Scientists call for legal trade in rhino horn

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
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Contact: Julian Cribb
julian.cribb@work.netspeed.com.au
61-262-428-770
Julian Cribb & Associates

Four leading environmental scientists today urged the international community to install a legal trade in rhino horn in a last ditch effort to save the imperilled animals from extinction.

In an article in the leading international journal Science the scientists argued that a global ban on rhino products has failed, and death rates among the world's remaining black and white rhinos are soaring due to illegal poaching to supply insatiable international demand.

"Current strategies have clearly failed to conserve these magnificent animals and the time has come for a highly regulated legal trade in horn", says lead author Dr Duan Biggs of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) and University of Queensland.

"As committed environmentalists we don't like the idea of a legal trade any more than does the average member of the concerned public. But we can see that we need to do something radically different to conserve Africa's rhino."

The researchers said the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct in 2011. There are only 5000 Black Rhinos and 20,000 White Rhinos left, the vast majority of which are in South Africa and Namibia.

"Poaching in South Africa has, on average, more than doubled each year over the past 5 years. Skyrocketing poaching levels are driven by tremendous growth in the retail price of rhino horn, from around $4,700 per kilogram in 1993 to around $65,000 per kilogram in 2012," they say.

"Rhino horn is now worth more than gold," the scientists note. This growth is mainly attributed to soaring demand by affluent Asian consumers for Chinese medicines.

World trade in rhino horn is banned under the CITES Treaty - and this ban, by restricting supplies of horn, has only succeeded in generating huge rewards for an illegal high-tech poaching industry, equipped with helicopters and stun-darts, which is slaughtering rhinos at alarming rates.

Attempts to educate Chinese medicine consumers to stop using rhino horn have failed to reduce the growth in demand, they said.

The scientists argue that the entire world demand for horn could be met legally by humanely shaving the horns of live rhinos, and from animals which die of natural causes. Rhinos grow about 0.9kg of horn each year, and the risks to the animal from today's best-practice horn harvesting techniques are minimal. The legal trade in farmed crocodile skins is an example of an industry where legalisation has saved the species from being hunted to extinction.

Furthermore, if rhinos were being 'farmed' legally, more land would be set aside for them and this in turn would help to conserve other endangered savannah animals, as well as generating much-needed income for impoverished rural areas in southern Africa the researchers argue.

They advocate the creation of a Central Selling Organisation to supervise the legitimate harvest and sale of rhino horn globally. Buyers would be attracted to this organisation because its products will be legal, cheaper than horn on the black market, and safer and easier to obtain, they said, adding "horn sold through a Central Selling Organisation could be DNA-fingerprinted and traceable worldwide, enabling buyers, and regulators to differentiate between legal and illicit products."

A legal trade in rhino horn was first proposed 20 years ago, but rejected as 'premature'.

However, the time has now come for a legal trade in horn, says Dr Biggs. "There is a great opportunity to start serious discussions about establishing a legal trade in rhino horn at the 16th CITES Conference of the Parties (COP-16), which is to be held from 3-14 March this year, in Bangkok."

"Legitimizing the market for horn may be morally repugnant to some, but it is probably the only sensible way to prevent extinction of Africa's remaining rhinos," the scientists conclude.

###

Their paper Legal Trade of Africa's Rhino Horns by Duan Biggs, Franck Courchamp, Rowan Martin and Hugh Possingham, appears in the latest edition of the journal Science (March 1).

More information:

Dr. Duan Biggs: In Chile, UTC-3 e-mail: ancientantwren@gmail.com ; Mobile +56 9 9411 4878 and +56 9 7924 4853 (backup number)

Prof. Hugh Possingham: In France, UTC +1: e-mail: h.possingham@uq.edu.au ; Mobile: +61 4343 079 061 (Australian number on international roaming)

Dr. Franck Courchamp (who can speak to reporters in both French and English): In France, UTC +1: e-mail: franck.courchamp@u-psud.fr ; Office Tel: +33 (0)1 69 15 56 85 and Mobile: + 33 6 3113 0088

Karen Gillow, communication manager CEED, +61 (0)7 3365 2450 or +61 (0) 402 674 409 Lesley Whitteker, UQ media, +61 7 3365 2339 or 0417 496 397 l.whitteker@uq.edu.au www.ceed.edu.au

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Julian Cribb
julian.cribb@work.netspeed.com.au
61-262-428-770
Julian Cribb & Associates

Four leading environmental scientists today urged the international community to install a legal trade in rhino horn in a last ditch effort to save the imperilled animals from extinction.

In an article in the leading international journal Science the scientists argued that a global ban on rhino products has failed, and death rates among the world's remaining black and white rhinos are soaring due to illegal poaching to supply insatiable international demand.

"Current strategies have clearly failed to conserve these magnificent animals and the time has come for a highly regulated legal trade in horn", says lead author Dr Duan Biggs of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) and University of Queensland.

"As committed environmentalists we don't like the idea of a legal trade any more than does the average member of the concerned public. But we can see that we need to do something radically different to conserve Africa's rhino."

The researchers said the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct in 2011. There are only 5000 Black Rhinos and 20,000 White Rhinos left, the vast majority of which are in South Africa and Namibia.

"Poaching in South Africa has, on average, more than doubled each year over the past 5 years. Skyrocketing poaching levels are driven by tremendous growth in the retail price of rhino horn, from around $4,700 per kilogram in 1993 to around $65,000 per kilogram in 2012," they say.

"Rhino horn is now worth more than gold," the scientists note. This growth is mainly attributed to soaring demand by affluent Asian consumers for Chinese medicines.

World trade in rhino horn is banned under the CITES Treaty - and this ban, by restricting supplies of horn, has only succeeded in generating huge rewards for an illegal high-tech poaching industry, equipped with helicopters and stun-darts, which is slaughtering rhinos at alarming rates.

Attempts to educate Chinese medicine consumers to stop using rhino horn have failed to reduce the growth in demand, they said.

The scientists argue that the entire world demand for horn could be met legally by humanely shaving the horns of live rhinos, and from animals which die of natural causes. Rhinos grow about 0.9kg of horn each year, and the risks to the animal from today's best-practice horn harvesting techniques are minimal. The legal trade in farmed crocodile skins is an example of an industry where legalisation has saved the species from being hunted to extinction.

Furthermore, if rhinos were being 'farmed' legally, more land would be set aside for them and this in turn would help to conserve other endangered savannah animals, as well as generating much-needed income for impoverished rural areas in southern Africa the researchers argue.

They advocate the creation of a Central Selling Organisation to supervise the legitimate harvest and sale of rhino horn globally. Buyers would be attracted to this organisation because its products will be legal, cheaper than horn on the black market, and safer and easier to obtain, they said, adding "horn sold through a Central Selling Organisation could be DNA-fingerprinted and traceable worldwide, enabling buyers, and regulators to differentiate between legal and illicit products."

