Montana Teacher Given Only 30 Day Sentence For Raping 14 YO Student

Prosecutors, along many citizens of Montana, are outraged at a judged recent decision to give a 47 year old teacher only 30 days of jail time for raping his 14 year old student. Rambold was accused and found guilty of repeatedly raping one of his 14 year old students. Before the case went to trial, the girl killed herself out of shame for what had been done to her. The judge who presided over the case may have been way too lenient according to allegations coming from the prosecution. The prosecutors have taken their case to the Supreme Court to see if they can get the 30 day sentence overruled and get what they feel is a more appropriate sentence levied. Though his 30 days have already passed behind bars, Stacey Dean Rambold may not yet be a free man.

Cherice Morales was only a 14 year old school girl when these actions took place. Her teacher, Stacey Dean Rambold, was a 47 year old who should have known better than to become involved with such a young girl. He took advantage of her on many occasions despite her lack of cooperation. Shortly after the case was announced, Morales took her own life and her testimony could not be used against Rambold towards his conviction. Even without Morales’ testimony the jury still found Rambold guilty of the charges, but what the judge decided to do with the ruling is what set some of the public and the prosecution ablaze.

The judge has made a statement before handing down the sentence that the 14 year old girl was just as responsible for what took place as her 47 year old teacher who should have known better. He went on to make statements about how she may have only been 14 years old, but she acted much older than her chronological age. These types of statements are being criticized now for not only being unprofessional, but for also being too lenient and heartless.

In Montana, this type of conviction should have carried a minimum of 2 years of prison, and prosecution was hoping for 20 years. Given the outcome of this situation, the prosecution was thinking that the child’s suicide would have helped make the sentence even more strict, but it appears that her absence lead the judge to rule on a much lighter sentence.

If the Supreme Court determines that the judge’s sentence was too lenient, then the case would be assigned a new sentence. This is the outcome that many of the outraged citizens of Montana want to happen.

This is the status update from the Montana Department of Corrections

Montana Teacher Given Only 30 Day Sentence For Raping 14 YO Student.

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Geek Wars! The Encryption Arms Race Goes Viral In The Battle Of Techies Vs. NSA

• Too much of a good thing, like security services, can bog down your system

• Google, Yahoo, and Facebook boost encryption and online security

• Encryption services seeing spike in usage

Techies vs. NSA, Encryption Arms Race
Image by Tony Werman

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) â€" Encrypted email, secure instant messaging and other privacy services are booming in the wake of the National Security Agency’s recently revealed surveillance programs. But the flood of new computer security services is of variable quality, and much of it, experts say, can bog down computers and isn’t likely to keep out spies.

In the end, the new geek wars â€"between tech industry programmers on the one side and government spooks, fraudsters and hacktivists on the otherâ€" may leave people’s PCs and businesses’ computer systems encrypted to the teeth but no better protected from hordes of savvy code crackers.

“Every time a situation like this erupts you’re going to have a frenzy of snake oil sellers who are going to throw their products into the street,” says Carson Sweet, CEO of San Francisco-based data storage security firm CloudPassage. “It’s quite a quandary for the consumer.”

Encryption isn’t meant to keep hackers out, but when it’s designed and implemented correctly, it alters the way messages look. Intruders who don’t have a decryption key see only gobbledygook.

A series of disclosures from former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden this year has exposed sweeping U.S. government surveillance programs. The revelations are sparking fury and calls for better encryption from citizens and leaders in France, Germany, Spain and Brazil who were reportedly among those tapped. Both Google and Yahoo, whose data center communications lines were also reportedly tapped, have committed to boosting encryption and online security. Although there’s no indication Facebook was tapped, the social network is also upping its encryption systems.

“Yahoo has never given access to our data centers to the NSA or to any other government agency. Ever,” wrote Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer in a Nov. 18 post on the company’s Tumblr blog announcing plans to encrypt all of its services by early next year. “There is nothing more important to us than protecting our users’ privacy.”

For those who want to take matters into their own hands, encryption software has been proliferating across the Internet since the Snowden revelations broke. Heml.is â€" Swedish for “secret” â€" is marketed as a secure messaging app for your phone. MailPile aims to combine a Gmail-like user friendly interface with a sometimes clunky technique known as public key encryption. Younited hopes to keep spies out of your cloud storage, and Pirate Browser aims to keep spies from seeing your search history. A host of other security-centered programs with names like Silent Circle, RedPhone, Threema, TextSecure, and Wickr all promise privacy.

Many of the people behind these programs are well known for pushing the boundaries of privacy and security online. Heml.is is being developed by Peter Sunde, co-founder of notorious file sharing website The Pirate Bay. Finland’s F-Secure, home of Internet security expert Mikko Hypponen, is behind Younited. Dreadlocked hacker hero Moxie Marlinspike is the brains behind RedPhone, while Phil Zimmerman, one of the biggest names in privacy, is trying to sell the world on Silent Circle. Even flamboyant file sharing kingpin Kim Dotcom is getting in on the secure messaging game with an encrypted email service.

The quality of these new programs and services is uneven, and a few have run into trouble. Nadim Kobeissi, developed encrypted instant messaging service Cryptocat in 2011 as an alternative to services such as Facebook chat and Skype. The Montreal-based programmer received glowing press for Cryptocat’s ease of use, but he suffered embarrassment earlier this year when researchers discovered an error in the program’s code, which may have exposed users’ communications. Kobeissi used the experience to argue that shiny new privacy apps need to be aggressively vetted before users can trust them.

“You need to be vigilant,” he says. “We’re two years old and we’re just starting to reach the kind of maturity I would want.”

Heml.is also encountered difficulties and angered users when its creators said they wouldn’t use open source â€" or publicly auditable â€" code. And Silent Circle abruptly dropped its encrypted email service in August, expressing concern that it could not keep the service safe from government intrusion.

“What we found is the encryption services range in quality,” says George Kurtz, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based CrowdStrike, a big data, security technology company. “I feel safe using some built by people who know what they are doing , but others are Johnny-come-latelies who use a lot of buzzwords but may not be all that useful.”

Even so, private services report thousands of new users, and nonprofit, free encryption services say they have also see sharp upticks in downloads.

And for many users, encryption really isn’t enough to avoid the U.S. government’s prying eyes.

Paris-based Bouygues Telecom told its data storage provider Pogoplug in San Francisco that it needs the data center moved out of the U.S. to get out from under the provisions of U.S. law. So this month, PogoPlug CEO Daniel Putterman is keeping Bouygues as a client by shipping a multi-million dollar data center, from cabinets to cables, from California to France.

“They want French law to apply, not U.S. law,” says Putterman, who is also arranging a similar move for an Israeli client.

Bouygues spokesman Alexandre Andre doesn’t draw a direct connection with the Patriot Act, and says Bouygues’ arrangement with Pogoplug is driven by concerns over performance and privacy. Andre says Bouygues wants the data stored in France, but it was up to Pogoplug to decide whether this would be done on Bouygues’ own servers or Pogoplug’s.

“There is a general worry in France over data security, and storing data in France permits us to reassure our clients,” Andre says. The arrangement also helps improve the service’s performance, Andre says, another reason for the move.

For Pogoplug, business is booming â€" it’s garnered close to 1 million paid subscribers in its first year â€" and Putterman says the company is anxious to accommodate concerned clients. And this month, Pogoplug launched a $49 software package called Safeplug that prevents third parties, from the NSA to Google, from learning about a user’s location or browsing habits.

