More driver- and eco-friendly Ford Focus on the way

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FORD is to introduce a facelifted Focus later this year which offers more driver aids, more fuel-efficient engines but at no extra cost to the buyer.

Due in November and priced from 13,995 the entry level car will cost the same as today but the range-topping versions will be 100 less than the current equivalents.

The new Focus is the first Ford to offer Perpendicular Parking, an additional hands-free parking technology to help drivers reverse into spaces alongside other vehicles. The current Focus debuted Active Park Assist that, at the push of a button, uses ultrasonic sensors to locate parking spaces and steer the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. The addition of new sensors to the rear enables Perpendicular Parking to operate in the same way.

Other new aids include Cross Traffic Alert that warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles about to pass behind them and Park-Out Assist which helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side, the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake

It will also be offered with Fords second generation connectivity system which has a high-resolution, eight-inch colour touch screen and voice control to access audio, navigation, climate control and mobiles phones.

Fords innovative MyKey aid for novice drivers will also appear on the new Focus. First seen on the Fiesta it lets owners programme a key usually for younger drivers that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable it altogether if the driver and passengers are not using safety belts.

Under the bonnet will be a range of even more fuel-efficient engines. For example the 120PS 1.5-litre diesel engine will offer a 10 per cent fuel economy improvement with CO2 emissions reduced from 109g/km to 98g/km bringing it below the threshold for road tax. A new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine delivers the same power as the outgoing 1.6-litre unit yet with fuel economy improved by seven per cent and lower CO2 emissions. The diesel range, priced from 17,995, returns 10 per cent better fuel economy than today.

Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: "The Ford Focus is the UKs favourite family car so the launch of the new model is an exciting time. With unmatched levels of technology and impressive fuel economy, combined with Fords traditional driving dynamics and competitive pricing, we believe that the new car will not only delight our existing customers but also expand the appeal of the Focus brand.

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More driver- and eco-friendly Ford Focus on the way

Mariupol Mayor Quotes Churchill: Ukrainians will ‘fight on the beaches’ against Russian invasion – Video

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Mariupol Mayor Quotes Churchill: Ukrainians will #39;fight on the beaches #39; against Russian invasion
It #39;s a city that will fight to the end against Russian agression. Those words come from the mayor of Mariupol, as a Russian armored column sits just 20 kilom...

By: UKRAINE TODAY

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Mariupol Mayor Quotes Churchill: Ukrainians will 'fight on the beaches' against Russian invasion - Video

Water quality at Auckland beaches near perfect

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Published: 3:52PM Thursday September 04, 2014 Source: ONE News

Bethells Beach - Source: ONE News

Water quality at some of Auckland's beaches was near perfection last summer and greatly improved overall from the year before, a report says.

Armour Bay, Takapuna Beach, Big Bucklands Beach, Little Oneroa Beach, Blockhouse Bay and Bethells Beach came out on top when tested for water quality.

1,021 samples were taken from Auckland beaches as part of Auckland Council's Safeswim beach water quality programme.

The programme monitors water quality at 69 sites, taking samples once a week. According to the report, 92% of 1,401 water samples taken at Auckland's beaches for the summer period November to March met health guidelines.

Safeswim beaches and freshwater sites are selected for monitoring on the basis of their usage and history. Where issues are identified, health warning signs are promptly erected and re-tests are done; the signs remain up until the water is shown to be safe.

Last summer, the total number of days that warning signs stayed up reduced by 23%, compared to the previous 2012/13 swim season.

"This report is a reminder about the water quality improvements Auckland has made," says Wayne Walker, chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Natural Heritage committee.

"Protecting our coastline is a priority and will continue to be part of what Aucklanders cherish most about our city."

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Water quality at Auckland beaches near perfect

Beaches closed after great white shark attacks kayakers

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Plymouth officials closed the town's public beaches Thursday after a great white shark bit a kayak carrying a woman off White Horse Beach in Plymouth on Wednesday night.

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Two women, who were identified as Ida Parker and Kristin Orr, were taking pictures of seals about 150 yards offshore in separate kayaks, when the great white bit one off the kayaks.

"I looked back at her and it came directly out of the water, underneath the boat, launched her backwards and flipped me over," Parker said.

Both boats were overturned in the attack.

"It happened so fast," Orr said. "I was talking to her and the next minute I'm in the water and I just see a shark biting my kayak."

