| No-compromise mild hybrid car engine has a promising future
Several alternative technologies have been proposed to replace the car's internal combustion engine; some companies are already marketing hybrid gasoline/electric hybrids, though these have their shortcomings. Jon Severn reports on a mild hybrid that makes no compromises, yet it drastically cuts fuel consumption and emissions. Most of us, as consumers of the automotive industry's products, would like to see the next generation of cars have improved performance, driveability that is better or no worse than what we have now, more gadgets, lower fuel consumption, and a price that is lower. Largely on our behalf, the industry and legislators would also like future vehicles to generate reduced emissions, though there is an ongoing argument over where the balance should be between CO2, NOx and, for diesel-engined cars, particulates; Europe and Japan agree rather more closely with each other than with the USA.
PSEG giving $500K to shuttered NJ Museum
The shuttered State Museum in Trenton is due to receive a $500,000 multi-year grant from the PSEG Foundation, the first major gift to its year-old $13 million fund-raising campaign. New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells will host a public ceremony on Wednesday announcing the gift. "It's great to have that support and leadership from PSEG," said the museum's interim director, Barbara Fulton Moran. "It's wonderful." The grant represents a significant milestone for the renovation project, which is almost 2 1/2 years behind schedule and millions of dollars over original cost projections. Poor planning, construction problems and a dramatic change in the focus of the renovation have stretched an 18-month effort into almost four years. PSEG is not concerned about the delays in the renovation or the fact that the museum remains closed, a company spokeswoman said.
Police nab suspect in car theft from local dealership
Following a brief automobile and foot chase Thursday afternoon, Columbus Police Department officers apprehended a suspect who may have stolen a car from Carl Hogan Honda.A white 1998 Toyota Camry was reported missing Nov. 1 from Carl Hogan's Highway 45 North sales lot. A dealership employee gave police the vehicle's identification number and said the car had a discernible crack in its front bumper.Around 1:42 p.m. Thursday, a CPD officer spotted the missing Camry traveling west on Main Street and pulled the driver over.Once the officer had exited his vehicle to approach the Camry, the suspect drove off. .
StudioCanal completes acquisition of Germany's Kinowelt
StudioCanal has announced the completion of its 100% acquisition of German distributor Kinowelt. Speculation on the move had reached fever pitch last week when a Leipzig-based daily reported that the long-rumoured deal was imminent. StudioCanal signed the acquisition contract on Wednesday with Michael and Rainer Kolmel, owners of Kinowelt. In a press release, StudioCanal said the deal "marks another significant step in the growth of StudioCanal's European distribution network." The company acquired UK distributor Optimum Releasing in May 2006. Although the Leipzig paper cited a sale price of $102m (Euros 70m), StudioCanal chairman Olivier Courson told ScreenDaily.com that because the actual fee is based in part on future performance, he could not specify what StudioCanal is paying.
Pratchett to open planetarium
STAR novelist Terry Pratchett will open the UK's largest planetarium at Winchester's INTECH Science Centre next month. The popular science fiction and children's author will officially unveil the new £650,000 facility on Wednesday, March 19, before it's opened to the public two days later on Good Friday (March 21). Bosses at the Morn Hill attraction said a planetarium had been a burning ambition since opening the science centre in 2002. The 176-seat theatre will feature a variety of astrology shows, including presenter-led displays for schools, licensed pre-recorded films and movies on topical space events, created by INTECH themselves. .
|