But many warn that encryption offers a false sense of security.

“The fundamental designers of cryptography are in an arms race right now, but there are a series of weaknesses and missing oversights that have nothing to do with encryption that leave people vulnerable,” says Patrick Peterson, CEO of Silicon Valley-based email security firm Agari. And many that do work, bog down or freeze computers, forcing “a trade-off between security and convenience,” he says.

In any case, most attacks don’t happen because some cybercriminal used complicated methods to gain entry into a network, he adds.

“Most attacks occur because someone made a mistake. With phishing emails, it just takes one person to unwittingly open an attachment or click on a malicious link, and from there, cybercriminals are able to get a foothold,” Peterson says.

In addition, experts agree that with enough time and money, any encryption can be broken. And already the NSA has bypassed â€"or altogether crackedâ€" much of the digital encryption that businesses and everyday Web surfers use, according to reports based on Snowden’s disclosures. The reports describe how the NSA invested billions of dollars, starting in 2000, to make nearly everyone’s secrets available for government consumption.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government’s computing power continues to grow. This fall, the NSA plans to open a $1.7 billion cyber-arsenal â€" a Utah data center filled with super-powered computers designed to store massive amounts of classified information, including data that awaits decryption.

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AP writers Raphael Satter in London and Greg Keller in Paris contributed to this story.

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New Study Estimates 2009 Swine Flu Death Toll About 10 Times Higher

• Original reports of 2009 swine flu deaths were 18,449

• 2009 swine flu pandemic affected more younger people

• New WHO estimate of swine flu deaths called “best estimate”

A new study by the WHO on the 2009 swine flu pandemic estimates the death toll as being between 123,000 and 203,000, approximately 10 times higher than original estimates.  The World Health Organization, or WHO, considers the original reported number of deaths to be a “gross underestimate.”

The reasons behind the under-reporting are thought to be due to not all suspected cases of death being tested and confirmed, the virus not being recognized in some instances, and some deaths being classified as caused by other reasons due to subsequent complications.

Original reports of the 2009 swine flu death toll to the WHO were 18,449.  These cases were confirmed by lab results.  Those with the highest mortality rate were in those under age 65.  Death rates in Central and South America far exceeded those in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, by as much as 20 times.

The new study on the 2009 swine flu pandemic incorporates vital statistics from many countries.  “This study confirms that the H1N1 virus killed many more people globally than originally believed.  We also found that the mortality burden of this pandemic fell most heavily on younger people and those living in certain parts of the Americas.” said lead author Lone Simonsen, PhD, a research professor in the Department of Global Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

The new estimates on the 2009 swine flu death toll were reached after reviewing data from 20 countries which represent 35 percent of the world population.  The information studied was the weekly virology and cause-of-death mortality data for 2005 through 2009.

Next, the information gathered was input into a multiple imputation model in which they were able to enter the data collected, along with economic, health, and geographic data to generate worldwide estimates.

Even though this study was conducted in a thorough manner, the WHO claims that even these estimates are most likely low.  However, Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy states that “It is the best estimate we’re going to get in terms of worldwide mortality.”

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iPhone weather apps worth watching

What’s tomorrow’s weather?

Is it going to be hot?  Will it be wet?

Coming up with a “best of” list for apps is oft’times impossible but there are definitely some iPhone weather apps worth watching for when “shopping”.  In fact, a few of the best iPhone weather apps appear on almost every list online. Weatherbug is one of them. Weatherbug, originally designed to be incorporated with Compaq products, is an updated app that provides users with only what many online critics feel are the most important things: local weather maps, local weather videos and forecasts. The advertisement-supported version is free, although for one dollar a user may purchase the ad-free Weatherbug Elite. For iPad users, the Elite version is free.

One popular iPhone weather app is Outside. Critics at the website gizmodo.com feel this app has a noteworthy presentation.  Their review of the site indicates that high points are the use of the “virtual window” display, the appropriate decorations, smooth animation and data that is comprehensive but understandable.  Furthermore, these online experts also praised the app for the easy navigation and awarded it their own “Silver Medal”.  Users may even purchase push notification capability for an additional cost, over the regular price of $3.00.

According to the reviews, yet another weather app that works especially well with the iPad is Seasonality Go. This app collects and displays weather information available to it. This app will provide the user with detailed information such as astronomical data, dew-points and barometric pressure. It even displays the data in a matrix of weather graphs. The cost of this hardcore weather app can cost a user as much as $10.00. Most critics review Seasonality Go as well worth the money spent.  Checking the weather before those holiday trips is easy with any of these iPhone weather apps.

(Image courtesy of ygsbtd.wordpress.com)

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German Police Officer Arrested On Suspicion Of Killing And Chopping Up A Man

BERLIN (AP) â€" A German police officer has been arrested on suspicion of killing and chopping up a man he met on the Internet who had long fantasized about being killed and eaten, authorities said Friday.

Dresden police chief Dieter Kroll, left, and Dresden prosecutor Erich Wenzlick, attend a press conference in Dresden, eastern Germany, Friday Nov. 29, 2013.
Copyright 2013, The Associated Press

The handwriting and document analysis specialist was arrested on Wednesday at his workplace, the Criminal Technical Institute in the eastern city of Dresden, authorities said. He told investigators that he fatally stabbed the victim in the throat on Nov. 4, hours after the two met in person for the first time.

The 55-year-old said he then chopped up the body into multiple pieces. The suspect pointed officers to a number of places around his property, south of Dresden, where he had buried the remains, city police chief Dieter Kroll said at a televised news conference.

The killing happened about a month after the pair first met in an Internet chatroom, police said. The 59-year-old victim, whose name wasn’t released, traveled about 400 kilometers (250 miles) by bus from Hannover to the meeting.

Police started looking into the case when the victim was reported missing Nov. 11 by a colleague. Two days later, witnesses told officers that “the missing man had fantasized since his youth about being killed and eaten by another person,” Kroll said.

There is no indication at this point that the suspect ate body parts, and the suspect denied having done so, prosecutor Lorenz Haase said.

“He said that his victim wanted to be killed and he fulfilled this wish,” Haase said in a telephone interview.

Investigator Maik Mainda said the victim and the suspected killer maintained “very intense contact by chat, by mail, by SMS but also by telephone” after first becoming acquainted in early October. The website they used says it deals with “exotic meat.”

The men agreed to meet up in Dresden on Nov. 4, and agreed that the killing should take place shortly afterward, Mainda added.

Police are only just beginning their investigation, he said.

“I can’t give any conclusive information yet about the actual motivation of the suspect for killing his victim. We are investigating in all directions.”

The case appears to have at least some parallels with a saga that both fascinated and appalled Germany a decade ago, when confessed cannibal Armin Meiwes was arrested for the killing of an Internet acquaintance. Meiwes, who captured the killing on video, said his victim answered an Internet posting seeking a young man for “slaughter and consumption.”

Meiwes was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He argued unsuccessfully to Germany’s highest court that the killing should be classified as a mercy killing and maintained that his sentence was disproportionate.

The Dresden case “will show how easily people can come together with the most gruesome fantasies on the Internet and exchange their perversions in increasingly crass manner,” police chief Kroll said. “In 99 percent of cases, they get their kick out of the exchange.”

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David Rising contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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New Study Finds Google Earth Captures Fish Traps That Are Unreported

Google Earth captures fish traps that go unreported according to a new study.

