In yet another rare legal suit, the courts have found themselves in another battle to rule against or in favour of a marriage involving same-sex parties. A court ruling in Arizona rejected a divorce application for a transsexual man who gave birth to three children. After one of the parties undergoing a double mastectomy surgery, a nine year-old marriage is faced with troubles that have seen a need for divorce. A transgender man who underwent a double mastectomy but retained the female reproductive organs has since given birth to three children.
However, his mirage is at stake after an application for divorce was filed. Making a ruling on the case, an Arizona jury failed to rule in favour of the application. The Maricopa County Family Court Judge argued that he had no jurisdiction that could compel him to approve the divorce because the evidence was not substantial enough to prove that the transgender man was really a man when he married in Hawaii.
Although this man was determined to put an end to his marriage, the divorce plan was stalled because the judge could not get a legal authority that could define a man as a person who can reproduce and give birth as women do. When giving out the ruling, the judge reiterated that the decision on the ruling was not pegged on conclusions that it involved a same-sex marriage affair with one party being a transsexual male, but because the parties did not prove that the man was really transsexual male as at the time when they were served with a marriage certification or license.
The ruling also did not incorporate the aspect that Arizona jurisdiction allowed a person born female to get married to another female after a surgery to change the sex has been done. The pregnant man was born in Hawaii at Tracy Lehuanani Lagondino, in Oahu. In 1997, he began undergoing testosterone treatment and in 2002, double mastectomy and chest reconstructions were done.
The transsexual man changed his driver’s license in Hawaii to reflect that he was a man and this was approved by a Hawaiian court. The man married in early 2003 and he became pregnant because his wife could not have children. With use of a donated sperm, the transgender man gave birth to children who are now 2 years, 3 and 4 from the youngest to the oldest respectively.
After their marriage, the couple relocated to Arizona where they currently live. The marriage has attracted a big attention and has become the center of talks in big shows like the Oprah Winfrey, and Larry King. In addition the transgender man has scoped a winning spot on list of 10 most Fascinating People featured on Barbara Walter in 2008. The man has also published a book entitled Labor Of Love: The Story of One Man's Extraordinary Pregnancy.
Although the National Center for Lesbian Rights did not involve itself in this legal suit, it said that the judicial courts have declared marriage ties made up of a transsexual person as invalid in the few legal cases, which have been filed across the country. The National Center for Lesbian Rights also pointed out that some of those cases had significantly different legal issues and factual aspects far much deeper than the case of the this transsexual man.
Showing posts with label Hot news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hot news. Show all posts
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Most Watched Video on YouTube...Psy’s Gangnam Style Video Rocks the World
A South Korean rapper rocks the world as he released a new video on Saturday 13th April 2013 at Seoul's World Cup Stadium that has turned out to be the most watched YouTube video. The video was a spoof of the upscale or luxurious lifestyle of Gangnam district of Seoul. In just under 48 hours, the new music video had recorded an astounding 44 million views in YouTube. In its first 24 hours, the video gathered over 20 million views smashing the earlier record that had been set by Boyfriend video produced by Canadian Justin Bieber, that recorded 8 million hits sometimes in May 2012.
Psy’s new video Gentleman featuring Gangnam Style has caught the music lovers with great surprise. The "Gangnam Style" video was first released in July 2012, has so far garnered over 1.5 billion hits. In front of close to 50,000 fans dressed in white as he had requested, Psy, a 35 year old rapper musician made a mark in the history of rap music.
He stole the show at Seoul's World Cup Stadium as the concert was streamed live on the internet with as many as 160,000 audiences turned to watch it on the net becoming the most watched video on YouTube. Psy said that he hoped the world would help bring to an end the long-standing conflict that has engulfed South and North Korea for many. He further reiterated that he hopes North Koreans will be spellbound by the new single release despite the high tension in the Korean Peninsula region.
However, there is scepticism as to whether Psy will hold the rhythm high or it is just another short-lived lyric that is doomed to disappear within no time. Perhaps his humble personality and the great audience he has captured would only serve to make him more famous. Considering that he is determined to bring more Korean songs and dance to the global arena, it may be a more than personal achievement.
