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Mercedes takes biggest swing yet at Elon Musk’s Tesla as it unveils new CLA with 492-mile range

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  • The new Mercedes CLA compact sedan can drive up to 792 kilometers, recharge nearly half its battery in ten minutes, and comes with all the creature comforts its well-heeled clientele have come to expect. It even has a frunk.

Mercedes-Benz took its boldest swing yet at Elon Musk’s Tesla in a bid to once more set the benchmark for luxury and innovation in the automotive industry.

On Thursday, the German carmaker that invented the modern automobile reinvented its compact sedan, keeping the CLA nameplate and nothing else from the previous two generations of the baby Benz.

Instead, engineers started from a clean sheet of paper to develop the most intelligent and energy-efficient car that has ever come out of its Stuttgart headquarters.

Available later this year in all major markets, including the U.S., the fully electric version is rated in Europe to drive up to 792 kilometers—making it the longest-range EV on sale in the continent. While its range translates to 492 miles, the more conservative U.S. EPA has not yet rated it.

Moreover, it can recharge nearly half of its battery in a matter of minutes—all for a car that is expected to cost somewhere in the vicinity of a Tesla Model 3. 

“This CLA marks the start of the greatest series of car launches ever for Mercedes-Benz,” CEO Ola Källenius told guests at the car’s premiere in Rome. He aims to bring “dozens” of new and refreshed models by 2027.

Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Exterieur: Edition, AMG Line, kosmosschwarz magno The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: exterior: Edition, AMG Line, cosmos black magno

The past five years have been challenging for Mercedes, which saw its traditional role as the leader among premium brands torn away by Tesla.

However, Musk’s polarizing behavior has created an opening amid protests and boycotts to peel away customers looking to make the switch.

Mercedes appears to have learned the lessons from its first dedicated effort to build a high-tech EV flagship.

Competing in a niche segment of largely chauffeur-driven executive limousines, the EQS failed to connect with a conservative customer base that still prizes Merc’s combustion engine S-Class sibling as the pinnacle of luxury. 

This time however the CLA’s more aggressive styling and emphasis on software and digital intelligence fits hand-in-glove with the compact sedan’s much younger target audience.

That gives the company cause for hope since Mercedes has poured a lot of effort into the CLA and cannot afford another mistake. 

Blueprint for the technology in every new Mercedes to come

For one, the CLA uses a new, in-house-designed operating system, MB.OS, which will gradually be rolled out to all future Mercedes models.

It adopts Tesla’s approach of continually improving all aspects of the car over time through software updates. Most carmakers still struggle with that since various subsystems sourced from suppliers struggle to speak to one another in the same language. 

Der neue Mercedes-Benz CLA mit EQ Technologie: Displayinhalt kann optisch vom Serienstand abweichen; Edition, AMG Line, Interieur: Leder tartufobraun The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology: Display content may differ visually from the production model; Edition, AMG Line, interior: leather tartufo brown

This MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) includes a new electrical system that is twice as capable as the standard EV.

That means in a pinch, owners can add 325 additional kilometers of range in just ten minutes at a highway fast charging station before continuing on their way. 

For those worried about the durability and resilience of the battery, Mercedes says the car comes with a guarantee its battery will still retain at least 80% of its original charge after eight years or 160,000 km.

Finally, alongside niceties like a frunk—a first in a Mercedes EV—and a panoramic glass roof that comes standard, the vehicle features a premium infotainment system powered by a computer chip that can calculate 254 trillion operations per second. It’s so potent, it needs liquid cooling like a high-end PC gaming rig.

“The new CLA is the frontrunner and blueprint for the technology we’re going to see in every new Mercedes from now on,” Källenius continued. 

With so much riding on the line, the chairman of the board himself took the unusual step of personally attending the CLA premiere in Rome. Typically, non-executive directors remain in the background in Germany, restricting their roles to oversight and governance.

“I’m convinced that Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era of digitalization and e-mobility with the all-new CLA,” raved Mercedes chair Martin Brudermüller in a post on LinkedIn.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com



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Exclusive: Superlawyer David Boies expected to hit Boeing with wrongful death suit spurred by suicide of whistleblower John Barnett

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Proposed Trump policy could force thousands of citizens applying for social security benefits to verify their identities in person

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Trump’s Social Security Administration proposed a major change that could force thousands of people every week to show up at a shrinking list of field offices before they can receive benefits.

In an effort to combat fraud, the SSA has suggested that citizens applying for social security or disability benefits over the phone would also need to, for the first time, verify their identities using an online program called “internet ID proofing,” according to an internal memo viewed by the Washington Post.

If they can’t verify their identity online, they will have to file paperwork at their nearest field office, according to the memo sent last week by Acting Deputy Commissioner for Operations Doris Diaz to Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek.

The memo acknowledged the potential change could force an estimated 75,000 to 85,000 people per week to seek out field offices to confirm their identities and could lead to “increased challenges for vulnerable populations,” “longer wait times and processing time,” and “increased demand for office appointments,” the memo read, according to the Post

The change would disproportionately affect older populations who may not be internet savvy, and those with disabilities. Claimants seeking a field office will also have fewer to choose from, as more than 40 of 1,200 are estimated to close, the New York Times reported, citing advocacy group Social Security Works. The list of offices slated to close is based on an unreliable list released by DOGE, according to Social Security Works. Elon Musk’s DOGE has also said it will cut 7,000 of the SSA’s 57,000 employees. 