A new study done by researchers found that Google Earth captures fish traps that are unreported. According to a study led by Dalal Al-Abdulrazzak from the University of British Columbia, there are 1,900 fishing traps from Google Earth images in 2005; a number that is double the amount that was originally reported.

Google Earth Captures Fish Traps â€" photo from Flickr user gletham GIS, Social, Mobile Tech Images

The fishing traps, also known as weirs, are found on the coastlines of the Persian Gulf and have dramatically increased over the years. While the increase has been documented, Google Earth has accidentally discovered that more weirs have developed than officially reported.

Al-Abdulrazzak told reporters,

“The first thing we did was survey the coast of the Persian Gulf and just started counting the numbers of weirs that we saw…Once they are in there and the tide starts receding, they are stuck…fisherman can just walk out and start collecting the fish.”

Animal activists have long stated that the use of fishing traps have greatly hurt the fish population. The traps also have a tendency to catch other marine life as well such as dolphins, sharks and sea lions.

The traps manage to haul an annual amount of 34,000 tons of fish each year according to the new research. The official report states the annual amount as 5,908 for the six countries surrounding the Persian Gulf.

Al-Abdulrazzak explained that fisheries are the second most important resource in the region of the Persian Gulf next to oil, and if the escalation of weirs continues, the amount of fish in the area will greatly decrease in the long term. Moreover, the researcher stated that because the fish traps are located in shallow waters where juvenile fish are located, fisheries are trapping young fish that have not fully developed and spawned.

New Study Finds Google Earth Captures Fish Traps That Are Unreported.

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2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Fly After Strong Winds Threaten

NEW YORK (AP) â€" Revelers at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade gave thanks for the giant balloons that flew above the city streets Thursday after a blustery storm accompanied by high winds nearly grounded them for only the second time in the parade’s 87-year history.

2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Fly
Copyright 2013, The Associated Press

“The balloons are the best part,” 11-year-old Matthew Ragbe said as he watched them leave their launch pads on 77th Street and turn the corner to face the crowds of parade-goers, many of whom waited hours to secure a good viewing spot.

Across the country, millions of Americans celebrated their blessings, gobbled up turkey and pumpkin pie and prepared to kick off the official start to the Christmas shopping season. In Detroit, former Tigers manager Jim Leyland served as grand marshal of the city’s parade, while Philadelphia celebrations were subdued slightly by gusting winds that limited the use of balloons.

In New York City, tens of thousands of people lining the parade route were not disheartened by freezing temperatures or the drama over whether Spider-Man, Julius, Snoopy and SpongeBob SquarePants would make their scheduled appearances along with a dozen other puffed-up sky-bound creatures.

“We thought they’d find a way to pull it off,” said parade-goer John Mispagel, of San Jose, Calif. “It’s really fun seeing so many people having such a great time.”

Dozens of balloon handlers kept a tight grip on their inflated characters, keeping them close to the ground to fight winds that reached the mid-20 mph range.

2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Fly
Copyright 2013, The Associated Press

Caution was necessary to prevent a recurrence of the kind of high-wind accident that crashed a Cat in the Hat balloon into a light pole in 1997, seriously injuring a spectator. Balloons were only grounded once in the parade’s history, with bad weather to blame in 1971.

The balloons were sprinkled along a parade led by a bright orange Tom Turkey float that gleamed in the sunlight. Also featured were thousands of baton twirlers, clowns, cheerleaders, marching musicians and performers including Brett Eldredge, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, the Goo Goo Dolls and Kellie Pickler.

“It’s amazing,” Pickler said, preparing to sing “Little Bit Gypsy.” ”This is such an honor to be a part of this parade. I grew up watching this.”

The parade largely went off without a hitch, though Sonic the Hedgehog got briefly hung up in the branches of a tree and a spinning dreidel balloon became temporarily deflated on a float meant to mark the start of Hanukkah, which fell on Thanksgiving for the first time in centuries.

Farther down the more-than-40-block parade route, 11-year-old Ema Kelly, of Manhasset, was protecting confetti buried 4 inches deep in her knitted hat, waiting for the parade’s end: the Santa Claus float.

She shared confetti collection duties with her neighborhood friend, 10-year-old Matthew O’Connor.

“He forgot his hat so he’s helping me collect it, and then we’re going to split it on the bus ride home,” she said.

Nearby, Columbia Law School student Andrew Leff said he had arrived at 5 a.m. to get a front-row spot to watch the parade for the 23rd time in his 24 years.

Greg Packer, of Huntington, said he would still make it to the stores when they open.

“I expect turkey, and I expect shopping,” he said. A few blocks away, a line was forming outside a Best Buy store slated to open seven hours later.

In Philadelphia, gusty winds of 28 mph limited use of balloons during its annual parade, with officials citing concern for the safety of participants and spectators. Instead of flying along the entire route, the balloons soared only around Eakins Oval and the broadcast area near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Elsewhere in the country, Thanksgiving traditions were largely unaffected by the weather.

In Detroit, the Tigers’ popular former manager served as grand marshal of that city’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which is billed as the nation’s second largest, behind New York’s. Revelers braved snow showers and slick roads to see two dozen floats and a performance by singer Ruben Studdard.

In Washington, President Barack Obama and family celebrated a quiet holiday at the White House. The menu was quintessential Thanksgiving, including turkey, honey-baked ham, cornbread stuffing, greens and six choices of pie.

He also called several members of the armed forces to thank them for their service to the country.

In New York City, volunteers from Citymeals-on-Wheels escorted dozens of elderly residents from neighborhoods affected by Superstorm Sandy to a Manhattan restaurant feast. The organization funded almost 20,500 Thanksgiving meals, including 13,000 delivered in advance to homebound elderly.

On Wednesday, two American astronauts on board the International Space Station, Mike Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio, released a video from 260 miles above Earth showing off their traditional Thanksgiving meal: irradiated smoked turkey, thermostabilized yams, cornbread dressing, potatoes, freeze-dried asparagus, baked beans, bread, cobbler and dehydrated green bean casserole.

2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Fly
Copyright 2013, The Associated Press

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Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Jake Pearson and Seth Borenstein and Associated Press Radio Correspondent Julie Walker in New York, Jim Kuhnhenn and Darlene Superville in Washington and Jeff Karoub in Detroit.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Kanye West goes on long tirade about Nike during Nashville concert after 6 minute lecture

• Kanye West spent 6 minutes “preaching” to the crowd, left stage, then returned to go on about Nike

• Disney and Louis Vuitton mentioned in Kanye West rant

• Video shows Kanye West rant from Washington D.C.

Kanye West tirade about Nike
Image on YouTube

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€" Kanye West continued to vent at former partner Nike, taking to the mic during a concert again this week to complain about his treatment by the sports apparel company.

West spent more than 6 minutes talking and singing about the company during his “The Yeezus Tour” stop Wednesday night at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville, Tenn. Taking on the role of a preacher in the cult of personality, West talked to the crowd about following a dream, creativity and culture, alluding to the media and corporations who he feels have tried to keep him from expressing himself fully.

The 36-year-old rapper then started to leave the stage, but in a feint returned to launch into a long discussion that was alternately esoteric, comic and emotional.

“Do you know who the head of Nike is?” West asked the crowd as he prowled back on forth on an arrowhead-shaped stage in a white mask. “No, well let me tell you who he is: His name is Mark Parker, and he just lost culture. Everyone at Nike, everyone at Nike, Mark Parker just let go of culture.”

