Remains of the Day: BitTorrent Launches a File Syncing App

BitTorrent Sync is now available for testing, Google updates two iOS apps, and Chrome for Android gets flag support.

• BitTorrent Launches Private and Secure Dropbox Alternative Today BitTorrent launched an application for syncing your files across multiple devices. Called BitTorrent Sync, it uses p2p and the storage on your devices create a secure network for your files. You can check it out here, just be aware that since it's in pre-alpha you may have some trouble getting it to work. [TorrentFreak]
• YouTube Capture Now Supports 1080p uploads, Google Currents Goes 2.0 on iOS Google has updated both its YouTube Capture and Google Currents apps on iOS. YouTube Capture now supports 1080p uploads, improved audio syncing, and detailed upload feedback. The new features for Google Currents include a big UI overhaul with a new sidebar, catalog design, and the ability to save articles. [Engadget]
• Chrome Beta for Android Update The latest Chrome beta release for Android now adds flag support. You can now use the chrome://flags url to try out new Chrome features that are currently being tested. [Chrome blog]

Photo by photastic (Shutterstock), a2bb5s (Shutterstock), and Feng Yu (Shutterstock).

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/IlhPAT-Z3X4/remains-of-the-day-bittorrent-launches-a-file-syncing-app

fabrice muamba collapse prometheus trailer patrice oneal shamrock slainte the quiet man yellow cab

The Avatar's Bender Academy

The Avatar, has created an Academy for young benders in Republic City to master their elements. Only the finest students are accepted.

Owner:

Game Masters:

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?The Avatar's Bender Academy?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.

---

---

Hello!

I'd like to reserve an Earth Bender from the Earth Kingdom. xD

MaliceInWonderland

Member for 5 years

---

MaliceInWonderland wrote:Hello!

I'd like to reserve an Earth Bender from the Earth Kingdom. xD

Will be looking forward to seeing your character!

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

---

DarknessToDeath23 wrote:I'd love to reserve a fire bender, please?

Sure no problem! Will be looking forward to seeing your Character!

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

may i reserve an Air bender from republic city? :o

PsychicBastard

Member for 1 years

---

PsychicBastard wrote:may i reserve an Air bender from republic city? :o

Sure!

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

Are only benders allowed or are non benders welcome too? :]

I should go.

Bromander Shepard

Member for 1 years

---

Nevermind.

I like the idea for this roleplay but perhaps it's not one I'd like to actually join. However, have fun everyone! :)

~ wanderer.

Wanderer

Member for 1 years

---

"-Unlimited space for people to join."

Doesn't this mean that you don't have to reserve? I'm confused.

Timezones....................

0neTailedf0x

Member for 1 years

---

Bromander Shepard wrote:Are only benders allowed or are non benders welcome too? :]

Only benders, I don't know what non benders would do, they'd probably be bored. xD
[Yes I know non benders can have weapon talents but it's just for benders]

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

0neTailedf0x wrote:

"-Unlimited space for people to join."

Doesn't this mean that you don't have to reserve? I'm confused.

Yes, you do not need to reserve, I don't know why people are reserving xD There can be more than one of the same type of bender!

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

Wanderer wrote:Nevermind.

I like the idea for this roleplay but perhaps it's not one I'd like to actually join. However, have fun everyone! :)

Why not may I ask?

pepperx3

Member for 0 years

---

I'd like to reserve a female water bender from the south pole please! I'll hve it up in a bit! Thanks! :D

Starlight77

Member for 1 years

---

---

Post a reply

RolePlayGateway is a site built by a couple roleplayers who wanted to give a little something back to the roleplay community. The site has no intention of earning any profit, and is paid for out of their own pockets.

If you appreciate what they do, feel free to donate your spare change to help feed them on the weekends. After selecting the amount you want to donate from the menu, you can continue by clicking on PayPal logo.

