BMW to sell luxury cars for less online

<p><div><h1><img alt="The BMW i3 concept car at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January." src="http://cmsimg.detnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C3&Date=20120729&Category=AUTO0104&ArtNo=207290302&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&BMW-sell-luxury-cars-less-online" /></h1></div><div id="article-bodytext"><div id="ody-mainphoto"><div></div><h6>The BMW i3 concept car at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January. (John T. Greilick / Detroit News)</h6></div><div><div id="artpagination"><div><div><div><p>BMW will sell cars over the Web for the first time as the world's largest maker of luxury vehicles seeks an inexpensive way to reach more buyers to recoup spending on its electric models.</p><p>A direct online sales platform for BMW's new I sub-brand will be unique in an industry where, outside of small-scale experiments, competitors leave Internet orders for cars to dealers. BMW's range of strategies for the models, including a roaming sales force backing a limited showroom network, reflects the challenge carmakers face as low-emission vehicles trickle into dealerships to sluggish demand after years of development.</p><p>"There is considerable risk in BMW's approach of promoting the I brand so prominently," said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Science in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. "There is the image risk, if they don't succeed as quickly as expected, and then there's the main risk of costs, which can only be countered with high deliveries."</p><p>BMW opened the I models' first showroom Tuesday in London, although only prototype cars and informational materials will be displayed at first because the vehicles themselves won't go on sale before next year. BMW is spending about $3 billion developing the i3 battery-powered city car and i8 plug-in hybrid supercar, according to an estimate by Frost & Sullivan. Industry sales of electric cars last year, at 43,000 vehicles, were only 57 percent of the 75,000 deliveries predicted by Sarwant Singh, a London-based automotive partner at the consulting company.</p><h3>Starting prices posted</h3><p>The four-seat i3, scheduled to reach the market in late 2013, will be priced at about 40,000 euros ($48,500), Bratzel estimated. That compares with a 23,850-euro starting price ($29,388) in Germany for the 1-Series, the cheapest BMW-brand car. The i8, targeted for sale in 2014, will cost more than 100,000 euros ($123,221), according to Ian Robertson, BMW's sales chief.</p><p>Details of how I-model buyers, the website and dealerships will interact are "still in the planning process" and will be communicated later, Linda Croissant, a spokeswoman at Munich- based BMW, said last week. Sales will be focused on the world's major urban areas, she said.</p><p>The online sales option is aimed at a generation of drivers used to making daily purchases over the Internet, and will be an extension of the car configuration that most automakers offer customers to view models with desired options such as interior colors, seat materials and roof styles.</p><h3>Test drives not an option</h3><p>The Internet platform may take a while to catch on because "many customers will still want to go somewhere to look at and drive the vehicle before buying," said Ian Fletcher, an auto analyst in London at research company IHS Global Insight.</p><p>"With new technologies, there may be even greater skepticism about buying a car over the Internet, as in many cases you'll have to win the confidence of customers that it works and there is support for them," Fletcher said in an email.</p><p>The setup may help BMW reduce expenses: Internet sales require less than half the cost of distributing through a dealership, according to Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer of the Center Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. That allows online car prices to be 5 percent to 7 percent less than showroom tags.</p><p>Still, BMW sees standard dealerships as "the backbone of what we are doing in the interface with the customer" for the I models, Robertson said in June at a press presentation at the sub-brand's Park Lane showroom in London.</p><h3>Dealer selection criteria</h3><p>Outlets will be restricted to dealers with high BMW-brand sales volume who have floor space as well as capacity to work with I models' powering technology and carbon-fiber body material, Robertson said. The carmaker has chosen 45 of its approximately 200 dealers in Germany to sell the i3 and i8, a ratio that will probably be similar elsewhere, he said.</p><p>Dealers will be designated as agents for the I models, which provides an "advantage" by keeping the vehicles on the carmaker's books, the association of BMW distributors in Germany said in an email.</p><p>Electric vehicles' disadvantages versus conventional cars include costly battery packs, limited ranges and the time needed to recharge. Consumer reception to models like the Nissan Motor Co.'s Leaf and General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Volt has been tepid.</p><p>"Currently available electric cars have a limited market success because they are a big compromise," said Arndt Ellinghorst, a London-based analyst at Credit Suisse AG. "Customers are not willing to compromise and spend a lot of money."</p><h3>Carbon fiber bodies lighter</h3><p>BMW Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer started Project I at the end of 2007 as tighter emissions regulations threatened the viability of sporty sedans. BMW chose to create all-new vehicles that use expensive carbon fiber for a lighter body to make up for the weight of the battery system.</p><p>The approach contrasts with a decision by Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Cars division to convert existing models, such as the van-like B-Class or two-seat Smart, to electric power.</p><p>To make its electric vehicles more attractive, Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler's Smart brand offers to lease the battery separately from the car. The automaker has a target of selling more than 10,000 of the models next year, with a starting price of 18,910 euros plus monthly battery rental at 65 euros.</p><p>The I models' new technology poses risks for BMW, "but they have no choice if they want to keep their premium and image as an innovation leader," Ellinghorst said.</p><p>The i3 and i8 will probably be among BMW's lowest-selling models through 2024, alongside the existing Z4 roadster, according to IHS estimates. In 2014, the first full year of production, BMW will probably deliver 31,380 i3s, compared with 564,760 of the best-selling 3-Series model and 18,101 Z4s, a study by the research company shows.</p><p>BMW's stance is that the models should produce earnings from the start, sales chief Robertson said.</p><p>"We clearly, as a company, go into any product launch with the view of making profit, which is no different with the I brand," Robertson said. "This is a car line just as every other car line, and we intend to make profit from Day 1."</p></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p>

BMW to sell luxury cars for less online

The BMW i3 concept car at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January. (John T. Greilick / Detroit News) BMW will sell cars over the Web for the f...

