Fold-up car of the future unveiled for Europe

A tiny revolutionary fold-up car designed in Spain's Basque country as the answer to urban stress and pollution was unveiled Tuesday before hitting European cities in 2013.

The "Hiriko," the Basque word for "urban," is an electric two-seater with no doors whose motor is located in the wheels and which folds up like a child's collapsible buggy, or stroller, for easy parking.

Dreamt up by Boston's MIT-Media lab, the concept was developed by a consortium of seven small Basque firms under the name Hiriko Driving Mobility, with a prototype unveiled by European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

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Leaning tower of London? Big Ben is tilting

LONDON (Reuters) - British landmark Big Ben is leaning to such an extent that the tilt can now be clocked with the naked eye, according to a report commissioned by London Underground and the Parliamentary Estates Department.

The 96 meter (yards) high clock tower of the Houses of Parliament -- known colloquially as Big Ben, the name of the great bell it houses -- is sinking unevenly into the ground, causing it to lean toward the northwest.

"The tilt is now just about visible. You can see it if you stand on Parliament Square and look east, toward the river. I have heard tourists there taking photographs saying 'I don't think it is quite vertical' - and they are quite right," emeritus professor and senior research investigator at Imperial College, London, John Burland, told the Sunday Telegraph.
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An Image of Big Ben during my vacation in England last 2008.

The Future of Apple Without Steve Jobs

By Peter Gorenstein | Daily Ticker

Steve Jobs is gone. He passed away too young and undoubtedly with plenty of innovative ideas still brewing. It comes as no surprise but it's now a reality. (See: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies: Reflections on His Legacy)

Jobs' imprint and influence on Apple will remain for years. However, his management team can no longer count on his presence, opinion and impeccable taste.

How will that affect Apple?

As Aaron Task and Henry Blodget discuss in the accompanying clip, the near term is not a concern. Apple will remain one of the most valued companies in the world thanks to strong sales of Macs, iPhones and iPads. The company appears to have incredible momentum over the next few product cycles, thanks largely to Jobs' technological vision and marketing brilliance.

Then what?

The technology sector is arguably the most competitive industry in the world. Steve Jobs' genius was creating products no one even knew they wanted before Apple built them. He did not invent the personal computer, the digital music player, smartphones and or tablets; but his creations so fundamentally changed the market, he might as well have. (See: iPod, iPhone, iPad) No one knows better than Apple how one product enhancement or advancement can change consumer demand in inconceivable ways. (See: Blackberry vs iPhone) more here.

Japan official: Disasters overwhelmed government

TOKYO – The Japanese government acknowledged Friday that it was overwhelmed by the scale of last week's twin natural disasters, slowing the response to the nuclear crisis that was triggered by the earthquake and tsunami that left at least 10,000 people dead.

The admission came as Japan welcomed U.S. help in stabilizing its overheated, radiation-leaking nuclear complex, and reclassified the rating of the nuclear accident from Level 4 to Level 5 on a seven-level international scale, putting it on a par with the 1979 Three Mile Island accident.
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Prayers to all the victims of tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

32 killed in major tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake

I was so scared this morning while seeing the news on German television about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I was more scared when I heard that nearby countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, China will also be affected by the said catastrophe. While taking my lunch, I also heard over the radio that around 20 countries will also be affected by the said calamity.

I immediately called my family in the Philippines and told them about it. Since our house in the Philippines is very near the sea, my sister said that there are already big waves on the ocean and they can feel the tremor especially when the big waves hit the seaside.

Condolence to the families from Japan who had lost their loveones from the said natural calamity. I am also offering my prayers for the safety and comfort of all the people in Japan and all neighboring countries who are also affected by the said disaster.

God bless us all and let's all continue to pray!

Below is the news from yahoo for your information.

32 killed in major tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake

By MALCOLM FOSTER, Associated Press Malcolm Foster, Associated Press –

TOKYO – A powerful tsunami spawned by the largest earthquake in Japan's recorded history slammed the eastern coast Friday, sweeping away boats, cars, homes and people as widespread fires burned out of control. Authorities said at least 32 people were killed.

The magnitude 8.9 offshore quake was followed by at least 19 aftershocks, most of them of more than magnitude 6.0. Dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coastline were shaken by violent tremors that reached as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the epicenter.

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Hosni Mubarak steps down as president of Egypt

Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as the president of Egypt, handing control of the country to the armed forces. Mubarak stepped down after eighteen days of mass protests across the country.

"In these difficult circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the position of the presidency. He has commissioned the armed forces council to direct the issues of the state," said the vice president of Egypt, Omar Suleiman. Both houses of parliament and the cabinet are expected to be suspended following Mubarak's resignation the BBC reports, quoting Al-Arabiya.

In response to the resignation, Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei stated that "This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated."

Mubarak had been Egypt's president for nearly 30 years.
wikinews

Russia: Suicide bomber attacked the Moscow airport

MOSCOW – Russian investigators say a suicide bomber most likely carried out the attack that killed at least 31 people and wounded over 140 at Moscow's busiest airport.

Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin says experts are now trying to identify the suspected bomber.

The explosion ripped through the international arrivals hall at Domodedovo Airport on Monday afternoon.
By NATALIYA VASILYEVA and IVAN SEKRETAREV, Associated Press Nataliya Vasilyeva And Ivan Sekretarev, Associated Press
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At least 443 dead after flooding in Brazil

According to Reuters, at least 443 are dead after massive flooding and mudslides in Brazil, after heavy rain in the rocky in the Serrana region. msnbc.com has reported that the death toll stands at almost 500. The area, located north of Rio de Janeiro, received 10 inches of rain (a month’s worth) in 24 hours.