Who is online

Registered users: 0neTailedf0x*, AdmireAtStuff*, Aftershock, Ageha*, Alise120*, AmericanFox*, americanqh*, AmyGotScared, AntleredRabbit, Arch_Demon666, Armageddon*, Asher MstrImmortalis*, Ashy Iggybrows, Asper*, AugmentationAudit*, Augusta*, AugustArria*, AuthorAnnon*, AzricanRepublic*, bandgeek*, Basta*, birthstone_spirits, Blackbird26*, blacksky, bladewolf175*, BleachFan95, BleedingLover*, blueluckster, BOO!, broken-wings*, Bromander Shepard, BumbleDrop, Byte*, Cadounus, Capra*, Centi85*, cha-kun*, ChaosxChild13, ChaoticMarin*, Child of the Winged, Circ*, cirrus_sd*, CKTheHappyPig, claw*, Cloasse*, ColeMaibara*, CookieCupcake, CookieRaiderEng*, create_something, Curtsive*, CuteAsKaylah*, Dalmar*, Dark Star*, DarkCookie97*, DarknessToDeath23, DarkOne, daughterofdon*, deathrisesagain*, desire99600, DetectiveLushy*, Diarmuid O'Dyna, Digital_Muse*, DreamerOnTheStars*, DuBois_Scarlett*, ebon15*, Eddy V. Sovorov, Elite*, Ellixs*, Elrith Eldwind*, Eluswe18*, emogirlrockz11, emotionless, Erik7622*, EverFidelis, Exabot [Bot], Fabricator*, FamishedPants, Fearful-lover*, Finalhazard3*, Flame1819*, Flexar*, Floorgan*, Fredalice, FreeRunner*, Furry Dragon, FyreT1ger*, gaiadarkstar, Gamer_Templar, Geekly, Genesis Rhapsodos*, Ghost_Scar*, Gii_the_fallen, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], Google Feedfetcher, Guilty Carrion*, HadoukenLSD, Half-Dragon*, HansenetteHeart*, Harlequin Smile, Hoga*, iCat, Iezobel, Igari*, Imehal, ivygirl123, jackrules158*, Jadebud98*, Jakuri-chan, JayZeroSnake, JEDH3*, Kaire23, kaljanahai, KameJLa*, Kapento, kexia, Killa*, Krisuvial*, Kuukakulily, Lady Inali, Lady Scarlette*, LadyNightshade*, Lailin, Lainpinky131, legacy14*, Lenyx*, Leon21, Leonn*, Leopard90, Liliepanda*, Linnea, listentothetimpani*, LittleMissGeorgia*, Lloyd999*, lostamongtrees, LRmember*, Lufia, LunaSpirit*, Mahmoud Schahed*, MaliceInWonderland, Marcus*, Mat_z6, MaxwellH*, MegaKooala12*, Mela, Midnightclub, Monroe, MSNbot Media, Negative Bowser*, Nemo*, Nevan, nightwolf*, Nikolai*, NorthernSoul, NotAFlyingToy, Once-Ler_Fangirl, OrphicTrumpeter*, Pelly*, pepperx3, phoenix_lynx*, pieluver, placevalue, Planet Killer*, Polarisbear12*, Princess Awinita*, PsychicBastard*, punkwithflute*, Pyramids, Qaida*, qbsuperstar03*, RacoonMoon()*, rdaydreamer, RedPinkCyanOrange, Rem?us*, remy6archer*, Romaneck, Rougeshadow*, RPgamergirl*, Rrj250, Rulke*, S1mon*, Saarai, Sage Akia*, SarahLiaa, SarcasticIrony, Scarlet Loup*, Script*, Season of the Star, Seirei*, SeraphimLullaby*, Seveneleven, ShadtheWerepire, Shi-chan*, Shiki29, Shpleem*, Shugo Seikatsu, Sibrand, Sicariius*, SilverInk*, SilverStar89, SirLancelot, SkullsandSlippers, slcam, Sneakyrio*, Sokka25*, Sonohra*, Sorella*, SRincarnate*, Stark Contrast, Starlight77*, Stella11*, StitchSaysHi, SugarPlum2*, SuperNinjaRoo, SuperQ19, supertoastgirl*, Tainted Twinkee, Tash*, Tearen Wover*, tearsofblood#*, teffi90*, TemplarWarden*, Tessla*, The Writer's Voice*, The*Lucky*Teacup, thebagel264*, TheEclips3, TheFlag*, TheNoremac42*, Thirion1850, ThomasR95*, ThrillerNight, Tiko*, TommyGirl, tornadofan2, TrueNarnian*, TurtleSoup*, twi-twi, Tzipporah Yochana, umbra Alastor*, usernamesareadrag*, Vejisama*, VermillionAlexis*, vilevixen, Vinn, VitaminHeart*, Vizcious*, WaltJRimmer, Wanderer, WhiteTiger08, WinterWhisperz*, wolfoftheage, XandraT8, XavierDantius32, Xiiver*, xoxMissClairexox, XShishioX, XxEvil1xX*, xXTimberwolfXx, Ylanne, ZacharyTC*, Zentose*, zomgitsmarisa*

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/X5AiromdDbo/viewtopic.php

top chef texas great pacific garbage patch ben affleck and jennifer garner google privacy changes windows 8 preview leap year moratorium

Ga. Sen. Chambliss won't seek re-election in 2014

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2012 file photo, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., waits to speak with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Chambliss announced Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, he will not seek a third term next year, saying "this is about frustration" with Washington gridlock that he doesn't see changing in a divided government. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2012 file photo, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., waits to speak with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Chambliss announced Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, he will not seek a third term next year, saying "this is about frustration" with Washington gridlock that he doesn't see changing in a divided government. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - This June 26, 2012 file photo shows, from left, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Chambliss announced Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, he will not seek a third term next year, saying "this is about frustration" with Washington gridlock that he doesn't see changing in a divided government. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

ATLANTA (AP) ? When Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss announced Friday that he wouldn't seek a third term in 2014, a race that already was likely to feature a contested Republican primary exploded into a free-for-all.

Several Republicans, including several congressmen, are eyeing the seat. The more crowded the field, the more likely the GOP race will pit mainstream conservatives against the hardliners who had grown disenchanted with Chambliss for working with Democrats to find common ground on budget and tax issues.

Democrats, meanwhile, hope for exactly that kind of Republican fracas. They view the 69-year-old Chambliss' decision as an opportunity to reverse the GOP's total domination in a state that once elected moderate Democratic governors such as Jimmy Carter.

"Regardless of what happens, it's going to be a 10-person race," said 11-term U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston of Augusta, who is now considering a bid. "I think you'll probably have a self-funder in there, and you can have a mad scramble."

Among Kingston's colleagues, other possible candidates include U.S. Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey and Tom Price. Former Gov. Sonny Perdue and former Secretary of State Karen Handel are also viewed as potential contenders.

"There's a lot of math going on today," said Bert Brantley, a Republican strategist and former Perdue aide. "It's a lot of phone calls with donors and strategists as people ask themselves, 'Can I make this work financially? Electorally?'"

Democrats declared Georgia as a prime target. U.S. Rep. John Barrow and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are the most obvious choices for a state party with an otherwise thin bench.

"There are already several reports of the potential for a divisive primary that will push Republicans to the extreme right," said Guy Cecil, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "Regardless, there's no question that the demographics of the state have changed, and Democrats are gaining strength. This will be a top priority."

Democrats' optimism runs in the face of recent trends. President Barack Obama ran stronger here than in other Deep South states, but still lost by 8 percentage points in 2012. But Republicans over the last decade have amassed near super-majorities in the legislature and now control every statewide elective office and most of the Peach State's congressional seats.

Chambliss was first elected to Congress in the 1994 Republican wave. He moved up to the U.S. Senate after defeating Democratic incumbent Max Cleland, a triple amputee from his Vietnam war service, in 2002. Chambliss was widely criticized for slashing campaign ads that featured Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and that criticized Cleland as weak on defense and homeland security issues.

