Author: Serkadis

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He won’t admit it, but Editor Paukert is fully addicted to joining us on the Podcast. He sat in again with Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #162 of the Autoblog Podcast, and there was much rejoicing. First up, Ed Whitacre’s somewhat inscrutable claims about the Chevrolet Volt’s pricing and profitability. Staying with talk of prices, we move on to mooted pricing figures for the 2011 Ford Mustang. Staying in Dearborn, we touch on the likelihood that a version of the Ford F-150 will replace the severely aged Ford Ranger. Adding some spice, we head to the Mediterranean to discuss Ferrari 458 Italia pricing, and stay on the Continent to consider Bugatti Veyron operating costs. Updates round it out, with the updated-for-2011 BMW 3 Series and SMax/Galaxy tweaks bookending some talk of the just-unveiled 2011 Shelby GT350. We wrap it all up with some of your questions and tie a bow on it at an hour-and-a-half. See you next week!

Until then, fill in with Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #162 – Paukert Redux

Autoblog Podcast #162 – Paukert Redux originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vatican flags raised outside Jerusalem's Old City before Pope Benedict's visit, 6 May 2009/Baz Rattner

There have been a series of significant and highly publicised events recently in Vatican-Jewish relations.

Pope Benedict put his predecessor Pius XII along the road to Roman Catholic sainthood last month, angering many Jews who accused the wartime pope of turning a blind eye to the Nazi Holocaust.  Benedict defended the move this week during his first visit to Rome’s synagogue, which prompted Israel to ask the pope to open up the Vatican archives covering Pius’ reign between 1939-1958.

But behind the scenes, out of the spotlight, the Catholic church and Jewish state have restarted efforts to put to rest a property dispute in the Holy Land that goes back much further than World War Two or Israel’s founding in 1948. Churches acquired large amounts of land around Jerusalem as the Ottoman empire went into decline from the early 19th century. Today, many official Israeli buildings sit on leased church land. But agreement on the legal status of these properties has evaded governments and popes for decades.

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office early last year, his Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon was made pointman in a push to settle the decades-old  debate.  Ayalon was at the Vatican last month to try to narrow divides over six religious sites, including what is believed by Christians to be the Cenacle of the Last Supper, whose future status remains uncertain. Negotiating teams held a meeting again this month, which ended with the vague statement that they “did useful work in atmosphere of cordaility” and that they would meet again. Ayalon heads to the Vatican again in May.

The Vatican got some unexpected support last week from a prominent rabbi who is active in Christian-Jewish dialogue and attended the pope’s visit to the Rome synagogue. Rabbi David Rosen, the British-born international director of interreligious affairs of the American Jewish Committee, told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Israel’s behaviour toward the Vatican since they agreed to diplomatic relations in 1993 has been “outrageous.”

Rabbi David Rosen (left) in delegation greeting Pope Benedict at Rome's main synagogue 17 Jan 2010/Max Rossi

“Any (other) country would have threatened to withdraw its ambassador long ago over Israel’s failure to honour agreements,” he  said.  Rosen said the Vatican agreed to diplomatic relations after Israel said it would  recognise the legal status of Catholic institutions and exempt their property in Israel from taxes.

This was supposed to take about two years, he said, but this has not still not happened. Rosen told Haaretz the  Vatican wanted its local hierarchy to be recognised under Israeli law and treated as a whole organisation, rather than treating each Catholic church as a separate nonprofit organisation as is now the case. Israeli bureaucrats wore down the Vatican by negotiating every tax clause separately instead of granting a general concession, as the Vatican expected them to do, Rosen said.

Neither side expects a deal to be reached in the next few months, officials say. But were an agreement to emerge, it would certainly set a precedent in Israel’s future land transactions with religious institutions and perhaps play a part in further improving Vatican-Jewish relations.

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We’ve seen way too many stories of patents being used to hold back medical treatments or drugs in communities that need them most, and now a few of you have sent in this troubling story of how a French company, Nutriset, has been using patents to block competition with its therapeutic food paste for malnourished children. Apparently, the company came up with “a mixture of peanut butter, powdered milk, sugar and vegetable oil fortified with 40 vitamins and minerals,” called it Plumpy’nut, patented it, and started offering it to various aid agencies. Apparently, it works great, but anyone else who creates anything remotely similar comes under attack from Nutriset’s lawyers, who apparently like saving children only when there’s no competition from anyone who might do it more cheaply or more efficiently.

