As a new year approaches, automotive data experts at HPI recommend that drivers make a set of resolutions that will keep them safe on the road throughout 2025 and beyond. HPI is urging motorists to double-check that they are not putting themselves, passengers or other road users at risk by driving a vehicle which has a hidden history. Over 250 cars are flagged daily for security concerns, and 1 in every 28 cars on HPI’s register has been written off. Furthermore, over 50,000 vehicles were flagged as stolen in 2024 and over 662,297 cars have already been caught this year with altered…

Isuzu UK is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Paramount Pictures UK for the much-anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, now in cinemas from 21st December 2024. This electrifying collaboration is the perfect pairing, as Sonic’s unmatched speed and agility mirror the unrivalled performance and off-road capabilities of The New Isuzu D-Max, set to launch in early 2025. Under the partnership’s tagline, “Ready to Level Up,” both the film and The New Isuzu D-Max highlight the power of pushing boundaries. With its tough, reliable, and versatile design, the D-Max is built to tackle the toughest terrains with ease – just like Sonic when he’s…

In a unique charity event for the Millimetres 2 Mountains (M2M) Foundation, Ed Jackson and Ross Stirling have undertaken the epic challenge of pulling a brand new Kia Picanto ‘GT-Line’ as far as possible, on foot, within 24 hours – ultimately finishing the pull having dragged the car more than 30 miles. Fortunately for Ed and Ross, the car in question was Kia’s new Picanto; the smallest and lightest in the brand’s comprehensive UK model line-up, with a kerb weight of just under a tonne (985kg), pulling it for more than 30 miles over 24 gruelling hours is no small achievement,…

Computer generated image of what the new homes on the Lincoln Green Estate could look like Plans have been approved for the construction of 99 new energy-efficient council bungalows to replace 93 post-war prefabs on the Lincoln Green Estate in Bushbury. It is part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s citywide strategy to identify solutions for 4,100 out-dated homes built by old, non-traditional construction methods. Keon Homes has, through the council’s housing framework, been appointed as the construction partner for the new homes on the Lincoln Green Estate and are expected to start on site in late spring. …

BYD, the World’s global leader in new energy vehicles, announces UK pricing for the SEALION 7 starting from just £44,990 on-the-road. This sporty, stylish SUV offers advanced EV technology, a spacious and refined interior, an intelligent in-car interface, and rapid charging up to 230 kW—strengthening BYD’s presence in Europe’s car market. As the seventh pure-electric BYD model in Europe and the fourth in the Ocean Series (following the DOLPHIN, SEAL, and SEAL U), the SEALION 7 is crafted for tech-savvy families. It features an overall length of 4,830 mm, a 2,930 mm wheelbase, a WLTP range of up to 312…

An award winning Wolverhampton social enterprise has welcomed support from the city council in the form of a new long term lease agreement on its headquarters. Aspiring Futures provides education, training and support to women and girls across a range of ethnic groups within the community from The Saplings in Parkfield Road. Following approval by the council’s Cabinet, a 25 year lease on the council owned facility – adjacent to Windsor Nursery School – will be put in place. The modern single storey building was previously part of the nursery school but was vacated in 2018 due to funding. The…

Sandwell Council also provides support to access safe accommodation for victims and their children who may find themselves at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse. Visit our Homeless or at risk of losing your home webpage for further information. Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse can also get help at their GP practice, where there are dedicated advocates whose role is to provide information, advice and support, and empower victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse advocates will be available throughout the Christmas and New Year period to support any male or female victims of domestic abuse. Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Council Leader…

Sandwell Council has awarded Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust the Freedom of the Borough. The award was made during an event on Wednesday 11 December as part of Sandwell’s 50th anniversary celebrations. This prestigious honour is a recognition of the extraordinary commitment, dedication and resilience shown by all those who work within the NHS, from doctors and nurses to support staff, paramedics and volunteers. Over the years, the NHS has not only been the backbone of our healthcare system but also a beacon of compassion, selflessness and unwavering service to the people of this country. The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor…

The council has sold two plots of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme to Legal & General Affordable Homes, bringing forward 487 homes as affordable housing, offering a mix of rent and Shared Ownership. Another developed plot is being retained by Birmingham City Council for council housing, further elevating the total number of affordable homes delivered in phase one of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme to 700. The sale ensures that 100% of the homes on the three plots are affordable homes, which more than doubles the affordable housing target of 312 set out in the planning application for the entire…

The weakness occurs because of ‘BadRAM’ – rogue memory modules that deliberately provide false information to the computer’s processor during startup. Processors are present in every computer and are necessary to perform every calculation. The computer’s memory (DRAM) is essential for storing code and data. When a computer boots up, the processor will communicate with DRAM modules to learn size, speed and configuration. This information is stored on the so-called SPD chip. But by tampering with this chip, the researchers found that attackers were able to bypass the AMD’s security mechanisms put in place to protect sensitive data – particularly…