US regulators are investigating the hiring practices of JPMorgan Chase in Hong Kong,The world’s most efficient and cost effective hid lights? in a move that could cast an unflattering light on the relationships between Wall Street banks and the sons and daughters of Chinese government officials.
JPMorgan disclosed in a recent regulatory filing that it has received a request from the US Securities and Exchange Commission “seeking information and documents relating to, among other matters, the firm’s employment of certain former employees in Hong Kong and its business relationships with certain clients”.The world's largest independent online retailer for solar lighting, street lights & outdoor lighting fixtures.
A person familiar with the investigation said that it involves the bank’s hiring of Tang Xiaoning, son of a former Chinese banking regulator who is now chairman of the state-owned China Everbright Group, and Zhang Xixi, the daughter of a Chinese railway official.
A Beijing-based spokesperson for JPMorgan said the bank was fully co-operating with the US authorities but declined to comment further.
The investigation is likely to cause consternation on Wall Street and in the corridors of power in China, where hiring the sons and daughters of prominent politicians or business leaders is considered de rigueur as part of a system that places heavy emphasis on “guanxi,” or personal connections, as a way of securing new business.
In their rush to capitalise on China’s economic growth, virtually all the big Wall Street and European financial institutions with operations in the country have habitually hired “princelings”, as the children of senior Chinese officials are known.
Goldman Sachs once hired Jiang Zhicheng, grandson of the former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, for its direct private investment arm, for instance.
A senior Chinese official told the Financial Times that the Chinese government had not launched its own investigation into JPMorgan or its hiring practices in the country, but that the revelations are causing concern because the practice of hiring the children of senior officials to work at financial institutions is very common.
Some individual Chinese officials are worried their own children could also be named in media reports or in investigations in the US, the senior official said.
Two people familiar with the matter confirmed that Tang Xiaoning and Zhang Xixi had previously worked at JPMorgan and that Mr Tang left the company in December 2012. Attempts to reach Mr Tang and Ms Zhang were unsuccessful.
A spokesman for the SEC declined to comment on the investigation, which was first reported by the New York Times.Thank you for providing us with information to help us maintain street light.
US authorities have to date rarely investigated Wall Street’s business practices in China, though a former Morgan Stanley adviser was last year sent to prison after bribing a Chinese official to win lucrative real estate investments for the bank.
In recent years, foreign banks are said to have found it increasingly difficult to attract the offspring of the country’s most senior leaders thanks to the rise of a domestic private equity industry that provides lucrative opportunities for Chinese investors with powerful family backgrounds.
In private conversations, executives at western banks admit they are now more likely to hire the children of vice-ministers or provincial vice-governors, whereas a few years ago the parents of their recruits were usually minister level or above.
The investigation could add to JPMorgan’s recent regulatory woes. The investment bank faces a string of regulatory investigations related to its $6bn “London Whale” trading loss, as well as questions over its commodities and energy businesses.

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NEW Holland has revealed revised ranges at the top and tail of its straw walker combine line during a European harvesting event held in France which saw the marque launch a new line of variable chamber round balers.
While external revisions are harder to spot, introductions to the innards of the manufacturer’s latest Elevation generation of CX7/8000 five- and six-walker combines include an innovative new separation feature designed to reduce the likelihood of losses and blockages.
Labelled Opti-Speed and claimed to be unique in the industry, the system automatically varies walker speed according to field gradient, based on one of four settings selected by the operator. While the maize and rice settings are likely to find limited use in the UK, the others are geared for the specific seed/plant matter characteristics of oilseed rape and wheat/cereals.
When driving uphill, walker speed is reduced according to gradient severity to retain material over the walkers for longer. This aims to improve separation and reduce the risk of excessive grain loss out of the back of the combine before it has been separated from the straw. Conversely, when harvesting downhill, walker speed is increased to prevent crop backing up and causing blockages.
The system is backed by Opti-Fan cleaning, which further compensates for the effects of uphill and downhill slopes. After the operator has set their desired fan speed on level ground, the system automatically adjusts it when the combine works up or downhill, to prevent sieve overload and/or separation losses.
Opti-Clean, which is standard on machines specified with a self-levelling cleaning shoe, is claimed to improve cleaning performance by up to 20 per cent by optimising the sieve stroke and throwing angle. The grain pan and the pre and top sieves operate independently,We offer solar photovoltaic system and commercial incentives to encourage our customers to install solar energy systems. which New Holland claims boosts cleaning capacity. A longer sieve stroke and steep throwing angle keep more material airborne for enhanced separation.
Further developments include grain tank growth across the range, with CX8080 and CX8090 Elevation models holding a maximum 11,500 litres. Unloading speed is up 14 per cent to a maximum 125 litres/second, emptying the largest tank in just more than 90 seconds.
