TODAY WORLD NEWS: 8/29/10

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bugatti To Set A World Land Speed Record

The Bugatti Veyron wretched on to the scene in 2005, its 8-litre W16 engine delivering 736kW, or knocking on the door of 1000bhp. But that wasn't enough for Bugatti. Even then it was scheduling an engine with more power. Now, five years down the track, it wants to round off the Veyron's limited production run of 300 variants with something unique.

The last 40 Veyron examples to be built will run with the reworked W16 that Bugatti used to set a world land speed record for a production car of 434km/h, or 268mph. The engine in the carefully revised Super Sports Veyron produces 883kW, or 1184bhp. The first five of the final 40 will wear the same black and orange colour plan as the world record car.

The Veyron Super Sport is efficiently the final iteration of the Veyron. The engine uses larger turbos and bigger intercoolers to push power to 883kW. Torque increases from 1234Nm to 1482Nm.

Live Tiger Cub Rescued From Luggage

The 31-year-old Thai national, whose identity has not been exposed by Thai authorities, was planned to board a Mahan Air flight to Iran. But when she was seen fraught with a large bag at check-in, airport officials decided to x-ray her luggage.

The x-rays discovered the tranquilized tiger cub among stuffed-tiger toys, according to a statement released by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network. Officials are investigating whether the cub was wild caught or captive-bred, as well as where the woman planned to bring the tiger.

All Asian tigers are scheduled as endangered or worse by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mostly due to the illegal trade in tiger parts.

JetBlue Airplane Caught Fire In California Airport

Fifteen people suffered minor injuries when a Jet Blue airplane made a hard land at Sacramento International Airport in Northern California on Thursday, authorities said.

The landing forced the emigration of 87 passengers and five crew members via inflatable slides, Airport spokeswoman Gina Swankie said.

The passengers were then loaded on buses and waited on the runway to go to a terminal, Swankie said.

"A Jet Blue spokesman told me that the flight reported a matter with the brakes," Swankie said. "The crew elected to evacuate the aircraft in an abundance of caution."
The flight blew two tires as it was landing, said Swankie.

The tires caught fire, Swankie said, but he could not corroborate reports that a fire was also reported on the plane. Flight 262, which was from Long Beach, Southern California, was planned to arrive at 12:37 p.m.

New World Record Likely To Be Created At World Bog Championships

A NEW WORLD record time is thought to have been set at this year’s World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Powys.

Dan Morgan, from Brecon, completed the event at Llanwrtyd Wells in 1 minute 30.06 seconds, beating last year’s record of 1 min 38.15 seconds. The official time will be established by organisers later today.

Up to 140 people from across the world were opposing at the annual event, where contestants have to avoid conventional swimming strokes to get through the 60 yard trenches, using only flippers to push through the mud and water.

Hundreds of people visited the site at 1pm to cheer on the contestants, who took part in a number of diverse categories, from juniors and men and women, to fancy dress. Organizers said they predicted that a new record might be set after the bogs were cleared of remains for the first time in a decade.

Indonesian Volcano Erupts Again For Second Time

Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Monday erupted for a second time, forcing more than 20,000 people to stay in evacuation centres, officials said. The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre said Sinabung’s second eruption occurred at 6:30 am (2330 GMT Sunday), belching a editorial of smoke up to 2,000 metres into the sky.

The 2,451-metre-high volcano erupted for the first time in more than four centuries early Sunday, prompting the migration of thousands of residents from its slopes. Sunday’s eruption came only hours after the local government permitted residents to return to their homes, assuring them that the volcano was not dangerous.

The Sinabung volcano, located about 1,300 kilometres north-west of Jakarta, has been seen heating up since late Thursday, causing people living on the slopes to run away. The number of refugees had reached 21,054 people by Sunday morning, said Jhonson Tarigan, a Karo district public relations official. “The number is probable to increase if the situation gets worse,” Jhonson said.

Vulcanologists upgraded Sinabung’s danger status to the top level minutes before Sunday’s eruption, and revised its position from a dormant to an active volcano. “Previously, there was no important activity at the Mount Sinabung volcano, so the monitoring did not take priority since the 1600s,” Surono, the head of the directorate who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said on Sunday.

