okbet 777 casino games DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving. The Associated PressMaria Diaz/ZDNET What's the deal? The Mammotion Luba 2 3000H has been mowing my lawn weekly like a well-oiled machine since July, which makes the current $350 Black Friday discount even better. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now ZDNET's key takeaways The Mammotion Luba 2 3000H Built to handle uneven terrain, the Luba 2 is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) robot mower with a GPS-powered perimeter that is surprisingly easy to set up. Despite its mostly consistent performance, the Luba 2 veered off the map a few times during testing. Also, the Mammotion app is not very user-friendly. Mowing the lawn is one of my favorite chores. It lets me focus on an uninterrupted task that satisfies my OCD, with the bonus of completing my exercise ring on my Apple Watch. But even though it's a chore I enjoy, it still steals a couple of hours away from my all-too-short weekend. Also: The best robot mowers of 2024 That's where the Mammotion Luba 2 comes in. Imagine the scene: you take the dog out for a walk and come home to a perfectly mowed lawn despite it being an overgrown mess just an hour before. While you were gone, the robot mower took care of the unruly grass and left a beautiful checkered pattern in its wake. I'm happy to say that this dream became a reality with the Luba 2, and although it has its quirks, it handles the chore of lawn mowing with efficiency and ease. When I received the Mammotion Luba 2 for review, the only wire-free GPS robot mower I'd previously used was the EcoFlow Blade. As you can read in that review, setting up the Blade was dreadful. It occupied hours of my Sunday afternoon, resulting in bickering between my husband and me and repeated explanations to the kids that no, we won't be riding the robot around the yard. This time, setting up the mower fell to my husband on a day when I wasn't home. I planned on helping him with the setup upon my return, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it all done when I returned. In fact, he had nothing... Maria Diaz

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lopsided, shutout loss has left the beat-up New Orleans Saints limping into the final two games of a lost season — and into a rather cloudy future beyond that. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lopsided, shutout loss has left the beat-up New Orleans Saints limping into the final two games of a lost season — and into a rather cloudy future beyond that. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lopsided, shutout loss has left the beat-up New Orleans Saints limping into the final two games of a lost season — and into a rather cloudy future beyond that. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi figured that a visit to playoff-bound Green Bay would be a tall order for his injury-riddled squad, whose prominent missing players included starters at quarterback, running back and receiver. And when New Orleans’ mostly healthy defensive front struggled against a Packers ground game led by running back Josh Jacobs, the rout was on. Nothing “stuck out on film other than a lack of execution and lack of playmaking,” Rizzi said Tuesday after reviewing video of Monday night’s 34-0 loss at Green Bay. “We played against a playoff team, at their place, that has very few holes on their team,” Rizzi added. “It was a little bit of a perfect storm.” Rizzi, a special teams coordinator who has made no secret that he sees his eight-game interim stint as an opportunity to further his head-coaching ambitions, has two more games left in what has been an up-and-down audition. The Saints are 3-3 on his watch, which includes one of New Orleans’ most lopsided losses since the turn of the century. With the playoffs unattainable, and with a lot of reserves pressed into service, the final two weeks will serve primarily as a player-evaluation period heading into the offseason, when there are bound to be myriad changes on the roster and perhaps the coaching staff. Rizzi said the Saints, realistically, have been in evaluation mode “for the last month or so,” but added that there maybe be additional young or practice-squad players getting longer looks in the final two games. “My big thing this week is to see how we can respond,” Rizzi said. “We’re going to find out a lot about a lot of people.” What’s working Of the Saints’ four punts, three were inside the Green Bay 20 and New Orleans did not allow a single punt return yard. The punt team might have been the only unit that executed its job (even the kickoff unit allowed a 38-yard return). What needs help The Saints had trouble protecting the quarterback (three sacks) and protecting the football (two turnovers). They couldn’t run