Music is always changing with new dynamics being introduced but one thing remains, to be a top world-class-star; you have to cultivate happiness and coincidences of innovativeness to keep the fans hooked up to your music. In his interviews, Psy said that he tried to find Korean words that many people could sing along and this perhaps would create some interest to the audiences who do not understand the language.
With a concoction of English and Korean lyrics, it was easier for the hit video to rhyme with global lyrics. Amazingly, the Gangnam Style has featured many dignitaries emulating the dance including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who was captured being taught how to dance to the tubes. It is without double that there is something unique with this lyric that makes it irresistible to twist your body. Perhaps the beat is catchy.
Psy produced two songs before this latest hit that followed up to his internationally acclaimed "Gangnam Style," and so far the viewership is astonishing. Hitting a 1.5 billion audience views is no something to be underestimated. There is more than what many may think about this star. Although the music has received wide acceptance and interest in Korean music charts, for the international viewership, it is yet to demonstrate how it can hold to the top charts.
Psy has been feeling the pressure as he prepared to make the hit song but he has always tried to find what he calls his closest thing, which is the “real me” as he mentions. Nonetheless, he is more than overwhelmed by the achievement and success of Gangnam Style as the most watched YouTube video.
Psy’s new video Gentleman featuring Gangnam Style has caught the music lovers with great surprise. The "Gangnam Style" video was first released in July 2012, has so far garnered over 1.5 billion hits. In front of close to 50,000 fans dressed in white as he had requested, Psy, a 35 year old rapper musician made a mark in the history of rap music.
He stole the show at Seoul's World Cup Stadium as the concert was streamed live on the internet with as many as 160,000 audiences turned to watch it on the net becoming the most watched video on YouTube. Psy said that he hoped the world would help bring to an end the long-standing conflict that has engulfed South and North Korea for many. He further reiterated that he hopes North Koreans will be spellbound by the new single release despite the high tension in the Korean Peninsula region.
However, there is scepticism as to whether Psy will hold the rhythm high or it is just another short-lived lyric that is doomed to disappear within no time. Perhaps his humble personality and the great audience he has captured would only serve to make him more famous. Considering that he is determined to bring more Korean songs and dance to the global arena, it may be a more than personal achievement.
Music is always changing with new dynamics being introduced but one thing remains, to be a top world-class-star; you have to cultivate happiness and coincidences of innovativeness to keep the fans hooked up to your music. In his interviews, Psy said that he tried to find Korean words that many people could sing along and this perhaps would create some interest to the audiences who do not understand the language.
With a concoction of English and Korean lyrics, it was easier for the hit video to rhyme with global lyrics. Amazingly, the Gangnam Style has featured many dignitaries emulating the dance including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who was captured being taught how to dance to the tubes. It is without double that there is something unique with this lyric that makes it irresistible to twist your body. Perhaps the beat is catchy.
Psy produced two songs before this latest hit that followed up to his internationally acclaimed "Gangnam Style," and so far the viewership is astonishing. Hitting a 1.5 billion audience views is no something to be underestimated. There is more than what many may think about this star. Although the music has received wide acceptance and interest in Korean music charts, for the international viewership, it is yet to demonstrate how it can hold to the top charts.
Psy has been feeling the pressure as he prepared to make the hit song but he has always tried to find what he calls his closest thing, which is the “real me” as he mentions. Nonetheless, he is more than overwhelmed by the achievement and success of Gangnam Style as the most watched YouTube video.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Another Blow to Giant Automobile Makers... as Close to 3.4 Million Cars are Recalled
As giant automobile makers battle it out to gain supremacy in the market, their efforts are shadowed by the never ending car recalls, which are not only costly but also taint the reputation of the companies on quality assurance to consumers. It has been revealed that Japanese automakers including Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, and Honda are in the process of recalling close to 3.4 million units from defects found in airbags.
According to Hong Kong CNNmoney, the latest of the recalls are those from Toyota-TM in which more than 1.7 million cars are said to be recalled owing to airbag defects. An airbag is essential in that it minimizes the magnitude of an injury whenever a crash occurs. However, any defects in this crucial safety device in cars could lead to serious injuries if a crash occurred.
