Northeast US Digs Out From Massive Storm

The Northeastern United States is digging out from a massive snow storm that dumped nearly 50 centimeters of snow in a huge swath from Philadelphia to Maine Sunday.  Airports, train stations, and highways remain buried as thousands of travelers struggle to get home from the Christmas holidays.

Blinding winds and waist-deep snow paralyzed the region Sunday, with nearly 51 centimeters of snow in New York's Central Park. Because of the weather, nearly 3,000 flights were canceled in the New York New Jersey area.

Arlene Salac, with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, says that some service should be restored to the area by late Monday.

"The three major airports in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area - JFK, LaGuardia and Newark - are closed," Salac said. "The Port Authority does expect to open those later today.  Boston is open and Philadelphia is open."

Winds gusting at nearly 50 kilometers per hour also hindered travel, with train service between New York and Boston canceled and bus services suspended.

Christina Leeds of Amtrak says that some trains are running, but delays remain.

"We did resume a limited schedule this morning," Leeds said. "Service had been suspended at 5:00 pm yesterday [Sunday].  There is a limited service on the Northeast Regional service south of Washington, DC.  Service between New York and Washington, D.C. continues to run normally."

The high winds also made travel difficult, with visibility low in many areas.  Arlene Salac says even as the snow stops, the winds continue to cause travel headaches.

"A lot of times when you have high winds it does affect the runway configurations that we can use at our airports," Salac explained. "And it does contribute to delays.  As a matter of fact we are expected to continue to have some high winds today in the New York area."
Amtrak's Leeds says drifting and blowing snow makes clearing the rails more difficult as well.

"In this case there was a combination of snow, cold weather, and high wind that played into those problems where we had to make sure that the signals and the switches and the overhead wires are working properly," said Leeds.

Dean DeVore, a meteorologist with AccuWeather in Pennsylvania, says that the storm might be headed out to sea, but the winds are expected to continue for the next few days.

"The storm itself yes did cause some wind, but now on the back side of the storm you're having this difference in pressure with high pressure building in really funneling that air from the northwest down and that's what's causing the high winds to continue for a day or so after the storm departs," said DeVore.

He says the weather is expected to warm later in the week, with New York reaching a high of about five degrees Celsius.  The winds are also expected to decrease.

Source: www.voanews.com

Read More

Google TV devices delayed as Google tweaks software

(Mashable) -- We won't be seeing too many Google TV-powered devices at the next CES, which takes place in Las Vegas in January, because Google needs more time to work on the software, reports the New York Times citing unnamed sources.


Right now, Google's original partners for Google TV -- Sony and Logitech -- are the only ones actually selling the devices.

Samsung and Vizio are still supposed to reveal their Google TV devices at CES, but we'll have to wait a little longer for devices from Toshiba, Sharp and LG.

We can expect more Google TV devices after the software is updated, which will probably mean the addition of the Android Market. It should happen sometime next year, NYT's sources claim.

This is another in a series of obstacles for Google's foray into TV space; after receiving some lackluster initial reviews, Google TV suffered another blow when it got blocked by several U.S. major broadcast and cable networks.

source: http://edition.cnn.com

Read More

Forests size of Russia 'could be restored'

London (CNN) -- Forests covering an area almost the size of Russia could be restored around the world, according to a global partnership of scientists.

The researchers, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have drawn up a world map showing 1.5 billion hectares where there are opportunities to replant degraded or cleared forests.

Carole Saint-Laurent, IUCN's senior forest policy advisor, said: "There's no one-size-fits-all blueprint. The restoration would need to be driven by the community needs in each area.

"We know it can be done. There are people all over the world who are doing it already."

Three quarters of the world's forests have been cleared, degraded or fragmented due to human activity, while a third have disappeared altogether, according to IUCN.
However, as forests fulfill needs for food, fuel and timber, restoring them can benefit communities as well as the environment, the organization said.
The map was drawn up by the World Resources Institute, South Dakota University and IUCN, for the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration ahead of the launch of the United Nations International Year of Forests 2011.

Saint-Laurent said: "This study came out of a partnership with about 30 governments all over the world. We are bringing people who are working on forest restoration together, as well as increasing understanding of the contribution that forest landscape restoration can make in addressing climate change.

Saint-Laurent added: "So far this is all at a global level, but our next step is to apply this to individual countries to give a more detailed picture."

The map was created using information on areas that were once forest and have the potential to be re-grown, according to Saint-Laurent. The researchers excluded areas that are now urban or crop land.
However, they still need to look in more detail to determine exactly where it is feasible to re-grow forest.
"These are 1.5 billion hectares where opportunities could be found," said Saint-Laurent. "More analysis needs to be carried out to find what's really possible within that, because we haven't been able to map land rights, and there might be areas that are not suitable from a social point of view.

"Even if you took out a third, it's still a vast area and a vast opportunity."
Often, this would be done in small patches between farms or villages, or along corridors to protect waterways or fields.

"We are talking about taking landscapes that are not doing anything for anybody and producing something of value," said Saint-Laurent.

"It can help create livelihoods for communities. There's an increasing groundswell of interest at the moment in forest restoration.
"People are starting to see there's a wonderful opportunity that forests can offer more to people than they already do.