the ball (67 yards). They couldn’t stop the run (188 yards allowed). They couldn’t pass the ball consistently (129 yards) or stop the pass when they needed to. As former Saints coach Jim Mora once said, they couldn’t do “ diddly poo.” Although rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler largely struggled and was responsible for both New Orleans turnovers, he had enough highlights — including a jumping, first-down pass on third-and-long — to keep him penciled in as the starter if the injured Derek Carr remains unable to play, Rizzi said. “It was definitely a performance where we got to take the good with the bad,” Rizzi said. “We’ve got to get rid of those negative plays.” Stock up New Orleans native Foster Moreau has emerged as one of the Saints’ most reliable offensive players. The sixth-year NFL tight end made two catches for a team-high 33 yards on Monday night, giving him 25 catches for 335 yards this season. His four TDs receiving entering the game remain tied for the team lead. Stock down Rizzi was riding high after two wins to start his interim term as head coach, but Monday night’s ugly loss is the club’s third in four games and took a lot of luster off his candidacy for a longer-term appointment. Injury report Center Erik McCoy left the game with an elbow injury, while guard Lucas Patrick hurt his knee in the closing minutes. Rizzi said McCoy won’t need surgery but could miss the rest of the season. The coach said Patrick needs more tests but is not expected to play again this season. While the chances of Carr (non-throwing, left hand) or top running back Alvin Kamara (groin) playing again this season appear slim, the Saints have declined to rule that out. Rizzi said Carr is getting closer to being able to play and wants the opportunity to go against his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Rizzi said Kamara “is working his tail off to try to come back” this season. “Alvin told me this morning, in my office, that he really would like to play again,” Rizzi said. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 24 — The number of years since the Saints suffered a more lopsided shutout loss, 38-0 against San Francisco in 2002. Up next The Saints’ home finale against lowly Las Vegas will be an anticlimactic affair bound to generate a level of fan interest similar to, if not less than, a preseason game. But the game will be important to the current regime, which needs victories in each of the club’s final two games to avoid the franchise’s worst record since it was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and went 3-13. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement AdvertisementThe Ludhiana Police has filed six FIRs, including two against a Delhi-based lawyer and four against unidentified individuals, for allegedly uploading ‘morphed and edited’ videos of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal. The videos purportedly distorted Kejriwal’s speeches about the Dalit (Scheduled Caste) community and farmers. The FIRs state that these videos have the potential to disturb peace in Punjab and other states, and have deeply hurt the sentiments of the SC/ST community. The FIRs further state that the alleged videos were intentionally uploaded to tarnish former Delhi CM Kejriwal’s public image. The complaints were lodged by local AAP leaders from the Valmiki community in Ludhiana under sections related to giving provocative statements, forgery, and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. One of the FIRs, registered at Salem Tabri police station on the complaint of AAP leader Vijay Danav, highlights that a video of Kejriwal’s speech about the SC/ST community was ‘morphed’. The complaint claims that the video could ‘violate peace among the public and has hurt the sentiments of the community in Punjab and other states.’ Similar FIRs have been registered at Dugri, Sahnewal, Haibowal, Division No 5, and Model Town police stations. Ludhiana police commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed that the FIRs were filed based on complaints about ‘morphed’ videos of Kejriwal’s speeches, which were shared on social media platforms. “The cases have been registered under multiple sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 192 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 336(4) (forgery), 352 (intentional insult with intent to breach peace), and 353(2) (creating enmity between different groups). Additionally, sections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act have been invoked,” he said. The police investigation is ongoing to identify the culprits,” he added. On April 27, the Shimlapuri police lodged an FIR against a YouTube channel for making false and scandalous statements against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha.

