Sunday, February 10, 2013

Obama to lay out economic growth plan in State of Union speech

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will describe his plan for spurring the economy in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, offering proposals for investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education, a senior administration official said on Saturday.

In the annual presidential address to Congress, Obama plans to show he has not lost sight of the economic woes of middle-class Americans - issues that dominated the 2012 election campaign but have been overshadowed recently by efforts to cut the deficit, overhaul immigration laws and curb gun violence.

"The potential success of his second term is hugely dependent on the rate at which the economy grows," said Ruy Teixeira, a political scientist with the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress.

"There's no problem the Democrats have that can't be solved with faster growth. Conversely, there's not much they'll be able to do if growth stays slow."

Obama previewed his economic growth plan in a speech to House of Representatives Democrats this week, telling them he would stress the importance of education, development of clean energy, and infrastructure.

There were no details on the new initiatives for infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education, elements first reported by the New York Times.

But any new spending will face tough opposition from Republicans in Congress who are focused on cutting spending and reducing the deficit.

Obama has urged Congress to take steps to postpone harsh government spending cuts slated to take effect on March 1, and the White House took pains on Friday to describe how the cuts would affect ordinary Americans' lives.

Obama has said he is willing to cut a "big deal" with Republicans to trim spending on the Medicare and Social Security programs for the elderly, but has insisted in ending long-standing tax breaks for oil companies, private equity firms and corporate jet owners to create more revenue for government.

(Editing by Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-lay-economic-growth-plan-state-union-speech-022047207.html

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Meet Omar, face of Egypt's 'unfinished revolution'

Two years after nationwide protests forced President Hosni Mubarak from office, NBC News catches up with Omar Sedky who explains why his country's revolution hasn't met the expectations of many Egyptians.

By Yuka Tachibana, Producer, NBC News

CAIRO, Egypt -- Two years ago, chants of "Irhal! Irhal! (Leave!, Leave!)" resonated through Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of Egypt's fledgling revolution.

Longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak listened. And on Feb. 11, 2011, thousands of joyful Egyptians poured onto the streets to cheer his resignation in anticipation of an exciting future. ?

Newly liberated Egypt must work hard to ?make magic happen,? protester Omar Sedky told NBC News just hours after Mubarak's downfall.?

The usually mild-mannered businessman?is still shouting today.

?The revolution is still going,? Sedky said when NBC News caught up with him in front of the presidential palace ahead of Monday?s two-year anniversary of Mubarak?s downfall.

NBC's Ron Allen reconnects with protester Omar Sedky and his family, who, despite their euphoria, remain focused on the task at hand: rebuilding their nation.

Since the heady days in the immediate aftermath of Mubarak's fall, political division has dimmed much of the optimism, but there is still the sense of a work in progress.

?I?m not disappointed,? said the 33-year-old digital media worker. ?There are ups and downs?but each time I get disappointed I stick to what I believe in.?

So what has changed?

?At least I can write blogs, I can Tweet without the fear of having the state police running after me,? ?Sedky said.

But with greater political freedom has come a degree of instability. Elections last year ended in a narrow victory for Islamist Mohammed Morsi over a former general, and tensions remain between Islamists and secular rivals.

There are concerns that hardline Islamists are taking over Morsi's government, and many Egyptians don't want to live under the strict rule that Morsi?s Muslim Brotherhood party might impose.

Despite the end of the military state, Egypt?s police were last month accused of a return to Mubarak-era abuses after a video showed riot police stripping and beating a middle-aged man.

And a series of missteps by Morsi -- including a bid to grab sweeping powers even before the dust had settled on the country?s constitution --?have brought protesters back onto the streets.

Some of them -- including Sedky -- were among those originally demonstrating in the run-up Mubarak?s downfall.

"Freedom is about what you want and being heard and being assessed, and this is not shown from this government,? he said. ?So, it?s like a time bomb? it?s going to explode.?

The number of protesters is smaller than two years ago, but it is the level of violence which has many people here worried -- more than 60 people died in January alone in clashes across the country.

Related pictures:?Tempers flare in Egypt

The turmoil has kept foreign investors at bay, leaving the economy in a tailspin, while ordinary Egyptians fear for their safety on the streets.