New Holland’s in-house designed SmartTrax rubber track system is available on the five-walker CX7090 and six-walker CX8080 and CX8090 Elevation models, in 610mm (24in) versions to keep transport width within 3.5m, and in 760mm (30in) variants for extreme conditions.
Additional upgrades for CX Elevation combines include an IntelliView IV colour touchscreen monitor with 264mm (10in) screen, optional HID lighting and upgraded seating, including a full-leather option.
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In the study, the team focused on a class of organic materials known as conjugated or semiconducting polymers—chains of carbon atoms that have the properties of plastic, and the ability to absorb sunlight and conduct electricity.
Discovered nearly 40 years ago, semiconducting polymers have long been considered ideal candidates for ultrathin solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and transistors. Unlike silicon crystals used in rooftop solar panels, semiconducting polymers are lightweight and can be processed at room temperature with ink-jet printers and other inexpensive techniques. So why aren’t buildings today covered with plastic solar cells?
“One reason they haven’t been commercialized is because of poor performance,” Salleo says. “In a solar cell, electrons need to move through the materials fast, but semiconducting polymers have poor electron mobility.”
To find out why,I'm not sure how led downlight fit into that equation if they are left on. Salleo joined Rodrigo Noriega and Jonathan Rivnay, who were Stanford graduate students at the time, in analyzing more than two decades of experimental data.
“Over the years,A solar lamp is a portable light fixture composed of an LED lamp, a photovoltaic solar panel, and a rechargeable battery. many people designed stiffer polymers with the goal of making highly organized crystals, but the charge mobility remained relatively poor,” Salleo says. “Then several labs created polymers that looked disordered and yet had very high charge mobility. It was a puzzle why these new materials worked better than the more structured crystalline ones.”For more information, please visit www.hmhid.com.

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The all-new Corolla inherits 47 years of Corolla DNA. The range has an all-new exterior which embodies the evolution of Toyota’s Keen Look and Under Priority design principles with an emphasis now placed on the upper grille for a distinctive but more prestigious appearance.
At 4620 mm long, 1775 mm wide and 1465 mm high, the new Corolla is 80mm longer and 15mm wider, yet is 5 mm lower than its predecessor. The wheel base has been lengthened by 100mm which leads to more space overall in the cabin.Know about led high bay conversion kit and Bi-xenon HID kit.
The soft instrument panel upholstery and high-gloss piano black finishes are complemented by silver trim detailing and clear blue instrument, glove box and ambient cabin lighting to create a premium quality feel to the interior.
Increased legroom
Drivers will benefit from an improved ergonomic positioning and intuitive operability of all switchgear and instrumentation. Rear passengers will also enjoy an enhanced environment with increased rear legroom to a class leading 706mm, as well as more comfortable seats.
The Corolla also features increased luggage capacity. The new Corolla is not only more spacious and comfortable, but also quieter than its predecessor. The interior has been designed to offer customers class-leading quietness.
A choice of two premium colours, ivory or back, completes the new interior colour scheme.
The quality and intuitive ergonomics of the new Corolla interior are complemented by a range of comfort and convenience-enhancing equipment. The new Corolla features the debut of the second generation of the Toyota Touch, a 6.1” full colour, touch-screen multimedia system with a rear reversing camera and Bluetooth.
The new Corolla has been engineered to give a more enjoyable and involving driving experience, and benefits from a lighter, yet more rigid body structure, revised suspension and a more direct steering response. It offers a lower centre of gravity through an overall reduction in height.
Lowest C02
Toyota have the lowest fleet wide CO2 in Europe. The Corolla has a revised, Euro 5+ compliant engine line-up with an enhanced fuel economy and best in class CO2 emissions from 99 g/km. The Toyota Eco Stop and Start system is standard on Corolla diesel models.
The Corolla line-up has three grades, Terra, Aura and Luna. There is a choice of a 1.4 litre D-4D turbodiesel and a 1.How are solar outdoor lighting products different from other lighting, like fluorescent or incandescent?33 litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine.
Corolla meets the highest active and passive safety standards, and enhanced pedestrian impact protection. It achieved a maximum 5-star rating in the latest, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test programme.
Standard features include next generation anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),They are called "solar" panels or solar module because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), 7 SRS airbags (including driver knee airbag), whiplash prevention headrests, Emergency Locking Retractor seatbelts, and Traction Control.
The Corolla also features LED daytime running lights and ‘Follow-Me-Home’ headlamps which automatically remain illuminated for 30 seconds after the vehicle has been switched off and locked.
“We are very excited about the potential this next generation Corolla holds for Toyota Ireland. Irish motorists have had a loyal love affair with Corolla, and to this day it remains a household name,” said David Shannon, managing director of Toyota Ireland.