A legal trade in rhino horn was first proposed 20 years ago, but rejected as 'premature'.

However, the time has now come for a legal trade in horn, says Dr Biggs. "There is a great opportunity to start serious discussions about establishing a legal trade in rhino horn at the 16th CITES Conference of the Parties (COP-16), which is to be held from 3-14 March this year, in Bangkok."

"Legitimizing the market for horn may be morally repugnant to some, but it is probably the only sensible way to prevent extinction of Africa's remaining rhinos," the scientists conclude.

###

Their paper Legal Trade of Africa's Rhino Horns by Duan Biggs, Franck Courchamp, Rowan Martin and Hugh Possingham, appears in the latest edition of the journal Science (March 1).

More information:

Dr. Duan Biggs: In Chile, UTC-3 e-mail: ancientantwren@gmail.com ; Mobile +56 9 9411 4878 and +56 9 7924 4853 (backup number)

Prof. Hugh Possingham: In France, UTC +1: e-mail: h.possingham@uq.edu.au ; Mobile: +61 4343 079 061 (Australian number on international roaming)

Dr. Franck Courchamp (who can speak to reporters in both French and English): In France, UTC +1: e-mail: franck.courchamp@u-psud.fr ; Office Tel: +33 (0)1 69 15 56 85 and Mobile: + 33 6 3113 0088

Karen Gillow, communication manager CEED, +61 (0)7 3365 2450 or +61 (0) 402 674 409 Lesley Whitteker, UQ media, +61 7 3365 2339 or 0417 496 397 l.whitteker@uq.edu.au www.ceed.edu.au

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/jca-scf022613.php

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Loss Of Online Privacy Kills Free Speech - Business Insider

A few months back, an advertising executive argued that more online privacy would kill free speech.

Richard Frankel, president of the advertising company Rocket Fuel, titled the post ?How the Do Not Track Plan Will Ultimately Kill Free Speech.?

It?s understandable that advertisers are so resistant to the concept of Do Not Track ? it could change the way they access data, which would force them to innovate their business models and practices.?

Just because DNT could impact the advertising industry in the short-term, however, doesn?t warrant its intense broadcasting of fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD), and at times, outright deception. Frankels?s piece was one in a string of ad exec attacks on privacy that claim that the Internet will be doomed if consumers get more of the privacy they want.

In the interest of transparency, let me explain my angle here. I?m an attorney, privacy advocate, and analyst at Abine, an online privacy company in Boston. We make simple tools that give people a choice over whether their personal info is collected, stored, and sold online.

Unlike the advertising companies, we don?t collect or sell any user data. We only get paid if users like our free products and choose to buy our premium ones. It?s an up-front relationship that?s clear to our customers.

And beyond my role at Abine, I care deeply about preserving the web as a place where we can say and explore interesting, sometimes controversial, things. As a fan of free speech and expression, I have a vested interest in keeping the Internet open and uncensored.

Make no mistake about it: we live in a state of surveillance. Hundreds of advertising and tracking companies follow everything we do online -- the articles we read, the videos we watch, the sites we always visit, the Facebook comments we make, and more.

They combine that online data with offline data like our voting record, employment history, and marriage licenses, and use it to build an extremely detailed profile. Companies like Facebook scan the contents of photos and private messages for Homeland Security ?risk words? like ?infection,? ?body scanner,? or ?hacker? and turn them over to law enforcement.

Even if you delete your embarrassing Facebook posts, companies like Social Intelligence sell the past 7 years of posts to hiring managers. The wireless companies you pay for mobile service turn over 1.3 million customer records to law enforcement each year, which include texts and your phone?s GPS location wherever it went.

The divide between public and private surveillance is virtually nonexistent, and advertising companies are part of this ecosystem.

When you?re constantly being watched, you necessarily lack privacy. And when you?re constantly being watched, you act differently. That seems like an obvious point to those of us who?ve belted out song lyrics alone in our cars but would be terrified to do the same on stage in front of thousands or who laugh at things with their friends that they?d never say in front of their bosses, but observation effects are also well-established in scientific research, law, and popular culture (Big Brother, anyone?).

Privacy scholar Neil M. Richards writes that ?surveillance inclines us to the mainstream and the boring?when we are watched while engaging in intellectual activities, broadly defined?thinking, reading, web-surfing, or private communications?we are deterred from engaging in thoughts or deeds that others might find deviant.?

Deviance just means difference: deviation from the norm, creativity, standing out from the crowd. If you knew you were being watched and that your activities may resurface down the road in a job interview, on a date, in a newspaper, you?d be less likely to go that political rally, that Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, that gay bar, or that protest, all things that you have a right to do that are valued parts of a free, democratic society.

With privacy, you have control over who gets to see what you?re doing and where you are. You get to be one way around your boss, another around your kids, another around your best friends since elementary school. You get to pick that divide.

But when you?re watched all the time and you never know how that information will be used or where it?ll turn up, you censor yourself everywhere. This is called the Panopticon Effect. All this openness that social networks insist we want by default, the pervasive data collection that advertisers argue is good for us: they make anyone who?s paying attention censor themselves.

A key part of free speech is anonymous speech. Anonymous speech is a constitutionally protected First Amendment right, and as the Supreme Court stated in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission, ?an honorable tradition of advocacy and of dissent.?

Online advertising constantly fights against anonymity and pseudonymity, trying to learn everything about web users to unmask them and peel away layers of demographic info, interests, and behaviors. Many social networks like Facebook have real name policies, insisting that members use their full, legal names on their accounts or be banned.

Frankel says that ?With higher ad revenues comes more rich content that spurs vibrant discussion.? I disagree. You know what spurs vibrant discussion? People, especially people behind pseudonyms. Ever been on a message board? A Reddit thread?

The most ?vibrant? discussions happen when people feel sufficiently protected to be honest. Sure, some people hide behind pseudonyms to harass others, but the core of the First Amendment avoids censoring the positive, protected uses of speech just because certain bad actors may abuse it.

To say that advertising is the only thing driving creative content doesn?t give credit to humanity?s ingrained creativity. First, plenty of content providers get paid for their work directly, from recording artists to bestselling authors to journalists. 43% of Americans pay content creators?authors of magazine articles and books?for e-books, and there are 400,000 paid subscribers to the Wall Street Journal alone.

The majority of people blogging and posting on social media today create content out of a desire to express themselves that?s unrelated to money. Just talk to any one of the thousands of bloggers and podcasters, particularly the anonymous ones, who pay to host their own websites just to get their message out to the public.

Most of these people don?t blog or podcast for a living; they do it because they love it and because their message is important to them. There?s power?and satisfaction?in speaking one?s mind, and it exists independently from ad money.

