ash

Great way to spend holiday cash: '100 Years, 500 Miles' historic Indy 500 book

Coffee table picture book tells the 100-year history of the famous race

       




ash

Build-A-Team: Putting together the best Indianapolis Washington basketball team

IndyStar preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep identified the 64 "best" high school teams of all-time. That means the best team you can put together.

       




ash

Law on Holcomb's side despite conservative backlash over COVID-19 measures

Failing to abide by governor's order is a misdemeanor, but officials hope they don't need to enforce it.

      




ash

Colts add another big target in Washington State WR Dezmon Patmon

Patmon is big (6-4) and fast (4.48-second 40-yard dash) but lacks polish and production

       




ash

Insider: Colts draft Washington QB Jacob Eason in 4th round; is he the QB of the future?

Colts find developmental quarterback on Day 3 of Draft.

       




ash

IU basketball player review: Armaan Franklin flashed enough as freshman to suggest bigger things ahead

He showed enough as a freshman to suggest IU has a bonafide Big Ten shooting guard in Armaan Franklin, waiting to be developed.

       




ash

Simon Property Group slashes executive pay due to coronavirus pandemic

Securities and Exchange Commission filings detail executive pay cuts for Simon Property Group executives as forced closures impact business operations

      




ash

Search Slashdot

Search Slashdot stories




ash

Oil Crash Busted Broker's Computers and Inflicted Big Losses

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Syed Shah usually buys and sells stocks and currencies through his Interactive Brokers account, but he couldn't resist trying his hand at some oil trading on April 20, the day prices plunged below zero for the first time ever. The day trader, working from his house in a Toronto suburb, figured he couldn't lose as he spent $2,400 snapping up crude at $3.30 a barrel, and then 50 cents. Then came what looked like the deal of a lifetime: buying 212 futures contracts on West Texas Intermediate for an astonishing penny each. What he didn't know was oil's first trip into negative pricing had broken Interactive Brokers Group Inc. Its software couldn't cope with that pesky minus sign, even though it was always technically possible -- though this was an outlandish idea before the pandemic -- for the crude market to go upside down. Crude was actually around negative $3.70 a barrel when Shah's screen had it at 1 cent. Interactive Brokers never displayed a subzero price to him as oil kept diving to end the day at minus $37.63 a barrel. At midnight, Shah got the devastating news: he owed Interactive Brokers $9 million. He'd started the day with $77,000 in his account. To be clear, investors who were long those oil contracts had a brutal day, regardless of what brokerage they had their account in. What set Interactive Brokers apart, though, is that its customers were flying blind, unable to see that prices had turned negative, or in other cases locked into their investments and blocked from trading. Compounding the problem, and a big reason why Shah lost an unbelievable amount in a few hours, is that the negative numbers also blew up the model Interactive Brokers used to calculate the amount of margin -- aka collateral -- that customers needed to secure their accounts. "It's a $113 million mistake on our part," said Thomas Peterffy, the chairman and founder of Interactive Brokers, in an interview Wednesday. Customers will be made whole, Peterffy said. "We will rebate from our own funds to our customers who were locked in with a long position during the time the price was negative any losses they suffered below zero."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.





ash

The Nashville House announces it's closing

Landmark restaurant has been in business since 1927.

      




ash

How to make mashed potatoes and gravy the right way

This mashed potatoes recipe and tips will ensure that you don't screw it up. Oh, and there's gravy too.

      




ash

Illinois' Alan Griffin is ejected after stepping on Purdue's Sasha Stefanovic

Stefanovic was on the court after scoring when Griffin stepped on his chest

      




ash

Illinois' Alan Griffin gets suspension for stepping on Purdue's Sasha Stefanovic

First-half incident resulted in an ejection for Illini player as he stepped on Boilermakers guard

      




ash

Small aircraft crashes into field in Johnson County; no injuries reported

The pilot told deputies he had mechanical difficulties and had to make a rough landing in the cornfield.

      




ash

Police believe alcohol was a factor in crash that killed Bargersville man

A Bargersville man died in a head-on crash in Johnson County early Saturday morning. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

      




ash

Bargersville police officer involved in Friday crash sustains minor injury

A Bargersville police officer and the driver of an SUV were taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a vehicle crash Friday.