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you are not banksy

<p><img alt="" height="533" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_04.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'snorting copper' by nick stern</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><a class="pin-it-button" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/22479/real-life-banksy-re-creations-by-nick-stern.html&media=http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_04.jpg&description=real-life%20banksy%20by%20nick%20stern" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 11px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto;" title="pin it" /></a><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" />los angeles-based british photographer nick stern reproduces the work of the widely recognized and prolific street artist banksy <br />with his series 'you are not banksy'. the pieces re-enact famous artworks using real people to emulate the lionized scenes through <br />staged photography.<br /><br />the project echos renowned images such as 'snorting copper', 2005, the original currently located on curtain road in shoreditch; 'dog', <br />which was created in october 2010 and located in southwark, london; and 'pulp fiction', also in london near old street tube station. <br />stern captures the detail of each iconic stencil in a studio using props and models, bringing them to life. <br /><br /><br /><img alt="" height="1229" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_02.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's</span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;"> 'naked man'<br /></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="543" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_03.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'dog'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="1182" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_05.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'mother and son'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="441" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_06.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'pulp fiction'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="591" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_07.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'guantanemo'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="672" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_08.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'girl and soldier'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="559" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_01.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">'child soldier'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="913" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_09.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'peace'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="514" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_10.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'what?'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="543" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_11.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'BB'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="762" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_13.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'caveman, los angeles'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="598" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_14.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'maid in london'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="1229" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_15.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'kissing coppers'</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="1229" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/lara/818_images/nick_stern/ster_16.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">after banksy's 'girl holding bomb'</span></p>

you are not banksy

after banksy's 'snorting copper' by nick stern los angeles-based british photographer nick stern reproduces the work of the wide...

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HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS TODAY

<div id=":ul" class="ii gt adP adO" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><div id=":uk"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><br /><div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center; background-color: #f5f5f5; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Grabbing a cup of coffee</span></strong></div><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 1.5pt; width: 839px;" width="100%"><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.75pt; width: 831px;" width="99%" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: CF576CE06B56479DB8C5A48E42CA3BA9@HomeLT" height="287" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.1&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="479" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Dining out at your favourite restaurant</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: 6903A9CEDEC24FE2BF0AD08A8938A39D@HomeLT" height="360" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.2&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="480" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Spending some time at the museum</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">  <img alt="Description: Description: 810C23D4F768471C975BAA3637C7E2F9@HomeLT" height="473" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.3&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="480" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Meeting at a popular fast food centre</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: 654B37223ED04EBEB25DD4F27DB38B76@HomeLT" height="600" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.4&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="450" />   </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Relaxing at the beach</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: 3662D65E36084FE3B1DFB412B2301360@HomeLT" height="318" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.5&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="480" />   </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Going to a game</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: 86E35EEDDDD8402D90B4DE9C978CB4BF@HomeLT" height="263" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.6&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="479" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">   <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Going out on a date</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: E2E7E88F4CF34955A4CAA39B6C207ED2@HomeLT" height="360" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="480" />   </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Taking a drive around town</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Description: Description: A68911474C964512942A7E70D8E5B158@HomeLT" height="600" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=3b30568af3&view=att&th=13896e30557b3bf5&attid=0.8&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="449" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 1.5pt; width: 839px;" width="100%"><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0cm; width: 835px;" width="100%"> </td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;" valign="bottom"> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: 24pt;">I am thankful I belong to another generation  !!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;" lang="EN">“It’s become appallingly clear that our Technology has surpassed our Humanity” -- </span><strong>Albert Einstein</strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div>

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS TODAY

  Grabbing a cup of coffee    Dining out at your favourite restaurant   Spending some time at the museum      Meeting at a popular fast food...

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Today they have released their new Digital Military Camo Brilliant Snapback Caps

<p><div class="post-slider-container landscape" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: 'Hoefler Text', 'Palatino Lynotype', Palatino, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, sarif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;"><div id="js-post-slider-wrap" class="post-slider-wrap" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 630px; overflow: hidden;"><ul id="js-post-slider" class="post-slider" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="post-slide" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 630px;"><div class="post-slide-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 630px; height: 507px;"><br /><img alt="diamond-supply-co-digi-camo-snapback-caps-1" class="attachment-medium" height="507" src="http://www.highsnobiety.com/files/2012/07/diamond-supply-co-digi-camo-snapback-caps-1.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 100%; width: auto; max-height: 510px; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; display: block;" title="diamond-supply-co-digi-camo-snapback-caps-1" width="630" /></div></li></ul></div><div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.highsnobiety.com/2012/07/14/diamond-supply-co-digital-military-camo-brilliant-snapback-caps/#" id="js-post-slide-fullscreen"></a></div></div></div><p><a href="http://www.highsnobiety.com/2012/07/14/diamond-supply-co-digital-military-camo-brilliant-snapback-caps/diamond-supply-co-digi-camo-snapback-caps-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-267933"></a></p><p>The Diamond Supply Co. branding remains to be among the strongest. Today they have released their new Digital Military Camo Brilliant Snapback Caps. The cap comes with an all over camo in two colors, featuring the diamond logo branding with a large 3D embroidery on the front panels. The caps are now available from the Diamond Supply Co. flagship store in Los Angeles, each limited to 144 pieces.</p></p>

Today they have released their new Digital Military Camo Brilliant Snapback Caps

The Diamond Supply Co. branding remains to be among the strongest. Today they have released their new Digital Military Camo Brilliant Snapba...