He recommended the residents stay at the evacuation centres until further notice. Besides ordering the evacuations, experts also warned residents to wear face masks alongside the volcano’s ash and told people living along rivers to watch out for possible lava-induced floods. Indonesia has the maximum density of volcanoes in the world with about 500 in the “Belt of Fire” in the 5,000-kilometre-long archipelago nation. Nearly 130 are active and 68 are scheduled as dangerous.

Boom In China Wheat Market After Australian Deregulation

China, the world's largest grain producer, has shown an amplified interest in Australian wheat.

In the nine months to the end of June, Australian wheat exports to China were triple the sales made in the prior financial year (2008-09).

Commodity analyst Malcolm Bartholomaeus says deregulation of wheat exports has played a main role. "Under the old arrangements, it would emerge that AWB used to deal with either just one government-backed industry or a very minute number of entities," he says.

"So now I think a larger number of mills can come straight into the Australian market and buy what they need in any smaller bulk parcels or in the container market."

LG Launches The World’s Thinnest 3D OLED TV

Today at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, LG has debuted the world’s thinnest OLED (organic light emitting diode) TV, measuring just 2.9mm, according to Crave Asia. The thin OLED sets have been around while the 2007 introduction of the Sony XEL-1, but the LG model has the added advantage of 3D playback.

There is a catch though. No official price has been given so far for the set, but it will likely be expensive. Jaw droppingly luxurious. The Chaebol 15-inch EL9500 OLED is on sale currently in the U.S. For $2,500.

Crop Threatening Oriental Fruit Flies Found In Pinellas

The discovery of two tiny fruit flies in Safety Harbor has sparked a big reaction from state agriculture officials. That's because two Oriental fruit flies were found in an ensnare in Safety Harbor.

The find is significant because officials call the Oriental fruit fly "one of the most solemn of the world's fruit fly pests." They say it attacks more than 100 dissimilar fruits, including citrus, apples, guava, mango, tomatoes and peppers.

The Florida Department of Agriculture has launched a trapping program in an 81 square mile area nearby where the fruit flies were found. Officials there say if pesticides are essential, they alert the public beforehand as to when and where they will be applied. Investiagtors are currently looking into how the two flies got into Florida.

Superbugs Kills Babies In A Leading Hospital

University College Hospital has one of the UK’s most excellent neonatal units, but, currently is under the attack by superbugs. Because of the superbug increase in the neonatal unit, at least three newborn infants have died and 12 babies are reported to be infected.

The babies were three months old and were undergoing treatment in the contemporary intensive care unit of the hospital. According to the minutes of the meeting at the hospital held on August 10, the number of babies infected with gram-negative bacteria has amplified the risk level and the hospital is on a ‘heightened level of concern’.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in association with the hospital authorities is looking into the entire matter. A Spokesperson of HPA said that HPA is monitoring the situation and providing essential information on infection control and possible antibiotic treatments.

Doctors say that the majority of the superbugs are resistant to all antibiotics and the resistance level are increasing day-by-day. Some medical experts consider that in the coming days these bugs will be difficult to get rid of and will cause a ‘medical apocalypse’. The neonatal unit is undergoing a ‘deep clean’ presently and the hospital officials have stopped taking more cases.

2010 Aston Martin DBS - Volante

The 2010 Aston Martin DBS coupe and DBS Volante convertible are evolutions of the DB9 sportscar, with distinct bodywork and even more of a racing heritage. The Volante's bruising V-12 engine is a 6.0-liter V-12 that exhales 510 horsepower and twists out 420 pound-feet of torque, which gets shuttled to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. With either, Aston Martin says the Volante dashes to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and charges to a 191-mph top speed.

Playing backup to the massively powerful drivetrain are big carbon-ceramic brakes and a lighter-weight body with a hood, decklid and front fenders made from carbon fiber. Driving feel is adjustable, with dash-mounted buttons for Sport or normal modes. Sport quickens the reflexes of the automatic, the shocks, steering and throttle, while the normal mode promises a more relaxed, GT-style ride.

Instead of a weight-gaining folding hardtop like the Ferrari California, Aston's fitted a lightweight fabric roof that stacks and folds in only 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 30 mph. When it's stowed, the top hides underneath a hard tonneau cover that gives the Volante a distinct look from the coupe.