West has said in interviews recently that he’s now partnering with Adidas. He first released his Air Yeezy shoe in 2009. He’s chafed recently during interviews at being categorized as just a musician, and told the crowd he has the Internet and the stage from which he can speak directly to his fans.

“I’m talking directly to you. No miscommunication,” West said. “Did you not want the Yeezys? Nike would make you believe it was my fault that you couldn’t get them, but that was not the case. I wanted there to be as many Yeezys as there was LeBrons, and I wanted them to be at a good price, but that was not my choice, and we’re going to change everything. And … I’m going to create more than you think that any musician in the history of time ever could have.”

West also put his displeasure into song to the delight of the crowd, noting with the help of Auto Tune and piano in the background that even though Nike wouldn’t take his call, other forward-thinking companies will.

“I talked to the head of Disney today,” West sang. “And I talked to the head of Louis Vuitton today. I swear to God on my life, I talked to them both today. I swear to God I talked to them both, and they wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. I said, ‘I want to talk about something that isn’t turkey day. I want to talk about something different. I want to talk about dreaming.’”

In the video below, Kanye West launches into a similar rant in Washington DC.  He starts yelling about Nike at approximately 15:41 in the video.  Enjoy!

Kanye West tirade about Nike video courtesy of YouTube___

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Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Happy Hanukkah: Next Time Jewish Holiday Falls On Thanksgiving Will Be 80,000 Years From Now

Also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 2nd century BCE. According to the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev - which may occur at any time from late November, to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

Jewish Year 5774: Sunset November 27, 2013 â€" Nightfall December 5, 2013

Although Hanukkah has become especially popular because it falls close to Christmas every year, it is actually considered to be a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar. Hanukkah 2013 is a pretty special year though, as the first full day of Hanukkah coincides with Thanksgiving, somethint that won’t happen again for almost 80,000 years!

What kinds of foods are eaten on Hanukkah?

On Hanukkah, a classic Hanukkah dish is crispy potato pancakes called latkes in Yiddish and levivot in Hebrew, often served with applesauce and sour cream. Another delicious Hanukkah treat is sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts), usually topped with powdered sugar. Sephardic Hanukkah donuts are called bunuelos (or bimuelos) and are traditionally dipped in honey.

What is the proper greeting for Hanukkah?

To wish someone a Happy Hanukkah, say “Hanukkah Sameach!” (Happy Hanukkah) or simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday). Or if you want to show off your Hebrew skills, say “Chag Urim Sameach!” (urim means “lights”).

The Menorah

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch.

Spinning Tops

It’s customary to play with dreidels (spinning tops) during the holiday, even wage gambling games in which players guess which side of the top will fall face up.

Gold Coins

The tradition of handing out gelt (the Yiddish word for “money”) during Hanukkah probably dates back to 17th-century Poland. The coins distributed during Hanukkah â€" either real currency or chocolate-covered coins â€" are a symbol of Jewish independence, as well as a way to spread good cheer with things people can always use more of: cash and chocolate.

Happy Hanukkah: Next Time Jewish Holiday Falls On Thanksgiving Will Be 80,000 Years From Now

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Parkour And Freerunning, Dangerous Or Divine?

Have you heard or Parkour and Freerunning yet? It’s not a new thing but now Parkour has made the news most recently due to a severe head injury sustained by a youth in California that was reportedly “doing Parkour”. It was not the first time the sophomore in high school had done this activity at the same site where he was injured on Saturday.

Photo:By CConan at nl.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Parkour originated in France spawned out of a training discipline for urban areas. The acrobatic and gravity defying stunts are just part of the movement across urban spaces.

Parkour has been described as the fastest way to get from point A to point B.

This type of strength, endurance and agility training has translated into paying stunt jobs for many (or sponsorships), translated into a lifestyle away from drugs and gangs, and is really good exercise, if not just incredible to watch.

See for yourself in this video by Stunts Amazing entitled “The Worlds Best Parkour and Freerunning of 2012” which has over 30 million views (so maybe you’ve seen it). The sequel 2013 was just uploaded last week as well.

The growing popularity of the “discipline” of Parkour and Freerunning has created social groups, parkour maps, professional organizations,trainers and of course gear (such as the ideal Parkour shoes) all widely available online.

The godfather of Parkour, David Belle, created the name from training he would do as a youth called ‘parcours du combattant’, similar to military training through obstacle courses.  The world renowned athlete has acted and done stunts in numerous films and for commercials.

Similar to the opposition to skateboarding back in the late 80’s and 90’s, the opposition to Parkour seems to stem mainly from the liability involved when someone gets hurt or property is damaged. Just like skateboarding as well, more and more parks are being built to address the growing interest and to keep the youth safely contained in a controlled environment.

Skateboarding is a crime, grind prevention
Photo:Public Domain Wikimedia commons

Considering the high level of physical athleticism required Parkour and Freerunning not only gets youth outdoors again, but is obviously good physical training for any sport or active lifestyle. So what do you think, is Parkour and Freerunning too dangerous, or could it be the best thing to come from France since the baguette?

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Are Your Twitter Pictures Really Yours?

Feathers have been ruffled again on Twitter but not with words, this time its about the images or photography, causing the 555 million Twitter users question if their own pictures have been used elsewhere, and are your Twitter pictures really yours?

Photo:By English: Michael R. Holzworth, TSgt, USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

One case just decided on Friday that they are yours. A United States jury has ordered Getty Images and Agence-France Presse (AFP) to pay $1.2 million for using photographs posted on Twitter obtained without permission and used for commercial purposes.

The man behind the groundbreaking lawsuit, photojournalist Daniel Morel,was formerly employed with AP (Associated Press). In 2010 he uploaded photos to Twitter of the aftermath from the  earthquake in Haiti. Just hours later his images were used by Getty Images, AFP, and the Washington Post, all parties named in the lawsuit for copyright infringement.

Other news agencies, such as CNN, ABC, CBS and the Washington Post had already made settlement arrangements with Daniel Morel for an “undisclosed” sum.

The judge Allison Nathan and jury (in just 5 hours of deliberation) sided with Morel in what is to be a precedence setting case for copyright and use protection of images and content uploaded to public and social sharing sites.

The New York Times legally purchased Morel’s images for use and is among other agencies that sought legal permission (prior) to use the photographs for their publications.

Image:By GageSkidmore at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

In the Twitter Terms of Service rules, listed as “Your Rights” the issue of ownership of property uploaded is explained as follows:

“5. Your Rights

You retain your rights to any Content you submit, post or display on or through the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying Content on or through the Services, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display and distribute such Content in any and all media or distribution methods (now known or later developed).”

In an earlier case from January 2013 a judge found that while the TwitPic terms of services allows for re-use of posted pictures, such as re-tweeting purposes, the reuse of the images for commercial purposes is a direct violation of Twitter’s policy.

Judge Allison Nathan also found that both AFP and Getty were in violation of DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) requirements, and added another $200,000 to the $1.2 million fine for the two agencies. The ruling can still be appealed, but serves as a warning to other news agencies and the general public, reminding us all to be vigilant about protecting your own property and respecting the property of others. It’s simple Twitterquette.

Are Your Twitter Pictures Really Yours?

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Evangenitals serve up free song for Thanksgiving

In the Thanksgiving holiday spirit of giving and sharing, The Evangenitals are serving up a free new song for their fans and followers.   For those not up on their music history, The Evangenitals is an L.A.-based alt-folk band founded by playful playwright and former fighter Juli Crockett (guitar and vocals) and Opera/Jazz chanteuse Lisa Dee (vocals and percussion). They created the name by merging two concepts. They took the word “evangelical” which is “characterized by ardent or crusading enthusiasm” and the word “genitals” which is a term for “the organs of creation” or “the private parts”.

