Author Archives: The Esbec Team

The 2026 BMW iX Delivers More Range And More Power

The 2026 BMW iX Delivers More Range And More Power

The 2026 BMW iX gets a larger 113 kilowatt-hour battery with up to 340 miles of estimated range. A new entry-level xDrive45 trim with a smaller 100 kWh battery is good enough for 280-300 miles of range. It gets a new silicon carbide inverter that helps with a more efficient energy transmission from the battery to the motors. The BMW iX is a range champ. In one of InsideEVs’ long-term tests last year, it covered 351 miles on a single charge, smashing its 307-mile EPA range. Granted, the summer weather helped, but even in winter, it’s a solid road-tripper. Now BMW has upgraded the iX with new trims and a bigger battery which delivers even more range and power along with improved efficiency. Gallery: BMW iX (2025) The iX LCI—short for

Exhausted Palestinians arrive in Gaza City to no homes, killed family

Rifaat Jouda walks with his son as he enters Gaza City following a long journey from southern Gaza,on January 28, 2025 [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

Rifaat Jouda walks with his son as he enters Gaza City following a long journey from southern Gaza,on January 28, 2025 [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

Al-Rashid Street, Gaza City, Palestine – There are many stories among the tens of thousands of people walking along Gaza’s al-Rashid Street, heading for the north. In the crowds is a man with a white beard walking with determination alongside his family. In one hand, he carries a blanket and a few meagre possessions. In the other, he holds onto his adult son, who has Down Syndrome. Rifaat Jouda doesn’t pretend that he isn’t tired. He started his journey in the morning in southern Gaza, in Khan Younis’s al-Mawasi, where his family had been displaced for 15 months during Israel’s war on Gaza. The aim was to reach Gaza City, a journey finally possible since Israel allowed Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip to travel north on Monday, after a

Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek breaks for Lunar New Year as its success rattles Wall Street

Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek breaks for Lunar New Year as its success rattles Wall Street

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek has gone quiet this week as it enters “holiday mode” for Lunar New Year while its recent technological developments continue to send shock waves through Wall Street and Silicon Valley, prompting reflections about current industry strategies and business models. DeepSeek’s rapid rise in AI has attracted attention across the Pacific this week with comments from US President Donald Trump and OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, after stocks related to the industry saw significant declines on Monday. The correction resulted in the largest single-day loss ever for semiconductor giant Nvidia . Yet the Hangzhou-based start-up, including founder Liang Wenfeng and the firm’s young scientists, has shunned public attention as China entered its week-long Lunar New Year holiday. The company made its last update at

Man accused of financing terrorism through Bitcoin released on R30,000 bail

Ziyadh Hoorzook in the Litchenburg Magistrates. File Picture: Supplied

Ziyadh Hoorzook in the Litchenburg Magistrates. File Picture: Supplied

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said Hoorzook was released on condition that he report to the Sandton Police Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 6am and 5pm. He was also ordered to refrain from interfering with investigations or witnesses and share his live location with the investigating officer. Hoorzook faces multiple charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, including six alternative counts of contravening Section 4(1)(f)(ii) of the Act. Gunya said additional charges include contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act and the Firearms Control Act after failing to secure firearms as prescribed by law. Police said his arrest comes after a lengthy and meticulous investigation that started in May 2018 when the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the

Palestinians reject Trumps relocation plan as they return to Gazas north

Palestinian families packing their belongings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, January 27, 2025 [Mohamed Soulaimane/Al Jazeera]

Palestinian families packing their belongings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, January 27, 2025 [Mohamed Soulaimane/Al Jazeera]

Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Palestine – Saqr Maqdad and his family set out on their difficult journey back to northern Gaza late on Sunday night, hours before Israel reopened the north for the first time since the early days of its 15-month war on the Palestinian enclave, following a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Leaving behind the Khan Younis displacement camp in the south, the 31-year-old, along with his wife, and two daughters, Reema, 5, and two-year-old Rawaa, walked northward along the coastal al-Rashid road hoping to reach Beit Hanoon, the family’s hometown, at the far northern tip of the besieged territory. The Maqdad family were among an estimated 200,000 Palestinians who streamed back into the most devastated parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, a dramatic

