Category: News

Perhaps JooJoo will be one of those things—you know, like David Hasslehoff or cheese fondue. Big in Europe. Maybe they’ll even sell more than 64? Available to France, Germany and the UK now, for €359.00/£319. [JooJoo via Blogeee] More »

by Grist

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More lessons from Wales for moving beyond coal

Chicago considers getting serious about coal pollution

Obama’s mountaintop-removal crackdown could mean more than offshore drilling

Article Tags: Lawrence Solomon

Seeing countries around the world back away from their climate change commitments, and seeing his own electoral support crumble, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced today that Australia will be shelving its cap and trade program for at least three years, until after the next election. “That will provide the Australian government at the time with a better position to assess the level of global action on climate change,” he told the Australian press.

In recent weeks, Rudd has been embarrassed by decisions by the US and Japanese governments to put climate change on the back burner and alarmed by the growing opposition at home to climate change legislation. His once popular plans to cut back emissions by 5% by 2020, which were scheduled to begin next year, have been twice rejected by Australia’s Senate faced certain defeat in a third vote that was expected in several weeks.

Once the darling of the environmental movement, Rudd is now widely seen as ineffectual. A poll commissioned by the Climate Institute and the Conservation Foundation found that just 36% of voters saw Rudd as the best person to handle climate issues, and that 40% found no difference between his Labour government and opposition conservatives. Other polling shows the opposition gaining in the public opinion polls, as an increasingly skeptical public turns against the climate change orthodoxy.

Source: network.nationalpost.com

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FloTHERM Customers – Come and find out everything that’s new in Version 9!

I once wrote about this for AskTheAdmin, and thought that perhaps I should write a little something about it here too. Mainly because I recently did this at work when I setup a new osTicket system running on Ubuntu 10.04 server.

You see, when you have to do work on Linux servers all day, after a while the geekiness of the terminal can get to you, so you have to do something to liven things up a bit. What do I do? I add a little ASCII art to my MOTD. For those that don’t speak geek, MOTD stands for “Message of The Day” and it is the first thing you see when you log into a Linux/Unix server. Admins can put important messages like maintenance windows, downtime, etc. I like to put silly pictures.

Here is an example of my work:

Nice right? You can get plenty of ASCII images just by doing a quick Google search. I got the one above from Ascii-Art.de. To add the art to your server all you have to do is edit the /etc/motd.tail file with your favorite text editor.

>sudo nano /etc/motd.tail

Just copy and paste your art in and save it. On your next reboot your ASCII awesomeness will be there to greet you when you login!

What do you like to do to make your Linux systems unique? Let us know in the comments!

Dando continuidade à política comercial de expansão no mercado brasileiro, a Peugeot apresenta a sua picape HOGGAR, o primeiro utilitário compacto da Marca desenvolvido no Brasil. A denominação HOGGAR (nome de uma cadeia de montanhas no deserto do Saara, na África) foi herdada de um concept car da Marca e evoca um universo que alia força, resistência e ação.

O projeto da picape compacta, que completa a gama de produtos da família 207, formada pelas silhuetas Hatchback, SW, SW Escapade e o sedã Passion, demonstra claramente a importância do Brasil como mercado estratégico para o crescimento global de suas vendas, ao lado, principalmente, de Rússia e China, pilares do plano de internacionalização da Marca. Com a ampliação da gama de produtos no país, a Peugeot pretende conquistar, em ano pleno, 10% de participação em um segmento que apresenta crescimento consistente no mercado brasileiro.

Fonte: Peugeot

Leave it to Courtney Love to open up her cracked-out flytrap about having an affair with a married man — a married man who just happens to be Gwen Stefani’s husband.

Spilling the beans on the no-holds-barred Howard Stern Show on Monday, the Hole rocker said she had a “vision of marrying Gavin Rossdale” during her eight-month relationship with the former Bush frontman in the mid-nineties.

“Everyone gave me so much shit because Gavin sounded a lot like Kurt [Cobain],” Court blabbed. “But man, he was such an Adonis in his day! He got good in bed … something happened. Maybe Gwen taught him, for all I know.”

Stern pushed her on her slip-up, “You were [having sex with] him while he was with Gwen Stefani?”

“Yes,” Courtney replied as a matter of fact. “She does know.”

“You mean he was having sex with you while he was with her?”

“Everyone … yeah … and a few other people,” Courtney replied. “We didn’t have a lot of pressure on each other, but we did like each other quite a bit.”

