Thursday, 1 March 2012
The Queen visits Fortnum & Mason
The Queen visits Fortnum & Mason: The Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall visit one of London's most luxurious department stores.
Google implements privacy policy despite EU warning - BBC News
Google implements privacy policy despite EU warning - BBC News:
 BBC News | Google implements privacy policy despite EU warning BBC News Internet company Google has gone ahead with its new privacy policy despite warnings from the EU that it might violate European law. The change means private data collected by one Google service can be shared with its other platforms including YouTube, ... Google privacy: Q&ATelegraph.co.uk Google imposes controversial privacy policyTG Daily Google's Privacy Policy Overhaul Under AttackCNBC.com WTSP 10 News -Inquirer -GigaOm all 1,263 news articles » |
White House, Republicans talk compromise - CNN
White House, Republicans talk compromise - CNN:
 The Associated Press | White House, Republicans talk compromise CNN By Tom Cohen and Deirdre Walsh, CNN Washington (CNN) -- Republican leaders and the White House sent signals Wednesday of possible detente on jobs and energy legislation, but they offered few specifics and congressional Democrats questioned whether any ... Boehner, McConnell "encouraged" by meeting with ObamaCBS News Over lunch, Obama, congressional leaders look for common groundLos Angeles Times Obama, Congress leaders seek cooperation on jobsThe Associated Press Chicago Tribune all 471 news articles » |
The Monkees - Davy Jones - New York Daily News
The Monkees - Davy Jones - New York Daily News:
 New York Daily News | The Monkees - Davy Jones New York Daily News Shock waves rolled through the classic-hits radio world Wednesday as news spread that Monkees lead singer Davy Jones had died. Jones, who parlayed a pre-fab pop music gig into a lifelong career, died Wednesday in Stuart, Fla., of a heart attack. Davy Jones, heartthrob former lead singer of The Monkees, dies in Fla. of a ...Washington Post Davy Jones Appreciation: 'Monkees' Star Wore the Mantle of Teen Idol EffortlesslyReuters Davy Jones of The Monkees dead at 66CBS News Los Angeles Times -Chicago Sun-Times all 2,071 news articles » |
Pupil's death 'devastates' school
Pupil's death 'devastates' school: A head teacher has said she is "utterly and completely devastated" by the death of a teenager at a school in Dorset.
US court dismisses Sri Lanka case
US court dismisses Sri Lanka case: A US court dismisses a lawsuit against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa over killings allegedly committed by the army during the civil war.
Afghan gunmen kill 2 US troops - CBS News
Afghan gunmen kill 2 US troops - CBS News:
 BBC News | Afghan gunmen kill 2 US troops CBS News An Afghan soldier stands guard at the scene of a suicide attack at the gate of an airport in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP) (CBS/AP) KABUL, Afghanistan - Two US troops were shot dead in southern ... Two more Americans killed by Afghan gunman, officials sayLos Angeles Times Recommended: Two American troops shot dead by Afghansmsnbc.com 2 NATO troops killed by Afghan soldier, civilianFox News Reuters -Washington Post all 1,030 news articles » |
Britain closes Syrian embassy as army's assault on Bab Amr continues - Washington Post
Britain closes Syrian embassy as army's assault on Bab Amr continues - Washington Post:
 New Yorker | Britain closes Syrian embassy as army's assault on Bab Amr continues Washington Post BEIRUT —Britain closed its embassy in Damascus on Thursday, and the UN Human Rights Council voted to condemn President Bashar al-Assad's brutal crackdown on opposition groups, even as Assad's army appeared to be continuing a major assault on the ... UN Body Condemns Syria as Forces Tighten Grip in Rebel CityNew York Times Fresh diplomatic efforts target SyriaCNN Britain closes its embassy in SyriaUSA TODAY CBS News all 1,769 news articles » |
Twitter Digest: 2012-02-28
Twitter Digest: 2012-02-28:
- Oh sweet fuck. I feel like I'm trapped at the kids' table from hell. ->
- I'm in. RT @Liftopia: Announcing National Play Hooky & Ski Week! Who's In? #playhookygoski http://t.co/UzkvSuBl ->
- FT: John Paulson set record in 2011 for largest loss in hedge fund history: $9.6b. That's more than LTCM. http://t.co/4yJEfW7W ->
- FT: Ray Dalio passes George Soros as world's most successful hedge fund by posting $13.8b gain last year. http://t.co/4yJEfW7W ->
- A billion is the new million again. Every time I think I hear someone say they run a $X million fund it's actually a $X billion fund. ->
- Ridley Scott creates TED talk from year 2023 – http://t.co/5dXJD0uB ->
Book of Germs: The Quest for a Field Guide to Microbes
Book of Germs: The Quest for a Field Guide to Microbes: 
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Every nature lover knows field guides, those handy compendia of the natural world. There are thousands of titles for birds alone, but microbes have been largely overlooked, even though their total biomass is equivalent to all the plants and animals on Earth. And the field guides that do exist are far from comprehensive.
"As a little kid, I carried around my binoculars and wanted to check off everything on my list," said Eisen, whose youthful hobby would lead to professional research on hummingbirds and butterflies, which was followed by his current focus on bacteria. "That’s how I was inspired to do a microbial field guide."
