Monday, December 19, 2005
Rocket company SpaceX, notorious for repeatedly pre-announcing its first flight on Wikinews, cancels its latest attempt and defers further flights until 2006.
This latest launch attempt on the 19th December was cancelled due to structural issues with the first-stage fuel tank of the Falcon 1 rocket. An electrical fault caused a valve to shut inappropriately, and as fuel drained out a vacuum was created causing the side of the fuel tank to buckle inwards.
Friday, May 11, 2018
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s parliament passed a bill at Islamabad’s National Assembly which granted transgender people various civil rights. The bill, “Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act”, which was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party’s lawmaker Naveed Qamar, was approved by the senate in March, and now awaits signature of the president Mamnoon Hussain.
The bill ensures people have the right to identify themselves as male, female or as “third gender”, also known as khawaja sira in Pakistan. This identity choice is to be reflected in the National Database and Registration Authority, as well as other official documents like passports and driving licence.
Per the bill, transgender people can now cast votes, run for election, have the right to assemble, and can obtain loans for business startups. They are also eligible to inherit property per their identified gender. Transgender people are to be no longer discriminated at school, working place, for medical services, public transportation facilities, by their employers, or at private business. Separate confinement areas, jails and prisons are to be established for transgenders. Anyone found guilty of forcing transgenders to beg is to face a six-month prison term as well as 50 thousand rupees fine.
The legislation was sent to and later approved by the Council of Islamic Ideology, a government advisory body. Lahore-based activist Mehlab Jameel, who was involved in writing the bill, said the Council of Islamic Ideology “appreciated that the bill included directions on inheritance in accordance with Shari’a” law.
Last year, transgenders were included for the census count for the first time. Mehlab Jameel said, “the definition of ‘transgender’ […] was basically based on genitals” in the initial draft of the bill, written last year.
Speaking to National Public Radio, Jameel said, “This kind of development is not only unprecedented in Pakistani history, but it’s one of the most progressive laws in the whole world.” Human Rights Watch has reported at least four deaths of transgenders in the country since the beginning of 2018, and at least 57 transgenders were killed in Pakistan since 2015. Pakistan’s —reportedly— first transgender news anchor and activist Marvia Malik told Images the transgenders “are forced to dance and beg because they have no other means to make ends meet.” “My trans friends who have masters degrees don’t have jobs which is why they end up on streets or become sex workers”, Malik added.
The draft for the policy to implement this bill is not yet prepared. From the date the bill was approved, President Hussain has ten days to sign the bill or reject it.
Plastic netting
by
Teres DifeoPlastic material finds a plethora of uses in industry, retail and domestic applications. Being tough, water and corrosion resistant, plastic is a good packaging material. Being lightweight, it reduces transportation costs considerably and has a good shelf-impact when placed on supermarket shelves. It can be designed or molded in many different ways, with various attractive colors, textures and finishes. Plastics netting is extensively used to provide barriers, fences and protection in animal husbandry, poultry, horticultural and gardening applications. Keeping fruits and vegetables fresh in plastic pouches is now a very common application for plastics netting since the open structure enhances the ripening and freshness of produce. Wherever ventilation, flexibility and lightweight qualities are required, then plastic netting is the right solution.
Available in high and low density plastic and plastic compounds, PVC, polyethylene etc, in a huge variety of colors and extrusions, plastic netting has high storage capability and does not occupy much space when not in use. It does not trap water or retain it, so the products inside remain dry. The flexible nature of plastic ensures a good fit and coverage.
Plastic netting has several uses.
Support and reinforcement: plastics netting provides additional support and reinforcement to products like bedding and mattresses, building products, garden turf rolls, consumer products like diapers, eco-friendly building requirements etc.
Safety and protection: Protective netting is used extensively in fish and marine culture, gas cylinder protection, poultry and dairy, tree and forest cultivation, meat packaging, automotive parts packaging, oil/gas pipeline protection etc.
Lamination: Similar to providing support and reinforcement, lamination of products with plastic ensures that they become more durable and resist damage by corrosion, impact and water. Hygiene products, medical and consumer products, building materials, furnishing, wipes and scrubs etc are manufactured using this process.
Separation: Using hard plastic as separators is very cost-effective, as it requires very little maintenance, is lightweight and does not rust, corrode or cause injury to humans, animals and birds. Since air and liquids can pass easily through the netting this makes it ideal for use as separators in zoos, veterinary facilities and bird conservation areas.
Grasp or grip: Plastic netting can also be used to provide good grip for delicate articles, protect them from breakage or slippage. They can also provide lightweight scaffolding in building or construction applications.