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turkish airlines decorated one of their boeing 737 airplanes with 17,000 photographs of their employees throughout the world

<p><img alt="" height="541" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/2011/jenny/turkish-airlines/turkishairlines01.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;"><br />image © alberto schilirò, courtesy <a href="http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7353690" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000;" target="_blank">jetphotos</a></span><a href="http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7353690" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank"><br /></a><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">in a project designed to recognize its employees internationally, </span><a href="http://www.turkishairlines.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank">turkish airlines</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"> has skinned one of their boeing 737 planes </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">with about 17,000 photographs of the company's staff from across 191 flight destinations.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">the project took four months to realize. a photo was first taken of each employee, and the thousands of images were compiled </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">into a montage for use on the aircraft. with coloured margins between photos causing the spelling out of 'globally yours' across </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">the length of the plane, the design reflects a turkish seljuk motif, referenced also in the interior designs of all turkish airlines craft.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;">the printed skin was applied to the boeing by 20 employees. the decorated boeing 737 plane is now in regular use in turkish airline's working fleet.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="316" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/2011/jenny/turkish-airlines/turkishairlines02.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">details of the skin<br />images © <a href="http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2012/07/12/foto/aereo_turkish_airlines_con_17mila_foto_dei_dipendenti-38906707/1/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000;" target="_blank">la repubblica</a></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="373" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/2011/jenny/turkish-airlines/turkishairlines03.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">full view composition</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="561" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/2011/jenny/turkish-airlines/turkishairlines04.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">the complete airplane, viewed from above</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><img alt="" height="342" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/2011/jenny/turkish-airlines/turkishairlines05.jpg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 818px; width: auto !important; height: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" width="818" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">alternate side view, from afar</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><iframe width="818" height="460" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZRSMWZZRGUg" frameborder="0"></iframe><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: xx-small;">timelapse video of the creation of the airplanes</span></p>

turkish airlines decorated one of their boeing 737 airplanes with 17,000 photographs of their employees throughout the world

image © alberto schilirò, courtesy  jetphotos in a project designed to recognize its employees internationally,  turkish airlines  has skinn...

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Tattoos are permanent reminders of temporary feelings

<div></div><div id="article-wrapper"><div id="main-content-picture"><img alt="Tattoo" height="276" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/7/13/1342183532373/Tattoo-008.jpg" width="460" /><div>'It's wisest to pick someone whom you cannot break up with or divorce.' Photograph: Gary Powell/Getty Images</div></div><div id="article-body-blocks"><p>Tattoos are permanent reminders of temporary feelings – at least if you believe the report in Thursday's Daily Mail, which looked at "embarrassing" <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2172158/What-inking-The-embarrassing-matching-tattoos-brand-couples-life.html">matching couple tattoos</a> – designs that complement or complete each other across two, romantically involved bodies.</p><p>Yet there are millions of people who feel no embarrassment about the tattoos they share with their friends, lovers and even exes. Moreover, as with most perceived "new trends" in tattooing, this practice is one with a history far older than the current generation; it's a phenomenon that provides both an insight into human beings' fundamental relationships with their own bodies and the bodies and lives of those close to them.</p><p> </p><p>Tattoos have been used as markers of association for probably as long as human beings have walked the earth, to mark tribal affiliations, regimental membership in the military, membership of fraternal orders such as the masons or US college Greek letter groups, and to signify gang membership.</p><p>The most common of these types of affiliative tattoos, though, is marking an attachment to a loved one. There's an old adage in tattooed circles that suggests getting your lover's name tattooed on you is a sure kiss of death for that relationship, and it's an old gag too: Norman Rockwell's famous 1944 Saturday Evening Post cover painting, <a href="http://www.needlesandsins.com/2009/12/the-story-behind-rockwells-the-tattooist.html">The Tattooist</a>, shows a salty sailor in the tattooist's chair, having yet another name added to an arm already full of the crossed-out names of past paramours. Even earlier, a cartoon in Punch from 1916 <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22672/22672-h/22672-h.htm">shows</a> a "fickle young thing" – a well-turned-out young woman, as it happens – revisiting her tattooist to seek an amendment to the ornamental crest tattoo on her arm as she has, euphemistically, "exchanged into another regiment".</p><p> </p><p>None of this seems to have affected the long-standing popularity of having names or symbols tattooed to commemorate couples' love and bond. Magazines in the 1920s reported the latest fad for newlyweds was getting matching <a href="http://bit.ly/OB869M">tattooed wedding rings</a>; preserved tattooed skins in the Wellcome Collection from the late 19th century <a href="http://bit.ly/NsxIEB">feature names and portraits of lovers</a>; studies of tattoos in the American navy in the 18th century reveal a large percentage of seamen of the period <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/986875">bore tattoos of the names of women</a>; even Christian pilgrims in the 16th century were recorded to have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-Are-You-Indentification-Surveillance/dp/1890951722">borne the names of their wives</a> on their skins, as tokens or identificatory marks; and records attest to romantic tattooing even in ancient Rome – St Basil the Great (329-380) is said to have condemned the tattooing of a lover's name that he observed on someone's hand. While I'd certainly never advocate getting a permanent mark of your relationship too hastily, it does seem that the instinct to inscribe a permanent token transcends the ages. Caveat amator.</p><p> </p><p>Single tattoos that span multiple bodies appear to be a more recent phenomenon, however. In 1977, New York-based tattoo artist <a href="http://www.spiderwebbusa.com/art/">Spider Webb</a> undertook what was probably the first conceptual art project to use tattooing, in a piece called <a href="http://www.spiderwebbusa.com/books/x/">X-1000</a>, in which he tattooed single, small Xs on to 999 individuals, and, as a culmination, one large X on the final, 1,000th skin, conceived as one contiguous work. This tattoo, potentially spanning thousands of miles at any one time, was, Webb said, "the largest tattoo ever done at any point in history". In 2000, as the culmination to a performance art project begun in 1998 designed to highlight the horrific lives and plights of the homeless and hungry in Mexico City, Santiago Sierra produced his piece <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/sierra-160-cm-line-tattooed-on-4-people-el-gallo-arte-contemporaneo-salamanca-spain-t11852">160cm Line Tattooed on Four People</a>, a single black line tattooed across the backs of prostitutes in exchange for wraps of heroin, as a symbol of their desperation, interdependence, and utter powerlessness. Sierra would later remark: "You could make this tattooed line a kilometre long, using thousands and thousands of willing people." In 2003, author Shelley Jackson famously <a href="http://ineradicablestain.com/skin.html">published</a> her short story Skin on the bodies of 2095, one tattooed word per person. These tattoos bring together strangers in common cause.</p><p> </p><p>My favourite set of matching tattoos, though, are probably the ongoing collection of work worn by <a href="http://meditationsinatrament.com/2008/08/06/caleb-and-jordan-kilby/">twins</a> Caleb and Jordan Kilby, tattooed with matching work by influential and extraordinarily talented New York-based artist Thomas Hooper. If you must get matching tattoos with someone, it's wisest to pick someone whom you cannot break up with or divorce, and to get the work carried out by a tattoo artist who will produce a piece of work that will stand the test of time on its own terms.</p></div></div>

Tattoos are permanent reminders of temporary feelings

'It's wisest to pick someone whom you cannot break up with or divorce.' Photograph: Gary Powell/Getty Images Tattoos are permane...