“We expect the new model with its highly desirable design, driving experience and interior comfort to convert a new generation of Irish motorists to the Corolla marque,” he added.Read the full story at www.hmhid.com!

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SmithGroupJJR designed the comprehensive renovation of the windowless, 1970s concrete block building, transitioning it into a model for sustainable adaptive reuse.
Located at the corner of 44th and Van Buren in a once declining area of Phoenix, the 16,533-square-foot storefront had most recently operated as an adult-themed boutique before standing vacant for three years. The eyesore building was purchased by DPR Construction, a national general contractor and construction manager, which was looking to build a highly-efficient, sustainable workplace and reaffirm its commitment to better the community in which it works.
Today,How are solar outdoor lighting products different from other lighting, like fluorescent or incandescent? DPR’s new building is an ultra-energy efficient and modern workplace that’s embraced by its employees and the community.
“Many building owners may think it’s impossible to turn an aging, neglected building into something highly sustainable – especially in an extreme climate like Phoenix. But that’s precisely what we’ve achieved,” said Mark Roddy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, SmithGroupJJR design principal. The entire project was completed in less than 10 months and is the first Net Zero Energy Building SmithGroupJJR has designed.
Net Zero Energy facilities integrate a combination of energy-producing technologies like solar and wind, and implement efficient HVAC and lighting systems to reduce a building’s overall energy usage. To achieve Net Zero Energy Building Certification, a facility must demonstrate a net energy consumption of zero over the span of one year.
SmithGroupJJR incorporated a range of advanced, sustainable design solutions to achieve Net Zero Energy consumption, such as:
An 87-foot solar chimney enables a passive cooling system, releasing hot air out of the building while drawing cooler air in.They are called "solar" panels or solar module because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun.Nearly 90 operable windows throughout the building work in tandem with the energy monitoring system to open and close based on indoor and outdoor temperatures.Eighty-two solar optical tubes, Solatubes harness light from rooftop domes and bring it into the workspace, nearly eliminating the need for artificial lighting.Twelve 8-foot diameter Big Ass Fans? circulate air flow throughout the office.Know about led high bay conversion kit and Bi-xenon HID kit.A “vampire” switch cuts off 90 percent of plug loads, which would otherwise continue to draw power at night when the building is unoccupied.Four evaporative Shower Towers direct water-cooled air inside, also helping to regulate building temperatures.Producing power for the building is a 78.96 kW photovoltaic-covered canopy over half of the parking lot. The system is capable of generating enough power to offset the building’s annual energy usage and is critical to allowing the facility to achieve Net Zero energy consumption.
Tracking the building’s energy production and consumption in real time is an online building dashboard, prominently on display in the office’s reception area.The new office building for DPR employees working in Phoenix is more than a sustainability powerhouse. Inside, SmithGroupJJR designed a “workplace of the future” environment, where employees share a common, open work environment void of enclosed, private offices. Unique, on-site amenities include a gym complete with men’s and women’s showers, a Zen Room for quiet breaks, and an 18-foot wine bar. A kitchen with café and two green-screened outside courtyards provide additional breakout venues. Video conferencing rooms, a learning lab, and a glass-walled Innovation Room with whiteboards and reconfigurable furniture encourage collaboration and teamwork. Rolling, glazed, garage-style doors can be raised to join the inside offices with an outside courtyard.
Since its completion in October 2011, the new DPR Phoenix Regional Office has become a living laboratory for the community, showcasing how to live and work sustainably in a desert environment. DPR has opened its building to host gatherings and meetings for a range of businesses and non-profit organizations. The company openly shares its building and the lessons that were learned during design and construction with audiences that include professional organizations, public and private programs, and school children of all ages.
DNV KEMA Energy and Sustainability served as sustainability consultant. Structural engineering was provided by PK Associates.Click on their website www.hmhid.com for more information.

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There are some things I wish I could forget ever having seen. One of them was the two patches of flesh (and some underlying fat) that a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon removed from Jacqueline Laurita’s tummy, glimpsed in Sunday night’s episode. One hunk of the trimmed belly fat even sported a heart tattoo. If you were zipping around the channels and stopped at that sight, you might have thought you were watching “Forensic Files,” not “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
“How did you all handle seeing my cutlets on the table during surgery?” Jac asked in her cast blog, which she posted in the wee hours of Monday morning.
Answer: Not well, Jac.
She actually addressed the tummy tuck (and neck lift she got at the same time) at length in that blog post:
“My decision to get a tummy tuck was easy. I always wanted one since I gave birth to Nicholas and lost all of my baby weight. My body just didn’t bounce back this time like it did in the past. Dieting and exercising couldn’t fix that mess you saw. It looked like an elephant leg. LOL! It didn’t matter how beautiful my husband, family, or friends told me I was. I wasn’t feeling it. That skin had to go, and so did that tattoo! It was cute because inside the heart was the letter “C” on top of, and connecting to, a cursive letter “L”. I had that tattoo made for my husband while we were engaged. Well…that’s ONE way to get rid of a tattoo! LOL!”