The current band roster also includes Andrea Baker (fiddle), Joey Maramba (bass), Daniel Mark (mandolin), Danny Graziani (harmonica and violin), Michael Feldman (piano and organ) and George Bernardo (drums on the new track).  Crockett says there are “four drummers on the (upcoming) Moby Dick album: George Bernardo, princess Frank (Killsonic), David Hurlin, and Robert Shaffer.  (For our desert shows we’ve been playing with James St James, whom we love).  (A)ll those folks (except St James) are on the (upcoming) Moby Dick album.”

The free tune, titled “It’s All Good”, has an interesting origin.  Crockett elaborates on this “anthem to the ups and downs” of life.  She says the song had actually “bounced around in my head for years before this recording, we actually laid down the track in less than 24 hours after a friend in ‘the biz’ called us asking if we had a good song for the victorious conclusion of a TV show about battling zombies.  ‘Heck yeah,’ I said.”

The Evangenitals live in close proximity to each other so after Crockett “laid down the basics” with Maramba, she called Mark “our obscenely talented mandolin, banjolin, violin (if it ends in â€"‘lin’, he can probably play it)” player to flesh it out.  “Add to this some ‘powerhouse’ fills by Danny Graziani from his home studio, and then my husband and the most talented ‘mofo’ I know Micheal Feldman comes and mixes the mess.”

Crockett says: “Lisa Dee and I laid on the vox and voilà! We made this, and making it made us really friggin’ happy.”  Unfortunately for The Evangenitals, the TV execs decided to go “’in another direction’ for the closing soundtrack of the zombie show”.  Fortunately for fans of band and curiosity seekers alike, The Evangenitals decided “this would be the perfect song to share with our friends, fans and family for the Thanksgiving season.”

Crockett concludes: “We’re grateful for so dang much, and really, truly, it is all good in Evangenitals-land . . . in great part thanks to you.  Hope you enjoy the song!  You can listen on ReverbNation (and) other favorite listening places such as Soundcloud, Bandcamp and CDBaby.  Please listen, share, post, pass and leave us some comments.  We love you, always and already.”

Check out The Evangenitals newest number.  It’s fresh and free.  You just might find that “It’s All Good” really is “all good” and be thankful for the tuneful timely tip.

(Images courtesy of The Evangenitals)

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New Breed Of Bus Service Looks Set To Become A Firm Favorite Among Thanksgiving Travelers

As millions of Americans hurtle through the jumble of transportation arteries across the country for Thanksgiving, many are discovering that bus travel may be the cheapest, comfiest and even coolest way to stay Zen during the nation’s largest annual migration.

New up-market bus services capitalize on generational and technological shifts in the travel market. [Photo by Bolt Bus]

Things have come along way since the Greyhound days. After nearly half a century of decline in the bus industry, a new breed of sleek, Wi-Fi-pumping intercity coaches are transforming the image of buses as the much-ridiculed, and last resort, travel option.

With free Internet connections, tickets as cheap as $1 and decent legroom, companies such as Megabus and BoltBus are luring holiday travelers disenchanted with the hair-pulling rituals of airports and driving.

BoltBus General Manager David Hall says he has been blown away by its success. “It’s a bit overwhelming, quite frankly,” he continues, “… You get people who haven’t ridden the bus in years, and yet they’re coming down to give us a try because they’ve heard it’s cool.”

The up-market new bus services capitalize on generational and technological shifts: younger urbanites who are espousing a car-free lifestyle, and gadget-wielding travelers of all ages who like to buy tickets online, and stay connected for the duration of their trip.

“Young people have no great psychological connection with the car,” said transportation trends researcher Joseph Schwieterman of DePaul University in Chicago. “They just want to get from Point A to Point B, and being able to use their electronic device on the way is a bonus.”

The number of Americans who will travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend this year. AP

Many new bus carriers offer free Wi-Fi and have electrical outlets at each seat. Megabus.com slapped GPS tracking devices on its fleet of 300 double-decker buses, allowing travelers and the people waiting for them on the other end to track the trip in real time with a smartphone app.

“Those kinds of things we feel really matter,” said Mike Alvich, Megabus.com’s vice president for marketing. Such innovations along with the prices, he said, are why Megabus.com has enjoyed so much success pulling people out of their cars.

The company says 30 percent of its customers are people who otherwise would have taken a car for the same trip. It also helps that the typical 18- to 35-year-old passenger barely remembers the bad old days of bus travel.

That image problem endures for older travelers who braved interminable bus trips that launched from seedy downtowns, included numerous stops and were often punctuated along the way by the â€" let’s call them eccentricities â€" of a fellow passenger or two.

Lux Bus operates from Southern California to Las Vegas. [Photo by Lux Bus]

There’s even a touch of razzle-dazzle from companies like Lux Bus America, which operates a route from Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim to Las Vegas. Billing itself as an “airline on the ground,” its fleet all decked out in leather seats with comfy headrests and seatback entertainment systems. An attendant serves up beverages, snacks, pillows and blankets.

With no baggage fees, security hassles or limits on using laptops or electronic equipment â€" its no wonder more passengers than ever before are choosing to go by bus.

Like Alex Leopold, who said she’d rather take the nine-hour Megabus ride from Chicago to Nashville than fly.” This is reliable, and there aren’t any layovers,” the 20-year-old DePaul advertising student said, an ear bud dangling from one ear as she waited to board.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

New Breed Of Bus Service Looks Set To Become A New Favorite Among Thanksgiving Travelers

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Beautiful Mach 1000 Reverse Shock Wave Emanates From Tycho’s Supernova

• Japanese X-ray satellite studies reverse shock wave

• Reverse shock wave eminates X-ray energy

Tycho Supernova’s Reverse Shock Wave
Image by YouTube

Researchers at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics studying SN 1572, also known as Tycho’s Supernova, explain that the eerily beautiful glow of Tycho’s Supernova is caused by a Mach 1000 reverse shock wave.

Before the supernova occurs, the star becomes what is known as a red “super-giant,” in which the star has used up all of its fuel, and the dense core is so compact that collapse is inevitable.  As the core collapses, it sends out the initial shockwave in which the front of the expansion interacts with the interstellar materials as it expands.  During this initial shockwave, it has been found that a reverse shock wave forms alongside, collecting materials and bringing them back towards the core.  Researchers have found that the outward shock wave travels at Mach 300, while the reverse shock wave travels at Mach 1000.  This process can last a few hundred years.

The second phase has been deemed the Sedov or Adiabatic Phase.  During this stage, the supernova has collected enough interstellar material that the materials begin to slow down and cool.  The mixing of interstellar materials and supernova remnants causes instabilities and enhances the magnetic field.  This phase can last 10,000 to 20,000 years.

In the final radiative stage, cooling is continued and electrons begin combining with heavier elements.  This phase is thought to play a major role in the creation of galaxies.

The reverse shock wave is described as working similar to a fluorescent light bulb.  As the shock wave travels at incredible speeds, it heats up materials which in turn produce electromagnetic radiation as high energy X-rays, similarly, the light bulb glows and emits visible light as it heats up.

The reverse shock of Tycho’s Supernova was studied via the X-ray satellite Suzaku.  This research is touted as the first clear example of collisionless electron heating, says the team.

