Cyril's Gleans

gleans at 9:15 PM MT, 10/31

Wikipedia Becomes a Class Assignment
SEATTLE (AP) -- Some academics cringe when students turn to Wikipedia as a reference for term papers....

IBM Plans Major Security Initiative
BOSTON (AP) -- IBM Corp. plans to announce Thursday that it will boost what it spends developing computer security products to $1.5 billion in 2008, reflecting an intensifying focus for the company....

South's public school children are now mainly low income
For the first time in 40 years, more than half of public school students in the South are eligible for free or reduced lunch. By Patrik Jonsson

More curbs on private Iraq guards
The Pentagon and State Department agree on more military oversight. By Peter Grier

Middle East racing to nuclear power
Shiite Iran’s ambitions have spurred 13 Sunni states to declare atomic energy aims this year. By Dan Murphy

Did murdered ex-spy Litvinenko work for British intelligence?
A year after his death, a Daily Mail article last weekend said that the murdered ex-spy worked for Britain's MI6. By Fred Weir

 

gleans at 8:10 PM MT, 10/31

Italian summer ruins truffle crop

A long, dry summer has resulted in a bleak year for Italy's prized white truffle.  

 

UK insurer launches networking site for over-50s 

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British insurance and holiday company for the over-50s Saga has launched a social networking Web site for silver surfers in a bid to emulate the huge popularity of MySpace, Bebo and Facebook.  Full Article 

 

Power from the final frontier

Giant collectors in space that beam solar energy back to Earth could soon be a reality. James Bloom reports

 

 

 

Top ten haunted places in the UK

Everyone loves a good ghost story, whether you believe them or not. Paul Torpey has the country's best spots for scaring yourself senseless.

 

 

 

Fell guide download lets walkers wander lonely with an iPod
Oct 31: The solitary sage of the Lake District has been "recreated" by new technology to act as a companion on the fells.

 

 

 

Fears grow for 150,000 people as flood chaos hits Mexico
Tens of thousands of people have fled to shelters in south-eastern Mexico after the worst floods in living memory hit the area.
More on natural disasters

 

 

 

Chinese rocket raises concerns of space arms race
China details plans to build a new rocket with enough power to put a space station into orbit.
More on space exploration

 

 

US troop fatalities plunge following 'surge strategy'
Pentagon claims the downward trend shows that its 'surge' strategy in Iraq is working.
Building of Iraqi police barracks threatens world heritage site
Full Iraq coverage

 

 

gleans at 9:00 AM MT, 10/31

 Sex ban on the Airbus A380
Also: Will today's gamers be tomorrow's leaders? Read it now...

Intel's Montvale Itanium chip arrives
Chipmaker launches line of Itanium processors for high-end computing servers, touts three new features.  Wed Oct 31 05:12:00 PDT 2007 | Read full story

Op-Ed: The Ghosts of Halloweens Past

 

NB - there is a good article in today's (10/31) NYT on white truffles - but it is not online for some reason

 

ECONOMIC SCENE; Plain Truth About Taxes and Cuts

You re going to hear a lot about taxes over the next two years. Some of the things...the tax code. Above all, it would raise taxes on the affluent to pay for the elimination...clear that they also think a fight over taxes can work to their advantage in 2008 and...

October 31, 2007 - By DAVID LEONHARDT - Business

 

 

ON EDUCATION; Classroom of the Future Is Virtually Anywhere

...burgeoning world of online education. It s a world most of us...programs like business and education, specialized online schools...students function best in the virtual classroom? What happens to...thinks, is on the frontier of education in a global economy In her...