Chambliss revealed his decision not to seek re-election in a written statement Friday morning.

The senator drew the ire of hard-line conservatives over his participation in the "Gang of Six," a group of three Democrats and three Republicans that tried but failed to fashion a grand compromise on fiscal issues. One of those senators, Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia, praised Chambliss as a statesman on Friday.

Conservative angst resurfaced when Chambliss voted for the tax-and-debt compromise that Obama fashioned with congressional leaders over the New Year's holidays to avoid the fiscal cliff. The measure held taxes steady for the middle class but allowed them to rise at incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples.

Broun and Price had already floated the possibility of challenging Chambliss in a GOP primary.

"I have no doubt that had I decided to be a candidate, I would have won re-election," Chambliss said in his statement. "Instead, this is about frustration, both at a lack of leadership from the White House and at the dearth of meaningful action from Congress, especially on issues that are the foundation of our nation's economic health."

National tea party leader and Georgia resident Amy Kremer celebrated Chambliss's departure. "Many people in the tea party movement here in Georgia felt Chambliss was tired and unwilling to fight the difficult battles to control government spending in Washington without increasing our nation's tax burden," she said.

Several Republicans acknowledged the potential of a divisive fight pitting tea party-aligned candidates ? someone like Broun or Gingrey ? against more establishment conservatives, like Kingston. Several Republicans said Price could appeal to both camps.

A Price spokeswoman said her boss "is speaking with a number of folks ... and listening to their observations and advice." Gingrey focused his remarks Friday on Chambliss. Broun's office did not respond to a request for comment.

A Handel spokesman declined comment. With the backing of Sarah Palin, Handel proved a formidable statewide candidate in her 2010 bid for governor, narrowly losing a Republican primary runoff to eventual winner Nathan Deal, a former congressman. A Deal spokesman said he plans to seek re-election in 2014.

Brantley, the Perdue confidant, said he had not talked with his former boss Friday about the race.

Republicans said Friday that the potential candidates will spend the next few weeks running a quiet campaign among donors and power players before making a decision.

Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Berlon, meanwhile, said Democrats "want to get the right candidate and line up behind him or her in the next few weeks." Neither Barrow nor Reed tipped their hands.

In 2012, Barrow withstood a Republican redistricting plan to win another term as the last white Democrat representing a Deep South state in the U.S. House. Should he run for the Senate, he'd almost certainly hand the 12th District seat to the GOP.

Barrow benefited last fall from a nasty GOP primary that yielded a conservative candidate with little money, the kind of scenario Democrats would love to see repeated in a Senate race.

Berlon called Atlanta's Reed "a rising star who has the talent to play at the national level." Reed, a prominent campaign surrogate for the White House last fall, appears poised to coast to victory in his mayoral re-election bid this year.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, who will become Georgia's senior senator when Chambliss retires, deferred any talk of 2014. "Saxby has been my friend for 50 years, since we started at the University of Georgia," he said. "I'm going to miss my friend. ... I won't get into predicting elections. I've learned that Georgia voters usually make the right decision, so I'll leave it to them."

___

Associated Press writer Donna Cassata in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Follow Barrow on Twitter (at)BillBarrowAP.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-25-Senate-Chambliss/id-82a29abadcbe4d2aa1bb2be6a3634e70

Tagg Romney Bosses Day Cabin Fever 2 Alexis Wright Zumba binder full of women Microsoft Surface Candy Crowley

Obama names ex-federal prosecutor to head SEC

7 hrs.

NBC News staff and wire reports

Saying that more needs to be done to reform Wall Street, President Barack Obama named tough former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, bringing a proven white-collar crime watchdog into an agency that has been criticized for being soft on the financial industry.

"We need to keep going after irresponsible behavior in the financial industry so that taxpayers don't pay the price. I am absolutely confident that Mary Jo has the experience and the resolve to tackle these complex issues and to protect the American people in a way that is smart and in a way that is fair," Obama said at a White House event to announce Whites' nomination.

At the same event, the president rounded out his watchdog arsenal by renominating Richard Cordray to remain as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created in the wake of the financial crisis as part of the Dodd-Frank act to reform Wall Street.?

Obama urged Congress to swiftly confirm both nominees, adding that there was "no excuse for the Senate to wait any longer."

Cordray was never confirmed when Obama appointed him to the position in 2012. The appointment set up a contentious debate with Senate Republicans, who objected to the entire concept of the CFPB.?The renomination could reignite that clash.

The?choice?of?White?drew praise from both Wall Street and reform advocates who say White would ably steer the powerful agency that plays a key role in overseeing U.S. financial markets.?

New York's Charles Schumer, a Democrat who is part of the Senate leadership and sits on the powerful Senate Banking Committee, praised White's reputation as a tough-as-nails prosecutor and predicted she will "easily be confirmed."?

A swift confirmation for White could help the SEC speed up its implementation of the dozens of unfinished rules required by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law.?

White would succeed current SEC Chairman Elisse Walter, a Democratic commissioner who took over in December after predecessor Mary Schapiro stepped down.?

Schapiro's departure left the commission divided between two Democrats and two Republicans, and observers said the split could make it nearly impossible to complete controversial rules, such as the Volcker Rule, which bans banks from proprietary trading.?

High-profile?cases
White, now a respected white-collar defense attorney with the law firm Debevoise and Plimpton, was the only woman in the 200-year history of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York to serve in the top spot there.?

She was in office from 1993 through to 2002, during a tumultuous time starting with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and then later, the infamous Sept. 11 attacks of 2001.?

Under her watch, the U.S. Attorney's office won about 35 convictions of militant Muslims charged with plotting against Americans.?

"I view her as an incredibly well-regarded lawyer who has spent a significant amount of time as a partner at Debevoise representing companies and individuals in high-profile securities related matters," said Cheryl Scarboro, the former head of the SEC's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act unit and now a partner with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.?

