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To The Contrary
Trends
- 1Plug-In Cars Made Up 25% Of Global Car Sales Last Year▼What EV Slowdown? Plug-In Cars Made Up 25% Of Car Sales Last Year
Contrary to talk of an electric vehicle slowdown, plug-in cars accounted for roughly a quarter of new car sales worldwide last year. The figure suggests EV adoption continues to grow strongly despite headlines about cooling demand, with analysts pointing to sustained growth in key markets like China and Europe even as some automakers scale back EV plans.
- 2Podcast interview with economist Justin Wolfers draws praise▼Lately I’m taking in a lot of podcasts, and I absolutely loved this one: ‘To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes’ interviewi
A listener is recommending a recent episode of 'To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes' featuring economist Justin Wolfers. The discussion reportedly covers immigration, with Wolfers, himself an immigrant to the United States, and Sykes speaking about immigrants in ways the listener found particularly compelling. The recommendation is being shared within a small online conversation.
- 3Electric vehicles defying expectations on resale value in Australia●EVs are holding value better than expected – and it has a lot to do with Australia’s cost of living
Electric vehicles in Australia are retaining their value better than predicted, contrary to the common belief that EVs depreciate quickly. The Guardian reports this trend is closely tied to the country's cost of living pressures, with the high cost of petrol making used electric cars more attractive to budget-conscious buyers. The finding challenges assumptions that buyers remain wary of second-hand EVs due to battery concerns.
- 4Private sector economy may be doing better than believed▼There's reason to believe the private sector economy is actually doing pretty well
Marketplace reports there is reason to believe the private sector economy is actually performing well, contrary to widespread pessimism about economic conditions. The piece suggests the private economy's underlying strength is being overlooked amid broader concerns about inflation and growth. The report has drawn attention as analysts and the public debate whether economic sentiment matches the actual data on jobs, investment and business activity.
- 5iPhone battery tip: leave apps open to save power▼How To Get Better iPhone Battery Life Without Closing Any Apps
Guidance circulating on iPhone battery life says users can extend battery life by not force-closing apps, contrary to a common habit. The claim is that iOS suspends background apps automatically, so repeatedly quitting and relaunching them can actually drain the battery more. The tip is being shared as practical advice for people looking to get more out of a daily charge.
- 6Netflix Series 'Dolce' To Film In Hoboken From Wednesday▼It's Not Sydney Sweeney, But Netflix TV Series 'Dolce' Will Shoot In Hoboken Starting Wednesday
The Netflix series 'Dolce' will begin filming in Hoboken, New Jersey, starting Wednesday. Local coverage notes the production is generating attention, though reports stress that Sydney Sweeney is not attached to the project, contrary to any speculation tying her name to the shoot. Residents can expect filming activity in the city in the coming days.
- 7Plug-in hybrids emit nearly as much CO2 as petrol cars▼Why plug-in hybrids emit nearly as much CO2 as combustion cars, and what it means for EU targets
A new report finds plug-in hybrids in real-world use emit almost as much CO2 as conventional combustion cars, far above their official test figures. The finding raises questions about whether these vehicles should keep qualifying as low-emission under EU climate rules, and could push policymakers to tighten how fleet CO2 targets count them.
- 8Blogger blasts proudly brainwashed zealots in online era●Tru2Day2756 We live in an era with total access to free knowledge, yet millions choose to stay proudly brainwashed. Thes
A blog post titled Tru2Day2756 argues that despite total access to free knowledge, millions of people remain willfully misinformed. The writer says religious and political zealots use the internet only to validate their own biases, describing them as confidently ignorant and trapped in echo chambers rather than seeking out contrary information.
- 9Walker Kessler shines in perfect Lakers debut●Walker Kessler delivers perfect Lakers debut: 'Contrary to my name, I run a lot' https://www. nytimes.com/athletic/77132
Walker Kessler made a flawless first impression for the Los Angeles Lakers, going 12-for-12 from the field in a win over the Golden State Warriors. The new center complemented Luka Dončić effectively and joked afterward that, contrary to his name, he runs a lot. The efficiency and fit alongside Dončić quickly made his debut a talking point among fans.
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Market analysts at Seeking Alpha argue that US equities may actually rise if Donald Trump's party loses control of Congress, contrary to fears that a divided government would hurt markets. The reasoning is that gridlock would curb policy uncertainty and spending risks, giving investors a clearer outlook.
- 11A 'New Middle East' emerges, but not Israel's vision●There’s a ‘New Middle East’, but not the one Israel planned https://www. aljazeera.com/video/pinch-poin t/2026/10/18/pp-
Al Jazeera's Pinch Point programme examines the idea of a 'new Middle East', arguing the regional order taking shape is not the one Israel envisioned when its leaders promoted the phrase. The discussion looks at how shifting alliances and the aftermath of recent conflicts have produced a different reality than anticipated, with commentators weighing what this means for Israel's regional ambitions.
- 12Iran's president denies pursuing nuclear weapons●Iran's president says Tehran not after nukes, slams propaganda claiming otherwise
Iran's president says Tehran is not seeking nuclear weapons, dismissing claims to the contrary as propaganda. The remarks come as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme remain high, with Western governments voicing doubts about its intentions and inspectors pressing for access. The denial has drawn attention amid ongoing debate over diplomacy and sanctions.