October 31, 2007 - By JOSEPH BERGER

 

 

 

BOOKS OF THE TIMES; When the Studios Called the Shots, and the Close-Ups ...Basinger amply demonstrates in The Star Machine, Hollywood excelled at manufacturing...illustrate the shortcomings of the star machine, or the ways in which a wily...before Doris Day was Doris Day. The star machine worked partly because failure... October 31, 2007 - By WILLIAM GRIMES - Arts

 

 

gleans at 5:45 AM MT, 10/31

Mary Beard

Spills the beans on the secret pastime of authors - checking their Amazon rating 

 

 

Future Mars Craft Inspires High-Tech Spy Plane

U.S. engineers have long wanted to fold up an airplane inside a rocket and send it on a mission to cruise through the atmosphere of Mars. They now have a new potential customer for the concept: the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

 

 

Chuck Norris makes list of influential conservatives
London Telegraph puts him ahead of Buchanan, Coulter, O'Reilly
--WND

Home prices tumble across U.S.
'The big concern is the whole wealth issue'
--BusinessWeek

Is U.S. stuck in Internet's slow lane?
Many countries have faster, cheaper broadband connections
--Associated Press

Gossip tops list of office peeves
Poor time management, messiness, potent smells next as irk factors
--The Age

 

I'm a Halloweenie

Saptarshi Ray celebrates a US occasion so big even the Christian right can't stop the devilish fun.

 

 

Ghoulish grub

From squirmingly live octopus to cheesy maggots, Graham Holliday finds some truly terrifying food to eat as the witching hour nears.

 

 

Bloody good reasons to visit Whitby

Sam Jordison Wednesday 31.10.07, 10:22am

Dracula's Yorkshire residence is a magnet for fans of the dark side, and a great place to pick up hot tips for chilling reading.

Comments (1) ·

 

 

 

Hepburn papers record fiery temper
Boxes of Katharine Hepburn's writings and theatre memorabilia to go on display.
More film news

 

 

 

Ancient travellers' starlight navigation

A stone tool found on a remote Pacific island has provided evidence that early Polynesians travelled the oceans using only the stars, clouds and seabirds as navigational aids.

 

 

 

 

gleans at 3:00 AM MT, 10/31 (Halloween for the less alert)

Wider Iranian threat is feared

By Paul Richter and Peter Spiegel

Many U.S. officials believe small conflicts on the ground or at sea are potentially riskier than a nuclear program. 

 

What Bloody Man Is That?

...most people a family tree was merely a figure of speech. For the Campbells of Cawdor, the tree was quite literal an ancient holly...by the time Campbell s father became the 25th thane of Cawdor, its potency seems to have waned. In her memoir...

 

Hello, India? I Need Help With My Math

By STEVE LOHR

In a new wave of outsourcing, personal chores are moving offshore, leading to some daunting challenges. Ramya Tadikonda tutors students online from Chennai, India.

 

 

 

The Bartender Who Started It All

By WILLIAM GRIMES

A new biography brings Jerry Thomas, the first bartender to publish a drink book in the United States, to life.

• A Chapter on "Punches" from "Imbibe!" by David Wondrich | Slide Show

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

The Blue Blazer is a pyrotechnic showpiece in which an arc of flame is passed back and forth between two mixing glasses.

This Week's Recipes

Recipe: Blue Blazer

Recipe: Prescription Julep

Recipe: Silver Fizz

Recipe: Whiskey Crusta

Recipe: Caramelized Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Recipe: Pork Grillades and Grits

 

Good Taste Takes a Holiday

By JULIA MOSKIN

The Dining section asked dozens of chefs, cooks and recovering trick-or-treaters about their favorite Halloween treats from the past and the present.

 

Wines of The Times

Port’s Not-So-Sweet Cousin

By ERIC ASIMOV

In a panel tasting of Douro reds from Portugal, the conversation kept coming back to how much these dry wines reminded us of port, without the sweetness, of course.

The Minimalist

A Little Bit of Work and a Lot of Satisfaction

By MARK BITTMAN

Though Fergus Henderson is best known as the leader of the modern cult of offal, I like him most for his roasted beef-marrow dish, which is a delicious no-brainer to make.

$25 and Under

For Barhoppers, a True Tapas Bar

By PETER MEEHAN

Some dead simple and riotously flavorful dishes help El Quinto Pino in Chelsea to be New York’s best, and maybe only, true tapas bar.

 

Salt-roasting: It's white magic

By Russ Parsons

Can a technique be life-changing? Salt-roasting reveals profound, pure flavor.

