Seal Cull

The world's sickest and cruelest cull once more got under way as Canadians begin their annual festival of slaughter - clubbing and shooting tens of thousands of seal pups around the Gulf of St Lawrence.

The Canadian seal cull take the lives of over 220,000 seal pups this year. Minister Loyola Hearn of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) introduced new regulations to make what he and his predecessors have long called a 'sport' more humane. The Canadian government's new policies for killing seals include severing their arteries before skinning them for the fur.

These sicko in Newfoundland usually kill seal pups by shooting and then hooking and dragging them into boats. Aiming for the head and reluctant to shoot twice (prices for 'damaged pelts' are worth too little to bother.) Many seal pups were injured and dragged into boats conscious during the process.

Melamine

The list of companies facing potential recalls grew Friday as reports of foods tainted with the industrial chemical melamine, which has been blamed in the deaths of four Chinese infants, spread to a widening range of products.

Some companies learned the need for extra diligence in China the hard way, during a spate of scandals last year from unsafe foods and toothpaste to melamine-laced ingredients in pet food; but many continued choose to disregard the risks.

Tokyo-headquartered Lotte Group, a major snack maker, got caught up in the storm Friday after its popular chocolate-filled Koala cookies were recalled in Hong Kong and Macau because of melamine contamination.

Shanghai-based maker of White Rabbit, a popular vanilla-flavored toffee, said it stopped domestic sales after the Hong Kong government's Center for Food Safety said the candy contained more than six times the legal limit of melamine.

Optical Illusion

A list of some of my favorite illusions :
Some double meanings, motion-induced blindness, and mind bending perspective distortion just to confuse you. If you never been to a haunted house before, you get to see one above, you probably will see some young girls around the house if you look at it long enough.







1) Elephant with many legs or misplace legs? How many legs it really has?
2) A swarm of larvae set against a fluorescent green background or moving bugs against green background ?
3) An image of two people about to make out. Or, it's a nice all-white candlestick?
4) Equal or unequal distance between arrow?
5) Creepy little creatures of seemingly different sizes run through an underground tunnel in a maniacal attempt . They look different... But are they?
6) Is the rectangle moving toward you or away from you?







1) If you do not see two different words, then it's time for you to get an eye exam.

2)If you are not seeing any turning wheel, you are alright. But in case you see them turning, don't worry, they are just illusion .





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Baby Milk Formula

Tainted milk formula in China has killed three babies and sickened 6,200 in a spreading scandal that prompted three additional companies - including China's biggest dairy - to recall products. About 20 per cent of the dairy companies tested nationwide had sold products tainted with melamine, officials said. Suppliers to the companies are thought to have added the banned chemical, normally used in plastics, to watered-down milk to make it appear higher in protein. 6,244 babies had been sickened after being fed tainted milk formula, and that 158 were suffering from acute kidney failure.

In addition to Sanlu and Mengniu, two other companies, Guangdong-based Yashili and Qingdao-based Suncare, were recalling their products after melamine was found in their milk powder. Yashili and Suncare export their products to Bangladesh, Yemen, Gabon, Burundi and Myanmar. SanLu Group, a 43% stake of which was acquired by New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-operative Group for 864 million yuan in 2006, is seen to be the main but not the only culprit. Another foreign brand on the black list is Kocci, a China- Australia joint venture.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine had already reported that its inspectors had found melamine "in 69 batches of milk powder manufactured by 22 companies." The highest concentration of melamine was found in Sanlu's milk powder, he said. Among the other companies that had melamine in their products was Olympic sponsor Yili Industrial Co, with one batch out of 35 showing the chemical's presence, government is seeking more information after Hong Kong food inspectors ordered the recall of an ice cream bar made by Shanghai Yili AB Foods because melamine was found.

Chinese media have mostly kept quiet about claims that Sanlu and officials in Shijiazhuang, where the company is based, concealed the poisonings from the public and senior authorities during the Beijing Olympics in August. New Zealand Prime Minister said on Monday that Chinese officials acted last week only after her government pressed Beijing.

The widening scandal is an embarrassing failure for China's product safety system, which was overhauled to restore consumer confidence and preserve export markets after a string of recalls and warnings abroad last year over tainted toothpaste, faulty tires and other goods.

It is the second major case in recent years involving baby formula. In 2004, more than 200 Chinese infants suffered malnutrition and at least 12 died after being fed phony formula that contained no nutrients. Melamine was also found in Chinese pet food exported to the United States last year that killed dogs and cats. Chinese fish contaminated with banned drugs, cough syrup made with poisonous chemicals and dumplings laced with pesticide have also been found on sale in other countries.