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Jimmy Cliff Rebirth

<div><div id="slideshow-6296724"><div><div><img alt="" height="415" src="http://www.standard.co.uk/incoming/article7939207.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/JimmyCliffalbum.jpg" width="460" /></div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div><p>Jimmy Cliff</p><p>Rebirth</p><p>(UMC)</p><p>****</p></div><div><div><p>Forty years on from Jimmy Cliff’s seminal album, The Harder They Come, one could forgive its author for kicking back in his hammock. Instead, the 64-year-old has penned his most vibrant and vital record in recent memory. Produced by Eighties punk veteran Tim Armstrong, Rebirth adds some urban grit to Cliff’s Jamaican sunshine. The horns-propelled lead single, One More, sums up the mood here. “I’ve got one more arrow in my bow, I’m gonna let it go,” he barks, sounding like a man on a mission. The only low point is Ship is Sailing, a hackneyed reggae number. RICK PEARSON</p><p>Elton John vs Pnau</p><p>Good Morning to the Night</p><p>(Mercury)</p><p>****</p><p>Sometimes ideas that seem the most unhinged turn out to be the most inspired. Here, Pnau take snatches of their mentor Elton John’s Seventies output (mostly album tracks rather than hits) and put them through a musical mincer to render them almost unrecognisable. Then, the Australian duo also known as Empire of the Sun add some melancholy but often uplifting magic of their own, before emerging with what might just be the most beautiful and expertly crafted album of 2012. For example, Foreign Fields takes John’s vocals from High Flying Bird and Cage the Songbird, adds elements of  Pinky, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Sweet Painted Lady and Chameleon and fashions the lot into something beguiling but coherent. Amazingly, Elton John has been re-invented once again. JOHN AIZLEWOOD</p><p>Tom Paley’s Old-Time Moonshine Revue</p><p>Roll On, Roll On</p><p>(Hornbeam)</p><p>****</p><p>Singer, guitarist and banjo player Tom Paley is a seminal figure in old-time American music. He’s played with Woody Guthrie, the New Lost City Ramblers and has inspired Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder and Jerry Garcia. Now in his mid-eighties and living in London, he’s recorded this album with British folk and country musicians. His voice is strong and sounds like he’s lived this music. Most of the songs are traditional, but even familiar ones like A Horse Named Bill sound fresh. His own Beelzebubbles, about the Devil’s daughter, is witty and comical. The Fiddling Soldier, with his son Ben Paley on violin, creates a vivid pastoral picture. This is old-time music at its best. He plays The 100 club on July 23. SIMON BROUGHTON</p><p>The Very Best</p><p>MTMTMK</p><p>(Moshi Moshi)</p><p>****</p><p>A collaboration between Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and east London producer Johan Hugo, The Very Best tapped into the vogue for indie bands with African influences and ended up collaborating and touring with that scene’s figureheads, Vampire Weekend, in 2010. As they return with a second album, their sound is now closer to the hyperactive, pure electronic dance music coming out of the current Afrobeats scene. Kondaine rushes along on skittering beats while I Wanna Go Away calms the pace but doesn’t dilute the melody with its swaying flute-like tune. The vocals throughout are multi-layered, as though hundreds are singing along, which soon they surely will be.  DAVID SMYTH</p><p>Moulettes</p><p>The Bear’s Revenge</p><p>(Balling the Jack)</p><p>****</p><p>This is what a modern folk album should sound like — lively, yet swathed in the spirit of folklore. Moulettes have a stand-out performer in violinist Georgina Leach, but also harness the talents of Ruth Skipper, a superior singer and occasional performer on the bassoon, and Hannah Miller, who plays a mean cello and also sings. There is an umbilical connection with Mumford & Sons — Ted Dwayne, double bassist, ex-Moulette, current Mumford — but you would do better to think of this group as peers of the Fleet Foxes. The songwriting is strong throughout. Uca’s Dance, Some Who You Love, Songbird and Half-Remembered Song are tunes that stick in the memory l, while Sing Unto Me, Country Joy, Unlock the Doors and Blood and Thunder provide an earthy grounding. PETE CLARK</p><p>Take 6   </p><p>One</p><p>(Shanachie)</p><p>*****</p><p>The world’s greatest a cappella gospel group flashed into London last night, but in case you missed them, their latest release is as wondrous as their one-night at Ronnie Scott’s. While marking a return to their gospel roots, the album also demonstrates an ever-growing mastery of the jazz elements of their work. The richly chorded close-harmony riffs beneath the melody line, for instance, and most of all the ultra-deep groove, a pattern of claps and fingersnaps more soulful than just about anything else in music. Highlights include Can’t Imagine Love Without You, starring surprise guest Stevie Wonder, and Allelula, a song with a one-word lyric and an incredibly subtle theme. But it’s all wonderful. Enjoy. JACK MASSARIK</p></div></div></div></div>

Jimmy Cliff Rebirth

Jimmy Cliff Rebirth (UMC) **** Forty years on from Jimmy Cliff’s seminal album, The Harder They Come, one could forgive its author for kicki...

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illest has announced today their upcoming collaboration with Hasbro’s Transformers franchise.

