State & Community
Mumbai attack: No difference between Lashkar and Hamas: Israel envoy
06.01.2009 06:16
b4uindia.com
Israel’s envoy to India, Mark Sofer, on Tuesday said he saw no difference between the Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip in so far as carrying out willful acts of violence against unsuspecting and innocent civilians. Speaking in an exclusive interview to ANI, Ambassador Sofer admitted that in some ways there was a similarity between what had happened in Mumbai in November last year, and what is happening in the conflict between the Israelis and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “There is absolutely no difference between the Laskar-e-Taiba and Hamas. Both of these are extremist organizations, which use fear and instilling fear and murder, slaughter of innocent civilians to achieve some sort of nefarious fanatical aims which they hold,” he said. “In that case, there is a great deal of similarity between the situation here and the situation there. But, I do believe that from there, the similarity ends. Each country, each Government, really must try every option possible as it seems fit. The military option, wherever it is must be the final option. There must be everything tried before hand, as we did in Gaza viz-a-viz Gaza. Diplomatic option, economic option, international pressure everything that is possible in order to try and avoid the military option because that is the worst and the last option that must be used,” he added. He also said that his country has no doubt on the statements issued and the evidences submitted by the Indian authorities with regard to the November 2008 terror attack on Mumbai that claimed over 170 lives and maimed over 300. “The Indian authorities, the Indian Government has been clear from the outset, and I see no reason at all, and from Israeli point of view, no reason at all to place any doubt on those statements whatsoever,” Ambassador Sofer said. “We stand strongly and unambiguously behind India in its fight against terror, in its struggle to eliminate the horrors that it has faced, both obviously culminating in Mumbai, which is the most serious in recent times. But the bombs, which are being thrown in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and the other terrorist atrocities, which you have faced, it is a serious scourge, and the fight, the struggle to overcome the infrastructure of terrorist organizations must remain paramount on all of our minds,” he added. When he was asked whether the terror strike on Mumbai in which several Israeli citizens were killed would affect bilateral relations between Israel and India, Ambassador Sofer replied in the negative. He said: “India Israel relations are growing strongly. Since we established diplomatic ties in 1992, our relationship encompasses all aspects of ties, be it political, diplomatic, economic, trade, military, security. We (Israel and India) have progressed from a zero relationship to a relationship that is dynamic. The Mumbai atrocity has not altered the relationship. It is a strong and vibrant relationship.” Referring specifically to reports that Israeli terrorism and intelligence experts had criticized the way India security agencies had tackled the terrorists in Mumbai, Ambassador Sofer said Israel had nothing but praise for the way the Indians had handled the crisis, adding that what these so-called experts said was “completely irrelevant”. As to whether Israel has offered security-related cooperation to India during the Mumbai terror attack and in its aftermath, Ambassador Sofer said discussions have taken place, but were not meant for disclosure in the public domain. Commenting on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and to the world community’s criticism of Tel Aviv for not stopping the operation, Ambassador Sofer emphatically said: “Every effort was made to minimize civilian casualties. We did not want a military conflict. We came forward with humanitarian assistance, economic inducements, but we are determined that there will be no return to the status quo ante.” He reiterated that as far as Israel was concerned, its first priority was to safeguard the security and well being of Israeli citizens that were being tormented by the Hamas. To emphasize his point, he said that the Hamas has so far fired 3400 rockets and missiles at various locations in Israel. “We have tried everything, enough is enough,” Sofer said. On whether Israel would use its friendly ties with US to exert pressure on Pakistan to deliver those responsible for the terror attack on Mumbai to India, Ambassador Sofer said: “India does not need a third party to get its aims achieved on the issue of terrorism. India has a close and dynamic relationship with the U.S.” He also said that he did not know how Pakistan would react to the evidence provided to it by India, as “I am too preoccupied with the Israel-Hamas conflict”. He said he believed sincerely in the dictum that there was light at the end of the dark tunnel. As for India’s criticism of the Israeli operations and its demand that Tel Aviv exercise restraint, Ambassador Sofer said Israel’s first priority was to secure its citizens from mass bombardment. “We hear the Indian point of view, explained to them. We have tried everything before taking the ultimate measure. Hamas has broken the truce, says the Arab world,” he concluded. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Porsche Boosts Stake in VW to Over 50 Percent
06.01.2009 04:32
dw-world.de
German luxury carmaker Porsche has taken over Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen after purchasing more than 50 percent of its shares. With the move, it also attains indirect control over Sweden-based Scania.