Guard shot as robbers damage Pretoria’s Hercules Clinic

The guard who was shot in Hercules Clinic is receiving medical attention. Stock photo Image: 123RF/HXDBZXY

A female security guard working at Hercules Clinic in Pretoria was shot and injured during an attempt by robbers to access a nearby store on Sunday night.   City of Tshwane’s MMC for health Tshegofatso Mashabela said the clinic was open on Monday after the crime scene had been comprehensively investigated by the police. She said on Tuesday the guard who had been admitted to hospital had been discharged and was recovering at home. “The damage at the clinic includes a broken ceiling and a detached air-conditioning unit — physical manifestations of a deeper threat to our community’s wellbeing. These acts of vandalism and violence target the core of our public health infrastructure,” Mashabela said.   She said the community must take ownership of its precious infrastructure.   “Hercules Clinic

Premier League reveal decision on Michael Oliver after Arsenal controversy

Michael Oliver is one of the most experienced referees in English football. Photo by Marc Atkins. Source: Getty Images

Michael Oliver is one of the most experienced referees in English football. Photo by Marc Atkins. Source: Getty Images

Michael Oliver has avoided punishment following his controversial decision in the Arsenal vs Wolves game The official showed Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a red card but he was strongly criticised for it The experienced official will be the centre referee in Ipswich’s clash against Southampton on matchday 24 Premier League official Michael Oliver will be the centre referee in Ipswich’s clash against Southampton on matchday 24. The referee was strongly criticised after he showed a controversial red card to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves on Saturday at Molineux. Fans expected Oliver to be dropped by the referee body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) but were surprised to see he will be in charge next weekend. Michael Oliver is one of the most experienced referees in English football. Photo by Marc

Tesla Investors Expected To Grill Musk Over Cheaper EV Models

Tesla Investors Expected To Grill Musk Over Cheaper EV Models

The road ahead for Tesla is a bit rocky. With a CEO facing scrutiny over his vocal far-right politics and the electric vehicle brand suffering because of it, Tesla needs a win. Investors are pointing towards a more affordable model being the answer and are expected to grill the automaker over the so-called “Model Q” during its earnings call on Wednesday. Here’s what we expect. Welcome back to  Critical Materials , your daily roundup for all things electric and automotive tech. Today, we’re chatting about Tesla’s investors looking for answers on its supposed cheap car, European EV buyers surveyed say they’d rather buy a Chinese EV than give Elon Musk their money, and OEMs file suit against Europe over tariffs. Let’s jump in 30%: Tesla’s Shareholders Expected To Want Answers About

‘I saw how you were fighting for me!’ Naama Levy shares first post since release from Gaza

Naama Levy hugs her family after release from Hamas captivity, January 25, 2025 (photo credit: GPO)

“I’m safe and protected, surrounded by family and friends, and feeling better with each passing day,” Levy wrote. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 28, 2025 19:18 Updated: JANUARY 28, 2025 19:24 Naama Levy hugs her family after release from Hamas captivity, January 25, 2025 (photo credit: GPO) Released hostage, Naama Levy thanked IDF troops and the Israeli public for its support during her time in Hamas captivity in a post on social media on Tuesday.  “I want to thank the IDF soldiers and all the people of Israel. Even in captivity, I saw how you were fighting for me! Thank you, everyone; I love you,” Levy, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on October 7, wrote.  “I’m home. After 477 days, I’m finally home,” she wrote.  “I’m safe

Girl said stabbing ‘one way to celebrity’ – court

Girl said stabbing ‘one way to celebrity’ – court

A teenager who stabbed two teachers and a pupil told police officers the attack was “one way to be a celebrity” as all eyes would be on her, a court has heard. The girl, who cannot be named, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday charged with three counts of attempted murder at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, in April last year. She admitted to the triple stabbing of Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a pupil during morning break time at her school, but denied attempted murder. The jury also heard that the teenager shouted she was “going to kill” people in the school. The teenager repeatedly said “I’m going to kill you” as she first stabbed assistant head Ms Elias, and again when she attacked a pupil, the court heard.

