with the ongoing digital transformation across industries, are leading organizations to reassess their cybersecurity strategies. As consumers become more aware of data privacy issues, there is a growing emphasis on implementing secure access controls and data protection measures. Emerging trends, such as the integration of AI and automation in security solutions, are reshaping the landscape. Organizations are leveraging these technologies to enhance threat intelligence and streamline security operations. Additionally, product customization is gaining traction as businesses seek tailored solutions that address their unique security needs. The rise of IoT devices also presents both opportunities and challenges, as organizations must secure an expanding array of endpoints and connections. Market Segmentation: Understanding Dynamics The Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter market can be segmented into various categories that provide insights into its structure and dynamics: • Segment by Type - Cloud Based: This segment includes solutions delivered via cloud platforms, offering scalability and flexibility to organizations. - On Premises: On-premises solutions provide organizations with greater control over their security infrastructure, appealing to those with specific compliance requirements. • Segment by Application - Large Enterprises: Large organizations often operate complex IT environments, necessitating comprehensive Zero Trust strategies to protect sensitive data. - SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly adopting Zero Trust frameworks as cybersecurity threats continue to rise, recognizing the importance of safeguarding their digital assets. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=94912 Competitive Landscape: Leaders Driving Market Innovation Several key players are at the forefront of the Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter market, influencing trends and driving innovation: • Cloudflare: Known for its cutting-edge security solutions, Cloudflare is enhancing Zero Trust frameworks with its unique approach to network security and performance. • Fortinet: Fortinet's comprehensive security offerings include advanced threat detection capabilities, helping organizations implement effective Zero Trust strategies. • Twingate: Twingate specializes in secure remote access solutions that align with Zero Trust principles, empowering organizations to embrace remote work securely. • ZoneZero: ZoneZero is innovating within the Zero Trust space, providing solutions that simplify access control while maintaining robust security. • Cisco: Cisco's extensive portfolio includes Zero Trust solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, supporting organizations in their cybersecurity journeys. • NordLayer: NordLayer is focused on delivering secure access solutions, enabling businesses to protect their networks while embracing digital transformation. • Perimeter 81: Perimeter 81's cloud-based security platform offers organizations a comprehensive Zero Trust approach to network security. • Zscaler: Zscaler is a pioneer in cloud security, providing solutions that facilitate secure access to applications and data from anywhere. • Appgate: Appgate's Zero Trust solutions empower organizations to adopt a more secure approach to remote access and identity management. Each of these companies is making notable contributions to the market through product innovations, strategic partnerships, and expansions, solidifying their roles as leaders in the industry. Opportunities and Challenges in the Market Landscape The Zero Trust SDP market presents a wealth of opportunities for growth, particularly in untapped regions and sectors. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of cybersecurity, there is a rising demand for solutions that align with Zero Trust principles. Evolving consumer preferences, driven by heightened awareness of data security, are prompting businesses to invest in advanced security measures. However, the market is not without its challenges. Regulatory constraints can complicate the implementation of Zero Trust frameworks, as organizations must navigate compliance requirements while ensuring robust security. Additionally, operational inefficiencies and talent shortages in the cybersecurity workforce pose significant hurdles for businesses seeking to adopt these strategies. Solutions to these challenges include investing in training programs to develop cybersecurity talent and leveraging automation to streamline security operations. Technological Advancements Shaping the Future Technological advancements are at the heart of the Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter market's evolution. AI and machine learning are playing pivotal roles in enhancing threat detection and response capabilities, enabling organizations to identify and mitigate risks in real time. Virtual tools are also becoming increasingly important, allowing for secure remote access and collaboration among distributed teams. The integration of IoT-driven systems is another key trend, as organizations must secure not only traditional IT infrastructure but also a growing number of connected devices. This shift requires a reevaluation of security strategies, ensuring that Zero Trust principles are applied across all endpoints and connections. Research Methodology and Insights At STATS N DATA, our research approach is rooted in a comprehensive methodology that ensures accuracy and reliability. We employ both top-down and bottom-up methodologies to gather insights from various sources. Primary research, including interviews with industry experts and stakeholders, complements our secondary research, which involves analyzing existing reports and data. We utilize triangulation techniques to validate our findings, ensuring that our insights reflect the true state of the Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter market. By combining qualitative and quantitative data, we provide a holistic view of market trends, challenges, and opportunities. In conclusion, the Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter market is on a trajectory of growth driven by the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures. With key players leading the charge, organizations are poised to adopt innovative solutions that enhance their security postures. As the landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders must remain vigilant and adaptable to capitalize on emerging trends and navigate the challenges ahead. STATS N DATA stands ready to provide insights and guidance in this dynamic market environment. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=94912 Full Zero Trust Software-Defined Perimeter Market Report Link: https://www.statsndata.org/report/Global-Zero-Trust-Software-Defined-Perimeter-Market-94912 Related Reports: Automotive Filters Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/automotive-filters-market-56199 Fuel Delivery Management Software Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/fuel-delivery-management-software-market-130690 Knurling Tool Holder Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/knurling-tool-holder-market-45358 Frozen Meatballs Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/frozen-meatballs-market-18654 Textile Recycling Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/textile-recycling-market-56087 John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.Syria latest: Russian state news agencies report Assad has arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum

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Unions score a major win in Wisconsin with a court ruling restoring collective bargaining rights MADISON, Wis. Scott Bauer, The Associated Press Dec 2, 2024 1:37 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - This file photo taken Feb. 17, 2011 shows protestors of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers packing the rotunda at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. Union leaders were overjoyed with the ruling, which affects tens of thousands of public employees. “We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and president of AFSCME Local 1215. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, can not be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings." The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday's ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its workforce that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695. Scott Bauer, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Memorial planned on Dec. 11 for homeless man who died in Windsor, N.S. Dec 2, 2024 1:59 PM S&P/TSX composite down Monday, U.S. stock markets mixed Dec 2, 2024 1:43 PM Intel CEO Gelsinger retires; Zinsner and Johnston Holthaus named interim co-CEOs Dec 2, 2024 1:31 PM Featured FlyerFrom Golden Age to Stagnation to Renaissance When it was invented, nuclear power was touted as the future of energy and envisioned powering everything, from the electric grid to individual cars, trains, and even planes. Unfortunately, that vision failed to manifest. The omnipresent nuclear power imagined by science-fiction writers hit the issues created by the need for heavy radiation shielding, making portable nuclear power a fantasy. Nuclear power generation in large power plants did experience a golden age, especially in the aftermath of the two oil shocks of the 1970s. This ascending trajectory would be brutally interrupted by the Chernobyl incident and even further by the Fukushima disaster. As a result, nuclear power generation has stagnated since the 2000s and has even declined if measured in the percentage of total power generation. Source: Nuclear Energy – Our World in Data This is changing rapidly, with nuclear energy making a massive comeback, carried by a multitude of converging factors. This will create a steadily growing demand for refined uranium in the coming decades. Factors Behind The Nuclear Renaissance Not Enough Electricity The largest factor behind the restart of nuclear power as a growing industry is the need for ever more electricity. The first reason is the trend of electrifying sectors previously powered by fossil fuels, like transportation (EVs) and heating (heat pumps). This is done to reduce carbon emissions, and low-carbon energy sources are benefiting from this drive. In the very long run, renewables, especially solar, are likely to be our main power source and bring on a new “solar age” . But nuclear is likely the best candidate for cold climates or for producing some of the baseload required by the electric grid. Another factor is the growing energy consumption of our society, especially the massive AI data centers currently being built by the tech industry , as well as the ever-growing computation need for streaming services, cryptocurrencies, etc. New Technologies Another factor behind the nuclear renaissance is new technologies. The reactors being built or in projects are much safer and more advanced than the older designs that melted down in Chernobyl and Fukushima. This will be even more true with the 4 th generation of nuclear power plants, with designs that are 100% meltdown-proof (pebble beds) or can burn nuclear waste (fast reactors) , or small modular reactors (SMRs) . As the nuclear stagnation of the last 2 decades was driven by safety concerns, these improved solutions should help the nuclear industry win the PR battle to restore the reputation of nuclear energy in the public's eyes. Geopolitics It is not a secret that we are experiencing a massive flaring in international tensions, with a growing confrontation between the West and a nascent Eurasian bloc (Russia, Iran, China, North Korea). This carries a few consequences for energy markets and the nuclear industry: The potential unreliability of fossil fuel supply is a major driver in most of Europe's warming up to the nuclear industry, and it is also why China is looking to build 100+ nuclear reactors in the coming decades. The growing demand for uranium and uncertain supply increases the need for Western-based uranium mining. Uranium Overview Uranium Supply Today, a massive part of the world's nuclear supply comes from Kazakhstan, often refined into usable fuel in Russia. The differential between the supply of mined and demand by nuclear power plants was caused by the uranium supplied by disarmed nuclear bombs. Source: World Nuclear Association Uranium prices have been recovering steadily since their low point in 2018, but are still below the previous 2008 peak, especially if take inflation into account. Source: Cameco Due to low prices in the 2010s and the end of supply from disarmed nuclear weapons, the industry is expected to enter into a chronic supply deficit for several years to come. In all scenarios forecasted by the World Nuclear Association (WNA), uranium supply will be in a steep deficit. Source: WNA Source: WNA This is especially true for uranium Western markets, with demand expected to stay higher than local supplies for more than a decade. Source: Paladin Energy Price Insensitivity Uranium represents a very small portion of the costs of running a nuclear power plant. By far, the largest expenses are derived from capital expenditure at construction and operating costs from complex safety regulations and qualified personnel. Source: Nuclear Energy Agency This means that nuclear utilities are relatively uncaring about uranium prices as long as they stay reasonable and will pay the market price to keep the plant running. It makes this energy market very different from fossil fuels like gas or oil, where consumption can vary strongly depending on prices. Uranium From Seawater? In theory, the