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The plot thickens. A good movie this will all make, but we'll never learn the truth. “an anti-virus expert has come forward to say that sophisticated malware that he had attributed to a state, either Iran, China or Russia, now he believes is from the CIA because the type of attack system it uses corresponds directly to a description we published of that attack system.” “And it’s rare enough that it seems unlikely that it would be independently discovered, unless of course China has already gotten hold of these parts of the CIA arsenal and that China is using them to pretend to be the CIA.”

GM Finally Leaves Europe Behind Bloomberg / March 10, 2017 It’s the end of an era. Here’s what it means. After almost nine decades in Europe, the Detroit giant is selling its European unit, Opel, to France’s PSA Group, the maker of Peugeot and Citroën. The deal creates the region’s No. 2 seller of cars (behind Volkswagen AG) and effectively revives an alliance the companies abandoned in 2013. Fuzzy Math The sticker price is $2.3 billion, for which PSA gets Opel, Vauxhall Motors, and (together with BNP Paribas bank) GM’s European finance business. GM, in turn, will give PSA $3.2 billion upfront for current worker pensions and spend $400 million annually for the next 15 years to cover payments to Opel retirees. Barclays Bank Plc figures the bottom line is that GM is paying Peugeot $600 million to take Opel off its hands. The New Company Together, PSA and Opel have 16 percent of the European market, which will help them spread development costs across a larger number of vehicles. The Background Opel has lost almost $20 billion since 1999, and the future looks tough given its focus on low-margin cars and its facilities in high-cost countries such as Germany, Britain, and Spain. Worse, European automakers have the production capacity to manufacture far more vehicles than are sold annually in the region, which keeps a lid on prices. The Politics The deal will have to be approved by unions, especially in France and Germany, where workers are guaranteed a say in major decisions. And the French government will be a key shareholder, because it took a stake in PSA following a rescue in 2014. End of an Era GM in 2013 pulled Chevrolet out of Europe, so the sale largely brings to a close an adventure it began in 1929 with the purchase of Opel—at the time Germany’s biggest automaker. .

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CIA 'mission' on cars shows concern about next-generation vehicles Reuters / March 9, 2017 WikiLeaks documents showing the Central Intelligence Agency considered a "mission" against connected car technology underscores auto industry concern that the science behind the next generation of vehicles could be turned against them. Cyber security is considered key to the rollout of tomorrow's self-driving and today's connected cars, which resemble computers on wheels with a host of communications routes that hackers could target. If consumers are to trust smart vehicles, they must deem them safe from attack. Security experts cite the terrifying hypothetical example of a remote attack on a fully autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or brakes, in which the passenger would have no recourse to regain manual control of the car. "You have a lot of car companies trying to design cars to be better suited to automation, which means they're more attractive to hackers," said auto consultant Roger Lanctot of Strategy Analytics. A major strategy for automakers is to reduce the number of communications gateways to crucial systems and to require services offered by third parties to go through a single secure path. WikiLeaks documents show the CIA citing "vehicle systems" and a car operating system from QNX, owned by Blackberry Ltd , as "potential mission areas" for the CIA's "Embedded Devices Branch" to consider. The QNX operating system, which is used by most global automakers, provides a "a comprehensive, multi-level, policy-driven security model ... to mitigate attacks," the company said in a statement to Reuters. But given the collection of software, hardware and network components that make up a connected car, "security is only as strong as its weakest link," it said. While the CIA's interest in cars brought widespread attention, the industry has already received wakeup calls about cars' potential to be hacked. Researchers in 2015 used a wireless connection to turn off a Jeep Cherokee's engine, prompting a recall of 1.4 million vehicles by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In September last year, Chinese cyber security researchers hacked a Tesla Inc. Model S sedan, remotely tapping the brakes and popping the trunk. The electric carmaker subsequently patched the bugs using an over-the-air fix. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on its cyber security protocol. The hacking of the Jeep and the Tesla "brought it home to the industry that even if its improbable it's technically possible," said Mark Wakefield, global co-head of the automotive practice at AlixPartners. If a car was seen as vulnerable, it "could be a big brand problem," Wakefield said. Hacks could also expose private information shared between car and third parties - credit card numbers, account numbers or passwords - to theft. A January survey by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that 33 percent of respondents said they were "extremely concerned" over hacking of full self-driving cars to cause crashes. Closing down the ways in The number of ways into cars has proliferated, from cell phone signals to dongles. One such gateway is the standard OBD-II port found under the steering wheel historically used for onboard diagnostics. Today, hundreds of after-market devices use the port, whether to monitor driving for insurance needs or provide conveniences like safety alerts. "The security of these devices is important, as it can provide an attacker with a means of accessing vehicle systems and driver data remotely," warned the FBI in a March 2016 bulletin on cyber security risks to motor vehicles. Carmakers are also building walls between non-crucial infotainment systems and driving controls so that any breach is blocked before it could compromise key functions like brakes. The first step the industry is tackling is intrusion detection, said Lanctot. But what to do when a breach is detected is complicated, because shutting off parts of a car could be unsafe, he said. Tesla was first to champion "over-the-air" technology in which wireless software updates are sent remotely to cars. Although some have argued such updates are a way in for hackers, Tesla and others see them a key protection to upgrade security and repair vulnerabilities quickly. In January, U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill calling for cyber security standards for new cars but so far U.S. regulators have issued recommendations, not rules, on how carmakers should shield their computer systems from hackers. The industry is "years away" from solving the cyber security problem, Lanctot said, noting that the first generation of cars built after the Jeep hack that include some kind of detection capabilities will not be seen until early in 2018.