Germany
Social Life
Temperature Of -8...-10, No Considerable Precipitations In Daytime In Kyiv On Wednesday
06.01.2009 04:20
ukranews.com
Ukrainian News learned this from the weather center.
Ukraine
Social Life
Economics & Finance
Canadian Group Bombardier Lands German Train Deal
06.01.2009 06:16
dw-world.de
The rail division of Canada's Bombardier group has signed a framework agreement to provide German rail Deutsche Bahn with passenger rail cars in a deal worth some 1.5 billion euros ($2 billion).
World
Economics & Finance
NYT Real Estate Classified's Redesign a Real Letdown
06.01.2009 06:15
brownstoner.com
Without any fanfare that we're aware of, the New York Times launched a new version of its real estate classifieds yesterday. The result? A mess, as we found yesterday afternoon as we tried to look for House of the Day candidates. Putting in a price range of $500,000 to $2 million yielded an error message; narrowing the list of available listings using the fields in the left-hand sidebar was a cumbersome, time-consuming and often error-prone process. As one reader pointed out to us via email, you can no longer select multiple property types at once; in addition, her saved searches and alerts were wiped out in the "upgrade." The list goes on. All we want from the site is to be able to select multiple property types and multiple neighborhoods within a certain price range and see the results. This is no longer possible. Why did they do this? Our best guess is that it has something to do with trying to broaden the geographic reach of the service, based upon the prominence given to the initial search box. Unfortunately, they may have jeopardized a much sought-after local monopoly in the process. Or, as the reader who wrote to us said, "I would imagine that others, like myself, will be very disappointed at their new real estate site and be less likely to use it in the future. [The new site] is not in the interest of regular readers and users of The Times real estate site and searches."
New York
Construction & Real Estate
Widening gap between rich and poor affects holiday travel, too
06.01.2009 06:14
hsyndicate.com
Holiday plans and travel trends are increasingly mirroring the social divisions between rich and poor. According to ITB Berlin – the travel industry’s leading trade show – the fallout from the global economic and financial crisis will tend to favour the growth of niche markets, in particular segments such as luxury travel, once again in 2009. At the same time, bargain hunting and last-minute travel will be dominant. “Whether we like it or not – the idea of saving money at all costs is back with us again“, said Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin.
Netherlands
Hotels, Restaurants & Cafes
Incidents
NHS patient error deaths 'rising'
06.01.2009 06:02
bbc.co.uk
More than 3,000 people have died as a result of patient safety incidents in just one year in England, figures show.
World
Incidents
Action in Center of Kyiv. PHOTO
12.09.2008 08:11
mignews.com.ua
Yesterday in the evening a skirmish happened in the center of Kyiv on Shevchenko boulevard, 58 opposite shoe shop.
Ukraine
Crime
Hurricane Gustav Category 5 Storm
30.08.2008 14:22
nationalterroralert.com
Hurricane Gustav is rapidly growing into a monster Category 5 storm. ‘FEMA’ Federal Emergency Management Agency chief David Paulison told reporters several times at a briefing Saturday that the storm was strengthening into a Category 5 hurricane. FEMA officials said Bill Read, the director of the National Hurricane Center, interrupted an afternoon teleconference involving the agency, Gulf [...]