And then she ventured into the realm of Way Too Much Information:
“Before my tummy tuck, I always tricked my husband with sexy mood lighting and cute, short lingerie dresses that I could lift up the bottom and pull my boobies out of the top, trying to be sexy, while secretly hiding my mid-section. He had no idea that mess was there. I hid it well. I was embarrassed of it. Now you know why! It’s gone now, so who cares.They are called "solar" panels or solar module because most of the time, the most powerful source of light available is the Sun.”
Her husband “had no idea that mess was there.” But now he, and the world, have seen that hidden zone up close.
On a brighter note, since the surgery was in California, Jac — and RHONJ fans — got to see her daughter, Ashlee Holmes again. In New Jersey, she seemed eternally bratty, spoiled and ungrateful. But in this episode, Ashlee not only looked beautiful, but she seemed so much more mature — more so than her mother, actually, which Jacqueline even acknowledged, after Ashlee urged her mom, in vain, not to have a shot of tequila the night before surgery: “I feel like it’s role reversal. It’s like she’s being the responsible one and I’m on spring break,” Jac said.
Clearly, it was easier for Ashlee to grow up once she left the Garden State — and RHONJ. (In her latest cast blog, Jac wrote that Ashlee “is actually staying with us in New Jersey for awhile, because she decided to go to makeup school in New York.” Let’s just hope the old Ashlee won’t re-emerge.
One other Laurita-related note. Back home in Franklin Lakes, poor little C.J.Know about led high bay conversion kit and Bi-xenon HID kit. said he wasn’t feeling good. He also felt hot to the touch, according to his dad, Chris Laurita – a diagnosis that was confirmed by his sister, Caroline Manzo,The world's largest independent online retailer for solar lighting, street lights & outdoor lighting fixtures. who then said she knew what was wrong with C.J. He had strep. Unless I heard wrong, Caroline said she could “smell it on his breath.” (Who needs thermometers or throat-cultures when Dr. Manzo is in the house?)
In other “RHONJ” doings:
They showed more of the conversations that we’d seen last week between the Lauritas and the Giudices at The Brick House in Wyckoff. The ever-composed Chris Laurita didn’t seem to react when Juicy Joe reiterated his (ignorant) views on autism. When the women, after having a heart-to-heart, rejoined the men at a table, Jac apologized to Juicy for what she’d said about his having cheated on Teresa. “I’ve forgotten it already. I really have,” said Juicy, whom we now know had far more important things to worry (and think) about.
Gia Giudice and Uncle Joe Gorga, her godfather, had a heart-to-heart, too. “Didn’t you realize that when you and my mom were tit for tat, it distanced everyone?” Gia asked. It sounded like a scripted line, but there was, of course, much truth behind it.
Read the full story at www.hmhid.com!

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During the Civil War, Hostetter's Stomach Bitters were sold to Union soldiers heading south to the battlefields. They were touted as a "positive protective against the fatal maladies of the Southern swamps and the poisonous tendency of the impure rivers and bayous." The stuff was shipped west, too, where miners suffered their own spates of dysentery.
In Tonopah, Nev., William Peck discovered that Hostetter's relieved his aches and pains, too.Shop funtional and elegant solar lights, outdoor solar lighting, solar garden lights, path lights and decorative solar lights. Evidently, he consumed about 10,000 bottles at the turn of the last century. It's no wonder, because, when analyzed, Hostetter's was 90-percent alcohol and 10-percent opium. We believe he consumed this much because he built an entire house out of Hostetter's bottles and concrete.
Building with bottles originated in the deserts, where so many mining towns rose up amid Spartan ecosystems. Miners' tents were soon in tatters and they had to find a new building material because shipping lumber by mule train was quite expensive. Those who had not yet struck it rich were left out in the cold. Literally.
Mining towns, however, had one thing in abundance, as you might imagine: bottles. Bars did a roaring business -- and so did the peddlers offering patent medicines. Bottles accumulated all over the place, so it was just a matter of time before they were pressed into service as building materials.
Fast forward to the present,Soli-lite provides the world with high-performance solar roadway and solar street lighting solutions. and an interest in bottle walls is rising again. Rather than being lugged to the recycling center, bottles can be reused in the garden. Think layering bottles, just like bricks, onto wet mortar.
A few things to consider if you want to work with bottles.
First, leave the labels on because they'll be hidden by the mortar.
Second, collect bottles that are all roughly the same size. This is really helpful for newbies who are still learning this art. Similar-sized bottles stack cleanly and hold together better than do bottles of various sizes.
Third, use bottles of the same shape. The square shape of Hostetter's bottles made them easy to stack without rolling. Rounded bottles mixed with square ones will be more challenging.