While Toyota was recalling 1.7 million units, with popular models like Camry, Matrix, and Corolla among the cars being recalled, on the other side, Honda is recalling 1.1 million vehicles, Nissan 480,000 autos, and Mazda 45,000. Insurance companies have been rallying for quality assurance on automobile manufacturer because this was causing great economic losses in term of road accident injuries compensations, which could otherwise be averted.
However, the most hit is the consumer who is placed in a risky situation of sustaining injuries, if not death, when an accident occurred due to malfunctioning airbags and other motor vehicle functionalities. In addition, the consumer was likely to pay high automobile premiums and this means that it is double tragedy for the innocent consumer. The recalls are not only on Toyota cars. Other mainstream companies in the automobile market have also found themselves in the same cutting sword.
Honda, Mazda, and Nissan have also been hit by this quality assurance blow. Honda-HMC is recalling more than 1.1 million cars. Honda automobile manufacturer said that the recall was necessary in order to replace defective passenger front airbag inflators. The company expressed concerns that it was possible that front airbag inflators in the vehicles affected would deploy with too much pressure.
Such pressure could cause the inflators casing to burst, something that could cause injuries. Most of the Honda cars, which are expected to be recalled, are those from the models between 2001 and 2003. Honda confirmed that it was aware of one incident where the inflator of the passenger front airbag had ruptured because of too much pressure.
Nonetheless, the company said that it was not aware of any deaths or injuries owing to the defects. According to Shino Yamada, Toyota spokeswoman, the airbags that are believed to have the defect were manufactured by a Japan-based supplier, Takata Corp. From the announcement of the recall, the shares of Takata sunk deeply and it was seen that at some point they had fallen by more than 15 percent.
However, the shares recovered to close down at 9 percent. In the US, the recall has brought some effects. Toyota’s largest cars recall was witnessed in 2009 and 2010 were it was estimated that 8 million cars were recalled for having a potential risk that involved the accelerator pedals. The latest recall hit the company, which is now trying to heal and restore its reputation for quality after that massive recall. In that previous recall, motor dealers were asked to suspend sales of close to eight models of cars and many other models were stopped for some time.
Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/11/news/toyota-honda-airbag-recall/index.html
According to Hong Kong CNNmoney, the latest of the recalls are those from Toyota-TM in which more than 1.7 million cars are said to be recalled owing to airbag defects. An airbag is essential in that it minimizes the magnitude of an injury whenever a crash occurs. However, any defects in this crucial safety device in cars could lead to serious injuries if a crash occurred.
While Toyota was recalling 1.7 million units, with popular models like Camry, Matrix, and Corolla among the cars being recalled, on the other side, Honda is recalling 1.1 million vehicles, Nissan 480,000 autos, and Mazda 45,000. Insurance companies have been rallying for quality assurance on automobile manufacturer because this was causing great economic losses in term of road accident injuries compensations, which could otherwise be averted.
However, the most hit is the consumer who is placed in a risky situation of sustaining injuries, if not death, when an accident occurred due to malfunctioning airbags and other motor vehicle functionalities. In addition, the consumer was likely to pay high automobile premiums and this means that it is double tragedy for the innocent consumer. The recalls are not only on Toyota cars. Other mainstream companies in the automobile market have also found themselves in the same cutting sword.
Honda, Mazda, and Nissan have also been hit by this quality assurance blow. Honda-HMC is recalling more than 1.1 million cars. Honda automobile manufacturer said that the recall was necessary in order to replace defective passenger front airbag inflators. The company expressed concerns that it was possible that front airbag inflators in the vehicles affected would deploy with too much pressure.
Such pressure could cause the inflators casing to burst, something that could cause injuries. Most of the Honda cars, which are expected to be recalled, are those from the models between 2001 and 2003. Honda confirmed that it was aware of one incident where the inflator of the passenger front airbag had ruptured because of too much pressure.
Nonetheless, the company said that it was not aware of any deaths or injuries owing to the defects. According to Shino Yamada, Toyota spokeswoman, the airbags that are believed to have the defect were manufactured by a Japan-based supplier, Takata Corp. From the announcement of the recall, the shares of Takata sunk deeply and it was seen that at some point they had fallen by more than 15 percent.