Eisen, whose laboratory is located in the University of California, Davis, Genome Center, proposed building a field guide for microbes at the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual conference in Vancouver. He wants it to be a collaboration between experts and citizen scientists, like other field guides are.
The guide wouldn't just be a static book. Eisen, a field guide junky, has dozens of those, but he's also enthralled by iBird, an iPhone app replete with pictures and songs and spotting tips. "I dream of having the equivalent for microbes," he said during his talk.
Wired asked Eisen about his proposal.
Wired: What information would you include?
Jonathan Eisen: Just like bird field guides have raptors, sparrows and crows, this would have the major lineages and taxonomic subgroups, all the way down to species.
The second part would be ranges: the distribution patterns of microbes across the planet. Then there would be some text or visual description of niches where you’d find the organism.
Then it would have some description of the organism's biology. That would typically include appearance and behavior, but microbes don’t have a lot of things we would call behaviors -- so instead you’d have biochemistry and physiology. Does it make hydrogen? Does it convert carbon into sugar? You can imagine descriptions of their biology: Some might be predators. Some might be herbivores. Some might be everything in between.
A really important thing for field guides, in particular for the actual field, is the means to identify. For microbes that’s probably going to involve genetic signatures. It would also be really cool to have a checklist, which is a really popular part of other field guides. When you see something, you check it off your list and then you move on. It gives encouragement to go out and find things.
Images: 1) French postcard (c. 1900) depicting how scientists would look at microbes in the year 2000. Wikimedia Commons. 2) Jonathan Eisen displays his iBird field guide on his iPhone. (Jonathan Eisen)
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
US: North Korea agrees to suspend nuclear activities - USA TODAY
US: North Korea agrees to suspend nuclear activities - USA TODAY:
 USA TODAY | US: North Korea agrees to suspend nuclear activities USA TODAY WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States said Wednesday North Korea has agreed to suspend nuclear activities and accept a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests, in a breakthrough in negotiations with the secretive communist nation. North Korea Agrees to Curb Nuclear Work, US SaysNew York Times US: North Korea suspends nuclear activitiesFox News US says N.Korea agrees to nuclear moratoriumReuters all 327 news articles » |
Official: Man seized in Cairo apparently not al-Qaeda leader - USA TODAY
Official: Man seized in Cairo apparently not al-Qaeda leader - USA TODAY:
 USA TODAY | Official: Man seized in Cairo apparently not al-Qaeda leader USA TODAY WASHINGTON (AP) – The US does not believe that a man arrested in Cairo is a long-sought senior al-Qaeda military leader, US officials said Wednesday. FBI via AP Saif al-Adel, also known as Muhamad Ibrahim Makkawi, is wanted by the FBI in connection ... Egypt detains Islamist, confusion over al Qaeda linkReuters Suspected key al-Qaida figure detained in Cairo, NBC News reportsmsnbc.com Report: Egypt arrests al Qaeda leaderCNN The Associated Press -ABC News all 620 news articles » |
4 killed as tornadoes rake Midwest states - msnbc.com
4 killed as tornadoes rake Midwest states - msnbc.com:
 USA TODAY | 4 killed as tornadoes rake Midwest states msnbc.com First in breaking news and analysis: Msnbc.com reporters and NBC correspondents bring you compelling stories from across the nation. By NBC News, msnbc.com staff and news services BRANSON, Mo. -- At least four people were killed overnight as a line of ... Powerful storm sweeps Midwest leaving at least 4 dead, dozens hurt; Mo ...Washington Post 4 dead, dozens hurt after possible tornadoes rip through MidwestFox News all 674 news articles » |
Coast Guard copter crash: 1 dead, 3 missing - CBS News
Coast Guard copter crash: 1 dead, 3 missing - CBS News:
 ABC News | Coast Guard copter crash: 1 dead, 3 missing CBS News An MH-65 Dolphin US Coast Guard helicopter is seen during a training exercise in a Sept. 2011 file photo. (AP) MOBILE, Ala. - One crewmember died and rescuers were searching Wednesday for three others missing after a Coast Guard helicopter crashed in ... Ala. Coast Guard chopper crash: 1 dead, 3 missingThe Associated Press One dead, 3 missing in Coast Guard helicopter crashReuters 3 missing, 1 dead in US Coast Guard helicopter crashCNN Washington Post all 812 news articles » |
iPad 3: 10 Hot Features Apple Needs to Include - eWeek
iPad 3: 10 Hot Features Apple Needs to Include - eWeek:
 USA TODAY | iPad 3: 10 Hot Features Apple Needs to Include eWeek NEWS ANALYSIS: Apple's iPad 3 is right around the corner, and when the device launches, there are several features that users want to see. Apple will be holding a special even March 7 at which the company is expected to finally unveil the iPad 3. Will Apple Unveil a New Apple TV Alongside the iPad 3?PC Magazine iPad 3 is almost official: Apple invites media to March 7 eventTechSpot New, faster Apple iPad expected next weekReuters Boston Herald -Wall Street Journal all 1,388 news articles » |
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