For a more in depth look, see the full reading published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Tycho supernova’s reverse shock wave, video courtesy of YouTube

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Dog Of The Year Xena And Her Best Friend 8-Year-Old Johnny Hickey

If this story doesn’t warm your heart then nothing will. Life got off to a pretty rough start for a little scrap named Xena â€" but now, it’s just about perfect. The rescue puppy was recently crowned Dog of the Year 2013 for helping a painfully shy eight-year-old autistic boy ‘come out of his shell.’ Read about their wonderful story below.

Mrs Hickey (right) says Johhny is the ‘happiest child that I’ve ever seen him be’.

Once neglected and abused, when Xena arrived at Dekalb Animal Services Shelter in Georgia last September she was weighed just 4lbs and was close to death. Luckily a fighting spirit meant that staff were gradually able to nurse the four-month-old puppy back to health; with her astonishingly rapid recovery earning her the nickname Xena the Warrior.

Xena fought for hard to survive, earning her the nickname Warrior Puppy.

The Hickey family heard about the dog’s plight via Facebook and decided to adopt her in March of this year. And now the Staffordshire terrier mix, has made Jonny Hickey from John’s Creek, Georgia, ‘the happiest child that I’ve ever seen him be’, his mother, Linda, told Today.

Jonny had difficulty showing affection and was uncomfortable making eye contact â€" but since Xena came into his life, he has become tactile and expressive.

Xena has helped painfully shy Jonny Hickey, who sufferes from autism, ‘come out of his shell’. And where before Jonny had difficulty showing affection and was uncomfortable making eye contact â€" but since Xena came into his life, he has become tactile and expressive.

Along with a cat named Koshka, Xena was guest of honor at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) annual “Humane Awards” ceremony in New York City, Thursday, where she was adorned with a sparkling tiara and sash.

Xena proudly shows off her sash and tiara after being honored at the ASPCA annual awards ceremony in New York.

Mrs Hickey and her husband Grant, 50, post regular updates to Xena’s Facebook group, and have made a series of videos to support autism awareness and the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Mrs Hickey concluded: ’The journey has been unbelievable. It’s definitely an overwhelming emotional ride.’

Autism Service Dogs of America is a charity which works pairing children with specially trained dogs that help provide a physical and emotional anchor for children with autism..

All Photos Courtesy of Johnny & Xena’s Facebook Page.

Dog Of The Year Xena And Her Best Friend 8-Year-Old Johnny Hickey

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Acid Rain And Ozone Depletion 250 Million Years Ago Caused Permian Extinction

• Acid rain and ozone depletion resulted from volcanic activity

• The Permian extinction resulted in loss of 90% marine life and 70% terrestrial vertebraes

• Also known as the Great Dying, it took an estimated 10 million years for diversity to return

Acid rain and ozone depletion led to extinction
Image by Wikipedia

New research shows that we aren’t the only ones that had to face the problems of acid rain and ozone depletion.  The Permian extinction, also known as the Great Dying, may have been caused by a combination of acid rain and ozone depletion.  The Great Dying occurred 252 million years ago and served as the boundary between the Permian period and the Triassic.

The Permian extinction is known as being the most massive extinction in history.  Due to this event, up to 96 percent of Earth’s marine species, and 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrae species became extinct.  It took an estimated 10 million years for the diversity of Earth’s creatures to flourish again.

Mass volcanic eruptions in Siberia have been reported to have devastating effects on the atmosphere due to the release of gas from the Siberian traps.  The study is by no means a new theory; volcanic activity in this area has been pegged as the cause of the Permian extinction previously.  However, this research team used three dimensional computer modeling to predict the impact of the gases released.

The results showed that the combination of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide released by the volcanic activity could have created acid rain that led to the depletion of plant life and soil nutrients.  This in turn would affect larger terrestrial animals.  In addition, the ozone depletion would have resulted from this massive release of gases as well.

With the acid rain diminishing life, and the ozone depletion allowing for ultraviolet radiation and temperature increase, these causes are very likely the reasons of the Permian extinction.

Although these causes were due to natural reasons, the mass volcanic activity, they might make us reconsider our role in preserving our life support systems.

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Choices, Choices, Decision Making Depends On Lateral Habenula New Research Shows

• Lateral habenula associated with depression, may now be linked to decision making

• Study on lateral habenula helps with our understanding of depression treatment

Lateral habenula and decision making
Image by Wikipedia

The lateral habenula is the limbic portion of the habula and is now thought to be associated with decision making.  The function of this part of the brain involves pain processing, reproductive behavior, nutrition, sleep-wake cycles, stress responses, and learning.  The lateral habenula is also linked with depression and avoidance behaviors, in instances where it is smaller, there are increased occurrences of depression.

In 2007, Matsumoto and Hikosaka suggested a correlation between rewards and the lateral habenula, however recent research is getting closer to proving this theory.  A study published by the University of British Columbia shows that there is a stronger correlation between the lateral habenula and decision making than originally thought.

In this new study on the lateral habenula, rats were given the opportunity to exercise their decision making skills.  They had to choose between receiving one food pellet on a regular, timed basis, or four pellets sporadically.  Most often, the rats tended to go after the larger benefit, potentially due to the low cost of receiving the benefit, in this instance waiting for a relatively short amount of time.

Turning off the lateral habenula, scientists had thought that, as suggested by previous studies, the rats would select the larger reward even more often.  However, their findings showed that the rats selected either choice at random, thereby suggesting a stronger correlation between the lateral habenula and decision making.

Professor of Psychology and Brain Research Centre, Stan Floresco, stated that, “These findings clarify the brain processes involved in the important decisions that we make on a daily basis, from choosing between job offers to deciding which house or car to buy,” according to the University of British Columbia.

This research may also add to our understanding of some current methods of depression treatment.  As Stan Floresco from the University of British Columbia reports, “Deep brain stimulation â€" which is thought to inactivate the lateral habenula â€" has been reported to improve depressive symptoms in humans.  But our findings suggest these improvements may not be because patients feel happier. They may simply no longer care as much about what is making them feel depressed.”

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What the Frack? What is Fracking, Exactly? Most People Don’t Know Either

Protecting environment is a passionate issue most recently hotly debated on a global scale at the 2013 Climate Change Summit in Poland which has brought a host of new environmental concerns to light as well revived opposition to controversial issues, such as fracking, but what is fracking, exactly?

Photo:By Welleman,CC-BY-SA-3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

If you don’t know, you’re not alone. In fact, despite the seemingly large public opposition to fracking, a new study by Yale found that most Americans don’t know what fracking really is.

The Yale study entitled, “Fracking: controversy and communication” was aimed at understanding the public’s perception of fracking. In a poll of 1,061 individuals, less than 10% said that they knew “a lot” about fracking, and just 38% said some or a little. Almost the same number said that they knew “nothing” or “never heard of fracking” at 39% .

Over half of the people surveyed in the Yale study did not have an opinion whether fracking is good or bad, the rest were even in their support and opposition.

Pew Research conducted a public study in March 2013 on the opinions about global warming and issues such as fracking states that “about half of Americans approve” of the process.

With the renewed passion for ecology in America, none of us want to live in a contaminated world or cause disasters, Americans are vigilant in having an opinion. The Yale study confirms that regardless of Americans being well informed about the issue or not, we usually have a strong opinion.

What is Fracking? Here Are The Basics:

• Put simply hydraulic fracking is a process that produces natural gas from shale formations deep below the Earth’s surface by hydraulic drill extraction.