Manufacturers also offer customized solutions like use of plastic netting in insect repellent or fragrance sample pads, pharmaceutical industries where it is very useful for its non-reactive properties, fire-resistant applications and its ability of being biodegradable without leaving any harmful traces. Support and reinforcement: plastics netting provides additional support and reinforcement to products like bedding and mattresses, building products, garden turf rolls, consumer products like diapers, eco-friendly building requirements etc.It does not trap water or retain it, so the products inside remain dry. The flexible nature of plastic ensures a good fit and coverage.
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Article Source:
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Monday, July 3, 2006
At least 43 people have died and at least 46 injured, 4 of whom are in critical condition, in a metro train crash in Spanish city of Valencia, according to the regional government.
It has been reported that two of the carriages have derailed and overturned, leading to the evacuation of 150 passengers.
A part of the wall in the tunnel between the Plaza de España and Jesús stations in the southwestern neighborhood of Patraix may have collapsed, causing the derailment of one of the carriages, which in turn caused the carriage behind it to overturn.
Another theory put forth by subdelegate of the regional government Luis Felipe Martínez is that the wheels on one of the carriages fell off while the train was speeding. The same source has also confirmed that there are two overturned carriages.
The fire department, paramedics and local police are on the scene after a passenger in the crashed train called the emergency services at about 1:03 p.m. CEST (1103 UTC). The authorities have closed the area to all road traffic and routes 1 and 2 of the Valencia metro system, which use the affected rail tracks, are shut down.
The incident comes days before Pope Benedict XVI was due to visit Valencia for the World Meeting of the Families, expected to be attended by one million pilgrims.
By John B Mayall
There are telescopes of several brands that are freely available in the market. However, even for one who wants to construct his telescope at home, there are several viable options.
One way to go about constructing a telescope is to buy each individual component and then assemble the whole structure. The required elements are mirrors, concave and convex lenses, the housing structure, brackets, and some other components. These can all be bought at local shops or in online stores. A comprehensive list of required elements can be downloaded from websites that serve as guides for amateurs looking to build their own telescopes. Books dedicated to this subject are available.
An enthusiast may also want to construct each element by hand at home, though that is an extremely time-consuming process and not the usual home method. It is a cumbersome process to create the housing compartment and arranging each element inside it. If one wants to follow this method, then one must be prepared to face several hurdles in the construction process.
Another method is to make use of telescope kits, which are available in the markets. These kits contain all the required elements and include instruction manuals to guide amateurs working at home. Using kit elements and assembling the instrument is considered a better method than constructing a telescope from individual elements bought separately. Telescope kits are cheaper and far less time-consuming than other methods of telescope construction. They save time spent on searching for each required component. Step-by-step instructions make it possible to work faster, making fewer mistakes along the way. These kits are intended for amateurs, and first-timers not yet experienced in making telescopes. A professional astronomer or one who aims to become a professional may however choose to work from scratch.
The point of consideration now is whether homemade telescopes are better than readymade instruments available otherwise. The simple answer to such a question is that both are almost the same with respect to quality. A homemade instrument displays the same characteristics as a readymade one of the same specification. A telescope made at home will have the same magnification factor, and is simpler to use in comparison to one bought in a shop. In fact, it is not complex at all and is similar to the ones built by early astronomers like Galileo.
The construction of telescopes at home, in truth, is often a joy, and a hobby that many enjoy. Several people consider it akin to an art, and have dedicated themselves to creating perfect instruments at home. Several sites online are a medium for proud astronomers to display their homemade telescopes. There are also web pages in existence that are dedicated guides for amateurs who want to create their own telescopes. Such pages give comprehensive lists of the elements required for its construction as well.
As with any other task, exhaustive research is required before setting out to make a telescope. It is imperative that the builder understands how each element performs individually and how it affects the whole. It also advisable to have storage space for the material required in construction of a telescope. However, despite all the effort that goes into construction of a homemade instrument, the results are reward enough.
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Source:
isnare.com
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isnare.com/?aid=280860&ca=Computers+and+Technology
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Reports suggest the World Health Organisation’s declaring a swine flu pandemic was an error driven by drug companies, and lead to unjustified fear. A year after the swine flu pandemic was declared, stocks are left unused and governments try to abandon contracts, pharmaceutical companies have profited at least £4.6billion from the sale of vaccines alone.
Reports by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) and the Council of Europe claim that The World Health Organisation reaction to H1N1 was influenced by pharmaceutical companies and that key scientists behind advice had financial ties with firms Roche and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). These conflicts of interest have never been publicly disclosed by WHO, an apparent violation of its own rules.
The World Health Organisation issued H1N1 guidelines in 2004, recommending countries to stockpile millions of doses of antiviral medication. The advice prompted many countries around the world into buying up large stocks of Tamiflu, made by Roche, and Relenza manufactured by GSK.