Owner/Driver / March 6, 2017 The Perth Truck and Trailer Show has been put on ice for 2017, with organisers looking at possible dates in 2018. The Perth Truck and Trailer Show will not go ahead in 2017, with regular promoters Premiere Events stating that the show is "taking a break" this year. The event and marketing company says it is waiting on possible 2018 dates from the Motor Trade Association of WA (MTA WA). The Perth Truck and Trailer Show, usually held around the last weekend in July every two years at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, has been recognised as Western Australia’s largest transport event since the show was first run in 2007. However, despite this year’s cancellation, the event will return in 2018, according to MTA WA CEO Stephen Moir. "The WA economy has suffered a major setback and is now effectively in recession," Moir tells Owner//Driver. "The transport sector has been particularly impacted by the downturn. "The Perth Truck and Trailer Show will be back in 2018 in a new format that promises more content and variety for the industry that will ensure that it maintains its position as one of the best industry events in Australia." Previously, the Perth Truck and Trailer Show has been held a few months after the biennial Brisbane Truck Show, with many major truck manufacturers relocating their displays across the Nullarbor. The show has also proved an opportunity for Western Australian trailer manufacturers to showcase their unique wares, especially those aimed at the mining and farming sectors.

Land Line (OOIDA) / March 8, 2017 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling approximately 450 Western Star 4900 trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Issues with service air brakes prompted the recall. Western Star 4900 trucks with model years 2015-2018 are affected by the recall. The aluminum air tanks on these vehicles may have improper welds possibly resulting in a rapid loss of air pressure. As a result, parking brakes can suddenly apply with no warning as a result of a loss of air pressure. Owners will be notified by DTNA and aluminum air tanks with steel, triple compartment and air tanks will be replaced for free. The recall is expected to begin April 27, 2017. For questions, call 800-547-0712 with DTNA recall number FL-732.