largest deposit of uranium on the Earth's surface is its oceans. Around 4.5 billion tons of uranium are available from seawater. In addition to this “stockpile”, 32 thousand tons of uranium flow into oceans per year via rivers from the erosion of rocks. So, this should provide, in theory, an unlimited uranium supply. The issue is that extraction of uranium from seawater would be 10x more expensive than mining it with current technology. So this is unlikely to be a serious competitor to the uranium mining industry anytime soon, although it is an interesting notion that the nuclear industry can virtually never truly run out of fuel. Of course, new extraction methods could change that. You can more about a recent innovation on this topic in “ Seawater Uranium One Step Closer to Being A Viable Energy Source “. Uranium Trade Wars Uranium has been at the center of many international conflicts in the past year. The US banned the import of Russian uranium in May 2024 (but authorized temporary exemptions), Niger (the world's 7th largest producer) revoked the license of a major uranium mine belonging to the French company Orano after a pro-Russian coup in the country, and in November 2024, Russia announced it would stop exporting uranium to the USA entirely . This could be a big deal, as the USA imports a lot of the uranium feeding its nuclear power plants, with its largest suppliers being Canada (27%), Kazakhstan (25%), Russia (12%), Uzbekistan (11%) and Australia (6%). Kazakhstan's main uranium miner, Kazatomprom, recently hinted that it might stop exporting to the West altogether due to sanctions on Russia making exports difficult logistically: “It is much easier for us to sell most, if not all, of our production to our Asian partners — I wouldn’t call [out] the specific country . . . They can eat up almost all of our production or our partners to the north.” Investing In Uranium Investing in nuclear power production can be done by investing in leading companies in the sector, as we covered in “ Top 5 Nuclear Stocks To Invest In ”. Investors looking at investing in uranium specifically have 4 major options: Uranium Commodity Funds Because of the forecasted deficit in uranium supply compared to demand, the financial industry has created dedicated investment TOOLS to speculate on rising uranium prices. The largest is the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust ( SRUUF +0.63% ), holding 66.2 million pounds of uranium. It has rather low fees, with a Management Expense Ratio of 0.60%. Another large physical uranium fund is Yellow Cake , traded in London under the ticker YCA.L , whose name comes from the low-grade uranium ore used to create nuclear fuel. Total operation costs are aimed so to stay below 1%. Yellow Cake has a long-term partnership with Kazatomprom (the National Kazak uranium miner) to provide it with uranium. Storage is done in facilities in Canada (Cameco) and France (Orano). Zuri Invest is a Swiss asset management firm that created the Uranium Actively Managed Certificate (AMC). AMCs are accessible to qualified, institutional, and professional investors through their bank, offering costs benefit from a low-cost structure. Kazatoprom created ANU Energy in 2021, a privately held physical uranium investment fund financed by Kazakhstan National Bank and sovereign wealth fund. Uranium ETFs Global X Uranium ETF ( URA +2.53% ) is mostly focused on uranium miners, both established and juniors, with 6 miners out of the top 10 holdings. The top 10 also includes participation in uranium physical funds (11.35% of the ETF holdings) and SMR companies Nuscale (3.57%) and Oklo (2.59%). Sprott Uranium Miners ETF ( URNM +2.67% ) top 10 holdings are even more focused, with all top holdings miners and physical funds. Defiance Daily Target 2X Long Uranium ETF ( URAX +5.1% ) is an ETF seeking to replicate the daily leveraged investment results of two times of Global X Uranium ETF. (Inexperienced investors should be aware that leverage ETFs like this one are generally not a good vessel for long-term holding, and are more designed for day traders) Sprott Junior Uranium Miners UCITS ETF ( URNJ +1.45% ) is focused on junior miners, companies not yet with a running and producing mine, more risky but potentially more profitable as well. Large Uranium Miners Kazatomprom ( KAP.LI ) By far the largest uranium producer on Earth, Kazatomprom is Kazakhstan's national uranium company. The country is relatively developed, with a GDP per capita in PPP (Parity of Purchase Power) in the same level as Slovakia, Turkey, or Malaysia, and ranked 25th according to World Bank 2020 “Ease of Doing Business”. Kazakhstan also has the world's second-largest uranium reserves on Earth. Source: Kazatomprom Since the post-Soviet era, Kazatomprom has grown production tremendously. It has however suffered from missed production targets in recent years, generally blamed on a shortage of sulfuric acid, a required chemical for uranium extraction . Source: Kazatomprom The company has some of the cheapest-to-operate uranium mines in the entire industry, with a full cost often below $20/pound of uranium, or a quarter of the most recent spot prices. Source: Kazatomprom Despite its good economics, the company might be at risk due to its geographical position bordering both Russia and China, as well as the fact that a lot of its uranium facilities are designed for refining in Russia. While Kazatomprom is considering relying exclusively on the Trans-Caspian Road ending in Turkey, logistical and geopolitical pressures & risks are something investors should keep in mind. Cameco Cameco Corporation ( CCJ +3.87% ) The second largest uranium producer in the world, Cameco is mostly active in Canada, as well as Inkai, a joint venture with Kazatomprom (40% owned by Cameco). Cameco’s active mines are Cigar Lake and Mc Arthur River in the Athabasca Basin in Canada, with several others not active at the moment, but now being reactivated. Source: Cameco In 2022, Cameco took the decision to acquire Westinghouse (49% of Westinghouse) , the leading builder of nuclear power plants in the U SA , together with a giant investment firm, Brookfield (51%). Brookfield did it through its massive renewable/low carbon power generation division in the form of $19B Brookfield Renewable Partners ( BEP -1.34%). Brookfield Corporation as a whole is a massive asset management company with almost a trillion dollars under management. This means that Westinghouse is now going to be able to access a very deep pool of capital, something that is often an issue for nuclear reactor builders, as new projects require years of investment before bringing revenues. While longer to materialize into revenues, once in construction, a new reactor generates revenues for Westinghouse from the 6 th year after design and engineering studies and will keep doing so for the entirety of the