Gavin and Gwen are the parents of two young sons, Kingston and Zuma.

Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by electric motors.

China’s SAIC badged as Roewe has unveiled a budget-friendly electric vehicle the E1 at the Beijing Auto Show. Weighing 1040kg, the vehicle is powered by lithium-iron phosphate batteries that give it a range of about 84 miles. These batteries will be able to charge to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes.

(more…)

This has come rather unexpectedly, and very early in the morning/late at night. Microsoft and HTC’s relationship goes back years, but just what this new patent agreement for Android phones refers to, no-one knows. Exchange? Full Office support? UPDATED More »

The Telstra HTC HD2 has recieved a ROM update from HTC. The ROM version is 1.72.841.0.

As usual, no change log is available.

Get the ROM from HTC here.

This post was submitted by alamfour.

Eco Factor: Electric assist bicycle by M55.

Hungarian company M55 has unveiled the M55 EVO-001 electric bike that is being claimed to be the “Ferrari of electric bikes.” The bike has been developed after three years of research and after developing five prototypes. Scheduled to be launched sometime in May this year, the bike consists of a one-piece molded aluminum frame, integrated battery pack and a centrally mounted motor which has been placed to better the bike’s stability.

(more…)

Shakira will meet with the mayor of Phoenix later this week to help campaign against a new Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigration, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The Colombian-born Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will speak with Mayor Phil Gordon, a strong critic of the new law, and other city officials on Thursday afternoon. Shakira, best known for her hit single “Hips Don’t Lie,” is also expected to meet with families who could be affected by the Arizona law.

The newly enacted immigration statute has come under fire from Hispanic groups, organized labor and civil liberties activists who charge the measure is unconstitutional and will lead to ethnic profiling.

In February, the United Nations presented Shakira with a medal of honor for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of impoverished children across the globe.

Eco Factor: Concept shower heats water using piezoelectricity.

Apart from wasting hundreds of liters of water, a shower consumes a lot of energy to heat water as well. A team of cross continental designers from Mexico, Finland and Germany are now trying to save energy and water by using a set of piezoelectric devices to provide all the energy required for a hot steamy shower.

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This might possibly be the most dangerous thing you’ll see a human being do that doesn’t involve any explosive devices.

Just wow.

(Hat tip: Deadspin)

Chrysler, an industry leader in U.S. fleet sales, has announced that it will be implementing changes to its fleet sales mix in an effort to increase resale values. Chrysler plans to dramatically lower the proportion of its sales specifically being made to rental fleets – aiming to drop the number by more than half.

According to a report by Automotive News, Chrysler has big changes planned in regards to its long-time reliance upon low-margin fleet sales, particularly to rental car companies.

Chrysler’s top dealer executive, Peter Grady, delivered a speech during the 2010 NAFA Fleet Management Association expo earlier today. Grady acknowledged the automaker’s heavy reliance on fleet sales, but said the automaker is taking action and laying out a plan that aims to drastically cut back on fleet and rental car fleet sales.

“Our growth will come from large commercial and government markets,” said Grady.

Grady was referring to Chrysler’s need to retain a crucial and strong fleet sales element, but to shy away from the low-margin sales to rental car companies. As Automotive News explained, not all fleet sales are created equal – government and business fleet sales typically offer higher profit margins than the sales to rental car agencies.

Chrysler currently relies heavily on fleet sales, with 58 percent of its total February sales being sold to various fleet customers, according to documents obtained by Automotive News. Previously, Chrysler officials said that their optimal mix would include only 25 percent fleet sales.

Grady also mentioned during his speech that the first quarter was particularly heavy with fleet sales industry-wide, as many agencies replacing aging models with high mileage. Grady believes that the mix of fleet sales will begin to normalize and taper off for the rest of 2010 with about 2.1 of the estimated 11 million total vehicle sales in the U.S. being fleet-based.

Chrysler does plan, however, to use the late 2010 introduction of the new 2011 Dodge Charger to drive fleet sales with law enforcement departments nationwide.

References
1. ‘Chrysler exec: We’ll cap rental…’ view

   

Source: Leftlane

Verizon and Vodafone may’ve already announced exclusive deals for Kin 1 and Kin 2, but a ROM hacker by the name of Conflipper has found provisioning files which detail support for just about every carrier going. More »

As part of the Open Innovation Contest, “App My Ride,” Volkswagen is asking designers, programmers, developers and interested users to participate in a contest to design applications for the Infotainment systems of the future.