       




ash

Ashes quiz: How well do you remember Stokes' Headingley Test?

It was the match made famous by Ben Stokes' heroics. But just how much can you recall from the epic third Ashes Test last summer?




ash

Dom Bess on England, the Ashes, spin bowling and his fondness for 'the chat'

Dom Bess talks about England, the Ashes and why he looks up to Australia's Nathan Lyon.




ash

Flash floods hit parts of Gorseinon and Carmarthen

Properties have been flooded after thunderstorms hit parts of south and west Wales on Saturday.




ash

Trash-talking Tony Bellew gets thrashed at Fifa by Michael Obafemi

Trash-talking Tony Bellew gets thrashed by Michael Obafemi in the second day of the Premier League invitational Fifa tournament.




ash

Whale that washed ashore in Ventura County towed out to sea

The animal's cause of death was inconclusive because a full examination was hampered by stay-at-home and social distancing orders issued amid the coronavirus pandemic.




ash

Vanessa Bryant files claim against L.A. County sheriff over Kobe Bryant crash site photos

Vanessa Bryant has filed a claim against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over deputies sharing "unauthorized" photos of the scene of the helicopter crash that killed her husband Kobe Bryant, their daughter and seven others.




ash

Sir Stirling Moss: F1 legend remembers his crashes at Spa and Goodwood

Sir Stirling Moss recalls the two serious Formula One crashes that nearly cost him his life.




ash

Vandoorne crashes off pole position twice in eventful esports weekend

In one weekend Stoffel Vandoorne manages to qualify on pole position in two races and crash out of both of them.




ash

Malawi's cash handouts and the row about a coronavirus lockdown

Malawi announces cash handouts for the poorest, after the courts blocked the proposed lockdown.




ash

Coronovirus: Hand washing and other ways to protect yourself

The BBC Health team talks through the NHS advice about protecting yourself from COVID-19.




ash

Coronavirus: Why washing hands is difficult in some countries

The World Health Organisation's advice is difficult to follow in some developing countries.




ash

Climate change and coronavirus: Five charts about the biggest carbon crash

How the global pandemic is limiting carbon emissions and what this will mean for climate change.




ash

Some landscapes show resistance to ash dieback

Certain habitats can help dampen the spread of ash dieback, which threatens ash trees.





ash

Coronavirus: Six killed in clashes at Afghanistan food aid protest

Clashes erupt after people complain about a perceived failure to help the poor during the pandemic.




ash

Coronavirus: Why is there a US backlash to masks?

It's a very American phenomenon - here's what's behind the growing aversion to face coverings.




ash

Will driverless cars mean computer crashes?

Some believe that self-driving cars will be far safer than human-driven cars but who trusts them enough to drive in them?




ash

Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola bashed superhero movies, but why should we care what they say anyway?

Even two filmmaking legends can cast the wrong villains amid massive industry change.




ash

‘Wonder Woman 1984’s’ first trailer: Gal Gadot’s hero lands in Reagan-era Washington

Fanny packs and Kristen Wiig's Cheetah fill the frame in the teaser to the franchise's first sequel.




ash

News24.com | Six killed as plane carrying coronavirus aid crashes in Somalia

Former defence minister says cargo plane shot down as it tried to land in the southern town of Bardale.




ash

A hit-and-run scooter crash nearly killed him. Now he’s fighting for the data that could reveal the rider’s identity.

A Chicago cyclist was injured by an electric scooter rider who fled the scene. Now he's gone to court to get the city's scooter companies to turn over personal information about their riders and their history.




ash

The Polaris Slingshot is a car-motorcycle mashup that costs $33,000 and can do 0-60 mph in 5 seconds — on 3 wheels.

  • I tested a roughly $33,000 Polaris Slingshot R, a three-wheeled "autocycle."
  • The three-wheeler category includes vehicles from Can-Am and Harley-Davidson, offering a motorcycle experience in a less demanding package.
  • My Slingshot R had a new, Polaris-developed, 203-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission.
  • In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to operate the Slingshot (New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska continue to require the motorcycle certification).
  • The Slingshot is insanely fun, with a modest learning curve — it's a great alternative to a two-wheeler, although the price is definitely steep for the Slingshot R.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Motorcycles are cool, but they aren't for everybody. Fortunately, there are some alternatives out there that offer an equally compelling, open-air experience.