"For example, in an area of Tanzania over a 15-year period significant areas of forest have been restored in small patches around villages and farms.

"It means the women do not need to walk as far to get their firewood for fuel, which has significant benefits for families."

"You are accommodating a diversity of land uses in one area."
IUCN said the greatest opportunities for restoring forests were in Africa and Asia, each offering potential for 500 million hectares.

The emphasis on restoring forests would complement work on preventing deforestation in the first place.
"This is not a replacement for protecting native primary forests, but it's an add-on," said Saint-Laurent. "We need to protect forests, but also put something back where they have been degraded.

"Over a 30-year-period we believe this could have as much benefit as avoided deforestation."

The U.N.'s International Year of Forests 2011 will be launched to take over from International Year of Biodiversity 2010 on December 18.

source: http://edition.cnn.com

Read More

US to target fake online pill pedlars

Online stores that sell fake drugs or pills without prescriptions are being targeted by the US government.

It has set up an initiative that will try to shut down the web stores and educate people about the dangers of buying drugs from such places.

Search firms, payment providers and net hosting firms have all pledged to help the crackdown.
Research suggests about 36 million Americans have bought medicines from unlicensed web pharmacies.
"Those who sell prescription drugs online without a valid prescription are operating illegally, undercutting the laws that were put in place to protect patients, and are thereby endangering the public health," said Victoria Espinel, US intellectual property enforcement co-ordinator, in a statement.

"It is a real wake-up call that so many Americans have engaged in this dangerous behaviour," she said.
Web firms joining the initiative include search giant Google, domain registration firm Network Solutions, hosting companies as well as payment processors Paypal, Visa and Mastercard.

Together, the firms hope to tackle every link in the chain that keeps unlicensed pharmacies operating by stopping them showing up in search results, taking their websites offline, delisting the domains they use and stopping payments reaching them.

Many spammers align with online pharmacies and direct those who click on links in junk mail to the pedlars of fake pills.

The commercial partners in the initiative will also share information with law enforcement agencies and fund public awareness campaigns of the dangers of buying drugs from unlicensed pharmacies.
source: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Read More

Dame Judi Dench named best stage actor of all time

Dame Judi Dench has been named the greatest stage actor of all time in a poll compiled by an industry newspaper.

"I'm completely at a loss for words, but it's one hell of a thing to live up to," Dame Judi told The Stage.
Dame Maggie Smith came second, with Mark Rylance - the youngest actor in the list - in third place.


A selection of industry experts were asked to suggest their favourite 10 actors. Readers were then invited to vote on the shortlist.

In fourth place was Sir Ian McKellen, followed by Laurence Olivier at number five and Paul Scofield in sixth place.
At number seven was John Gielgud, with Sir Michael Gambon in eighth place, Vanessa Redgrave at number nine and Ralph Richardson at 10.

Dame Judi, now 76, began her career in 1957 playing Ophelia at the Old Vic Company in Liverpool.
She then branched out into musicals and appeared in numerous stage plays as well as film.
The star won her first Olivier award in 1977 for Macbeth, going on to win a further six .

In 1996 she made history by becoming the first performer to win Oliviers for best actress and best actress in a musical in the same year.

Three years later she won an Academy Award for playing Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love.
source: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Read More

New guidance on vitamin D recommends midday sunshine

New health advice recommends short spells in the sun - without suncream and in the middle of the day.

Seven organisations have issued joint advice on vitamin D, which the body gets from natural sunlight.
The nutrient keeps bones strong, and protects against conditions like osteoporosis.


The guidance was drawn up because it is thought fears about skin cancer have made people too cautious about being in the sun.

Cancer Research UK and the National Osteoporosis Society are among the bodies which agree that "little and frequent" spells in summer sunshine several times a week can benefit your health.

The experts now say it is fine to go outside in strong sun in the middle of the day, as long as you cover up or apply sunscreen before your skin goes red.
'Too negative'

Professor Rona Mackie, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Total sun protection with high factor suncream on all the time is not ideal, in terms of vitamin D levels.

"Even Australia has changed its policy on this. They're now producing charts showing parts of Australia where sun protection may not be required during some parts of the year.

"Some of the messages about sun exposure have been too negative. UK summer sunshine isn't desperately strong. We don't have many days in the year when it is very intense.

"What's changed is that we're now saying that exposure of 10 to 15 minutes to the UK summer sun, without suncream, several times a week is probably a safe balance between adequate vitamin D levels and any risk of skin cancer."
Official government advice already recommends vitamin D supplements for pregnant women and children aged under five.

But the experts who wrote the joint statement say mothers often are not made aware of this recommendation. They suggest women consult their GP.

Winter levels of vitamin D can be helped by a break in the tropical sun - or by eating oily fish, liver and fortified margarine.
source: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Read More

Afghanistan attacks target army bases, killing 13

In the northern city of Kunduz, suicide bombers stormed an army recruitment centre, sparking a long gun battle.
On the outskirts of Kabul, attackers ambushed an army bus outside the country's main recruitment centre.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks, which President Hamid Karzai called "criminal".

Correspondents say the attacks were clearly aimed at deterring Afghans from joining the huge drive currently under way to build up the domestic security forces.