Sedky said the country?s instability would end ?when we have a proper constitution, when we have a parliament that reflects the actual Egyptians, not just the wing that [Islamists] represent.?

Crowds in Tahrir Square erupted in jubilant cheers on Friday after Vice President Suleiman, appearing briefly on Egypt state TV, announced that President Mubarak has stepped down from presidency. NBC's Brian Williams, Richard Engel and Ron Allen report.

?We're going to celebrate when I find this government empowers women, when I see that police are not attacking civilians due to political pressure. ?This is when I celebrate but until then, I will be marching on the streets. I will be protesting until this happens."

It?s a distinctly less optimistic tone than the one he struck right after Mubarak fled from power.

Back then, NBC News shared tea and cakes with him at his home in Cairo with his family including father Hussein, mother Moushira and younger brother, Tarek.

All were savoring the new political dawn that millions of Egyptians had long awaited.

But even then, Sedky had acknowledged the enormity of Egypt?s task ahead:? ?We don't have a magic wand -- we have to work hard to make magic happen to real life,? he said then.

These days Sedky is a member of the Positive Movement, a secular and liberal non-governmental organization founded soon after the revolution, which encourages Egyptians to become more engaged in their country?s political transition. But while the last two years of turmoil and disappointment have dampened his euphoria,?he holds on to hope.?

?I have faith that we?re going to build this country properly again," he said.

Within minutes of speaking with Sedky, a previously peaceful protest turned ugly. ?Some protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the presidential?palace,?which was met with teargas and water canons?from the police.?The?grounds of the palace were set alight. ?At least one protester was shot and killed. ?

Another long night began for?what many like?Sedky?call their "unfinished revolution."

Ahmed Youssef / EPA

Eighteen days of popular protest culminated in the downfall of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, 2011.

Related:

Analysis: Egypt violence is rooted in the economy, not just politics

Egypt could 'collapse,' army chief warns

Analysis: Egyptians fear decades of Muslim Brotherhood rule

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/09/16886198-meet-omar-the-face-of-egypts-unfinished-revolution?lite

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Gunmen kill 9 polio health workers in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - Gunmen on motorbikes shot dead nine health workers who were administering polio vaccinations in two separate attacks in Nigeria's main northern city of Kano on Friday, police said.

No one claimed responsibility but Islamist militant group Boko Haram, a sect which has condemned the use of Western medicine, has been blamed for carrying out a spate of assaults on security forces in the city in recent weeks.

Some influential Muslim leaders in Kano openly oppose polio vaccination, saying it is a conspiracy against Muslim children.

The attacks will hit efforts by global health organisations to clear Nigeria's mostly-Muslim north of polio; a virus that can cause irreversible paralysis within hours of infection.

It is the second time this year that polio workers have come under attack by Islamist militants after gunmen killed aid workers tackling the disease in Pakistan last month.

"Gunmen on bikes opened fire on a health centre in the Hotoro district killing seven, while an attack on Zaria Road area of the city claimed two lives," said police spokesman Magaji Musa.

"They were working for the state government giving out polio vaccinations at the time of the attack," Musa added.

Kano government banned motorbikes from carrying passengers last month after the Emir of Kano, one of the country's most prominent leaders, was nearly killed when gunmen attacked his convoy, killing four of his aides.

Kano residents said soldiers had cordoned off the areas attacked and movement was being restricted in the city.

ISLAMIST THREAT

Boko Haram killed hundreds last year as part of its campaign to impose Islamic law, or sharia, on a country of 160 million split roughly equally between Christians and Muslims.

The group is seen as the most serious threat to the stability of Africa's top energy producer, and Western governments fear the country could become a base for operations of al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups in the Sahara.

President Goodluck Jonathan has highlighted links between Boko Haram and Saharan Islamists and said that relationship justified his decision to join efforts by French and West African forces to fight militants in Mali last month.

In 2003, northern Nigeria's Muslim leaders opposed polio vaccinations, saying they could cause infertility and AIDS.

