| BMW sales drop sparks restructure in Thailand
The group, which consists of the BMW passenger-car and motorcycle brands, as well as the Rolls-Royce and Mini brands, sold 159,365 units in Asia last year, up 12.16 per cent from 142,084 in 2006. In Thailand, BMW sales plunged 41 per cent to only 1,821 units last year. The company is expecting continued sales growth in the region and has targeted sales of 200,000 units by 2012, said Stefan Krause, head of sales and marketing at BMW. "We expect BMW Group sales to continue its successful course in 2008, both in Asia and worldwide. Provided that the Asian continent continues its positive economic development, we plan to sell 200,000 vehicles here by 2012," he told Asian journalists at a Tokyo press conference. "We have achieved our medium-term goal for this region one year ahead of schedule, which is selling more than 150,000 vehicles by 2008.
Policeman apologises for death of football fan
An Italian policeman accused of killing a football fan on Sunday was placed under formal investigation for manslaughter yesterday. Riots broke out at football grounds across Italy after a highway patrol officer shot Gabriele Sandri, a Lazio fan, at a motorway service station in Tuscany. As magistrates in Arezzo laid charges against the policeman, it emerged that Italian football could be suspended for weeks if a proposal by the Sports minister, Giovanna Melandri, is adopted by football's governing body. Stewards will also be placed in grounds for the first time, and violent fans barred from away matches. The worst unrest, seen on television around the world, occurred outside the Olympic Stadium in Rome, where the night game had been cancelled. Fans angry over the killing of Mr Sandri laid siege to a police barracks, injuring 40 officers inside, and vandalised cars, motorcycles and rubbish bins.
Stars celebrate the Oscars at Elton's
Big name stars without an invitation to this year's Academy Awards ceremony turned out in force at Sir Elton John's Oscar party in Hollywood. Now in its 16th year and raising millions of pounds for the singer's Aids Foundation, the likes of Sean Penn, Kate Beckinsale, Christian Slater and Mary J Blige were out for one of Hollywood's hottest parties. Last year's host Ellen DeGeneres arrived hand in hand with girlfriend Portia De Rossi, telling reporters her nerves were a little calmer this year: "I feel very relaxed, I'm going to have a cocktail and relax in there." Actress Sharon Stone was helping out with the evening's charity auction by donating a very special gift: "I'm giving away a 70s Corvette from our family's trust and we're very excited and hope it raises a lot of money for the Aids Foundation." But TV's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, said he wasn't prepared to cough up any cash for the Basic Instint star's vehicle: "I love cars.
Need for Speed: Carbon
If you're looking for an actual racing simulator, you'll be better off with something like Colin McRae Rally from Feral Interactive. But if you're looking for a cinematic game that will make you feel like you're in a scene from The Fast and the Furious, Need for Speed: Carbon is really hard to top. .
Quantum Awarded Development Program for Fisker Electric Car
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2008 -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. announced today that it has received a $14.5 million program from Fisker Automotive, Inc. to advance and integrate Quantum's proprietary high-performance plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle ("PHEV") architecture -- known as "Q-Drive" -- for the Fisker Karma four-door sport sedan production model. The Q-Drive system has evolved over five years of innovation and development at Quantum. Quantum's Q-Drive system takes full advantage of the performance potential of electric drive systems while achieving high fuel mileage and low emissions through its integrated plug-in hybrid electric design. Benefits of Quantum's drive system include optimized fuel efficiency and superior performance, unchanged gas station infrastructure, and convenient battery recharging with any 110-volt outlet, 220/240-volt fast-charging, or using Quantum's solar energy powered re-charging station.
Dialogues aim to foster healing within church
It worked in post-apartheid South Africa. It works for thousands of couples in bitter divorces. Can structured mediation and conflict resolution work to reconcile disaffected Catholics with the Catholic church? A group is trying it in Boston. Last year, in Boston -- the city that was at the epicenter of the clergy sexual abuse scandal and its cover-up by the Catholic hierarchy -- the Paulist Center began a campaign to foster reconciliation between aggrieved Catholics and the Boston archdiocese. Last fall, Catholics and former Catholics sat down with Richard Erikson, the archdioceses vicar general. They told their stories and attempted to arrive at understanding, not as enemies, but as fellow Christians. On Jan. 25, at their national conference, the Paulist Fathers -- an order of Catholic priests founded in 1858 as missionaries to North America -- will decide whether to expand the ministry to their 14 Paulist centers around the country.
Intermediate-track questions need answers
At Daytona you spend two days working on one lap for qualifying for two positions. That's not all that important for one oddball track. California and Vegas represent 70 percent of our schedule, so those are the biggies. We race Daytona twice, Talladega twice. The intermediates are the bulk our schedule. "We're looking at downforce, grip, getting everything out of the tires that we can and the limited amount that's left with the bodies now and seeing where we will shake out, hopefully, for the year." Through his relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, Borland is privy to the latest and greatest technology. However, the data that he and other teams will gather over the next four days will be critical in preparing for the "mini-Chase" the first five races of the season that will determine which teams get locked into the top 35 in owner points and which will spend the rest of the season fighting their way back.
MTB News & Racing Round-up
UCI World ranked downhillers, Tracey Hannah and Nathan Rennie proved too tough to beat in the second round of the downhill. Hannah, currently ranked third in the world, dominated the women's field and rode a respectable 3' 49.33". The 19 year-old beat second place Emma McNaughton by a massive 34 seconds over the 2.3 km course. Claire Whiteman, series leader, finished third. "I love racing the local Australian races," said Hannah. "There is so much support." World ranked number seven man and local Nathan Rennie left nothing to chance when he barreled down the Illinbah course in record time of 3' 13.74". He took a full six seconds off another professional rider Bryn Atkinson. Amiel Cavalier finished third. "I've had a perfect run just one little falter," Rennie explained.
Water link to keep fundraisers flowing
Officials have approved a $2,000 plan to install a new water connection in the municipal parking lot that will allow town groups to continue holding fundraising car washes there without costing the town money. Car washes in the municipal parking lot across from the Civic Center are an annual fundraising rite of spring for youth sports teams and other organizations. Dozens of groups hold car washes every year, but with the municipal belt tightening, town officials are looking at ways to ensure the events aren't cleaning out Norwood bank accounts. Selectmen Chairman Tom McQuaid asked General Manager John Carroll to talk to water department officials to find a solution to the problem of having to pay a water department employee overtime during car washes to have somebody to turn the water on and off at the site.
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