The recruitment centre in Kunduz came under attack from at least four suicide bombers - who early reports suggested were dressed in army uniforms, AP news agency quoted the provincial deputy governor Hamdullah Danishi as saying.

Foreign and Afghan soldiers surrounded the building, in which about 100 people were trapped.

"There are gun shots, heavy machine gun fire and RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades]," a local trader told the BBC. He said the base was on fire.

Local police sources say that five Afghan soldiers and three policemen were killed, along with at least three of the attackers. About 20 recent army recruits were wounded.

"The enemy came prepared,'' the police chief of Kunduz province, Mawlana Sayed Khel, told the BBC.
In Kabul the attackers opened fire on a bus filled with Afghan army soldiers.

Security forces at a nearby checkpoint opened fire on the attackers. One was shot dead.

But a suicide bomber then detonated explosives, killing five soldiers.

The assault took place outside the Kabul military training centre on the outskirts of the city - the country's main base for the training of recruits.

The "criminal" attacks were carried out by "the enemies of the Afghan people", said President Karzai in a statement.

In another incident, a Nato service member was killed in southern Afghanistan, the international force said, without providing more details.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Read More

United States� backing for indigenous rights treaty hailed at UN

17 December 2010 � The announcement by President Barack Obama that the United States supports the landmark United Nations treaty outlining the rights of the world�s estimated 370 million indigenous peoples was hailed today at the world body.


The US was one of only four countries � along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand � that voted against the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when it was adopted by the General Assembly in September 2007, a move that followed more than two decades of debate.
 
With its announcement, the US has now joined the other three countries in endorsing the treaty � a non-binding text that sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues.
 
�This is an important milestone that signifies that the international community has reached consensus on the Declaration,� Tonya Gonella Frichner, the Vice-Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said in a statement.
 
Ms. Frichner added that she looked forward to working with the US and other countries toward full implementation of the Declaration with no reservations.
 
In addition, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, issued a statement saying he is �elated� at the US announcement, calling it a �groundbreaking development� for Native Americans and all those who seek greater protection for human rights across the globe.
 
�With its endorsement of the Declaration, the United States strengthens it stated commitment to improve the conditions of Native Americans and to address broken promises. Indigenous peoples can now look to the Declaration as a means of holding the United States to that commitment,� said Mr. Anaya, who reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in an independent and unpaid capacity.
 
The Declaration emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their development in keeping with their own needs and aspirations.
 
It also prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them, and their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic and social development.
Source: http://www.un.org/

Read More

Looking back, Ban calls 2010 �a big year for the United Nations�

17 December 2010 � In his end-of-year �state of the world� news conference, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called 2010 �a big year for the United Nations,� with progress on issues from biodiversity to electoral support in Iraq and Afghanistan, but warned of challenges ahead in Sudan, the Middle East and other world flashpoints.

�Looking ahead, our challenge is to carry our progress forward,� he said of the agenda for 2011, which he will lay out more fully next month. �Resources are tighter. Demands on the UN are growing. This requires us to focus more on prevention, preparedness, being proactive, being persistent, all within a framework that is transparent and accountable.�
 
Dealing with potential crises looming on the eve of the New Year, Mr. Ban focused on C�te d�Ivoire, where outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo�s refusal to step down despite opposition leader Alassane Ouattara�s clear victory in November elections has led to renewed violence in the divided country, and Sudan where the South is to hold a referendum on independence next month.
 
He stressed that Mr. Gbagbo�s efforts to flout the public will cannot be allowed to stand, and pledged UN assistance to help the northern and southern Sudanese address common challenges following the 9 January vote.
 
Turning to the Middle East, he once again urged Israelis and Palestinians to engage seriously and be forthcoming on substance and reiterated Israel�s obligation to freeze all settlement activity, including in East Jerusalem.
 
On Myanmar, he called the elections, despite serious shortcomings, and the release of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi significant developments, and said that the Government can and should build on them, and pledged continued long-term comprehensive engagement.
The UN will also seek progress on many of the longer-term challenges, Mr. Ban said, including peace on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, bringing a stable government to war-ravaged Somalia, and helping to reunify Cyprus in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State of equal status.
 
On Haiti, he voiced concern at allegations of fraud in the recent first round of elections and pledged continued UN support to ensure that they reflect the will of the Haitian people.
 
Looking back on 2010, Mr. Ban cited progress made on the UN anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to slash a host of social ills by 2015, the $40 billion mobilized for the new Global Strategy on Women�s and Children�s Health and advances in Nagoya, Japan, on conserving biodiversity and in Cancun, Mexico, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, forest protection, climate finance, adaptation and technology.
 
He also mentioned UN preventive diplomacy with support for 34 different mediation, facilitation and dialogue efforts, citing the easing of the political crisis in Kyrgyzstan and keeping the transition to democracy on track in Guinea.
 
The UN was also very active on the humanitarian front in the face of natural disasters, responding to the devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, as well as the floods in Pakistan, Mr. Ban stressed.
�Looking back and looking ahead, I want to reiterate a point that I believe defines today�s complex and connected world,� he concluded. �Truly global action requires mobilizing support, creating broad alliances and building coalitions. In the search for solutions, progress does not come with big bangs but with steady, determined steps.
 