As a defense attorney, White has been involved in high-profile SEC and Justice Department cases.?

She conducted an internal investigation into corruption at Siemens AG that resulted in a record settlement for the German engineering conglomerate. She also represented healthcare provider HCA Holdings Inc in an insider-trading investigation, according to her online biography.?

She has also represented JPMorgan Chase & Co in major matters related to the financial crisis, as well as former Bank of America CEO Lewis over a civil lawsuit in connection with Bank of America's acquisition of Merrill Lynch.?

It is unclear whether her defense of Wall Street clients could prove troublesome for her during the U.S. Senate confirmation process. But Wall Street champions and critics both had positive takes on White.?

"I have met Mary Jo White, and anyone who knows her at all - extremely capable, competent, bright, tough, and a perfect choice," JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in an interview on Thursday with Fox Business News from Davos.?

Neil Barofsky, who was hired as an assistant U.S. attorney by White in 2000 and went on to become the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, called Obama's pick an "inspired choice."?

"I expect that she will be unfazed by the intimidation tactics of the usual suspects in Washington - be they antagonistic members of Congress, captured officials from other parts of government or those who so relentlessly push the agendas of the largest banks," Barofsky said.?

Like Schapiro, White has previously been identified as a political independent. Unlike Schapiro, White has not worked as a Wall Street regulator.?

However, White's husband, John White, served as the director of the SEC's Corporation Finance division, which oversees public company disclosures, from 2006 to 2008.?

Known for a legendary work ethic and a fondness for beer and baseball, White also developed a reputation as a ferocious basketball player when in the U.S. Attorney's office, even though she stands around 5 feet tall.?

Former SEC enforcement director William McLucas said it was an "excellent sign" that the White House could get someone of her caliber to take the position. "There is no one I know that works harder," McLucas said.?

James Cox, a professor of law at Duke University who has served with White on various panels, said White will be a very different SEC chairman than Schapiro.?

"Mary Schapiro was a politician," Cox said. Mary Jo White, by contrast, he said, will be more blunt and direct. "She can unpack somebody's argument really quickly."?

Cordray controversy
Cordray has already faced some uphill battles with Republicans in Congress.?

Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general, was appointed in January 2012 while Congress was in recess after Republicans who were wary of the CFPB's independence blocked his nomination.?

The controversial appointment limited the amount of time Cordray could serve without going through a full confirmation process.?

The CFPB has drawn criticism from Republicans and business groups, who say it is virtually unchecked and will hurt lending and put small banks out of business.?

Asked whether the administration foresees any problems getting Cordray confirmed, White House spokesman Jay Carney said he did not expect any objections to him "on substance."?

"He is absolutely the right person for the job," Carney said. He said earlier obstacles to Cordray's nomination had been based on "political considerations" from lawmakers who had opposed the creation of the financial protection board.?

Some political observers, however, said Thursday that any fights to come will not be about Cordray personally, but about the overall structure of the CFPB itself.?

"Issues larger than his handling of the bureau will probably dictate that," said Jason Rosenstock, the director of government relations at ML Strategies.?

Reuters and CNBC contributed to this report.

?

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/obama-names-ex-federal-prosecutor-white-new-sec-chief-1C8086505

phillies Ryan Dempster Phelps NBC Olympics Live Olympic medal count Medal Count 2012 London 2012 Fencing

Numark iDJ Live II DJ controller hands-on

If there's one company that comprehensively caters to the entry-level and intermediate DJ, there's a good chance it's Numark. While the firm has released a whole bunch of stuff at NAMM this year, perhaps its most mainstream offering is the iDJ Live II. If you remember the original, it was a lightweight controller (both physically, and metaphorically) designed for use with Djay on iOS. This time around the little fella gets a redesign, and a few functionality tweaks. Most notable, is that while the first iteration only gave you the option of iOS connectivity -- via the 30-pin adaptor -- this time you have the choice of Lightning, 30-pin, or straight up USB. Thus, you can now bring the iDJ Live II out to work with your Mac or PC, too. Once again, it's built with Algoriddim's Djay in mind, be it the desktop or iOS version, and we got our hands on it to take it for a spin. Head past the break for the lowdown.

Gallery: Numark iDJ Live II hands-on

First things first. This is very much a fun, consumer product. It would be unfair to call it an accessory, but it's definitely meant for casual use at parties etc. The unit itself is very light, made entirely of plastic, and feels very different to the heavier DJ controllers you might be used to. The iDJ Live II, however, does look much better than the first iteration, with the slightly squared design and the lower-profile platters at least making it look a little less toy-like than before. The plastic finish still feels the same, as does the action and resistance of the platters, knobs and faders (which is serviceable). The controls available give you everything you need to perform all the mixing basics, with high and low-frequency EQ, channel volume control, a crossfader, and even rudimentary scratching (though it really is more of a novelty). If you've ever used Djay for any amount of time though, you'll know that this is plenty enough to get a set going, and having the physical controller there just makes it all that more enjoyable / easy. While purists and old hands might see products such as these as over simplified, the ease of use, and broad appeal makes them ideal for the curious, and that can only be a good thing. Sadly there is no word on price or availability at this time, but we'd be surprised if it wasn't comfortably under $100 when it does finally make its way onto shelves. Check the video below for the hardware tour.

