Tesla remains a dominant force in the electric vehicle (EV) market, though recent data indicates shifts in its sales and market share.
In 2024, Tesla experienced its first annual sales decline in over a decade, delivering approximately 1.79 million vehicles worldwide—a 1% decrease from 2023, per CBS.
Despite this decline, Tesla continues to lead the global EV market, accounting for about 20% of global EV sales in 2024.
Acquiring a Tesla typically leads to an increase in a household’s electricity bill due to the energy required for charging the vehicle. The extent of this increase depends on factors such as driving habits, local electricity rates, and the specific Tesla model.
Recently, a Tesla owner has left the internet stunned after revealing their electricity bill over a 12-month period.
The user, known as @Tesla_GTownTX on X (formerly Twitter), shared a screenshot showing a bill of just $2.37. They commented, “First time I’ve had a bill within the last 12 months. This sucks.”
People were confused as to how the bill was so low, with many wondering what the Tesla owner’s secrets were.
“How much did you pay for the solar panels and wall battery?” One person asked.
While another said: “Post your statement for your power wall/solar panel payments.”
This revelation sparked curiosity and skepticism among online users. Many questioned how such a minimal bill was possible, with some asking about the use of solar panels and Tesla’s Powerwall system.
The owner confirmed the utilization of both technologies to achieve the remarkably low energy costs.
Tesla’s Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery designed to store energy from solar panels or the electricity grid.
According to Tesla, “Powerwall gives you the ability to store energy for later use and works with solar to provide key energy security and financial benefits. Each Powerwall system is equipped with energy monitoring, metering and smart controls for owner customisation using the Tesla app.”
However, the initial investment is substantial, with costs ranging between $6,000 to $12,000.
In the UK, the cost of charging an electric vehicle (EV) varies based on factors like the car model and energy tariffs. Energy supplier Octopus estimates that home charging can cost as little as 3p per mile, while public rapid charging may cost around 18p per mile. Additionally, installing a home charging outlet can cost upwards of $1,000.
While the upfront expenses for solar panels and energy storage systems are significant, this Tesla owner’s experience highlights the potential for substantial long-term savings on energy bills through sustainable energy solutions.
Daughter from ‘America’s most hated family’ completely transforms her life more than 10 years after leaving the church
Megan Phelps-Roper, once a prominent member of the Westboro Baptist Church—infamously labeled “America’s most hated family”—has dramatically transformed her life since departing from the group in 2012.
The Phelps family, associated with the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), has been widely criticized and is often regarded as one of the most disliked families in America due to their extreme and hateful rhetoric.
The church, founded by Fred Phelps in Topeka, Kansas, is infamous for its aggressive picketing of military funerals, LGBTQ+ events, and other high-profile public gatherings. They are known for using inflammatory slogans and messages that many view as hateful and hurtful.
Their activities have been condemned across the political and social spectrum, including by religious organizations, civil rights groups, and individuals who strongly oppose their actions and beliefs.
The Phelps family’s notoriety largely stems from their role as the leaders and primary members of the WBC, which has often been labeled a hate group by organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
Despite the backlash, the WBC has continued its activities, albeit with a smaller membership in recent years. Fred Phelps himself passed away in 2014, and his death reportedly caused divisions within the family.
As the daughter of Shirley Phelps-Roper and granddaughter of the church’s founder, Fred Phelps, Megan was deeply entrenched in the church’s controversial activities, including picketing soldiers’ funerals and celebrating global tragedies. Her involvement was notably featured in Louis Theroux’s 2007 documentary, The Most Hated Family in America.
In her 2019 memoir, Unfollow, Megan reflects on her departure: “The freedom was heady… It was devastating to lose my beloved family, my entire world, but I knew I had to walk away and start over.”
She continues, “With each new kindness, I understood with ever greater clarity the depths of my ignorance about the world. It was starting to occur to me that there might be a lot more goodness in the world than I had believed.”
Megan’s decision to leave was influenced by growing discomfort with the church’s beliefs during her teenage years. A pivotal moment came when a stricter code was imposed on female congregants, prompting her and her sister to exit.
She recalls, “I could no longer blindly trust the judgment of these men… They had developed a toxic sense of certainty in their own righteousness.”
Since leaving, Megan has had no contact with her family. Her mother, Shirley Phelps-Roper, addressed the estrangement in an interview, expressing, “I would love to see her again. I would love to talk to her.”
Megan’s journey from a member of a notorious religious group to an advocate for understanding and dialogue highlights the power of personal transformation and the pursuit of empathy in bridging deep divides.
Guy who used AI to apply for 1,000 jobs ‘while he was sleeping’ wakes up to stunning results
A savvy job seeker has stirred up a debate online after sharing how an AI bot they created completely transformed their job hunt.
Anybody who is looking for work can attest to the fact that it is an incredibly competitive world out there – and landing a job is very much easier said than done. As a result, people are finding more inventive ways to get recognized and land a job. Such as this person.