World
Terrorism
Technologies
HTC not done with non-touchscreens yet, brings S743 to US market
06.01.2009 06:12
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS We'd never pegged the S740 as the kind of phone HTC would be looking to bring to the New World; it's an oddball by modern Windows Mobile standards, shucking the touchy, feely trend for a traditional numeric keypad that reminds us of a simpler, more innocent time. Miracles can and do happen from time to time, though -- and on that note we give you the S743, a dead ringer for the S740 that's had its Euro-friendly 3G gutted and replaced with HSDPA 850 / 1900 for North American use. It's got WinMo 6.1 Standard, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and faceted styling inspired by the Touch Diamond, but the S743's real claim to fame is its slide-out QWERTY keyboard for those moments when triple-tapping and predictive text just aren't going to cut it. Look for this sucker to invade US retailers some time this quarter.HTC not done with non-touchscreens yet, brings S743 to US market originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Logitech extends G product line with new keyboard, mouse, and headset
06.01.2009 04:18
krunker.com
Logitech extends their gamer oriented G-series product lineup with the introduction of three new products – the Logitech G19 keyboard for gaming, the Logitech G35 surround sound headset, and the Logitech G9x laser mouse. Here’s what you need to know about the three new products. Logitech G19 Keyboard for Gaming First Logitech keyboard to feature color [...]Technorati Tags: Logitech G19 keyboard for gaming, Logitech G35 surround sound headset, Logitech G9x laser mouse
World
Technologies
Best Buy offers used iPhones at lower price
06.01.2009 04:01
reuters.com
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Retailer Best Buy Co, seeking new ways to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers, said 38a3 on Tuesday it is selling refurbished versions of Apple Inc's iPhone 3G at its stores that are priced about $50 less than new iPhones.
World
Technologies
Science & Education
New York Times Series Examines Use Of Genetic Tests To Determine Whether Drugs Will Benefit Individuals
06.01.2009 06:06
medicalnewstoday.com
The New York Times in an installment of its "The Evidence Gap" series last week examined how "so much hope is riding on the promise of 'personalized medicine,' in which genetic screening and other tests give doctors more evidence for tailoring treatments to patients, potentially improving care and saving money.
World
Genetics
THRASS Synthetic Phonics Programme Set to Make Even Bigger Impact in 2009
06.01.2009 02:23
prweb.com
Although we're only a few days into the New Year, the highly successful THRASS synthetic phonics programme is already set to make an even bigger impact on the world of education in 2009, starting with the high-profile launch of the new groundbreaking THRASS Phoneme Machine software with Cued Speech option on 15 January. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1820014.htm
World
Universities
Tech thriller 'Daemon' rises from the underground
05.01.2009 22:27
usatoday.com
You may never have heard of Daemon author Leinad Zeraus, but get ready to hear a lot about Daemon author Daniel Suarez.
USA
Books & CD
Hard & Soft
DeviceVM and Lenovo Expand the Range of Quick Start Netbooks
06.01.2009 06:18
prweb.com
Splashtop instant-on platform featured in the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1828354.htm
World
Operating Systems
Arasan Chip Systems relocates corporate headquarters
06.01.2009 06:11
computerbusinessreview.com
Arasan Chip Systems, a provider of reusable intellectual property cores and associated design services to mobile and portable consumer markets, has relocated its corporate headquarters and expanded its development operation in order to support demand.
World
Hardware
Famous Awk One-Liners Explained, Part III
06.01.2009 06:10
linuxtoday.com
<b>Catonmat:</b> "This is the third and final part of a three-part article on the famous Awk one-liners. This part will explain Awk one-liners for selective printing and deletion of certain lines."
World
Open Source Software
Health & Beauty
New Study Shows Nicotine Replacement Therapy Appropriate For Gradual As Well As Abrupt Quitters
06.01.2009 06:10
medicalnewstoday.com
Nicotine gum has been in use for over 20 years to help smokers quit abruptly yet close to two-thirds of smokers report that they would prefer to quit gradually. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare have now found that smokers who are trying to quit gradually can also be helped by nicotine gum.