The Volante is technically speaking, a 2+2, but the back seat and its leather-trimmed seats are admittedly made for "younger persons or extra luggage," Aston reminds. Our sister site MotorAuthority has driven the DBS Volante; we've based our rating here on those driving impressions.

2010 Lexus SC 430 - Review Summary

The 2010 Lexus SC 430 retractable hardtop roadster sports a bulbous body with a power folding hardtop, a big V-8, and a six-speed automatic transmission, and returns for the model year with just a handful of minor changes. It's a surprising return, since the aging sporty convertible has essentially been replaced in the Lexus lineup by the smaller, less expensive Lexus IS 250 C and 350 C convertibles.

A 4.3-liter, 288-horsepower V-8 powers the SC 430. It's mated to a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission with Shift Logic Control. The SC is impressively fast, and the transmission delivers crisp, instinctive shifts. Fuel economy is a decent 16/23 mpg. Handling is fine, but interior space is cramped. Refinement levels are high--and this year, the SC 430 gets a revised navigation system and an updated Mark Levinson sound system with Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, and USB connectivity.

At the end of its life cycle, the SC 430 still gets our recommendation for its folding hardtop, its luxurious cabin, and its effortlessly smooth powertrain. The bathtub styling leaves it wanting, though, and the seats sit too deeply for our comfort. Rear-seat and trunk space are minuscule, too. For nearly the same price, the 2010 Jaguar XK is a clear favorite of TheCarConnection's editors.

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 - Review Summary

The completely restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 definitely makes a statement, and while most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com love the new look, a couple of reviewers aren't yet sold on the Mazda3 2010's reworked sheetmetal.

The 2010 Mazda3 is an affordable compact from Mazda that is available as a "four-door sedan and four-door hatchback (a so-called five-door)," according to USA Today. The 2010 Mazda3 boasts a completely new look compared to its predecessor, but Car and Driver says that the "various Mazda traits make the sedan immediately recognizable as a Mazda3." Anyone looking at the new Mazda3 2010 will immediately notice what AutoWeek calls the "stronger lines" on the latest Mazda3, as well as the "distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia." Cars.com reviewers report that they "really like the new shape of the front end, especially the flares on the front fenders," and they appreciate that "the 2010 Mazda3 looks radically different while still being recognizable as a Mazda." USA Today reviewers are much harsher on the new 2010 Mazda Mazda3, though, sniping that "whatever formula Mazda used to jazz up its compact Mazda3 sedan for 2010 certainly included two squirts of ugly," including the "open-mouth grille, like a fish, [that] makes the front look so heavy you expect the car to tip on its snout."

Although there is some dissent regarding the new exterior of the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, the interior draws high praise in nearly every review read by TheCarConnection.com. Cars.com remarks that the 2010 Mazda3's cabin "looks to maintain its classy feel with a sloped center stack and a new scalloped gauge cluster that flows over the center stack and, on higher trim levels, also houses an integrated navigation screen." Jalopnik loves how the "dash sweeps dramatically from its center to the cabin's sidewalls," while also noting that "the slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency while providing an attractive focal point." The only major criticism of the interior styling of the 2010 Mazda3 regards the Multi-Information Display, which Automobile Magazine says "displays information in white and in a dramatically different font and size than the main, red display—it looks so out of place that it might as well be from another car."

Conclusion
The restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 wins more than a few fans with its cutting-edge (and attention-getting) interior and exterior styling.

2010 Lexus RX 350 - Review Summary

The 2010 Lexus RX 350 represents the next generation of the RX Lexus lineup, but the styling hasn't changed too drastically. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the exterior of the 2010 Lexus RX 350 still carves the same conservative, middle-of-the-road profile that Lexus is known for. Some reviewers aren't very impressed; Jalopnik says that Lexus "managed to take a boring but tidy SUV and crank the snooze up to 11." Others, however, appreciate the broad appeal of the Lexus RX 350.

The latest Lexus design language, which they have christened "L-finesse," works well on the Lexus RX 350, according to Cars.com. "L-finesse models have a clean, uncluttered look that's accented by sharp, angular design elements, such as the headlights," assesses Cars.com, and "the design theme doesn't diminish the RX's distinctive appearance." Edmunds finds the changes to be quite subtle, claiming that "to the untrained eye, it appears to be exactly the same midsize luxury crossover SUV as the 2009 Lexus RX 350," and while the "front and rear fascias are slightly different, and the wheels are larger...the basic silhouette is intact." Autoblog reviewers chime in by noting that the "sharp creases and broad shoulders [of the 2010 Lexus RX 350] give the RX a more hunkered-down appearance while still remaining innocuous."

