Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Satellite images catch North Korean missile movement

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Satellite imagery indicates North Korea has been testing rocket engines, a sign it continues to develop its long-range ballistic missiles, a U.S. academic institute said Monday.

The analysis provided to The Associated Press is based on satellite images taken as recently as late September of the Sohae site on the secretive country's northwest coast. In April, the North launched a rocket from there in a failed attempt to propel a satellite into space in defiance of a U.N. ban.

The analysis on the website of the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, which is called "38 North," said it remains unclear whether the North is preparing another rocket launch but predicted it may embark on new rocket and nuclear tests in the first half of 2013.

The analysis underscores the challenges posed by the North's weapons programs to the United States and its allies as President Barack Obama heads into his second term. Washington's most recent attempt to negotiate a freeze in the North's nuclear program and a test moratorium in exchange for food aid collapsed with the April launch that the U.S. regarded as a cover for testing ballistic missile technology.

In 2009, North Korea tested a long-range missile and its second nuclear weapon within months of Obama taking office, and the 38 North analysis says North Korea may conduct new tests in the aftermath of presidential elections recently completed in U.S. and due in December in South Korea. That could be viewed as a tactic to exert more pressure on the close allies as the North seeks recognition as a nuclear power.

Last month, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said North Korea continues to prepare for such tests, and the North, angered by Washington's recent agreement to let Seoul possess missiles capable of hitting all of its territory, has recently claimed that the U.S. mainland is within range of its missiles.

According to South Korea's Defense Ministry, North Korean missiles are believed to have a range of up to about 4,160 miles, putting parts of Alaska within reach. But the North is not believed to have mastered the technology needed to hit a distant target and miniaturize a nuclear warhead to mount on a missile. The North has a spotty record in test launches, raising doubts about whether it is truly capable of a long-distance attack.

The 38 North analysis concludes that since the failed launch on April 13 of the Unha-3 rocket that disintegrated shortly after takeoff, the North has conducted at least two, and possibly more, tests of large rocket motors at a test site about a half mile away. The tests are critical for the development of new rockets.

"Pyongyang's large motor tests are another clear sign that its missile program is moving forward. Whether there will be another long-range missile test this spring remains unclear but is a distinct possibility," said Joel Wit, a former U.S. State Department official and editor of 38 North.

An April 9 satellite image shows what appear to be dozens of fuel tanks near a stand used for conducting tests of rocket engines. A Sept. 17 image shows the tanks are no longer there, and a flame trench has been stained orange and surrounding vegetation has been burned from the exhaust of an engine. An image from Sept. 28 indicates a further test has taken place.

The analysis was written by Nick Hansen, a retired expert in imagery technology with a 43-year experience in national intelligence.

He concludes the tests were likely of the first-stage engines of the Unha-3 or the new, bigger KN-08 long-range missile first viewed in a military parade in Pyongyang shortly after the April launch attempt.

The capabilities of the KN-08 and whether it could pose a potential threat to the continental United States remains unclear. Some analysts have also questioned whether the half-dozen of KN-08 missiles shown at that parade were genuine or just rigged up for show.

The analysis by 38 North says the Sept. 28 images also show construction work on the upper platform of a launch tower at Sohae to enable it to accommodate even larger rockets than the Unha-3 or KN-08.

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Online: http://38north.org/

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/satellite-imagery-shows-nkorea-missile-activity-223817174--politics.html

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Israel may respond Palestinian terrorists with military actions: Voice ...

As a result of these missile attacks, 6 Israelis, including civilians, were killed, and more than 25 injured.

On Saturday, a group of Palestinians attacked an Israeli army jeep, wounding 4 soldiers.

On Sunday, Palestinians shelled Israel?s south with about 40 missiles. 3 civilians were injured.

Israel?s Minister of Public Security Yitzhak Aharonovich has also promised to respond with military actions to terrorists? attacks, if Israel?s authorities find it necessary. He says that he wouldn?t stop to order to deliver strikes at Hamas?s leaders or at the Palestinian infrastructure.

The last large-scale military operation in Gaza took place in December 2008 and January 2009.

Gaza Strip, Israel exchnage fire

In the last 24 hours about 30 missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel. Four people were wounded and several buildings were damaged. In response the Israeli armed forces attacked the north-west of Gaza Strip. They attacked the armories and the areas from which the missiles had been fired.

According to preliminary reports, one person was killed and several wounded.

Earlier, Israel and the Gaza Strip exchanged two more attacks. The insurgents blew up and Israeli patrolling vehicle. In response Israel attacked the Gaza Strip killing 5 people were killed and wounding more than 20.

Israel 'prepared to escalate' over Gaza violence - Netanyahu

Israel is "prepared to escalate" its response to a flare-up of violence along its border with the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday.

"The world must realise that Israel won't sit by idly in the face of attempts to attack us. We are prepared to escalate our actions," he said at the start of his weekly cabinet meeting.

Five dead in Gaza border clash

Five Palestinian militants have been killed and about 30 others wounded or injured in a clash with Israeli forces near the northern border of Gaza.

