Oil rises to near $89 in holiday trade

Stocks set to rise after Obama extends tax cuts
NEW YORK (AP) — An extension of tax cuts for all Americans is giving stocks a lift.All three major indexes are set to rise Monday after President Barack Obama signed a $858 billion package Friday renewing tax cuts for another two years and extending expiring unemployment benefits through next year. The package is expected to boost economic growth, although critics say it will unnecessarily …

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Wall Street Beat: RIM, Oracle, Spending Buoy Markets
Better news about the economy and online spending capped off by strong quarterly results and robust forecasts from Oracle and Research In Motion helped fuel markets this week to new highs.

Read more on PC World via Yahoo! News

Chinese endure power shortages as coal runs short
 SHANGHAI (AP) – Communities in central and northern China are facing power cuts and rationing as winter coal supplies fall short of surging demand.   Cold weather and transport disruptions typically cause shortages most years, but the problem has been complicated by coal producers’ unhappiness over price controls that are crimping their profits.  

Read more on Manila Bulletin

Texas-Sized Growth Plans: Corner Bakery Cafe Announces Plans to More Than Double Its Presence in the Lone Star State
Texas may have just a single lone star, but it will soon boast more than 70 Corner Bakery Cafe locations. Celebrating a strong year of sales, the Dallas-based restaurant chain today announced substantial new growth plans in its home state, with new and existing franchise partners slated to bring more locations to Houston, fuel expansion into San Antonio and East Texas, and add a new cafe in El …

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Oil rises to near $89 in holiday trade
Oil prices climbed as China’s thirst for energy showed little sign of being quenched.

Read more on BigPond News

Oil trades near three week high on US optimism

Peak Oil, Then Coal
When will production of oil and coal peak? After the peak, production will decline because supplies are being depleted and no new sources are to be found. Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline. Optimistic estimations of peak production forecast the global decline will begin by 2020 …

Read more on Environmental News Network

Kia Forte returns and with more
The Kia Forte Koup made quite an impression in its first year: it was named “Car of the Year” by NADAGuides.com and served as the basis for Kia Motors America’s (KMA) first-ever U.S. motorsports program with two Koups competing in the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. KMA’s first-ever …

Read more on The Washington Times

Gatwick stays closed amid travel disruption
LONDON – Heavy snow caused travel chaos across much of northern Europe yesterday, keeping London’s Gatwick airport closed for a second day and disrupting road and rail travel in France, Germany and Switzerland.

Read more on The Irish Times

ZIMBABWE: Low morale erodes public health gains
HARARE, 3 December 2010 (IRIN) – At first glance Zimbabwe’s public health system has undergone a renaissance since the dire days two years ago when shortages of drugs, staff and equipment were the norm.

Read more on IRIN

Oil trades near three week high on US optimism
Oil traded near the highest in almost three weeks after greater-than-forecast growth in US private employment bolstered optimism fuel demand will increase in the world’s biggest crude-consuming nation.

Read more on Brisbane Times

Asia Rubber-China, tyre makers seek prompt; RSS3 near record

Need-to-know news and views for UB faculty and staff
UB Alert: Emergency text, e-mail messages. Sign up > A UB chemist is applying a common mathematical concept to synthetic biology research aimed at finding ways to boost biofuels production.

Read more on UB Reporter

‘Father of Prius’ talks ‘green’ vehicles, different fuel sources
Takeshi Uchiyamada, executive vice president of the Toyota Motor Corporation, began his speech at the Iacocca Auditorium on North Campus yesterday by putting on a University baseball cap, raising his fist in the air and exclaiming, “Go Blue!” The rest of his speech, however, was all about “going green” when it comes to using alternative types of cars and fuels. read more

Read more on The Michigan Daily

Ford to export Edge crossover to China in December
Ford Motor Co. will add the Edge five-door crossover to its Chinese model lineup in December, hoping to gain sales as demand for larger vehicles rises in the world’s biggest auto market.