Teesside-based Waters Waste Services has taken delivery of the first of two Volvo FMX 8x2 rear-steer tag-axle waste tankers – specified to handle the challenging terrain on construction sites. “Our work means we often need to access building sites and places with tight access, so we needed robust trucks that offered good ground clearance without compromising manoeuvrability,” explains managing director Neal Waters. “Frankly, the Volvo FMX with steering tag-axle stood out – and now we have the first one on the road I would say it does indeed give us the best of all worlds,” he adds. Waters went for the 13-litre 420bhp engine driving through Volvo’s I-Shift AMT (automated manual transmission). “The driver is really impressed with the overall layout, loves the smoothness of the I-Shift and says the engine provides all the power he could wish for, even when fully laden,” says Waters. “Furthermore, the all-round visibility is excellent and we really like the way the rear facing camera folds away, so it’s clean when needed – a master stroke from Volvo.” Unusually, this first FMX has been mounted with a Sayers Road Tankers waste vacuum tank, constructed from stainless steel and equipped with a Gardner Denver pump driven via the truck’s PTO. “Sayers is generally associated with food grade tankers and semi-trailer vacuum tankers,” agrees Waters. “We approached them just over a year ago to construct a waste tanker for one of our other trucks, and we were so pleased with the quality and lead time that we opted to use them for the bodywork on both new Volvo FMXs.” The tanks can carry up to 4,000 gallons (18,184 litres) of waste water as well as 400 gallons (1,818 litres) of fresh water. “The pump is remote-controlled from the rear of the tanker, so it is safe and easy for the truck to be single-manned,” comments Waters. “These two trucks are the first we’ve bought since moving our HQ [to Teesside] just before Christmas, so they are a bit special for us. They are also our first-ever Volvo trucks and I must say the support we’ve had from the Stockton-on-Tees depot of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, has been extremely helpful,” he continues. “We were very specific with our requirements, but the dealer liaised closely with Sayers and we’re delighted with the result. We also have a five-year Gold R&M contract with the dealership.” .

Land Line (OOIDA) / March 8, 2017 Multiple bills approved by the Virginia General Assembly cover truck size and weight rules, and commercial driver’s licensing. House lawmakers voted unanimously to advance a bill to change certain truck rules to get in compliance with federal law. Passage clears the way for the bill to advance to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s desk. Senate lawmakers already approved SB1384 by unanimous consent. Specifically, the bill would bring the state in line with federal rules on size and weights. Among the provisions in the bill is permission for vehicle and watercraft carriers to backhaul general cargo. A separate provision would increase the weight at which a vehicle must be inspected at a permanent weigh station to at least 10,000 pounds. Another provision would make overweight permits available for tank vehicles hauling milk. The changes would bring the state into line with the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015. Noncompliance would result in the state losing out on 7 percent of federal-aid highway funds each federal fiscal year. If the bill is not approved, the Virginia Department of Transportation estimates the state could lose $72.9 million of federal-aid highway funds in the next year. Another bill that made its way through the statehouse with unanimous support covers overweight permits for trucks hauling asphalt. Specifically, SB1316 would add asphalt haulers to the list of vehicles whose owner or operator may obtain an overweight permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles to operate in certain counties. Exceptions are already available for haulers of gravel, sand, or crushed stone. The bill also specifies that vehicles with six axles must have no less than 40 feet between extreme axles to exceed gross weight limitations. VDOT says the bill would likely result in slightly slowing the rate of deterioration on pavement and bridges in the affected counties because it would require minimum axle spacing for vehicles with a gross weight up to 110,000 pounds. The agency reports the change would allow for better weight distribution for such vehicles. The bill is on the governor’s desk. One bill signed into law covers commercial driver’s licensing via community colleges. Previously HB2075, the new law permits “comprehensive” community colleges in the state system to administer the skills test to students enrolled in a commercial driver training course who have failed the CDL skills or written exams three times. After the additional training, the DMV will be solely responsible for administering the applicable exam. To view other legislative activities of interest for Virginia, click here.

Kenworth Truck Company Press Release / March 8, 2017 Kenworth announces the Kenworth T880 Construction and Chrome program for special savings on qualifying purchases of new Kenworth T880 chassis during March 2017. The announcement was made today in conjunction with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In time for the upcoming construction season, the Kenworth T880 Construction and Chrome program features $1,000 savings direct to the customer per new T880 purchase, plus up to $2,000 in additional value with no-cost chrome or polished options. Featured chrome or polished components include chrome mirror shells, polished stainless steel sunvisor, tapered chrome or polished aluminum bumper, polished right-hand under-cab DPF/SCR cover, and single or dual lower chrome exhaust elbow depending on configuration. The program is for T880 Day Cab, full-truck (non-fifth wheel) configurations only, applicable to the construction industry for dump, ready-mix, crane, and flatbed applications. Chassis must be ordered from your Kenworth dealer in March. "We appreciate the support for the Kenworth T880 from construction truck operators. The T880 Construction and Chrome program provides a $1,000 cost-savings opportunity to purchase a premium Kenworth T880 – designed to maximize uptime, productivity and driver comfort – and also add some nice chrome and polished features at no cost," said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.