‘Hearing us gave them the strength to endure,’ fathers of released hostages say

Former hostage Liri Albag reunites with her family after 477 days in Hamas captivity (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Eitan Gonen spoke with interviewers for approximately 20 minutes, while Eli Albag spoke for four minutes, cutting the interview short when Liri entered the room in order to spend time with her. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 27, 2025 11:54 Updated: JANUARY 27, 2025 12:42 Former hostage Liri Albag reunites with her family after 477 days in Hamas captivity (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT) Eitan Gonen and Eli Albag, fathers of released Hamas hostages Romi Gonen and Liri Albag, respectively, held their first interviews since their daughters’ release with Kan Reshet Bet on Monday. Eitan spoke with the interviewers for approximately 20 minutes, while Eli spoke for four minutes. He abruptly cut the interview short when Liri entered the room because he wanted to spend time with her. “Liri is

UN says Israel using unlawful lethal force in raids on Jenin

Israeli military vehicles mount a large-scale Israeli army raid on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank [Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP]

Israeli military vehicles mount a large-scale Israeli army raid on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank [Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP]

Israeli forces block all four main entrances to the occupied West Bank city as the deadly raids enter a fourth day. Israeli military vehicles mount a large-scale Israeli army raid on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank [Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP] The United Nations has said it is “deeply concerned” over the Israeli military’s use of “unlawful lethal force” this week in its raids on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank – including using methods developed for fighting wars. “The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for warfighting, in violation of international human rights law, norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations,” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan told a media briefing in Geneva. “This

Samuel Eto’o meets with ex-teammate now working as security guard in surprising encounter

Samuel Eto'o meets with ex-teammate now working as security guard in surprising encounter

Samuel Eto’o reunited with his former teammate, now working as a security guard, in an emotional moment The Barcelona legend’s face lit up when he recognised his former teammate when he was getting a meeting in Douala The two-time AFCON winner retired in 2019 and a hugely successful year in his club and international career Cameroon icon Samuel Eto’o met his former teammate in the most surprising circumstance. The retired striker, now the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), reunited with his teammate, now a security guard. Samuel Eto’o played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Photos by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto and Laurel Lysette (X).Source: Getty Images Eto’o reunites with teammate After an Ecobank Group seminar in Douala, Eto’o emerged from the building and greeted officials outside.

Trump: ‘Would be nice’ if Iran issues could be fixed without Israeli strike on military facilities

U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House, as he signs executive orders, in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE

“Iran will hopefully make a deal, and if they don’t make a deal, that’s okay too,” Trump added. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF , REUTERS JANUARY 24, 2025 02:19 Updated: JANUARY 24, 2025 03:08 U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House, as he signs executive orders, in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE) US President Donald Trump commented on Israel’s conflict with Iran on Thursday, saying, “It would be nice” if Israel would avoid escalation involving striking Iran’s military facilities.  The statements came when he was asked by a reporter at the Oval Office what he thought about a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities as he signed executive orders. “It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having

Yoon Suk-yeols martial law case in South Korea falls on prosecution

Yoon Suk-yeols martial law case in South Korea falls on prosecution

South Korea ’s anti-corruption agency has referred the case of suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol to the prosecution, requesting that he be indicted on insurrection charges over his failed martial law bid. Calling for charges against Yoon over his abuse of power, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) said in a statement on Thursday: “We have decided to request the Seoul Central District Prosecution Office to charge [Yoon] as the mastermind behind the insurrection [on December 3].” Although the CIO has the authority to investigate corruption and abuse of power cases involving high-ranking officials, it cannot directly file charges, which is the sole responsibility of state prosecutors. After a failed attempt to arrest Yoon on January 3, the CIO succeeded in taking him into custody on January 15 during