One of the most popular is the the Polaris Slingshot, manufactured by the Minnesota-based powersports company. Until recently, Slingshots were available only with manual transmissions and GM-sourced engines, but for 2020, Polaris has updated the autocycle with an in-house motor and an automatic.

The automatic transmission in particular really broadens the Slingshot's potential. So I was excited to sample the machine, which I first saw about five years ago.

Polaris was kind enough to loan me a tester for a few weeks. Here's how it went:

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The Polaris Slingshot is a three-wheeled autocycle/motorcycle that Polaris industries has produced since 2014. My 2020 Slingshot R tester cost about $33,000 and was outfitted in a menacing red-and-black paint job.

The cheapest Slingshot is about $20,000.



This wasn't my first crack at a Slingshot. Polaris brought the vehicle to Insider's New York offices when the vehicle first launched.



And I generally have a gander at the Slingshot when I visit the annual New York motorcycle show.



The Slingshot is classified as either a motorcycle or an autocycle, depending on which state it's being operated in.



Yep, it looks like the Batmobile. Or Batcycle. Hard to avoid feeling like a superhero when you're behind the wheel. In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to drive the Slingshot. In New Jersey, you are required to wear a helmet.

Up front, you have 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, with an 20-incher at the back. The brakes have two-piece composite rotors.



Permanent open-air motoring isn't for everybody. Polaris does sell and older model, the Grand Touring, which has a cockpit canopy. The Polaris R has a waterproof interior and drain holes in the floorboards, should you get caught in bad weather.



My tester was the top-level "R" trim, complete with dual roll bars for drier and passenger.



Let's talk fender fairings! The Slingshot's are dramatic and large — I was reminded of Chevy Corvettes while driving this thing. Like a motorcycle, there's no rear-view mirror, so you have to adjust slightly to using the sideviews.



There's a new engine under the hood. Previously, Polaris used a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GM-sourced Ecotech motor, making up to 175 horsepower. But my R had a ProStar four, also at 2.4-liters, cranking out 203 horsepower with a five-speed automatic transmission (a manual remains available). It's an in-house engine that was impressive in action.

The top speed is limited at 125 mph, and the 0-60mph run, according to Polaris and confirmed by yours truly, is about five seconds.

The four-banger redlines at 8,500 rpm and even with the automatic transmission does a pretty fair imitation of proper motorcycle acceleration. The auto is a tad crunchy, but in this context, that's a plus. It keeps you aware of what the engine is doing.



The rear wheel — fat and wide — is yoked to the motor and transmission with a belt drive. The suspension is surprisingly compliant, but you do have to be mindful of bumps, potholes, and manhole covers if you want to preserve you lower spine.



Polaris says the interior has been upgraded for 2020. No one would call it premium, but for a vehicle like this, it's rather comfortable.



The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, multifunctioned, and flat-bottomed to make getting into and out of the driver's seat easier.



The instrument cluster is a basic analog affair with a central digital display. The red button to on the right steering-wheel spoke allows you to switch between Comfort and Slingshot modes (the latter being the high-performance option).



The bucket seats are waterproof and extremely well-bolstered, with three-point seat belts.



The Slingshot's tubular frame is apparent in the doorless frame.



Not really much cargo capacity here, although I did use the Slingshot for a grocery-store run and quick jaunt to Target to buy a basketball.



There is a place to stow a smartphone, located just above the push-button gear selector.



The Slingshot also has push-button start-stop.



The glove compartment is the only other storage available ...



... And it's actually pretty roomy. One could stash a rain jacket in there, for example.



The RideCommand infotainment system is basic — but good! On a vehicle such as this, I wasn't expecting much, but the audio setup sounded decent, the screen was responsive, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity was on-par with what you'd find in any modern automobile.



There's even GPS navigation, which can display a map and provide turn-by-turn guidance.



The ride-mode selector is doubled in the infotainment system.



So what's the verdict?

I love three-wheelers. They aren't as cool as two-wheeled motorbikes, but they provide easy access to open-air motoring, and the driving/riding experience is much more engaging than what you find in convertible automobiles.