The interior of the 2010 RX Lexus RX lineup gets a more significant makeover, boasting new styling elements throughout the cabin. Cars.com notes that the interior, "unlike the exterior, makes a bigger break from the previous RX in terms of its design" and is "offered in solid or two-tone color schemes," while the "dashboard has sweeping lines and makes wide use of soft-touch materials." Autoblog states that the interior of the Lexus RX 350 gets "a completely revised instrument panel, center stack and navigation system," while Road & Track mentions the addition of "an 8-inch navigation screen" as optional equipment. Car and Driver declares that the interior, though different, stays "conservative yet pleasing to the eye—parchment with brown walnut, or gray tones with charcoal maple."

Conclusion
The styling of the 2010 Lexus RX 350 doesn't stand out, but that might be a positive to those looking for practical luxury.

2011 Hyundai Sonata - - 2.0T Turbo - Hybrid

The Basics

It’s true in cars as it’s true in politics—to rise above the clutter, you need to make a dramatic statement. While Hyundai won’t be telling anyone it can “see Russia from its house!” anytime soon, it’s given its mainstream, mid-size Sonata a refreshing new look and a new mission.

The goal: to dislodge some Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion buyers (along with shoppers considering the Camry, Malibu and Accord) and bring them into the Hyundai fold.

So, how’s the hopey-changey thing working out for the big Hyundai four-door? Very well, thanks. Sales are the best ever, and it’s largely a matter of the right look, matching up with the right features and the right fuel-economy number on the sticker. The Sonata’s ditched formality for fab new lines, inside and out. It’s skipping the V-6 route and instead fitting the car with a four-cylinder that rates up to 35 mpg—a little lower if it’s fitted with a turbocharger, considerably more if it’s teamed with Hyundai’s new hybrid technology. In any version it meets our performance expectations; both the Hybrid and 2.0T versions thrill us beyond the norms, for their own distinct reasons.

Inside, there’s more usable room than ever, and it’s finished in an agreeable way, though we’d love to see softer seats and a little less gloss black plastic. The steering could use some more refinement in feel, too. It works great in sweeping turns, but wanders a touch on some highway surfaces. While they’re at it, Hyundai needs to buckle down on interior noise. On asphalt roads, the Sonata’s low rolling resistance tires generate lots of noise, overpowering even the good mid-level speakers.

You’ll probably overlook those minor flaws given the Sonata’s extremely smart pricing. All this space, frugality and good looks can be had for less than $20,000—and comes with USB, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. The turbo version adds more than 80 horsepower, but only raises the price to about $25,000 base. The Hybrid will earn around 39-40 mpg in highway driving—with a base price of about $26,000, not much more than the much smaller Honda Civic Hybrid.
Styling
8 out of 10 Hyundai joins Ford and Nissan in crafting a compelling look for its mainstream sedan. See details and best of the Web
Performance
8 out of 10 Ride quality and fuel economy are strengths, but the Sonata's steering could be smoother. See details and best of the Web
Quality
8 out of 10 Ample interior room meets comfy cloth seats, with noticeable plastics kept out of touch. See details and best of the Web
Safety
10 out of 10 The Sonata tops the IIHS ratings; NHTSA scores are coming soon. See details and best of the Web
Features
9 out of 10 Entertainment options rival those in the Fusion, but most are bundled into expensive packages. See details and best of the Web
We like

* Zoomy new styling
* Fuel-conscious in all forms
* Well-damped ride
* Big standard features list
* Huge value for the dollar

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We dislike
* Inconsistent steering feel
* Seats feel rather firm
* Cabin gets noisy at higher speeds
* If you have to have a V-6, you’re out of luck

Check other choices
Key Takeaway
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata takes some smart styling and performance risks to raise its profile.

2010 Ford F-150 - Review Summary

Few would argue that the latest generation of Ford’s venerable F-150 pickup is understated, and with the introduction of the edgy new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor high-performance off-road edition, the truck lineup is more pronounced than ever.