Privacy isn?t a hindrance to free speech; it?s the driving force behind it. Privacy provides both the boundaries of and protection for the space in which we can be ourselves. Privacy nurtures self-expression, creativity, speaking your mind, associating with whomever you wish, and exploring your interests.?

These are the First Amendment?s protections:? freedom of speech, of association, and of assembly.? They?re so important for self-actualization and self-determination that our founders immortalized them in the Bill of Rights. Privacy isn?t about having something to hide; it?s about having something to live for.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/loss-of-online-privacy-kills-free-speech-2013-2

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Leatherback sea turtle could be extinct within 20 years at last stronghold in the Pacific Ocean

Feb. 26, 2013 ? An international team led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has documented a 78 percent decline in the number of nests of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) at the turtle's last stronghold in the Pacific Ocean.

The study, published online Feb. 26 in the Ecological Society of America's scientific online journal Ecosphere, reveals leatherback nests at Jamursba Medi Beach in Papua Barat, Indonesia -- which accounts for 75 percent of the total leatherback nesting in the western Pacific -- have fallen from a peak of 14,455 in 1984 to a low of 1,532 in 2011. Less than 500 leatherbacks now nest at this site annually.

Thane Wibbels, Ph.D., a professor of reproductive biology at UAB and member of a research team that includes scientists from State University of Papua (UNIPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia, says the largest marine turtle in the world could soon vanish.

"If the decline continues, within 20 years it will be difficult if not impossible for the leatherback to avoid extinction," said Wibbels, who has studied marine turtles since 1980. "That means the number of turtles would be so low that the species could not make a comeback.

"The leatherback is one of the most intriguing animals in nature, and we are watching it head towards extinction in front of our eyes," added Wibbels.

Leatherback turtles can grow to six feet long and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. They are able to dive to depths of nearly 4,000 feet and can make trans-Pacific migrations from Indonesia to the U.S. Pacific coast and back again.

While it is hard to imagine that a turtle so large and so durable can be on the verge of extinction, Ricardo Tapilatu, the research team's lead scientist who is a Ph.D. student and Fulbright Scholar in the UAB Department of Biology, points to the leatherback's trans-Pacific migration, where they face the prevalent danger of being caught and killed in fisheries.

"They can migrate more than 7,000 miles and travel through the territory of at least 20 countries, so this is a complex international problem," Tapilatu said. "It is extremely difficult to comprehensively enforce fishing regulations throughout the Pacific."

The team, along with paper co-author Peter Dutton, Ph.D., discovered thousands of nests laid during the boreal winter just a few kilometers away from the known nesting sites, but their excitement was short-lived.

"We were optimistic for this population when year round nesting was discovered in Wermon Beach, but we now have found out that nesting on that beach appears to be declining at a similar rate as Jamursba Medi," said Dutton, head of the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center's Marine Turtle Genetics Program.

The study has used year-round surveys of leatherback turtle nesting areas since 2005, and it is the most extensive research on the species to date. The team identified four major problems facing leatherback turtles: nesting beach predators, such as pigs and dogs that were introduced to the island and eat the turtle eggs; rising sand temperatures that can kill the eggs or prevent the production of male hatchlings; the danger of being caught by fisheries during migrations; and harvesting of adults and eggs for food by islanders.

Tapilatu, a native of western Papua, Indonesia, has studied leatherback turtles and worked on their conservation since 2004. His efforts have been recognized by NOAA, and he will head the leatherback conservation program in Indonesia once he earns his doctorate from UAB and returns to Papua.

He has worked to educate locals and limit the harvesting of adults and eggs. His primary focus today is protecting the nesting females, eggs and hatchlings. A leatherback lays up to 10 nests each season, more than any other turtle species. Tapilatu is designing ways to optimize egg survival and hatchling production by limiting their exposure to predators and heat through an extensive beach management program.

"If we relocate the nests from the warmest portion of the beach to our egg hatcheries, and build shades for nests in other warm areas, then we will increase hatching success to 80 percent or more," said Tapilatu.

"The international effort has attempted to develop a science-based nesting beach management plan by evaluating and addressing the factors that affect hatching success such as high sand temperatures, erosion, feral pig predation and relocating nests to maximize hatchling output," said Manjula Tiwari, a researcher at NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, Calif.

Wibbels, who is also the Ph.D. advisor for Tapilatu, says that optimizing hatchling production is a key component to leatherback survival, especially considering the limited number of hatchlings who survive to adulthood.

"Only one hatchling out of 1,000 makes it to adulthood, so taking out an adult makes a significant difference on the population," Wibbels said. "It is essentially the same as killing 1,000 hatchlings."

The research team believes that beach management will help to decrease the annual decline in the number of leatherback nests, but protection of the leatherbacks in waters throughout the Pacific is a prerequisite for their survival and recovery. Despite their prediction for leatherback extinction, the scientists are hopeful this species could begin rebounding over the next 20 years if effective management strategies are implemented.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Alabama at Birmingham. The original article was written by Kevin Storr.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Ricardo F. Tapilatu, Peter H. Dutton, Manjula Tiwari, Thane Wibbels, Hadi V. Ferdinandus, William G. Iwanggin, Barakhiel H. Nugroho. Long-term decline of the western Pacific leatherback,Dermochelys coriacea: a globally important sea turtle population. Ecosphere, 2013; 4 (2): art25 DOI: 10.1890/ES12-00348.1

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/-2zDZ55IC1Y/130226141233.htm

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Unlocking fuel cell conductivity

Feb. 27, 2013 ? Work on a high-conductivity material demonstrates the role of oxygen ions in enhancing their capabilities.

Yttria stabilized zirconia, also known as YSZ, is a material of great interest because of its relatively high oxygen-ion based conductivity. In particular, it finds applications in electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors. In a study published in EPJ B, Kia Ngai, from the University of Pisa in Italy, and colleagues from the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, devised a model of the oxygen-ion dynamics that contribute to the conductivity of YSZ.

The problem is that fuel cells currently operate above 700 ?C, which strongly limits their use. Understanding oxygen-ion diffusion is key to helping lower operating temperature down to room temperature. Previous attempts to do so were done with the so-called coupling model (CM), describing simple physical concepts related to ion-ion interaction. This helped uncover the importance of ion-ion correlation in limiting long-range ion mobility, and thus conductivity.

The trouble is that experiments show that ionic conductivity in YSZ requires an activation energy that is much higher than that supplied by computer simulations describing independent ion hopping. Relying on the CM model, the authors first established a quantitative description of the ion dynamics in YSZ. Then they compared the predictions of the CM with experimental results and with simulations, particularly those of nanometric-scale thin films, published in the last ten years.