Melamine is a low toxicity chemical product, and can cause urinary and reproductive system damage if taken in large amounts or over a prolonged time. Most of baby kidney stone cases reported are connected with San Lu baby formula milk powder. Babies may excrete small stones themselves by drinking more water, but they need medical attention if they suffer dysuria (painful urination) or urine turbidity (cloudiness).

According to the European Commission, the safe level of melamine migration, that is from food containers to food is 30mg/kg of food. The banned Sanlu-brand of milk products in China had melamine level in excess of 2,563 mg/kg of food.

Hurricane Ike

Ike Projected Path



Hurricane Ike tripled in size in the central Gulf of Mexico as it churned on a weekend collision course with the 5.6 million residents of the Houston area. The system's strongest winds extend as far as 115 miles (185 kilometers) from the eye.

Ike's wind field is now larger than that of Katrina. The total amount of energy is more powerful than Katrina, so we could be seeing a storm surge that could rival Katrina. The storm is so large ``the location doesn't matter much; it is going to inundate a huge part of the Texas coast.''

Galveston, parts of southern Houston and areas south of the city and near the Texas coast were under a mandatory evacuation order today,the coast may see a storm surge of as much as 20 feet (6 meters). Ike is following a track similar to the 1900 Galveston hurricane that killed 8,000 people.

Ike's central pressure is more like that associated with a Category 3 or 4 storm, the storm is moving west-northwest at 10 mph, with landfall south of Galveston on Sept. 13. Because of its size, Ike will be felt along the Texas coast long before its eye makes landfall.

Ike may strengthen to at least a major hurricane with Category 3 intensity, meaning sustained winds of at least 111 mph, before landfall. Other forecasters predict Ike may become a Category 4 storm, the second-strongest on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, packing winds from 131 to 155 mph.

Hurricane

After tropical storm Hanna churns off the east coast of Florida early Friday morning, hurricane Ike, moves west across the open Atlantic.

The two storms come on the heels of hurricane Gustav, which hit Louisiana on Sept. 1. . Although the storm just sideswiped its city as a Category 2 hurricane, other parts of the state were flooded by Gustav's heavy rains.

Ike's eye was just east of Great Inagua Island in the southeastern Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. It was moving west-southwest at 14 mph and was expected to remain a major hurricane. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ike's eye was expected to move over eastern Cuba Sunday night and into central Cuba on a track that will likely take it into the Gulf of Mexico.

The evacuation of New Orleans becomes mandatory at 8 a.m. Sunday along the vulnerable west bank of the Mississippi River, and at noon on the east bank. Mayor of New Orleans emphasized that the city will not offer emergency services to anyone who chooses to stay behind.

Gustav had already killed more than 80 people in the Caribbean, and if current forecasts hold up, it would make landfall Monday afternoon somewhere between the East Texas and western Mississippi.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said they were surprised at how quickly Gustav gained strength as it slammed into Cuba's tobacco-growing western tip. It went from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in about 24 hours, and was likely to become a Category 5 — with sustained winds of 156 mph or more — by Sunday.

Levee building on the city's west bank was incomplete, a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet would pour through canal and flood the neighboring Jefferson Parish.

The National Hurricane Center also issued a hurricane watch for Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and part of Texas, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Solar Plane

Helios can reach the height of almost 30,000 meters; such aircraft could supplement communication satellites.

Wing span: 75.3 m,

Mass: 600 kg - unloaded plane,

Cargo: up to 330 kg depends on measurement equipment weight.

Propulsion: 14 DC brush less electric motors (the power of each motor is 1,5 kW) with two blades, specially designed for high altitude flights. The weight of each motor is less than 5 kg. Length of both propeller blades is 1.7 m.

Speed: Typical flight speed is 30 to 40 km/h. The highest speed is 270 km/h.

Flight: The anticipated autonomy in the future together with fuel cells will reach for uninterrupted flights (several months of autonomy).

Materials: All main parts of the plane are made of carbon fibers and Styrofoam. Wings are covered with special designed and produced plastic sheet.

The Zephyr is an ultra light aircraft made of carbon fiber. Though it has a 60-foot (18-meter) wingspan, it weighs just 66 pounds (30 kilograms) and is launched by hand.

Japanese HEV

HEV or hybrid electric vehicle is an automobile that is powered by two sources; an internal combustion engine, and an electric motor. The combination allows the electric motor and batteries to help the conventional engine operate more efficiently, cutting down on fuel use, improve on limited driving range of an electric vehicle. Gasoline-fueled HEVs are among a select few vehicle technologies that can provide dramatically increased fuel economy and extremely low levels of smog-forming and cancer causing emissions, while delivering the safety and performance the public has come to expect.