construction project for a period more than 10 years long. Source: Cameco Overall, even if the supply issue around uranium gets solved and uranium prices crash, the ownership of Westinghouse should allow Cameco to benefit from the ongoing nuclear renaissance for several decades at least. enCore Energy enCore Energy Corp. ( EU +2.35% ) The company operates two uranium mines in the US, in South Texas with a 3.6 Mlbs/yr capacity. It has also a pipeline of new projects with 74 million pounds in resources. Source: Encore South Texas production is expected to grow to 3.6 million pounds capacity per year by 2026, with a total of 5 million pounds per year by 2028. Source: Encore The location in South Texas might alleviate some concerns about mining in the USA, a jurisdiction sometimes hindered by very tight regulations. Texas is described by the company as the “most progressive permitting and production jurisdiction in the US”. Investing In Junior Miners By definition, junior miners are still developing their mines and not producing any significant cash flows. This makes them inherently more risky, as they are vulnerable to unforeseen costs, inflation, permitting delayed or refused, etc. Would the bet pay off, it would however be usually a much bigger gain as well. NextGen NexGen Energy Ltd. ( NXE +3.73% ) One of the largest Canadian junior in the uranium space, and globally, is NextGen, a massive mine that if fully cleared by regulators, could alone push Canada to become the world’s largest producer of uranium over the coming decade, knocking Kazakhstan out of the number one spot. This is a very ambitious project tapping into a massive deposit, which could make NextGen the world’s largest supplier of uranium. Source: NextGen Ultimately, NexGen's uranium production is expected to be enough to power 46 million homes (1/3rd of the US), with 300 million tons of CO2 emissions avoided, or the equivalent of 70 million cars off the roads every year. As a result, this is also a junior miner that absolutely depends on enough demand materializing in the next year. Construction of the mine should start soon if fully approved, and will take still a few years. Denison Mines Denison Mines Corp. ( DNN +3.06% ) The Canadian company's flagship project is the Wheeler River project , which includes the Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits. The first production is targeted for 2027-2028. It owns 69.44% of the Waterbury Lake project. A key feature of the Denison mines project is that they are forecasted to be very low cost, some even competitive with the very cheap-to-operate Kazakh mines. Source: Denison Mines The company also has an interest (22.5%) in the McClean Lake Uranium Mill & Mines. This facility processes 11% of the global uranium. It also already has approval for expanded tailing (mining residues), giving the potential to increase production in response to an increase in Canadian uranium production. The company also has various minor participation in other uranium potential projects, including 22.5% in McClean Lake (Orano), 25.17% in Midwest (Orano), and 15% in Millennium (Cameco). Paladin Energy Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF ( PDN +0.22% ) Contrary to many other Canadian junior uranium miners, Paladin is already producing some uranium from the Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) in Namibia, which was put in care & maintenance in 2018 and restarted production in 2024. LHM is owned at 75% by Paladin, and 25% by the Chinese national company CNNC. But the core of the future business will be the Michelin Project, concerning 6 uranium deposits, some of the largest in North America, with a total of 127.7Mlb of Mineral Resources. And here too, contrary to most Canadian uranium companies, Paladin Michelin Project is located in Labrador, in the East of the country. It is also doing exploration for projects in Australia (Mount Isa and Manyingee). Source: Paladin Energy Paladin is looking to acquire the Saskatchewan uranium developer Fission for C$1.1 billion, but the deal is for now slowed down by an extended national security review by Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry . Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Energy Corp. ( UEC +2.15% ) Describing itself as “America’s largest and fastest growing uranium company”, Uranium Energy has acquired in September 2024 for $175M Rio Tinto's Sweetwater plant and Wyoming uranium assets . This is the latest in almost $1B worth of serial acquisitions. In the latest years, it also acquired an inventory of 1.16 million pounds of uranium, for a price ranging from $20 to $45 per pound. Source: Uranium Energy The company has one of the largest resource portfolios in the industry, and also extensive processing facilities, reducing the risks of depending on another company to treat its mined uranium ore. It is also debt-free and focused on North America, making it a relatively safer bet than some of its competitors. Energy Fuels Energy Fuels Inc. ( UUUU +1.95% ) This is a smaller uranium company, already producing some volume so not technically a junior. But it has many large-scale uranium projects in the permitting of development or standby phase (70 million pounds of combined uranium resources, potential for 6 million pounds/year), giving it large potential to increase production in a few years time span. Its already-producing mines are located in Arizona and Utah. The company is also producing rare earths, titanium, and zirconium in Africa, with projects in South America and Australia. Vanadium is also extracted from the same ore that produces uranium, a product of which Energy Fuels is the largest US producer. Source: Energy Fuels The presence in multiple strategic minerals key for specialty stainless steel (vanadium), electronics, aeronautics, and weapons (rare earth, titanium), and uranium make the company especially important for USA's national interests, including the defense sector. Source: Energy Fuels The 150,000-200,000 yearly production of uranium is an advantage as well, providing some cash flow and demonstrating the technical ability of the company. Deep Yellow Limited Energy Fuels Inc. ( UUUU +1.95% ) This uranium junior miner is based in Australia and Namibia, with production expected to start soon, from as early as 2026. In addition to the 2 advanced projects with a total of 223 million pounds of resources combined, the company also has 2 others with a total of 158 million pounds potential. Source: Deep Yellow Despite having the world's largest resources in uranium Australia has lagged behind in actual production. Deep Yellow mines in development are like to change that, with very long-lasting mine life, in the 25-30 years range. Uranium Royalty Uranium Royalty Corp. ( UROY +1.7% ) As financing a mining project can be complex with financial markets or banks, some companies prefer to