The article highlights a lawsuit that has been filed by some US organizations, looking to make and distribute a competitor called Re:vive, trying to invalidate the Nutriset patent. This isn’t a small issue either — millions of children are starving, and a recent study by UNICEF found that relying on a single supplier, like Nutriset, would not be enough to match the need, and could be a very unreliable way to help save malnourished children. It’s amazing that patents are being used to prevent the more efficient and economic delivery of food to malnourished children, but that’s what you get when you build up a world mentality that believes concepts like this can be “owned” and controlled by a single party.

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Democrats as far as San Francisco are freaked out by the fact that a fellow party member could lose in Massachusetts.

Mayor Gavin Newsom told the San Francisco Chronicle: “We better get our act together – and quickly… (voters) are so angry. They don’t feel that we’re paying attention to their needs, in terms of their jobs, and what’s going on at the grassroots, in their neighborhoods.”

It’s actually not all bad for Dems. A Coakley loss is an early wake-up calll, and there are several months before November elections for them to turn things around and get their message right.

No doubt the Democrats wish that in 1994, they’d had a similar warning. After all, they were largely blindsided by the Republican revolution of that year, predicting with only weeks to go before the election that they’d maintain control of the house.

Meanwhile, Martha Coakley is down to 31% on InTrade, which is around the odds that Nate Silver called for.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• It’s Over: Scott Brown Is The 3:1 Favorite Over Martha Coakley
• Jim Cramer: Markets Will Surge Wednesday If Coakley Loses
• Martha Coakley Falls To 40% On InTrade

I’ll be honest: I’d watch Will Forte in a mullet wig for 90 minutes whether or not the trailer looked good. Luckily, it looks amazing. Screw the A-Team movie, this is the upcoming action movie I’m most excited about. [Rogue]

One month to the day after the death of actress Brittany Murphy, the star’s husband, Simon Monjack, and her mother, Sharon Murphy, opened up about their loss and blame Hollywood for contributing to the star’s death.

The Clueless star, 32, died Dec. 20 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest in her Los Angeles home.

The Dow is up 96 points while the NASDAQ and S&P are up 26 and 12 points, respectively.

Oil is just about breaking even, unchanged at $78 a barrel of crude.

Gold is up $4.20 to $1138 an ounce and silver up $0.34 at $18.77.

Apple (AAPL) is doing well on the hard news of ra coming Apple tablet launch. It’s currently up 3.8% at $214 a share.

AIG (AIG) is also having a good day amid news that it may sell its Alico unit to MetLife (MET) for $14-15 billion. It’s up 2% at $28.64 a share.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Stocks Predict A GOP Win In Massachusetts
• Here’s What Will Happen To Healthcare Stocks If Scott Brown Wins Tomorrow
• Stocks Boom Across The World After Intel Numbers

Reality fans could be “Snookin’ for Love” sooner than originally thought. Jersey Shore’s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has revealed that she is fielding offers from several networks to star in her own reality dating show.

“Definitely there is no set thing but it has been talked about. I got offers from VH1 and other reality networks,” she tell Us Weekly.

Snooki, a 21-year-old self-described “guidette,” has previously said she’d like to appear in a Flavor of Love-esque show, tentatively-titled Snooki For Love, where she will hand out pickles to the men she wanted to keep in the competition.

“A guy I can be real with. I love to be a dork; I love a guy with a sense of humor,” Snook replied when asked what kind of man she would like meet.

Snooki recently admitted to “hooking up” with co-star Mike ‘The Situation” Sorrentino, but insisted that the arrangement is “not awkward at all.”

Jersey Shore airs Thursdays on MTV.

Helmut Marko acaba de desmentir los últimos rumores que situaban a Bruno Senna como nuevo piloto de la escudería Toro Rosso. Según ha afirmado el propio Marko:

No es cierto, nunca he oído esa historia. Será Alguersuari. Hay algunos detalles contractuales que hay que resolver, pero en principio, será Alguersuari.

Por lo visto, ya se habría concretado una fecha para confirmar la renovación de Jaime Alguersuari. Asi que, es muy posible que en los próximos días los seguidores españoles de la Fórmula 1 volvamos a recibir otra buena noticia.

Por lo visto, Franz Tost tendría que ser informado al completo de todo lo referente a la renovación de Alguersuari. De confirmarse esta noticia, tendríamos tres pilotos españoles en la parrilla, Fernando Alonso, Pedro de la Rosa y por último, Jaime Alguersuari.

Related posts:

1. Jaime Alguersuari firma con Toro Rosso para 2010
2. Bruno Senna podría sustituir a Jaime Alguersuari
3. Sebastian Bourdais es destituido de Toro Rosso

Play.me – the newest music platform where users can stream ad-free music on demand from virtually anywhere at any time – has officially launched. Play.me’s browser-based service gives users instant access to over 2.5 million songs to create playlists and customize radio stations to share and stream through social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Play.me enables music fans to quickly find and play all the songs they love from a comprehensive, continually updated catalog and find new artists with Play.me’s discovery tools, including similar artist suggestions, new releases, and dynamic commercial-free radio stations which can be instantly created based on genre, artist, and decade.

