Fifty-three automotive journalists from Canada and the United States have voted the Honda Civic as the 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Volvo XC90 was picked as the 2016 North American Truck/Utility of the Year.
Both vehicles were previous winners. The Civic won in 2006 and the XC90 in 2003.
The awards – now in their 23rd year – are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by an independent group of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.
The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7699852-north-american-car-truck-of-the-year/
Bellagio Resort & Casino adds to its portfolio of celebrated restaurants with the debut of Harvest by Roy Ellamar showcasing New American cuisine and seasonal menus inspired by regional farms. For his first restaurant concept, Las Vegas’ own Chef Roy Ellamar crafts creative market-driven dishes that celebrate regional produce in spectacular Sin City fashion.
“Harvest is my passion project,” said Ellamar. “It has been my dream to create a restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip that highlights the best local ingredients, supports regional farms and offers sustainable cuisine. The Harvest experience is based on what makes sense for the season as well as what’s trending in the culinary world, so guests can expect to find something new with each visit.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7727251-bellagio-introduces-harvest/
The world’s first all-in-one music player Smart Hearable 1.0, developed by VINCI, will make its debut in the North American market at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, United States.
The highlight of the design is the artificial intelligence technology applied to create ME 1.0, the first smart assistant that makes the AI talking system from the 2013 film “Her” real.
VINCI Smart Hearable is a wireless and hands-free smart music player that can react to user body and consciousness dynamics with different kinds of music. With a built-in proximity sensor, the device automatically plays the music when user puts it on. It has a touch panel that responds to gestures like tapping and sliding, and a voice interaction system that allows users to guide the device with simple commands.
ME is able to respond with a song that best suits the moment by analyzing data collected from user including heart rate, current location and scenarios through intelligent algorithms, so that user can not only tell ME songs, albums or singers they desire to enjoy the music, but also share their mood and feelings with it.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7730451-vinci-smart-hearable-ces/
After successful exploration runs in 2013 and 2015 the Dutch polar cruise company Oceanwide Expeditions has announced two new expeditions to the Ross Sea in 2017. The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” will be accommodated with helicopters for the two Antarctica cruises, sailing from the South-American continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Polar Circle, further west to Peter I Island, sailing in the Bellingshausen sea along the ice-edge of “deep Antarctica” into the Ross Sea. The voyage continues to the uninhabited sub-Antarctic Campbell Island and ends after 32 days in New Zealand. The second cruise offers the same itinerary, but in reverse.
The Ross Sea Challenge
The Ross Sea region of Antarctica has always presented a dream but also a challenge to visit to explorers. The Ross Ice Shelf prevents a full seasonal operation and distances are enormous. Apart from the extremes, landing sites are still difficult to reach. “With the advantages of the “Ortelius” in combination with the use of helicopters, our travelers are having some great opportunities exploring Antarctica’s most fascinating sites”, says CEO Michel van Gessel.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726051-oceanwide-expeditions-new-ross-sea/
More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice control system.
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including, setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced their high-profile collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy car. Now the two companies are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk/
The plan for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants that President Obama unveiled at the climate conference in Paris will come with an overall price tag that should greatly trouble American consumers and business and will have little meaningful impact on global warming, cautioned the National Mining Association.
“The plan will replace low-cost power supplies with more expensive and less reliable sources of power. And these increases will show up in monthly utility bills and have a particularly devastating effect on low-income households. About half of all American families already pay close to 20 percent of their disposable income on energy-related expenses.” said Luke Popovich, Vice President, Communications, National Mining Association.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
It’s the time of year when the automotive universe turns its attention to the heart of the industry, as all roads lead to Detroit in January. The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) encourages its global journalist audience to begin preparations to attend Press Preview, Jan. 11-12, 2016, at the completely transformed Cobo Center. Widely considered one of the most important automotive events on the planet, NAIAS is consistently the strategic choice of global automakers to launch their new products and automotive technology, and the 2016 show is no exception.
“The industry is truly firing on all cylinders, and that will be reflected at this year’s show,” said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chairman. “Attendees to the 2016 NAIAS will see the most global reveals of any auto show in North America, and will experience them amidst automaker exhibits that are either completely new or significantly enhanced for the upcoming show.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7699851-detroit-2016-naias/
The National WWII Museum today opened its newest permanent exhibit: Richard C. Adkerson & Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries. Retracing the grueling trail that led from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay, Road to Tokyo explores the evolving strategy for fighting relentless Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific, examining cultural differences, logistical challenges and the staggering range of extreme conditions that confronted American military forces in Asia and the Pacific.