rely on royalties companies. The concept is that the royalty company finances the mining project, and gets a fraction of the future production in exchange. Uranium Royalty specializes in investing in uranium projects, an innovation in a business model for now mostly applied to gold, silver, and copper projects. Source: Uranium Royalty Uranium Energy Corp is a strategic partner of the company, as well as an initial shareholder, bringing deep uranium expertise to the table. The company is overall trading at a discount to net asset value, a common situation for smaller royalties companies. Source: Uranium Royalty The company portfolio is mostly focused on North America, especially Canada's Athabasca Basin and South-West USA. Probably the crown jewel of this portfolio is a 1% Gross Revenues Royalty (GRR) on the McArthur River projects and Cigar Lake, both from Cameco (13.5 Mlbs and 15 Mlbs produced in 2023). Source: Uranium Royalty Other projects involving Uranium Royalty include uranium mines by Cameco, Uranium Energy, Uranium Energy, Encore Energy, Energy Fuels, Paladin Energy, Anfield Energy, Laramide Resources, etc. This royalty plays double in a physical uranium investment, with the option to acquire from Yellow Cake up to US$21.25M (US$2.5M –US$10M per year) of uranium until Jan 2028. Currently, the company holds 2.7 million pounds U3O8 at a weighted average cost of US$60.12/lb. U3O8 (below current prices). Overall, while more complex than ETFs, royalties companies can be a good way to diversify asset and company risk in the inherently risky mining sector, as demonstrated by the multi-decade success of the initiator of this model like Franco Nevada ( FNV +0.6% ) and Wheaton Precious Metal ( WPM +0.46% ). Conclusion Investing in uranium can feel complex, as this requires having an understanding of nuclear energy production, the commodity cycle specific to these resources, as well as the major companies mining uranium, and upcoming new projects. For investors just willing to bet on increased demand from new nuclear power plants (and maybe nuclear weapons build-up), a simple option is to either buy uranium physical funds, ETFs, or royalty companies, providing diversified exposure to the sector. Direct investing in foreign companies will be inherently riskier, although the risk might be compensated by a lower valuation. Similarly, larger profitable companies might be safer but will come at a premium valuation compared to smaller and riskier junior miners.

The Energy Commission of Nigeria has raised the alarm about the police arrest of its workers at the construction site of the multi-billion Naira “Renewed Hope” Bio-Methanol Pilot Plant located at Akure, in the Nkanu West Local Area of the state. The commission, an agency under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, while briefing journalists in Enugu on Sunday, said the arrest of construction workers happened on Friday, and police in Enugu State have refused to release them. An official of the Commission, Mr E. Okeke, who briefed journalists, accused the state government of being behind the arrest, adding that work had stopped at the site. Okeke stated that the police, following the alleged directives of the state governor, Peter Mbah, invaded the site and arrested seven construction workers. The methanol plant, said to be worth more than N40 billion, is the first of its kind in West Africa and was personally brought by President Bola Tinubu for the people of the South East and sited in Nkanuland, which is the homeland of Governor Peter Mbah and Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. He said that the police stormed the site in the company of the council chairmen of Nkanu East and Nkanu West and arrested the workers. Okeke gave the names of those arrested as Ambrose Edeh, Chibuike Edeh, Monday Nwodo, Obinna Samuel, Ebuka Chukwurah, Chibuike Okereke, and Maduabuchi Okoro. He said, “The police officers also removed batteries of the earth-moving machines at the site, in order to stall the construction activities. “The construction workers arrested were detained briefly at RRS Govt House Enugu and later moved to Anti Kidnapping section at Independence Layout, Enugu and around midnight moved to State CID.” However, when higher federal government authorities were contacted, they made unsuccessful attempts to reach the officials of the Nigerian police at Enugu. But when they contacted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, he quickly swung into action and ordered the immediate release of the detainees. Related News Enugu gov commits over N2bn to ESUTH upgrade, student hostels Enugu women hold road walk against GBV Enugu, Austrian firm sign $100m water infrastructure deal Sources around the local government told journalists that Nkanu leaders were angry with the action of the state government for trying to frustrate federal government investment in their land. The land where the project was located was properly donated to the federal government by the community for the project, according to leaders of the community, who displayed a document to that effect. The N40 billion Naira bio methanol project, when operational, is expected to solve most of the industrial needs of Nigeria and Africa. It is also one of the biggest projects in the entire South-East by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. One of the elders of the host community, Chief John Ogbodo, who spoke to journalists at the site, said that it was obvious action of the state government was politically motivated since the project was attracted by Chief Uche Nnaji, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State during the 2023 general elections. The methanol project, in addition to a similar project, the N60 billion Solar PV project (for production of solar panels) also attracted to the area by the minister, has the combined capacity to provide employment to tens of thousands of Enugu state youths and change the economy of Enugu and the South East in general. Some community elders alleged that it was obvious the state government was glittery and hence wanted to frustrate the projects because of the likely impact come 2027. Efforts by our correspondent to speak with the Enugu State Police Command on the incident were unsuccessful as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, did not take his calls or respond to a text seeking his comment. Also, the executive chairman of Nkanu West LGA, John Ogbodo, who reportedly led the police to arrest the construction workers did not take his calls when contacted and had yet to respond to text messages seeking his comment. Efforts to get a reaction from the senior special assistant to the governor on media, Mr Dan Nwaome, were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls. At the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond to a text message seeking his comment.