VW is the first carmaker to embrace the concept of open innovation to further develop its products. In this contest, users get the chance to jointly develop new Infotainment applications with VW. Special prizes will go to the winner who will be selected by a jury of experts. Prof. Dr Jürgen Leohold, Head of the Volkswagen Group Research, said that the company aims to attract the international developer community “to take part in designing a future system.” It can be recalled that these apps, also known as application programs for certain devices which are offered online, have contributed to the smartphone boom. Companies such as Apple and Google aim to continue to support this source of innovation.

Source: Car news, Car reviews, Spy shots

Development of Quantum Computing Technology – The U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) together with the National Security Agency (NSA) solicits proposals for basic and applied research to advance quantum computing technology. Research areas of particular interest include: (1) Robust solid-state qubits and related technologies – Qubits are the foundation of both memory and processing in quantum information systems. In this area of interest, we seek proposals that address the development of single-and few-qubit solid-state devices; (2) Short-to-medium-range quantum information transfer in solid-state systems – This area of interest seeks innovative approaches to transfer quantum information in solid-state systems, including on-chip transfer, off-chip transfer, or both. Selected proposals will greatly advance the current state-of-the-art in relevant performance metrics for a specific solid-state qubit implementation; and (3) Ideas, methods, and procedures for the verification/validation of quantum computing components – A challenge for quantum information processing systems, especially as they increase in size, is the efficient and accurate verification/validation of their performance for the task at hand. In this third area of interest innovative proposals are sought to address the verification/validation of quantum information processor components..  White papers are strongly encouraged but are not required.  Award Ceiling: $3M; Award Floor: $200K.  Eligibility: All.  White Paper Due Date: May 24, 2010. Proposals Due Date: July 12, 2010.

Posted Date: April 27, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W911NF-10-R-0007

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Instrumentation Program for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) – The program aims to enhance science, mathematics, and/or engineering education programs and/or research capabilities through the acquisition of equipment and/or instrumentation that will augment existing facilities, enhance curricula, or develop new laboratories, programs and capabilities in these areas. This includes basic equipment for laboratory and classroom use as well as sophisticated instruments and computers (including software) for advanced studies and research important to the DoD.  Total Funding: $4.8M; Award Ceiling: $400K.  Eligibility: This competition is open only to institutions identified under 10 U.S.C. 2362 (e)(2) on the U.S. Department of Education Postsecondary list for Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.  Proposal Due Date: June 15, 2010.

Posted Date: April 24, 2010

Broad Agency Announcement Number: W911NF-10-R-0005

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Computational Toxicology: Biologically-Based Multi-Scale Modeling – The EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications for research in developing quantitative, dose-response models to elucidate the associations between environmental agents and toxicity pathways across multiple scales of biological organization. Additionally, this solicitation calls for research into ways in which the data underlying these models can be managed and shared for easier access, interpretation and use by the broader community of researchers and risk assessors. There are two distinct Research Areas covered by this solicitation: (1) Model Development and Model Evaluation; and (2) Data Management.  Applications must propose research in one of these research areas to be eligible for funding. These two areas of research shall be conducted concurrently in the following way: the research team funded under the second research area shall collaborate with the research teams funded under the first research area to ensure that the latter conform their modeling data to a shared ontology.  Total Funding: $3M.  Eligibility: Public and Private Nonprofit Institutions/Organizations (including institutions of higher education and hospitals). Closing Date: July 15, 2010.

Posted Date: April 15, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2010-STAR-C4; EPA-G2010-STAR-C3; EPA-G2010-STAR-C2; EPA-G2010-STAR-C1

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DoD SBIR Program 2010.2 – Small high-technology firms are encouraged to submit proposals to DoD for R&D projects with both military and commercial applications in response to SBIR solicitation 2010.2, which will be publicly released on the DoD SBIR Web Site (http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir) on Apr 21, 2010.  Six DoD components will participate in the 2010.2 solicitation – Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Microelectronics Agency (DMEA), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The solicitation lists all the R&D topics under which DoD is seeking proposals, and also contains detailed information on the parameters of the SBIR program and how to submit a proposal. Small firms apply first for a six-month phase I award of $70,000 to $150,000 (unless otherwise specified in the component instructions) to test the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a particular concept. If phase I proves successful, the firm may be invited to apply for a two-year phase II award of $500,000 to $1,000,000 to further develop the concept.  Eligibility: For Profit Businesses with 500 or fewer employees.  Opening Date: May 19, 2010.  Closing Date: June 23, 2010.