<p><div><div id="js-post-slider-wrap"><ul id="js-post-slider"><li><div><br /><img alt="illest transformers t-shirts" height="420" src="http://www.highsnobiety.com/files/2012/07/illest-transformers-1-630x420.jpg" title="illest-transformers-1" width="630" /></div></li></ul></div><div><div> The LA brand will be working on co-branded apparel and accessories with the robot brand.</div></div></div><blockquote><p>illest™ and Transformers will collaborate to release a custom co-branded apparel and accessories line. The partnership brings together a leading lifestyle & fashion brand and an iconic empire that Transformers has become over the decades. The iconic illest logo will be featured on Transformers products from shirts to keychains and everything in between.</p><p>The illest™ / Transformers line will make its debut in Fall of 2012. The apparel and accessories will be available exclusively in our illest retail locations, worldwide through the illest distribution channel and online at the Fatlace Emporium and illest online store.</p></blockquote><p>Here above is a first look at some t-shirts from the collection, that will be coming to stores in the near future. We will of course keep you posted on the further development of this partnership.</p></p>

illest has announced today their upcoming collaboration with Hasbro’s Transformers franchise.

 The LA brand will be working on co-branded apparel and accessories with the robot brand. illest™ and Transformers will collaborate to relea...

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orange crush

<p> </p><table class="collapse" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Garamond 3 W01'; font-size: 16px; width: 1198px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: #ffffff;"><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"></td><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; width: 160px;"></td><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; width: 862px;"></td><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; width: 160px;"></td><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"></td></tr><tr style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: right;"> </td><td style="vertical-align: top; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; width: 862px;"><div id="main" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div id="main_info" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px 15px; background-color: #ffffff; width: 832px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><div class="container" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; width: 832px; overflow: hidden;"><div id="content" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1px; padding: 0px 0px 250px; width: 830px; float: left;"><div class="post-padding" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 10px;"><div id="post-9290" class="post-9290 post type-post hentry category-uncategorized post cat-1-id" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="post-time" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; width: 700px;"></div><div class="post-content" style="vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px auto 30px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 596px;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><a style="text-decoration: underline; border: 0px;"><img alt="" id="0" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/fashiontoast/7-2012/tea.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; margin: 0px 0px 0px -50px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; border: 0px;" /></a><a style="text-decoration: underline; border: 0px;"><img alt="" id="1" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/fashiontoast/7-2012/or.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; margin: 0px 0px 0px -50px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; border: 0px;" /></a><a style="text-decoration: underline; border: 0px;"><img alt="" id="2" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/fashiontoast/7-2012/teaspoon3.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; margin: 0px 0px 0px -50px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; border: 0px;" /></a></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><em style="font-family: 'Garamond 3 W01 Italic';">(One Teaspoon one piece, Fiorentini + Baker boots, Céline sunglasses, Comme des Garcons card holder)</em></p><em style="font-family: 'Garamond 3 W01 Italic';"> </em><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><em style="font-family: 'Garamond 3 W01 Italic';">photos by Julie dela Cruz</em></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">Yesterday was dry and hot and everything summer is supposed to be. Hung out in East Hollywood and wore this random little shorts suit. It would be really revealing etc. but just take a look at that high neck. Matronly, so matronly.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

orange crush

      (One Teaspoon one piece, Fiorentini + Baker boots, Céline sunglasses, Comme des Garcons card holder)   photos by Julie dela Cruz Yeste...

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Latvian company creates leather bound Ferrari

<div id="storyimg"><br /><img alt="Motors News" height="344" src="http://www.joe.ie/uploads/story/26830/26830-xlarge.jpg" width="608" /></div><div id="story-bc"></div><div id="sub"><div id="subcol1"><div id="storyinfo"><div id="storydate"></div></div><div id="storycontent0"><div id="story-part-0"><p>We're familiar with seeing tight leather on smoking hot women, and weird old men, but it's a first for us seeing a leather bound Ferrari F430.</p><p>There seems to be a lot of fuss over this leather bound Ferrari F430 in the UK with both The Sun and The Daily Mail reporting about it recently.</p><p>However, this isn’t a new car by any means as US motoring blog Jalopnikreported on the F430 way back in August last year. It’s a pretty cool, albeit manky, car so we thought we’d show you anyway.</p><p>It’s the work of a Latvian custom car company called Dartz who hit the headlines in 2009 when they created a $1.5 million ruby red SUV with whale foreskin-covered seats. Yes, foreskin…</p><p>Anyway, some high roller with more cash then sense decided it would be a great idea to cover his €170,000 Ferrari in dark leather.</p><p>The owner of Dartz, Leonard Yankelovich, said: "One of our very rich customers from the Cote d'Azur wanted a leather exterior and knew we could deliver.</p><p>"It took three of my staff 16 working days to apply the leather and finish. He was more than happy when he picked it up."</p><p>He won’t be too happy when he scratches it though.</p><p><img alt="" height="225" src="http://www.joe.ie/uploads/story/26830/leather2.jpg" width="400" /></p><p>Is this the most expensive way to ruin a Ferrari?</p></div></div></div></div>

Latvian company creates leather bound Ferrari

We're familiar with seeing tight leather on smoking hot women, and weird old men, but it's a first for us seeing a leather bound Fer...