For the music listener on-the-go, Play.me’s pioneering Android app — the first of its kind in the US market — allows users to temporarily save playlists directly to their phone. This new feature enables users without a signal to enjoy uninterrupted listening while “off the grid,” such as being on a plane or in a subway tunnel where you don’t have cell phone reception or wi-fi access.

Play.me offers consumers both a premium monthly subscription service ($9.99) and a free trial version with limited streaming capabilities and complimentary downloads.

Play.me has licensing deals with major music companies including Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music, IODA, The Orchard and Beggars Group. In addition, Play.me is actively working to add more content providers, and is in the latter stages of negotiations with the other major labels. From mainstream hits to buzz-worthy indies and everything in between, Play.me provides over 10 million minutes of non-stop music.

“We believe that our easy-to-use navigation and extensive catalog — combined with the trial and paid offerings — makes Play.me the ultimate destination for music enthusiasts to hear and discover music the way they want, when they want,” said Massimiliano Pellegrini (Chairman, Play.me Inc.).

“We are pleased to make our unparalleled roster of music available through the Play.me platform. We think well-built, easy-to-use services that provide a compelling consumer experience to fans have a huge opportunity to meet consumer demand for legitimate digital solutions,” said Michael Paull, Executive Vice President, Global Digital Business, Sony Music Entertainment.

In the coming weeks, Play.me will launch new features, including the release of its mobile application for iPhone and Blackberry; and Play.me News featuring artist interviews, special promotions, and the latest music news. Developers are also encourage to check out Play.me Labs, and be sure to check out Play.me blog for the latest updates and company news.

It never surprises me the creative uses for flash drives but the TravelStix is actually putting a positive and useful spin on it. Each Flash Drive is loaded with comprehensive travel forms that can be easily accessed with a simple plug-in.There are various packages depending on the traveler’s needs – ‘Traveling with a Relative or Family Friend,’ ‘Child Traveling Alone,’ ‘Grandparent Package,’ ‘Traveling Parent Package,’ and ‘Pet Care.’ The flash drives each include all the necessary forms required for travel – including authorization for medical decisions, authorization for custodial care, authorization for travel with relative, etc.  The brand new TravelStix are $28.95. However becareful not loose it or some stranger will have all your information too!

The masses scoffed at General Motors five years ago when they introduced the first generation Cadillac SRX with hopes of stealing market share from premium crossovers like the BMW X5. Needless to say, the SRX didn’t really take off as GM had hoped.

In 2008 GM introduced the Cadillac Provoq concept, a study that would eventually lead to the redefinition of the segment that the SRX would come to compete in two years later. With one less row of seating, the new Theta platform (front-wheel or all-wheel-drive), aggressively sleek exterior and a cheaper price tag, the all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX now stands in competition with luxury crossovers the likes of the Lexus RX, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and the Acura MDX. But does it match up strong to the competition? Keep reading to find out.

Hit the jump to read more and to view our high-res image gallery (at the bottom of the post).

Review: 2010 Cadillac SRX:

2010 Cadillac SRX Specifications:

Base Price: $33,330.
Price as Tested: $46,265.
Engine: 3.0L V6 – 265-hp / 223 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed automatic.
Curb Weight: 4,224 lbs (FWD), 4,307 lbs (AWD).
0 to 60 mph: 8.2 seconds.
Fuel-Economy: 18/25 mpg (city/highway).

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

Exterior:

Perhaps the Cadillac SEX would have been an appropriate name – it looks that good, and was designed to do so. “Cadillac is known for bold design. The 2010 SRX builds on that reputation,” said Clay Dean, Cadillac global design director. “As with the 2008 CTS, we advanced our Art and Science design to create a crossover for style-conscious customers. The exterior features a dramatic diving gesture on the body side to impart the feeling of movement, even at rest.”

With its multi-piece shield grille and Cadillac’s signature vertical headlamps featuring light pipe technology and available adaptive forward lighting, the front face of the SRX sweeps dramatically and blends into the flowing body that slopes downward at the rear, giving the vehicle a decidedly sporty profile. The back features angular tail lamps and sharp lines that blend with the rest of the body’s appearance, and a spoiler integrated on the rear-most edge of the roof continues sleek and sharp lines while improving aerodynamics.

Standing on a standard set of 18-inch wheels with a 20-inch option, the wide stance of the SRX makes it a much more appealing option than the somewhat dull designs of the Lexus RX, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and the Acura MDX.