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Adam Pemble, an Associated Press video journalist who covered some of the biggest global news of the past two decades, from earthquakes and conflicts to political summits and elections, has died. He was 52. Pemble died Thursday in Minneapolis surrounded by friends and family, according to his friend Mike Moe, who helped care for him in the final weeks of his fight against cancer. Known for bringing stories alive with his camera, Pemble epitomized the best of television news traditions, casting a curious and compassionate lens onto the lives of the people and communities whose stories he told. He joined the AP in 2007 in New York before moving to Prague in 2011 to help launch AP’s first cross-format operation combining photography, text stories and video. He enhanced Eastern European news coverage, creating distinctive stories highlighting the region's culture and society. “Adam was an incredibly talented and passionate journalist and an empathetic storyteller. He had this amazing ability to get anyone to talk to him on camera, which I attribute to the Midwestern charm he embodied throughout his life." said Sara Gillesby, AP’s Director of Global Video and Pemble’s former manager in New York when he joined the AP. "He was the best of us.” Pemble was born in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, in 1972 and grew up in Minneapolis. After graduating with a degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead, he started his journalism career in 1997 at KVLY, a television station in Fargo, North Dakota, and later worked at WCCO in Minneapolis. “He had the skills of the old-school camera people to meet a deadline and turn a beautiful story,” said Arthur Phillips, a cameraman who worked with Pemble at WCCO. “But he had a calling for greater things.” Moving to New York, Pemble covered some of the biggest stories in the city, including the trial of Bernie Madoff, interviews with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and with then-real estate developer, now U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump. He went to Haiti to cover the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, where he captured shocking images of devastation. A few weeks later he was in Vancouver, covering the Winter Olympics. With his transfer to Prague, Pemble quickly became the go-to video journalist deployed to the biggest news events in Europe, interviewing government leaders, covering violent protests, the aftermath of terror attacks and numerous national elections across the continent. “An inquiring mind, a keen eye and a healthy skepticism for those in power who tried to spin away from truth all combined to make Adam’s stories as rich in color as he was in character," said Sandy MacIntyre, former AP head of global video. "Time and again he was asked to do the impossible and without fail he delivered the exceptional.” ”But more than all of that, he was the colleague and friend you wanted by your side because if Adam was there we knew we were going to be the winning team.” As civil unrest rocked Ukraine in 2014, Pemble reported from Kyiv and later Donetsk, where he covered the first Russian-backed demonstrations before spending weeks in Crimea during Russia's annexation of the strategic peninsula. His video reports included the last remaining Ukrainian sailors loyal to Kyiv finally abandoning their ship and coming ashore. With the Russian national anthem playing from a car in the background, his final shot showed two distraught sailors heckled as they walked away. Pemble returned to Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country in 2022. Among his many assignments was filming the exclusive March 2023 AP interview by Executive Editor Julie Pace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a train shuttled them across Ukraine to cities near some of the fiercest fighting. “Adam showed up to every assignment with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to his work and his colleagues. He loved what he did, and so many of us at AP are better for having worked alongside him,” Pace said. When not deployed overseas, Pemble set his camera's gaze on his new home in the Czech Republic, offering insight into the traditions and unique stories of Eastern Europe. From Christmas carp fishing at sunrise to graffiti artists in Prague, to the intimate story of a Slovak priest challenging the celibacy rules of the Catholic Church, he brought his unmistakable style. He worked with a traditional large broadcast camera in an era where many video shooters shifted to smaller, lighter cameras. He always put himself in the right place to let reality unfold like “an old school analog painter in an often fast and furious digital age,” former AP cameraman Ben Jary recalled. Pemble's interest in visual storytelling led to experimenting with new technologies, including aerial videography. In 2015, he was the first major news agency camera operator to film live drone footage when reporting on the migration crisis in the Balkans. An avid gardener who planted trees and chilis on his rooftop in Prague, he was adventurous in the kitchen and especially proud of his vegan “meatloaf,” friends said. He loved a seedy dive bar as much as a Michelin restaurant, and foods as varied as charcoal choux pastry with truffle creme and his favorite road trip junk food, Slim Jim’s jerky and Salted Nut Rolls. Pemble’s wit, wisdom, energy and positivity enriched the lives and experiences of those around him, friends and colleagues recalled. “If someone asked me to see a picture of quiet strength and courage, dignity and grace, and most of all kindness, I would show them a picture of a man for all seasons," said Dan Huff, a Washington-based AP video journalist, "I would show them a picture of Adam Pemble."