World
Smoking
New permits to pollute may help reduce CO2 emissions and tackle climate change
06.01.2009 04:31
b4uindia.com
Leading economists have found a new way to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and tackle climate change, in the form of permits to pollute. Under the proposals, companies would buy what are in effect permits to pollute, but the price of those permits would be controlled because the government would retain enough, at a fixed price, to stop the cost increasing above that level. According to the economists, it could appeal to supporters of a carbon tax and also to those who favour the alternative, so-called cap-and-trade. Until now, there have been two options for reducing emissions – carbon tax and cap-and-trade. A carbon tax is a tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels. The result is that the more CO2 a company emits, the greater the cost, with most or all of the money raised from the tax possibly redistributed to the public, because the aim is to discourage emissions rather than raise revenue. The problem with this approach is that it leaves uncertain the quantity of emissions reduction that will be achieved. In the second approach, cap-and-trade, the government would set a limit for the annual emissions, and companies would buy permits or allowances for set amounts. Again, the money raised would be redistributed. While that would directly tackle the amounts of gas produced, the downside is that there is no control on the price of the permits and hence the cost of emissions reductions, resulting in significant cost uncertainty. The neat solution proposed in one the research papers is a hybrid cap-and-trade, where allowances are issued and bought, but a ceiling price enforced by the Government holding back a proportion of them. They would have a predetermined set price that would ensure that the market price of those already issued would never rise about that price. “The government would hold allowances for the purpose of selling them at a predetermined price,” said Professor Robert N. Stavins, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. “As a result, they will keep the price of allowances in the market from ever going above that that level, thereby eliminating the upside cost uncertainty that has been of great concern to private industry,” he added. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
More Americans getting multiple chronic illnesses
06.01.2009 04:01
reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More Americans are burdened by chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, often having more than three at a time, and this has helped fuel a big rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses, a study released on Tuesday showed.
World
Health & Beauty
Culture & Arts
DETONATION Guitarist Issues 2008 Recap, 2009 Outlook
06.01.2009 06:13
bravewords.com
Netherlands-based death thrashers DETONATION have issued the following update from guitarist Mike Ferguson: "Never has there been a year that has changed my life or the...
World
Rock Music
First-time contribution and publication of a large set of full color Abraham Lincoln photographs
06.01.2009 04:33
prweb.com
In celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial (2009), a substantial collection of digital color photographs of President Abraham Lincoln are being made available to the public. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/AbrahamLincoln/photographs/prweb1824484.htm
World
Museums, Exhibitions & Galleries
EBU brought Georgia back to Eurovision
06.01.2009 04:17
esctoday.com
As revealed by esctoday.com back on December 19th, Georgia will participate at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. Last night, in the first public statement regarding the Caucasian state's u-turn on competing, the national broadcaster states that their heads were turned because the EBU did not give up on them. (http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12841)
Europe
Music Contests & Awards
Recreation & Entertainment
Gamblingplanet.org Analyzes iPoker's Split with NoIQ and Carlos Poker and Predicts Network and Member Players' Futures
06.01.2009 06:18
prweb.com
Online gaming authority, GamblingPlanet.org, assesses fallout in wake of iPoker's break with NoIQ and Carlos Poker. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/gamblingplanet/online_poker/prweb1825114.htm
World
Computer Games
Chris Brown and Rihanna were enjoying Christams together
06.01.2009 02:13
whyfame.com
Rihanna was spending these winter Holidays with so rumoured boyfriend Chris Brown nowhere else but with his family in Goochland , Virginia . It is her first time that she isn’t celebrating a warm Christmas in the tropical island Barbados.Even so, she tries not to stay too far apart from the one close to her heart so she brought some of her...[ More on WhyFame.com ]
World
Recreation & Entertainment
StarCraft 2 Screenshot Update: Fire and Rain
06.01.2009 00:20
shacknews.com
Blizzard quietly added a few new StarCraft II (PC) screenshots to its massive gallery, and in turn we have absorbed them into our own for your consumption. The shots show off the various environmental effects featured in the upcoming RTS sequel. Yes, it still looks great. No, we still don't have a release date.
World
Computer Games
Automotives
Euro-Spec Honda Insight Hybrid Images Leaked
06.01.2009 06:13
worldcarfans.com
Several images of the European spec Honda Insight have been leaked on the web ahead of the car's debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March.
World
Cars
Auto Top Shop Announces Telephone Assistance for Car Repairs
06.01.2009 04:33
prweb.com
Car owners are devastated and even consider buying new cars when their convertible tops are ripped and torn and most don't know that there are alternatives to garbage bags and duct tape. Convertible Top enthusiast, Shane Halpern, recommends considering a cheap self-replacement option as opposed to a body shop. His company, The Auto Top Shop is now offering free telephone assistance for the installation of their tops. (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/convertible/tops/prweb1826524.htm
World
Auto Services
Porsche Takes Over VW
06.01.2009 04:17
pistonheads.com
Sportscar maker buys over 50% of shares in Europe's largest car manufacturer
World
Automotives
Sports
Phillies' reliever Romero says he's 'not guilty' in doping case
06.01.2009 06:17
usatoday.com
Phillies relief pitcher J.C. Romero denies wrongdoing after reports surfaced that he faces a suspension for the first 50 games ...