For anybody who dislikes the impracticality of motorcycles but wants to partake of the open-road lifestyle, machines like the Slingshot (the Can-Am Spyder and the Harley-Davidson Freewheeler, to name two) are ideal.

Not for nothing, they also offer aging riders a chance to yank their helmets and biker jackets out of storage to pursue moderately safer riding. With the Slingshot, gearing-up isn't necessary.

The trade-off, of course, is price. The Slingshot R that I tested costs more than an entry-level car or SUV. So, an expensive plaything. But there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody needs a hobby.

No doubt about it, the Slingshot captures attention. I lost count of how many little kids a stopped in their tracks as I tooled around the Jersey suburbs. The last vehicle that provoked such astonishment was the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. If you become a Slingshotter, prepare to be pointed at and asked for photo-ops.

Driving-wise, the Slingshot scratches an itch: on the road, the experience is unexpurgated — you don't have to be constantly vigilant, as you would on a bike, but you do need to remain aware. Highway trips are demanding. And noisy. And exhilarating. The Slingshot R is also fast and torque-y and the power goes to the single back wheel, so the while the two-wheeled front is stable, the back end can get pretty wiggly, especially in Slingshot mode, if you stomp the throttle.

I had iffy springtime Northeast weather to contend with, so I took the Slingshot out only on warm and sunny days; the rest of the time, I parked it in my garage. But the vehicle can handle being rained on, and one could also buy a cover to protect it from the elements. To be honest, however, I think it's a better choice in warm, dry climates. 

The performance is aggressively go-kart-y. This thing will make you a better drive, thanks to its point-and-shoot steering, crisp suspension, and easy access to power. It's insanely fun on curves and into corners. But it's also worthy of short road trips. In fact, the relative comfort was a shocker: I took the Slingshot out for a few hours one day and suffered no ill-effects to my lower back.

Drawback? The design is thoroughly sporty, so if you don't go in for that, the Slingshot might not be your bag. It isn't a throwback, nor is it at all steam-punky. 

It also isn't a motorcycle, in that there aren't any handlebars, you don't throw a leg, and the single wheel takes up the rear. 

But the Slingshot is a absolute blast, and if you're a weekend warrior who wants to carve up a canyon or a country road without having the grapple with a motorcycle's demands — and you don't mind dropping some dollars — the Slingshot is perfect.






ash

Kim Kardashian West shares behind-the-scenes peek at her White House visit

The reality TV star is a wizard at keeping the spotlight exactly where she wants it.




ash

‘Real Housewives’ stars Ashley and Michael Darby are closing their Virginia restaurant

The couple ran Oz, an Australian-themed eatery in Clarendon.




ash

‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Ashley Darby welcomes a son

The reality TV star wrote that she and her husband, real estate developer Michael Darby, are "savoring every moment."




ash

Alyssa Milano faces backlash for supporting a Marianne Williamson fundraiser: ‘I know. I know.’

The "Charmed" actress defended her decision to help raise money for the controversial Democratic candidate, saying Williamson is addressing the "soulful ache of the nation."




ash

Kim Kardashian West appeals to White House on behalf of ASAP Rocky

The reality star and her husband, Kanye West, tapped some high-ranking friends to help the rapper, who has been detained in Sweden.




ash

Kim Kardashian spotted filming at D.C. jail

The reality star and criminal justice reform advocate was in town Tuesday.




ash

Rihanna, Cardi B, John Oliver and more lash out at Trump after deadly mass shootings

Stars criticized the president after two mass shootings that occurred less than 24 hours apart in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio.




ash

Sean Spicer’s casting on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ draws backlash — including from the show’s host

Tom Bergeron tweeted that he thought the producers had agreed the show should be “free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations.”




ash

Trump’s Treasury secretary just admitted the tariff rationale is hogwash

Maybe it was the altitude at Davos.




ash

Fin24.com | ADvTech expects profit spike after Monash SA acquisition

ADvTECH attributed the expected rise in earnings to one-off transactions including "bargain purchase gains" arising from the Monash SA acquisition, foreign exchange movements and insurance proceeds related to a previously reported fraud event.




ash

Fin24.com | MTN slashes data prices

MTN on Friday announced a drop in the price of monthly data bundles and customers will now pay R99 for 1GB, 33% lower than previously.