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Opinion: John Tayer: Giving thanks for our core valuesThe all-electric 2025 Lucid Air Pure is a dreamy, sexy car that’s no less luxurious for being the cheapest trim in Lucid’s Air lineup. I felt fancy and discerning driving around, but in an understated way – as if I were wearing designer sweatpants. But does fancy equal value? I spent about 10 days driving the Air Pure on two different coasts to find out. And the tl;dr is: Yes, but only if those over-the-air updates keep coming through. The Air Pure is a technological dreamboat in many invisible “under the hood” ways — like its ultra efficient electric motor. And its roomy, air-tight interior coupled with a high-end sound system simply puts you in a good mood. It’s the kind of car you want to spend time in, particularly if Lucid keeps working to iterate on its tech capabilities. The car’s many high-tech features justify that not-quite-afforable $69,900 price tag. However, I found there was still room for improvement, particularly in Lucid’s voice assistant and DreamDrive advanced driver assistance system. The good news is that even these feature have seen significant progress from earlier iterations . Nuts and bolts With an estimated 420 miles of range and a single rear-mounted motor with 430 horsepower, the Lucid Air Pure is a compelling alternative to the Tesla Model S , which has a 402-mile range in the all-wheel drive version and starts at $79,990. During one of my test drives, I comfortably traveled from San Francisco to Salinas and back, with extra city driving, all without needing to recharge. Lucid provided TechCrunch with the Air Pure on both occasions. For quick top-ups, the Air Pure supports fast charging, adding 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes at stations owned by ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America. Starting in 2025, Lucid owners will also gain access to Tesla’s network, though this will require an adapter. While Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV will feature Tesla’s NACS port from day one, the automaker hasn’t yet said whether future Air models will follow suit. Sitting low on 19-inch wheels, the Air Pure is as aerodynamic as it looks with an impressive drag coefficient of 0.197. When you approach the car, the electric motor and infotainment system automatically turn on and the flush door handles pop out. The front and back bar lights also illuminate in a fluid motion that extends outwards like rippling water, which sets the tone for the high tech, yet understated vibe. The Lucid signature lighting is instantly recognizable, and the whole design comes together in a sleek, sophisticated “California New Money” way. Expansive and tech-focused Sitting down in a Lucid Air Pure is a sensory experience. You feel like you can breathe in the driver’s seat with 40 inches of headroom and 45.4 inches of leg room, and I found myself running my hands over the array of fabrics and textiles used on the interior. Even the oval-shaped steering wheel with its ergonomic grip feels nice in the palms. The Air Pure has an ambient level of noise like a soft electrical humming that’s meant to simulate the sound of an engine, lending to its futuristic, spaceship vibes. The 34-inch curved glass cockpit floats just behind the steering wheel with three distinct zones of control. On the left, a touchscreen manages quick-access functions like the charge port and windshield defroster. The center display shows critical driving information – speed, gear, range, and DreamDrive visualizations. On the right, you’ll find connectivity and entertainment options, including Apple CarPlay integration, native navigation, media, and communication. Below this, the 12.5-inch Pilot Panel sits above the center console. This vertical screen, which can be tucked away for extra storage, handles climate controls, parking, and driver settings. It also automatically displays a 360-degree camera view when navigating tight spaces. Adjustments like the rear and sideview mirrors are only accessible through the so-called Pilot Panel, which some might loathe. I didn’t mind, as it’s a one-time setup. Another standout is the ability to adjust lumbar support and, for an extra $7,500, upgrade to get a massager and ventilated seats — a luxury I’d absolutely splurge on. I appreciated Lucid’s decision to keep some physical controls. Above the Pilot Panel are tactile knobs for adjusting the temperature and volume. The steering wheel also features physical buttons to launch the advanced driver assistance system, change a song, and activate the voice assistant. The center console features two plugs for USB-C and Lightning cables, and a sliding cover to keep items secure. The backseat was also generous with 39 inches of headroom and 37.6 inches of legroom, something friends and family who were seated in the back commented on. Backseat passengers also have their own little touchscreen where they can control things like seat heating, air temperature, and summon or banish the sunshade. While we’re on the subject of space, the trunk offers 22.1 cubic feet of storage, and the frunk has 10 cubic-feet of space. All in all, Lucid passed the Costco run test. The Lucid Assistant – swing and a miss Lucid originally launched its Pure series with Amazon’s Alexa powering voice assist, and it wasn’t very good. Within the last couple of months, Lucid has started rolling out a replacement — a white-labeled version that appears to be from SoundHound AI . Lucid wouldn’t confirm. The Lucid Assistant isn’t very good either. But really, is there a car voice assistant that doesn’t sometimes make you want to scream? The Lucid Assistant can handle commands and answer questions about very specific car things. You could ask it for the weather, get directions to the nearest charging station, and command it to turn up the seat heating. When it comes to music commands, those were limited. The Assistant could, say, turn on Spotify and even play certain songs, but