�It is the accumulation of these small steps, these steady elements of progress that set the stage for larger changes � the breakthroughs of tomorrow. We live in a unique multilateral moment, a world changing in the most dramatic ways since the end of World War II.
�The United Nations must keep pace. We have made progress this year. But we can and must continue.�
source: http://www.un.org/

Read More

'Narnia' to Chronicle big Box Offic

During the most family intensive period at the nation�s theaters, the timing could not be better for Fox�s The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader to grab kids and their parents who have made both Tangled and Harry Potter 7 such huge holiday season hits.  This Narnia returns to the time of year that made the first film (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) such an enormous hit with a $65.6 million number one debut and nearly $300 million in North America. 

 

The second installment (Prince Caspian) made a move to the summer season and though it opened at number one with a solid $55 million, the film was less successful in the long run earning a total of $141 in North America.  Look for Voyage of the Dawn Treader to add yet another number one debut to the franchise track record but with a gross decidedly lower than the first two in the low $30 million range, but strong playability throughout the holidays.

Check out our exclusive 'Narnia' themed comic strip from Francesco Marciuliano.  Francesco writes the internationally-syndicated comic strip �Sally Forth� and the webcomic �Medium Large.� He was the head writer for the PBS series �SeeMore�s Playhouse,� for which one of his episodes won two 2007 Daytime Emmys. He currently writes for the Onion News Network.

Expected to come in a strong second place is the film that pairs the uber-hot Angelina Jolie with that other icon of good looks, Johnny Depp in Sony�s The Tourist.  A re-make of a 2005 French film, the mere pairing of Depp and Jolie will be enough to send fans scampering to the theatre to the tune of a gross in the low $20 million range.  With its international locations, comedic elements and action sequences The Tourist will have solid appeal with adult audiences looking for a fun romp at the theater this weekend.

A film that debuted bigger than expected over Thanksgiving weekend and continues to draw family audiences across the board is Disney�s Tangled which ascended to the number one spot last weekend and will grab a solid third place in this, its third weekend with a gross of just over $10 million and should cross the $110 million mark by the end of the weekend.

Certainly no holiday movie weekend would be complete without a solid dose of �Potter-mania� and fourth place will find Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 continue its climb up the box office chart.  After a second place finish this past weekend, the film climbed back to the top of the chart in the weekday contest and should haul in another $8 million to $10 million for the weekend and thus close in on the $260 million mark in domestic revenue.

The battle for fifth place will pit a burlesque dancer against a runaway train with Sony�s Burlesque in its third weekend and Fox�s Unstoppable in its fifth weekend each expected to earn less than $5 million at the box office.

Notably Paramount�s The Fighter starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale (in an Oscar-worthy performance) will open in just four theaters including one in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts where the film is set.  It will expand into around 2,000 theaters on December 17.

http://www.hollywood.com/

Read More

Box Office Preview: A $60 million 'Tron' legacy

LOS ANGELES � An especially robust weekend is shaping up at the nation's theaters as fan boys bond with "Tron," families flock to "Yogi," boxing buffs bet on "The Fighter" and the date crowd asks "How Do You Know."

Disney's "Tron: Legacy" has the most going for it, including a great release date, cult appeal and of course the IMAX and 3-D components. So a No. 1 debut approaching an impressive $60 million is virtually assured for this long-awaited followup to the 1982 original. The highest December debut remains 2007's "I Am Legend" with $77.2 million, followed closely by 2009's "Avatar" at $77 million.

Next in the weekend pic-a-nic basket is a smarter-than-the-average-bear named Yogi, voiced by childhood fan Dan Aykroyd, as Warner Bros. gives the beloved Hanna-Barbera TV character a big-screen, 3-D makeover and a chance at an opening gross in the low $20 millions.

After its limited four-theater debut last weekend, Paramount's "The Fighter" was just warming up for an expected opening this weekend in the $15 million range as it expands to approximately 2,200 locations.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, this true story about a pair of pugilistic brothers is a shoo-in for multiple Oscar nominations and is the kind of crowd-pleasing film that could become a breakout hit in the weeks to come.

James L. Brooks directs the likely No. 4 film in the lineup � "How Do You Know," starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson. Despite weak reviews, the all-star cast and Brooks' auteur reputation with such winners as "Terms of Endearment" and "Broadcast News" should draw the date crowd to the tune of around $12 million.

Fifth place should go to Fox's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which opened last weekend in first place but now faces huge competition and will likely earn in the low teens.

Another Oscar contender goes into wider release this weekend as Fox Searchlight's twisted and audacious "Black Swan" waltzes into 950 theaters. A bravura performance by Natalie Portman and mounting awards momentum give the film a shot at a wide-release debut in the $8 million to $10 million range.

___

Paul Dergarabedian is president of the Box Office Division of Hollywood.com and a longtime box office analyst for The Associated Press.

___

Online: http://www.Hollywood.com/boxoffice

Read More

The U.S. Strategy for War in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - A review of Obama's strategy for the war in Afghanistan concluded that U.S. forces can start withdrawing on schedule in July, despite any signs of uneven progress in the year since President has announced the deployment of 30,000 additional troops, according to a summary released Thursday.