The fighting started after a rocket fired from Gaza hit an Israeli military vehicle, setting it on fire. Israeli forces counterattacked, using tanks and helicopter gunships.

The Israeli army is yet to comment on the incident.

16 hurt by Israeli tank fire on Gaza

Israeli tank fire on Gaza has left 16 Palestinians injured or wounded, at least several of them critically.

It was opened in response to an attack by Gaza militants on an Israeli border patrol.

Israel is yet to comment on the incident.

Voice of Russia, AFP, Reuters, TASS

Source: http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_11_11/Israel-may-respond-Palestinian-terrorists-with-military-actions/

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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Evan Selinger: The Online Funeral

My grandfather died on Halloween. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, none of the New York family members could attend the funeral in Massachusetts. Fortunately, another option became available: The ceremony was streamed online, and so my wife, daughter and I gathered around a laptop in our living room to watch the live webcast.

The rabbi began by giving technology center stage, poignantly acknowledging that the virtual participants played an important role in honoring the deceased's memory. After that, technology receded into the background for the Massachusetts crowd. My grandmother looked like a bereaved widow. Online coverage didn't affect her demeanor -- or anyone else's.

At my house, however, things were different. The technology raised all sorts of problems and questions.

For starters, there was the initial hurdle of gaining access to the webcast. A password was needed, and we were initially sent the wrong one. After conceding the mistake, the woman in charge of the set-up said that we could just catch the archived footage later on. She was trying to be helpful, but the digital convenience of it all felt completely out of place, as if we were making plans to watch a favorite sitcom later on DVR.

Once the technical difficulty got resolved, we confronted a host of unfamiliar issues of protocol and decorum. Rory, my six-year-old daughter, wanted to know if she could eat while watching. In person, obviously, chomping while prayers were offered would be distracting and frowned upon. But was it actually rude here? And, if we allowed it, would we be implicitly sending her the message that this wasn't a somber occasion?

When Rory let out a loud "Yes!" followed by an enthusiastic hand gesture as the rabbi said her name when listing the decedents, we weren't sure what to say. Since the enthusiasm was contained to our house, did the inappropriateness matter?

And what about Rory's constant barrage of questions? They interrupted our focus, but she posed them urgently, saying that she wouldn't remember her questions later. Since the funeral would be archived for 30 days, we knew that whatever we missed could be seen later. We certainly wouldn't have been as indulgent had we been there in person.

My wife and I were also challenged by having to participate by webcast. Viewing everything from home, we felt distant from the choreographed gestures. We didn't feel inclined to rise when the other mourners did. We didn't even try to say the prayers aloud.

When the ceremony ended, we quickly returned to our daily routine. Not being physically present for the funeral, we didn't feel the usual need to reflect, or the usual sympathy and sorrow. We didn't pass by other mourners and exchange condolences. We didn't have the spine-tingling feeling that comes from being near a casket containing a beloved relative. We didn't line up in a funeral procession. While the webcast had a visceral impact, I suspect it would have been even greater had we been there in person. Perhaps more oxytocin would be released.

It would be a mistake, though, to say that the webcast dehumanized or even sullied the experience. Convenience always comes with costs, and we didn't feel that the sacred had been sacrificed for the expedient. Our emotional attunement was limited, but we weren't desensitized. And it was certainly better than not being present at all.

The fact is, rituals change over time, including rituals of mourning. Dr. Sherry Schachter, Director of Bereavement Services at Calvary Hospital, happens to be my mom, and she reminded me that two events stand out in recent history. In the 1980s, the AIDS quilt originated as a grief driven response by disenfranchised people looking to transcend the insular, private norms of traditional memorial services. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, mourners turned a variety of public surfaces, from sidewalks to street corners, into memorial shrines.

Far from being a settled matter, the appropriateness of public displays of grief is now being debated in the context of social media. Some applaud live-tweeting a funeral for extending the circle of participation. Others don't see things this way. They find the commentary intrusive. As the novelty fades, I suspect the resistance will as well.

Of course knowing future shock will be short lived doesn't always help in the present. Over the summer, I gave the best man's speech at my brother's wedding. After reading stories about a hospitalized groom getting married over Skype, folks updating their Facebook statuses and texting while walking down the aisle, and a bridesmaid making an iPad appearance at a wedding, I thought nobody would mind if I read my remarks from an iPhone instead of piece of paper. Turned out, I was wrong. Friends and family were horrified, and I couldn't bring myself to disappoint them, even knowing that in a few years most won't bat an eye if this happens as a regular occurrence.

Traditional funerals, weddings, and other ritualized ceremonies are intimate encounters that revolve around cherished norms. People readily take offense at perceived violations, but perhaps the time has come to be more open to change. As the digital age continues to expand, new rituals will emerge, confronting us, time and again, with the question of whether old ways are enhanced, diminished or simply altered by new ones.

*An abbreviated version of this article appeared in The Wall Street Journal on November 6, 2012.