However, the shares recovered to close down at 9 percent. In the US, the recall has brought some effects. Toyota’s largest cars recall was witnessed in 2009 and 2010 were it was estimated that 8 million cars were recalled for having a potential risk that involved the accelerator pedals. The latest recall hit the company, which is now trying to heal and restore its reputation for quality after that massive recall. In that previous recall, motor dealers were asked to suspend sales of close to eight models of cars and many other models were stopped for some time.
Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/11/news/toyota-honda-airbag-recall/index.html
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Driverless Cars Set to Hit the Automobile Market By 2015
It is a curious anticipation for driverless cars to hit the market by 2015 but technology always amazes people. Rumour has it that driverless vehicles could actually be on the market by 2015. Different companies are at advanced levels of developing and testing driverless automobiles including the giants in the motor vehicle industry such as Ford, BMW, Audi, GM, Volkswagen, Google, and Volvo.
Google has taken a center-stage role in running a project dubbed Google driverless car which brings together technology advances for self driving cars. The project is led by Google engineer Sebastian Thrun among other big brains in the science and tech world. Google carried out successive tests that involved a fleet of an Audit TT and six Toyota Prii. The cars navigated over 140,000 miles across the streets and highways of California.
Apparently only one accident was witnessed during the test but this occurred in a rare testing occasion when a human was actually driving. Google also took another test featuring 1000 miles and during this testing, no accident was reported. The road to unveiling a truly driverless car seems to have progressed to greater heights.
The designers of these cars argue that they will eliminate accidents on roads, which have taken away lives of many motorists, pedestrians, and passengers. Many of the notorious accidents witnessed today arise from driver errors. The precision of driverless cars is expected to improve the flow of traffic, which is another daunting thing experienced in big cities and towns.
This means that the traffic jams may be reduced significantly. It is also thought that the cars would allow commuters to embark on other things when travelling such as sleep, read, work or make discussions while aboard the vehicle. As the innovative designing and testing automated cars in the market continues, Audi has voiced its ability to have a fully automated car on the market by 2015 however; this is subject to the wishes of the drivers and whether they are really prepared for such a big thing in just a few years to come.
In Las Vegas this year (2013), Audi made remarkable comments that it would have a technology that could be applied to remotely park cars in parking areas using smartphones or tablets and this is by 2015. These systems are a series of other technological developments that will have been unveiled before the grand launch of the driverless cars.
However, prior to the autonomous cars, the market is expected to get releases of semi-autonomous vehicles. This may happen in about few months and the use of the remote parking apps could be a step above the semi-autonomous cars. It is expected that towards the end of 2013, Mercedes-Benz will sell vehicles, which are capable of steering themselves in a lane.
The auto control systems are aimed at being in-charge of the car to avoid crashes. In the driverless cars, Google seems to be posing stiff competition as it has already begun testing its self-driven cars that use Google’s mapping system. However, the big challenge is whether car buyers will be willing to pay for such technology. And, as Dr Wolfgang Durheimer, a member of Audi’s board of management that handles matters pertaining to technical development says, it is a question of how much consumers will be willing to pay for the advanced self driven cars.
| Google's driverless cars an ongoing project |
Google has taken a center-stage role in running a project dubbed Google driverless car which brings together technology advances for self driving cars. The project is led by Google engineer Sebastian Thrun among other big brains in the science and tech world. Google carried out successive tests that involved a fleet of an Audit TT and six Toyota Prii. The cars navigated over 140,000 miles across the streets and highways of California.
Apparently only one accident was witnessed during the test but this occurred in a rare testing occasion when a human was actually driving. Google also took another test featuring 1000 miles and during this testing, no accident was reported. The road to unveiling a truly driverless car seems to have progressed to greater heights.
The designers of these cars argue that they will eliminate accidents on roads, which have taken away lives of many motorists, pedestrians, and passengers. Many of the notorious accidents witnessed today arise from driver errors. The precision of driverless cars is expected to improve the flow of traffic, which is another daunting thing experienced in big cities and towns.
| Driverless cars cockpit |
This means that the traffic jams may be reduced significantly. It is also thought that the cars would allow commuters to embark on other things when travelling such as sleep, read, work or make discussions while aboard the vehicle. As the innovative designing and testing automated cars in the market continues, Audi has voiced its ability to have a fully automated car on the market by 2015 however; this is subject to the wishes of the drivers and whether they are really prepared for such a big thing in just a few years to come.
