Bank of England slashes rates in coordinated global move

The Bank of England on Wednesday unexpectedly slashed its key lending rate by a half-point to 4.50 percent as part of a coordinated round of interest rate cuts by central banks around the world.

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[Source: Business News]

Toyota to downgrade profit estimate: reports

Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to downgrade its earnings forecasts for the year to March 2009 amid the global financial turmoil, according to reports.

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[Source: Business News]

Respiratory Therapist Education

A breathing therapist can work in a variety of environments as part of the healthcare team.

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[Source: Schools]

Japanese shares fall more than four percent

Japan's benchmark Nikkei-225 index dropped more than four percent to 9698.72 in early Wednesday morning trade after another big fall on Wall Street overnight.

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[Source: Business News]

Merkel says 'strong' Germany can handle financial crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that the long-term consequences of the global financial crisis were uncertain but that she was confident the "strong" German economy would survive.

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[Source: Business News]

BMW [barely] Refreshes 3-Series

Ever go to get a haircut, ask for just a trim, and the cutter truly just barely cuts your hair? That's what happened on the 3-Series refresh. The front fascia is slightly revised. But for the most part, we're looking at the same ol' 3-Series we know and mostly love. Or strongly like. The biggest changes for the American version are: (1) a 335i wagon will now be available; (2) BMW is rolling out their dual clutch automatic transmission from the M3 as an option on the 335i coupe and convertible models only (guess on a $2500 price premium over the stick) and (3) the 335d, as in turbodiesel, is coming to America. From that oil burning engine you can pay 5.19 for diesel fuel, but also enjoy 425 lb ft of torque starting at only 1750 rpm and 265 horses. For now, the 335d will be only available configured as a RWD sedan for us North Americans, but the engine is set to land in the AWD BMW X5 as well. To be 50-state compliant, the engine uses the AdBlue urea injection system co-developed with Mercedes and VW. Expect the updated cars to be '09 models shipping early fall.

Big Pixamo Gallery  

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[Source: The Truth About Cars New Cars]

USA Today: Lincoln MKS Just OK

Oh dear. When USA Today car critic James R. Healey finds a car underwhelming, you can bet it has very, very little to recommend it. In fact, Healey is less impressed with the big Lincoln than our Justin Berkowitz. Where Berk praises the MKS' mission critical waftability, Healey says the MKS' ride and handling [...]

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[Source: The Truth About Cars New Cars]

2009 Acura TL Fully Revealed

Thanks to the folks over at Edmunds Inside Line , the embargo is broken and pics are out of the 2009 Acura TL. It's a 28th century wedge of cheese. Acura is really taking their cyborg design theme to the extremes (they call it Keen Edge Dynamic), and while I don't like the general styling, it may look better here on the new TL than it does on the recently debuted Acura TSX. The TL's grill is all ready to plow your snow. That should be a fairly easy job thanks to the optional AWD, included on the higher priced 3.7 liter V6 models. The base 3.5 liter V6 puts out 280 horses through the front wheels only. Both engines route power through a 5-speed automatic: no word if a stick will be available, sorry to friend that like using the left foot. Like in the TSX, the interior on the TL is another Acura buttonfest - an ironic and sad development from the Honda folks that used to build ergonomically pleasant cabins. Since brands without an identity are now trying to sell themselves as the high tech gadget companies (Acura, Lincoln, Ford, Tesla, Nissan), the TL will be loaded up with bluetooth this and alphabet-soup that. Another one bites the dust? How will it stack up against arch rivals like the fellow front wheel drive, automatic only Nissan Maxima? We'll wait to drive it of course, but the TL is off to an ugly start.

                                          Pixamo Gallery

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[Source: The Truth About Cars New Cars]

What about diesel hybrids?

Some form of hybrid electric drive looks like the wave of the future, or at least the near-term future, and a diesel-electric hybrid would seem to be the best of both worlds. That"s because the electric portion of a hybrid powertrain offers its primary benefit in stop-and-go low-speed city driving, while diesels are at their best cruising steadily along at highway speeds. Why not marry them? The short answer is cost. Two-mode hybrid vehicles have two powertrains, one internal combustion and one electric. The electric portion is the expensive one, largely because of the cost of the big, powerful, exotic battery it must use. Add to that a diesel, which is far costlier than a gasoline engine, and you have two high-cost powertrains on one chassis. (Learn how hybrids work.) Even in Europe, where diesel cars comprise about half the new-car sales, economies of scale have not brought diesel prices in parity with gasoline engines. Because a diesel must cope with significantly greater operating pressures than gasoline engines, the engine itself has to be much beefier. On paper, and maybe on the road some day, a diesel electric hybrid could be the best of both worlds. As was said during our Future of the Car day panel discussion: SCombining the technologies can lead to great efficiencies in power and emissions, however there is cost and question if market will bear it. What do you think? Would you pay a premium for such a powertrain? Gordon Hard

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[Source: Consumer Reports Cars Blog]

Infiniti G37 Sedan, Convertible Revealed

Infiniti has tried to play Terminix to BMW's Bavarian Cockroach 3-Series. For the most part, the Japanese automaker's done a fine job. To keep up with the Bimmer's new turbocharged engine (that makes some unknown amount of horsepower over 300), Infiniti is kicking-up the power and displacement of their VQ V6. The G sedan [...]

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[Source: The Truth About Cars New Cars]

Win A Winter Break For Two At A Luxury Hotel

Fancy a luxury break in a beautiful rural retreat? We are offering you and a friend the chance to get away from it all and pamper yourself with a FREE stay at a sumptuous country hotel.

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[Source: The Sunday Mail - Lifestyle - Home & Garden]

Nursing Program

Nursing programs can be found in any state and almost in every city.

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[Source: Schools]