Career diplomat Robert Stephen Ford will be envoy to Damascus after US absence of six years
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Saddam Hussein is executed; Fire in Chicago kills 600 people; Vladimir Lenin proclaims the establishment of the Soviet Union; The United Auto Workers union stage their first “sit-down” strike; Musician Bo Diddley is born. (Dec. 30)
Continue reading …By E.J. Dionne, Jr. Was 2010 American liberalism’s Waterloo? If there is one thing the Obama White House most underestimates, it is the dispirited mood of its troops. Related Entries December 29, 2010 Gorbachev Takes Stock of New START December 28, 2010 ‘The Comeback Kid’ and the Kids Who Won’t
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AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner looks ahead to three key games in the NFL in Week 17. The improved Colts take on the Titans, the Bears play at Green Bay. St. Louis travels to Seattle. (Dec. 29)
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Article by WN.Com Correspondent Dallas Darling. “If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! The mind of the sage, being in repose, becomes the mirror of the universe, the speculum of all creation.” -Chuang Tzu A recent report issued by scientists detailing their fears over BP’s massive oil spill, including its contamination in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, brought to mind the story of Chuang Tzu and the Sacred Turtle. Chuang Tzu was fishing in the P’u when the prince sent two high officials to ask him to take charge of the administration of the Ch’u State. Chuang Tzu went on fishing, and without turning his head said, “I have heard that in…
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If you own a flat screen TV, a hybrid, a PC, or any number of cell phones, chances are you own a small but very sought after piece of China. The country accounts for 97% of the world’s rare earth production, and it recently announced plans to scale back exports by 10% in 2011. The move probably won’t have a big impact on the average consumer, but it’s certainly gained a lot of attention on the world market: the US threatened action in the World Trade Organization, stocks for rare earth mining companies spiked significantly, and Sony Corp. vowed to decrease its dependence on the minerals. It’s not like the rest of the world is lacking for rare earth resources — American’s are actually sitting on 13 million metric tons of the stuff, which companies in the US and Canada are making a made dash to mine. Trouble is, just getting the stuff out of the ground isn’t enough — China still has a monopoly on rare earth processing , and US companies are reluctant to spend the eight years and minimum $500 million necessary to construct a chemical separation plant. So what does all this mean for you? Well, not a whole lot, unless you happen to be China’s Minister of Commerce, in which case you should probably stop surfing the web and get back to work. China tightens hold on rare earth exports, markets soar originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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First there was the “Genius Bar,” and now—at least in The Onion’s satirical parallel universe—there’s the “Friend Bar,” a welcoming space in which users can converge and talk for hours about their Apple products without scornful repercussions. Related Entries December 29, 2010 Gorbachev Takes Stock of New START December 28, 2010 ‘The Comeback Kid’ and the Kids Who Won’t
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An American Airlines jet went past the end of a snowy runway while landing at Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Airport on Wednesday, but no one was injured and the plane was not damaged. (Dec. 29)
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All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now , but we’ll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype’s official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype’s Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won’t have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they’ll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you’ll be able to receive video from others if you’re using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G — and considering Skype’s existing PC footprint, we’d argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there’ll be “plenty more” announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn’t be surprised. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars
December 30, 2010 No Comment
Smartphone user? Regardless of platform you have no shortage of navigation options, and now Ford has added another way to get where you’re going — if you’re also an owner of a SYNC TDI -compatible car, anyway. Using the new SYNC Destinations app (available today for iOS and Android , with BlackBerry coming soon) you can more efficiently pre-plan your route. The app lets you pick a destination, view real-time traffic updates, even check out congestion predictions based on weather, time of day, and holidays. It’s a feature that would have been pretty handy last week when we were simultaneously dealing with a heck of a blizzard and a whole lot of people trying to flee their in-laws. The app will even suggest what time you should leave to avoid the most headaches, a potential boon for those desperately seeking any excuse to hit the road a little early. It is, however, just for planning, sending your route to the car and then disabling the phone’s display when you cross the magic 5mph threshold. It’s safer that way, after all. Full details are in the PR below and if you’re on the lucky two supported platforms with a suitably compatible car you can download today for free. Gallery: Ford SYNC Destinations Continue reading Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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