Alkane Explores Partnership with Cummins Heavy Duty Trucking / March 8, 2017 Alkane Truck Company, a South Carolina-based assembler of alternative-fuel vehicles, is exploring a supply agreement with diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Inc., to offer clean diesel engine options for Alkane’s line of heavy-duty trucks and off-road vehicles. Pending successful engineering tests and modifications, Alkane has identified three Cummins engines to offer its customers the V5.0 engine for the Alkane Dominator [rebadged Agrale "Marrua"], the B6.7 diesel engine for the Class 7, and, once it becomes available in 2018, the X12 engine for the Alkane Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. This supply agreement would accelerate the company's operations and vision of introducing clean diesel engines to join the broad range of alternative fuel vehicles for the trucking and off-road vehicle industries in America. This supply agreement would accelerate the company's operations and vision of introducing clean diesel engines to join the broad range of alternative fuel vehicles for the trucking and off-road vehicle industries in America. “Because of the overwhelming interest of so many of our 103 dealership locations across North America, we’ve decided to include the option of a clean diesel fuel engine in our Dominator, our Class 7 and our Class 8 series trucks,” says Robert Smith, CEO of Alkane Truck Company. "Alkane and Cummins engineering teams have met in the last several weeks to develop production plans for the addition of the clean diesel fuel engines to the Alkane line of vehicles. We’re thrilled that we may be able to offer these engines to our Alkane customers in the near future.” The first of the three Cummins engine options Alkane hopes to offer customers is the V5.0, which has been engineered to combine advanced materials, the latest High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel system, Cummins VGT Turbocharger and Cummins emission control technology to produce an extraordinarily clean, quiet, and fuel efficient V-8 diesel engine. With fuel economy as a primary concern, switching from a gasoline V-8 to the Cummins V5.0 V-8 diesel reduces the cost of operation significantly; diesel fuel economy is typically better than a V-8 gasoline engine of comparable performance. Ideally suited for pickup and delivery vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks, the V5.0 is also perfect for Alkane’s Dominator--the alternative-fuel off-road answer to the Hummer and new Land Rover Defender. Alkane is equally excited at the possibility of offering the B6.7 for its Class 7 trucks and the X12 for its Class 8 trucks. This new, more efficient 6.7L engine demonstrates up to 7% better fuel economy over the EPA 2013 B6.7 and the highest gains in key duty cycles running at lower speeds; in inner-city operations, the B6.7 had accumulated over 1.5 million test miles in multiple real-world applications prior to its 2017 launch. According to Cummins, the 2017 B6.7 will be fully capable for the introduction of stop-start technology that will yield further improvements in fuel economy in stop-and-go duty cycles. The Cummins X12, meanwhile, aims to redefine the medium-bore engine category (10L-13L) by setting a new standard for productivity in regional-haul, vocational, and intermodal truck applications. At least 150 pounds lighter than the next closest competitive engine and up to 600-pounds lighter than other medium-bore engines, the 12-liter will still deliver Alkane trucks a powerful performance from 350 hp to 475 hp and 1250 to 1700 lb.-ft. of peak torque. At just 2,050 pounds, it has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any heavy-duty engine from 10 liters to 16 liters in size, a combination of power and efficiency Alkane Truck Company hopes to be able to offer its customers in 2018 and beyond.All Content

