Official: Toll in Israel Gaza strikes 12 militants

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) ? A Palestinian health official says the death toll from a series of Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza strip has risen to 12 militants.

Adham Abu Salmiya says the men were killed in seven airstrikes overnight and on Saturday morning.

The flare-up began midmorning Friday, when an Israeli airstrike targeted Zuhair al-Qaissi, the commander of one of the militant groups behind the abduction of an Israeli soldier. Gilad Schalit was held captive for five years and was ultimately swapped for about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Al-Qaissi's killing prompted Palestinian militants in Gaza to fire over 50 rockets at Israel so far, seriously wounding one Israeli civilian.

It was the highest profile Israeli strike against militants in the coastal strip in several months.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) ? An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday killed the commander of the militant group behind the abduction of Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier who was held captive for more than five years and freed in a prisoner swap for more than 1,000 Palestinians.

The midday attack marked the highest profile Israeli strike against the coastal strip in several months and immediately set off a violent escalation after a period of relative calm.

Various Palestinian militant groups fired dozens of rockets, some deep into Israeli territory, prompting Israel to issue warnings to its residents to stay indoors. The Israeli military pounded several rocket launching cells in Gaza. In all, 10 Palestinian militants were killed in Israeli airstrikes, and one Israeli citizen was seriously wounded by the Palestinian rocket fire.

The Israeli military said it initially targeted Zuhair al-Qaissi, the commander of the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee, a large militant group closely aligned with Gaza's Hamas rulers. The explosion tore apart al-Qaissi's blue sedan and killed his son-in-law, Mahmoud Hanini ? himself a top PRC field commander. Another low ranking Gaza militant also died.

Hours later, Israeli military killed two more militants that it said were about to launch rockets. After midnight, Palestinian officials said another five were killed in and around Gaza City.

Palestinian witnesses said Israeli drones were seen hovering above just moments before al-Qaissi's vehicle burst into flames. They said the blast was so fierce that al-Qaissi's head detached as a result.

The Israeli military said al-Qaissi was plotting an infiltration attack into Israel similar to the one he orchestrated in August from the Sinai peninsula that killed eight Israelis and injured 40 more.

The armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee is responsible for dozens of deadly attacks against Israelis in recent years and its members are among the most active rocket launchers from Gaza into Israel.

The Israeli military said al-Qaissi was also in charge of transferring funds from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to other militant groups in Gaza.

But the group is mostly known for carrying out the brazen 2006 abduction of Schalit and holding on to him for more than five years until he was freed in a massive prisoner swap last year.

Israel's agreement to release 1,027 Palestinians for Schalit was the most lopsided swap in the country's history. Hundreds of those released have vowed to resume violence against Israel.

Israel often targets Gaza militants it says are preparing attacks, but tensions have been relatively calm in recent months with Israel mostly targeting smuggling tunnels from Egypt and refraining from attacking individuals. Al-Qaissi, who is also known as Abu Ibrahim, is the highest profile casualty in Gaza since his predecessor, Kamal Nairab, was killed seven months ago in similar fashion.

The military said Palestinian militants had fired some 50 rockets and mortar shells at Israel over the past two months, causing no casualties and little damage.

In contrast, some three dozen were fired Friday alone ? with Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepting five, the military said.

Gaza militants promised many more would come.

"The coward Zionists have committed an ugly crime and they know the price that they are going to pay," said a PRC spokesman, who goes by the pseudonym Abu Mujahid.

"We call on our fighters to respond to the Zionist enemy with all our strength," he said. "We shall avenge our leader and the response, God willing, will be equal to the size of the heinous crime."

The Israeli military insisted it did not want an escalation but said it was "prepared to defend the residents of Israel."

But it appeared to be getting ready for the worst, issuing a warning to Israeli residents living within 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Gaza to stay close to home Friday night and refrain from holding major outdoor events Saturday.

Israel said Hamas was using other groups to carry out attacks in its place and warned that Gaza's rulers "will bear the consequences of these actions" if an escalation took place.

Mere hours later, Israel struck two more Gaza militants preparing to fire rockets. Gaza Health Ministry official Adham Abu Salmiya confirmed two were killed east of Gaza City. The Islamic Jihad said the dead men were its members.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum blamed Israel for sparking a new escalation.

"The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain," he said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/official-toll-israel-gaza-strikes-12-militants-075841773.html

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iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on (video)

iRobot's Bedford, Massachusetts headquarters is literally crawling (well, rolling) with robots of all shapes and sizes, from friendlier household fare like Scoobas and Roombas, to the 450-pound Warrior battlefield 'bot, which patrols the perimeter, looking for mock IEDs. The highlight of our trip this week, however, had to be the time we spent with 110 FirstLook. Sure, durability is job number one, when you're building products for the military, but the plucky little robot takes things to a whole new level.