In Las Vegas this year (2013), Audi made remarkable comments that it would have a technology that could be applied to remotely park cars in parking areas using smartphones or tablets and this is by 2015. These systems are a series of other technological developments that will have been unveiled before the grand launch of the driverless cars.
However, prior to the autonomous cars, the market is expected to get releases of semi-autonomous vehicles. This may happen in about few months and the use of the remote parking apps could be a step above the semi-autonomous cars. It is expected that towards the end of 2013, Mercedes-Benz will sell vehicles, which are capable of steering themselves in a lane.
The auto control systems are aimed at being in-charge of the car to avoid crashes. In the driverless cars, Google seems to be posing stiff competition as it has already begun testing its self-driven cars that use Google’s mapping system. However, the big challenge is whether car buyers will be willing to pay for such technology. And, as Dr Wolfgang Durheimer, a member of Audi’s board of management that handles matters pertaining to technical development says, it is a question of how much consumers will be willing to pay for the advanced self driven cars.
Friday, November 15, 2013
A 3-Month Old Baby Catches Fire with No External Fire Source
Mystery surrounds a 3 months old baby that is believed to be suffering from one of the rarest condition every reported in human history. The boy is believed to suffer from a condition known as Spontaneous Human Combustion where the body catches fire as a result of excretion of inflammable gases through the skin.
Rahul, the name of the boy came to headlines when he was first admitted at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital on Thursday. The boy was admitted at the hospital early August 2013 and has been the cover story on many news resources in the Asian countries and around the world. The body is a native of Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu and according to doctors; he is believed to be suffering from a rare medical condition known as Spontaneous Human Combustion.
Close to over a dozen of tests have been performed on the baby to establish the functions of the body but the results from the tests appear normal. Tests of the kidney and liver are normal and X-rays conducted do not indicate any damage to the bones. Medical experts are also suspecting that this could be a hoax and the child may have suffered a burn out of a child abuse.
However, it is early to rule out the possibility of the Spontaneous Human Combustion condition and doctors are performing more tests. Doctors are also examining if there are any genetic makeup that could have triggered this condition. Apparently, there is no specific cure for this condition and what doctors are doing is treating the symptoms as any other burn incident. The child was admitted to the hospital with 10 degree burns on the body owing to the said condition.
The boy is undergoing treatment at the Chennai hospital facility and is in the intensive care unit of the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. According to Dr R Narayana Babu who is the head of the paediatrics department, Kilpauk Medical College, when a patient suffers from Spontaneous Human Combustion, "The body burns spontaneously due to combustible gases emitting from the patient's body, without any external source of ignition,"
Dr R Narayana further elaborated that "Clothes and other things nearby that are inflammable may also catch fire." The boy is receiving further test analysis such as urine and sweat to check for any toxic substances that could cause the condition. A biopsy of the boy’s skin is scheduled to be done after he recovers from the burns in order to shed some more light on this mysterious condition.
According to the parents Rajeswari and Karna, baby Rahul first caught fire close to four times since his birth. The first fire incident occurred nine days following his birth. Baby Rahul’s father, Karnan said that he did not believe what doctors were telling him because he saw the boy catch fire with his own eyes. As at now, the baby Rahul is receiving treatment for burns with administration of antibiotics.
The Spontaneous human combustion theory has been dished by many medical experts citing that the body cannot catch fire on its own without any external source. However, there have been over 200 cases cited in the past 300 years for possible Spontaneous Human Combustion condition. Some of the natural explanations to the cause of this rare condition are that the intestinal conversion of food into methane can happen through methanogens.
When methane is released through skin pores, fire may be triggered by other sources like static electricity of silk clothes. Concentrated gas and raised blood alcohol may also cause ignition to occur. In February 2013, a 65-year-old man from Muldrow, Okla is believed to have passed away from Spontaneous human combustion where his body was found burnt without any possible course of fire by an external source.