Billy Steele contributed to this report.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/SV502XTMWcA/

Mcdonalds Restaurants Open on Christmas Day jessica simpson santa tracker happy holidays Stores Open On Christmas Day Santa Claus

NTSB: Boeing 787 battery shows short-circuiting

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman points to a reporter during a news conference at the NTSB in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery that caught fire earlier this month in Boston shows evidence of short-circuiting and a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," in which an increase in temperature causes progressively hotter temperatures, federal accident investigators said. -It's not clear to investigators which came first, the short-circuiting or the thermal runaway, Hersman said. Nor is it clear yet what caused either of them, she said. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman points to a reporter during a news conference at the NTSB in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery that caught fire earlier this month in Boston shows evidence of short-circuiting and a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," in which an increase in temperature causes progressively hotter temperatures, federal accident investigators said. -It's not clear to investigators which came first, the short-circuiting or the thermal runaway, Hersman said. Nor is it clear yet what caused either of them, she said. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman speaks during a news conference at the NTSB in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery that caught fire earlier this month in Boston shows evidence of short-circuiting and a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," in which an increase in temperature causes progressively hotter temperatures, federal accident investigators said. -It's not clear to investigators which came first, the short-circuiting or the thermal runaway, Hersman said. Nor is it clear yet what caused either of them, she said. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

National Transportation Safety Board's Joseph Kolly, holds an fire-damaged battery casing from the Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner that caught fire at Logan International Airport in Boston, at the NTSB laboratory in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The battery that caught fire in Boston shows evidence of short-circuiting and a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," in which an increase in temperature causes progressively hotter temperatures, federal accident investigators said. However, it's not clear to investigators which came first, the short-circuiting or the thermal runaway. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

In this image released by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB Materials Engineer Matt Fox examines the casing from the battery involved in the Japan Airlines Boeing 787 fire in a plane that had already landed in Boston at NTSB headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/NTSB)

FILE - In this July 8, 2007, file photo, visitors look at and take photos of the first production model of the new Boeing 787 airplane after it was unveiled to an audience of several thousand at Boeing's assembly plant in Everett, Wash. The Boeing 787 was a plane that promised to be lighter and more technologically advanced than any other, but once production started, the gap between vision and reality quickly widened. The jet that was eventually dubbed the Dreamliner became plagued with manufacturing delays, cost overruns and sinking worker morale. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery that caught fire earlier this month in Boston shows evidence of short-circuiting and a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," in which an increase in temperature causes progressively hotter temperatures, federal accident investigators said Thursday.

It's not clear to investigators which came first, the short-circuiting or the thermal runaway, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman said. Nor is it clear yet what caused either of them, she said during a news briefing on the board's investigation.

The fire took place aboard a Japan Airlines 787 shortly after it landed at Logan International Airport on Jan. 7. All the passengers had left the craft, but a cleaning crew noticed smoke in the cabin 26 minutes after the plane arrived at its gate. It took firefighters nearly 40 minutes to put out a battery fire in the aircraft's rear auxiliary power unit.

Investigators are still dissecting the charred insides of the battery at the board's laboratory in Washington in an effort to piece together clues to the root cause of the fire. The focus of their painstaking work is a search for flaws in the battery that may have caused either the short-circuiting or thermal runaway.

The battery monitoring unit that might have provided answers was severely damaged in the blaze, Hersman said.

Investigators also tested the battery charger and another component related to charging. They found minor failures in both, but that would expected given the fire damage, officials said.

"We're still trying to determine the significance of those findings," Hersman said.

The Dreamliner, Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced airliner, was designed with safeguards aimed at preventing its two lithium ion batteries from catching fire, and containing a fire should one occur.

A little over a week after the fire in Boston, another 787 battery failure led to an emergency landing in Japan. There were no flames in that incident, but there was smoke in the cabin, Hersman said.

"The expectation in aviation is to never experience a fire on board an aircraft," yet there were two battery failures on the 787 within two weeks, Hersman said. "We have to understand why this battery resulted in a fire when there were so many protections that were to be designed into the system."

After the battery fire in Boston, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a review of the design, manufacture and assembly of the 787. On Jan. 16, after the second battery incident, the agency grounded the six 787s operated by U.S. carriers, all by United Airlines.

Authorities in Europe and elsewhere ? including Chile, Poland, Ethiopia, Qatar and India ? swiftly followed suit. Two Japanese airlines had voluntarily grounded their planes before FAA's order. Overall, 50 Dreamliners have been grounded worldwide.

NTSB investigators are working with the FAA and Boeing in the U.S., as well as with aviation regulators and manufacturers in Japan and France.

"There a tremendous amount of work going on around the world," Hersman said.

Boeing has formed teams consisting of hundreds of engineering and technical experts who are working around the clock with the sole focus of resolving the issue and returning the 787 fleet to flight status, the company said in a statement Thursday.

The groundings have been a nightmare for Boeing, which competes with Airbus for the position of world's largest commercial aircraft maker. At the time of the groundings, Boeing had orders for more than 800 of the planes from airlines around the world attracted by the 787's increased fuel efficiency. The aircraft maker has said it has stopped delivering new planes to customers, although it is continuing to build them.

United received its first six 787s last year, and expects to get two more in the second half of this year, Jeff Smisek, the chairman, president, and CEO of United Continental Holdings Inc., said Thursday in a call with reporters.

"All new aircraft types have issues, and the 787 is no different. We continue to have confidence in the aircraft and in Boeing's ability to fix the issues, just as they have done on every new aircraft they have produced," Smisek said. United is working closely with Boeing and the FAA to return the plane to service, he said.

The 787 is the world's first airliner made mostly from lightweight composite materials. It also relies on electronic systems rather than hydraulic or mechanical systems to a greater degree than any other airliner. And it is the first airliner to make extensive use of lithium ion batteries, which are lighter, can hold more energy and are easier to fit into odd-shaped spaces in airplanes than other types of batteries.

The FAA certified the 787 battery system even though lithium ion batteries are more susceptible to catching fire when they overheat or short-circuit than other types of batteries.

Securaplane, an Arizona company that won a contract to design a battery charger unit for the Boeing 787, had a fire in November 2006 that ignited when the battery used by an engineering technician exploded during testing, destroying the firm's labs and production building, according to a summary of findings prepared by an administrative law judge who heard a whistleblower complaint filed by the technician. The technician went to court after he was fired.