Posted Date: April 15, 2010

Solicitation Number: DoDSBIR2010-2

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DoD Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Therapeutic Idea Award – The Therapeutic Idea Award is designed to promote new ideas that are still in the early stages of development with the potential to yield highly impactful data and new avenues of investigation for novel therapeutics for ALS treatment. This mechanism supports conceptually innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancement in ALS therapeutics. Research projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale.  Innovation and Impact are the most important aspects of the Therapeutic Idea Award.  Research deemed innovative may introduce a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, introduce novel concepts or agents, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities that may lead to potential therapeutics for ALS.  Impact describes research that has high potential to significantly impact development of therapeutics for ALS.  Total Funding: $1.92M.  Eligibility: Independent investigators at all academic levels.  Pre-Application Due Date: May 14, 2010.  Full Application Due Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-ALSRP-TIA

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DoD Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Therapeutic Development Award – The Therapeutic Development Award supports the preclinical assessment of therapeutics for ALS. The proposed studies are expected to be empirical in nature and product-driven, but may have a hypothesis-driven approach, provided the focus is on therapeutics. It is anticipated that the agents and/or data generated from these awards will lead to the advancement of therapeutics for ALS. The Therapeutic Development Award mechanism is designed to support preclinical testing and development of therapeutics for ALS. Proposals must include preliminary data relevant to the phase(s) of the preclinical development process covered by the proposed research. The proposal should include a clear statistical plan of analysis, if appropriate. Applicants must clearly and explicitly articulate what impact the project may have on therapeutic development for ALS.  Total Funding: $4.8M.  Eligibility: Independent investigators at all academic levels.  Pre-Application Due Date: May 14, 2010.  Full Application Due Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-ALSRP-TDA

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DoD Gulf War Illness Consortium Development Award – This effort will be executed through two separate award mechanisms, the Consortium Development Award in FY10 and the Consortium Award in FY11. Proposals for the Consortium Development Award are being requested in this program announcement. The Consortium Development Award is an infrastructure development mechanism that provides support to create a Coordinating Center and establish the necessary collaborations at potential Research Sites for the development of a multi-institutional GWI research effort. Participants in this consortium should be scientists and/or clinicians who have made significant contributions to the field of Gulf War Illness research or who have specific expertise related to the multiple symptoms associated with GWI progression. Infrastructure development includes (but is not limited to) establishing appropriate collaborations, outlining an administrative management plan, developing research management and communication plans, and devising an intellectual property plan.  Total Funding: $640K.  Eligibility: Independent investigators at all academic levels.  Closing Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-GWIRP-CONDEV

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DoD Gulf War Illness Clinical Trial Award – The FY10 GWIRP is offering two award mechanisms to evaluate potential interventions for Gulf War Illness: the Clinical Trial Award (CTA) and the Innovative Treatment Evaluation Award  (ITEA).  The Clinical Trial Award described in this FOA is intended to support larger, more definitive (Phase II-III) clinical trials where preliminary and preclinical evidence indicates the potential for substantial benefit for veterans with GWI.  The CTA supports rapid execution of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the health and lives of veterans with GWI.  The GWIRP seeks proposals that will contribute to identification of effective interventions for GWI. This will include larger, more definitive clinical trials where preliminary and preclinical evidence indicates the potential for substantial benefit for veterans with GWI. Health outcomes of interest include effects of interventions on: 1) Global health measures; 2) Symptoms complexes; 3) Measurable clinical outcomes, biomarkers; 4) GWI subgroups characterized by symptom or other clinical characteristics.  Total Funding: $2.4M.  Eligibility: Independent investigators at all academic levels.  Closing Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-GWIRP-CTA