Along with Road to Tokyo, the Museum also opened a new exhibit on the US Merchant Marine. LTJG Ralph E. Crump Merchant Marine Gallery is a stand-alone gallery that honors the mariners who risked their lives transporting weapons, men and matériel to distant warfronts. Features include a video, artifacts, a model of a Liberty ship and an engaging array of personal narratives. The gallery is situated in the Solomon Victory Theater complex, at the end of the American Spirit Bridge – a new glass-and-metal bridge that connects the Museum’s Louisiana Memorial Pavilion with the rest of the six-acre campus for the first time.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7710051-national-wwii-museum-road-to-tokyo/
Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued a report card on President Obama's immigration efforts over the past seven years and made recommendations for how to reform immigration in his last year.
“In recent days and weeks he has shown leadership in protecting refugees from Syria,” said AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis. “But until recently, the president's response was timid and he still plans to resettle only 10,000 Syrian refugees this year. He can save many more lives by setting his target at 100,000 Syrian refugees.”
“In our own hemisphere, when Central American individuals and families, including young children, arrived at our southern border seeking refuge from the horrific violence plaguing those countries, the president should have protected them, but instead, he treated them as a border threat. The president should acknowledge that the situation in Central America is a humanitarian crisis and use every tool at his disposal to protect those fleeing. Most important he should stop detaining thousands of families.”
“The reforms to the legal immigration system he promised a year ago have moved forward at a glacial pace, earning him an incomplete. He can benefit the economy enormously by implementing plans to encourage research, development and entrepreneurial start-ups.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7683151-aila-national-immigration-report-card/
As the colder winter weather takes hold across the country, it’s important for homeowners to ensure their heating systems are ready to stand up to the frigid temperatures. To help prevent unexpected breakdowns, American Home Shield, the nation’s largest provider of home warranties, is offering five expert tips to maintain heating systems and help ensure homes stay warm.
“Over the last five years, we responded to more than two million service requests for heating system issues, and with a few minor maintenance checks, many of these issues may have been avoided,” said Mike Clear, vice president of operations for American Home Shield, a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV). “With one of the nation’s largest networks of independent service contractors, we take pride in our ability to keep customers warm if winter heating issues occur.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7699751-american-home-shield-winter-tips/
In the context of Design Miami, of which it has been the exclusive champagne sponsor since 2012, Maison Perrier-Jouët is celebrating its long-standing ties with the world of art and creation. Among the exciting initiatives marking the luxury champagne house’s presence in Miami this year are L’Eden by Perrier-Jouët, an exclusive event at Faena Hotel Miami Beach, opened specifically during Design Miami week, the unveiling of its latest Art piece designed by maker Ritsue Mishima at Design Miami/ 2015, and a one-of-its-kind pop-up space at Miami International Airport.
Maison Perrier-Jouët last night inaugurated L’Eden by Perrier-Jouët with a dazzling party for 200 guests, featuring a stunning performance by singer Andra Day, one of the most exciting one-to-watch American singer. L’Eden by Perrier-Jouët will also become the Miami base of famous Parisian nightclub Raspoutine for 2 nights.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7703751-maison-perrier-jouet-design-miami/
Food Network kicks off the New Year with a new season of Worst Cooks in America, the hit competition series that transforms kitchen disasters into skilled cooks, and five-time winner Chef Anne Burrell returning for a rematch against Chef Tyler Florence. Premiering on Sunday, January 3rd at 9pm ET/PT, the seven episode series pits Anne against Tyler, each leading a team of disastrous cooks in an intense kitchen boot camp designed to vastly improve the food skills of their recruits. The contestant who makes the most impressive culinary transformation is awarded a $25,000 grand prize, in addition to delivering victory and bragging rights for their team leader.
“Worst Cooks is comical, competitive and ultimately, inspiring,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “Under Anne and Tyler's guidance, these cooking-challenged contenders transform their hilarious kitchen blunders to refined culinary techniques - and the journey is truly entertaining to watch.”
In the season premiere, Anne and Tyler are confronted with some of the worst cooks they've ever seen during an open casting call. They then chose fourteen recruits including a lunch lady, truck driver, Army veteran and special education teacher to send to boot camp, and each contestant whips up the “offending dish” that landed them in hot water. After a stomach-wrenching tasting, Anne and Tyler pick their teams and attempt to teach them to make a well-balanced meal. Two recruits are not up to the task, and are sent home. Upcoming episodes feature a game show - style battle called “Family Food,” internationally-flavored empanada and Asian street food challenges and a visit from the competitors’ loved ones. The season culminates in a finale on Sunday, February 14th at 9pm ET/PT where the most improved recruit is awarded $25,000 and bragging rights for their mentor.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7619231-food-network-worst-cooks-in-america/