• In 2012 shale gas from fracking added up to 39% of all natural gas produced in the United States.

• The US, Canada and China are the main countries using (or exploring the use of) fracking.

• Natural gas replaces our need and use of coal, which emits half as much CO2 into the atmosphere.

• Fracking uses a mixture of water, sand and chemicals which are pushed into the ground via a hydraulic drill to break up rock which then allows the natural gas to be released and drain out into a well.

• The main reasons for the wide opposition to fracking include; the risk of triggering earthquakes, contaminating groundwater supplies and is a waste of water that cannot be reused in drought prone areas.

Where Is Fracking Going On In The US?

US Groundwater Aquifers Shale Gas
Photo:By Brylie Oxley CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Shocking! New Study Confirms Cats Don’t Care

A formal study confirming that cats don’t care about us or what we say not only hurts our feelings but is unnecessary right? Confirming popular belief, a new study from the University of Tokyo published their recent findings of an 8 month investigation into the matter of if we (humans) matter to fickle felines or they just don’t care. If you are a cat owner, likely you already know the results of this research project.

Telling Us How They Really Feel, Cats Don’t Care

I’m not listening
Photo:By Jon Sullivan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Atsuko Siato and his research team focused on 20 different cats in their homes over the course of 8 months. They noted all verbal communication and responses, reactions, (or lack of) similar to the scientific study of cognitive abilities in baby’s and mentally disabled individuals.

First the good news, the research shows that cats actually do seem interested in humans in general and respond to human speech by turning their heads towards the voice at least 50% to 70% of the time.

It is also important to note that the human voice did not have to be the cat’s owner; it could be anyone’s voice.

Now the reality is that just 30% of those cats went so far as to move their ears in response to the human voice. Even lower, only 10%  actually responded to the voice by meowing or moving their tails.

The fact that cats don’t care may not be shocking new research, but there is some reassuring news revealed in their findings.  Cats do respond much more “intensely” to their owners’ voices; this behavior was consistent in the whole group of 20 cats.  Well, at least feeding and housing counts for something.

In 2003 there was a “Pet Boom” in Japan which has been attributed to the controversial family size restrictions and feelings of loneliness, resulting in more pets than people in just 6 years.

Curious Cat
Photo:By CParísC,Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Our American cats may be more socialized based on a report from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, which in January 2013 concluded that our cats are copying us. This study of cat behavior here in the US distinguished the difference between indoor and outdoor cats, where the later exhibited a more independent nature. By contrast the indoor cats frequently adopt their owners routines, including eating and sleeping habits, bathroom usage, and trying to open things, or use human devices, you simply need to visit YouTube for evidence of this behavior.

Copy Cats, Imitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery

Every pet owner knows already that cats are independent pets while dogs are more dependent, and that their owners are responsible at least in part as to their personality and social skills, so why is this study necessary or important?

If nothing else, confirming that cats don’t care simply means they are not as interested in inter-species communication as we are and life is simple as long as we have what we need. Purr, purr, purr.

This video uploaded to YouTube in January 2013 demonstrates the art of cat ignoring in an interaction between a dove and a (patient) house cat.

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New York Deli Tries To Rip Off Spanish Speaking $1,000,000 Lotto Winner

A Father and Son team who worked at a New York Deli were less than honorable this Thursday as they tried to rip off someone who they believed wasn’t smart enough to know the difference. A spanish-speaking man had purchased a $10 scratch-off lottery ticket, and believed that he had one the jackpot. After scanning the ticket behind the counter, the clerk told the customer that he had only won $1,000. The man was paid $1,000 in cash on the spot, and he left the store with his suspicions. He later returned to confront the Deli clerk, and claim what he believed he won.

The 26 year old Deli Clerk, Karim Jaghab was adamant that the spanish-speaking man had only won $1,000 when he was later confronted again about the ticket. Though he knew full well that they ticket was the $1,000,000 winner since the lottery machine told him that when he scanned it. He had apparently involved his 57 year old father, Nabil Jaghab the deli owner, in on this scam as well. When the lotto winner returned to confront Karim about the fraudulent error, Nabil offered the man $10,000 to walk away from it an never look back.

Seeing that the deli was cheating the man out of a 7-figure pay day, the man wised up and called police. Police were quick to hone in on the scheme to defraud the language deficient winner. In New York State, the lottery cannot pay out more than $600 in prizes to a winner without them filling out a claim ticket and taking it to the lottery office. This was exactly what the two Deli crooks were planning on doing themselves. The police made arrests at the scene for both Karim and Nabil Jaghab, and they now face charges for what they tried to do to the poor man.

A Father and Son who own a NY Deli tried to scam a $1,000,000 winner on Thursday.

Featured Image from the NY Lottery Website.

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Video Of Largest Active Volcano In Italy, Mount Etna, Erupting Again!

• One of the most active volcanos in the world

• Eruption of Mount Etna caused no evacuations

Mount Etna Erupts
Image by YouTube

The citizens of nearby town Taormina were showered with volcanic ash as Mount Etna erupted again.  No evacuations were called for, however there was a half an hour delay on a nearby freeway as precautionary measures.  Two air corridors were also shut down briefly, however the airport at Catania operated as usual.

Mount Etna is known for being Italy’s largest active stratovolcano, and citizens in the surrounding areas may be used to the occasional grumble and ash rain from above.  Mount Etna stands at 10,992 feet high and has a total circumference of 140 kilometers.  Its height put it at approximately two and a half times larger than the next largest active volcano in Italy.

Mount Etna has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.  A total of 16 volcanos are currently considered Decade Volcanos which undergo increased studies due to the populated areas nearby.  The program has been successful in predicting volcanic activity and assisting with the avoidance of disasters through diversion of lava, evacuations, and more.

One such successful diversion of lava flow occurred during a quite large eruption of Mount Etna in 1992.  During this eruption, there had been barriers initially placed perpendicular to the lava flow in an attempt to divert it.  As this did not actually function as intended, experts placed explosives on the surface of a lava tube.  This caused the lava to flow in a new, artificial channel, effectively moving the lava flow away from the town of Zafferana.

Magma fountains from Mount Etna have been photographed as recent as November 17^th.  This time lapsed video shows the eruption of November 23^rd, 2013.

Video courtesy of YouTube

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Astronomers Witness Big Bang Number 2? Biggest Gamma Ray Burst In Recorded History

• Gamma ray bursts are the last dying throes of a star

• “The monster” was the biggest “bang” in recorded history

Brightest gamma ray burst
Image by NASA Swift Cruz deWilde

The biggest gamma ray burst in recorded history was spotted by astronomers last spring.  According to researchers, if it had been closer to Earth, we would have been fried, however the explosion took place 3.7 billion light years from Earth.  If we had been closer to this explosion, our atmosphere would have instantly dissipated, and our planet would become a charred chunk of sediment floating in space.

A gamma ray burst is a dying star’s last glimmer.  The massive explosion is highly energetic and can be seen from extreme distances.  Gamma ray bursts are reportedly the brightest electromagnetic events in the universe.  This gamma ray burst just happened to be the biggest explosion in recorded history aside from the Big Bang.

Astronomers have had their eyes in the sky turned towards this dying star for over 20 years; however the final dying burst was witnessed in April.  NASA astrophysicist Paul Hertz said, “This burst was a once-in-a-century cosmic event.”  Thankfully, the probability of an explosion occurring near enough Earth to destroy it is close to none, however even though we have the capability to detect such an event, were it to happen, there wouldn’t be anything we could do to escape our fate.  Cue every apocalypse movie you’ve ever seen.