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Mobile operator O2 hit by nationwide network failure that left users unable to make calls or text

<p>The O2 mobile phone network crashed tonight leaving thousands of customers across the country cut off. Users were left stranded, unable to make or receive calls or send texts, as the firm - which has 23 million customers in the UK - said it did not know when the problem would be fixed. Some customers also had no internet access. O2, Britain's second-largest mobile phone operator, admitted it was unclear exactly how many people had been affected. It said ‘thousands’ may be experiencing problems. The problems began this afternoon for some mobile users, the network said. O2 are urging customers to check their Twitter and Facebook feeds for updates - but the company’s webpage which displays live information about network coverage crashed. A spokeswoman said the problem was not 'location-specific'. ‘The problem is an issue within part of our core network that is preventing some mobile phones from successfully connecting,' she said. ‘The problem is not location-specific. All possible resources across our and our suppliers’ engineering teams are being deployed to restore service as soon as possible.’ Thousands of angry customers took to Twitter to complain. BBC television presenter Huw Edwards (@huwbbc), tweeted: ‘6 hours of non-service and counting, simply not good enough, O2.’ One Twitter user, Kelly Jones (@kelly-92), tweeted: ‘Having a phone that hardly works usually is annoying, but this whole no signal on o2 all afternoon is beyond irritating.’</p>

Mobile operator O2 hit by nationwide network failure that left users unable to make calls or text

The O2 mobile phone network crashed tonight leaving thousands of customers across the country cut off. Users were left stranded, unable to ...

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Chris is off

<div><div><br /><img alt="Chris is off (he's leaving we mean, not he smells)" height="409" src="http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article888318.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Chris+Moyles'+Comedy+Empire" title="Chris is off (he's leaving we mean, not he smells)" width="615" />Chris is off (he's leaving we mean, not he smells)<div>BBC</div></div></div><div><p>After the shocking (maybe) news of Louis Tomlinson’s engagement, comes more another bombshell this morning… for fans of Chris Moyles anyway.</p><p>He’s just announced he’s quitting his Radio 1 Breakfast Show. But Moyles being Moyles, he did it in typically dramatic fashion and played some sad music as he told listeners of his decision.</p><p>"I wanted to tell you myself. I didn't want you to see it in the newspapers or on Twitter.</p><p>"A couple more months of us. Then it's someone else's turn. Thank you for listening."</p><p>Only last July the DJ signed a contract to stay with the station until 2014, but there has been pressure on the BBC to appeal to a younger audience after a report from the BBC Trust found is needed to attract more under 30s.</p><p> </p><img alt="Chris Moyles performs at the Hackney Weekend Festival" height="409" src="http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article938570.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Chris+Moyles+performs+at+the+Hackney+Weekend+Festival" title="Chris does his best Michael Jackson impression at the Hackney Weekender" width="615" />Chris does his best Michael Jackson impression at the Hackney Weekender<div>Getty</div> <p> </p><p>The average age of listener for Moyles' slot was 33.</p><p>His replacement will be announced shortly but Greg James looks favourite thanks to his popularity and quick move up the Radio 1 ladder, which has resulted in him presenting key live BBC TV shows, such as the Hackney Weekender alongside Fearne Cotton.</p><p> </p><img alt="New Radio One drive time DJ Greg James" height="409" src="http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article905520.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/New+Radio+One+drive+time+DJ+Greg+James" title="Will Greg James be the one to replace Chris?" width="615" />Will Greg James be the one to replace Chris?<div>Daily Mirror/Phil Harris</div> <p> </p><p>Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper who has made a number of recent line up changes at the station commented: “I'd like to thank Chris. Quite simply he's been the most successful breakfast show host in Radio 1 history.”</p><p>His career hasn’t been without scandal though. In 2010, the self proclaimed “saviour of Radio 1” launched a live attack on the BBC during his show over his wages.</p><p>He claimed he hadn’t been paid for two months and discussed it for 25 minutes. At the time he was thought to be on £630.000 a year, so we imagine he must have been really struggling without those two pay packets.</p><p>Celebrities have already started Tweeting in reaction to his announcement. This Morning host Holly Willoughby posted: "It's been a joy listening to you for the last 8 years...will miss you, now go and have a lie in! X"</p><p>McFly's Harry Judd seemed pretty sad about it too: "@CHRISDJMOYLES has announced we're leaving the @BBCR1 breakfast show. NOOO!!! No more Mcfly day!" (although it was a bit selfishly based).</p><p>And Olly Murs nearly died because of it: "taxi driver is like me this morning.. shocked! With @BBCR1 news@ChrisMoylesShow is ending! He just went through red light..#nearlykilledus.</p></div>

Chris is off

Chris is off (he's leaving we mean, not he smells) BBC After the shocking (maybe) news of Louis Tomlinson’s engagement, comes more anoth...

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Burberry sales miss estimates despite menswear boost

<div><h1>Burberry shares fell by more than 5pc after sales rose less than expected despite a boost from men's clothing and price rises.</h1><div><div id="storyEmbSlide"><div><div><div><img alt="A man carrying a Burberry bag crosses a road by the store in central London" height="387" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02273/Burberrymain_2273421b.jpg" width="620" /><div><div>Retail sales grew to £280m from £245m in the first quarter .The fashion retailer, famous for its red, black and camel-coloured check design, opened six large stores in the "challenging" three months to June 30, as it looks to tourists and wealthy residents in major cities to drive profits.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div id="mainBodyArea"><div><p>In a trading update, Burberry revealed that total revenues rose to £408m in the quarter from £367m in the same period the year before. Analysts had expected sales of £416m.</p></div><div><p>Retail sales - which make up the majority of the group's revenues - grew to £280m from £245m, helped by the strong performance of its menswear range. Non-clothing items also sold well.</p></div><div><p>Burberry said there was a "further increase in average selling prices, driven by product innovation".</p></div><div><p>"With continued brand momentum, Burberry has delivered a robust first quarter," said Angela Ahrendts, chief executive. "Revenue was up 11pc against a more challenging external environment. Sales in retail, now about 70pc of the business, increased by 14pc, with initiatives to elevate brand equity balanced by improved store productivity and new space."</p></div></div></div>

Burberry sales miss estimates despite menswear boost

Burberry shares fell by more than 5pc after sales rose less than expected despite a boost from men's clothing and price rises. Retail sa...