The summary said that the U.S. continues to kill leaders of Al Qaeda and reduce its ability to launch terrorist attacks in the region. He cited some signs that the United States and its allies have stopped or reversed advances by the Taliban in Afghanistan and strengthen the capacity of Afghan forces to secure their country, but acknowledged that the gains are fragile and can easily be canceled Unless progress is made towards the hunt for insurgents operating from havens in neighboring Pakistan.

"We are in a better position to give our forces in Afghanistan, support and resources they need to accomplish their mission," Obama said at a news conference to discuss the report Thursday. "We are making considerable progress towards our military objectives. "

The report is the first large-scale evaluation of the strategy of Mr. Obama, and has already been described by government as critical to decisions regarding the conduct of war and the pace of withdrawal by the United States coming from Afghanistan. But the White House has downplayed the report for months, even if it continues to balance pressure from the military for time to allow the troop surge to work and pressure from many Democrats - some to the within the administration - starting next year to show that Obama is serious about winding down the conflict nine years.

Abstract little light on the scale of any withdrawal of troops next year, which explains the administration will be determined by conditions on the ground. He also reiterated that the troops should stay in Afghanistan until at least 2014.

"This continues to be a very difficult undertaking," Obama said. "Al Qaeda is squatting. It will take time to track them down." But he promised to "never deviate from our goal."

 

Read More

WikiLeaks Founder Ordered Freed as Court Rejects Appeal

LONDON - The London High Court bail on Thursday at Julian Assange the founder of the group Wikileaks antisecrecy while he fights extradition to Sweden on a warrant in connection with the alleged sexual offenses.

But Judge Duncan Ouseley added more restrictive conditions on bail to those imposed by a lower court two days ago, when prosecutors appealed and said Assange was a flight risk.
It was not immediately clear when he would be released from prison. Mr. Assange British lawyer Mark Stephens, told reporters that if the formalities for the release of his client have not been completed within the next few hours, he would Assange Wandsworth Prison in south-west London and be released from there later.

In dismissing the appeal by prosecutors, Justice Ouseley said he accepted the prosecution's arguments that many of those who have paid a bail of Mr. Assange did so because they supported Wikileaks and may consider " flight as an act fair and justified "to keep the beleaguered Web site running.

Dressed in a white open shirt collar and a dark suit, Mr Assange sitting with legs crossed through the two-hour hearing before the High Court, which is near the theater district of London. He reacted impassively when the judge pronounced his decision Ouseley.

Bail of $ 315,000 was granted by the lower court Tuesday after a friend of Mr. Assange offered to let her stay in a mansion in Suffolk, an hour's drive from London in the east of England.

Under the bail conditions set by the trial court, Mr. Assange must spend every night at home, Ellingham Hall, a Georgian house with 10 rooms on an area of 650 acres owned by Vaughan Smith, founder of rich media Frontline Club in London.

The conditions include a curfew, daily visits to the police and the electronic tagging to allow police to track his movements.

On Thursday, Justice Ouseley said that in addition, Mr. Assange would be limited to a small area around Ellingham Hall than to give free access to the entire estate. The judge also asked for additional financial guarantees for at least two close associates of Mr. Assange, Sarah Harrison and Joseph Farrell. The newest applications for bail and sureties brought the total to $ 370,000.

Geoffrey Robertson, one of the most important lawyers in Britain, which is to assist the defense team of Mr. Assange, joked Thursday that during his stay at Ellingham Hall, Mr. Assange would also be under the control game wardens in the field.

The hearing Thursday was officially separated from Mr. Assange role in the publication of some 250,000 and U.S. diplomatic documents came as federal prosecutors in Washington have sought evidence that would allow them to charge to help an analyst Army Intelligence on suspicion of leaking information.

U.S. prosecutors believe that if he did, they could charge him as a conspirator, rather than a passive recipient of the documents.

Wikileaks said on its website on Thursday it had so far released one of the .606 251 287 diplomatic cables.

court appearance in London Mr Assange is linked to allegations of sexual misconduct three times with two young Swedish women in Stockholm last August, which he denies. Swedish prosecutors say they want him to be returned to their country to question him in connection with accusations that he broke the Swedish rape and other acts.

Mr Assange said the encounters were consensual, but his accusers say they have ceased to be consensual if a condom was not used.

The Guardian newspaper reported Wednesday that the appeal against the bail has been launched by the British Crown Prosecution Service, not their Swedish counterparts, who said they had "not yet in sight at all on bail."

The case has become bitterly divisive between supporters and opponents of Mr. Assange - and the object of much attention by the news media worldwide. Dozens of journalists, photographers and cameramen gathered outside the High Court that Mr Assange arrived in a white prison services armored truck to take place in a docking station flourished in Courtroom 4.

His incarceration has not stopped the movement of classified U.S. cable mainly between U.S. diplomats overseas and the State Department in Washington. Earlier, Wikileaks published material confidential America on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The documents were made available to newspapers, including The New York Times.

Read More

City School Board Shooting

A school board meeting went from discussing head lice to members pleading for their life Tuesday in Florida when an ex-convict, Clay Duke, interrupted the Bay District School Board meeting, brandishing a gun and mumbling about how the school board had fired his wife, a claim the police are now investigating.