Fourth,Most modern headlight designs include Wholesale HID Kit. consider using bottles of the same color. Consider using all blue bottles or all green ones -- or just amber beer bottles -- for a powerful design statement.
While bottles were commonly used in Nevada for houses, walls might be a better option today. The shorter the wall, the more stable it remains.
A great starter project is creating a bench out of bottles using wood or a stone slab on top for a comfortable seat.
Consider how light shines through such walls in the morning and at sunset when the sun is low. Your wall, accordingly, could lighten up on cue for cocktail hour. Another option is to arrange your landscape lighting to illuminate the back of the bench or wall so the bottles glow all night long.
The best place to learn how to build stuff with recycled bottles is on YouTube. How-to videos there will help you get started. Consider a bottle wall for part of your greenhouse or solarium. Many folks fill their bottles with water and seal them before stacking into a wall for a low-cost thermal mass to keep a solar greenhouse warmer.
Reusing bottles in masonry is one of the most beautiful ways to avoid trips to the recycling center and limit expenditures at the home-improvement store.
Click on their website www.indoorilite.com for more information.

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The apocalyptic hour of "Blood Money," the final season premiere of AMC's "Breaking Bad," moves faster than entire seasons of this brilliant and diabolical series. The closing scene of the episode is the one fans have been waiting for for years, and one that would otherwise take this show another eight or 12 episodes to accomplish. (Neilsen reports that the final-season premiere averaged 5.9 million viewers on Sunday, almost double last year's premiere slot. More details here.)

But remember, after "Blood Money," only seven episodes remain, and "Breaking Bad" has a lot of business to tend to in those precious final hours. Season 5 part 2 is poised to be a breakneck finish for "Breaking Bad," and a refusal to put its foot on the brake. But this speed doesn't mean that series head Vince Gilligan and his writing team are merely dancing as fast as they can. "Blood Money" showcases "Breaking Bad" at its most carefully plotted and assembled -- not to mention, inventively styled -- as it digs deeply into the show's mythology. (Don't read further if you are not caught up on the series, as spoilers are ahead.)
 off with the show's most soul-searing cold open yet. In a flash forward, a bearded Walter White (Bryan Cranston) returns to his suburban home to retrieve the ricin he hid in a light fixture last season. His home is now empty and ravaged, grey and sickly, with the name HEISENBERG spray painted on the living room wall. The opener echoes that of season five, part 1, in which Walt, traveling under a pseudonym, reveals some seriously heavy weaponry in the trunk of his car. Putting these two timeline jumps together, we're building toward an awful act of violence that likely won't come until the series' very end. Some haunting questions linger: Where are Skyler, Walt Jr. and -- dear god -- baby Holly? Who is the loose wire that Walt is going after, with the ricin and the gun?
Here's what we did learn from the season premiere: Hank (Dean Norris) will be working to take down Walt, whose cancer is back, and Jesse (Aaron Paul) knows that Walt killed Gus' (RIP) former henchman Mike but has no proof. This two-pronged setup will most certainly be the fulcrum of the final season, as both Hank and Jesse pursue any possible redemption for themselves.Most modern headlight designs include Wholesale HID Kit. And in the case of Jesse, it means getting out from under Walt's thumb.
Though the bulk of this episode is all ominous portent -- including "former business associate" Lydia's unexpected appearance at the A1A car wash -- and slow zooms (Hank's stunned-senseless emergence from the bathroom), the fulcrum here is the final scene face-off between Walt and Hank. When Hank socks Walt behind the closed door of his garage, grabs him by the collar and spews, "It was you all along," we can't help but feel a potent spark of satisfaction as the whole bedrock of the show -- a once-ordinary guy engineers a massive drug operation right under the nose of his DEA-agent brother-in-law -- erupts. But then Walt says, "If you don't know who I am, then maybe your best course would be to tread lightly," and that moral blood-thirst curdles to dread.
A SERVING Newcastle police officer was accused yesterday of taking bribes and supplying a gun to former boxer Fortunato "Lucky" Gattellari.
NSW police confirmed that Senior Constable Mark Donohue is "subject to an ongoing departmental investigation".
A spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Giving evidence at the committal hearing of his former benefactor, Ron Medich, Gattellari said that, in 2010, he paid $2500 in cash to the police officer for a pistol.
"What kind of officer would do that?" Winston Terracini, SC, for Mr Medich, asked.
"The kind who took bribes from Mr Medich," said Gattellari, who added that the bribes were over deals involving Aboriginal land.
The court heard that the gun Constable Donohue provided was for Haissam Safetli, who was recently sentenced to six years' jail for his role in the execution-style shooting of Michael McGurk.