Thus, in their model, they established the connection between the level of the energy barrier for independent ion-hopping simulations and the level of activation energy measured experimentally for long-range movement of oxygen ions. In addition, they attributed an increase of the conductivity in nanometers-thick YSZ films to a decrease in the ion-ion correlations. This model could also be used to study the conductivity relaxation of so-called molten, glassy and crystalline ionic conductors and ambient temperature ionic liquids.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Springer Science+Business Media.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. K. L. Ngai, J. Santamaria, Carlos Leon. Dynamics of interacting oxygen ions in yttria stabilized zirconia: bulk material and nanometer thin films. The European Physical Journal B, 2013; 86 (1) DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2012-30737-2

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/MFksUk_9lB8/130227113002.htm

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Stylish Cookwear That's Designed To Hang Around Your Kitchen

When tackling products designed for use in the kitchen, designers tend to make every effort to perfectly balance form with function. And Karim Rashid's done exactly that with his new Hook cookware collection featuring built-in hooks for hanging/displaying your pots and pans on the wall. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/LyDJ4TznMBs/stylish-cookwear-thats-designed-to-hang-around-your-kitchen

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iPhone hack: Your iPhone's not as locked as you think

Do you lock the front door but leave the windows open? A new hack shows how iPhones are vulnerable, even when locked.

By Ben Weitzenkorn,?Tech News Daily / February 25, 2013

A man uses his iPhone to film a Cambodian festival, Feb. 25. A new hack, the second in a month, allows a users to bypass the PIN of a locked iPhone.

Samrang Pring / Reuters

Enlarge

A glitch in Apple's iOS 6.1 operating system makes it possible to access an iPhone's sensitive data, including contacts and photos, without entering the correct passcode, or personal identification number (PIN).

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The security flaw, the second PIN bypass that security researchers have found this month, takes a bit of tricky button-pushing in a specific order. But once done successfully, it allows an intruder to download the phone's data over USB to a computer that would have otherwise been locked out.

The security hole was disclosed in full detail by Vulnerability Lab CEO Benjamin Mejri on Seclists.org, where he explained how to get around an important security feature that millions of Apple customers rely on every day. The hack involves simply manipulating the button-press sequence for the screenshot and emergency-call functions.

If the exploit is performed successfully, Mejri explained, the device will go into "black screen mode," showing a dark blank screen. Once the device is connected to a computer, the intruder has direct access to the compromised device's hard drive. A video Mejri produced shows the procedure all the way through to success.

TechNewsDaily was able to reproduce the "black screen mode" portion of the hack on an iPhone 5 by following Mejri's instructions but could not access the phone's hard drive once it was connected to a computer.

Earlier this month, a YouTube video surfaced showing a simpler iPhone hack that allowed unauthorized access to a phone's contacts and photos by making an emergency call and pushing the power button twice.

Apple released an operating system update, iOS 6.1.2, earlier this week but did not address this particular issue, fixing instead bugs related to the calendar app and battery life, despite telling tech blog AllThingsD that a security fix would be coming in a future update.

Devices can be hacked in this manner only if an attacker has physical access to the device. So it's best to follow that advice you hear from the train conductor or read on signs in the bus: Keep your valuables close to you at all times.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/KSosl-IlkhU/iPhone-hack-Your-iPhone-s-not-as-locked-as-you-think

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Director of Publicity, Media Relations and Outreach/Uvalde, Texas ...

Required: Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, business, or a related field. Experience in publicity, media relations, newspaper, electronic journalism or associated work. Ability to design and implement media relations campaigns, conceptualize, research, write, and edit RGC publications; thorough and demonstrable understanding of computerized publications processes; ability to develop budgets and plan the use of resource and time; excellent written and interpersonal communication skills. Good driving record required.

Preferred: Master's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, or a related field. Experience in higher education, community relations, and/or public school relationships, social media, radio/TV, and other media outlets. Management experience.

Responsibilities: Planning, supervising and coordinating the Rio Grande College marketing plan and facilitating the internal and external communication, and outreach efforts for Sul Ross Rio Grande College under the supervision and in consultation with the Associate Provost/Dean of RGC.

Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for publicity, media, and community outreach/ relations programs for RGC to project a positive image, develop new markets, to facilitate alumni and donors; serve as the community relations officer for the RGC. Serve as principal writer for RGC publications including print, radio, and television; advise and assist RC staff in writing and producing promotional materials; prepare and distribute fact sheets, news releases, photographs, advertisements, brochures and official university publications, including newsletters, class schedules, the Rio Grande College catalog. Develop and maintain positive relationships with local and regional news media; develop and implement positive relationships with school and local/regional community officials. Oversee RGC webpages; while department heads are responsible for content and maintenance of their department webpages, the director serves as a resource and consultant to each department. Also included use of social media, video, and other new media resources and opportunities. Responsible for personal safety and the safety of others; must exercise due caution and practice safe work habits at all times. Interact with and coordinate media and publicity efforts with SRSU Alpine campus, the Texas State University System offices, and Southwest Texas Junior College.

This position is Security Sensitive.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by Sul Ross State University on any basis prohibited by applicable law, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175724055

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BlackBerry Z10 outselling iPhone 5, Galaxy S III at major Canadian retailer

It began as a seemingly awkward Jack Nicholson introduction of the very long list on nominees, but the Best Picture denouement?at a very long Oscars ceremony on Sunday turned into a surprise appearance by Michelle Obama, via satellite from the Governors' Ball in Washington, D.C.?where earlier she had sat next to Chris Christie?to introduce and announce the winner,?Argo.?

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blackberry-z10-outselling-iphone-5-galaxy-iii-major-190043026.html

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National Secular Society - Last chance to take part in Girl Guides ...

The Girl Guides consultation to discuss the wording of its Promise closes on Sunday 3 March.

Currently, girls wishing to become fully-fledged Guides promise to do their best, love "my God", serve "the Queen and country" and keep the Guide law. But GirlguidingUKhas said an increasing number of girls and volunteers do not identify with the current oath. TheUK's leading charity for girls and young women says it is keen to ensure Guides can believe in the words they say.

The 'essence of spirituality' section of the consultation questionnaire sets out a number of possible alternatives to "love my God. These include "Be true to my beliefs" and "Search for the meaning in my life", amongst others.

The questionnaire also considers whether the reference to the Queen should be replaced with a commitment to a Guide's community or country.

The consultation is open to everyone and GirlguidingUK says it is particularly keen to hear from parents, potential members, volunteers and supporters.

Unlike the Scouts, which recently consulted on the introduction of an alternative atheist oath, the Guides are considering replacing their existing oath with a secular version that can be used by all girls wishing to take the Promise.

Stephen Evans, campaigns manager at the National Secular Society, said: "The introduction of one secular Promise for all would be a hugely positive and welcome development.

"Not only are young people more likely to be non-religious, they also appear to be more likely to adopt a secular outlook on life. Girlguiding UK's own research into the attitudes and opinions of girls aged 7 to 21 across the UK has found a massive 70% of them agree that religious belief should be personal, and should not affect public issues such as education or politics.