In the chilling video captured by a WMBB News 13 camera, the board members try to reason with Duke and try to save one another from the gunman.

Ginger Littleton, one school board member, stayed in the room even after Duke ordered her to leave. In the video, she swings her purse at him, in an attempt to knock the gun out of Duke's hand. She falls to the ground, and Duke stands over her but does not kill her. Another school board member comes back into the room at that time and asks the gunman to let Littleton leave, which Duke does.

At another point, Superintendent Bill Husfelt asks Duke to let everyone else go, saying Husfelt was likely the one responsible for firing Duke's wife. Duke turns his gun on Husfelt and fires, but the bullets miss Husfelt.

The video ends there, but a few moments later, a security guard entered the room and exchanged fire with Duke. One shot hit Duke in the leg. The police told the Associated Press that Duke then turned his gun on himself and committed suicide.

Read More

Scarlett Johansson & Ryan Reynolds Split Up

Johansson, 26, and Reynolds, 34, tied the knot in a quiet September 2008 ceremony in a wilderness retreat in Vancouver, which is Reynolds's hometown. The ceremony was attended only by a handful of close family and friends � and no photos were released.

"After long and careful consideration on both our parts, we've decided to end our marriage," they say in a joint statement. "We entered our relationship with love and it's with love and kindness we leave it. While privacy isn't expected, it's certainly appreciated."

the couple quietly split six months ago, and Johansson initiated the move. The actress began apartment-hunting in New York City and is currently in Jamaica with some girlfriends

Read More

Elizabeth Edwards dies of cancer

Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate, died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family.

Her death came at 10:15 Tuesday morning, according to a family friend. The scene was described as "very peaceful."

 

The friend said, "Elizabeth did not want people to say she lost her battle with cancer. The battle was about living a good life and that she won."

Elizabeth Edwards, a best-selling author and the driving force behind husband John Edwards' political career before it was destroyed by his infidelity, has died of cancer. She was 61.

Elizabeth Edwards reportedly was not in any pain and was surrounded at home in North Carolina by family and friends, including her estranged husband, a former Democratic presidential candidate.

?

When news began to circulate that Elizabeth had taken a turn for the worse and her cancer had spread to her liver, her family announced Monday that her doctors had recommended against any additional treatment.

"She found out last week and is at peace with where she is right now,� PEOPLE magazine�s Sandra Westfall told TODAY co-anchor Matt Lauer Tuesday before Elizabeth passed away. �She has a home full of relatives, which is how she always wanted it. They are telling stories, looking at old photos, and having as many laughs as tears.�

Jennifer Palmieri, a close friend who worked on political campaigns with Elizabeth, confirmed Wednesday on TODAY that the end had come quickly. �It was just a week ago that she found out that the treatment was no longer working,� Palmieri told Lauer. �It was very quick.�

John Edwards, from whom Elizabeth Edwards separated last year after he acknowledged fathering a child with a former aide to his unsuccessful vice presidential campaign, was with his wife and their three children: Cate, 28; Emma Claire, 12; and Jack, 10

During an appearance on TODAY last year, Elizabeth Edwards said that while it was difficult not to be able to �lean� on the man she once called �my rock,� she thought it was important to not shut him out.

�For the children she�s put on a brave face, and kept that relationship intact. He�s at the house this week, helping with the children, getting takeout for the family that is visiting,� Westfall said.

Agreeing with Lauer that it must be a difficult time for the children, Westfall said Elizabeth Edwards has been preparing them for her death for some time.

�She, years ago, starting writing a �dying letter,� she called it, so she would have the advice to pass on and always be there with a mother's wisdom when she couldn�t be there physically,� Westfall said.

Elizabeth Edwards wrote two best-selling books, "Resilience" and "Saving Graces," about her long battle with cancer and the scandal surrounding her husband.

Elizabeth Edwards became an advocate in her own right for health care reform and for the poor, two issues that had driven her husband, too. In that work, she lacked his clout but also his baggage.

"Our country has benefited from the voice she gave to the cause of building a society that lifts up all those left behind," President Barack Obama said.

Read More

Jets Coach Trips Player

Jets coach trips player is the talk of the NFL on Monday in the wake of Sal Alosa actions during Sunday's game between New York and Miami.
Shad was caught on camera by pushing his leg travel Dolphins defensive Nolan Carroll in the third quarter of Miami's 10-6 win.

Carroll was running downfield to cover a punt and was forced out of bounds.
Standing beside a group of assistant coaches, Alosa clearly stuck his leg and led Carroll to fall on the turf.
At least he does not deny it.
Alosa has officially apologized after the game.
"I made a mistake which showed a variance of trial. My conduct was inexcusable and unsporting and do not reflect what the organization represents."
With a suspension likely on the horizon Alos continued by saying he would accept any punishment the Jets or the NFL.
The league opened an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins players were furious when they learned of the incident after the match.
Carroll stayed down for a few moments after release, but was able to walk off the field under his own power and back into the game.
Shad is in his fourth season as the force the Jets in New York and conditioning coach.
Did his action idiot make the cut as one of the worst NFL Week 14?

