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The Japanese auto manufacturer has teamed up with JAXA to design a lunar rover with a cruising range of 10,000km. Toyota has joined forces with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with the aim of producing a manned, pressurised lunar rover. Powered by a fuel cell electric drivetrain, the pair are targeting a total lunar-surface range of more than 10,000km (around 6,200 miles). Should a physical version of the six-wheeled rover reach production, it’ll measure six metres long, five metres wide and almost four metres tall. As such, it would be twice as long, twice as wide and almost five times the height of the Moon Buggy used on the Apollo 15 mission. Toyota claims its lunar rover could comfortably accommodate two astronauts (or four in emergency situations) in its 13-metre-squared living quarters. Other features include a huge retractable solar panel, air-less tyres and an array of communications equipment. JAXA’s Vice President, Koichi Wakata, set out the firm’s plans for space exploration, stating: “Manned, pressurized rovers will be an important element supporting human lunar exploration, which we envision will take place in the 2030s. We aim at launching such a rover into space in 2029.” Toyota seems to have its sights set on a more terrestrial level, and is keen to see how its partnership with JAXA will advance battery-electric and fuel cell technology for its earthbound vehicles. Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shigeki Terashi, said: "Toyota believes that achieving a sustainable mobility society on Earth will involve the coexistence and widespread use of electrified vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles. “Our joint studies with JAXA are a part of this effort. Being allowed to be a member of 'Team Japan', we would like to take up the challenge of space."

I just heard Malaysia TV2 8pm. News Broadcast about Foreign Vehicle Entry Permit charge at 20 Ringgit with effect Jan.2015. This new FVEP will definitely see business for Johoreans diving down into deep cliff.

In Berita Harian Malaysia. Not sure whether those not using EDL have to pay... The Malaysian government has announced a toll for vehicles using the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) which connects the Johor Baru immigration complex to the North-South Expressway, the main highway used by motorists heading to Malacca and Kuala Lumpur . The new fee for cars from Singapore to Johor Bahru is RM9.70, and RM6.80 from Johor to Singapore. Earlier Cars and lorries exiting Singapore paid RM2.90 and RM5.50, respectively to use the N-S Highway, The announcement comes as Malaysia's Transport Ministry on Friday said Singapore motorists driving into Johor will pay no more than RM50 (S$20) for a new Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge for Singapore-registered vehicles, details of which are being discussed. Effective date 1 August 2014...next Friday During the Hari Raya period.

Posted By harsha On November 7, 2011 @ 12:02 am In Financial Services http://www.ft.lk/2011/11/07/global-banks-a...10000-job-cuts/ Banks are shedding jobs worldwide as stricter regulations and a tough six months for trading income take their toll on investment banking units. Switzerland

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC11...on-of-new-towns "The National Development Ministry will announce on Friday the formation of new towns, 14 days after the publication of General Election results. More details will be provided on who the town council chairmen will be and the new names of the town councils, if any, to reflect changes in the redrawn electoral map. MediaCorp understands that some decisions have been reached. For instance, residents of the new single wards will likely be served by town councils of nearby Group Representation Constituencies (GRC), such as the ones they used to belong to, for economies of scale. Meanwhile, in Ang Mo Kio GRC, the new town council chairman is set to be Dr Lam Pin Min, Member of Parliament in neighbouring single-seat ward Sengkang West. Ang Mo Kio MP Inderjit Singh, who was its town council chairman for the previous two terms, told MediaCorp that the team submitted papers last week nominating Dr Lam for the post. Changes are also expected at Hong Kah Town Council. It will likely be renamed Chua Chu Kang Town Council with Mr Zaqy Mohamad as its new chairman. The Chua Chu Kang MP will replace Mr Ang Mong Seng, who has retired from politics. Some chairmen look set to stay, like Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan for Marine Parade Town Council and MP Denise Phua, in her new GRC of Moulmein-Kallang. Cheow Xin Yi" [thumbsup] Immediately after KBW take over and make a starting move to change the SMC and GRC management for further cost savings. [thumbsup]

At a news conference in Brussels, Belgium this morning, Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan alliance officially announced that the three automakers would collaborate on future products and that each would exchange shares in the other companies. The deal has been rumored for months, and Daimler has been looking for a partner to help spread the costs of small car development for years. Under the new agreement, Daimler will hold a 3.1-percent stake in Renault and Nissan and the existing alliance partners will hold an identical stake in the German company. The partners will develop a combined platform that will be used as the basis for the next generations of the Renault Twingo and Smart cars, including a new four-seater. These new models will launch in 2013 and the current Smart factory in France will continue building the two-seat version. The new four-seater, along with the Twingo, will be built at a Renault factory in Slovenia. All three vehicles will be available from launch in gas, diesel and electric drive variants. The automakers will also share powertrains for other models. Renault-Nissan will provide small gas and diesel engines to Daimler for use in its smaller cars, including presumably the next generation A, B and perhaps even C-Class Mercedes-Benz models. Going the other way, Daimler will provide some of its engines to Nissan for use in Infiniti models. The partners will also collaborate on light commercial vehicles, with Renault providing a new entry-level van to be sold as a Mercedes.

Press release from Workers Party http://www.wp.sg/wordpress/2009/10/no-basi...lift-upgrading/ I refer to the HDB

BMW looks set to rock the formula one world on Wednesday morning by announcing it will withdraw from the sport at the end of 2009. International media have been summoned to a press conference at the German marque's Munich headquarters at 10am - less than three hours' time - to discuss "current developments in motor sport". Amid a disappointing season and a lack of progress in overcoming the difficulties, the BMW board is believed to have called time on the Swiss based BMW-Sauber project. Present at the emergency press conference will be team boss Mario Theissen as well as BMW board chairman Norbert Reithofer and director for development Klaus Draeger. A source said the news to be revealed on Wednesday is "important" but would not elaborate. It is speculated BMW, having bought the independent Sauber team at the end of 2005, may announce it will instead turn its attention to other forms of motor sport, including perhaps a return to Le Mans. The timing of the announcement is almost certainly because BMW has not signed the new Concorde Agreement, which is set to be announced imminently and would have bound the manufacturer to F1 until the end of 2012. It is feared that Toyota and Renault may now follow suit. Honda withdrew at the end of the 2008 season. With Ferrari's Felipe Massa in hospital and expected to be out of action for the rest of the season, the BMW news has sparked rumours that Robert Kubica could be drafted in to replace the injured Brazilian.

Anyone into this PC game? Check out here: http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.pht...sion-pack.phtml

Getset for the second season of A1 GP. Singapore is setting up a team. 1st choice driver, you guessed it. 2000 Formula Asia champion, our very own Dennis Lian. Read more on CNA http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../223291/1/.html