Detroit, USA (BGN) – After months of leaks, teasers and speculation – details of the all new 2011 Ford Explorer has been available for all eager car enthusiasts. The updated mid-size Ford SUV seems to have embarked on a new chapter with the vehicle taking the best parts of what has transformed Ford in recent years from aging giant to new frontier pioneer.

The all new Ford Explorer 2011 packs a new platform, a streamlined body losing some of the weight of past models, top of the line safety technology, and a transition to environmentally friendly fuel-efficient engines.

Inside Look: Ford Explorer 2011

But Ford hasn’t totally gone away from its roots – still sporting proudly the “4WD” badge, the 7.9 inches of ground clearance, and a feature called TMS (Terrain Management System) where the driver can choose a type of terrain and the 2011 Ford Explorer can adjust on demand.

Ford has continued to build on its reputation as one of the leaders in in-car safety with a multitude of features: high strength steels, multiple airbags, side canopies in case of a roll-over, a new curve control feature and a deep integration of car alert systems which have both safety and convenience implications. The biggest new safety feature is the world’s first inflatable safety belt – which will help backseat passengers become safer than ever.

Despite the technological, aesthetic, and safety improvements – the main talk around the 2011 Ford Explorer will still boil down to its engines: either a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (2.0-liters / 237 horsepower), or a 3.5-liter V-6 290 horsepower engine. Either way it looks like the 2011 Ford Explorer, despite its larger size compared to previous models, will be a undeniably efficient mid-size SUV out of the USA. All 2011 Explorer pictures, previews, and reviews indicate that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) have a hit on their hands – and interested parties will be able to buy 2011 Ford Explorer towards the end of this year.

- British Pound US Dollar (GBPUSD) exchange rate currently trading at: 1 GBP = 1.5427 USD (+0.01620, +1.061%)

There was good news for the Pound against the Dollar yesterday, driven in part by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke being less than convincing about the state of the US economy. Data supporting a continued recovery has been tepid at best, and it may just be the weakness of Britain’s own economy which has held Sterling back from making bigger gains.

British Pound US Dollar (GBPUSD) Exchange Rate

UK retail sales data released yesterday did have one underlying piece of good news for the British – it seems that consumers are heading back to stores and spending their limited spare change. The UK GDP figures for Q2 will be released later today, and the Pound is up at present as the markets await the announcement.

Today’s other Forex news:

US Dollar Euro (USDEUR)
Strength in Europe due to the positive French and German manufacturing data released yesterday helped to move the common European currency more than a cent up against the greenback. Signs of a recovery in the Eurozone will continue to encourage foreign exchange traders to edge back into the ‘risky’ foreign currency markets which they all but divorced after the drama surrounding Greece and its banks.

British Pound Euro (GBPEUR)
There was a dip in sterling’s strength against the Euro yesterday, after the common European currency was boosted by positive corporate data, as well as the successful sale of Hungarian T-bills. There were worries for the Euro when Hungary’s 20 billion Euro loan was suspended, however the T-bill sale settled nerves.

We will continue to monitor the British Pound US Dollar (GBPUSD) exchange rate throughout the day.

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – T.I. has previously collaborated with Justin Timberlake and Rihanna on smash hits “Dead and Gone” and “Live Your Life,” and now he has his eyes set on collaborating with Lady Gaga on a new single.

T.I. Wants To Collaborate With Lady Gaga For New Single

In Touch Weekly reports that the rapper wants to collaborate with the “Bad Romance” singer for a new single titled “Lick It!”

“I’m still trying to make that manifest,” T.I. told the magazine. “I think it’s an odd enough combination, but I think that both of us are able to diversify.”

Gaga is working on her third album while on her sold-out Monster Ball tour. She’s previously collaborated with Beyonce and rapper Wale. Her song “Poker Face” was sampled by Kid Cudi on the track “Make Her Say,” which also featured Kanye West and Common.

“I have a lot of respect for her individuality, the daring to be different,” the 29-year-old rapper continued. “And of course, everyone loves ‘Poker Face!’”

The track would appear on T.I.’s upcoming album, “King Uncaged.” The album is led by the first single, “Got Your Back,” a collaboration with Keri Hilson.

London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – The demand for new television sets boosted Britain’s retail sector in June by 0.7 percent. The order for TV sets was triggered by a desire to follow closely the World Cup held in South Africa.

Retail Sales In Britain Registers 0.7 Percent Increase In June Due To World Cup Matches

According to the Office for National Statistics, the 0.7 percent rise in retail sales volume last month was above forecast of 0.5 percent growth. Aside from electronic goods, clothing also enjoyed good sales figures with a one percent increase, while sales of household goods also went up 1.6 percent.

Watching World matches appears to be one way Britons coped with the economic problems brought by the recession and the global financial crisis, worsened by the tough program cuts and prospect of new taxes made by the coalition government.

Following the strong consumer spending, the ONS expects a better second quarter gross domestic product growth rate for the period April to June with a forecast of 0.6 percent expansion. That would be double the GDP growth rate registered in the first quarter.

However, the bulk of retail sales made last month – except for electronic items – were made on bargain items, not expensive merchandise. This was true particularly for clothing and household goods.

One group which suffered a business slump with the rise in sale of TV sets were the bars and pubs because instead of watching the World Cup games in these establishments, Britons stayed home and followed the football matches at home. Another group that suffered weak sales was clothing retailers which invested in football clothing souvenir items. Sales dropped after England lost its match to the U.S. and never recovered after that.

Schaumburg, Illinois, USA (BGN) – Hot of the heels of the recent iPhone 4 problems comes the news that the Verizon Motorola Droid X is the latest high profile smartphone to be released with a few problems under the hood. The Droid X problems consist of lines of dead pixels, flashing and flickering images, with some even seeing wide vertical bands across the entire screen.

Verizon has confirmed the problems but highlighted the fact that only a ‘small number’ of Droid X phones are affected – the percent affected being put at around 0.1 percent.

Droid X Screen Flicker Issues

Following the slow and abrasive response that Apple showed with its “Antennagate” problem, it’s been refreshing for Droid X owners to see the swift response to the Droid X screen problems. Verizon has let it be known that they’ve ‘fixed’ the problem and are continuing in full force in shipping the new products.

droid x problems

For now, users impacted by the Motorola Droid X screen issues will have to contact Verizon or Motorola and receive a replacement unit. The news that Verizon’s Motorola Droid X almost immediately sold out upon its release won’t bode well for users who want immediate resolution to their problem – but Motorola is expected to have some emergency units ready for such cases as well as prioritizing these affected members with their new releases. With the 30 day warranty still under tact, it was important for Motorola and Verizon to avert this problem in a swift manner, and they have done just that.

While not as widespread as the iPhone’s “Antennagate” – the Droid X problems could have made for some bad PR, but Motorola and Verizon’s quick reply suggests that they have learned from Apple’s experiences.

Article © BGN – All Rights Reserved