Their campaign against the treatments was blamed for a resurgence of the disease in parts of Nigeria and other African countries previously declared polio-free.

Polio, a virus that attacks the nervous system, crippled thousands of people every year in rich nations until the 1950s. As a result of vaccination, it is now only endemic in three countries - Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, there were 121 new cases of polio in Nigeria last year, compared to 58 in Pakistan and 37 in Afghanistan.

"This is certainly a set back for polio eradication in Nigeria, but not a stop," said Oyewale Tomori, a campaigner for polio eradication in Nigeria.

"The best we can do is to work harder and see the end of polio ... so their loss will not end as a useless sacrifice."

At least 16 health workers taking part in polio vaccination drives were killed in attacks in Pakistan in December and January.

Local Taliban militants said they did not carry out those attacks although its leaders have repeatedly denounced the vaccination programme as a plot to sterilise people or spy on Muslims.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gunmen-kill-9-attacks-health-workers-nigeria-112459227.html

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KUAL Is a Simple, Unified Launcher for Jailbroken Kindles

KUAL Is a Simple, Unified Launcher for Jailbroken KindlesIf you have an old Kindle sitting around, or you just want to get a little more out of the one use every day, jailbreaking is simple. Once you jailbreak, KUAL is a worthwhile little application launcher that gives you easy access to what you download.

KUAL works with pretty much every single Kindle model. Once it's installed, you can run the program, and you're given a simple, easy to use launcher to access everything on your Kindle. That means games, VNC clients, apps, and plenty more. It's a nifty little launcher, and the fact it works on pretty much every Kindle out there makes it simple to use.

[Kindle] Unified Application Launcher. KUAL | Mobileread via Hack a Day

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/R0TwaT5QGNA/kual-is-a-simple-unified-launcher-for-jailbroken-kindles

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Weekly PR Highlights | March Communications

Avoid Social Media Disasters in 2013

SocialMediaToday ? February 3, 2013

Social media has an impact on a number of various industries from PR to marketing. But, does that mean it?s always good to be social? A great social media campaign can certainly put your business on the map while increasing online presence, but it can also be damaging to a company?s reputation if used in the wrong way. This article mentions how it is more important than ever for business managers and owners to run a successful social media campaign for their company.

Five Items Every Marketer Should Have on Their Agenda

AdAge ? February 4, 2013

Barriers often restrain brands from achieving their full potential, which can be extremely harmful. In order to combat this, we need to start breaking down these barriers. We need to act as agents of change in order to ensure the industry keeps moving forward and improve the way we do business, like marketing. This article touches upon five core areas that could be pushed for accelerated change in the marketing industry this year, including accountability, measurement and privacy.

3 Ways to Optimize Your Social Media Marketing

CMSWire ? February 5, 2013

Social media is a vital component to every digital marketing playbook. However, a number of marketers still struggle with using it efficiently and effectively. This article discusses three different ways to optimize social media, especially when it comes to Twitter and Facebook. For instance, keeping a handle on social media and having a call to action are all important ways to effectively utilize social media.

Five Things to Know About Social-Media Compliance

InvestmentNews ? February 6, 2013

Advisers are becoming more comfortable with social media and acquainted with compliance regulations, but it is something that must be thoroughly understood and revisited often. This article talks about five things that provide social-media compliance rookies with a solid base of knowledge, including static content and third-party content.

3 Ways Technology is Changing Customer Experience for the Better

Business2Community ? February 7, 2013

Technological advances have put power in the hands of consumers, giving them the ability to ask more of businesses and providing them with more options. This article explains three ways technology is changing customer experience, like how the rise of social media is an integral part of the customer experience.

Source: http://www.marchpr.com/blog/2013/02/weekly-pr-highlights-38/

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Telco rule review brought forward - Stuff

Chorus shares have jumped 10 per cent after Communications Minister Amy Adams bowed to pressure from the company and brought forward a comprehensive review of telecommunications regulation.

The move is a major victory for Chorus which this week requested policy changes as it battles a Commerce Commission draft determination that would slash the price it could charge for the use of its copper-based broadband network.