Read More

Debt Resolution Is Now Safer Than Ever With New Federal Regulations

New government regulations are the resolution of the debt easier, safer and cost to the consumer than ever., According tot the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While America is fighting debt, the legal system of America is there to guide customers every step of the way
Like millions of Americans struggling with rising debt that is their choice? Where do they find help?
Debt settlement has been honored in recent years and the spotlight has been low. The industry as much a few bad apples, and unfortunately that reflects on everyone. The good news is that the government has implemented a new regulation that will make it easier and safer than ever to get out of debt.
corporate debt will now be able to charge an initial fee under the new set of regulations. They will also need to give the consumer an idea of how long the debt will be reduced or completely resolved.
resolution of the debt is crucial in every economy to allow the flow of credit in the society in which we live, the price of almost every commodity is rising with inflation and U.S. consumers have difficulty following . Despite the negative publicity aimed at the debt industry successes speak for themselves.
Dorothy Stockert a resident of Montana in engagement with the law firm Bradshaw offering a program of debt-based lawyer on the resolution, supported by automation legal Drexen Morgan. Dorothy engaged with over $ 11,000 of debt for Dorothy debt was accrued on everyday objects.
Dorothy admits: "I had too many credit cards and I'm at an impasse. My debt was settled in less than 2 years. Creditors were calling me I'm so glad to be out of debt today. I enrolled in a program of debt resolution in two years. I finished the count. I feel much better, I know do not have to worry about making all payments made by credit card. "
For Elizabeth Wieser was a similar story, she also works with the company Bradshaw right to settle his debts. Elizabeth was faced with more than $ 20.00 of debt.
"I was laid off twice in one year, I had six credit cards and interest rates were rising. We used many attorney at first they were helpful it was never a problem, "said Elizabeth. It feels good to be out of debt. And I think it taught me a lesson not to find myself in this situation again .. A situation where I was not able to manage my finances alone. "
Blaine Bradshaw Bradshaw a lawyer with Law Firm accepts that regulation can help the sensitive consumer. "Irrespective of any rules, however,professional legal assistance to my clients, consumers, has alwaysbeen my number one priority and it always will be, "said BlaineNew government regulations will make the services of debt settlement safer for consumers.

Read More

Super Slim monitor E90 series from LG Electronics

LG just announced a new desktop viewer for all of us and it seems a promising proposal with its thin profile of 7.3mm and prodigiously glasses minimum around the screen. 

 But wait, it can not be good news and it's not like LG has also decided to apply a high-gloss finish on the E90, which should easily counteract any calls that would otherwise have been discreet.
As usual with these screens UltraSlim, most electronic devices are locked into the base of the E90, although the specifications themselves do not appear to show sacrifice. You're looking at a backlit LED panel with a response time of 2 milliseconds, resolution 1920 x 1080 (about 21.5 inches E2290V), 250 nits brightness, analog, digital and HDMI inputs a dynamic contrast ratio 10,000,000:1 and � 329 ($ 435) MSRP. It should be available at some point later this month, see the video of his appearance at IFA this year, after the break.

Read More

Aigo's iPhone 4 battery case internalizes your charge cable

Our pursuit of the case the iPhone battery perfect 4 continues with the Exogear Exolife currently holding the head, slightly ahead of the Air Mophie Juice Pack and PowerSpring Mili. Like these fine selections, the i616 Aipower Aigo claims the battery life "almost double", but he has another trick up its sleeve: a hidden tape USB cable for both charging and data incorporated into the case. If you want to sync cable longer than it accords its own, there is also a microUSB port second to be built on the left side, and a switch for 1500mAh external battery and a button to hand to display its current charge level. Not bad for a nice 125.8 x 62.6 x comparable 17.25mm, nor the $ 80 requested.
If you are looking for something a little more slender, however, the 60 million Sleeve Snap battery may be more to your liking - it adds a 900mAh battery in a nice touch that Incase claims is the thinnest around . We can not say it looks like it offers much more protection, covering only the corners and back of the phone, but fashion has long been a harsh mistress to those who obey the call of the siren.

Read More

Audrina Patridge Announces New Contest for Aspiring Actors on the Talent Contest Network YOBI.tv

Audrina Patridge, YOBI.tv host, announced the channel's most recent competition, Yobi law. is a fast growing next-generation global network talent contest offering fame and fortune to anyone, anywhere, anytime combining user-generated content and talent competitions online social networks for platform entertainment revolution.
The winners of this new channel contest for aspiring actors, will co-star with Hollywood celebrities in each webisode of web YOBI.tv. The celebrities will play in the first two rounds will be announced YOBI.tv web in January. YOBI.tv open several Yobi Act competition for additional web series throughout the year.

Launched in 2008, YOBI.tv has already given hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money for winners and VIPs of her singing, photography, cinema and comedy channels contest.
"I had the privilege of discovering the incredibly talented people through contests YOBI.tv s, Yobi sing, laugh, movies, and photos," says Patridge "It's exciting to watch the site grow, and I can not wait to see the audition video for the new competition act. "
YOBI.tv is a virtual "scene" where members, non-executive business development, to choose the next famous musicians, actors, filmmakers and actors. Without the barriers of marketing who need a lot of money to bring entertainment to the people and where people choose themselves what's hot, rules and talented person in the world has the opportunity to become famous.