The Scottish-born businessman was murdered in his car in front of his nine-year-old son in September 2009. Mr Medich,Shop funtional and elegant solar lights, outdoor solar lighting, solar garden lights, path lights and decorative solar lights.Soli-lite provides the world with high-performance solar roadway and solar street lighting solutions. a property tycoon, is alleged to have been the mastermind.
Gattellari, 63, said the gun he bought from Constable Donohue was not the murder weapon and was supplied after the killing of McGurk. He said he hid it in the back shelf of his office filing cabinet until Safetli came to get it.
When asked if he was concerned about what Safetli planned to do with it, Gattellari said: "Why should I be?"
The court heard "changing tyres" was the code Gattellari used for the murder. The former boxer was sentenced to seven years' jail for his role in organising McGurk's murder. He is now the Crown's key witness.
Under cross-examination by Mr Terracini, Gattellari told Central Local Court that he didn't keep records of his dealings on Mr Medich's behalf because 90 per cent of them were illegal.
Gattellari was also questioned about his financial dealings with Queenslander Louie Gibson. Gattellari said he thought his friend was a "racing identity" rather than a drug dealer.
In 2008, Gibson was sentenced to 11 years' jail for producing and trafficking the drug methylamphetamine.
The court also heard that hundreds of thousands of dollars, allegedly from Mr Medich's investments in Gattellari's electrical businesses, were handed over to Gattellari's family without Mr Medich's knowledge.
Read the full story at www.streetlights-solar.com!

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The excitement is back in town as Honda Cars Philippines  introduces the new CR-Z Sports Hybrid Coupe in the domestic market. Launched on Monday at the NBC Tent at the Bonifacio Global City, the  CR-Z comes as a much-needed shot in the arm for Honda, which is poised to regain its glory days as a major player in a small, yet highly competitive car market.
“This sports hybrid car represents Honda’s passion for innovation. Our company has always been at the forefront of introducing the latest globally available vehicles in the local market. The CR-Z will fortify our line-up and push the envelope of performance driving,” said Tatsuya Natsume, president and GM of HCPI. The night’s festivities was also attended by Honda officials and engineers from Japan headed by the CR-Z Large Project Leader Norio Tomobe of Honda R&D; Masayoshi Goto, VP for Honda Access Asia and Oceania; and Kazuhide Yasui, Executive Director for Motorsports Business of Mugen Japan.
For an up close and personal experience with the CR-Z line-up, Honda whisked away a select group of media men to the Batangas Racing Circuit for some lap sessions in a controlled environment. Packaged as an environment friendly sports coupe, event organizers devised a clever way for the media to maximize the fuel efficient qualities of the car while experiencing the driving dynamics of the CR-Z around the BRC track. “With this product, we aim to provide an unparalleled driving experience. This is the new Honda,” says Natsume.
In SPORT mode, the vehicle uses the IMA system in order to provide extra power, while at the same time making the throttle pedal more sensitive to driver inputs. Meanwhile, in ECON mode, the IMA system assists more by limiting the amount of fuel used by the engine in order to achieve better efficiency. In NORMAL mode the driving performance and fuel economy are balanced.
Honda further pushes the envelope as the All New CR-Z now has an additional selection – the Plus-Sport System or S+ Button.  This Plus-Sport system charges the battery and provides an additional boost in acceleration that is comparable to a 3.0L V6 engine.
Lead footed motoring pen pushers enjoyed pushing the car to its limits, and taking fast corners with the CR-Z. Although team orders were for us to drive economically, some of us just can’t shake off the idea of driving a Hybrid Sports Coupe under the performance limit.
“The arrival of the CR-Z means a lot to Honda since we feel that this particular model relates well with Filipinos. Since then, we thought of giving each customer a more personal approach in choosing his CR-Z and decided to offer 3 feature-packed variants, 2 transmission options and 6 colors,” Natsume said.
The Standard model priced at P1.390M is equipped with projector-type hid kit, LED park lights, front fog lights, rain sensing front wipers, LED taillights, intermittent rear windshield wiper and 17” alloy wheels. The CR-Z Modulo variant is equipped with Carbon Fiber finish under spoiler set, ducktail-type tailgate spoiler and Modulo emblem and carries a price tag of P1.560 million for the CVT version. The higher end variant is the CR-Z MUGEN which is equipped with under spoiler set, MUGEN front grille, wing-type tailgate spoiler, MUGEN light-weight 17” alloy wheels, MUGEN exhaust system, Aero Illumination (LED Daytime Running Lights), rear fog lights, carbon fiber mirror cover and shift knob (for manual transmission only), MUGEN emblem and MUGEN floor mats and has a retail price of P1.950 million.More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.

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The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling pickup truck for a few reasons. It has some of the best towing ratings, some of the most intriguing tech features, and some of the most fuel-efficient powertrains. Put them all together with a choice of body styles and the F-150 has what could be its killer app just in its build matrix: seemingly endless choice.