The 2010 Ford F-150 is Ford’s signature pickup truck, a workplace mainstay that has been among the best-selling vehicles in the country for decades. One of the keys to the F-150’s staying power is its incredible versatility and diversity of body styles—Cars.com writes that, “for 2010, it comes in 10 trim levels” comprised of “three cab styles: regular, extended and crew cab.” The potential combinations are “mind-boggling,” according to Edmunds, and virtually guarantee that there is a 2010 Ford F-150 to meet your needs. Compared to the previous generation, Kelley Blue Book writes that this F-150 is “much huskier, with an imposing front end, strong shoulders and a deep, deep pickup box.” The various trims are primarily distinguished by their grille treatment, which Cars.com says begins “with a simple one on the base XL and topping out with mesh grille inserts for the highest trim level.”

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is significantly more distinct, however, and Jalopnik reports that “the agile, performance truck was designed to give the impression it is always on the move.” The Raptor is nearly seven inches wider than a standard F-150, and reviews read by TheCarConnection.com love the aggressive styling modifications, which include a grille with the word “FORD” carved into it and numerous SVT badges.

Beginning several years ago, Ford made a major investment in its interiors, and the results have been impressive. With the new F-150, Ford has continued its interior styling improvements, and Kelley Blue Book calls the latest cabin “both attractive and functional.” Consumer Guide adds that the “gauges are easy to read,” although the “audio and climate controls are mounted high, just out of easy reach.” Compared to most other Ford vehicles, Cars.com writes that “the interior includes enlarged buttons” which are easy to manipulate even with large work gloves on. Differences on the SVT Raptor are minimal, with Car and Driver finding that the “inside is a mostly standard F-150 cabin, which is a pretty pleasant place to start.”

Conclusion
The 2010 Ford F-150 lineup looks tougher than ever, with bold styling that stands out regardless of the surroundings.

2010 Kia Soul - Review Summary

Just when you thought funky imports like the Scion lineup, the Nissan Versa, and the Honda Fit couldn't get any stranger, Kia comes along with the 2010 Kia Soul to renew your faith in the ability of the big Asian automakers to churn out an endless array of quirky vehicles. Unlike some of the aforementioned vehicles that received lukewarm receptions, the new Soul Kia seems to strike all the right chords in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com.

The new Kia 2010 Soul is a fun take on the now-popular "urban wagon" theme. The Soul is available in four trim levels, according to Automobile Magazine, which lists the options as "a base edition, the punctuated Soul+ and Soul!, and the top-drawer Soul Sport." While unusual, those punctuated Soul suffixes are worth getting used to, as TheCarConnection.com's editors note that only 5 percent of 2010 Kia Soul models will be in the base trim.

Reviewers simply love the new 2010 Kia Soul, which Automobile Magazine calls "a kimchi-flavored take on the xB and, without question, the wackiest thing to come out of Korea since M*A*S*H." Autoblog reports that, "for a small car, this thing has gobs of character," but they note "most people will probably find the [Kia 2010] Soul either irrepressibly cool or simply fail to 'get' its style altogether." Motor Trend adds that the Kia Soul "is cute and instantly likeable and comes in eleven colors (eight at launch) with names like Alien and Dune." In terms of specific styling elements, Cars.com says the Kia Soul sports "a rounded front end that's reminiscent of a Mini Cooper" and features "short front and rear overhangs and a fairly raked windshield."

Despite the obvious attention that Kia paid to the exterior design of the 2010 Kia Soul, reviewers are pleased to note the interior isn't simply an afterthought. Autoblog highlights the plethora of "funky shapes, patterns, and retina-flambeeing colored plastics" inside, but they add, "like a skate punk that hides a straight-A report card from his mates, there's a practicality streak inside the Soul." Other automotive experts agree. Edmunds points out that the "ergonomic layout within the Soul's cabin is sensible, with all the major controls logically arranged and within easy reach of the driver." Motor Trend is impressed with the Soul Kia's interior as well, finding it "a lot more appealing than a traditional economy car's," and despite the various flamboyant elements, they feel it is "less out-there than the xB's."

Conclusion
Granted, the styling of the 2010 Kia Soul is not for everyone, but don't be surprised to see a lot of thumbs-ups flashed your way if you happen to be driving one.

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