Trump plan for private highway funding limited in its ability to fix U.S.’ ailing infrastructure James Jaillet, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / March 8, 2017 President Trump’s broad-level plan for bolstering U.S. infrastructure funding with investments from the private sector could buoy the country’s ability to repair overly worn highways and help stabilize the Highway Trust Fund. It also likely means more tolls for carriers, especially near urban areas, as companies seek a return on their investment. Trump’s most recent call for ramping up infrastructure funding came last week, in his first address to Congress. He reaffirmed his campaign pledge for a $1 trillion infrastructure act, saying last week it should be funded by “both public and private capital.” There’s been no shortage of talk in Washington — and nationwide — in recent years about the need to revive the country’s exhausted Highway Trust Fund. The U.S. spends about $15 billion more from the HTF than it takes in each year, says Joung Lee, policy director for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). “We’re going to need an additional $110 billion in the next 10-year window just to stand still,” Lee says. “But obviously our infrastructure needs are such that current funding levels are nowhere near enough.” The Highway Trust Fund has used gas and diesel taxes to fund U.S. road projects since the 1950s. However, Congress hasn’t raised the gas tax since 1993, and inflation has caused current fuel tax rates to lag far behind the country’s spending needs. Greater fuel efficiency of modern vehicles also contributed to the HTF’s waning revenue stream. Some groups, like the American Trucking Associations, contend simply raising per-gallon tax rates on diesel and gasoline would help solve the problem, but lawmakers in Washington have been reluctant to take what they believe would be an unpopular step. How much can private money fill the highway funding void? Not as much as Trump and other advocates for privatization might hope. “I don’t have a percentage, but I would say just as an estimate it would be much less than 10 percent,” says Greg Cohen, head of the Highway Users Alliance. “Private investment can handle some big new projects, but much more of course needs to be done to get the current system up to a state of good repair and to protect our commerce corridors across the country.” Cohen says Congress might use likely looming bills on tax reform to direct more public money to highways. “Advocates for that should not give up and assume it’s all tolls and public-private partnerships,” he says. Trump pledged during his 2016 campaign to take the approach he asked Congress for last week: Incentivizing private companies to invest in U.S. infrastructure with cheap financing and tax breaks. Private financiers would also be incentivized by the opportunity to turn a profit off their investment, particularly on high-traffic roadways heading in and out of cities. “Tolls are the only way to provide the revenue stream to interest the private sector in the way President Trump has broadly laid out,” says Stephanie Kane, spokesperson for the Alliance for Toll Free Interstates. “The good thing about using private sector funding is that they take on the risks. But if the money is not coming from the government, it’s going to need to come from somewhere,” she said. ATFI will push for funding alternatives that won’t prompt an uptick in tolled roads, Kane says. The group is adamant about retaining the federal ban on tolling existing Interstate lanes. “There’s no one silver bullet option for transportation funding, but tolls are the worst of those options,” Kane says. A “blend of funding” mechanisms is needed to solve the country’s infrastructure problem, she adds. Other groups see private investments in U.S. highways as a means of shoring up the country’s dire need for action on the issue, even if it means more tolls. AASHTO’s Lee, for instance, says options for private funding should be part of the discussion, even if they’re limited in their ability to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund. Public-private partnerships “are certainly an option and we certainly don’t want to preclude them as a tool for funding and financing approaches,” he says. “But P3s can only address a small spectrum. They would not be applicable beyond certain projects.” Such projects, Lee says, include “signature projects” — those that are large, expensive and risky endeavors, and mostly in and around metro areas. “We still need a robust public funding backstop, whether at the federal level or the state level,” Lee says. Though the U.S. has traditionally leaned on public dollars for its highway system, that’s not the case in other countries, including European countries with robust highways and trucking industries. These systems could provide a case study for how the U.S. handles greater privatization of its infrastructure, says Pat Jones, director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association. “Our desire to spend on infrastructure far exceeds the available money,” Jones says. “I think the Trump team is wise to put all options on the table, including private investment.” Countries like France, Italy and Spain, among other European nations, have relied heavily on tolls to support highways, Jones says. “Operating and maintaining top-level super highways in those countries is as commonplace to them as having a tax-supported interstate system is to us,” he says. Still, private investment alone isn’t enough in the U.S., Jones says. “We’re going to need significant federal investment that would come from taxes or borrowing or some other form.” Jones also says toll-supported projects fit where traffic volume is significant and can generate enough revenue to repay investors. Rural stretches of highways, which constitute most of the country’s roads, aren’t.

Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / March 8, 2017 Barely more than six months after its initial launch, the impact of International’s LT Series long-haul tractor is already being felt. Navistar Chairman President and CEO Troy Clarke says more than 5,000 orders have been placed for the truck that will phase out the company’s ProStar this year, adding that about 2,500 of them were delivered in the last three months. Clarke says the LT Series has also helped unlock the doors of several large private carriers, and quoting activity is on the rise. “We’ve got customers talking to us who haven’t talked to us for the better part of this decade, and they are interested in not just our story, but they are interested in what our products can do for their business,” he says. “For instance in 2016, we quoted 20 of the Top 50 customers in the market. With the largest customers, we quoted 20 percent more of them than we did the previous year. We got awarded 50 percent more than we did the previous year.” Clarke says he expects order intake for LT trucks equipped with the Cummins X15 engine to continue to exceed comparable ProStar figures for prior years, and is hopeful the launch of the company’s new 12.4 liter engine will be timed with a mid-year recovery in truck demand. “We’ve really been kind of non-existent in that 13-liter segment and it has remained 50 percent – and growing – of the on highway market,” he says. “Interest in our new LT product is up. I was at TMC last week and definitely there were people in and out of the truck all the time with very favorable comments. And these are the people who really make buying decisions and maintenance decisions. So we are very excited about that.” .

The "original", the Australian market Titan, looks so much better, without for example the tacky US market gray plastic fender extensions, chrome grille and headlamp trim, and front bumper. Volvo visibly decontented this truck for the US market. Ref. https://www.macktrucks.com.au/trucks/titan/ .

Volkswagen rejects FCA’s merger overture Reuters / March 8, 2017 Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne on Tuesday said that European market leader VW would be hardest hit by PSA Group's purchase of Opel, which will create a stronger European No. 2, and the pressure could prompt VW to sit down with FCA. But VW chief Matthias Mueller was quick to rebuff the overtures, saying his company had enough on its plate already as it battles to recover from a diesel emissions scandal. "We are not ready for talks about anything ... we have other problems," he said at the Geneva auto show on Wednesday. Mueller's rejection follows a similar snub from GM, after Marchionne said the U.S. company remained his favorite merger candidate despite its decision to exit Europe by selling Opel and having rebuffed FCA's approaches several times already. "We weren't interested before and we're even less interested now," GM President Dan Ammann said in Geneva. A combination of VW and FCA could in theory create a European market leader with a share of around 30 percent, give VW a strong foothold in North America through FCA's Chrysler operations and fix FCA's lack of scale in Asia. But the combination could also mean thousands of job losses that unions and politicians from Italy to Germany would strongly oppose. Mueller also stressed scale was not a priority for VW. "In my opinion, size does not matter," he said. "I have always said volume is not our sole goal. We want to be a successful manufacturer in every way."

FBI's James Comey: 'There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America' The Guardian / March 8, 2017 FBI director’s assessment deepens privacy concerns raised by the details of CIA tools to hack consumer electronics for espionage, published by WikiLeaks “There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America,” the FBI director, James Comey, has declared after the disclosure of a range of hacking tools used by the CIA. Comey was delivering prepared remarks at a cybersecurity conference in Boston, but his assessment has deepened privacy concerns already raised by the details of CIA tools to hack consumer electronics for espionage published by WikiLeaks on Tuesday. “All of us have a reasonable expectation of privacy in our homes, in our cars, and in our devices. But it also means with good reason, in court, government, through law enforcement, can invade our private spaces,” Comey said at the conference on Wednesday. “Even our memories aren’t private. Any of us can be compelled to say what we saw … In appropriate circumstances, a judge can compel any of us to testify in court on those private communications.” .

Perhaps we have a misunderstanding again. I wrote that their national health care worked great. I didn't comment on whether the countries were "great". Sweden has national health care and it works great. I appreciate and respect your thoughts, but once more respectfully, I think you're out of line to tell me where I should go live. Good day sir.