Read More

World On Skis Launches Facebook Sweepstakes For a Chance to Win a Free Ski Trip

World on skis, a trademark of Central Holidays is pleased to launch their first contest that allows Facebook users a chance to win a package of 4 nt ski vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The contest will run through December 31st, 2010, and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter. No purchase or payment necessary to enter or win. In fact, a purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning. The promotion will run on an application through Facebook, but a participant does not have to be a Facebook user participation. If a participant has a Facebook account once they have submitted their entry, they will have the opportunity to invite friends to join.

The price of a skiing trip in Jackson Hole include:

    * Four nights at the Best Western Lodge at Jackson Hole for two with breakfast
    * Two, lift tickets for three days
Participants must be residents of the United States and 18 years or more.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers visitors two whole mountains to ski, 2,500 acres of ski-able, an uphill capacity of over 16,000 skiers and snowboarders per hour, 116 ski slopes name, and over 3,000 hectares of backcountry terrain available through the open border policy. Cross-country skiers can enjoy over 17 kilometers of professionally groomed track at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
The Best Western Lodge at Jackson Hole features large pine wood hand carved and bears that add to the atmosphere of this new station property, located one mile from Jackson's Town Square. With an unparalleled level of services and amenities, the Lodge allows you to relax and enjoy your trip to Jackson Hole skiing in total comfort.
"The idea behind the contest is to involve community and social network Facebook, with the idea of giving something back," said John Frasca, president of World on skis. "By interacting with our users in this way, we hope to learn more about what our clients want to ski vacation packages. We are grateful for partners such as Best Western in Jackson Hole and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for their collaboration and to make this promotion possible donation of lift tickets, which gives us the opportunity to try such a campaign. "
About World on Skis:Travel with World On Skis by Central Holidays provides the best ski adventures for skiers of all levels and budgets. The world has Skis offers ski and snowboard holidays last for the most popular destinations worldwide. He brought skiers ski better value packed vacation can buy, if they prefer downhill skiing, trails cross country skiing, snowboarding spectacular or simply enjoy the fresh air, beautiful vistas and world cultures particular. For more information or reservations, contact Global skis, brand Holiday Central 1-866-678-5858. To book online, visit their website at WorldOnSkis.com.

Read More

ICA to Participate at 2011 Institute for Health Tech

The Institute of Health Technology announced today that the transformation of IT Corporation of America (CIA) will participate in iHT2 health of its summits held in 2011, located in Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle and New York.

ICA will join more than 200 CIOs, vice presidents and directors of IT in hospitals, health systems, physician practices and more to each of the four health of its vertices. Participants will meet at the network and discuss the latest trends and challenges in health IT. Topics will include significant use, privacy and security, health information exchange, certification, and more.
"In these times of dramatic changes in the health care industry as a whole, the CIA is excited about the opportunity to participate in a lecture series that promotes interaction, collaboration and ingenuity," says John Tempesco, Marketing Director, CIA. "As a company that enables organizations to health care to go beyond the data to a simple exchange that transforms data into meaningful information, both in the delivery of integrated network (IDN) and the community, we look forward to contributing to the open exchange of ideas in these places. "
ICA will participate in four of its vertices of Health: Health IT Summit Winter, January 19-20 in Phoenix; iHT2 Health IT Summit, May 10 to 11, Fort Lauderdale; iHT2 Health IT Summit, August 15 to 16, Seattle and iHT2 Health IT Summit, September 20-21, in New York.

Read More

Google Selected Sonic.net To Operate Stanford Fiber Network

Google Selected  Sonic.net To Operate Stanford Fiber Network

Sonic.net today announced that it has been selected to operate and support the process of fiber to the home network, Google is building at Stanford University. This experimental project will test the construction of new fibers and methods of operation, while providing a full gigabit speed to about 850 faculty and staff from home on campus.

Sonic.net manage network operations, provide customer service and support and perform on-site installation and repair. Sonic.net Northern California is the leading independent provider of Internet services.
The test network is completely separate from Stanford community selection process for the fiber from Google for communities project, which is still ongoing. Google's ultimate goal is to build a fiber network to the house that reaches at least 50,000 and possibly up to 500,000 people, and expects to announce its community or communities selected by the end of the year.
Sonic.net currently operates the largest California open network access to the Internet, offering services today primarily by copper of the next generation. The company based in Santa Rosa already announced its own plan to offer a fiber-to-the-home network in Sebastopol, California, and looks forward to working with Google's innovative gigabit network being planned for the Stanford community. Sonic.net an open network provides services to seventy other Internet service providers deliver broadband services over a territory of the thirteen.
Construction of Stanford fiber network will begin in early 2011.
"Sonic.net ISP is an innovative company that brings a higher notch to the fiber for the Google project communities," said James Kelly, product manager for Google Fiber communities. "Their experience with open access and well regarded team Customer service plays a vital role as we kick off our network beta at Stanford. "
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Google on this project," said Dane Jasper, CEO & Co-Founder of Sonic.net. "It's a great fit for our current capabilities and help us to develop new skills as we move towards our own fiber network."

Read More