Toyota brings some good news for the UK's car manufacturing industry with the unveiling today of its new, British-built 2007 Avensis range at the Madrid Motor Show. The company tells us that the new Avensis has fresh styling inside and out, increasing its dynamic and premium quality appeal. For the UK market, it also benefits from two new engines from Toyota's latest generation of clean, efficient and refined D-4D common rail diesel units. They are the 175hp D-4D 180, which exclusively powers a new flagship Avensis T180 model, and the D-4D 130, a more powerful replacement for the previous 2.0-litre D-4D engine, with additional gains in fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions. Full Article

Following the launch of the Cayman S in autumn 2005, Porsche is introducing the Cayman, a new version of the mid-engined sports coupé that will go on sale in the UK in the summer. Based on the Boxster series, the two-seater is powered by a 2.7, six-cylinder 'boxer' engine that develops 245bhp (180 kW). It has a top speed of 160mph, and with manual transmission accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds. Porsche says that the Cayman is proof that outstanding performance statistics do not necessarily mean high fuel consumption. According to European standards, it consumes on average only 30.4mpg (9.3 litres per 100 kms). Full Article

Graham Dalton’s new Open 50 has begun sailing and is working through some issues which have arisen as a result of the sea-trials. Dalton is pleased with the performance of his Elliott designed Open 50 which is hitting better than expected performance numbers. ''''A Southern Man – AGD'''', she is the first Open 50 class yacht built in New Zealand and features a canting keel and nine-metre retractable centreboard amongst other high-tech gear to aid solo ocean racing. Designed by Greg Elliott, the carbon fibre composite hull, was constructed by Davie Norris Boatbuilders of Bromley in Christchurch, and is now in the Viaduct Basin being worked up for the prior to the start of the VELUX 5 OCEANS race which begins in Bilbao, Spain on 22nd October. Full Article

Barney the homeless mongrel has landed a walk-on stage role in a tragic opera just two weeks after he was rescued. The Yorkshire terrier cross found wandering the streets of Gorsedd in Flintshire is to appear in Puccini's La Boheme in Llandudno later this month. He was picked up by the animal rescue centre the same day an opera company appealed for a canine star. Barney will play a part close to his heart - an orphaned dog walking the streets of Paris before being rescued. In real life too, Barney enjoys a happy ending, as he has been found a new home. The dog, who is thought to be about two years old, is to appear in a street scene in an production with the Ukraine National Opera on 29 May. Anne Owen, the founder of the North Clwyd animal rescue centre at Trelogan, near Prestatyn, said Barney was a "up for anything" and really looking forward to his operatic debut. Full Article

THERE was one dog that really stood out from the crowd at yesterday's Million Paws Walk which raised more than $5000 for the Warrnambool RSPCA Shelter. Judi O'Brien's dog Boru was several times taller than most of the dogs canine on the walk and about half the height of his owner. At 16 months old Boru, an Irish wolfhound, weighs 73 kilograms and takes up the entire back seat of Ms O'Brien's car. Ms O'Brien, of Allansford, adores Boru, which she named after Ireland's first High King, Brian Boru. Full Article

The Discovery orbiter has been moved onto its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, as part of preparations for a July lift-off. The slow procession from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the pad took almost eight hours. The space shuttle is scheduled to fly some time between 1 and 19 July. It will be only the second shuttle flight since the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry three years ago, killing all seven astronauts. Pointing skywards, the shuttle, already attached to its orange rocket fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters, inched along its four-mile (6.5km) journey atop a giant transport vehicle. Full Article

Dogs will soon have more places to run
Somerville located in Boston already has one dog park however plans are underway to create more parks around the city for dogs to run in. Currently, dog owners wanting to take their dogs for some off leash fun use the one dog park located at Nunziato Field on Summer Street, however the Somerville Dog Owners Task Force is pushing for each of the cities 7 wards to have their own park to make it easier for dog owners to use them. Full Article