A joint investigation with the BMJ and the BIJ, found that scientists involved in developing the WHO 2004 guidance had previously been paid by Roche or GSK for lecturing and consultancy work as well as being involved in research for the companies. “The WHO’s credibility has been badly damaged,” BMJ editor Fiona Godlee said in an editorial.
A report by the health committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a 47-member human rights watchdog, found that the WHO’s reaction was influenced by drug companies that make H1N1 antiviral drugs and vaccines. It criticised WHO lack of transparency around the handling of the swine flu pandemic and says the public health guidelines by WHO, EU agencies and national governments led to a “waste of large sums of public money and unjustified scares and fears about the health risks faced by the European public.”
| We’re still in the pandemic | ||
A spokesman for WHO said the drug industry did not influence its decisions on swine flu. Margaret Chan, the organisation’s director, had dismissed inquiries into its handling of the A/H1N1 pandemic as “conspiracy theories” earlier this year, she had said: “WHO anticipated close scrutiny of its decisions, but we did not anticipate that we would be accused, by some European politicians, of having declared a fake pandemic on the advice of experts with ties to the pharmaceutical industry and something personal to gain from increased industry profits.”
Yesterday, a 16-member “emergency committee” consisting of advisors from the World Health Organisation said that the H1N1 pandemic is not yet over. The WHO has refused to identify committee members, arguing that they must be shielded from industry pressure, so possible conflicts of interest with drug companies are unknown. The BMJ report also reveals that at least one expert on the “emergency committee” received payment during 2009 from GSK.
In related news, Reuters reported, Pfizer Inc, the world’s biggest drugmaker, is selling its swine vaccine business to Chinese Harbin Pharmaceutical Group for $50 million.
Hotel Massage Service
by
m2webseo
Hotel massage is given in rooms or lounges of the hotels, either by the hotel s own health services or on-call massage services, who render massage to make you feel comfortable in your own room. The basic advantage of this kind of massage is you are not needed to drive all the way to the massage service. So a lot of your time, money and energy is saved. The time to visit the massage parlor is saved. Energy is saved because of elimination of stress of driving, traffic and parking. And the money spent on gas and parking fees is also saved. Plus, a desired justice is done to the massage professional s mastery, as instantly after the massage, you can go to ease out and you receive fullest benefit of the massage.
The massage experts are well-versed in various types of massages. You can receive the advantage of any of the massage types, like, Indian massage, hot stone massage, Ayurvedic massage, shiatsu, foot massage, deep pressure massage, deep tissue massage, etc. Each of these massages has its own benefits. But one unforgettable gain each of them offers is thorough relaxation. The massage professionals also offer particular corrective massages as well. You need to arrange for the appointment with the massage therapists by ringing them and explain to them your requirement so also the venue and time. If your hotel has the facility of massage service, you will require to notify them which type of massage you wish. You can also have couples massage, in which you and your mate can avail massage together. The person of your liking need not compulsorily be your husband or wife or boyfriend or girlfriend. It can be your friend, mother, daughter, sister or anyone. If he or she has not taken massage earlier, couples massage helps him or her to be comfortable because you are there to accompany him or her. Erotic massage is also rendered by some massage professionals, which needs more undressing and ultimate Amorous massage methods. So you should take care while going for this type of massage. If you wish to getting involved into a romantic rendezvous afterwards, this massage is utterly advantageous.
The massage expert brings all the devices, like massage tables, creams, oils, linens, towels in addition, light music and aromatic candles. The last two are used for producing a pleasant ambience, while you relish the massage; they add to the benefit of the massage. A number of hotels have their own massage rooms and have well-versed therapists, added to fitness centers. You can always take their advantage, because massage is highly helpful in reducing your everyday tenseness, which shows in your work and health.
Hotel massage can even be arranged at the time of a function at the hotel. This is especially useful for businesspersons. When they arrange get-togethers to delight their business associates or to commemorate some accomplishment of their organization or for a product launch or to applaud for their employees good job, they can arrange massage for their workers and business associates. Added to the routine features such as yummy titbit, drinks, speeches, amusement programs, they can keep an event of massage. And they will doubtlessly be thanked. If the massage is offered to their clientele, they will be profited in terms of incremental business and if their employees are offered massage, benefit will be in terms of added productivity.
Hotel massage can also be set up at the time of a get-together at the hotel. This is specifically beneficial for business people. For example they can arrange
hotel massage in Sydney
, or anywhere else, to delight their clients or to commemorate some accomplishment of their firm, for the launching of a product or to treat their employees.
Another thing to mention is
mobile massage
. Great benefit of mobile massage is flexibility, it can be done in comfort of Your home, in a hotel or any other place you feel comfortable with.
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com
Friday, April 20, 2007
Around 1:40 p.m. CDT, NASA employees reported that two shots were fired in the NASA Building 44 in the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. A SWAT team later reported that Bill Phillips, a contract engineer with Jacobs Engineering, had killed David Beverly as well as himself, leaving a female hostage physically unharmed.