Rahul, the name of the boy came to headlines when he was first admitted at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital on Thursday. The boy was admitted at the hospital early August 2013 and has been the cover story on many news resources in the Asian countries and around the world. The body is a native of Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu and according to doctors; he is believed to be suffering from a rare medical condition known as Spontaneous Human Combustion.
Close to over a dozen of tests have been performed on the baby to establish the functions of the body but the results from the tests appear normal. Tests of the kidney and liver are normal and X-rays conducted do not indicate any damage to the bones. Medical experts are also suspecting that this could be a hoax and the child may have suffered a burn out of a child abuse.
However, it is early to rule out the possibility of the Spontaneous Human Combustion condition and doctors are performing more tests. Doctors are also examining if there are any genetic makeup that could have triggered this condition. Apparently, there is no specific cure for this condition and what doctors are doing is treating the symptoms as any other burn incident. The child was admitted to the hospital with 10 degree burns on the body owing to the said condition.
The boy is undergoing treatment at the Chennai hospital facility and is in the intensive care unit of the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. According to Dr R Narayana Babu who is the head of the paediatrics department, Kilpauk Medical College, when a patient suffers from Spontaneous Human Combustion, "The body burns spontaneously due to combustible gases emitting from the patient's body, without any external source of ignition,"
Dr R Narayana further elaborated that "Clothes and other things nearby that are inflammable may also catch fire." The boy is receiving further test analysis such as urine and sweat to check for any toxic substances that could cause the condition. A biopsy of the boy’s skin is scheduled to be done after he recovers from the burns in order to shed some more light on this mysterious condition.
According to the parents Rajeswari and Karna, baby Rahul first caught fire close to four times since his birth. The first fire incident occurred nine days following his birth. Baby Rahul’s father, Karnan said that he did not believe what doctors were telling him because he saw the boy catch fire with his own eyes. As at now, the baby Rahul is receiving treatment for burns with administration of antibiotics.
The Spontaneous human combustion theory has been dished by many medical experts citing that the body cannot catch fire on its own without any external source. However, there have been over 200 cases cited in the past 300 years for possible Spontaneous Human Combustion condition. Some of the natural explanations to the cause of this rare condition are that the intestinal conversion of food into methane can happen through methanogens.
When methane is released through skin pores, fire may be triggered by other sources like static electricity of silk clothes. Concentrated gas and raised blood alcohol may also cause ignition to occur. In February 2013, a 65-year-old man from Muldrow, Okla is believed to have passed away from Spontaneous human combustion where his body was found burnt without any possible course of fire by an external source.
Acer Shifts Focus on Chromebooks and Android after Recording Losses
 |
| "Acer Chromebook" |
The falling demand for desktop computers and laptops owing to the increased use of smartphones as seen mixed reactions from PC makers and Acer does not take this lightly. Acer is the fourth largest computer maker but over the past few years, things have not been on their side. The chairman of Acer, J.T. Wang hinted that this giant computer maker was shifting focus to diversify its market by growing its non-windows range of products.
Speaking to investors, Wang noted that the move would take effect as soon as possible. Wang warned that Microsoft needs to build confidence with its associates as far as windows products are concerned otherwise it risks falling into dark times in future where its windows products may become irrelevant.
With increasing use of smartphones, and tablets in the recent years, it has seen the demand for traditional laptops and desktop computer diminish. This is an aspect, which has sent the sales, and profits of computer chip making companies like Intel to remain tumbling. According to a statement by Acer’s chairman Wang, the company would focus on android, a mainstream Google product on the smartphone market.
In addition, it would also shift more attention to chromebook operating system. Considering that Microsoft is a rival for Google, this could mean positive news for Google. Acer’s strategy may be beneficial to Google’s android development. Android has been very popular with smartphones and tablets and the Acer’s move would further build more confidence with the growth of android operating system.
Microsoft has created a situation where there is lack of confidence in windows products something that has led to consumers being hesitant in buying windows computers. In the second quarter of 2013, Acer posted a net loss of £7.3 million equivalent to $343 million and when this is compared to the results of second quarter in 2012, where the company recorded a net profit of $68 million equivalent to £1.5 million, it clearly shows that Acer is facing tough times ahead.