Parker described what it was like to come face-to-face with the shark.

"It was dark gray, pointy nose, big teeth, big eyes," Parker said. "It was like, right next to me. It was petrifying."

Parker and Orr, who were not injured, swam away, as did the shark.

A good Samaritan paddled out in his kayak to help, and the women were rescued by the Plymouth Harbormaster.

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Beaches closed after great white shark attacks kayakers

Kiwis vote to keep beaches free from rubbish

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Kiwis vote to keep beaches free from over a million litres of rubbish

More than 1,015,884 litres of rubbish has been collected from Kiwi beaches since 2009, equivalent to 31 full shipping containers of waste. Alarmed by this overwhelming statistic, Phoenix Organics has joined forces with Sustainable Coastlines and Tangaroa Blue Foundation to create The Love Project. This project aims to empower Kiwis to vote and help clean up our globally famous beaches.

Kiwis passionate about our clean and green image can visit Phoenixs Facebook page to vote for the beach they love the most and would like to keep clean. The Phoenix Love Project has contributed $40,000 to Sustainable Coastlines and Tangaroa Blue Foundation to complete beach cleanup projects over the summer months.

We are proud to partner with Phoenix to support their vision of being a business that strives to be good for the planet, they set an example that businesses can be sustainable and successful, says Heidi Taylor, CEO & Co Founder of Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

To launch the Phoenix Love Project across New Zealand and Australia, Phoenix has collaborated with three prominent artists and each artist has created a bespoke artwork inspired by their love of our planet to raise awareness and support the great work of the two charities. All artworks will be part of a limited edition series of bottles, using the three most loved Phoenix products to spread the good word - Phoenix Organic Cola, Lemonade and Ginger Beer. Artists involved include Mica Still from Wellington, Meghan Geliza from Auckland and Mulga from Sydney.

The Phoenix Love Project is a public shout out through art, replacing the usual drink labels with bottle-sized art, so that everyone can have a hand in being part of a national thank you for keeping our coasts clean, says Emma Punter Phoenix brand manager.

In celebration of The Love Project, people will also get the chance to be part of a live art installation in Auckland, late October with artists Meghan Geliza and Mica Still.

The three limited edition bottles are available in cafes now across New Zealand and Australia and will be available until late Spring.

Scoop Media

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Kiwis vote to keep beaches free from rubbish

High surf from Hurricane Norbert to hit Southern California coast

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Forecasters are warning of high surf, strong rip currents and the possibility of coastal flooding along Southland beaches as Hurricane Norbert intensifies off Baja California.

The surf, however, won't be nearly as awe-inspiring as it was last month when Hurricane Marie sent huge swells that pummeled Southern California's coastline with waves more than 20 feet high. Instead, the National Weather Service said the latest hurricane-generated swells may produce waves of 4 to 7 feet, particularly along south- and southwest-facing beaches.

A hazard notice for beaches will be in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Tuesday, with swells peaking overnight Friday, the weather service said.

The weather service warned that high tides of between 6 and 7 feet could produce minor flooding in low-lying coastal areas.

There also will be a risk of "sneaker waves," so named for appearing out of nowhere and washing people off the shoreline. The threat is higher along steeply sloped beaches and on rocks and jetties near the waters edge.

The beaches that will be most impacted by the swells include Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County, and Zuma Beach, the Malibu area and Long Beach through Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County.

The south and eastern shores of Catalina Island will also be "strongly affected," according to the National Weather Service. The island sustained heavy damage last month from swells generated by Hurricane Marie. TheCategory 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 157 mph was the strongest to hit theeastern North Pacific basin since Hurricane Celia in 2010.

Hurricane Norbert remains much smaller, but continued to gain steam early Thursday with sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It's expected to pass just west of the Baja peninsula Thursday afternoon and into Friday before heading out to sea.

For news as it happens in California, follow@JasonBretWells.

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High surf from Hurricane Norbert to hit Southern California coast

Astronomy – Ch. 2: Understanding the Night Sky (9 of 20) How to Find and Identify "Stars" – Video

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Astronomy - Ch. 2: Understanding the Night Sky (9 of 20) How to Find and Identify "Stars"
Visit http://ilectureonline.com for more math and science lectures! In this video I will explain what is a right ascension.

By: Michel van Biezen

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Astronomy - Ch. 2: Understanding the Night Sky (9 of 20) How to Find and Identify "Stars" - Video