Kia's all-new Magentis completes the total regeneration of the Korean company's passenger car range in less than two years. The oldest model on the fleet is now the Picanto, introduced in July 2004. And with all-new versions of the Sedona and Carens MPVs and a refreshed Sorento SUV also scheduled to arrive in 2006, Kia says it has one of the most modern product portfolios currently on offer from any manufacturer. Kia also says that the new Magentis saloon with diesel power, modern and dynamic styling, European-standard ride and handling and top-level safety, is more capable than ever of meeting the expectations of both private and fleet users. Full Article

More and more people are treating their pets as if they were their children - pampering them and shelling out big bucks in medical expenses to ensure they lead a long and healthy life. Pet owner Donna Joy describes her four pampered Pekinese as the children she never had. She even has a ''baby book'' filled with pictures of her dogs when they were puppies. "I buy my little girls dresses and my little boys little coats," she says, adding that the coats cost her around $75 each. Pets have never had it so good and never have Americans spent so much on their surrogate kids. Over a lifetime, the average pet owner will spend $10,000 on a cat, $12,000 on a small dog and $23,000 for a large dog, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Full Article

Tottenham have had a £3.5m bid for West Brom defender Curtis Davies turned down by Baggies boss Bryan Robson. Robson believes the England Under-21 international has a pivotal role to play for West Brom next season as they aim to bounce back to the Premiership. "We''ve turned down an offer from Tottenham for Curtis. He is not for sale," Robson told the club''s website. "If we can keep all the boys together and bring in a couple of new players, we have a good chance next season." Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace has backed his manager''s decision. He said: "We have made it clear since the day we knew which division we will be playing in next season that it is our intention to strengthen the squad - not take it apart." Full Article

The Tudor Red 1985 Bentley Continental Convertible once owned by Sir Elton John is to be auctioned by H&H Classic Auctions at Syon Park, London, May 24. This suitably flamboyant motorcar famously starred in the video for Elton's hit song Nikita. The body was specially crafted by premier coachbuilder, Mulliner Park Ward of Harlesden and the car's long list of special fitments included: colour-coded radiator veins, Parchment trim piped in red, extra speakers and a 10-disc, boot mounted CD player. H&H sold the car to its current owner in 2002. Managing Director and Chief Auctioneer Simon Hope said, "This is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of well-documented pop history, though the Bentley will be equally appealing to any lover of these desirable automobiles." Full Article

A hydrogen-powered boat that aims to become the world''s first mass produced H-vessel could be the answer to air pollution from the marine transport sector. A prototype of the Dutch-designed boat is set to hit the waves this summer, with a commercial model expected on the market in less than two years'' time if EU funding comes through, project leader Robert Van den Hoed told edie. The boat is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, seen as a great hope for clean energy as they emit only water vapour when burning hydrogen to produce electricity. Marine transport could become a niche market for hydrogen fuel cell technology because it is both clean and practical for use in boats, Mr Van den Hoed believes: "Many European cities have air quality problems. Full Article

Plans for a hydro electric scheme on one of the country's top white water rivers are being opposed by canoeists. Energy firm Npower Renewables believes the River Braan scheme in Perthshire could generate enough electricity to power more than 2,000 homes a year. But sportsmen claim water levels on the river near Dunkeld would drop and drastically cut canoeing days. Npower said the planned scheme, which has yet to go before Perth and Kinross Council, has community backing. The stretch of water at the centre of the dispute has been dubbed the "mad mile" by canoeists and is said to be one of the best white water rivers in Europe. Protesters have compared the proposed scheme to building a wind turbine on the centre circle at Hampden or Murrayfield. Full Article

Australian-based Azzura Yachts, a brand of Azzura Marine, has recently launched its latest evolution in traditional styled motor yachts. Making her public debut at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2006, Cambria II reflects the true definition of a custom yacht. At 30.48m (100ft) she is the second custom motor yacht of this size to be constructed at Azzura Marine’s facilities on Queensland’s Gold Coast. This exceptional and unique motor yacht was designed and built to reflect the golden era of yachting. While her owner actively drove the concept and style of his yacht, the fine craftsmanship of Cambria II comes from a team comprised of Azzura Marine’s Iain Murray, who worked on her external design; Thomas Hamel, on creating her interior design; and Azzura Yachts on the construction of the vessel. Full Article