Daily Mail / March 8, 2017 CIA hackers have learned how to adopt the 'fingerprints' of other intelligence services allowing them to carry out 'false flag' attacks. WikiLeaks, which yesterday released thousands of documents revealing how intelligence services could break into phones, computers and TVs, said the CIA was able to frame foreign spies and hackers for its own operations. The false flag allegation could be seized upon by Russia's government, which has denied reports by the FBI and CIA that it interfered with last year's presidential election to get Donald Trump elected. WikiLeaks says UMBRAGE, a sub-group of the CIA's Remote Development Branch, has collected in-depth data on hacking techniques used by other powers, which could include Russia and China. These techniques can be used to give the impression other parties are guilty of carrying out hacks which are in fact the work of the CIA. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has previously said he is '1,000 per cent' certain that Russia did not carry out hacking operations during the elections. A statement from WikiLeaks likened finding hacking culprits to catching a murderer, and said 'fingerprinting' could lead investigators in the wrong direction. It said: 'The CIA's hand crafted hacking techniques pose a problem for the agency. Each technique it has created forms a "fingerprint" that can be used by forensic investigators to attribute multiple different attacks to the same entity. 'This is analogous to finding the same distinctive knife wound on multiple separate murder victims. The unique wounding style creates suspicion that a single murderer is responsible. 'As soon one murder in the set is solved then the other murders also find likely attribution.' The statement continued to state that the CIA has collected information on techniques used by other nations, including Russia. It said: 'The CIA's Remote Devices Branch's UMBRAGE group collects and maintains a substantial library of attack techniques "stolen" from malware produced in other states including the Russian Federation. 'With UMBRAGE and related projects the CIA cannot only increase its total number of attack types but also misdirect attribution by leaving behind the "fingerprints" of the groups that the attack techniques were stolen from. 'UMBRAGE components cover keyloggers, password collection, webcam capture, data destruction, persistence, privilege escalation, stealth, anti-virus (PSP) avoidance and survey techniques.'

Like the mattress industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals has for decades in the US been a scam. The margins earned can be fairly called criminal. As far as Head Start*, I know nothing about its success/history. But I would say, it's generally better to solve the cause of a problem than to spend money supporting the problem. * Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.

Trade Trucks AU / March 8, 2017 Penske Commercial Vehicles (PCV) celebrates MAN’s return to number one in the New Zealand 10,000kg plus bus and coach market segment with a 25% share of 2016 sales. A return to number one in the bus and coach market capped off an exceptional year for MAN, selling 115 total chassis. PCV also sold 137 MAN trucks in the 10,000kg plus truck market, which, when combined with buses resulted in a total of 252 chassis sold for the year. This combined total placed MAN in first place in the premium market, and in third place in the total market for the combined truck and bus segments (10,000 kg plus). The year culminated with the receipt of multiple MAN Truck & Bus awards where PCV New Zealand scooped almost half the accolades for the Asia Pacific region receiving the ‘Best Improvement’, ‘Best Bus Performance’ and the overall ‘Best Importer’ awards. Penske Commercial Vehicles New Zealand General Manager, John Keenan, was delighted with the year noting that the awards reflected the increasing presence of the MAN brand in New Zealand. "We have seen significant growth in MAN products in recent years," said Mr Keenan. "Underlying that growth is a premium quality, German-engineered product that is performing very well in many applications around New Zealand. "We have now set our sights firmly on being the number one premium brand in New Zealand for trucks to match our achievement in the buses. "It’s great to have both our recent accomplishments, and the significant investment Penske has made in New Zealand, recognised by MAN in Germany. "MAN has been represented in New Zealand since 1968 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. Our focus is to keep MAN in a leading position and translate this long market history into tangible benefits for our customers." .