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Follow Evan Selinger on Twitter: www.twitter.com/evanselinger

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-selinger/technology-funeral-ceremony_b_2100917.html

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Get To Know Thoroughbreds In Australian Horse Racing : Sports ...

You are here: Home / Horse Racing / Get To Know Thoroughbreds In Australian Horse Racing



Thoroughbreds are the type of breed we usually see in races. These are strong, smart, and graceful creatures that are crossbreeds of British mares and Middle Eastern stallions. Their aristocratic attributes and athletic frame make them favorites for Australian horse racing activities. Basic facts about these horses are shown below.

Usual Features
A thoroughbred is around seventy inches tall and weighs up to 1,200 pounds. Smooth coats, fine chiseled heads, distinct profiles, defined trunks, muscular chests, long legs, and short backs are their distinguishing features. Bay, dark gray, light brown, black, or chestnut are its usual colors. White or beige markings are common around their face and legs.

Traits that Make them Special
This kind of breed takes an expert to manage properly. To be able to prepare the animal for upcoming competitions, owners frequently hire trainers to come over each day. They are extremely energetic and active. It helps to have a wide field where they may freely move around since they could get weakened if they are kept on stables all the time. Considering their sensitive nature, it?s also important to earn and keep their trust. It would be very hard to make them follow instructions again once you break their trust.

Nutrition and Health
Their constantly active state and speedy metabolism makes it required to nourish them in a timely manner. In terms of their nutritional supplements, immunizations, and meal plans, it is recommended that they are observed by the veterinarian monthly for assessments and prescriptions. Nutrition is essential to keep them strong and avoid sickness and injuries if they are to compete later on. Watch out for cardiovascular, respiratory, and skeletal injuries since these frequently occur.

Cleanliness and Pet Grooming
The thoroughbred should be groomed regularly because people appraise it based on its appearance in making bets during the competition. Their hooves should be neat and their coat must look smooth all the time. Foot infections and mud rashes are common, so consider washing the hooves and legs on a daily basis. Trimming of the hair and polishing tasks are booked weekly.

How Much Do They Cost
These horses cost around $15,000 during the time of purchase. The real financial challenge arises from their breeding and maintenance expenses. Expenses for nutrition, health, grooming, and coaching add up to approximately $30,000 every year. This is the reason why many people call a horse race ?The Sport of Kings?. Only a few are capable enough of actually owning and breeding one even though everyone can take part in betting. However, owners can still gain profit which could reach millions from gambling wins if their horses succeed in races.

Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/recreation_sports/get-to-know-thoroughbreds-in-australian-horse-racing/

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Which Kind of Pants Is Your Best Preference

There are differences between men and women pants. Male and female body have relatively large differences, so the pants are cut in different ways, following a brief look will be said at the relationship between male and female pants and differences in their structure. The waist of the male body section is lower and the waist section of the female body is higher than the waist section of the male body, so they decided the person of the same height female pants are longer and the files are larger than male. The depression of female trousers is more significant than men, and the D-value between hip and waist is also greater than male body, and the buttock of female body is y more plentiful and full than male body, side buttock is more protruding than hip, hip peak is lower than male body, so female trousers is bigger, longer than men's, and the gradient in back is more sufficient. At the same time the waistband outside the buttock is more potential than men's trousers, what is more, the size of trousers waist is bigger. The biological discrepancy lead to the men's trousers file before the concave potential than women, also determining the total in placket before center position There are biological discrepancy of men and women, so it leads to the front part of trousers is more concave than females, and also determines the closure is often set in central location. Female pants before and after can be arbitrarily set, and thus determine female pants can be designed around the placket but male trousers have not to be. There are some tips for selecting pants. You must try to wear the trousers when you choose it. You need keep your eyes open on the length of the trousers, and too short and too long is not suitable. To dress trousers is best to be equipped with high-heeled shoes, the size of the trousers should be better to heel middle or upper, not only for easier walk but also the legs seems like long and thin. Wearing with or without flange styles depends on the length of your legs, and slender legs are suitable to wear cuffed trousers. The inside disposition had better to be farther to tide, the conventional design and one can hide faults of pants are good selection.
There exist various styles of trousers. Cashmere pants make of raw materials of knitting and imbricate to clothing. According to category woolen yarn they are divided into two kinds of knitting and worsted; According to the proportion of raw materials it can be divided into pure wool and cashmere blends two kinds. Imbricate itself with the white, green, purple and other natural color, it can also be dyed. It has delicate and silky hand feeling, shiny, proofing cold, easeful to put on, but the intensity is bad. They can be split into flat pants, and jacquard pants and so on.
Jeans is made of a indigo denim tailoring straight crotch pants, the legs narrow and will shrink after wash and feels like a tight package buttocks trousers. In English it named "Jeans", first recorded in 1567 and came from the Italian harbor city of Genoa the lucky title of merchant sailor pants.
The suit pants mainly indicate the collocation clothes of suits and coat. It came from Europe at the beginning.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1429281/which-kind-of-pants-is-your-best-preference.htm

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