Its move may help in keeping the company in the right track as far as profitability is concerned. However, there are concerns that with too many smartphones on the market, there is more to be done by Acer. With the Intel Corp showing slow trend in its chip products’ demand, a common consensus is needed to make the demand for PC computers and laptops increase in coming years.
The shipment of personal computers has dwindled despite the introduction of windows 8, which has been designed to make PCs look like tablets. According to a research firm IDC, the word-wide shipment of desktop and laptops including those of giant makers like Dell Inc. and Hewlett Packard has fell significantly in 2013.
IDC noted that this is the sharpest drop in the shipment of personal computers and laptops since the research firm began tracking PC and laptop data in 1994. The shipment fell by 14 percent in the first quarter of 2013. Gartner Inc, another research firm also gave similar results after it cited that the estimated global shipments of laptops and personal computers sank by 11.2 percent.
The move by Acer to shift its attention to chromebooks and android operating systems may be welcomed as a good strategy for turning around the sapping demand for PCs and laptops. But can Acer impact the already ill-hurt PC and laptop market?
Monday, September 23, 2013
Kenya Defense Forces in Control Of Westgate Mall after An Attack by Al-Shabab Militia Photos and Video
Kenya remains strong, as the military forces battle a group of al-Shabab militia who have taken Kenyans and other nationalities hostage inside Westgate shopping Mall in Nairobi. The official death toll released by the government stands at 62 as at the afternoon Monday 23rd September, two days after the siege of the mall began on Saturday 21st September around 11 am.
This attack appears to have been well-plotted and contrary to what was thought; most of the attackers come from different countries. Since Kenya deployed troops to Somalia in 2011, al-Shabab has been pushing for withdrawal of the troops. Kenya has since suffered a series of grenade attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Garissa however, the latest attack of Westgate mall seems to have been the most dangerous.
A group of al-Shabab militia numbering about 10 to 15 stormed the building and started spraying bullets on people before taking others hostage. Close to over 1000 people have been restored with scores injured and rushed to different hospitals including MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Kenya National Hospital, Aga Khan, and Guru Nanak hospital.
Over 175 people have been reported injured. The situation is delicate and extremely tense as people wait to get the full horror of this beastly attack. Journalist have been barred from coming closer to the building because of the nature of the attack. It is too risky for journalists to move closer and are only reporting some distance from the mall.
It is believed that Westgate was targeted because it is frequented by many people of all nationalities. Two of the attackers are believed to have been killed in the assault by the Kenya military forces. As the rescue operations continue, Kenyans are urged to remain calm and resilient, and do their business cautiously.
The Kenya government has consistently said that there is no need for travel adversaries to be issued by other nations as the situation has been contained. The war against terror is a global war and countries must join their hand to fight these terrorists relentlessly. The terrorists seems to be changing their tactics and shifting to holding of people hostage after the series of hostages in Pakistani and India.
US officials estimate that dozens of Americans have traveled to Somalia over the last six years where they have joined the Al-Shabab militia group. Kenyans have donated blood to help the victims and this has shown their solidarity in coping with the attack. The Westgate attack Nairobi has left the City in Shock but Kenyans are more united and strong despite the beastly attack. The Kenya Defense Force has said that it planning to end the siege soon. Security has been heightened around the country and in national borders and other towns.
Monday, September 16, 2013
The Indian Descent Miss America Pageant 2014 Crowning Flocked with Racist Tweets
Who is an American? This is a question many may not be able to answer considering the successive waves of immigration that has seen the nation struggle to define which new immigrants are actually fit for the American society and who should really be called Americans. But for Nina Davuluri, the newly crowned Miss American 2014 may have to understand that although she is an American, there are some who feel she is not. This is not about Nina Davuluri or about American people but is about the perception some people in America have towards others.
Nina Davuluri is actually American and every American should be proud of her and accord her the much-needed support. However, soon after Nina was crowned Miss America 2014 pageant title, there was a bombardment of racist tweets, which flocked the internet. Some tweets read that if you a Miss American, then you should be American! And others even asked- when will a white woman win Miss American?
