By Kim Sengupta 5:30 AM Tuesday Oct 19, 2010 Share Email Print The final and critical phase of the offensive to clear Kandahar, the spiritual home of the Taleban, began yesterday with hundreds of troops carrying out an air assault on the main insurgent base in the region. The attack on the “Horn of Panjwaii” by American, Afghan and Canadian troops – with British special forces – is part of a plan to drive militant fighters towards Nato and Afghan forces positioned to intercept them and towards a wide “tank trench” designed to force them away from the orchards and vineyards and on to the main roads. Retaking the Kandahar hinterland is a key part of the West’s exit strategy from the war….
Continue reading …
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation isn't backing down when it comes to bullying its way into protected-class status. The gay advocacy group has rejected actor Vince Vaughn’s defense of using the term “gay” to describe electric cars in his yet-to-be released movie, “The Dilemma.” According to the Hollywood Reporter , a post on the official GLAAD website rebutted, “Vince is right. Comedy does bring us together, unless one of us is the punchline. Then it pushes us apart.” Last week the Culture and Media Institute reported that Vaughn defended his character’s use of the term “gay” by saying, “Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together.” read more
Continue reading …
Okay, look, guys — we know putting a satellite into space is a pricey endeavor — just ask Sirius XM — but you literally just launched your first commercial device, the Genus , and we don’t think that “launch a device then immediately declare bankruptcy” is a particularly sound business model. They’re not there yet, but sure enough, the WSJ is claiming that newly-minted satphone operator TerreStar could be just days away from filing for Chapter 11 as it bears the brunt of around $1 billion in debt, possibly in the form of a well-structured and prearranged bankruptcy on the heels of discussions with the company’s creditors. Seeing how restructuring does seem like the most likely scenario here, we wouldn’t necessarily let this scare anyone off from buying a Genus — but at $799, we doubt many of you were planning on running out this week and picking it up anyway. Echoes of Iridium, anyone? TerreStar teetering on bankruptcy? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
French students were in the streets protesting Monday as unrest continued because of government plans to up the retirement age. A fuel shortage was biting on the roads and in the air because of strike by refinery workers. (Oct. 18)
Continue reading …
Photos: all Alex Davies except 2 by Jaguar and Lotus Green Cars in France The 2010 Paris Motor Show, known as the Mondial de l’automobile de Paris in French, just closed its doors after being open from October 2nd to 17th. From a green point of view, it was a mixed bag, like most events that have to do with cars. But there were a few interesting concept cars and unveilings that are worth taking a closer look at. Read on for more details and photos!… Read the full story on TreeHugger
Continue reading …Arianna Footing Bus Fare for 14,000 People – 250 Buses – to ‘Restore Sanity’ Rally
October 18, 2010 No Comment
Astroturfing when committed by conservatives — as contemptible as it gets, according to liberals. Astroturfing when committed by liberals — problem, what problem? In other words, do as we say, not as we do too. read more
Continue reading …
“Americans want and need a candidate who refuses to be swayed by information” Looks like it’s not enough to deny science anymore — this candidate for state senate is taking it a step further, and throwing any and all information out the window. How do you think Michael Sharp would approach feel about cli… Read the full story on TreeHugger
Continue reading …
Common turbine colors attract more insects… Photo: Mark Seymour / Creative Commons . Here’s a twist in the ongoing not-so-big problem with wind turbines killing birds and bigger problem with them killing bats : New research published in the
Continue reading …
The iPhone can do many things, but “hypnotize passers-by with a dazzling array of colors” is not typically listed among its strong suits. That’s where the iGlo LED Set comes into play, bundling a WiFi-enabled strip of 120 multi-color LEDs — measuring some five meters in length — with iPhone and iPad apps that can control them. $299 is a small price to pay for this kind of portable party-making power, considering you just spent that much on a bottle of Blue Label for Steve’s birthday party last week… and that didn’t turn you into the most popular guy in the room. Follow the break for a full demo. Continue reading iPhone-controllable LED strip lets you take the rave with you for $300 iPhone-controllable LED strip lets you take the rave with you for $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Rich Lowry has the numbers : According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 214,000 net new jobs were created in the United States from August 2009 to August 2010. Texas created 119,000 jobs during the same period. If every state in the country had performed as well, we’d have created about 1.5 million jobs nationally during the past year, and maybe “stimulus” wouldn’t be such a dirty word. What does Austin know that Washington doesn’t? At its simplest: Don’t overtax and -spend, keep regulations to a minimum, avoid letting unions and trial lawyers run riot, and display an enormous neon sign saying, “Open for Business.” Add in the voter registration numbers from Oklahoma and that part of the country is starting to look pretty good.
Continue reading …