At five pounds, you can pick the thing up and toss it -- in fact, the company encourages such action. The FirstLook was built to be thrown into dangerous areas, and it's rugged enough to smash through plate glass windows to get there. The 'bot has a patch of skateboard-like grip tape on its top, opposite the bendable antenna, so you can easily grab it with a single hand. You toss the FirstLook side arm, like a frisbee, and no matter what side it lands on, the rubber treads will cushion the blow a bit. If it happens to hit the ground upside down (with the antenna on the bottom), the triangle wings on either side can be slowly extended in either direction to right the robot. Same goes for when it bounces down a flight of stairs, unharmed.

Gallery: iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on

Continue reading iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on (video)

iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/irobot-110-firstlook-hands-on-video/

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Is OnLive Violating Microsoft's Licensing Agreements? [Onlive]

Though you might expect a company whose business model is based around sharing installations of Windows via the web to have thought about licensing... you'd be wrong. Microsoft is claiming that OnLive—the company intent on delivering Windows to your iPad—violates its Windows 7 licensing agreements. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/vtOlXP90_XY/is-onlive-violating-microsofts-licensing-agreements

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Martin puts N.Zealand on top in Test against S.Africa

New Zealand seized control of the first Test against South Africa Wednesday thanks to a stunning spell of three wickets in four balls from paceman Chris Martin.

The Proteas ended the day at 191 for seven, with Jacques Rudolph (46) the only recognised batsman left after skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla scored half centuries but the rest of the line-up failed to fire.

South Africa trounced New Zealand in the limited overs series and the Test looked to be heading the same way before Martin triggered a collapse that saw six wickets fall in the final session of a rain-shortened day in Dunedin.

With almost four hours of play lost to the weather, New Zealand captain Ross Taylor looked to have made the wrong call sending South Africa into bat after winning the toss, as the Black Caps' attack struggled in the first session.

South Africa were 86 for one at tea, with Smith notching his 31st Test 50 and Amla looking settled on a flat, lifeless pitch that yielded only one wicket, Alviro Petersen (11), for New Zealand's bowlers.

But Taylor's gamble paid off spectacularly when the clouds cleared and Martin dismissed Smith for 53 in the first over after the break, the batsman driving the ball to debutant Rob Nicol at cover as he attempted a boundary.

Martin struck again in his next over, dismissing Jacques Kallis for a duck when the batsman nicked the ball to Taylor at first slip.

AB de Villiers became scalp number three in the next ball, trapped lbw for a golden duck when the delivery nipped back sharply, skidding past the bat and crashing into the batsman's pads.

De Villiers called for a television review, which backed the umpire's decision and sent the despondent South African trudging back to the pavilion with the Proteas reeling at four for 90.

Martin could not manage a hat-trick when Rudolph came to the crease but his devastating spell lifted the Black Caps, who suddenly looked sharper in the field and more threatening with the ball.

Amla kept his cool to steady South Africa, grafting out a valuable 66-run partnership with Rudolph to post his 22nd Test 50.

Doug Bracewell thought he had the batsman caught and bowled on 56 but a television review showed the chance fell just short of the diving bowler's fingers.

However, Amla was dismissed in the next over, mis-hitting a Daniel Vettori delivery and sending the ball looping to Taylor in the slips.

Mark Boucher (4) faced only two balls before being run out when Rudolph, on strike, took off for a single, only for Bracewell to fire the ball back from the field to South African-born keeper Kruger van Wyk, who broke the stumps.

Rudolph then survived a huge lbw appeal from New Zealand on 32 when replays showed Bracewell overstepped the line before releasing the ball.

The bowler made amends in his next over, coaxing an edge from Dale Steyn to the slip cordon which richocheted off Martin Guptill's hand but stayed in the air long enough for Taylor to snatch the chance.

The Proteas will hope Rudolph can combine with the tail enders to post a competitive total to keep alive their dream of a clean sweep in the three match series, which would see them take top spot in the ICC world Test rankings.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/martin-puts-n-zealand-top-test-against-africa-090030880.html

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He Paid A Lot Of Attention To Quality

Soichiro Honda?s interest was motor vehicles, but, paradoxically, he developed Honda motorcycles. He started learning the mechanical facet of automobiles while still a teeenager, working in a repair shop, and he loved racing and fast driving. He owned both a Harley Davidson along with an Indian, and he was in fact quite experienced at motorcycle riding.