Accord Hybrid uses Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. Under the hood you'll find a fairly conventional V6 engine and 5-speed automatic with an electric motor pancake between then. A redesigned front grille and a revised trunk-lid design that includes LED taillights. The car's rear fenders have been restyled to accommodate the new taillights, and the 16-inch aluminum wheels are also new.

Accord Hybrid's gasoline engine (a 3.0-liter V6) is the dominant means of propulsion, with a 14 kilowatt electric motor provides additional power. Honda's hybrid system doesn't allow the electric motor to run on its own — the gasoline engine is always working. The Accord Hybrid's provides a combined 253 horsepower and achieve an estimated 29 miles per gallon in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway. The standard Accord V6 produces 244 hp and gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid version adds a new element to the Camry lineup. Toyota has installed its Hybrid Synergy Drive, which pairs an efficient four-cylinder gasoline engine with a powerful electric motor into the redesigned Camry.

Toyota Camry Hybrid has a twin cam, 2.4 liter, 147 horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, with 138 lb-ft of torque. It has a total of 192 horsepower when combined with its electric motor. It uses Toyota's electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. As well as protecting the environment, The Hybrid features Toyota's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, which picks up data from a series of sensors around the car and applies it to the car's range of standard safety features.

The redesigned Camry is quiet, comfortable, and refined. The telescoping steering column is a plus. The 3.5-liter V6 returns 23 mpg overall, while the four-cylinder returned 24 mpg.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as meeting the requirements for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, thereby qualifying for a tax credit of $2,350, according to a company news release. It is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 158-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 41-mpg in the city and 36-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The advanced energy drive system shares duties between the gasoline-powered 4-cylinder and the emissions-free electric motor – allowing the Hybrid to run solely on electric power if appropriate, especially during stop-and-go driving. If extra performance is needed, the gasoline engine starts instantly and smoothly adds power as required.

Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered A/C that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped. The Regenerative Cooperative Brake System calculates braking force generated by brake pedal operation and controls the regenerative brake force to convert kinetic energy into electric energy, optimizing energy regeneration.

Best Looking

Concept Car

FT-HS concept car
A sleek, and an aggressive triangular profile. The vehicle’s triangular profile has a floating “C” pillar, aerodynamic corners, a full upper-body pan and innovative open top.

The bonnet features a scalloped channel with the engine visible through an opening, designed to emphasize the hybrid technology in terms of efficiency( regenerative braking and the reuse of waste engine heat), performance, style - and fun.

The roof, made from carbon-fiber Kevlar^®, has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room in key areas. The car rides on 21-inch carbon-fiber wheels with low-profile tires. Aerospace-inspired lighting includes light-emitting diode (LED) clusters in the headlamps.

Its’ power-train marries a 3.5-liter V-6 with a new-generation hybrid system to provide a combined output of some 400 hp driving the rear wheels. The transmission would be an evolution of current planetary CVT with discrete ratios selected via paddles.

Scorpion super car can achieve 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, but also earns green credentials by getting 40 miles per gallon. Powered by a hydrogen hybrid engine or hydrogen injection engine, a small doses of hydrogen are generated and fed into the fuel mixture for a more efficient burn.

2009 concept vehicles

Volt

GM first concept vehicle application build on E-flex platform.GM consider it an EV with range extending capability despite the fact that it has a 1.0L turbocharged three cylinder engine with 71 hp that has no mechanical connection to the wheels. The ICE runs at about 1800 rpm and drives a 53 kW generator that charges the lithium ion battery pack. The battery pack provides power to a 161 hp (120 kW) electric motor. The battery has a peak output of 136 kW and a total capacity of 16 kWh. The battery can be charged by plugging it in to any standard 110 V outlet and is fully charged in about 6-6.5 hours.

With a fully charged battery, volt has a range of 40 miles,however, when the fuel tank is filled to it's capacity of 12 US gallons of gas, the Volt has a range of 640 miles. In addition, the ICE is fully flex fuel capable and can run on any combination of gasoline or ethanol up to E85. The power-train is sized to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration of about 8.5 seconds.

E-Car

An odd looking three-wheeler, Zap Alias starting price at $30,000 is a two-passenger vehicle with a top-speed of over 100 mph and a range of at least 150 miles per charge. Power to the two seaters comes from two in-wheel motors .

Detroit Electric , the US-China JV that will manufacture and distribute this EV, the officials look forward to bringing new vehicle technologies to market, and new manufacturing jobs to California by 2009.

