Jul 062015
 
Is an electric car battery breakthrough on the horizon?

House & Home, Technology, Tourism ,Cars & Motorbikes, Cars ,Transport ,Environment,electric cars , Nissan, Renault , Volkswagen , Leaf Acenta+ Grade , telematics system, Carlos Ghosn , Renault-Nissan , Bild, Martin Winterkorn , National Bureau of Economics,CityLab, (Relaxnews) – Demand for the current crop of plug-in electric cars may still be weak but Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen are all confident that a mass-market electric car is just around the corner. This week Nissan added a new model to its range of Leaf electric cars. The Leaf Acenta+ Grade adds special 17-inch alloy wheels and a 6.6kW charger as standard, meaning that it can be recharged in just four hours. And these practicality features come on top of a telematics system, reversing camera and cruise control and speed limiting system. The extra creature comforts will go some way to attracting new customers to the electric car market. However, the trickle of new customers won’t turn into a stampede until the Leaf’s range — 124 miles (200 km) — can be improved. It’s an issue that the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s head, Carlos Ghosn is fully aware of. Speaking toThe Guardian at the formula E championships on Wednesday, he said: “If there’s a price penalty, they just don’t buy. If there’s range anxiety, they just don’t buy.” However, as demand for electric cars increases, their cost will come down. And, as for driving range, Renault-Nissan is confident that within five to 10 years thanks to on-going research and development, range will be extended significantly Read More …

Jul 062015
 
Liza’s mom asks Enrique to take care of daughter

Liza Soberano (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Tears flowed when Liza Soberano left San Francisco to return to the Philippines recently as she had to leave behind her siblings and her American mother Jacqulyn Elizabeth Hanley, whom she had not seen for more than seven years. According to Enrique Gil, Soberano and her mother shared an emotional moment at the San Francisco International Airport when they were about to leave. The actor also shared what Soberano’s mother told him right before they went inside the airport. “Nagkausap kami nung umalis na kami, nauna na si [Liza]. Umiiyak [‘yung mommy niya] tapos niyakap ako. Sabi niya, ‘Take care of her ha?’ Sabi ko, ‘I will tita.’ Sabi ko, come back here sa Manila, pumunta sila dito sa Philippines to visit next year. Ita-try daw nila. Kung hindi, kami ang bibili ng ticket para sa kanila,” he said. Nontheless, Soberano said she and her mother were able to make up for lost time. Enrique Gil (MNS Photo) “Masaya po [ako na nakasama ko ‘yung mommy ko]. Marami kaming time para mag-bonding. Sumama siya sa premiere tapos nag-Great America kami and nag-shopping pa kami,” she said. Soberano and Gil were in San Francisco for the North America premiere of their film, “Just the Way You Are.” Asked how her mother found the movie, Soberano said: “Naiyak siya. Umiiyak siya sa tuwa. She said she was happy and proud of me.” Soberano was born in California. She was raised by her maternal grandparents when Read More …

Jul 062015
 
California proclaims special day honoring Fil-Am labor leader

A mural of Filipino labor leaders in Los Angeles. It’s official: California will observe a Larry Itliong Day each year to honor the legacy of the Filipino American labor organizer who fought for racial justice and farmworkers’ rights. Governor Jerry Brown yesterday (Wednesday in Manila) signed into law AB 7 proclaiming the commemorative day on October 25, Itliong’s birthday. “Larry Itliong was one of the greatest labor organizers and leaders in California history,” said Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), the bill’s sponsor. “He was a hero not only to the Filipino-American community, but to all Californians and Americans who fought and continue to fight for socioeconomic and racial justice in our state and nation.” The legislation, which was unanimously passed by the State Assembly on April 9, also encourages public schools to teach about Iltiong’s life and contributions to California. Bonta, the first Filipino American elected to the Assembly, said the historic signing ensures that Itliong’s fight for justice, opportunity and equity will be “properly honored for generations to come.” Itliong worked alongside prominent Mexican American civil rights leaders like Cesar Chavez to fight for equal rights, better conditions and wages for Filipino and Mexican farmworkers in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. But his contributions to the farm  labor movement have been overlooked, said Bonta and many Fil-Am groups who have fought for the recognition of Itliong and other Fil-Am labor leaders like Andy Imutan and Philip Vera Cruz. Itliong led the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), which was the first Read More …

Jul 062015
 
The ‘American Dream’ is still alive

As millions of Filipinos join the celebration of their adopted country’s 239th year of Declaration of Independence, many will share the spirit of national thanksgiving in the welcoming arms of a country that had made a difference in their lives in many aspects. Lured by the promise of a better life the and the prospect of achieving  the American dream, we join six other ethnicities in the chase for a better tomorrow. The American dream still lures people from all over the world to the U.S. shores and with those gifted with the grit and daring and the ability to work hard, achieving the dream is still a reality. Although realities like record debt, persistent joblessness, and millions of underwater mortgages had dampened and slowed down its realization many have only become more determined in their quest and their experiences had only made them better pursuers of the dream.. Just what is American Dream that many people would do anything to achieve in a lifetime? “American Dream” a Great Depression term used by historian James T. Adams in 1931 to describe the American complex beliefs, religious promises and social expectations. It rang of hope with a capital “H” and traces its beginnings  in the Declaration of Independence and the first European settlers with its basic idea that “every man and every woman shall, regardless of their birth, achieve what they are able to do. Everybody shall be treated and seen equally and be recognized by others for what they are Read More …

Jul 062015
 
Palace: PHL prepared strong case on territorial row with China before arbitral tribunal

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, reviews the troops during the 68th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Haribon Hangar of the Air Force City in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Wednesday (July 01). This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Matatag na Bagwis, Dangal ng Bayan, Lakas ng Sambayanan”. The PAF was founded on July 1, 1947- two years after the end of World War II. It traces its lineage to the Philippine Army Air Corporation established in 1941. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Saying the Philippines has prepared a “strong” case, Malacañang on Saturday expressed hopes the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands will rule in Manila’s favor regarding its territorial row with China. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine delegation will hold a meeting once it arrives in The Hague, to prepare the Philippines’ arguments before the tribunal. “We have essentially prepared a strong case. We believe we stand on firm legal ground. We hope the tribunal will look at our position with favor,” she said on state-run dzRB radio. “We are confident of the Philippine position on this matter,” she added. Valte also said the entire delegation is due to leave for The Hague as planned, though Senate President Franklin Drilon may be late. She said the delegation will meet upon landing in Amsterdam and will hold a briefing. The delegation will send daily bulletins upon the clearance of Executive Secretary Read More …