Despite the fact that he already held a motor vehicle repair shop in 1928, it was only in 1948, when he was 41 years old, that Soichiro Honda started the Honda Motor Company. He paid a lot of attention to quality, because he believed that to compete he needed well-designed products that were made well. In spite of motorcycle profits being on an upward trend in 1953, the economic depression in Japan almost wrecked his company. He kept his manufacturing facility up and running so as to avoid laying off people, even though only a small number of motorcycles were being bought. It ended up to be the correct decision, because in 1958 the most successful motorcycle ever before, the C100 Super Cub, was launched. The bike was versatile and affordable, within anybody?s reach, driven by a 4-stroke motor with a 3-speed transmission.

People novices at motorcycles found it easy to use, and it soon found a big following amongst the women commuters. Honda attained the position of the largest manufacture of motorcycles by 1959, mainly because of the success of this bike. This directed them to plan to start broadening around the world. They thought that if they could initially capture the United States market, it might start the ball rolling. Approval by the American consumer would signify acceptance by the rest of the world. The original store offering Honda motorcycles opened in June of 1959, in Los Angeles, and by 1960, successful dealerships, selling Honda?s, were more than 75.

By making accessible half the financing for two important organizations, Honda showed their commitment to the community and won a huge amount of public trust for their company. These were the Motorcycle Industry Council, and the Motorcycle Safety Council, both highly appreciated by devotees of motorcycles. In the 70?s the Honda company kept developing new models that people just couldn?t resist, and they stayed number one in the industry. They were soon regarded as the quickest bikes in the world, flowing from their winning of over 70 global races in 1973. Additional bike companies were quick to leap on the bandwagon, when, in 1975, touring bikes became fashionable as well as comfortable, following the introduction of the GL1000 Gold Wing.

Revolutionary motorcycles, appealing to different cultures, have continued to be manufactured by Honda. Annually Honda donate a whole lot of motorcycles to what they regard as worthwhile causes, and this helps retain the respect and fondness with which they are regarded. Honda still encourage biking safety through the courses they sponsor and by helping bikers have access to the most up-to-date information available. Honda have developed a track record of dependability over the many years they have been available. The success they already have attained with some of the big risks they have taken has resulted in Honda growing to be a virtual emperor of motorcycles.

About the Author

Johnson?s websites: Severe Depression, Depression, Depression Symptoms, Automotive, And Pet Reviews.

Source: http://cirvtacoma.org/he-paid-a-lot-of-attention-to-quality/

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Guerrilla's That Broke the Boundaries of Idol-Artist | YG UNITED ...

Idol and artist are two words that are used more limited and in a specialized meaning in Korean pop music industry.

Idol that is meant to be a public icon instead narrowed down to represent ?teen idol? for teenage icons and now became a term to refer to those young singers who are oriented towards teen idols. Now it?s common to go through formalities of teens to be selected and trained for several years in addition to professional composer and choreographer to debut on network TV to make a big name.

The dictionary meaning of artist is art. Even pop music is clearly art so it?s proper for pop singers to be called artist, however lately it?s a bit awkward to call idol singers, artist. There is no clear dividing line between idol and artist however clearly there seems to be a general social consensus.

The standard of being an artist generally seems to be based on how they are able to display their thoughts and philosophy through music and have independent activities. It?s not required for them directly compose and write the music. To set the direction of the overall album or to express a song with own color is also part of creativity. A contestant of SBS ?K-Pop Star? was commented by judge JY Park as ?the only contestant worthy to be called artist? for his original choreography is the same context.

In the past it was common for idol and artist to overlap. Significant amount of songs of idol Jun Young Rok in 1980?s were his own compositions. Even idol Seo Taiji & Boys who are known as the pioneer of today?s culture also had their own compositions, choreography, songwriting, and stage costume.

However the dynamics changed since mid-1990s. Idol singers became part of a large wheel operated under large agencies under their enormous entertainment industry. The time has come when even music is governed by system rather than people.

In the midst of this there are ?guerrilla? that are coming out who are breaking down the boundaries of idol and artist. Leader G-Dragon of Big Bang who participated in most of the song is representative of that. He shared, ?Being called an artist is the greatest joy and praise we can receive. It?s important for us that people who see and listen to us feel that we are musician and artist rather than calling ourselves that.?

Also Jay Park wrote 80% and produced the whole album. He shared, ?The biggest difference when I was part of the group and now is that I can do music that I wish to do. I believe if you are able to express your music confidently then you are an artist.?