Its specification:

- Peak Power – 320 Horsepower (240 kW) total
-Peak Torque –557.52 lb/ft(756 Nm)
- Max Revs - 2100 rpm
- Water cooled
0 – 60 mph (96.56 Km/h) in 5.7seconds,
- Vehicle kern mass: 1612.6 lbs (733 kg)

Tesla Roadster develops a peak torque of 200lb-ft from 0 rpm to about 6,000rpm. Its XTrac two speed gear-box would have provided additional torque multiplication in low gear to help achieve the four-second 0-60mph time, with second gear allowing the car run up to 135mph.

Price at $100,000, this all-electric sports car cruise about 250 miles at a stretch. With a 220-volt, 70-amp charger made by Tesla that is hard-wired into your garage, the roadster will go from flat to flat-out in 3.5 hours. The car will be offered with a cord and a conventional 120-volt wall plug, should you be away from home, but charging time stretches to 33 hours.
The Tesla has a three-phase, 248-hp motor with a 13,500-rpm redline.

E-Car

Sleek, sporty compact concept vehicle

E-Flex plug-in hybrid technology on display, driving range after leaving the house with a fully charged battery pack and a full tank of ultra-low-sulfur diesel is estimated to be 444 miles. Running on just electricity, it is capable of driving up to 34 miles. The hybrid system incorporates a 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Adding to the futuristic look, this concept crossover has side view cameras, LED headlamps, polycarbonate windows, a panoramic windshield and butterfly-style rear doors. Drive to the wheels is provided by a 53kW electric motor which gets electrons from a 16kWh lithium ion battery, diesel engine.

The battery can be recharged at a household outlet in just three hours. On the road, a clean and efficient 1.3L turbo-diesel cylinder on board engine generates additional electricity to replenish the battery and extend the vehicle's driving range, two high-tech electric Segway® Personal Transporters ingeniously packaged below the cargo floor once docked, the batteries of these modified Segways can be charged along with the vehicle batteries.

Sport Car

The all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R is the fifth generation of Japanese sport car, the GT-R brings new levels of performance and technology to Nissan's line-up.

Powered by a hand-built 480-hp twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6, the GT-R makes good use of all that thrust through a paddle-shifted, rear mounted six-speed dual clutch sequential gearbox and electronic all-wheel drive. Roads and racetracks are handled by an electronically controlled independent suspension that adjusts itself to changing conditions, or allows the driver to choose a preferred setting.

Handling is also assisted by 20" forged alloy wheels surrounding 15" cross-drilled brakes at all four corners. The interior features performance bucket seats, a console mounted starter button and a centrally mounted video screen that can display several pages of mechanical and driving information as well as navigation and audio.

Base engine size	3.8 liters
Base engine type	V-6
Horsepower	480 hp
Horsepower rpm	6,400
Torque	430 lb-ft.
Torque rpm	3,200
Drive type	all wheel drive

Natural Gas Car

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) “greenest vehicles of 2008″title go with the Civic GX natural gas car for the fifth consecutive year, The Civic GX, first introduced in 1998, is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA*, and is 90% cleaner than the average gasoline-powered car on the road today.

Hybrid Sport Car

2008 Toyota new model --all wheel drive sport car but only have a 105hp next-generation hybrid engine.

Futuristic Car

A private company in California claims able to build a three wheels vehicle either fully electric or hybrid engine with top speed can exceed 85 miles, fuel consumption of 330 mpg. The vehicle will be built with composite material manufacture by the company.

Smallest car

Smallest cars you can find in our world.

Fastest Car

Some of the fastest car in the world.


1. Ultima GTR ----9.4 secs


2.Bugatti Veyron 16.4,---9.9secs


3. Ariel Atom --- 10.88 secs


4. Ferrari Enzo-----10.9 secs



5. McLaren F1 LM----- 11.5 secs

Most Fuel Efficient Car

Project 'X' Cars

The Automotive X PRIZE is offering 10 millions for a 100-mpg car, but it will take more than high mileage to claim it, participant also require to submit a business strategy to show the car is not only production-capable (at least 10,000 per year), but that the public will actually want to buy, also they are required to have heat and air conditioning, proper mirrors, wipers and the like. The invention can be three or four wheels with four or two seats.

Cheapest Car

India's today unveiled its much-anticipated $2,500 car, tiny four-door subcompact, There's no radio, no air bags, no passenger-side mirror and only one windshield wiper. If you want air conditioning to cope with India's brutal summers, you need to get the deluxe version. At 10 feet long, it is about 2 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. Its 623-cubic-centimeter two-cylinder engine is estimated to produce about 35 horsepower, good for a top speed of 75 mph. 50 miles per gallon.