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BURBERRY

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hmA6vYZdf5A?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div> <span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span>

BURBERRY

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Bankers face the prospect of jail as Serious Fraud Office launches criminal probe into interest-rate fixing at Barclays

<h1><img alt="Hearing: Former chief executive Bob Diamond left Barclays over the matter, before appearing before MPs this week" height="423" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/06/article-2169736-13ED0B9C000005DC-630_233x423.jpg" width="233" /></h1><div><p>Hearing: Former chief executive Bob Diamond left Barclays over the matter, before appearing before MPs this week</p></div><p>A criminal investigation has been launched into alleged rigging of the Libor rate within the banking industry, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) confirmed today.</p><p>SFO director David Green QC formally accepted the Libor issue for investigation after Barclays was fined by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) last week for manipulating the key interbank lending rate which affects mortgages and loans.</p><p>The claims ultimately led to the resignation of Barclays boss Bob Diamond and have become the focal point of a fierce political debate over ethics in the banking sector.</p><p>The investigation could ultimately lead to criminal prosecutions and bankers facing charges in court.</p><p>The SFO's update came after it revealed earlier this week that it had been working closely with the FSA during its investigation and would consider the potential for criminal prosecutions.</p><p>The Government department, which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious and complex fraud, said on Monday the issues surrounding Libor were "complex" and that assessing the evidence would take time.</p><div><img alt="Under fire: Barclays former chairman Marcus Agius (right) with former CEO Bob Diamond (centre), and former chief executive John Varley (left)" height="372" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/06/article-2169736-0B121048000005DC-543_468x372.jpg" width="468" /><p>Under fire: Barclays former chairman Marcus Agius (right) with former CEO Bob Diamond (centre), and former chief executive John Varley (left)</p></div><p>As the SFO prepares its investigation, Labour leader Ed Miliband continued to push for an independent inquiry into the banking scandal despite MPs rejecting the demands.</p><p>The Labour leader said that while the party would cooperate with a parliamentary investigation, its remit was too "narrow" and a judge-led probe was still needed.</p><p>Mr Miliband also defended the conduct of Ed Balls after the shadow chancellor engaged in a bitter war of words with his opposite number George Osborne in the Commons.</p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;"> </p><div class="relatedItemsTopBorder" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;"> </div><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p>

Bankers face the prospect of jail as Serious Fraud Office launches criminal probe into interest-rate fixing at Barclays

Hearing: Former chief executive Bob Diamond left Barclays over the matter, before appearing before MPs this week A criminal investigation ha...

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Diabetes drug makes brain cells grow

<p>The widely used diabetes drug metformin comes with a rather unexpected and alluring side effect: it encourages the growth of new neurons in the brain. The study reported in the July 6th issue of Cell Stem Cell, a Cell Press publication, also finds that those neural effects of the drug also make mice smarter. See Also: Health & Medicine Brain Tumor Stem Cells Nervous System Mind & Brain Brain Injury Intelligence Neuroscience Strange Science Reference Neural development Stem cell treatments Diabetes mellitus type 2 Embryonic stem cell The discovery is an important step toward therapies that aim to repair the brain not by introducing new stem cells but rather by spurring those that are already present into action, says the study's lead author Freda Miller of the University of Toronto-affiliated Hospital for Sick Children. The fact that it's a drug that is so widely used and so safe makes the news all that much better. Earlier work by Miller's team highlighted a pathway known as aPKC-CBP for its essential role in telling neural stem cells where and when to differentiate into mature neurons. As it happened, others had found before them that the same pathway is important for the metabolic effects of the drug metformin, but in liver cells. "We put two and two together," Miller says. If metformin activates the CBP pathway in the liver, they thought, maybe it could also do that in neural stem cells of the brain to encourage brain repair. The new evidence lends support to that promising idea in both mouse brains and human cells. Mice taking metformin not only showed an increase in the birth of new neurons, but they were also better able to learn the location of a hidden platform in a standard maze test of spatial learning. While it remains to be seen whether the very popular diabetes drug might already be serving as a brain booster for those who are now taking it, there are already some early hints that it may have cognitive benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease. It had been thought those improvements were the result of better diabetes control, Miller says, but it now appears that metformin may improve Alzheimer's symptoms by enhancing brain repair. Miller says they now hope to test whether metformin might help repair the brains of those who have suffered brain injury due to trauma or radiation therapies for cancer.</p>

Diabetes drug makes brain cells grow

The widely used diabetes drug metformin comes with a rather unexpected and alluring side effect: it encourages the growth of new neurons in ...

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Spanish Tourism Industry Prepares for Difficult Summer

<p>Spain's tourism industry is bracing itself for a painful slowdown in bookings this summer, driven by a steep decline in local tourism, according to the country's leading hotel association. Reservations by Spanish vacationers for the month of July are 30% lower than last year, amid persistently high unemployment and a protracted economic recession, said Juan Molas, president of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations. An influx of visitors from Russia and other countries in Eastern Europe has compensated somewhat for the decline in local tourism, but weak local demand is expected to weigh on an industry that accounts for about 11% of Spain's annual economic output. Hotel owners are concerned that the government may raise the industry's value-added tax to 18% from the current 8%, in a bid to reduce its yawning budget deficit, making Spain less attractive to foreign tourists compared with other less expensive destinations "If the VAT rises to 18%, it will be absolutely catastrophic for the sector," Mr. Molas said at an event Thursday in Madrid. Spain's government is working to secure €100 billion ($126 billion) in aid for its struggling banking sector from the European Union and plans to meet with EU officials next week to discuss new measures to improve its public finances. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has already implemented €45 billion in austerity measures, but weak tax revenue threatens to undermine his administration's goal of trimming its shortfall this year to 5.3% of gross domestic product from 8.9% last year. Sentiment in the hospitality industry is at its lowest level since 2009, according to an index developed by the hotel association and consulting firm PwC. Based on a survey of hotel firms, 57% of operators expect international tourism will hold steady this year, while 76% expect domestic tourism to decline. "The parts of the country that will suffer the most are those that cater to national tourists," Mr. Molas said.</p>

Spanish Tourism Industry Prepares for Difficult Summer

Spain's tourism industry is bracing itself for a painful slowdown in bookings this summer, driven by a steep decline in local tourism, a...