December 16, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Shibaura Institute of Technology Prostate cancer remains a global health challenge, ranking as the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. Although treatments like androgen deprivation therapy have been effective for early-stage prostate cancer, advanced stages, such as castration-resistant prostate cancer, present significant treatment challenges due to resistance to therapies. Current approaches targeting androgen receptor (AR) signaling, such as taxanes and newer agents, show limited success. Cisplatin, a widely used anticancer drug, has been used in combination therapies but its use is limited by severe side effects , including renal toxicity, highlighting the need for safer and more effective treatment options. In a study published in Inorganic Chemistry on September 11, 2024, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Yoshihisa Hirota from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) and Professor Seiji Komeda from Suzuka University of Medical Science, explored the potential of azolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes (azolato-bridged complexes) in treating prostate cancer. The study particularly focused on a complex called 5-H-Y ([{cis-Pt(NH 3 ) 2 } 2 (μ-OH)(μ-tetrazolato-N2,N3)](ClO 4 ) 2 ) as an alternative to cisplatin. These complexes are characterized by their water solubility and promising antiproliferative effects against prostate cancer cell lines, with minimal toxicity compared to traditional platinum-based drugs. "The first platinum-based drug, cisplatin, has a powerful effect on cancer by binding to nuclear DNA, but it also affects normal cells and can cause serious side effects. We had data showing that some azolato-bridged complexes inhibit AR signaling, which is extremely important for prostate cancer proliferation, in addition to the anticancer effect initiated by the DNA-binding. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify the mechanism of AR signaling inhibition by the azolato-bridged complex, 5-H-Y," explains Dr. Hirota. The team used a variety of methods to evaluate AR dynamics and therapeutic effects in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. They utilized azolato-bridged complexes, cisplatin, and the AR antagonist KW-365 to explore their efficacy and performed cell viability, gene expression , and protein analyses. Additionally, the team employed immunofluorescence staining to visualize AR expression and evaluated apoptosis (programmed cell death), cell cycle distribution, and nuclear platinum accumulation. The results showed that 5-H-Y exhibited significantly stronger cytotoxic effects than cisplatin, with a low half-maximal inhibitory concentration for dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced cell proliferation. Moreover, 5-H-Y effectively suppressed the expression of AR-responsive genes, such as PSA and TMPRSS2, and induced apoptosis in AR-overexpressing cells. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that 5-H-Y promoted chromatin fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, with greater efficacy observed at higher concentrations. Mechanistically, 5-H-Y was found to bind directly to AR and DNA through both noncovalent and covalent interactions. This binding induced conformational changes in AR, potentially disrupting its function. Additionally, 5-H-Y arrested cell cycle in the G2/M and sub-G1 phases, leading to apoptosis, particularly in AR-overexpressing cells. This multimodal mechanism of action distinguished 5-H-Y from cisplatin, which primarily targets DNA. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . Despite its high antiproliferative activity, however, 5-H-Y demonstrated lower acute toxicity in vivo compared to other platinum complexes, making it a promising candidate for further development. "The azolato-bridged complexes used in this research are expected to play a key role in developing new treatments for advanced prostate cancer. For patients whose cancer has become resistant to conventional therapies, these complexes have the potential to effectively inhibit cancer progression with multi-layered attacks while minimizing side effects. Our approach could thus expand treatment options for prostate cancer and improve the patient's quality of life," concludes Dr. Hirota. Overall, the results suggest that dinuclear platinum(II) complexes could offer a more targeted approach to treating prostate cancer, specifically by inhibiting AR-mediated cell growth and survival, paving the way for the development of new, more effective therapies for advanced prostate cancer . More information: Tasuku Arai et al, Azolato-Bridged Dinuclear Platinum(II) Complexes Exhibit Androgen Receptor-Mediated Anti-Prostate Cancer Activity, Inorganic Chemistry (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01093 Journal information: Inorganic Chemistry Provided by Shibaura Institute of Technology

One of my favorite open-ear headphones just hit an all-time low priceWhy Christmas in Japan Feels Like a Second Valentine's Day: Romantic Traditions, Festive Lights, and Unique Celebrations