These comments and questions might have raised redflag by trying to convey to the people of American that if you are an American of certain descent, then you may not be regarded as a real American. But let us face the fact here. When the sports athletes win gold and other medals in the Olympics or other world championship- who do they pride themselves of being? They are Americans although they may be of different descents.
Nina Davuluri is the first Miss America of Indian American origin. Some people might argue that she presents the virtues and culture of Indians more than the American culture and virtues. Does it really make sense to believe that Nina may have represented Indian virtues and not American?
Nani Davuluri, a 24-year-old celebrity from Syracuse won the 2014 beauty pageant where she competed on the platform dubbed "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency". In the talent portion, Davuluri featured classical Indian dance that was fused with Bollywood moves, something that expressed Indian cultural feelings and expressions.
A similar racist feeling was seen in 2010 when Rima Fakih was crowned miss USA 2010. Fakih is Lebanese descent and people tried to quickly associate her with the Hezbollah military group. There was a feeling that Nina Davuluri is a Muslim but she isn’t! Some tweets even tried to link the timing for her pageant win with the Al Qaeda and the 9/11.
The tweets against Nina Davuluri might not have been directed to her but the heritage she is associated with. If you are an American of a particular descent, there are still some connections of your ancestral heritage. But an American whether of black, Indian, Italian, Cuba, or Lebanese descent upholds and represents the heritage and values of America.
Although in the past whiteness remained the test for Americanness, this perhaps has changed, and it is time Americans regardless of their descent should join hands together and uphold their cultural heritage. In the past, America has been struggling in defining who an American is for example, in 1917, Congress drew a line on the globe and declared “Asiatic Barred Zone” , the region from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, as one in which the United States would not accept immigrants from.
Today, these old racial criteria have vanished and America holds a “fit-for-all” immigration framework that encourages people from different spheres of life and regions to settle and live in American as citizens. With the Nina Davuluri racist tweets against her, this is an indication that the citizens of this country might have reached their lowest point and they have to accept the reality. Nina Davuluri is an American regardless of her descent and she upholds American values and virtues. She is a symbol of the great American people and heritage.
Nina Davuluri is actually American and every American should be proud of her and accord her the much-needed support. However, soon after Nina was crowned Miss America 2014 pageant title, there was a bombardment of racist tweets, which flocked the internet. Some tweets read that if you a Miss American, then you should be American! And others even asked- when will a white woman win Miss American?
Nina Davuluri is the first Miss America of Indian American origin. Some people might argue that she presents the virtues and culture of Indians more than the American culture and virtues. Does it really make sense to believe that Nina may have represented Indian virtues and not American?
Nani Davuluri, a 24-year-old celebrity from Syracuse won the 2014 beauty pageant where she competed on the platform dubbed "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency". In the talent portion, Davuluri featured classical Indian dance that was fused with Bollywood moves, something that expressed Indian cultural feelings and expressions.
A similar racist feeling was seen in 2010 when Rima Fakih was crowned miss USA 2010. Fakih is Lebanese descent and people tried to quickly associate her with the Hezbollah military group. There was a feeling that Nina Davuluri is a Muslim but she isn’t! Some tweets even tried to link the timing for her pageant win with the Al Qaeda and the 9/11.
The tweets against Nina Davuluri might not have been directed to her but the heritage she is associated with. If you are an American of a particular descent, there are still some connections of your ancestral heritage. But an American whether of black, Indian, Italian, Cuba, or Lebanese descent upholds and represents the heritage and values of America.
Although in the past whiteness remained the test for Americanness, this perhaps has changed, and it is time Americans regardless of their descent should join hands together and uphold their cultural heritage. In the past, America has been struggling in defining who an American is for example, in 1917, Congress drew a line on the globe and declared “Asiatic Barred Zone” , the region from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, as one in which the United States would not accept immigrants from.
Today, these old racial criteria have vanished and America holds a “fit-for-all” immigration framework that encourages people from different spheres of life and regions to settle and live in American as citizens. With the Nina Davuluri racist tweets against her, this is an indication that the citizens of this country might have reached their lowest point and they have to accept the reality. Nina Davuluri is an American regardless of her descent and she upholds American values and virtues. She is a symbol of the great American people and heritage.
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