 

Beneath neo-atheism’s surface is the kind of fury an adolescent feels that his parents might tell lies or violate their own rules. “Religion spoils everything”... more»

 

gleans at 6:25 PM MT, 10/30

 Visitors to U.S. Newspaper Web Sites Rise: Study

MoD tests 'invisible tank' technology

Prototype method can make tanks and troops vanish.

 

 

David Cameron quip offends Lithuania

Tory leader in public relations gaffe after an off-the-cuff remark about "one-legged" dancers causes outrage.

 

 

Battle of Britain pilots 'could not shoot straight'

Most Battle of Britain pilots were so badly trained they could not shoot straight, according to new research.

Is it wrong criticising The Few decades on?

Device in storeroom could have saved soldier

Legion in Facebook poppy campaign

Will you get a Facebook poppy?

 

 

Scottish soldier's German honour

The exploits of 18th century soldier James Keith are to be commemorated by the German village where he died in battle.

 

 

Are you an analog or a digital type?

I am, I know, an analogue person. I am not proud of it. The very word sounds dated

• Magnus Linklater

 

Cat Deeley: Hollywood is a crazy place

Clint Eastwood talks about the former children's presenter and Christopher Bailey took her to the Met Ball. 'Surreal'

 

 

gleans at 4:30 PM MT, 10/30

 High-tech trackers: extra eyes for US forces in Iraq
Blue Force Tracker lets troops quickly update the location of friendly and hostile forces. By Leslie Sabbagh

In Africa, a papercraft path out of poverty
Poor Ugandan women turn their lives around by handcrafting for BeadForLife, a small Colorado-based nonprofit group. By Jessica Scranton

Green roofs start to sprout on urban homes
Low-maintenance sedum cuts energy costs as well as greenhouse gases. Roofs are costly, though. By Caitlin Carpenter

A bridge to Vietnamese cuisine
One way for visitors to understand Vietnamese culture is to take a cooking class. By Dorothy Aksamit

Online learning grows more popular
Improved technology has made online classes more attractive to more and more students. By Tom Regan

How an Iowa man grows a 1,600-pound pumpkin
Don Young uses manure, seaweed, and a special 'compost tea' to produce a massive squash that misses the world record by 27 pounds. By Sean J. Miller

 

gleans + 1xaddenda at 4:15 PM MT, 10/30

 

Hubble captures dance of the galaxies

Telescope reveals in unprecedented detail the interaction of two neighbouring galaxies 300m light years from Earth.

 

Bush honours Mockingbird legend

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, to receive America's highest civilian award.

 

 

Travel

 

Blog by blog guide to ... Melbourne

Melbourne is home to a vibrant cafe culture, and it's all online, writes Benji Lanyado.

 

 

Bush honours Mockingbird legend News: Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, has been awarded America's highest civilian award. More news

 

 

 

A brief survey of the short story: part one

Chris Power Tuesday 30.10.07, 08:24am

Anton Chekhov's subtle portrayals of complex, morally ambiguous characters set an example writers are following to this day.

Comments (37) ·

 

State of disorder
World briefing, Simon Tisdall: It may just take time rather than US weaponry to institute regime change in Tehran.
Full Iran coverage

 

White House under fire for Blackwater immunity offer
Intense criticism for offering immunity to guards allegedly involved in deaths of 17 Iraqis.
Iraq tackles foreign guards' immunity
Full Iraq coverage
Full US coverage

 

Japan PM forced to withdraw Afghan war backing
Speculation mounts that Yasuo Fukuda, could be forced to call an early general election.
More on Japan

 

Disquiet on the North-West Frontier
In the third of his reflections on his return to Pakistan, Jason Burke finds Peshawar as poor as ever.
More on Pakistan

 

Germans flush out loo roll usage
Germany's civil servants have been drawn into an investigation into how much toilet paper they use.
More on Germany

 

addenda* <== from BB-Bob

Subject: Taxonomy Boot Camp 2007

Date: Oct 30, 2007 5:52 PM

http://www.taxonomybootcamp.com/

 

gleans + 1xaddenda + 1xORA at 2:35 PM MT, 10/30

Turkey: Fighting With Kurds Will Surge
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's prime minister said Tuesday increased military action against separatist Kurdish rebels was "unavoidable" and pressed the United States for a crackdown on guerrilla bases in northern Iraq....