Posting in the ‘get employed’ subreddit, the anonymous poster revealed that they utilized AI and developed a specialized boy that automated the tedious job application process — all while they slept!
“I created an AI bot that: analyzes candidate information, examines job descriptions, generates unique CVs and cover letters for each job, answers specific questions that recruiters ask, and automatically applies to jobs,” the user wrote.
They added: “And all of this while I was sleeping!”
Sharing their incredible results, the user continued: “In just one month, this method helped me secure around 50 interviews. The tailored CVs and cover letters, customized based on each job description, made a significant difference.”
(As anybody currently looking for work will tell you, a 5% return on résumés sent out is pretty good – especially when you were unconscious the entire time!)
The AI bot was designed to rewrite CVs and cover letters for each application, ensuring they passed automated screening systems — a hurdle that many modern job seekers face.
The user highlighted how AI is reshaping the recruitment landscape, noting that many companies themselves use bots to filter candidates. They said the tool was a game-changer in “effectively passing through automated screening systems.”
While the bot’s efficiency is undeniable, the Reddit user acknowledged its broader implications for the workplace. Reflecting on the growing role of AI in recruitment, they wrote: “Observing this technological revolution, I can’t help but reflect on the profound implications for the world of work. While efficient, the automation of job applications raises questions about the very nature of professional relationships.”The user continued: “We face a paradox: as we seek to optimize the selection process, we risk losing the human element that often makes a difference in a work environment. The challenge ahead is not just technological, but also ethical and social. We’ll need to find a delicate balance between the efficiency of artificial intelligence and the richness of human interactions.”
Social media has been divided over the user’s approach. Critics argue that the strategy skirts effort and authenticity, suggesting it’s an example of cutting corners. Others, however, have praised the move as innovative and say it’s only fair to use AI tools if companies are doing the same to filter candidates.
“Careful. Companies are starting to add a ‘no AI’ rule for resumes/applications,” one person commented. “We already do and I even suspect AI was used, your resume goes straight in the trash.”
Responding to critics, the original poster replied in the comments section: “I do not recommend the use of this bot for obvious ethical reasons.
“The bot was created for educational and informative purposes only and out of my own curiosity. Nonetheless, I wanted to share the odd results obtained to highlight the power of artificial intelligence.”
So, what do you think? Is this a clever way to level the playing field or a step too far in an already automated job market?
Featured image credit: Tom Merton/Getty
Man finds decades-old Christmas present inside the walls of parents’ home while renovating
For Tim King, a home renovation project turned into a heartwarming Christmas moment that his family will never forget.
While helping his parents remodel their Lombard, Illinois, home, the 53-year-old stumbled upon a long-lost Christmas gift tucked behind a bathroom wall — complete with his name on it.
“We took out a medicine cabinet before we drywalled, and I thought, ‘I’d better just look in there to make sure nothing’s back there,’” King told PEOPLE in an interview. “And then there it was!”
The unexpected discovery came in the form of a dust-covered, neatly wrapped present.
King – who owns T.King Construction Services – shared the moment on Instagram on December 27, posting a video that has since garnered over 48,000 likes.
In the clip, King leads viewers to the hiding spot before pulling out the forgotten gift, playfully captioning it, “#Christmasmiracle” in overlay text.
“My mom wasn’t awake yet, so we waited to open it in front of her,” King shared. However, even his mother couldn’t solve the mystery of the hidden gift, as she had no recollection of ever buying it.
King explained that his parents used to hide presents in the attic, and the box likely slipped into a crawl space unnoticed.
In a follow-up video, King opened the decades-old package to reveal a treasure from his childhood: a box of vintage Matchbox Thunder Jet model airplanes.
Based on the toy’s estimated release date, the gift was probably purchased around 1978, when King was just six years old.
The late discovery sparked plenty of good-natured humor within King’s family. “I have one sister, and my mom has always been very picky about getting us the exact same amount of gifts,” he said, before adding: “So we’ve been joking that I’ve been screwed out of one present for 46 years.”
The heartwarming discovery and the story behind it have captivated social media users, with many sharing their own tales of forgotten treasures.
For King, the gift may have been decades late, but its surprise arrival has brought a little extra magic to his holiday season.
“If that isn’t a literal step into a time machine then I don’t know what is. I would give anything to find an old unwrapped gift from my childhood. Glad he found it,” one person wrote.
A second commented: “Frame a piece of the wrapping paper with a pic of you holding the jets. Couple lines of when it was supposed to be given and the date you found it. Makes a great conversation piece.”
Another shared: “This is soooooo my mom! She hid things every year and you could watch her face as she was counting gifts and realizing she was missing one… 40+ years later there is still a pink cowgirl hat she hid that has never been found.”
Sometimes, it turns out, Christmas miracles just take a little longer to find their way to you.