"This clearly shows that a secular Promise, without reference to religion and belief, and relevant to all young girls and potential leaders, is the most appropriate way forward. We hope as many secularists as possible take part in this consultation to send a very clear signal that girlguiding should be fully inclusive and equally welcoming to all girls."

Get involved!
The short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete. Please take part and encourage Girlguiding UK to adopt one secular Promise for all.

Girlguiding members aged 14 or over can access the survey here.

Non-members wanting to take part in the consultation can do so here.

Surveys for the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides sections can be found on their websites.

Source: http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/02/last-chance-to-take-part-in-girl-guides-consultation-on-the-promise

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Drop in Taliban attacks incorrect

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan incorrectly reported a decline in Taliban attacks last year, and officials said Tuesday that there was actually no change in the number of attacks on international troops from 2011 to 2012.

The corrected numbers ? from the original reports of a 7 percent decline to one of no change ? could undercut the narrative promoted by the international coalition and the Obama administration of an insurgency in steep decline.

A coalition spokesman, Jamie Graybeal, attributed the miscounting to clerical errors and said the problem does not change officials' basic assessment of the war.

The 7 percent figure had been included in a report posted on the coalition's website in late January as part of its monthly update on trends in security and violence. It was removed from the website recently without explanation. After The Associated Press asked last week about the missing report, coalition officials said they were correcting the data and would re-publish the report in coming days.

U.S. and allied officials have often cited declining violence as a sign that the Taliban has been degraded and that Afghan forces are in position to take the lead security role when the last U.S. combat troops leave Dec. 31, 2014.

In mid-December, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said "violence is down," in 2012, and that Afghan forces "have gotten much better at providing security" in areas where they have taken the lead role. He said the Taliban can be expected to continue to attack, "but overall they are losing."

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman George Little said Panetta was "concerned to learn of the errors" and was only very recently briefed on the matter.

"This particular set of metrics doesn't tell the full story of progress against the Taliban, of course, but it's unhelpful to have inaccurate information in our systems," Little said.

The Taliban have lost a good deal of territory since a 2010 surge of U.S. forces in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, and they failed to recover it during the last two fighting seasons. Even so, they are resilient, and they are expected to severely test Afghan forces as the U.S. and its coalition partners step further into the background this year and complete their combat mission next year.

Graybeal did not fully explain ISAF's erroneous reporting of 2012 Taliban attacks. It was not clear, for example, at what point the data errors began or who discovered them.

"During a quality control check, ISAF recently became aware that some data was incorrectly entered into the database that is used for tracking security-related incidents across Afghanistan," Graybeal said from Kabul, speaking for the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF.

Graybeal said an audit determined that portions of the data from unilateral Afghan military operations were "not properly reflected" in the trends ISAF had reported in its monthly updates.

"After including this unilateral ANSF (Afghan National Security Force) data into our database, we have determined that there was no change in the total number of EIAs (enemy initiated attacks) from 2011 to 2012," Graybeal said.

"This was a record-keeping error that we recognized and have now corrected," he added.

The coalition defines enemy initiated attacks as attacks by small arms, mortars, rockets and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. But it does not include IEDs that are found and cleared before they explode.

Trends in Taliban attacks are one yardstick used by ISAF to measure war progress. Others include the state of security in populated areas, the number of coalition and Afghan casualties, the degree to which civilians can move about freely, and the performance of Afghan security forces.

Graybeal said even though the number of 2012 Taliban attacks was unchanged from 2011, "our assessment of the fundamentals of campaign progress has not changed. The enemy is increasingly separated from the population and the ANSF are currently in the lead for the vast majority of partnered operations."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-newsbreak-drop-taliban-attacks-incorrect-121946153--politics.html

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ZTE Grand Memo hands-on: a first look at Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 in action (video)

ZTE caught us by surprise today, outing a Snapdragon 800-infused version of the Grand Memo at its MWC 2013 presser. The device, which still features the same 5.7-inch 720p display, 13-megapixel rear camera and 3,200mAh battery, is nearly indistinguishable from the other variants we've seen. But for this go-round, ZTE's added in Dolby Digital Plus Surround for a superior audio experience and an extra GB of RAM.

Its external chassis may have remained the same -- plasticky and lightweight -- but the difference in this 8.9mm thick Memo's real-world performance is immediately noticeable. OS actions on the skinned Jelly Bean UI don't just zip, they now quite literally fly -- truly, this device is deserving of the long-deceased "beast" moniker. Although international tradeshow WiFi connections are typically dreadful, we did manage to successfully run the Sunspider benchmark to get a quick taste of its rendering performance. The result? The Grand Memo notched a score of 1,186.7ms -- an unimpressive result when contrasted with the Tegra 4's 499ms (as derived from a reference tablet).

As for ZTE's MyFavorite UX layered atop Android 4.1.2, well, we're pleased to say it yields some neat animations. The entire homescreen, including widgets, revolves with a smooth 3D effect that just imbues the handset with a special "feel." It's a shame then that the Memo's encased in a less than premium shell, as it creates a disconnect between the smoking internals and humdrum exterior. But with a newly announced commitment to building its brand (a sentiment popular with Chinese OEMs as of late), this particular Memo is proof positive that ZTE's serious about raising its profile and consumer perception.

You won't be seeing this Grand Memo hit US shores anytime soon -- it's a China and Europe-only affair for now. So while you wait (and hold onto hope), check out our video tour after the break.

Gallery: ZTE Grand Memo with Snapdragon 800 hands-on

Gallery: ZTE Grand Memo reappears at MWC 2013

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/1rrZ9cqdW9Q/

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The $169 Android HP Slate 7 Is Just HP?s Latest Beige Box, Only Flat

HP is late to the tablet game, but definitely not out. At $169, the HP Slate 7 is a sure thing. It's a guaranteed win for HP even if it doesn't outsell the competition. HP just announced the Slate 7. There is nothing particularly special about it. It costs $169, has a dual-core 1.6GHz SoC, and a 16x9 display with a rather thick plastic bezel. In short, it's a cheap tablet. Remove the HP logo on the backside and it's just a random, generic tablet. And that's fine.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/wsB-gXffxcs/

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Huge explosion rattles Syrian capital

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) ? Damascus residents and state-run TV say a huge explosion has shaken the city.

The blast followed by heavy gunfire caused panic in the capital, where a massive car bombing on Thursday near the ruling Baath party headquarters killed at least 53 people.

It was not immediately clear what the target of Monday's explosion was and whether there were casualties.