Last year, Donald Trump Jr.’s longtime fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle was his proud date to Donald Trump’s annual Christmas celebration at Mar-a-Lago. This year, Guilfoyle was replaced at the Mar-a-Lago holiday festivities by Trump Jr.’s new girlfriend, Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, the Daily Mail reported . Unfortunately for the new lovers, some Trump family allies and insiders are not happy about Anderson’s quick ascension into the family orbit, the Daily Mail also is reporting. The 37-year-old model and influencer was photographed seated next to Trump Jr. at the Christmas Eve dinner table, near the president-elect and his wife Melania Trump. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children also attended the Christmas Eve dinner, Page Six reported. Some of the allies and insiders have told the Daily Mail that Anderson “isn’t MAGA enough,” while two friends of Trump Jr. expressed concern that she’s essentially a shallow influencer and “social climber” who is using Trump’s oldest son to snag an even wealthier and more powerful romantic target — someone like billionaire Elon Musk. “It’s one thing to worry about Palm Beach shenanigans making a stop at Mar-a-Lago,” a source close to the Trump transition team told the Daily Mail. “But to let those problems penetrate the White House is a new level of trouble.” The source appears to be referring to what the Daily Mail said was an “open secret” simmering in Palm Beach circles in the late summer and fall — how 46-year-old Trump Jr. had begun “fooling around” with the younger, Anderson, even while he was still engaged to 55-year-old Guilfoyle, a MAGA firebrand and top Trump campaign fundraiser. Rumors about Trump Jr.’s dalliance with Anderson began in September when images emerged of the couple kissing and cuddling while dining at a restaurant near Mar-a-Lago. Earlier this month, Trump Jr.’s relationship with the 37-year-old Anderson gained public recognition, after Trump announced that he was nominating Guilfoyle to be his ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle’s nomination was seen by some political observers as a way that Trump could reward the former Fox News host for her political loyalty, while nudging her out of his “immediate sphere” and sending her off to Europe so that his son could openly pursue his new relationship with Anderson. At the time, sources close to Trump Jr. told People that he had became tired of his six-year relationship with Guilfoyle , the former first lady of San Francisco and ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom-turned Trump loyalist. For one thing, Trump Jr. didn’t like Guilfoyle’s “style,” including her “tight dresses.” He felt that Anderson, with her honey-blonde hair and “Waspy” model looks, would “impress” his father and perhaps make her a more ideal romantic partner. “Don Jr. has always wanted to look good in his father’s eyes,” the political source told People. Apparently, Anderson’s more natural, fun-loving style also was more to Trump Jr.’s taste these days, especially as he saw that she could become his “own Melania Trump equivalent,” a source told People. “She is a party girl, and outgoing, and Don is smitten with her,” a Palm Beach source told People. “Bettina is smart, sexy and savvy and knows it. She likes to have fun,” another source added. “Who knows what, if anything, will come from this.” Trump family members also got tired of Guilfoyle’s attention-seeking ways. Sources told People and the Daily Mail that they expected that Guilfoyle knew about Trump Jr.’s affair with Anderson, but chose “to look the other way because she loves the power and lifestyle.” Once Trump Jr. felt he could shed his public association with Guilfoyle, he began to “flaunt” his romance with Anderson, being photographed holding hands with her during a dinner date in with her in Palm Beach in December, the Daily Mail reported. After Trump announced that he wanted to send Guilfoyle to Greece, Trump Jr. and Anderson jetted off to Italy for a romantic getaway, the Daily Mail reported. Anderson also publicly posted photos of love letters and flowers sent to her from Trump Jr., and openly documented their European vacation. Someone described as a “close, personal friend” of Trump Jr. told the Daily Mail that he wasn’t concerned about Anderson. He said he expected there would “be gossip and trash talking, just because that’s kind of the world of Palm Beach and, you know, the universe they live in.” If Trump Jr. has heard any concerns about Anderson, he hasn’t let this friend know, according to the Daily Mail. Stacey Bendet, a fashion designer and close friend of Anderson’s, expressed dismay that her friend had become the target of social-climber rumors. “I have been friends with Bettina for a decade, she is the kindest soul, she has the biggest heart, she is witty and wise, hilariously funny, and an Ivy League grad — anyone who says a word otherwise is just another societal example of women fixating on competing verse empowering,” said Bendet, CEO of Alice + Olivia, in a text to the Daily Mail. Anderson has been seen at Alice + Olivia events over the years, the Daily Mail reported. Bendet added in her text: “Don adores her for good reasons!” However, some Trump family allies feel very differently about Anderson and are “doing everything they can” do to get Trump Jr. to end their relationship, the Daily Mail reported. Someone who worked for the Trump campaign the last five years told the Daily Mail that Trump Jr. is “slowly” starting to “wake up” to how Anderson is perceived in MAGA circles. Allies question her MAGA loyalty because of her previous support for the Black Lives Matters movement and her adherence to COVID-19 lockdown rules, the Daily Mail reported. But they also wonder about her “notorious party girl reputation in Palm Beach,” which they think somehow isn’t “highbrow enough” to be associated with the Trump family, the Daily Mail also said. Someone who works in the modeling business and who has known Anderson for years speculated to the Daily Mail that she’s using Trump Jr. as a stepping stone and would prefer to date someone like Musk. People who’ve known Anderson in Palm Beach also told the Daily Mail that she regularly dates wealthy older men. Even though Musk already is the world’s richest man, he stands to gain even more power in the incoming Trump administration, according to critics of both Musk and Trump. These critics note that the billionaire SpaceX founder donated at least a quarter of a billion dollars to support Trump’s campaign, and he’s been rewarded by becoming a regular presence at Trump’s side since his Nov. 5 victory. Musk now is on tap to lead the new DOGE agency, whose purported mission is to