Interior:

The SRX stands as a promising indicator that Detroit has finally realized the importance of interior quality and design in luxury vehicles. GM has ditched the plain, boring, and flimsy interior of the previous generation and installed an interior with heavy design-cues from the award-winning Cadillac CTS. Space is certainly plentiful in the 2010 SRX with ample seating and leg room for five in its plush leather seating and plenty of cargo space.

Starting the SRX is an experience of grand theatrics, as a simple push of the start button lights the speedometer with its center LCD screen and sends the needles shooting all the way around the gauges. Those who opt for the touch-screen navigation for $2,395 – or purchase the $41,350 SRX Performance model, on which the navigation comes standard – will get even more flair as the screen rises out of the top of the dash.

With a base MSRP of $33,330, the Cadillac SRX comes standard with AM/FM/XM Radio that features a single-slot CD player, 8-speaker Bose Sound System, mp3 playback, and Radio Data System. For $36,910 , the SRX Luxury Collection adds a cargo management system, front and rear ultrasonic parking assist, wood trim, interior ambient lighting, power lift-gate with memory height, UltraView sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, Adaptive remote start, and OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation. The $41,350 SRX Performance Collection takes all from the Luxury Collection but adds navigation, a rearview camera system, 10GB music hard drive, and 10-speaker Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround Sound System. At the top-of-the-line, the $43,895 SRX Premium Collection adds heated/cooled seats and tri-zone automatic climate control.

While some of the SRX competitors may sport a more refined interior, the SRX offers more standard and technological features for a much lower price.

Performance:

The SRX’s engine options bring a major change to the line with the introduction of the standard 3.0L and optional 2.8L turbo. As of now, the 3.0L V6 is the only engine available in the SRX, and it puts out 265 horses and peaks at a torque of 223 lb-ft while mated to the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. While the 8.2 second run from 0-60 mph is not quite impressive, such is forgivable in this vehicle, as the segment doesn’t really demand performance. With regard to comfort and overall drive quality, the SRX is on par with the competition.

Our accolades of this car are not without reservation however, as the breaks could have used a bit more leeway and the engine felt as if it was really laboring when the accelerator was stomped. As mentioned above, the SRX makes for a very comfortable vehicle, and that is what the luxury crossover segment is all about. As far as all-wheel-drive performance is concerned, we are really in no position to comment as the test-car we were given was a front-wheel-drive model.

For those of you wondering about the fuel-economy on the SRX, don’t expect too much. The EPA estimated 18/25 mpg (city/highway) is reasonable and expected on such a vehicle; we averaged a combined economy of 17.6 mpg throughout our test.

To those who are let down by the lack of power; don’t fret. GM is preparing to offer a new 2.8L turbocharged V6, derived from a family of refined engines that GM currently uses in their European luxury models. The engine is expected to produce about 300-hp and will be mated to an Aisin AF40 six-speed automatic transmission with ‘eco-mode’ – a driver-selectable option that alters transmission shift points to maximize fuel economy.

Overall:

Aggressively priced at $33,330, the SRX delivers tremendous value to shoppers in this segment. The only car in the segment priced lower would be the VolvoXC60 at $32,995, but the features available are laughable. The Mercedes-Benz GLK and Lexus RX come in at $34,600 and $37,625 respectively, and the Acura MDX comes in at almost $10,000 over the SRX at $42,230.

While some in the class may offer a more premium interior, when it comes to value and amenities the 2010 Cadillac SRX is the hands down winner. This car definitely warrants consideration by anyone interested in a crossover.

Review: 2010 Cadillac SRX:

– By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

Asi es, acaba de confirmarse que el nuevo SUV de Mitsubishi, el Mitsubishi ASX saldrá a la venta la próxima primavera. Este modelo cuenta con las características de un todoterreno pero al tener unas medidas más compactas lo hacen ideal para circular por ciudad. Tendrá tracción a las cuatro ruedas.

Saldrá a la venta en Japón el próximo mes de Febrero y lo hará junto a un motor de gasolina 1.8 MIVEC de 143 CV a la que se le añadirá un turbodiésel de inyección directa de 1.8 litros de 140 CV (aunque no esta confirmado de forma oficial). De serie dispondrá de una caja de cambios manual de 6 velocidades y a un sistema Automatic Start & Stop para reducir el consumo.

En cuanto a su diseño, no podemos pasar por alto su gran parrilla con un borde cromado que nos recuerda al Lancer EVO.

Related posts:

1. Mitsubishi confirma un crossover para el 2010
2. Mitsubishi RVR, primeras imágenes oficiales
3. Mitsubishi Outlander 2010

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