State-run TV reported a "terrorist" explosion at the entrance to the northeastern neighborhood of Qaboun.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/huge-explosion-rattles-syrian-capital-193800452.html

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Global Health: After Measles Success, Rwanda to Get Rubella Vaccine

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Encouraged by Rwanda?s steady gains in curbing measles, donors are paying for a more expensive dual vaccine that will target rubella, too.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/health/after-measles-success-rwanda-to-get-rubella-vaccine.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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Stars hit red carpet as Oscar time approaches

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Hollywood's glitziest night got under way Sunday as this year's Academy Awards nominees hit the red carpet, with actresses Jessica Chastain and Amy Adams and closing-number performer Kristin Chenoweth among the early arrivals.

Chastain, a best-actress contender for "Zero Dark Thirty," blew a kiss to cheering fans, who chanted "Jessica!" Composer Mychael Danna, a dual nominee for the score and theme song to "Life of Pi," joked with red-carpet host Chris Connelly that he was keeping his acceptance speeches in separate pockets of his tuxedo.

Keeping them straight, Danna said, "is one of the reasons I won't be having any cocktails before I go in."

Chef Wolfgang Puck showed off some of the food he'll be serving at the Governors Ball after the show, including baked potatoes with caviar, chicken pot pie with truffle and Kobe steak.

"It's going to be the greatest party ever," Puck said.

A giant black-and-white photo of Oscar host Seth MacFarlane towered over the carpet, and some of his family also were among early arrivals, including his sister and father, who wore a green plaid kilt.

"It's not going to be too over the top," said MacFarlane's sister Rachel of her sibling's gig.

Fans have pondered how far MacFarlane the impudent creator of "Family Guy," might push the normally prim and proper Oscars.

MacFarlane may be a wild card, but as for the show itself, predictability could be the Academy Awards' middle name. This time looks the same, with clear favorites in the main categories.

So Oscar organizers hope they've assembled a show that will be good time on its own performance merits, with wily, bawdy writer, director, animator, singer and all-around vocal talent MacFarlane as host and a ceremony packed with song and dance.

The awards themselves do hold some potential firsts and other rarities.

Ben Affleck's "Argo" looks like it will be an uncommon film to claim best picture without a directing nomination, while "Lincoln" filmmaker Steven Spielberg and star Daniel Day-Lewis are favored to join exclusive lists of three-time Oscar winners.

If some longshots came in, the night could produce two more three-time acting winners ? Sally Field from "Lincoln" and Robert De Niro for "Silver Linings Playbook."

There's also a chance of the oldest or youngest acting winner ever ? 86-year-old "Amour" star Emmanuelle Riva and 9-year-old Quvenzhane (Kwa-VEHN-ja-nay) Wallis of "Beasts of the Southern Wild."

The ABC broadcast itself could set some fresh highs or lows. Oscar overseers keep talking about pacing and trimming fat from a ceremony that's dragged on interminably, approaching four and a half hours one year. Can they keep it tight and lively enough that viewers don't think about gouging out their eyes around the three-hour mark?

And what about host MacFarlane? He's a classy, low-key guy in person, with an old-fashioned Sinatra-style singing voice that he'll no doubt put to use in a show that's shaping up as a music-heavy, Broadway-style celebration of cinema.

Yet MacFarlane's career is built on pushing the envelope ? or crumpling it and tossing it in the trash ? as he's tested the boundaries of good taste with such brazen shows as his animated series "Family Guy" and last summer's F-bomb-laden blockbuster "Ted," which earned him a songwriting Oscar nomination.

The result could be a fun night for younger, hipper TV audiences that Oscar organizers are courting but a crude awakening for traditionalists who like their Academy Awards to lean more toward the sacred than the profane. Or it could be that MacFarlane makes the most of the thankless task of shepherding the Oscars, striking a nice balance between respecting Hollywood and poking it in the eye.

"I think a little bit of that injected into the mix will go a long way, but I do also have to be mindful, in this instance, of not losing the audience that's there every year," MacFarlane said amid a hectic rehearsal schedule. "It's a different audience from my own, but I do have to be respectful that they will be watching."

So maybe it's an Oscar show that's shaken, but not stirred up too much. That might suit one of the evening's special honorees, British super-spy James Bond, whose adventures will be the subject of a tribute to mark the 50th anniversary of his first big-screen outing in "Dr. No." Adele will perform her Oscar-nominated title tune to last year's Bond tale "Skyfall," while the show features Shirley Bassey, who sang the Bond theme songs for "Goldfinger," ''Diamonds Are Forever" and "Moonraker."

The show presents a salute to movie musicals of the last decade, with "Chicago" Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones and "Dreamgirls" winner Jennifer Hudson joining "Les Miserables" cast members that include best-actor nominee Hugh Jackman, supporting-actress front-runner Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter and Amanda Seyfried.

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have lined up a bubbly mix of young and old Hollywood as presenters, performers and special guests ? from Barbra Streisand, Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda to "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart, and Robert Downey Jr. and his superhero colleagues from "The Avengers."

Along with front-runners Day-Lewis as best actor for "Lincoln" and Hathaway as supporting actress for "Les Miserables," the other favorites are Jennifer Lawrence as best actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" and Tommy Lee Jones as supporting actor for "Lincoln."

Affleck's thriller "Argo" is in line for best picture after winning practically every top prize at earlier honors. Hollywood was shocked that Affleck was snubbed for a directing nomination, possibly earning the film some sympathy votes, particularly from actors, who love it when one of their own succeeds behind the camera.

The story of how Hollywood, Canada and the CIA teamed up to rescue six Americans during the Iranian hostage crisis, "Argo" would become just the fourth film in 85 years to claim the top prize without a best-directing nomination and the first since 1989's "Driving Miss Daisy."

The best-picture prize typically ends the Oscar show, but this time, MacFarlane and Chenoweth will perform a closing number on the Dolby Theatre stage that producers Zadan and Meron called a "'can't miss' moment."

Keeping the wraps on whatever surprises they have in store has been a chore for them and MacFarlane.

"It's been difficult. The press, as you know, is very nosy and sneaky. They're always sniffing around trying to get any advance notice," MacFarlane said. "It's like (expletive) Christmas. Wait till Christmas morning. Don't spoil the surprise."

___

Online: http://www.oscars.org

___

AP writers Sandy Cohen, Beth Harris and Anthony McCartney contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stars-hit-red-carpet-oscar-time-approaches-000456603.html

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Four new species of water-gliding rove beetles discovered in Ningxia, China

Feb. 25, 2013 ? Four new species from the Steninae subfamily of the large family of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) have been discovered in the Ningxia Autonomous Region, China, as part of an exploration of the insect fauna of the Liupan Shan Natural Reserve, where a large number of specimens has been collected. The expedition also yielded 11 new records for the Ningxia province of previously described Steninae species. The study was published in the open access, peer reviewed journal Zookeys.

The Ningxia Autonomous Region is mainly known as a dry, desert-like land. The region of the Liupan Shan Natural Reserve, however, is part of the Liupan Shan mountains, also known as the green pearl on the Loess Plateau. The area is also regarded as a "Kingdom of Animals" for its great biological diversity.