drastically reduce federal government spending and “waste.”President Joe Biden is marking his final Thanksgiving on Nantucket, a family tradition as he wraps up his time in office. This year, the holiday serves as a poignant farewell, symbolizing the close of his presidency, which has been overshadowed by political tensions with former President Donald Trump. Biden's Nantucket visit, featuring strolls on the island's picturesque streets with family, comes amidst questions about his legacy. Despite retiring from politics, he remains active in major geopolitical dialogues, planning a trip to Angola and addressing issues with Trump's agenda, including tariffs and foreign trade relations. Biden also focused on family amidst personal strife, including legal issues faced by his son, Hunter. Discussions with Trump over potential economic impacts and efforts to preserve international alliances remained a significant part of his presidential swan song. (With inputs from agencies.)SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) has announced its launch of the 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to identify and support the next groundbreaking battery technologies. Innovators from universities and research institutions worldwide are encouraged to submit proposals until January 31, 2025 , at https://bridge.lgensol.com/ . Since its inaugural competition in 2017, BIC has been LG Energy Solution's flagship research contest. This year's edition has been revamped to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry. Selected researchers will receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually. Additional funding may be granted to projects making significant achievements through extended contracts. Unlike previous iterations of the competition, 'BIC 2025' allows participants to submit proposals on specific topics pre-announced by LG Energy Solution. "By presenting specific research optics, we aim to go beyond merely supporting academia and maximize the mutual benefits between the industry and academia," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. To facilitate active collaboration, LG Energy Solution has introduced the ' BRIDGE ' system, a platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. The system facilitates seamless collaborations with features that help teams working on joint research projects track their objectives and deliverables. LG Energy Solution has unveiled the preselected 18 research topics for collaborative projects on the ' BRIDGE ' platform, such Battery Safety diagnosis algorithm technology and New materials for LFP Batteries topic. At the same time, the contest retains its traditional format to ensure participants are free to propose completely original research ideas. All research proposals must be submitted through the ' BRIDGE ' system. To protect the original ideas of every participant, LG Energy Solution has split the application process into two stages: initial proposals that provide concise information, followed by detailed proposals from a shortlist of candidates. This change aims to safeguard the ideas of researchers not selected for funding. "The BIC platform serves as a bridge of wisdom between members of academia and industry, driving technological innovation for the all-important battery sector," said Je-Young Kim , CTO of LG Energy Solution. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide differentiated value to our customers by strengthening our technology leadership." As of today, LG Energy Solution has supported 26 battery research projects through the 'BIC' initiative, with some evolving into large-scale projects that have received additional funding and resources. Thanks to the success of this competition, the company continues to establish partnerships with world-leading universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to preparing the battery field for the future. About LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 58,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia , includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-energy-solution-hosts-battery-innovation-contest-bic-2025-to-foster-breakthrough-battery-technologies-302339134.html SOURCE LG Energy Solution

DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don't buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren't fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.

Two analysts say former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who is currently president of the NCAA, might try to make a political comeback, WCVB-TV reported. Speaking with WCVB-TV’s “On The Record” for an upcoming Sunday episode, Democratic analyst Mary Anne Marsh said it looks like he’s going to make a return to politics in the Bay State. “Baker is in Massachusetts all the time, endorsing candidates, doing the Boston Pops, all of it,” Marsh said. “He certainly looks like someone who’s running.” Republican analyst Robert Gray concurred, adding that Baker would have a chance at winning a Senate seat, specifically Sen. Ed Markey’s. Markey told “On the Record” in October that he plans to run again for a third term in 2026. “Baker would have a chance to win,” Gray told the news station. “I mean, he’s the exception. He’s run twice for governor and won successfully. He can raise the money and Ed Markey has a lot of problems.” Both analysts say Baker has a better chance of winning against Markey than Republican John Deaton had against Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Nov. 5 election. Were he to run, Gray told WCVB-TV that although voters from blue Massachusetts might not want another Republican in the Senate while President-elect Trump is in office, “Charlie Baker has been very anti-Trump. So maybe they’ll look the other way.” The 68-year-old served as Massachusetts governor from 2015 to 2023 and chose not to run again. Democrat Maura Healey succeeded him after winning the 2022 election. More political news