Phillips entered a conference room with gun drawn and ordered all but one person out. Phillips barricaded himself on the second floor of the two-story building, with David Beverly and another female hostage. The building was evacuated and police were summoned. NASA security, Houston police and a SWAT team were on the scene.
Houston news reported at 5:22 p.m. CDT that Bill Phillips, the gunman, and David Beverly, the hostage, were both dead. Police reported that the SWAT team heard one shot and decided to engage, but before they reached the room they heard another shot. When SWAT reached the scene, the male hostage was dead from a bullet to the chest, the gunman was dead from a bullet to the head, and the female hostage, Fran Cranshaw, was gagged and bound to a chair with duct tape, but was otherwise unharmed.
All NASA employees had first been warned to stay in their buildings but were later told by NASA they were free to go home if their working day was over. Mission Control locked its doors during this incident, as this is a standard procedure in such situations. No NASA Mission has been affected by this incident, according to NASA.
In the first press conference, police said that communication to the gunman had not yet been established, but that negotiators had already tried it two times unsuccessfully.
The motive of the hostage-taking, and whether the three people had any connection to each other, is currently under investigation.
The Houston Chronicle reports that last month Phillips had received one e-mail from his employer, Jacob engineering Inc., “describing problems with his work and offering suggestions on improvement.” Jacobs printed that e-mail on March 18, the same day he bought the 38-caliber gun that police suspect was used in the shooting.
Despite reassurances by Cranshaw and Beverly, Phillips would not believe that management was not going to fire him, according to Cranshaw. During the 3-hour standoff, Phillips used a dry-erase board in the room indicating he was tired of being called “stupid,” police said last Saturday.
Michael Sampson, the co-manager of the space agency’s Electronic Parts and Packaging Program, who had known Beverly for ten years, described him as friendly, peaceful person, with a positive attitude to his co-workers.
Relatives describe Phillips as a loner who always kept to himself. He had lost his father in 2003, but had decided not to return to his hometown in Tennessee. Smith, a cousin of Phillips, remarked that in the Christmas card he had received from him last year, Phillips said that he was feeling lonely and without family, but nothing in the card suggested anything so tragic.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced Friday that its vote in May last year was not to reject the creation of ‘Triple X’, a top-level domain (sTLD). Rather, the corporation voted “not to approve the agreement as proposed, but did not reject the application”.
A revised proposal for the .xxx domain is open to public comment until February 5. The revised proposal appears to have hinged on efforts by ICM, proponents of a voluntary adult top-level domain, to promote enforcement in the following areas:
Who, or what, ICM is remains unclear. The home page of ICM states that, “The .xxx top-level domain will create a clearly identifiable area of the Internet so that Internet users can be more informed when choosing to select or avoid adult entertainment sites.”
The estimated $12 billion per year in revenues generated by on-line pornography could come under the scrutiny of unknown ICM, to whom ICANN proposes delegating responsibility to an organization, or individual, that has nothing more to say about themselves on their website than the background of their leaders.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Following a similar experiment in 2009, six men entered an enclosed room in Moscow last Thursday to simulate a flight to Mars. The Mars-500 team consist of a Chinese man, a Frenchman, an Italian, and three Russians. Only the Chinese man, Wang Yue, is a trained astronaut. The six waved goodbye, crying “see you in 520 days’ time!”.
According to Wang, not being able to see their families and friends was one of the greatest challenges, although e-mail is allowed during the experiment. Both Wang and the Frenchman, Romain Charles, expressed pride to be part of this experiment. Wang said, “it will be trying for all of us. We cannot see our family, we cannot see our friends, but I think it is all a glorious time in our lives.”
The joint-effort project is being organised by the Russian Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP) and the European Space Agency; the goal is to study physical and psychological effects on would-be astronauts. All six men speak reasonable English; however, as Russian is another primary language for the simulated trip, Russian crew member Sukhrob Kamolov said body language will be used should they fail to understand one another.
Food for the volunteers will be rationed as it would in a real Mars mission. All supplies were supplied by China and loaded into the ‘simulated spacecraft’ prior to the beginning of the experiment. For backup, China is sending three mission support staff to Russia.
No women are included in the crew, excluding issues relating to a mixed-sex crew from the study. During a similar experiment in 1999, a woman complained that the captain attempted to kiss her.
Following 250 days of “travelling” to Mars, the group will split. Three will stay in the “spacecraft”, the other three going to the surface of “Mars”. Only two will actually leave the “spacecraft” to study the surface of “Mars”. After a month, the group will go through the return journey simulation, a 240 day trip. The men will follow a strict timetable, with 8 hours each of sleep, work, and leisure each day.