The rove beetle family, Staphylinidae, is one of the most widely distributed beetle families in the world. However, the representatives of the Steninae subfamily are of particular interest. These fascinating beetles are known for their unique ability to glide on the surface of water.This special skill is made possible through evolutionary adjustment allowing the production of special gland secretions that reduce surface tension.

Out of the four newly described species two are from the genus Dianous, and as all representatives are experts in water gliding. The other two belong to the genus Stenus where this ability is only partly present. One of the species, Stenus liupanshanus lives in leaf litter and is therefore believed to not demonstrate the ability. However the other one, Stenus biwenxuani, was found on shore and is therefore considered to be a water glider.

Steninae are also specialist predators of small invertebrates such as collembola, which are frequently found in leaf litter. What is fascinating is the special hunting technique used by those beetles to catch their prey. Species in the genus Stenus can eject some of its mouth parts using blood pressure. The thin rod of the labium ends in a pair of pads with bristly hairs and hooks, called paraglossa, and between these hairs are small pores that exude an adhesive glue-like substance, which sticks to prey to secure a perfect catch and no escape.

Dr. Liang Tang from the Department of Biology, Shanghai Normal University, comments: "As far as the Steninae are concerned, Ningxia Autonomous Region is one of the most poorly explored regions, with merely two species being recorded until 2008. In the summer of 2008, a team surveyed the insect fauna of the Liupan Shan in southern Ningxia and collected a large number of Steninae. In this paper, we report the results of the study, which includes two new Stenus and two new Dianous species, and new province records for eleven Stenus species."

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Journal Reference:

1. Liang Tang, Li-Zhen Li. Discovery of Steninae from Ningxia, Northwest China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). ZooKeys, 2013; 272 (0): 1 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.272.4389

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gYGGjjiBkBw/130225102551.htm

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DLP's IntelliBright tech promises brighter pico projection at no extra power

Most portable projectors are tasked with striking a delicate balance between power consumption and picture quality. With this in mind, Texas Instruments' DLP arm has unveiled a new system at MWC known as IntelliBright, which is intended to improve the brightness of pico projectors without making hardware hungrier. It's no fancy set of circuits, though, but a pair of algorithms which tinker with image brightness and contrast to produce a more radiant picture. What's more, the algorithms can be tweaked separately by hardware manufacturers for any desired result, and can incorporate data from ambient light sensors to increase projector efficiency. DLP recently introduced its new Tilt & Roll Pixel chip architecture at CES, which is also designed to make pictures brighter and batteries happier in the next generation of pico products. All we hope is the developments inspire Samsung to create a Galaxy Beam II, just with more focus on the phone part this time

Filed under: Displays, Misc, Portable Audio/Video, Software, HD, Mobile

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/Z-SdpLrt_TA/

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The Oscars Don't Have A Best Beard Award... But We Do

Though the field of nominated films at this year's Oscars are varied and unique, there is one characteristic many of them share. The movie beards of 2012 were some of the best for a single year of Academy Awards nominees. Check out all the fashion from the Oscars red carpet! But the Academy — in [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/02/24/oscars-best-facial-hair/

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Union Files Suit Over Property Tax Cap in New York

The New York State United Teachers has filed a lawsuit against the state claiming that caps on annual increases in local property taxes are unconstitutional because they attempts to usurp the control of local school districts. The caps were proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo and passed by the Legislature in 2011.

This places a limit on the property tax increases at no higher than either 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, and about 95% of districts ? while raising property taxes ? stayed within the cap during the last fiscal year.

The lawsuit is not a surprise to policy watchers in the state, as the union has been mulling this move ever since union lobbying didn?t stop the measure from passing two years ago.

?Today we fund education at more than a billion dollars less than we did in 2008,? the union?s president, Richard C. Iannuzzi, said in a phone interview. ?When you take that context and you layer it with the property tax cap, we?re violating, in our minds, two very fundamental principles of democracy, which is ?one person, one vote,? and equal opportunity.?

This isn?t the first time that Governor Cuomo and the teachers unions locked horns over education funding. Since taking office two years ago, Cuomo has been aggressive in controlling the state budget, and that included education funding which he cut in his first budget proposal. The cap presents a constant source of worry for union members who feel that with their hands tied as to raising more revenue, local districts will resort to cutting either teachers or programs, both of which will hurt the students, the union contends.

The union argues that the cap has a disproportionately onerous effect on school districts in low-income areas, since the amount those districts can raise by increasing their tax levy under the cap is far less than what wealthy districts with a larger tax base can raise. As such, the lawsuit argues, the tax cap violates the guarantee of equal protection under the law.

Mr. Cuomo, speaking to reporters in Albany, said that high property taxes were forcing people to leave their homes, and that when it came to improving the state?s schools, ?the answer can?t always be putting your hand in the pocket of the taxpayer of the State of New York.?

Although Cuomo expressed support for the system that allowed such matters to be settled in front of a judge, he maintained that passing the property tax hike was a great achievement of his administration of which he was immensely proud.

Source: http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/union-files-suit-over-property-tax-cap-in-new-york/

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Action Bronson & S.A.S ?Drug Flow? Live at Vice London Christmas Party

By @DJEternity on February 24, 2013 at 1:13 am

Action Bronson brings out S.A.S on stage to perform their track ?Drug Flow? live in London at a Vice Christmas Party via Old Blue Last pub, the footage was Filmed by Kierron for Vice/Noisey and edited by SativaHigh

Tags: Action Bronson, S.A.S.

Source: http://elitemuzik.net/action-bronson-s-a-s-drug-flow-live-at-vice-london-party/

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Insurgents launch 4 attacks in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? A series of early morning attacks hit eastern Afghanistan Sunday, with three separate suicide bombings in outlying provinces and a shootout between security forces and a would-be attacker in the capital city of Kabul.

The attacks were a reminder that insurgents are still going on the offensive even as U.S. and other international forces draw down. All four attacks Sunday appeared to target Afghan forces, who have been suffering higher casualties this year. Afghan soldiers and police are easier targets than their NATO allies because their checkpoints and bases are less fortified.

The deadliest attack Sunday was a suicide car bombing at a state intelligence site just after sunrise in the eastern city of Jalalabad. In that attack, a car approached the gate of a compound used by the National Directorate of Security and exploded, killing two guards and wounding three others, said regional government spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai. The building was damaged in the attack, he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Shortly before the Jalalabad attack, an assailant detonated a van packed with explosives at a highway police checkpoint in Logar province, also in the east. That explosion wounded three police officers but no one was killed, said Deputy Police Chief Rais Khan Abdul Rahimzai.