Read more on AP via Yahoo! Finance

Asia Rubber-China, tyre makers seek prompt; RSS3 near record
* China buys SIR20, SMR20 at above $3 a kg

Read more on Reuters via Yahoo! Philippines News

Asia Rubber-China, tyre makers seek prompt; RSS3 near record
* China buys SIR20, SMR20 at above $3 a kg

Read more on Reuters via Yahoo! Singapore News

Chicago VW dealers could feature electric car in near future

Around the time of the Frankfurt Auto Show, manufacturers are unveiling a wide variety of new and innovative concept and go-to-market vehicles. This year’s auto show was not a disappointment, showcasing tons of new vehicles by the world’s greatest manufacturers. Parallel to the auto industry, part of the theme of this year’s show was electric cars and other fuel efficiency developments. Among the frontrunners for “most exciting announcement was Volkswagen, who announced the development and future of release of the E-Up, the manufacturer’s first stab at a fully electric car.

Chicago VW dealers are already seeing interest in this new vehicle ramping up in a big way; while some manufacturers are continuing to focus on traditional selling points, the new E-Up represents a portrait of progression—and a bright look at the future of the automotive industry. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the front wheel drive vehicle will feature 18 kilowatt hours of energy capacity—enough to power the vehicle for close to 80 miles. Volkswagen will work over the coming years to perfect the car, and your Chicago Volkswagen dealer probably won’t see the vehicle hit shelves until 2013. But when it does, it’s sure to cause a frenzy among eco-friendly and progressive drivers.

According to VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, “The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive – technically, visually and with regard to a practical size. The future will belong to lower emissions and more efficient transportation. We’re releasing one environmentally friendly car after another.

“The VW group is in top form,” he went on to add. “Today, VW is the most successful multi-brand car group in the world; we have convincing solutions for the entire market.”

Truly, Volkswagen is continuing to supplement its role as one of the world’s most progressive of automotive dealers. Top efficiency has become a major focus of the automotive industry as of late, and one of the areas with the biggest room for improvement is fuel economy. Vehicles like the E-Up are leading the way in an industry that has become a rat-race when it comes to staying ahead of the technological curve. When you walk into your Chicago Volkswagen dealer, you want to see vehicles that are competitive and top of the line; VW is doing a great job of turning that dream into a reality. Chicago VW drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a quality vehicles coupled with the unmatched efficiency of an electric car.

In an automotive world that is so rapidly evolving, you can count on your Gurnee Volkswagen dealership to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. The E-Up isn’t Volkswagen’s only vie for industry dominance and increased fuel economy; take a look at some of the vehicles Gurnee Volkswagen drivers are raving about today. Make sure to visit the Volkswagen website for more information on how the E-Up is revolutionizing the industry and sign up for updates on production progress.

Chicago VW dealers could feature electric car in near future

Around the time of the Frankfurt Auto Show, manufacturers are unveiling a wide variety of new and innovative concept and go-to-market vehicles. This year’s auto show was not a disappointment, showcasing tons of new vehicles by the world’s greatest manufacturers. Parallel to the auto industry, part of the theme of this year’s show was electric cars and other fuel efficiency developments. Among the frontrunners for “most exciting announcement was Volkswagen, who announced the development and future of release of the E-Up, the manufacturer’s first stab at a fully electric car.

Chicago VW dealers are already seeing interest in this new vehicle ramping up in a big way; while some manufacturers are continuing to focus on traditional selling points, the new E-Up represents a portrait of progression—and a bright look at the future of the automotive industry. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the front wheel drive vehicle will feature 18 kilowatt hours of energy capacity—enough to power the vehicle for close to 80 miles. Volkswagen will work over the coming years to perfect the car, and your Chicago Volkswagen dealer probably won’t see the vehicle hit shelves until 2013. But when it does, it’s sure to cause a frenzy among eco-friendly and progressive drivers.