I'm sorry. You misunderstood me. I wrote: It's embarrassing that in the year 2017, the greatest country on earth does not provide national health care. Instead, we enjoy the highest prices for health care in the world. Sweden has national health care and it works great. Even China has national health care. In other countries, the cost of an MRI is just a fraction of that in the US, with the latest equipment. Rather than paying US$3500, you pay $120. The entire U.S. health and pharmaceutical industries is a government-supported scam. Most who has spent time overseas know what I am speaking of. Which is to say, the U.S. does not offer national health care, and I was speaking of other countries that do.

Commercial Motor / March 7, 2017 Dumbarton-based Galt Transport has boosted its loading and delivery services with the addition of four Scania R-series trucks, two of which feature the firm’s longest reaching truck-mounted cranes. The four trucks were supplied by Scania Truck and Bus Renfrew. There are two artic Scania R490 and two rigid R450 units, all equipped with Palfinger cranes. The two 8x2 rigid vehicles with PK65002-E cranes feature a hoist attachment that can lift 3.2 tonnes to a distance of 16.6m. The addition of a fly jib means loads of up to 0.8 tonnes can be lifted to a distance of 28m. This weight and distance can also be achieved at a distance of 12m from crane centre with the ability to lower the load straight down to ground level with the hoist. The units also have a stabiliser installed at the front of the vehicle to give greater support to the crane when operating over the front of the cab, when the fly jib is in operation. Operations director Andrew Galt said: “These new eight wheelers combine durability with payload capacity. "The fly jib not only gives the vehicle a greater working radius but also gives the crane further articulation allowing items to be lifted on to roofs more easily. "The hoist will allow items to be lowered straight down, which is another advantage of this crane specification.” The new additions bring the total number of vehicle-mounted cranes in Galt’s fleet to 28 in an overall fleet of 60 trucks and more than 100 trailers. The family firm, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, specialises in truck-mounted crane hire, abnormal loads, container handling, dangerous loads and driver training. .

IRU News / March 7, 2017 India’s Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the country’s accession to the UN TIR Convention, the global standard for international freight customs transit. This milestone decision will facilitate goods transport and transit, putting India and her neighbours at the centre of efforts to boost overland trade and regional integration across South Asia and beyond. In the light of the recent Motor Vehicles Agreement to improve cross-border transport between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, the government’s decision on TIR will fast-track the region’s potential to become a productive trade hub. TIR will also be critical in helping India implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which entered into force last month. IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, commented, “This landmark decision puts India firmly on the road to adopting harmonised global transport standards. India will soon reap the benefits of more efficient and faster freight transit, boosting trade and helping businesses across the country prosper.” The streamlined international system for the movement of goods by road and other modes will, in particular, enhance India’s International "North-South" Transport Corridor, a key trade route between Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States in the north, and southern ports in India and beyond, such as Chabahar in Iran. Accession to TIR will secure customs duties and taxes and provide a robust guarantee mechanism, reducing trade transaction costs, facilitating higher growth of intra-regional and inter-regional trade. The TIR system requires minimal manpower and facilities – other than that for checks on seals and the inspection of load compartments or containers, reducing transit delays and congestion at border crossings. This saves significantly on transport costs, leading to increased competitiveness and growth. TIR’s “single transit document” also significantly reduces the risk of presenting inaccurate information and only approved transporters and vehicles are allowed to operate.

Scania Group Press Release / March 7, 2017 As part of the complete bus renewal program for the Spanish capital Madrid, Scania will deliver 160 natural gas city buses. The municipal transport company, EMT Madrid, will take delivery of 80 new buses this year with another 80 buses added to the fleet in 2018. This order is in addition to the 46 Scania gas buses ordered last year. The City of Madrid has initiated an ambitious program to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions with the stated goal to ban diesel by 2025. Half the EMT fleet of more than 1,500 buses is already natural gas powered and with the scheduled deliveries that share will be even higher. “Thanks to lower carbon emissions and noise reduction, interest in gas-fuelled operations has surged worldwide,” says Anna Carmo e Silva, Head of Buses and Coaches at Scania. “The Scania buses with the acclaimed Euro 6 gas engine is comparable in performance to a diesel engine. It is therefore an increasingly popular option, especially among European operators.” The 12-metre low floor buses will be bodybuilt by Castrosua. .