In Kabul, meanwhile, police shot and killed a would-be suicide bomber who was trying to attack an intelligence agency office downtown, according to the city's deputy police chief, Gen. Mohammad Daud Amin. Intelligence agents spotted the bomber before he could detonate the explosives in his vehicle and shot him, Amin said.

The explosives in the vehicle were later defused, he added.

Later in the morning, a man wearing a suicide vest blew himself up outside the police headquarters for Baraki Barak district in Logar province. The man was stopped by police as he tried to force his way into the building, but still managed to detonate his vest, said Din Mohammad Darwesh, the provincial government spokesman.

One policeman was wounded in the Baraki Barak attack, Darwesh said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/insurgents-launch-4-attacks-afghanistan-070200930.html

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[Yahoo Sports: Big League Stew] - Spring Headlines: Mariano Rivera faces live hitters, Johan Santana?s first start pushed back

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://sportspyder.com/teams/new-york-yankees/articles/8538188

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NFL Combine Live: Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey Among Prospects to Watch During Day 4 Drills

11:20 a.m.:?Geno Smith just did himself a favor. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash, which is the best of the quarterbacks so far. E.J. Manuel is second at 4.62.

Smith shows underrated mobility in the pocket, but he hasn?t flashed great skills at putting the ball away and scrambling. His mobility should be viewed more like that of Blaine Gabbert than Jake Locker.

11:13 a.m.:?Marquise Goodwin was timed in the 4.1?s by some scouts at the combine. Gil Brandt of NFL.com timed him at 4.17 and 4.19. It will be very interesting to see where his ?official? time stands. He clocked an unofficial time of 4.25.

Chris Johnson has the official combine record of 4.24. Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson were both reportedly timed in the 4.1?s back in the 1980s.

10:56 a.m.:?Tavon Austin and DeAndre Hopkins are shining in wide receiver drills. That should come as no surprise, both should be first-round picks. Hopkins probably has the best hands in this entire class.

The second group of quarterbacks and wide receivers starts up at 11 a.m. Geno Smith, Cordarrelle Patterson, Denard Robinson and Da?Rick Rogers are players to watch.

10:32 a.m.:?There?s some debate out there over how much the combine actually means. For me, it?s a nice update on where these players are two months after the season ended. Players have been training at facilities since the end of December and they?ve been improving their speed, technique, strength, etc.

That?s why it?s slightly annoying to see a player like Justin Hunter say he lost 15 pounds to run a faster 40-yard dash. That?s not an accurate representation of what he?ll be in the NFL. Some players gain weight for the combine, but that?s usually because they?ll have to do the same to play in the league. Hunter ran a 4.41, but what would he have run at this actual playing weight?

10:15 a.m.:?DeAndre Hopkins would be a perfect fit for the Patriots in Round 1, but they don?t have a history of drafting wide receivers who run 4.5 or slower. He has some of the best hands in this draft and just showed it in the gauntlet drill.

10:12 a.m.:?Tavon Austin is tearing the combine apart. He ran a 4.31 in his second 40 attempt and now he just performed perfectly in the wide receiver gauntlet drill.

Austin has proven himself to be one of the best players in this entire class already today. Someone described him as a combination of Percy Harvin and Wes Welker. That may be accurate.

9:37 a.m.:?Stedman Bailey helped himself out with his second 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.50 in his second attempt. That was after running 4.57 in the first try.

Bailey was called the best route runner in college football by his high school and college teammate Geno Smith. Bailey has a bit of Wes Welker to his game.

9:29 a.m.:?DeAndre Hopkins is another player that should be on Patriots fans? radar. Hopkins ran a 4.50, which is about what was expected out of him.

Justin Hunter, who NFL Network said lost weight to run the 40, ran a 4.44.

9:22 a.m.:?Now that I?ve had time to actually wrap my head around Tavon Austin running a 4.25 unofficial 40, there?s no way he makes it to No. 29 in the draft to New England. Despite weighing just 174 pounds and standing 5-foot-8, he?ll be a top 15 pick. Austin is a special player.

Josh Boyce helped himself out with a 4.40. Corey Fuller ran a 4.38 and Marcus Davis ran 4.40 at 233 pounds.

Marquise Goodwin just matched Tavon Austin with a 4.25. Wow.

9:15 a.m.:?Tavon Austin, who should be a Patriots target, just absolutely killed it with a 4.25 40. He wasn?t kidding when he said he was recently timed at 4.29.

9:11 a.m.:?The first group of quarterbacks are done. Now it?s time for the first group of wideouts, which features Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and some more intriguing burners.

For the QBs, Colby Cameron came out on top with a 4.66 40. Cameron is a Louisiana Tech product.

Collin Klein ran a 4.78 40 on his second attempt.

9:03 a.m.:?The day was kicked off with Tyler Bray running ?a 5.00 unofficial 40-yard dash. Mike Glennon, one of the top quarterbacks in this class, matched Glennon with a 5-flat 40.

MarQueis Gray helped himself out at possibly making an NFL roster as a tight end by running a 4.69.

Collin Klein, who was a front runner for the Heisman at one point, churned out a 4.81. That?s a bit disappointing.

8 a.m. ET:?By the end of the day, NFL draft pundits will be wearing old gold and blue because West Virginia prospects will be taking center stage at Day 4 of the combine.

Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs will be running through the NFL scouting combine gauntlet (or inferno) today, and three of the most hyped prospects in that group are Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. All three players should test well and shine in positional drills.

Because California wide receiver Keenan Allen is sitting out, Austin will be the first player to run the 40-yard dash at 9 a.m. The small, shifty wide receiver says he recently ran a 4.29 40-yard dash, but players have a tendency of slowing down considerably once they hit Indianapolis.

Bailey may not be quite as fast or agile as Austin, but he?s a bigger player who will shine in positional drills, especially when he?s displaying his route-running skills. Bailey will likely want to take passes from Smith in those drills ? the two have been teammates since high school.

Without a top-tier running quarterback, it might be important for Smith to time well in the 40 to set himself apart from the Ryan Nassibs, Tyler Wilsons and Mike Glennons of the draft.

Among other players to watch on Day 4 of the combine are Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle, Oregon running back Kenjon Barner and UNC running back Giovani Bernard. All could time very well in the 40 and 3-cone agility drill.

Tennessee wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter are among the most athletic in this class, but Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin has the best shot to break Chris Johnson?s combine record 4.24 second 40. Michigan ?wide receiver? Denard Robinson might be the player I?ll be watching most closely. He?ll have to display some top-notch speed and agility to be considered more than just a project with so many great wideouts in this draft.

So tune in here all day for all the latest times, news and analysis. If yesterday was any indication, we could see some record breaking times turned in by the skill position players.

Photo via Facebook/WVU Football

Source: http://nesn.com/2013/02/nfl-combine-live-geno-smith-tavon-austin-stedman-bailey-among-prospects-to-watch-during-day-4-drills/

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