Michael Leon, the technician, said he complained to his employer that the battery was damaged and unsafe and that there were discrepancies between the schematics and assembly documents used in building the battery charger. Administrative Law Judge William Dorsey, who heard Leon's complaint at trial, said in his ruling that one possible cause of the fire was Leon's misuse of the battery during testing.

The FAA investigated Leon's complaints in 2008 and 2009, the agency said in a statement. "The investigation determined that the battery charging units in the complaints were prototypes, and none are installed in Boeing 787 aircraft," the statement said. "Securaplane's production of a particular printed circuit board complied with FAA requirements."

___

Associated Press writers Joshua Freed in Minneapolis and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix, Ariz., contributed to this report.

___

Follow Joan Lowy at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-24-Boeing%20787-NTSB/id-8e6aa6aba6e14f21a95cb6cdc88d809f

Claire Danes quentin tarantino jessica chastain jessica chastain hugh jackman Amy Poehler Australian Open

Youth Dance Clinic | Manassas Sports & Recreation and Classes ...

Saturday, February 2, 2013, 6:00 pm

Brickhouse Cardio Club of Manassas, 9654 Center Point Ln, Manassas, VA | Get?Directions??
$25.00

Calling all Tweens & Teens!? Tired of standing on the wall at school dances and house parties?? Are you ready to learn the latest dances?? During this semi-monthly class, we will break down the hottest dance trends and teach you how to move with confidence.? These clinic sessions even offer new ideas to dance teams and cheerleading squads.? A new line dance will be reviewed at the end of each class.? A BH Manassas Teen Dance Party follows each clinic so that you can apply what you learn right away (separate fees & restrictions apply).

?

More Details:

?

Youth Dance Clinic open to young people ages 12 - 18.

Cost* = $25 per person.

BH Manassas Teen Dance Party open to young people 14 - 18**.

?

?

* Not included in BH Manassas group fitness memberships.? Member discounts apply.? Additional discount available for registering online.

**Must be enrolled in high school.? Elementary school students and high school graduates prohibited from attending BH Manassas Teen Dance Party.

38.752728

-77.48861

primary

Youth Dance Clinic

February 2, 2013 / February 16, 2013 / March 2, 2013 / March 16, 2013, 6:00 pm?7:30 pm

Brickhouse Cardio Club of Manassas

9654 Center Point Ln, Manassas, VA

/listings/brickhouse-cardio-club-of-manassas

2299076

/locations/8661570

Source: http://manassas.patch.com/events/youth-dance-clinic

idris elba kelsey grammer martin henderson mlk day golden globes 2012 winners golden globes 2012 red carpet golden globes red carpet

The three C's of Business Marketing | Deborah Peters | Artist | Online ...

Jan 24, 2013 by Fitnessbp

Business Marketing. The three c?s of business marketing. So excited for these next ninety days, can hardly stand it. Since I left my old world of advertising and even art ? in terms of traditional methods and going online, I absolutely LOVE what I?ve learned about business.

Not just business, but the lifeblood of it: Business Marketing. You gotta grab this GOLD I?m referring to, this post is just one of many valuable trainings that has exploded my biz, click here.

My old boss used to say:

?There?s only one direction in business marketing and that is forward. You don?t maintain, and you definitely don?t go backwards to succeed.?

He was right.

So, what exactly is are the three c?s of business marketing?

Wow. My entire life story has boiled down to those three words in one form or another. Where I used to get stuck is all three! I simply didn?t know any better. Maybe you?re in this boat. I used to believe if you made a great product (amazing art, etc) that your exposure would naturally happen, you?d capture an audience and of course, covert.

What I didn?t know at the time, was that I was basically playing the lottery with my career. Forget creating art or your product for just a moment. The create part of your business is more along the lines of what you?re doing to create an ?audience? to see your work.

Now, we need tons of traffic (people) to see our product and there has to be a way to capture their info. Step A is all for nothing if step B is not followed through. And then both steps A and B are also for nothing if they don?t lead to conversions. This viral blogging system here automatically sets you up with all of it, click here for a more in-depth video.

So,

how many go out of business just by not understanding this process of business marketing?

Let?s use a prime example like real estate. Remember that old saying: ?Location, location location!??

The location for that valuable real estate and price paid for it comes down to a high traffic area, usually because of nice ?amenities?and so forth. So, whoever owns that property can capitalize on the value that?s been created by it?s location ? it will bring traffic (people), ability to capture, and convert some sales. Therefore all surrounding properties including residential and other commercial properties benefit as well.

It?s the same thing with online real estate. In having a website, or preferably a website blog, you?re creating the exact same process with business marketing.

Ah, but not all websites are created equal, are they?

You truly do have to be a Guru to get your website in front of new, high traffic each day and that process, no fooling, is either a lot of expertise and/or time. Average Joe, if he knows what he?s doing ? about 3 years.

How much is your time worth? Mine is worth much more than waiting for that just to be visible, I?m certain yours is too. My mentors Dave and David, after years of learning the ins and outs of Google, organic and paid traffic, conversions, business marketing, etc have designed this viral blogging system so you can plug and play. You can get started today by clicking here.

It?s $25 to get started. How much money and time have you wasted so far?

I?m not guiltless, I?ve been there too and don?t desire it upon anyone. Even my old boss, lol. Truth is, you don?t know what you don?t know. If you found value in this post here on the three ?C?s? of business marketing, imagine how much more you could accomplish using this tool for your online marketing?

I?ll bet you?d Crush It. Think on this, you didn?t find this post by accident~

See ya on the other side-

To your Prosperity!

Inquire about Original Art here: Deborah@digdeeppeople.com
Visit Art Gallery 1 for Print Purchases
Visit Art Gallery 2 for Print Purchases
Rock Your own online biz by working directly with Me

PS: Online Traffic will get you Leads, Leads will get you Sales, and Sales will get you Freedom. Don?t be a WUSS ? What are you waiting for?

If you enjoyed this work from home blog, Please retweet and comment on this Business Marketing post.