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DoD Gulf War Illness Investigator-Initiated Research Award – The IIRA supports research focusing on the complex of symptoms known as Gulf War Illness, improving its definition and diagnosis, characterizing disease symptoms, and better understanding its pathobiology. It is intended to encourage basic or clinical developmental research aimed at identification of objective measures to distinguish ill from healthy veterans (e.g., biomarkers) or elucidate potential treatment targets for GWI. Studies that characterize chronic effects of neurotoxic exposures encountered during the Gulf War (and at comparable dosage) are also acceptable.  Particular areas of interest include research on objective indicators of biological processes, or abnormalities in GWI associated with: 1) Central nervous system structure and function; 2) Central neuroinflammatory processes; 3) Neuroendocrine measures; 4) Autonomic nervous system function; 5) Immune parameters; 6) Indicators of chronic infection; 7) Gastrointestinal complaints/symptoms; 8 ) Genetic, genomic, proteomic, or metabolic characteristics.  The IIRA is designed to promote new ideas in Gulf War Illness research.  Total Funding: $2.88M.  Eligibility: Investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent).  Pre-Application Due Date: May 14, 2010.  Full Application Due Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-GWIRP-IIRA

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DoD Gulf War Illness Innovative Treatment Evaluation Award – The GWIRP Innovative Treatment Evaluation Award (ITEA) mechanism supports the initial evaluation of a treatment or intervention in smaller, early phase or pilot clinical trials (Phase II or I/II), and does not require preliminary data. The GWIRP is also offering a Clinical Trial Award (CTA), which supports proposals evaluating treatments of interventions in larger, more definitive clinical trials (Phase II or III), where preliminary and preclinical evidence indicates the potential for substantial benefit for veterans with GWI.  The intent of the ITEA is to provide support for the systematic evaluation of innovative treatment interventions not previously studied in ill Gulf War veterans, with the aim of improving their health and functional status. The results of preliminary studies funded by this award will support future development of larger efficacy studies of the proposed interventions.  Important aspects of the Innovative Treatment Evaluation Award are: 1) Innovation; 2) Preliminary Data; 3) Study Endpoints; 4) GWI Case Definition; 5) GWI Patient Access; 6) IND Applications; 7) Initiation of Trial.  Total Funding: $1.44M.  Eligibility: Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent).  Pre-Application Due Date: May 14, 2010.  Application Due Date: August 4, 2010.

Posted Date: April 14, 2010

Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-10-GWIRP-ITEA

A few years back, publisher Random House lost a series of legal battles against an ebook publisher, over the question of whether or not Random House’s basic contracts covered ebooks as well. The courts ruled that they did not. While Random House’s more recent contracts do explicitly add in ebooks, it was still surprising to find the company trying to fight this battle again, with regards to the heirs of author William Styron’s works. Random House was telling authors, including Styron’s heirs, that they could not publish ebooks with other publishers.

However, knowing full well that Random House had lost that claim in the past, it looks like Styron’s heirs stood up for themselves, and Random House has backed down, allowing them to publish some of his works as ebooks with another publisher. Random House is insisting that this is “an exception,” and that it does not apply to other authors. Of course, that’s unlikely to be true for authors who signed agreements with Random House prior to it including specific language to deal with ebooks — meaning that many may now look to publish electronic versions elsewhere.

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So much for beefing up security…..

You can stampede his stage and shower him with kisses, but trample his Mama and J. Biebs goes a bit bonkers.

Pop idol Justin Bieber is pleading with his international legion of young fans to conduct themselves with some decorum after his hat was stolen (Five bucks says it reemerges on eBay next week….) and his mother knocked over by a crowd of about 500 screaming teen girls waiting to greet him as he arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand.

“Finally got to New Zealand last night,” Bieber fumed in a Tweet to his 2 million-plus followers on Twitter. “The airport was crazy. Not happy that someone stole my hat and knocked down my mama. Come on people… I want to be able to sign and take pics and meet my fans but if you are all pushing security won’t let me.”

He added, “Let’s keep it safe and have fun.”

New Zealand officials braced for Bieber Fever by providing the 16-year-old with a massive security detail as he arrived at the airport. However, their efforts were no match for the young crooner’s devoted loyalists.

Justin’s in the nation to perform a free concert at the Strathallan School in Papakura on Wednesday — but the gig could suffer a similar fate to his recently-canned Aussie engagement. The hysteria comes after Australian police cancelled a live performance by the 16-year-old Canadian heartthrob on Monday when a crowd of about 5,000 teenage girls became out of control, injuring eight.

The frenzy surrounding Bieber, who is travelling to promote his album My World 2.0, has sparked comparisons to the reaction of young fans when The Beatles arrived Stateside in the 1960s.

Luckily Biebs’ mom, Pattie Mallette, wasn’t seriously injured in the fall. She responded to concern after her tumble in a Tweet of her own: “Thanks for all your support!! I’m ok thank you!!!”