The biggest news for 2014 is the addition of the 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor. The first "sport" truck to get the powertrain, according to Ford, the Tremor is configured with the F-150's regular-cab body style, with a 126-inch wheelbase and the shorter pickup bed. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions are offered. The Tremor weighs in at about 5,000 pounds, and comes with a 4.10 rear axle and an electronically controlled locking rear differential, for maximum power extraction from the EcoBoost V-6, Ford says. Other 2014 changes are slight, with new trailer-tow mirrors, a new FX grille, and HID headlamps on F-150s at the XLT trim level and above.
Otherwise, the F-150 carries over into the 2014 model year essentially unchanged--in a year when a new Silverado and Sierra and a new turbodiesel Ram are ready. With King Ranch editions, EcoBoost V-6 turbos, and a Harley-Davidson model wearing basic black like it owns it, the F-150 still looks ready to rumble. The blocky, Tonka look is either cartoonish or spot-on macho, depending on your allegiance to trucks in general, and Ford, specifically. The huge grille, the slab sides, the impossibly tall fenders make it a musclecar in its class, and an object to be coveted in certain parts of the country--anywhere within a 100-mile radius of an oval-track race.
The cabin couldn't feel more contrasty: it's quiet, well-organized, and depending on the model and trim, plushly finished in high-grade plastics and tightly assembled pieces, with attractive proportions. Even work-grade trims look expensive--and the addition of MyFord Touch controls have pushed the center stack in a more adventurous direction.
The F-150 comes in a wide range of body styles and bed lengths, and it's up to you how to configure it. The Regular Cab has either a 6.5-foot or 8-foot bed, and so does the extended SuperCab. The SuperCrew four-door pickup also comes with short- and long-bed options, as well as a wheelbase six inches longer than other versions, with all the additional room going to the rear seats. All F-150s can have well sculpted bucket seats, and even the basic bench isn't a bad alternative. In back, the seats have a truly flat floor, and the cushions fold up against the back on four-door models so huge packages can be carried inside, safely and securely. A tailgate ladder and a side box step are stamped into each version.
The quartet of powertrains that replaced Ford's old modular V-8s in the 2011 model year are back, unchanged for 2014. The standard 3.7-liter V-6 may seem like the dollar-store choice, until you've driven it with a light cargo load. The six-speed automatic (standard across the board) gets paired with taller rear axles to help it accelerate to 60 mph in under 10 seconds, and gas mileage still pushes the envelope, at up to 23 miles per gallon on the EPA highway cycle. The new Silverado and Sierra blow by it in towing capacity, though. If you want to hang with the popular crowd, you'll need the turbocharged, 3.5-liter version of the six.
In their 1990s heyday, pickup trucks excelled at smooth V-8 power. Now they're truly muscular, especially at Ford, where the 5.0-liter V-8 endows the F-150 with a Mustang GT powertrain and its sizzling exhaust note, too. The 5.0 puts out an EcoBoost-identical 360 hp: the engine's retuned from the Mustang application for better low-end torque and to maintain the truck's 10,000-pound tow rating. At the top of the range is a new 6.2-liter V-8 with a monster output of 411 hp and 434 pound-feet of torque, fitted in the most luxurious models and in the Raptor off-road special edition. For more information, please visit www.hmhid.com.

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Slotted right below the full-size Lexus LX 570, the GX is built on the same platform as the foreign-market Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It's also cousins with the Toyota 4Runner, but the GX gets the more powerful V-8 engine in lieu of the 4Runner's V-6. The GX also delivers on the Lexus promise for luxurious interior refinement, modern technologies and elegant exterior styling–none of which are typically found on truck-based SUVs.
The GX is already entering its fifth year in its current generation, and it hasn't seen many changes since its debut in 2010. However, there are some updates to the exterior this year–including Lexus' new "spindle" grille, LED daytime-running lights and headlamps, and new wheels. As a gently rounded take on the classic SUV proportions--crossed with some obligatory 'machined' brightwork cues here and there borrowed from Toyota's larger trucks like the Tundra pickup--the GX 460 is neither extroverted nor flashy. But the carved-out fenders and tall, imposing beltline do make it look quite trucky, and separate it from the rest of the Lexus lineup, except the LX. Inside, the look and layout are upright and trucklike, for sure, but short on typical Lexus standards for materials and trim details.
Despite the truck roots of the GX 460, Lexus has equipped it with all the common convenience and luxury features, while the Premium grade steps up to the rich infotainment features and tech extras. The 2014 model also receives the most current version of Lexus Remote Touch infotainment. Intuitive Park Assist, a 330-watt Mark Levinson surround-sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system are among the extras. So are two different safety-tech packages that together can bring a pre-collision system, driver attention monitor, dynamic cruise control, intelligent high-beam assist, crawl control, lane-departure alert, and a wide-view front-and-side monitor. The nav system that's available in the GX comes with the Enform suite of services, including a Destination Assist service that allows remote operator-assisted destination programming.