it often didn’t recognize what I asked for. I also couldn’t get it to play a type of music. For example, in a moment of panicked indecision, I asked it to play Top 40. Suddenly Sublime’s “40 oz. to Freedom” was playing through the speakers. I’m not complaining, but it wasn’t what I asked for. And while we’re on the subject of music, while the Dolby Atmos sound system somehow struck the perfect balance of bass, treble, and mid, the connectivity to music streaming services like Spotify was often spotty. The connection dropped several times, leaving me to fumble with the pre-programmed Sirius XM options. Native GPS and the Lucid app A few words on Lucid’s native navigation system with custom routing. When compared to Waze or Apple Maps, it didn’t always seem to account for traffic, with ETA differentials sometimes as large as 20 minutes. My eyes took some getting used to how Lucid’s native system manifested, too. Lucid displays the immediate directions on the curved cockpit, with a larger map below on the Panel pilot, and I found my eyes jumping between the two screens. The Lucid app was perfectly fine. It worked as it should to open the trunk, unlock the car, open the charge ports, flash the lights, and see nearby chargers. It’s not as advanced as Tesla’s app, but I expect it will continue to improve. Mature handling The Lucid Air Pure is low to the ground (and you really feel it when getting in and out), giving it a centered grippy feel as it takes on turns. The acceleration is firm, although you don’t get the same zippy boost as you might in a Tesla or the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Still, the car is no slouch with a 0-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.5 seconds. The suspension is also great – I barely felt any bumps in the road. The Air Pure has three drive modes accessible via the Pilot Panel: Smooth, Swift, and Sprint. Smooth is relaxed for everyday driving. Swift gives it a bit more oomph for when you’re keen to have a little fun or are in a rush on the highway, and Sprint is designed for “advanced drivers” with “maximum power and torque for short bursts of intense performance.” I didn’t notice too much of a difference between the modes. For those who also want more control over regenerative braking, you can adjust those in your driver settings, including turning on creep mode, which allows you to move without applying the accelerator. So many cameras and sensors The model year 2025 Lucid Air Pure comes standard with 24 sensors, including six cameras, infrared, ultrasonic, and radar that are used to power Lucid’s brand of ADAS called DreamDrive Premium. This includes features like 3D surround view monitoring and blind spot display, lane departure warnings, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system for distracted and drowsy driving. For an additional one-time fee of $2,500, Lucid buyers can upgrade to the DreamDrive Pro, which ups the number of sensors to 32 — including solid-state lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and a whopping 13 cameras — and has a highway assist feature that combines lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The benefit in purchasing this feature and its accompanying hardware isn’t what it can do now, but the promise of what it can do in the future. This is all to say that while Lucid’s DreamDrive still has a ways to go, if you buy the Pro ADAS, you’ll have all the necessary hardware for Lucid to add more automated driving capabilities via over-the-air updates in the future. I found the visuals like the 3D surround view monitoring, front and rearview visuals, and blind spot detection helpful, if not a little overwhelming, when maneuvering tight spaces or switching lanes. I found the Highway Assist the most useful, particularly in stop-and-go traffic on California’s highways. The feature basically steers for you, as long as you stay within the same lane and at a pre-set speed and follow distance. You can initiate lane-change assist on the highway by long-pressing the turn signal. Deactivating Highway Assist was also simple and smooth. Just press the brake pedal, and you’re good – no weird jerking or clunky transitions, which has been an issue in older software versions. Lucid vehicles equipped with the standard DreamDrive or the Pro provide drowsy and distracted driver warnings, which only worked sometimes for me. The Air Pure monitors the driver via an infrared sensor mounted at the top of the steering column that gets the shape of your face and can tell if you aren’t facing front. But it doesn’t watch your eyes, like other driver monitoring systems. Which I suppose is good for privacy and surveillance reasons, but bad for actually monitoring if someone has fallen asleep at the wheel. I tested fate a few times while the car was in the highway assist mode, even closing my eyes for 30 full seconds. I also pretended to nod my head like I was falling asleep, looked down at my phone, and straight up stared out the window. Eventually, the car did hit me with an aggressive, repetitive alert saying it had detected unsafe driving, told me to take a break, and offered suggestions for nearby coffee shops. But those warnings came a couple of minutes after my experiments. Finally, the Auto Park feature, which will scan the area for nearby places to park. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it completely failed to see available parking spaces. I could never get it to parallel park for me, but it did manage to park in a lot by backing up into the space. The feature promises to Auto Unpark for you, as well, but after checking to the left and to the right, my Lucid couldn’t quite get the hang of it. An almost perfect EV I really did love the Lucid, and if TechCrunch would only pay me double my salary, I could see me and this car being very happy together. Particularly if Lucid continues to iterate on the tech and make improvements, as it has already done over the last three years.

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