According to VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, “The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive – technically, visually and with regard to a practical size. The future will belong to lower emissions and more efficient transportation. We’re releasing one environmentally friendly car after another.

“The VW group is in top form,” he went on to add. “Today, VW is the most successful multi-brand car group in the world; we have convincing solutions for the entire market.”

Truly, Volkswagen is continuing to supplement its role as one of the world’s most progressive of automotive dealers. Top efficiency has become a major focus of the automotive industry as of late, and one of the areas with the biggest room for improvement is fuel economy. Vehicles like the E-Up are leading the way in an industry that has become a rat-race when it comes to staying ahead of the technological curve. When you walk into your Chicago Volkswagen dealer, you want to see vehicles that are competitive and top of the line; VW is doing a great job of turning that dream into a reality. Chicago VW drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a quality vehicles coupled with the unmatched efficiency of an electric car.

In an automotive world that is so rapidly evolving, you can count on your Gurnee Volkswagen dealership to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. The E-Up isn’t Volkswagen’s only vie for industry dominance and increased fuel economy; take a look at some of the vehicles Gurnee Volkswagen drivers are raving about today. Make sure to visit the Volkswagen website for more information on how the E-Up is revolutionizing the industry and sign up for updates on production progress.

Oil spill size near upper range of earlier estimates

BMW challenges small car stereotype
Leave it to Germany’s performance car maker, BMW, to challenge small car stereotypes. BMW’s entry model, the 1-Series, is a 14.3-foot-long, two-door, four-passenger subcompact car that’s smaller than a Toyota Camry.

Read more on KCEN-TV Temple

BMW challenges small car stereotype
HO This photo released by BMW shows the 2010 BMW 135i. BMW’s entry model, the 1-Series, is a 14.3-foot-long, two-door, four-passenger subcompact car that’s smaller than a Toyota Camry.

Read more on Coeur d’Alene Press

X Prize offers cash for oil spill cleaners
Today the Gulf, tomorrow the world This Thursday, the X Prize Foundation will announce its next competition: a challenge to inventors and entrepreneurs to find ways to clean up after such environmental disasters as BP’s Gulf gusher.… Free On-Demand Webcast – Virtualizing the Hard Stuff

Read more on The Register

Ford: Lincoln Hybrid Now Priced Equal to Non-hybrid Models
Many consumers have become comfortable with hybrid cars’ higher sticker price, figuring they will save money on gas in the long run. Now Ford is turning hybrid pricing on its head. Its 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid, upon this fall’s release, will have a sticker price identical to its twin that runs solely on gasoline. Ford touts that it is the first automaker to offer a luxury hybrid vehicle with a …

Read more on Environmental News Network

Oil spill size near upper range of earlier estimates
As BP prepares to seal the well for good, officials say it spewed more than 200 million gallons, by far the worst such disaster off a U.S. coast. BP’s ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico released more than 200 million gallons of oil before it was capped, government officials said Monday, as the company was poised to stuff the well with dense mud in preparation for a final seal later this month.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

$75M Mansion Near Orlando Selling ‘as Is’

Inside the loop
Standing on the roof at 71 Garfield St. on a recent late afternoon, the sun beat down mercilessly on our small group and reflected off the white rubber roofing enough to make me wish I had sunglasses and a tall, cool drink. It was intolerably hot up there.