The Folha de São Paulo publication stated it was the worst natural disaster to impact Brazil in about forty years. During a 5 mile hike for supplies, local resident Vania Ramos said, “I don’t even have the words to describe what I’ve seen.” According to the Civil Defense agency, in excess of 13,500 people have become homeless due to the recent events.

Debris from destroyed houses is littered across the area; more rain and mudslides are expected. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff flew over the area by helicopter. To the region, the country's health ministry is sending seven thousand kilograms of medication. Teresopolis area mayor Jorge Mario said, “It’s like an earthquake struck some areas.”
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Fossil Skeletons May Be Human Ancestor

A newfound ancient relative of humanity discovered in a cave in Africa is a strong candidate for the immediate ancestor to the human lineage, an international team of scientists said today.

The remarkably well-preserved skeletons - a juvenile male and an adult female that lived nearly 2 million years ago - were found near the surface in the remains of a deeply eroded limestone cave system.

Scientists don't know how they died, but it's possible they fell into the cave.

The hominids had longer arms than we do, and smaller brains. But their faces were human-like, and scientists say the discovery represents an important look into our pre-human past. Researchers stopped short of calling the new species, dubbed Australopithecus sediba, a missing link.
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Warning: Don't Press F1 in your Keyboard, It Might Harm your PC

I was a bit scared now because I am still using a Windows XP Program. I was a bit enlighten because I am using a safer browser Mozilla Firefox. I just read awhile ago regarding a news over the internet warning all users of Windows XP and those who are using Internet Explorer browser. Microsoft confirmed that there is a danger to your computer security because the Hacker used that F1 Help Key to attack your computers.

If you press F1 in your keyboard, there might be a risk that your computer will be attacked by viruses. It is said that users of Windows XP using Internet Explorer browser are vulnerable to such risks. On the other hand, users of Windows 7, Vista, Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 are on the safer side.

It is also advice that you better use safer internet browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Opera. If ever there are script running or appearing while you are browsing online, it is advice that you better stop it from running. Below is the link of the news where I got it..sorry it is in German language. You might browse it online for its English version.
http://de.news.yahoo.com/34/20100303/ttc-f1-taste-gefaehrlich-f0c422d.html

My Travel Insurance Expired

This is quite not a good idea because my travel insurance just expired yesterday. I am hoping that I will always be feeling good and healthy for the rest of my vacation. For now, I am doing great. I only have some headaches sometimes. I guess due to the warm weather. I would like to search for
free insurance quotes in a couple of days when given more time. I am quite busy all the time. More updates to come in the near future! take care guys and Happy New Year once again!

New year's Resolution

Hello everyone! 2010 is finally here! happy new Year!! I am hoping that you are having a great start of the year. I guess I am! Did you have a New year's Resolution for this year? I hope so! I have a lot but sharing it here would take me too long to write. I wish to share it once I will be backed to Europe by mid-February. Another reason is that we also don't have an internet connection in my Mother's province here in Cebu. I am at the internet cafe right now and the connection is very slow. I believed most people are having new year's resolution to make their lives better. I also know that there are some people who take for granted this so-called New Year's Resolution. Some are still continuing their bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, etcetera. Even my Uncle is always trying to find discount cigars to continue his vice on smoking. Not really a good idea but that is his choice. For those who are having a good New year's resolution to make their life better, I wish you all good luck and have a wonderful 2010!

Left My Acer Aspire

Hey guys! How it is going? I hope all is fine and your all doing good! I got a little bit problem now because I left my cute Acer Aspire. I am at the internet cafe right now because there is no internet connection in my Mother's place. We have a computer there but I can't use it due to above reason. Anyway, I am just sending my best regards to everyone especially to those who visited and viewed my sites. I am quite busy right now with some projects. More updates to come as soon as I can. Take care folks and stay safe all the time.

Technology News: Computer challenges humans on 'Jeopardy!'

Want some updates about technology! read this post and be informed!

Computer challenges humans on 'Jeopardy!'
ARMONK, N.Y. (UPI) -- IBM has unveiled an advanced computing system that will compete with humans on a special edition of the television program "Jeopardy!"

Codenamed "Watson," the system is designed to be able to understand complex questions and answer with enough precision and speed to compete on the TV show. Officials from "Jeopardy!" said they will produce a human versus machine episode of the program.

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Updates About Swine Flu

This is a subscribed email from arcamax.com. I am just sharing this article just to give you some information about the latest Swine Flu Virus that hit the whole world now. Keep reading and be informed! Happy Thursday

Swine flu not linked with today's pigs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (UPI) -- A Purdue University veterinarian says flu viruses are named for the first animal in which they are found; the current swine flu was discovered in pigs in 1930.

That discovery is the only reason the current outbreak is called swine flu, said Purdue swine medicine expert Sandy Amass. "We don't even know if the virus found in humans will infect pigs."

No U.S. pigs have been found with swine flu (H1N1) in the current outbreak -- only humans -- but Amass says pork producers should take precautionary measures to protect their herds from being infected with any flu virus:

-- Do not permit people, including employees that have the flu or flu-like symptoms, in or around barns.

-- Do not allow any visitors to the farm, especially international visitors who have had contact with other livestock.

-- If pigs show flu symptoms -- coughing, runny nose, fever and a reduction in feed intake -- call a veterinarian and have them tested.

"It's important to make sure your biosecurity procedures are being followed," Amass said. "If you have any concern, work with your vet because they know your operation best."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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