The Government amended the Telecommunications Act in 2011 as part of its preparations for its $1.35 billion investment in ultrafast broadband, saying then that it would commence "a general review of the policy framework for regulating telecommunications services in New Zealand" by September 2016 with the goal of completing the review by March 2019.

But Adams today announced the review, and another that will look at the Telecommunications Service Obligation that limits fixed-line rentals and guarantees unmetered local calling, would now start "immediately".

Former Communications Minister Steven Joyce had indicated copper-based broadband would act as a competitive check on the price telecommunications retailers would be able to charge for fibre-based ultrafast broadband.

But Adams signalled the review would result in a more fibre-friendly regulatory regime.

"Throughout the establishment of the Government's UFB and RBI [rural broadband] initiatives, user groups were clear in their calls for the need for fibre connectivity as a priority. The Government is committed to world-class fibre infrastructure, and the long-term gains it will bring," she said.

"Increased certainty around the transition path from copper to fibre will promote development of retail fibre products, boosting the ability of New Zealand homes, businesses, schools and hospitals to maximise the transformative potential of these technologies.

"The policy framework needs to be predictable and stable for all concerned, and in my view, it is therefore desirable that these two reviews get underway immediately."

The battle over telco regulation came to a head after the Commerce Commission issued a draft determination in November that recommended cutting the price Chorus should be allowed to charge for wholesale copper broadband connections by $12.53 a month to $8.93 from December 2014.

Chorus estimated the price cut would slash up to $160 million off its annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and said it would inhibit the take-up of ultrafast broadband by making existing copper services cheaper in comparison.

Chorus shares are trading up 29 cents at $3.15.

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Comments

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8278183/Telco-rule-review-brought-forward

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Friday, February 8, 2013

3-D printing on the micrometer scale

Feb. 8, 2013 ? At the Photonics West, the leading international fair for photonics taking place in San Francisco (USA) this week, Nanoscribe GmbH, a spin-off of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), presents the world's fastest 3D printer of micro- and nanostructures. With this printer, smallest three-dimensional objects, often smaller than the diameter of a human hair, can be manufactured with minimum time consumption and maximum resolution. The printer is based on a novel laser lithography method.

The 3D laser litho-graphy systems developed by Nanoscribe -- the spin-off can still be found on KIT's Campus North -- are used for research by KIT and scientists worldwide. Work in the area of photonics concentrates on replacing conventional electronics by optical circuits of higher performance. For this purpose, Nanoscribe systems are used to print polymer waveguides reaching data transfer rates of more than 5 terabits per second.

Biosciences produce tailored scaffolds for cell growth studies among others. In materials research, functional materials of enhanced performance are developed for lightweight construction to reduce the consumption of resources.

Increased Speed: Hours Turn into Minutes

By means of the new laser lithography method, printing speed is increased by factor of about 100. This increase in speed results from the use of a galvo mirror system, a technology that is also applied in laser show devices or scanning units of CD and DVD drives. Reflecting a laser beam off the rotating galvo mirrors facilitates rapid and precise laser focus positioning. "We are revolutionizing 3D printing on the micrometer scale. Precision and speed are achieved by the industrially established galvo technology. Our product benefits from more than one decade of experience in photonics, the key technology of the 21st century," says Martin Hermatschweiler, the managing director of Nanoscribe GmbH.

Mechanism: Two-photon Polymerization

The direct laser writing technique underlying the 3D printing method is based on two-photon polymerization. Just as paper ignites when exposed to sunlight focused through a magnifying glass, ultra-short laser pulses polymerize photosensitive materials in the laser focus. Depending on the photosensitive material chosen, the exposed or unexposed volume only is dissolved. After a developer bath, these written areas remain as self-supporting micro- and nanostructures.

Removing Barriers

By means of the galvo technology, three-dimensional micro- and nanostructures can be printed rapidly and, hence, on large areas in principle. At highest resolution, however, the scanning field is limited physically to a few 100 ?m due to the optical properties of the focusing objective. Just as floor tiles must be joined precisely, the respective scanning fields have to be connected seamlessly and accurately. By the so-called stitching, areas can be extended nearly arbitrarily.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/6UP-fbgozJM/130208105901.htm

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