‘Mengagement’ Rings – Trendy or Tacky?

By Ashleigh Morris

Today jeweller H. Samuel became the first UK retailer to sell engagement rings for men (known as ‘mengagement’ rings).

Until now mengagement rings had to be specially made by designers but there is currently increased demand as more women are proposing. The ring is also a way of letting other women know that their man is taken!

The Tioro, a titanium band set with a small diamond, costs just £79.99, considerably less than the average female engagement ring.

In Spain and Scandinavia engagement rings are already commonly worn by men but the trend is just starting to take off in the UK and the introduction of the Tioro today is perfect timing for any woman who is planning to propose on Valentine’s Day!

Ferrari Reveal The F60

By Ashleigh Morris

The 2009 Formula One season may not begin until March 29 in Melbourne, but Ferrari showed they are more than prepared for the new season when they revealed their new car on Monday.

Photo courtesy of www.sassuolo2000.com

The F60′s debut at the Mugello circuit in Italy had some small technical problems but is expected to give McLaren a run for their money when the season starts.

The F60 is the 55th car built by Ferrari to compete in F1 but it is very different to the teams previous cars due to the new 2009 regulations.

The car’s next appearance is to be a test session at the Parc Algarve circuit  in Portugal from 19th – 22nd January.

Subaru Withdraw From World Rally Championship

 

Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com

By Ashleigh Morris

The world of motorsports has been dealt another blow with Subaru’s announcement that it is withdrawing from the 2009 World Rally Championship after 20 years in the sport.

The decision was in response to the economic downturn and follows Suzuki’s decision to withdraw the previous day.

Tom Morris, former winner of the Scottish Tarmac Championship told Dunedin Napier News: “Now Subaru have pulled out there are only two main players: Citroen and Ford. If anyone else pulls out the championship is finished. Ford are in financial difficulty in America. If they are forced to pull out I don’t see a future for the whole sport.”

But Gavin Miller from The Inside Line, a public relations company for the motorsport industry, remains optimistic about the future of the WRC. “It’s disappointing to see. Subaru are an iconic brand associated with rallying. But the championship is in a strong position to move forward. 2009 will be tough but the new super 2000 rules will allow for cost reductions in 2010. This will make World Rally an economically viable platform for manufacturers to promote their products. It will be possible to run a car at one tenth of the cost of a Formula 1 car.”

The FIA offices in France were closed when we tried to contact them and the International Motorsports Association Limited refused to comment.

Lindsay Lohan’s Diet Secret

Picture courtesy of: vitamindeal.com

By Ashleigh Morris 

Recent pictures have revealed Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan looking svelte after her various stints in rehab. But could her weight loss be down to more than healthy eating and exercise?

A picture featured in Grazia magazine shows Lohan clutching a bottle of VPX RedLine Fat Incinerator – a product designed to help bodybuilders ’shred’ body fat and to provide energy. But how good can this be for your health?

VPX RedLine contains extremely high amounts of caffeine and is designed to shred fat through the body’s shivering response. The shivering process burns body fat for energy to keep the body warm. VPX also causes the body to sweat. The formula, also available in a capsule, claims you can feel the effects within five minutes. The drink is only available for purchase in the US, however UK residents are able to buy it online.

Superintendent pharmacist Evelyn Mackenzie told Dunedin Napier News: “The caffeine is bad for your heart, it’s probably one step down from using speed. Your body needs time to recover and it’s certainly not advisable long term.”

Government Proposals to Target Excessive Speeding

By Ashleigh Morris

New government proposals have revealed plans which could result in drivers losing their licence after just two speeding offences.

Under current law most driversreceive three penalty points for speeding, regardless of how much they have exceeded the speedlimit by.

The new scheme would result in drivers who excessively break the speed limit receiving six points on their licence. This would mean an automatic ban after two offences.

There is also the possibility of reducing the number of penalty points for drivers committing minor speeding offences, to two points.

Tim Shallcross, spokesman for the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motoring) told Dunedin Napier News, “In general, yes we suppost the proposals. What they’re generally talking about is people going 50% over the speed limit. You don’t do that by accident.”

He does however point out that the idea would penalise someone speeding at 100mph on the motorway more than it would someone doing 35mph in a 30mph limit.

This contradicts the Think! Road Safety Campaign which enforces the idea of a 30mph speed limit in a town as the most important one to stick to. The IAM have to wiat until the proposal is announced in more detail to comment further.

The government are also looking to introduce official limits for drivers under the influence of drugs. There is currently no legal limit which would enable police to prosecute offenders and there are no breathalysers to detect drivers who have taken drugs.

It is estimated that up to one in five motorists killed in road accidents could have taken drugs and it is hoped that the new measures will help to reduce this figure.

Provisional figures show that the number of people killed in road accidents this year has fallen by 20% compared to 2007. The new measures aim to reduce these figures further and make our roads safer.