Imagery by: Freedigitialphotos.net

Source: http://deborahapeters.com/2013/the-three-cs-of-business-marketing/

joey votto the masters live mega millions winner holy thursday chris stewart evo 4g lte marlins new stadium

Here Are the Business Cards of Famous People

Even though business cards seemed like they would be one of the first things to get killed by some fancy techwiznology, they've managed to survive even though the use of dead paper is dying. Everybody has business cards—even the super rich and super famous. Here are a few business cards from people you definitely already know. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/IOJJGSK2aD4/here-are-the-business-cards-of-famous-people

downton abbey season 3 Buckwild 2013 Calendar chris christie sofia vergara American Horror Story Patti Page

Image sensors out of a spray can

Jan. 22, 2013 ? Researchers from Technische Universit?t M?nchen (TUM) have developed a new generation of image sensors that are more sensitive to light than the conventional silicon versions, with the added bonus of being simple and cheap to produce. They consist of electrically conductive plastics, which are sprayed on to the sensor surface in an ultra-thin layer. The chemical composition of the polymer spray coating can be altered so that even the invisible range of the light spectrum can be captured. This opens up interesting new development possibilities for low-cost infrared sensors aimed at compact cameras and smartphones .

Image sensors are at the core of every digital camera. Before a snapshot appears on the display, the sensors first convert the light from the lens to electrical signals. The image processor then uses these to create the final photo.

Many compact and cellphone cameras contain silicon-based image sensors produced using CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology. Prof. Paolo Lugli and Dr. Daniela Baierl from TUM have developed a cost-effective process to improve the performance of these CMOS sensors. Their approach revolves around an ultra-thin film made of organic compounds, in other words plastics.

The challenge lay in applying the plastic solution to the surface of the image sensors. The researchers tested spin- and spray-coating methods to apply the plastic in its liquid, solution form as precisely and cost-effectively as possible. They were looking for a smooth plastic film that is no more than a few hundred nanometers thick. Spray-coating was found to be the best method, using either a simple spray gun or a spray robot.

Thin coating with high sensitivity to light

Organic sensors have already proven their worth in tests: They are up to three times more sensitive to light than conventional CMOS sensors, whose electronic components conceal some of the pixels, and therefore the photoactive silicon surface.

Organic sensors can be manufactured without the expensive post-processing step typically required for CMOS sensors, which involves for example applying micro-lenses to increase the amount of captured light. Every part of every single pixel, including the electronics, is sprayed with the liquid polymer solution, giving a surface that is 100 percent light-sensitive. The low noise and high frame rate properties of the organic sensors also make them a good fit for cameras.

Potential for developing low-cost infrared sensors

Another advantage of the plastic sensors is that different chemical compounds can be used to capture different parts of the light spectrum. For example, the PCBM and P3HT polymers are ideal for the detection of visible light. Other organic compounds, like squaraine dyes, are sensitive to light in the near-infrared region.

"By choosing the right organic compounds, we are able to develop new applications that were too costly up until now," explains Prof. Paolo Lugli, who holds the Chair of Nanoelectronics at TUM. "The future uses of organic infrared sensors include driver assistance systems for night vision and regular compact and cellphone cameras. Yet, the lack of suitable polymers is the main hurdle."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Technische Universitaet Muenchen.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. Daniela Baierl, Lucio Pancheri, Morten Schmidt, David Stoppa, Gian-Franco Dalla Betta, Giuseppe Scarpa, Paolo Lugli. A hybrid CMOS-imager with a solution-processable polymer as photoactive layer. Nature Communications, 2012; 3: 1175 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2180

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/strange_science/~3/LdqHPRuGJ0E/130122122409.htm

melissa gilbert deadliest catch dwts sean hannity bobby petrino fired buffett rule lollapalooza lineup

A 1,000 year old 'Sandakada Pahana' found in a UK home garden ...

Sandakada Pahana found in UK (pics: orange.co.uk)

A Buddhist Moon-stone (Sandakada pahana) carved by craftsmen of the Buddhist Sinhalese civilization 1,000 years ago has been found in UK, a media report said.

The Moon-stone found in a bungalow near Exeter, Devon, has been used to form the part of the garden path leading to the house, where it was found.

According to Mrs. Bronwen Hickmott, the current owner of this Moon-stone, this particular Sandakada Pahana has been with their family for decades.

?I loved that stone so much as a child,? 66 year old Hickmott was quoted saying in the British media.

?I used to trace the figures of the animals with my fingers and recite them in order; horse, lion, elephant, hump. I think the hump is actually an ox.?

?We called it ?The Pebble? in our family and we?ve taken it with us around the country over five different house moves.

?But we are thinking of moving again and I don?t think it?s right to keep on shifting it ? especially as we now know it?s historical value.?

According to Hickmott, she originally has grown up with it in her family home at Crowborough, Sussex ? a house previously owned by a Sri Lankan tea exporter.

The report says, the six-inch thick, three quarters of a ton granite Sandakada pahana or moon-stone is among only seven of its type in the world.

An auctioneer has given a value of more than ?30,000 for this ancient treasure, which depicts depicts a half-lotus flower and a procession of horses, lions, elephants and oxen.

According to historians, the Sandakada pahana symbolizes the cycle of Samsara in Buddhism.

Source: orange.co.uk

Advertisement

Article Views: 44

Source: http://www.news360.lk/other/more/news-sri-lanka-21-01-2013-uk-23553

bowl projections Jovan Belcher Charlie Batch Rita Ora Miguel Calero Bret Bielema blake shelton

Xbox 720 Will Reportedly Throw Lots Of Processing Power At The Video Game Console Crisis

Home video game consoles seem somewhat quaint at this point, and it's not an issue of graphics capabilities or raw power, on which scales they both still beat out mobile devices. 'More power' will likely be the clarion call of the next generation of consoles from Sony and Microsoft, and new details leaked around Microsoft's Xbox 360 successor, codenamed Durango, suggest they'll have specs to boast about.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/CnvUHHSBEG4/

fiscal cliff Pitbull Hannah Storm jenny mccarthy Psy fergie minnesota vikings

Deal of the Day: 55% off Amzer Organics Snap-On Shell Case for iPhone 5

Today Only: Pick up the Amzer Organics Snap-On Shell Case for iPhone 5 and save $10.95!