Just as the Kpop wave that is spreading out to the world symbolizes, the result of large agencies are world standard. However music is fundamentally different from matching America?s idea and design with Korea?s part, China?s labor force like industrial products such as an iPhone. Even if it?s less than perfect people are more attracted to music that shows that person?s fragrance. Music is that person and life itself before being a product.

Source: kpopstarz

About the author: YGFanboy View all posts by YGFanboy

Mark Lawrence is the creator and the South East Asian administrator of YG United International. He is one of the authors and admin of ygunited.com. He also handles the official social networking sites of YG United, routinely updating our followers with the latest feeds. Follow him on Twitter @YGFanboy

Source: http://ygunited.com/2012/03/07/guerrillas-that-broke-the-boundaries-of-idol-artist/

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Scientists see rise in tornado-creating conditions

By Sharon Begley

NEW YORK | Mon Mar 5, 2012 6:20pm EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - When at least 80 tornadoes rampaged across the United States, from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico, last Friday, it was more than is typically observed during the entire month of March, tracking firm AccuWeather.com reported on Monday.

According to some climate scientists, such earlier-than-normal outbreaks of tornadoes, which typically peak in the spring, will become the norm as the planet warms.

"As spring moves up a week or two, tornado season will start in February instead of waiting for April," said climatologist Kevin Trenberth of the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Whether climate change will also affect the frequency or severity of tornadoes, however, remains very much an open question, and one that has received surprisingly little study.

"There are only a handful of papers, even to this day," said atmospheric scientist Robert Trapp of Purdue University, who led a pioneering 2007 study of tornadoes and climate change.

"Some of us think we should be paying more attention to it," said atmospheric physicist Anthony Del Genio of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, part of NASA.

The scientific challenge is this: the two conditions necessary to spawn a twister are expected to be affected in opposite ways. A warmer climate will likely boost the intensity of thunderstorms but could dampen wind shear, the increase of wind speed at higher altitudes, researchers say.

Tomorrow's thunderstorms will pack a bigger wallop, but may strike less frequently than they have historically, explained Del Genio.

"As we go to a warmer atmosphere, storms - which transfer energy from one region to another - somehow figure out how to do that more efficiently," he said. As a result, thunderstorms transfer more energy per outbreak, and so have to make such transfers less often.

In a 2011 paper, Del Genio calculated that, "especially in the central and eastern United States, we can expect a few more days per month with conditions favorable to severe thunderstorm occurrence" by the latter part of this century if the global climate grows warmer.

Indeed, the world has been experiencing more violent storms since 1970, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported in its most recent assessment.

EXTENDING TORNADOES' PATH

Purdue's Trapp and colleagues got a similar result in their 2007 study, which they confirmed in research published in 2009 and 2011. "The number of days when conditions exist to form tornadoes is expected to increase" as the world warms, he said.

In addition, they found, regions near the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts not normally associated with tornadoes will experience tornado-making weather more frequently. They projected a doubling in the number of days with such conditions in Atlanta and New York City, for instance.

More powerful thunderstorms would be expected to produce more tornadoes, but wind shear could prove a mitigating factor.

Because climate change is not uniform, Del Genio wrote in the 2011 paper, "in the lower troposphere, the temperature difference between low and high latitudes decreases as the planet warms, creating less wind shear."

Other scientists are not so sure, and they see a surge in tornadoes last year as ominous. April 2011 was the most active tornado month on record, with 753, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), compared to the previous record of 267 in April 1974.

"I have no doubt that there will be many times when wind shear is plenty strong to create a tornado," said Trenberth.

That is what Trapp's team concluded in their 2007 study. "Over most of the United States," they wrote, the increase in the power of thunderstorms will "more than compensate for the relative decreases in shear."

As a result, "the environment would still be considered favorable for severe convection" of the kind that creates tornadoes.

From March to May the projected increase in severe storms is "largest over a 'tornado-alley'-like region extending northward from Texas," Trapp found. From June through August, the eastern half of the country is projected to experience such an increase.

If there are more days in the future when wind shear is too weak to produce a tornado from a thunderstorm, said Trenberth, then "the frequency of tornadoes may decrease but the average intensity might increase. You could have a doozy of an outbreak, and then they could go away for a while."

On average, about 800 tornados are reported annually in the United States. About 70 percent are "weak," finds NOAA, with winds less than 110 mph. Just under 29 percent are "strong," with winds between 110 and 205 mph. Only 2 percent of all tornadoes are what NOAA characterizes as "violent," with winds in excess of 205 mph, but they account for 70 percent of all twister deaths.

(Editing by Michele Gershberg and Sandra Maler)

Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/scienceNews/~3/jw0oX8w_2KY/us-usa-weather-storms-research-idUSTRE8241W620120305

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