With its low running boards, chrome trim all around, and what could be seen as a delicate interior, you might not expect the GX 460 to be a serious rock-crawler. In that, you'd be right; but at the same time it's definitely more than another off-road poseur. There's also a low range for this tough body-on-frame ute, a host of electronic controls that will help you maintain control in various conditions, and a true center diff lock that you'd use for sand, mud, or snow.
Anyone who's driven a true truck-based SUV before will probably feel right at home in the GX. With a big, torquey 301-horsepower V-8, it accelerates strongly with no flat spots, and the six-speed automatic transmission provides quick, smooth shifts. The standard Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is a mixed blessing, really, helping keep it level in corners and in precarious off-road situations yet adding a jittery feeling at times on pavement. Ride quality is otherwise good, and the cabin is quiet, as a Lexus should be inside. Light, long-ratio steering and a soft brake pedal enforce the idea that it's a traditional SUV at heart.
In the GX you sit very high relative to the beltline, at least compared to other new vehicles, so there's great outward visibility. Well padded seats and plenty of support combine with plenty of headroom and legroom to make this a really pleasant place to be. The second row is roomy, too, but behind that the GX is somewhere between disappointing and a packaging disaster. The third row is small and impractical, as it's hard to get to, and the odd power-folding mechanism robs lots of space behind it, keeping the cargo area from being flat and low. And then there's the side-opening hatch: It's hinged on the right, meaning that you have to find your way around it when loading from the curb side. More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.

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HID Kit
That's because they are. What you see here are some of the official handouts given to the media by Mini. The current owner of the brand, BMW, says its Vision concept car provides a glimpse of future Minis.
We'd say the third-generation Mini
, to be more precise, following reports that spy shots of a lightly disguised prototype were snapped by automotive paparazzi in Europe.
Sure, but you can't blame Mini for that because it's been a winning formula ever since the legendary British car was reinvented back in 2000.
Many of Mini's hallmark design elements remain unchanged in the Vision: the roof separated from the body, for instance; and the hexagonal front grille of the classic Mini which incorporates the bumper and auxiliary lights.
A new feature _ which BMW is steadily installing in all its cars (including the 4-series Coupe driven on pages 6 and 7) _ is the channelling of air from the front vents to the side gills.
And just like we saw in those spy shots, you can expect the round, daytime-running LED lights to make it into the third-gen Mini, due on Thai forecourts early next year.
It does, but let's not get totally carried away yet because the Vision is merely a concept car, remember: it's a trial of design elements, some of which may not be followed through on.
The first notable feature is the simplified fascia (which should make it through to the production model because the current version is sort of flawed, ergonomically),  the highlights of which are a "floating" console and dials which create a 3D effect.
Then there's the disco-lit floor which seems more fantasy than reality, but we'd like to be proven wrong on this point because the Mini, after all, is all about being funky.
Another interesting facility is what Mini calls "driving experience control" which allows the driver to change the colour of the interior ambient lighting. We say "interesting" because Mercedes-Benz has just introduced this gimmick in its latest S-class.
Since the purpose of unveiling the Vision is all to do with design, no technical information has been divulged yet. However, we've heard that today's six-speed automatic transmission will be upgraded to an eight-speed, as in BMW's latest cars.
The performance-orientated Cooper models are expected to keep the much-lauded 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol-turbo engine that they share with Peugeot and Citroen.
Entry-level Minis might be seeing BMW's newly developed 1.5-litre, three-pot motor for the sake of lowered fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
There's no word on that yet, even though the Countryman SUV is set to become the first Mini ever to roll out of BMW's factory in Rayong.
Since the Hatch is the second most popular Mini derivative here, after the Countryman, there's a likelihood that some people at Mini will be pushing to do the same with the three-door Hatch.
If the Hatch continues to be imported in fully built-up form from the UK, the asking price for it will be annoyingly higher than that for the Countryman.

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The design of the MINI Vision reaches into the past and combines the underlying features and values of MINI with future-focused aesthetic and technical innovations. The hexagonal radiator grille is inspired by the classic Mini, for example, and the MINI Vision integrates both the bumper and auxiliary lights into the grille. The traditional and unmistakable rounded MINI forms are reflected in the exterior through elements such as the elliptical full-LED headlights. Their outer ring emits a consistent light and fulfils a daytime driving light function.
Among the stand-out signature features of the MINI brand are the clear separation of the roof, glasshouse and body. The chrome strip wrapped around the top of the body, the distinctive side indicator element and the black band framing the lower edge of the car are all hallmark MINI styling elements.
Alongside lightweight construction techniques

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