Volvo Car USA recently visited the FDNY in Mahwah, New Jersey, to donate a fully electric XC40 Recharge to the department for post-accident safety training. While first responders like the FDNY are no strangers to helping safely remove citizens from damaged vehicles, BEVs present new safety measures to be aware of to keep both EV passengers and firefighters safe.
Volvo is a global automaker taking big steps toward electrification and carbon neutrality across its different marques and production processes. This past May, we reported the automaker had achieved its first carbon neutral car plant in Sweden, with plans to be completely climate neutral by 2040.
Part of this climate goal includes having half of its global vehicle sales become electric by 2025 and strictly selling EVs by 2030. This includes the XC40 Recharge, a fully electric version of its previous ICE model by the same name that debuted in 2018. Volvo released a hybrid version in 2019, followed by the fully electric version in 2020.
While the automaker has been noted for its foresight on an electric future, Volvo Group also has a long running reputation of prioritizing safety during its nearly 100-year run.
To combine both these worlds, Volvo is now supporting first responders like the FDNY in educating themselves on the new safety measures to consider when working around an EV post-collision.
Firefighters look on at the new XC40 Recharge donated to them / Source: Volvo USA
Volvo’s XC40 Recharge will help FDNY practice safe BEV extrication
In a recent press release from Volvo Car USA, the automaker shared news that it has donated a new pure electric XC40 Recharge to the FDNY. The BEV will be used as an educational tool for the fire department to practice new extrication measures and protocols to ensure passengers and first responders stay safe.
While fire departments like the FDNY have plenty of experience with ICE vehicle accidents, BEVs like the Volvo contain a large battery and high voltage wiring that may require first responders to change where they usually attempt to cut into a vehicle.
Furthermore, the XC40 recharge in particular is built with ultra-high-strength steel and requires alternative extrication processes compared to other vehicles. Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro spoke about the donation from Volvo:
With the number of electric vehicles on the road growing each day, it’s critical that FDNY members have the ability to train on extrications, fires, and other potential incidents involving them. Thanks to the FDNY Foundation’s support and this generous donation from Volvo Cars, our members will be even better trained and more prepared to respond to these incidents and continue to bravely protect New Yorkers.
Looking ahead, the FDNY will continue to use the donated Volvo XC40 Recharge to update its training procedures for first responders, so they are prepared to quickly and safely remove passengers, no matter what vehicle they are in.
New stamps are going to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of AC/DC’s debut album, the Royal Mail has said.
The group introduced themselves to the world with the electrifying High Voltage in 1975, before going onto become one of the most successful rock bands of all time.
To mark 50 years since its initial release, the Royal Mail has said it will issue eight stamps that capture a sample of the “electrifying” live performances of the band.
A further four stamps presented in a miniature sheet will feature the covers of High Voltage as well as Highway To Hell, their sixth studio album released in 1979; Back In Black, the best-selling rock album of all time, and Power Up, the band’s return in 2020.
The stamps go on sale from 18 February.
AC/DC will become the eighth music band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue.
They will follow on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, The Rolling Stones in 2022, Iron Maiden in 2023, Spice Girls in 2024, and The Who also in 2024.
David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, said: “AC/DC is one of the most successful rock bands in the world.
“Over the past half-century, they have recorded some of the best-known rock anthems and have given us Back In Black – the biggest-selling rock album of all time.
“These stamps capture a sample of their electrifying live performances, along with some of their most iconic album covers, and celebrate their significant contribution to the world of rock music.”
Here are the eight anniversary stamps below:
Image: One of the new stamps showing AC/DC performing during the Fly on the Wall Tour in London in 1986.
Pic: PA
Image: AC/DC performing during the Black Ice Tour in London in 2009.
Pic: PA
Image: The rock band performing in Boston in 1978.
Pic: PA
Image: AC/DC filming the Thunderstruck music video in the Brixton Academy in 1990.
Pic: PA
Image: Brian Johnson and Angus Young performing in Melbourne in 2015.
Pic: PA
Image: Angus Young of AC/DC performing in Chicago in 1979.
Pic: PA
Image: The band performing during the Power Trip music festival in Indio, California, in 2023.
Pic: PA
Image: Bon Scott and Angus Young performing in London in 1976.
Pic: PA
Kay Burley has announced she is retiring from Sky News after 36 years at the broadcaster.
Burley, 64, was part of the team that launched Sky News in 1989 and has been the face of the channel ever since, covering royal events, general elections and other major stories.
Closing her final show on the Sky News Breakfast programme, she said: “From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it’s been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business.
“News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.
“But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we – the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing.
“But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – it’s time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.
“So, after covering 12 separate general elections – including Sir Keir Starmer’s victory last year – I am retiring from Sky News – let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news!
“Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You’re awesome.
“I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch.”
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Most memorable moments of Kay Burley’s Sky News career
Image: The Breakfast team applauded at the end of the announcement
‘Unmatched legacy’
Raised in Wigan, Lancashire, Burley took her first steps into journalism at 17, reporting for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle.