Ideal for your iPhone 5 and for the environment, Amzer?s new Organics Snap On Sand Case is 100% compostable and bio-degradable. This one piece rear protector case is constructed from a durable bio-plastic material, safeguarding your iPhone 5 without adding unwanted bulk. This eco-friendly case features impact resistance in an extremely slim profile design showcasing your device's form and your style. Color options include charcoal, slate, and sand.

List Price: $19.95???? Today's Price: $9.00

Learn More and Buy Now

Never miss a deal. Sign up for Daily Deal alerts!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/0OrkIM81Oew/story01.htm

arizona governor patrick witt leprosy tampa bay buccaneers birdman whip it gabby giffords

Video: ?Love Commandos? run safe houses for couples in India

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

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50480830/

the island president the maldives harper lee mega millions numbers the fray seahawks new uniforms 2012 tornadoes in dallas

Family house has plenty of space | This is Derbyshire

THIS spacious five-bedroomed family home is in the sought-after village of Mickleover.

The property, which is neutrally decorated throughout, has gas central heating and is fully double glazed.

Opening the front door, you step into a hallway with practical laminate flooring that has stairs off it and includes access to the garage.

In the carpeted lounge there is a bay window to the front, a gas fire set in a Adams-style marble-effect hearth and surround and folding doors to the dining room, which includes sliding patio doors to the rear garden.

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call...

Insure365

View details

Print voucher

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call Insure365 01782 898188

Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer

Valid until: Thursday, February 14 2013

The kitchen has a tiled floor and includes a range of fitted wall and base units and integrated electric oven, gas hob and fridge. There is also a utility room, garden room and a guest toilet.

The utility, which also has a tiled floor, includes base units, roll-top work surfaces, a sink and drainer, and plumbing and space for a washing machine. The garden room, which has laminate flooring, includes sliding doors to the garden.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, three with en suite shower rooms ? one is a Jack and Jill ? a family bathroom and an airing cupboard.

All the bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and the family bathroom includes a white three-piece suite with mixer shower over the bath.

The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn with patio seating and shrubbery borders and at the front there is driveway parking and a double garage.

Source: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Family-house-plenty-space/story-17854229-detail/story.html

lightsquared david lee honduras prison fire do not call list sports illustrated westminster dog show 2012 words with friends

Serbia holds out chance of U.N. seat for Kosovo

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia held out the chance of a seat at the United Nations for Kosovo on Tuesday, in what would mark a major concession to its former province as Belgrade tries to clear a path to joining the European Union.

Majority Albanian Kosovo declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after a NATO air war wrested control of the territory from Serbia, which rejected the secession and retains control over a Serb-populated pocket of northern Kosovo.

The EU is mediating talks aimed at normalizing ties and loosening Serbia's grip on the north.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic called on Tuesday for a "comprehensive" settlement after Kosovo's government said its ultimate aim was to secure recognition of statehood by the United Nations.

"We can agree on everything," Dacic told reporters in comments carried by the state news agency, Tanjug. "We are seeking a comprehensive settlement, but for that to happen something has to be given."

"They (Kosovo) are pressuring us through the European Union, and we're not letting them into the United Nations. Are we supposed to go on sparring like that for years?" he said.

Dacic has a reputation for speaking off the cuff, particularly on Kosovo, and analysts say his comments do not always reflect the official policy of the coalition government.

Yet his remarks followed the adoption of a resolution by Serbian lawmakers on Sunday that implicitly offered to recognize the authority of the Kosovo government over the north in exchange for broad autonomy for tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs living there.

The text reiterated that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo as sovereign. But Serbia could agree to a U.N. seat for Kosovo without formally recognizing Kosovar statehood.

Belgrade's ally and U.N. Security Council veto-holder Russia is blocking Kosovo's statehood bid.

PULL OF EU

Kosovo has ruled out any special status for the north and Western diplomats say the ethnic Serb autonomy advocated by Serbia would amount to cementing a partition that Western powers have long opposed.

The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia, a small nationalist party, called on Dacic to resign, accusing him of leading an anti-Serbian "policy of capitulation".

But his remarks appeared, on the whole, to cause few ripples, reflecting the waning force of hardline nationalists for whom Kosovo represents the cradle of the Serbian nation and Orthodox faith.

Impoverished and indebted, Serbia is in the throes of its second recession since 2009. Dacic, who railed against the West as spokesman for late strongman Slobodan Milosevic during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, now says EU accession represents Serbia's best hope of prosperity.

The political mainstream has coalesced around the same goal, encouraged by the prospect of neighboring Croatia, Serbia's wartime foe, joining the EU in July this year.

Serbia lost control of Kosovo in 1999 after 11 weeks of NATO air strikes to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in a brutal Serbian counter-insurgency. The territory became a ward of the United Nations and declared independence in 2008.

More than 90 countries have recognized the landlocked country of 1.7 million people, including the United States and 22 of the EU's 27 member states.

Dacic told parliament on Saturday that Serbian sovereignty over the region was "practically non-existent" and Belgrade could no longer afford to "keep its head in the sand."

He resumes negotiations on Thursday in Brussels with his Kosovo counterpart, former guerrilla commander Hashim Thaci. Progress will decide when the EU opens accession talks with Serbia, possibly in mid-2013.

(Writing by Matt Robinson; Editing by Tom Pfeiffer)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/serbia-holds-chance-u-n-seat-kosovo-180534255.html

yamaguchi road house occupy oakland occupy oakland morgellons disease arik armstead sag awards red carpet