The White House and the Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to Fortune‘s request for comment.

The SSA previously considered scrapping telephone service for claims, the Post reported, but backtracked after a report by the outlet. Regardless, the SSA said claimants looking to change their bank account information will now need to do so either online or in-person and could no longer do so over the phone.

Almost every transaction at a field office requires an appointment that already takes months to realize, according to the Post. 

The White House has repeatedly said it will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicare benefits, and has said any changes are to cut back on fraud. A July 2024 report from the Social Security Administration’s inspector general estimated that between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2022, the SSA sent out $8.6 trillion in disbursements. Fewer than 1% of the disbursements, or $71.8 billion worth were improper payments, according to the report.

Acting Social Security Commissioner Dudek said for phone calls, the agency is “exploring ways to implement AI — in a safe, governed manner in accordance with” guidance from the Office of Management and Budget “to streamline and improve call resolution,” according to a Tuesday memo obtained by NBC News.

Dudek mentioned in the memo that the agency has been frequently mentioned in the media, which has been stressing out employees.

“Over the past month, this agency has seen an unprecedented level of media coverage, some of it true and deserved, while some has not been factual and painted the agency in a very negative light,” he wrote. “I know this has been stressful for you and has caused disruption in your life. Personally, I have made some mistakes, which makes me human like you. I promise you this, I will continue to make mistakes, but I will learn from them. My decisions will always be with the best intentions for this agency, the people we serve, and you.”

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com



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4 health benefits of rosemary, including a hidden compound scientists could potentially use to fight Alzheimer’s

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As you place sprigs of rosemary on a pan to roast alongside chicken or in a garlicky loaf of bread, you may not be thinking about the potential health properties this common herb is wielding.

It turns out, rosemary is a well-studied herb with myriad benefits—from boosting hair growth to potentially helping fight cancer.

Here’s how to take advantage of this natural health powerhouse.

Stimulate hair growth

While there are countless hair-growth supplements and hacks that circulate social media, rosemary oil, extracted from rosemary plants, is a tried-and-true tool to boost hair growth, backed by science.

In one study comparing the effectiveness of rosemary oil compared to minoxidil—a common medication used to stimulate hair growth in men and women—participants saw significant hair growth from both products after six months, with no difference between the two treatments’ effectiveness.

A comprehensive review of studies on the hair loss condition alopecia demonstrated that rosemary oil is an effective treatment due to its ability to improve scalp blood flow and enhance the regeneration of the hair follicles.

Improve skin health

Rosemary also has the potential to help heal the skin, according to a 2023 review of studies. Oxidative stress to the skin, caused by things like ultraviolet (UV) light, environmental pollution and chronic psychological stress, can damage the skin and lead to further skin aging and may play a role in skin cancer, according to researchers.

But thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary could help treat some skin diseases either when ingested or applied to the skin.

Anticancer properties

Rosemary’s anticancer potential is more than skin deep: Ingesting rosemary was found to help stop the activation of carcinogens, increase antioxidant enzyme activities, reduce tumor-stimulating inflammation, decrease cell growth (which can lead to the production of cancerous cells), stimulate programmed cell death, and suppress tumor growth and invasion, according to a 2020 study.

Brain health and Alzheimer’s treatment

The benefits of rosemary extend to your nervous system, according to a 2020 review of studies. Rosemary extract showed anti-spasm, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and memory-boosting properties.

The study concluded that components of rosemary show promise in the treatment of anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and withdrawal syndrome, researchers found.

For Alzheimer’s in particular, a January 2025 study in mice linked a compound found in rosemary to boosts in memory, more neuron synapses, reduced inflammation, and greater removal of toxic proteins that are linked to Alzheimer’s. It was administered to mice three times a week for three months, with no observable toxic effects. 

How to use rosemary for your health

All of the studies on rosemary have limitations: The use different a dose as well as different methods of extracting and administering rosemary, making it difficult to put the findings into clinical practice. In the anticancer study, authors also raised concerns about chronic use of rosemary extract becoming toxic.

While the Food and Drug Administration designates rosemary extract as generally recognized as safe (GRaS), there is no recommended daily allowance. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.

The most common forms of rosemary are the herb or as an essential oil. You should not ingest the essential oil as it is highly concentrated and can be toxic when ingested, according to Poison Control. If you want to apply it to your skin, they recommend diluting it with a carrier oil like jojoba or argan oil. Rosemary essential oil is generally safe when inhaled through an aroma diffuser.

To reap the benefits of rosemary, you can steep the herb in boiling water and drink it as a tea, or make it a regular part of your cooking.

Mount Sinai Hospital advises, however, that pregnant and nursing women avoid taking rosemary as a supplement, as higher doses can potentially cause miscarriage—but, it is still safe to consume as an herb in food. Additionally, people with high blood pressure, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis should not take rosemary.

For more on supplements:

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com



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