Teen dies after dropping her phone in bathtub while on a call with a friend
A teenager from Italy tragically passed away after she dropped her phone in the bathtub while speaking to a friend.
Maria Antonietta Cutillo, 16, was taking a bath at her family home in Montefalcione in the province of Avellino, Italy, while her parents were not present at the premises.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Cutillo was on a call with her friend while sitting in the water.
The teenager then dropped the device into the water – which was plugged into a nearby outlet to charge – causing it to short circuit, which tragically resulted in her death.
The emergency services were called to her home after her friend became concerned when the call cut out, and they tragically discovered that Cutillo was dead upon their arrival.
Subsequently, the teen’s body was taken to the morgue of the Moscati Hospital in Avellino for an autopsy, where it was revealed that Cutillo was killed by electrocution.
Local police also investigated the heartbreaking incident, which occurred in May, 2023.
Per the Daily Express, the friend Cutillo was talking to took to TikTok after her death to share the following tribute: “You flew to heaven my love, you left screaming my name during a video call. I will never ever forget that moment.
“The last call, the last laugh together, the last nonsense together was today my baby and while you were talking to me this happened.
“I have your voice echoing in my head as you screamed my name, I have the scene in front of my eyes, I have your big green eyes in front of me, I have your laugh in mind.
“You were a spectacular friend, now the school desk next to me will be empty and whoever gets in will never, ever be you.
“I miss you my heart, I have your image fixed in front of my eyes.”
Being electrocuted by a phone may be rare, but sadly, there are other instances of people losing their life following their device short-circuiting.
As reported by the Mirror, 27-year-old Wanchai Deengam from Thailand lost his life in February when he fell asleep with his phone charging.
According to the outlet, a smartwatch was also plugged into the extension plug while two rice cookers and two fans were attached to the wall socket.
Deengam’s older brother, Somkuan Changsarn, became concerned after he was unable to get into contact with his sibling.
“I was suspicious because normally, he wasn’t a deep sleeper. I would always see him sitting in front of his room when I finish work,” Changsarn said.
He continued: “He liked to use his phone just for chatting with friends on the Line application. He used TikTok a lot and Facebook to watch sports but he didn’t play games.
“We spoke before about using phones while they are charging because there were cases in the news about it happening. But everybody still does. I never thought this could happen or I would have warned my brother more.”
Sadly, Deengam was discovered deceased while still clutching his phone. His left arm was resting on his Samsung phone.
Police Captain Jiratchaya Yordkum from the Rat Burana Metropolitan Police Station said: “We found no traces of assault or ransacking. We suspect that a short circuit might have caused his electrocution.”
The Police Captain added that the deceased 27-year-old had plugged his device into the socket without using the correct adapter.
Featured image Credit: Mint Images / Getty
Man known as ‘Living Nostradamus’ shares his 7 disturbing predictions for 2025
Athos Salomé, a self-proclaimed prophet from Brazil, has gained global attention for his bold predictions, which he claims have accurately foreseen major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
So well known are his predictions, that Salomé claims they have been “appropriated” by others.
Speaking to the Daily Star, he said: “I have noticed that, on several occasions, my predictions are appropriated by other individuals (not clairvoyants or paranormal experts) who present themselves as the originators of these ideas.”
Dubbed the “Living Nostradamus,” Salomé is now warning of seven startling developments expected to unfold in 2025.
Genetically Modified Humans
Salomé predicts breakthroughs in genetic experimentation that will result in the creation of genetically modified humans. He claims this will involve engineering individuals who are stronger, smarter, and more resilient to diseases, stating that technology will reveal humans perfected through genetic changes.
AI Spiraling Out of Control
Another bold claim centers on artificial intelligence. Salomé foresees an alarming escalation where AI systems surpass human control, potentially achieving autonomy and self-awareness. This global event will prove we can no longer keep AI in check, he warns.
Extraterrestrial Contact
The seer anticipates that by 2025, the existence of alien life will be officially acknowledged. According to Salomé, this could range from microbial life on Mars to evidence of advanced civilizations beyond our planet.
Energy Crisis Manipulation
Salomé predicts a global energy crisis, not born of scarcity but deliberate human interference. He suggests that zero-point energy generators exist but are kept hidden from the public, worsening the situation.
Population Control Tactics
The prophet believes that new technologies, such as implantable chips, will be introduced under the guise of improving safety and efficiency but will actually be used for mass surveillance.
Engineered Disasters
Salomé warns that natural disasters, such as hurricanes and droughts, will occur in unusual locations due to human interference in the climate.
Revealed Military Secrets
Finally, he claims covert military experiments, including underground bases and gravity-defying propulsion technologies, will come to light in 2025.
While Salomé’s previous predictions have stirred intrigue, skepticism remains essential. Prophecies like these are often based on broad interpretations, and without concrete evidence, they remain speculative. For now, the world can only wait to see if any of these visions come to pass.