She secured a job with the BBC on its local radio stations and then on a local TV before being recruited by Scottish broadcaster Andrew Neil and moved to the fledgling Sky News in the 1980s as one of its founding presenters.
Her live coverage of 9/11 won Sky News a BAFTA award.
David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News, said: “With millions of minutes presenting live rolling news, Kay’s legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky’s legacy. And I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.”
He added: “We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.”
Former Sky News editor-at-large Adam Boulton posted on X: “The one and only Kay Burley announces she is leaving Sky News.
“Kay is unique, there are no other women of her background who have had such an impact on British News and current affairs. We have been friends and colleagues for forty years. Onward Kay I know it’s going to be exciting!”
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Sky News’s political editor Beth Rigby said: “No one does live telly like Kay Burley. Our anchor woman for decades, Kay’s has been THE face of Sky News for as long as I can remember.”
Rigby added: “She’s been a trailblazer & inspiration to a whole generation of women. You’re one of a kind.”
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Former Sky News journalist Simon McCoy shared an image on X from when he worked with Burley and wrote: “That’s how long she worked at Sky News!
“Wishing Kay Burley all the best for whatever comes next.”
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Sky News business presenter Ian King posted on X: “It is impossible to overstate the achievements of my brilliant and supportive friend @KayBurley.
“No one in the world has clocked up as many hours of live television. No doubt politicians will be glad she is leaving – her loyal viewers will not.”
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Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid called Burley “a fierce advocate for viewers, a powerful interviewer and a supporter of women in television”.
Reid wrote on X: “That she gets her own #BreakingNews announcement is testament to @KayBurley impact on news journalism… She is going to be hugely missed from our screens. Good luck Kay.”
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James McAvoy, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange and Ed Harris are among a raft of Hollywood stars set to tread the red carpet at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival.
The event – scheduled to take place between 26 February and 9 March – will feature 13 world and European premieres, 66 UK premieres and 12 Scottish premieres from 38 countries.
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) will open with the world premiere of thriller Tornado, with Pulp Fiction actor Roth set to be joined by Scottish director John Maclean and Japanese co-stars Koki and Takehiro Hira.
Image: Tim Roth in Tornado. Pic: Courtesy of Glasgow Film Festival
Harris and Lange will attend the UK premiere of Long Day’s Journey Into Night, the big-screen adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s seminal American play.
Academy Award-winner Lange will also appear in a special In Conversation event where she will reflect on her career, which kickstarted with the 1976 movie King Kong.
Image: Ed Harris and Jessica Lange in Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Pic: Courtesy of Glasgow Film Festival
Lange has picked up numerous awards over the years, including two Oscars for Tootsie and Blue Sky.
She also has eight Emmy and Golden Globe awards, some of which were won due to her performances in TV anthology American Horror Story.
Meanwhile, Formula One champion Damon Hill will attend the world premiere of Sky’s new documentary Hill.
The film, featuring intimate interviews with the sportsman and his family, will tell the story of how he overcame losing his legendary father Graham Hill in a plane crash to follow in his footsteps to become a world champion driver himself.
A host of homegrown talent will also light up the festival.
X-Men: First Class star McAvoy will introduce a special screening of his breakthrough role in 2006 film The Last King Of Scotland, while 1917 actor George MacKay returns to the festival with the Scottish premiere of the post-apocalyptic musical The End.
Image: Martin Compston in Fear. Pic: Courtesy of Glasgow Film Festival
In addition, Line Of Duty star Martin Compston will be joined by James Cosmo and Solly McLeod at the world premiere of the first episode of new Amazon Studios-produced thriller Fear, which was shot in Glasgow’s West End.
Meanwhile, Martyn Robertson’s Make It To Munich will have its world premiere as part of the closing gala.
The inspiring documentary tells the tale of Scottish teenager Ethan Walker, who just months after nearly losing his life in a traffic accident, embarked on a charity cycle from Glasgow’s Hampden Park to Munich for Scotland’s opening game of Euro 2024 against Germany.
Allison Gardner, chief executive of organiser Glasgow Film and director of GFF, said: “I cannot begin to say how excited I am by the brilliant programme we have curated, the breadth of films on offer genuinely has something for everyone.
“We’re also thrilled to bring a host of well-known faces to Scotland, to tread the red carpet outside the city’s iconic Glasgow Film Theatre.”
Ms Gardner plans to retire after the festival, following more than 30 years at Glasgow Film.
She added: “Everyone across Glasgow Film works very hard to make the magic happen and I cannot thank all my colleagues enough for their hard work, enthusiasm and sheer brilliance in making this not only a great festival to attend, but a friendly and supportive environment to work in.
“I shall be sad that this is my last festival as I’ve had so many magical moments over the years, but I know the great work we have done will ensure that audiences, filmmakers and industry colleagues will continue to support what I consider to be the best film festival in the world.”