Read more on Metro Times Detroit

Real Housewives of New Jersey: A Tale of Two Kims [Recaps]
# recaps On last night’s excursion to the dark, leafy psychological mania of suburban New Jersey, we witnessed a shift. A change in temperature, in barometric pressure. Winds slowed and curdled, skies turned the sickly green of tornadoes. The show is different . More »

Read more on Gawker

$75M Mansion Near Orlando Selling ‘as Is’
Massive Unfinished Mansion Near Orlando Selling For $75M ‘as Is’; Needs Walls, Carpet And Tile

Read more on CBS News

$75M Mansion Near Orlando Selling ‘as Is’
Massive Unfinished Mansion Near Orlando Selling For $75M ‘as Is’; Needs Walls, Carpet And Tile

Read more on CBS News

$75M Mansion Near Orlando Selling ‘as Is’
Massive Unfinished Mansion Near Orlando Selling For $75M ‘as Is’; Needs Walls, Carpet And Tile

Read more on CBS News

A Hybrid Car in a Garage Near You

Buying a new car is big and expensive decision for most people, and with the ever rising oil price it is becoming a more and more expensive affair to own your own car too. With an oil price that works in a way so that a rain in north America raises the price people in Finland pays for gasoline from Russia, it is not strange that the market is eager to be offered more economical cars.

To make metters even worse, we are today well aware that the large scale use of fossil fuel like oil is very bad for the environment. Getting rid of all gasoline powered engines would be great for the environment.

All of the above has resulted in a new breed of cars being rapidly developed. These cars combine the best features of the electric cars with that of conventional, gasoline powered cars. These type of cars are called hybrid cars, and you are likely to hear a lot about them in the very near future.

An electric car with a twist

The electric car first sounded like a great idea, since it has no emissions while it runs. However, this is only partially true as the total emissions depends on how the electricity for the electric car is produced – if it comes from a coal plant for example, it isn’t very clean at all.

Furthermore, the storage of large amounts of electricity is problematic at best and in practise turns electric cars to pure bread city cars. Storing large ammounts of electricity is unfortunately a rather clumsy affair.

Hybrid cars combine an electric engine with a gasoline powered one, which means the use of gasoline isn’t completely gone but it can be greatly reduced. The dual engines also allow for smaller engines to be used, and they take advantage of things like regenerative breaking.

Naturally the hybrid cars are also extremely lightweight and aerodynamically well designed, all to reduce the energy needed to run them. In slow city traffic the conventional engine is automatically shut of completely, producing no emissions whatsoever. When more speed and power is needed, the conventional engine is allowed to seamlessly kick in partially or fully.

Hybrid cars are here NOW

Like much of the car market today, it is the Japanese who have been fastest to develop attractive looking hybrid vehicles, such as the hybrid powered Honda Accord and Toyota Prius. Contrary to what one might believe, these cars have also fared very well on the market.

The idea of saving on gas is obviously appealing to a lot of people.

Most well known North American manufacturers are also expected to jump on the bandwagon of this lucrative market very soon. Many of them, including Ford, Chevrolet and Mercury have in fact already launched hybrid powered version of some of their models.

As this is a quickly expanding market, you can expect to see many of these cars appearing more commonly at local car dealers. As this is considered cutting edge technology, one can expect the initial prices to be rather high though. But then again, a hybrid car will mean considerable savings on buying gas. As the competition will no doubt be stiff, it will be interesting to see how the pricing of these cars develop during the next few years.

While the best thing for the environment would be to chuck oil out of the picture completely, hybrid cars represent one of the best alternatives one can buy insted right now – combining the cleanliness of the electric engine with the mileage of a conventional combustion engine. Hybrid cars are certainly not to be considered unorthodox or overly futuristic – they are here NOW.

What do think will be the near future best means of electric power for automobiles?

I’m leaning towards zinc air fuel cells and ultra capacitors if the latter arrive on the scene this year as some anticipate.
they already have zinc air fuel cell buses for sale out of Europe tested and quite adequate. but lithium will run short of supply before you know it and oxygen and hydrogen production will never be an improvement for long . I think reusable zinc or ultracapacitors via eestor, in junction with a nuclear upgraded energy grid is on the way.

How much does aluminum recycling pay in Southern California and where can i recycle it near Burbank, CA?

I have aluminum scraps that i would like to recycle, how much does it pay and where can i recycle that’ll give me the most $$?

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