New N. Korean rocket launch site nearing completion, says US think-tank |
- New N. Korean rocket launch site nearing completion, says US think-tank
- DS to unveil new concept car on Sept 5
- Arsenal’s Cazorla eyes Everton goals
- Mercedes C-Class gets the Brabus boost
- World highest swimming pool opens at The Shard
- Venezuela to use fingerprint scans in fight against food smuggling
| New N. Korean rocket launch site nearing completion, says US think-tank Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:37 PM PDT
A major construction programme has been under way at the North's Sohae Satellite Launching Station since mid-2013, focused on upgrading facilities to handle larger, longer-range rockets with heavier payloads. Satellite images taken this month indicate that several significant construction projects there are nearing completion despite heavy rain this summer, the US-Korea institute at Johns Hopkins University said in a post dated yesterday. "The effort under way since late last year — to upgrade the gantry tower and launch pad — that will enable the North Koreans to test space launch vehicles with greater ranges and carry larger payloads than the Unha rocket fired in 2012 should be finished by fall," it said. "As a result, the North will be able to conduct new launches from this site before the end of the year should it decide to do so." There is little doubt that North Korea has an active ballistic missile development programme, but it remains unclear how much progress it has made. Development of a working ICBM that could reach the continental United States would bring the North's regular nuclear strike warnings to a whole new level. Last month, the same US think-tank said North Korea might be wrapping up engine trials on an intercontinental ballistic missile, citing satellite images. "If the engine tests are concluded, the next stage in development of the KN-08 road-mobile ICBM may be full-scale flight tests of the missile", it said. It stressed, however, that it was unclear just how successful the tests had been. The KN-08 was first unveiled at a military parade in April 2012, but many analysts dismissed the models on show as mock-ups. In December the same year, Pyongyang demonstrated its rocket capabilities by sending a satellite into orbit on a multi-stage launch vehicle. But it has yet to conduct a test that would show it has mastered the re-entry technology required for an effective ICBM. — AFP  |
| DS to unveil new concept car on Sept 5 Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:31 PM PDT
In a release, DS claims that the new vehicle "carries the know-how and excellence of leading companies," without providing additional details on the partners in question or on the concept itself. DS is currently making a name for itself as a premium brand distributed by Citroën in Europe and through its own dedicated network in China. At the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, the brand presented its first SUV, the DS 6WR (based on the previously unveiled Wild Rubis concept) and a sportier version of its DS 5LS premium sedan. The Paris Motor Show takes place from October 4 to 19. — AFP-Relaxnews |
| Arsenal’s Cazorla eyes Everton goals Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:25 PM PDT
The Spain midfielder struck seven goals last season and will hope to open his Premier League account this term when Arsene Wenger's side face Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow. His goal return in the 2013/14 campaign was down on the 12 goals he scored during his first season at the club and, while Cazorla missed out in the narrow opening day win over Crystal Palace, he provided a reminder of his threat with Arsenal's first goal in the Community Shield win over Manchester City. "Kicking off a new season in that fashion is always nice: winning a title and also helping by scoring a goal," Cazorla said. "That keeps your morale high. As I always say, my target is helping the team with goals. "I hope to equal or beat my goalscoring tally from last season. That's something every player wants to achieve." He added: "Hopefully, I'll help the team with many goals because that would be a signal that I can be useful. "My first season here was very good. I managed to beat my scoring record — which had been nine with Malaga — with 12 goals. "Last season I wasn't so consistent because I struggled with ankle problems after an injury with Spain. For this reason I lacked consistency," Cazorla explained. "But in the end we managed to win a title after so many years and hopefully this year I'll be able to give 100 percent physically and mentally in order to lift more trophies." Mikel Arteta will miss out on the chance to face his former club after injuring his ankle during the goalless draw at Besiktas in this week's Champions League qualifier. Wenger, the Gunners manager, must decide whether to restore Per Mertesacker to central defence or continue with 19-year-old Calum Chambers in the role. Mertesacker, along with Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski, was given extended leave after helping Germany to win the World Cup. But Chambers has impressed in an unfamiliar role following his arrival from Southampton. Everton collected four points from their two Premier League matches against the Gunners last season but finished seven points behind Arsenal in the table. Blues manager Roberto Martinez feels FA Cup-holders Arsenal will be a much better side this season and is predicting an exciting contest at Goodison Park. "I think this Arsenal side are better than they were last season with the additions they have made," Martinez said. "But they're very similar to us with the philosophy that they have. "The way Arsenal play has earned a real sense of admiration from people in world football. At Goodison, we really enjoy our football and we can't wait to get our season started at home from that perspective," the Spaniard added. "I think both teams are going to fight really hard to control the game and get on the ball. The difference is how good you can be in the final third." Everton will have Republic of Ireland duo Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson available for the match. Right-back Coleman suffered a hamstring problem in pre-season but came off the bench during last week's 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Leicester, while Gibson is now fit again after suffering a serious knee injury in October. However, Ross Barkley, Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone remain long-term absentees. — AFP |