Two main factors contributed to the epic proportions of this gamma ray blast.  Firstly, it was twice as close to us than most of the other explosions seen.  Second, it was bigger than any seen that were closer.  It is possible that other, larger explosions have occurred, however distance also plays a part in their epicness as seen by us.

If you are hoping to catch sight of one of these monster eruptions, you might just be able to.  This gamma ray burst was so big, it was visible to telescopes on Earth.

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Australia Officially World’s Most Deadliest Country For Shark Attacks?

Another surfer has been killed by a shark off a notorious stretch of Australia’s west coast today. The 35-year-old man was surfing off a beach near Gracetown, about 167 miles south of Perth, when he was attacked.

Chris Boyd, was killed by a shark while surfing south of Perth. [Photo by Perth Now]

Chris Boyd, 35, was killed almost instantly when he was attacked at a popular surf spot in Gracetown near Margaret River. The attack prompted an “imminent threat” order from the Australian Department of Fisheries, which directed department officers to locate the shark, believed to be a great white.

Department spokesman Tony Cappulleti told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio Australia it was too early to determine whether the shark would be killed once located.

“It just depends on the species of shark â€" obviously not all species of shark are dangerous or may be responsible for the attack, so obviously those decisions will be made at the time.”

Carcharodon carcharias, otherwise known as the great white shark. [Photo by SBS]

The large surfing community in Gracetown, however, was described as reeling after the attack, which occurred off a crowded beach where hundreds of high school students were celebrating the end of the school year, news.com.au said.

Boyd, a father of two, was known to many surfers and was considered a mentor to youngsters who were new to the sport. Witnesses told news.com.au Boyd never had a chance after the shark brushed past one surfer and zeroed in on him.

“He was missing his left arm and flesh off the right leg,” said Ryan Scanlon, who was about to enter the water when the attack occurred in front of him. “The shark bit him and held him for about a minute. He was dead before the shark let go.”

Beaches near Gracetown have been closed because of a fatal shark attack. [Photo by Perth Now]

With three fatal shark attacks in the past few months, and constant sightings of large sharks lurking meters from popular surfing and swimming beaches, the threat of shark attack has moved a little too close to home for many Western Australian surfers.

So why has this recent spate of attacks occurred? According to Coastal Watch, one popular theory is that increases in seal populations and the number of whales migrating through the region are a major contributing factor. Dead whales floating at sea also become huge burley balls, attracting sharks from far and wide.

A shark attack is an attack on a human by a shark. Every year around 100 shark attacks are reported worldwide. Before you think about heading into the water for that next surf, read up on recorded shark attacks at Shark Attack Survivors and Shark Attack Info.

 Australia Officially World’s Most Deadliest Country For Shark Attacks?

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Move Over Tyrannosaurus Rex! Giant Meat Eating Dinosaur Ruled Before T Rex

• Siats  meekerorum deemed to have ruled 98 million years ago

• Giant meat eating dinosaur was approximately as large as Tyrannosaurus rex

Giant meat eating dinosaur Siats meekerorum
Image by Weldt

The fossil of another massive meat eating dinosaur that ruled before Tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered in Utah.  This giant meat eating dinosaur is a part of the allosaurid theropod family which were deemed “megapredators.”  This dinosaur, fortunately for Tyrannosaurus rex, ruled over the lands well before t-rex even existed.  The fossil was estimated to have lived approximately 98 million years ago.  Tyrannosaurus rex, subsequently taking the lead in the world of predators, lived 67 million years ago.

The giant meat eating dinosaur was dubbed Siats  meekerorum, and was the top predator of its time.  Siats meekerorumwas similar to Tyrannosaurus rex in size, weighing in at more than four tons, and growing to the length of a school bus (approximately 36 to 37 feet).  By comparison, Tyrannosaurus rex grew to 40 feet, and weighed in at about 7.5 tons.

If Tyrannosaurus rex and Siats  meekerorum had ever met, you can be sure that an epic battle would have ensued.  Siats  meekerorum may have had an advantage with its longer arms.

Siats  meekerorum, the giant meat eating dinosaur was named after a rapacious monster from legend of the Ute tribe in Utah.

The remains of Siats meekerorum found in Utah were unfortunately incomplete.  This specimen of the giant meat eating dinosaur were also juvenile.  The fossil found puts the specimen at approximately 30 feet long, weighing in at 9,000 pounds at full growth.  This puts the monstrous meat eater as the third largest predator found in North America.

Researchers are excited about the find due to having an estimated 25 million years of undocumented predatory history previously.  The finding of the giant meat eating dinosaur Siats meekerorum helps to fill in the gap and prove that allosaurids did indeed rule for longer than previously believed.

For more information on Siats meekerorum, see the study published in Nature Communications.

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Happy Birthday Doctor Who: Traveling British Time Lord Celebrates 50 Years

Todays Google Doodle honors “Doctor Who”,  a beloved British sci-fi series about a character called the Doctor â€" actually an alien Time Lord â€" who travels through space and time to fight evil. His real name isn’t “Doctor Who” (its actually a secret) but he does travel with a series of human companions, despite looking like one, he himself is not.

British Time Lord: Doctor Who and his infamous mode of transport, the TARDIS [Photo by Free Fever]

And, thanks to a clever plot twist, when the Doctor dies, he can regenerate into a new form; as a result, the role has been played by 11 different men since the show went on the air in 1963.

The first version of the show ran from 1963 till 1989, and the reboot has been around since 2005, with a TV movie in the middle. But, unlike many other shows or movies that have gotten reboots, every episode and appearance is part of the same canon

Doctor Who’s nemesis, The Daleks [Image by Deviant Art]

One of the reasons why Doctor Who has been so successful, and what differentiates it from more traditional sci-fi fare, is that the Doctor always travels with one or more companions. There have been dozens over the years, most of them humans from the present time of the Doctor.

Another aspect of the show that may turn out to be a surprising aspect of its appeal to audiences is its quintessential British-ness.

The “Doctor Who” 50th anniversary special is out in theaters Saturday, and Whovians across the globe are celebrating the BBC series’ milestone.

Online fans are also enjoying the adorable “Doctor Who” Google Doodle game, Google Street View’s look inside the TARDIS, and BBC’s brilliant interactive timeline.

In addition to receiving a limited theatrical release, the feature-length special “The Day of the Doctor” will be simulcast worldwide on TV in more than 75 countries, including the U.S. The special is set to premiere on BBC America at 11:50 a.m. PST

All you need to know about the long-running British sci-fi series

â€" The TARDIS looks like an old fashioned police lock-up box because its cloaking device, the chameleon circuit, malfunctioned after his first visit to 1963 London.

â€" It has a six-sided control console because it was designed to have six operatives; the TARDIS wheezes and groans during landing because Doctor leaves the brakes on.

â€" Members of the Doctor’s race, the Time Lords, can only regenerate twelve times â€" but there are loopholes. The limitation was first revealed in “The Deadly Assassin” (1976), but ironically the story also featured an attempt by the Doctor’s arch-enemy, the Master, to renew himself after his thirteenth body had started to fail.

â€" But, while the Doctor is the last of the Time Lords, it’s unlikely that his thirteenth incarnation will be his last.

Info Graphic Courtesy of Sand Box World

Happy Birthday Doctor Who: Traveling British Time Lord Celebrates 50 Years

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