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Holidaymakers in Spain this summer are facing a surprise new airport tax imposed by the Spanish government

<p>Holidaymakers in Spain this summer are facing a surprise new airport tax imposed by the Spanish government as it tries to balance its books. Some airlines are passing the new departure tax on to passengers, even if they booked their flights months ago. Some passengers have received emails telling them either to pay an extra charge of up to seven euros (£6) per person - or to cancel their flights. Other airlines are deciding whether to absorb the cost themselves. The budget airline Ryanair said Spain's 2012 budget, passed into law at the end of June, obliged airlines to pay increased taxes. Spain is implementing drastic measures to try to slash its budget deficit to 5.3% from 8.5% in 2011. It has been promised bailout funds of up to 100bn euros for its banks, but wants to avoid a full state bailout. Retrospective The European travel agents' association ECTAA said the amount of the extra levy varied depending on which airport people used. It said the average rise in the tax was 18.9%, but at some of the larger airports it would almost double. For instance, at Madrid-Barajas the tax would rise from 6.95 euros to 14.44, while at Barcelona's El Prat airport it would rise from 6.12 euros to 13.44. Ryanair said it would pass the cost on to passengers, even those who had already paid in full for their flights, because the tax applied "retrospectively to customers who booked flights before 2 July 2012 and are travelling from 1 July onwards". It said for bookings made on or after 2 July, the increased tax would have been included in the price. The Spanish low-cost airline Vueling is also passing on the cost. It sent emails to passengers giving them seven days to cancel their flight, or the extra payment would be debited automatically from the card they used to book. British Airways and Iberia told the BBC they had not yet decided whether to pass on the cost or absorb it. ECTAA said in a statement it was "dismayed" by the rise, which was imposed "without proper consultation of airport users nor appropriate implementation time". It said travel agents faced a "technical and financial nightmare to recover the extra charge".</p>

Holidaymakers in Spain this summer are facing a surprise new airport tax imposed by the Spanish government

Holidaymakers in Spain this summer are facing a surprise new airport tax imposed by the Spanish government as it tries to balance its books....

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Freeze Fresh Herbs in Oil to Preserve Them

<p>Have a few fresh herbs sitting around that you won't get to using before they turn? Sure, you can freeze them in water or dry them out, but if you know you'll use them relatively quickly, you can add a few weeks to their life without damaging their potency by freezing them in oil instead. We've shown you how to make simply syrups with them, and how to use sea salt to dry them, but if you have some lovely herbs you want to use, but won't get to before they turn brown, consider dropping them in an ice cube tray, filling up the cubes with olive oil (or any other oil of your choice, as long as it freezes nicely), and popping them in the freezer. When you're ready to fry some potatoes, for example, pop out a couple of rosemary oil cubes—you'll need the oil for the pan anyway, and the rosemary will be right at home. Need some oil in a baking dish or crock pot for a few chicken breasts? Grab a frozen sage oil cube. The sky's the limit. The only thing to note is that with some herbs have a shorter shelf life when frozen in oil than in water (like garlic, for example), so this won't beat drying if you're looking to keep your herbs fresh for months and months. It will, however, work for weeks on end, and if you freeze them, pop them out of the ice cube trays and put them into zippered baggies, they'll keep even longer. Then, the next time you need oil for a recipe, you can add a little fresh flavor at the same time. Hit the link below for even more oil-freezing tips, and some tips on which herbs take well to freezing and which don't.</p>

Freeze Fresh Herbs in Oil to Preserve Them

Have a few fresh herbs sitting around that you won't get to using before they turn? Sure, you can freeze them in water or dry them out, ...

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mclaren 12C spider convertible

<p><img alt="" height="607" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_08.jpg" width="818" /><br />'MP4-12C spider' by mclaren</p><div><br />mclaren automotive has produced its second 'MP4-12C' model, the '12C spider'. bred through the essence of a race car, the '12C spider' incorporates a </div><div>convertible roof explicitly designed to let users experience the sounds of the vehicle's V8 twin turbo engine. unlike many other convertible models, <br />the hard top roof can be operated whilst moving at speeds of up to 30 kph (20mph) taking less than 17 seconds to raise or lower. with the '12C' originally<br />designed as a convertible, its 75kg carbon fibre monocle frame required no additional strengthening for it to feature in the 'spider'. <br /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt="" height="613" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_04.jpg" width="818" /><br />closing the hard-top</div><div><br /><br />the raising of the roof frees 52 liters of space for storage. in 2013, vehicle lift will be available as an option, allowing for the '12C spider' to be raised <br />in the front and rear for improved ground clearance, up to 40mm (1.5") at the front and 25mm (1") at the rear.<br /><br />the MP4-12C will be launched in 'volcano red', one of 17 exterior paint finishes currently available for the '12C' and '12C spider'. <br />first deliveries to customers are planned for november 2012. <br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" height="613" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_05.jpg" width="818" /></div><div>closed top<br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" height="533" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_11.jpg" width="818" /></div><div>3/4 top view</div></div><div> </div><div><img alt="" height="464" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_03.jpg" width="818" /><br />3/4 rear view</div><div> </div><div><br /><img alt="" height="436" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_10.jpg" width="818" /><br />top view<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt="" height="1091" src="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/rodrigo/mclaren/spyder_02.jpg" width="818" /></div><div>interior view</div><div></div><div><br />specifications: </div><div><br />0-62 mph (0-100 kph) : 3.1 sec <br />0-100 mph (0-161 kph) : 6.1 sec<br />0-124 mph (0-200 kph) : 9.0 sec<br />¼ mile (400m) : 10.8 sec at 134 mph (216 kph) <br /><br />engine configuration: V8 twin turbo, 7 speed automatic</div></div>

mclaren 12C spider convertible

'MP4-12C spider' by mclaren mclaren automotive has produced its second 'MP4-12C' model, the '12C spider'. bred throu...

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