| Mercedes C-Class gets the Brabus boost Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:20 PM PDT
Brabus has developed a package of improvements for the standard car that it is calling "a refinement programme that leaves nothing to be desired." It means that customers who want something a little more exclusive, potent and personal can either select specific elements or take every option to create something special. Tick every box and the car gets an enhanced yet not overly aggressive aerodynamics package which includes specially designed front and rear spoilers to stop the car from lifting and getting 'loose' at higher speeds, plus bigger, more aggressive air intakes for keeping the turbo spinning and the brakes cool. The look is finished with bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels and of course the replacement of the Mercedes Benz three-pointed star with the Brabus 'B' badge on the front grille. There are hundreds of aftermarket tuning and customization companies around the world that can potentially deliver anything a customer desires if he or she can afford it. And while it's relatively easy to make an engine more powerful or boost its acceleration, what separates companies like Brabus, Alpina and Overfinch from many of the rest is that they can make all of these enhancements without impacting on usability, reliability or safety. Brabus has been tuning Mercedes (with Mercedes-Benz's complete blessing) for over 35 years and this unparalleled expertise shows. For the latest C-Class Brabus has managed to get an extra 41bhp and 30Nm of torque out of the standard two-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This means a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 242km/h. But this extra performance only comes online when the car can handle it — when oil, engine and water temperature are in the green. This means that the tweaked engine will have the same reliability and longevity as that of the standard model and that it meets all current EU emissions legislation. The company has managed similar gains with the entry-level diesel engine too finding an extra 48bhp and cutting acceleration from 0-100km/h to just 7.1 seconds. Inside, the cabin is awash with handcrafted leather and alcantara, and other options include aluminum drilled pedals and Brabus door sill covers. The refinement programme for the petrol-powered C-Class is available to order now and will extend to diesel variants before the end of the year. — AFP-Relaxnews |
| World highest swimming pool opens at The Shard Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:19 PM PDT
The indoor infinity "Skypool" at the building's Shangri-La Hotel sits on the 52nd floor and features views of some of the capital's most iconic sites like St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye and Westminster. The west-facing 11x4-metre heated pool comes with its own bar, Gŏng, which is the highest in the city. Designed by Hong Kong-based creative Andre Fu of AFSO, the bar and pool area was inspired by the mythical aspect of 'dou-gong' ― a series of interlocking brackets that are used extensively in historical Chinese architecture. The interiors are a fusion of traditional Eastern and modern Western aesthetics. Shortlisted for this year's RIBA Stirling Award, The Shard by architect Renzo Piano is one of the city's hottest attractions right now, noted for its panoramic viewing platform on the 72nd floor. The Skypool is open exclusively to hotel guests between 6 am and 8 pm. ― AFP-Relaxnews |
| Venezuela to use fingerprint scans in fight against food smuggling Posted: 21 Aug 2014 06:13 PM PDT
Price controls in Venezuela keep food and other basic goods up to 10 times cheaper than in neighbouring countries, and Maduro blames the shortages on smugglers who buy cheap products and sell them for large profits across the border, particularly in Colombia. Under the new system, the scanners would be used to prevent people from making repeat trips to the supermarket and buying abnormally large amounts of food. "The order has been given to the superintendency of prices to establish a biometric system in all supermarkets and commercial and distribution chain networks of the republic," Maduro said in announcing the measure Wednesday. "The biometric system will be perfect," he said, calling it an "antifraud blessing." Despite holding the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela is mired in an economic crisis marked by a soaring deficit, chronic shortages and annual inflation that stood at 60 per cent when the government stopped releasing the figure two months ago. The fingerprinting plan drew sharp criticism from the opposition, whose leaders compared it to communist rationing. "This is nothing less than the Cuban rationing book. The government can't presume to tell a family what it's going to eat," said lawmaker Alfonso Marquina of the opposition Justice First party. Earlier this month, Venezuela began closing its 2,200-kilometer (1,400-mile) border with Colombia every night in a bid to crack down on smuggling. But critics, including the Colombian government, say the move will do little to solve the problem. — AFP |
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