USA
Baseball
Ferrari and Red Bull confirm debuts
06.01.2009 04:16
f1central.net
New cars emerge next week
World
Formula-1
Lions can talk to four assistants this week; Jim Harbaugh a candidate?
06.01.2009 00:31
freep.com
The Lions' search for a new coach continues, while quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler appears headed for Florida and former coach Rod Marinelli reportedly visits Seattle. Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan can be interviewed this week.
USA
Sports
Tourism
Today's debate: Should topless sunbathing be allowed on cruises?
06.01.2009 06:16
usatoday.com
The topic has come up this week in a thread started by Cruise Log reader will4128.
World
Cruises
6th Annual P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Races to Tempe
06.01.2009 06:12
prweb.com
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Fits Perfectly with Tempe Attractions and Entertainment (PRWeb Jan 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Tempe/RocknRollMarathon/prweb1776204.htm
USA
Tourism
Hotels link up to promote tourism
06.01.2009 00:08
bbc.co.uk
Four hotels which joined forces to attract tourists to north Wales are congratulated on the initiative.
World
Tourism
Blogs
FREE PRESS CARTOONIST MIKE THOMPSON: Auto sales slump
06.01.2009 00:32
freep.com
Move over GM, Ford and Chrysler, here comes Toyota.
USA
Blogs
Three Wise Men's Parade
05.01.2009 10:13
spainforvisitors.com
Most Spaniards continue to resist the invasion of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, preferring to have their Christmas gifts brought by the Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Their processions are held on the eve (January 5th) of Epiphany (January 6th) in towns and cities throughout the country (oddly, they are a rare opportunity for political rivals to cooperate - the Magi are generally "played" by local politicians, one from each of the leading parties). The parades are led by floats representing more earthly concerns like telephony operators or department stores, then come the Reyes Magos (complete with camels), flinging sweets to the crowds of small children which line the route. The gifts the Magi bring later that night will be opened the next day, the last (twelfth) day of Christmas, this being Father Christmas's only real strong point in Spain - the children have little time to enjoy their presents before school resumes the following day, so in many households these are divided into two lots, one brought by Santa Claus, the other by the Three Wise Men.
Spain
Recreation, Tourism
Authentic music of Ukraine. (8 CDs, box set). (199.94UAH, $49.49USD)
25.12.2008 16:15
umka.com.ua
You see in front of you an extraordinarily interesting premium release – it successfully combines: the intense and diversified contents, which can confidently compete with contents of other collections of this direction; simple but beautiful design of each disc; democratic price. Actually, it is not only pleasant to own such a collection – it is a pleasure to present it – and this also matters.
Ukraine
Music, MP3
Advertisements
Our love affair with the train
03.01.2009 14:04
bbc.co.uk
Commuting by train brings us together in a very down to earth way - something flying and all its associated queues and security cannot do, says Lisa Jardine.
World
Advertisements
The Come-Hither Lobby
03.01.2009 00:08
nytimes.com
In a difficult market, developers are turning to ambitious art and design plans to entice buyers and, hopefully, make a sale.
World
Real Estate
EUR 100K discount on luxury Costa flats
17.11.2008 04:14
propertyinspain.net
Spain's latest all-luxury resort has spacious key ready apartments discounted by EUR 100K as the developer makes a timely "Dash for Cash". PropertyInSpain.Net has the best choice and prices.
Spain
Real Estate
Weather Forecast
Sales fall at Next and Debenhams
06.01.2009 04:04
bbc.co.uk
Next and Debenhams see sales fall over the Christmas period, as a survey puts UK consumer confidence at a new low.
World
Weather Forecast
Time, nature threaten La. island and Native American tribe
05.01.2009 14:18
usatoday.com
Isle de Jean Charles is disappearing, mauled by rising sea-level, coastal erosion and an estimated 10,000 miles of canals dug ...
USA
Weather Forecast
AccuWeather.com 2008-2009 Winter Forecast
05.12.2008 08:14
accuweather.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ...
World
Weather Forecast
English