With US Help, Ship Crew Defeats Pirates
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A U.S. Navy destroyer off the coast of Somalia helped sailors who retook control of their vessel Tuesday in a deadly battle with pirates who hijacked the North Korean-flagged ship, the American military said....

House Votes to Extend Net Tax Moratorium
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A bill to extend a moratorium on Internet access taxes for seven years was approved 402-0 by the House Tuesday, less than two days before it was set to expire....

116-year-old orange preserves mining disaster history

 

US intelligence budget disclosed

Iraq Preparing Law Lifting Protection for Security Contractors
New York Times 
By ALISSA J. RUBIN The Iraqi Cabinet approved draft legislation today that lifts immunity for foreign private security companies and sent the measure to Parliament for approval, a government spokesman said.

Philadelphia Inquirer Catholics slam Britney Spears pix as 'bottom of barrel' stunt New York Daily News  By NANCY DILLON Forgive me, Father, I have sinned! Britney Spears may have to sing a few Hail Marys after these pictures from her new album 'Blackout. Britney Sparrow, Invasion of the Booty Snatcher TMZ.com Britney Spears reawakens with 'Blackout' (B+) Dallas Morning News MTV.com - Los Angeles Times - MLive.com - eFluxMedia all 350 news articles »     Massive Stellar Black Hole Smashes Record The heaviest "small" black hole ever has been discovered, and its mass of 24 to 33 times that of our sun defies current theories to explain its formation, scientists say.     Good news for New Jersey squirrel eaters NEW YORK (AFP) - Squirrel eaters in the US state of New Jersey have been told that the bushy-tailed rodents are likely safe to eat, after earlier being advised the unlikely delicacies could contain toxic metals.

addenda <== from the Wally-Bob

Subject: Daylight saving time ends Sunday, even if your clock sprung ahead - MarketWatch

Date: Oct 30, 2007 2:29 PM

Take heed - wouldn't want you to have the wrong time... Mike http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/daylight-saving-time-ends-sunday/story.aspx?guid=%7B133C18DC-2580-4C0D-9902-AF303F8285B4%7D

today's Ordinary Reading Assignment

1.  The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz (Hardcover - Oct 30, 2007) Buy new: $24.95 $14.97  Get it by Wednesday, Oct 31 if you order in the next 3 hours and choose one-day shipping. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. Other Editions: Audio CD 2.  The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden (Hardcover - May 1, 2007) Buy new: $24.95 $14.97    98 Used & new from $12.99 Get it by Wednesday, Oct 31 if you order in the next 1 hour and choose one-day shipping. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. Other Editions: Audio CD 3.  How To Be The Best At Everything (The Girls' Book) by Juliana Foster (Hardcover - Sep 1, 2007) Buy new: $9.99    39 Used & new from $5.49 Get it by Wednesday, Oct 31 if you order in the next 3 hours and choose one-day shipping. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

 

gleans at 6:05 AM MT, 10/30

  Climate Connections: Signs: Scientists Study the Impact of Water on Climate

Oct-29-2007, All Things Considered  [Automated preliminary transcripts may contain errors]...will make them better. Two ER-2 planes fly over San Francisco. Planes like these record atmospheric data as the fly. An ER-2 plane null null NASA . she's All Things Considered on...

 

Here's to a healthier heart

When he consulted a cardiologist about his angina, Malcolm Smith was told to drink three glasses of red wine daily. Could it really be good for him?

 

 

 

A treasure trove of adventure

By Tim Rutten

IT does nothing to slight either Michael Chabon or his slyly entertaining new novel, "Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure," when I say that 10 pages into it, I began to think of another book and another writer.

 

 

If computer brainpower is doubling every 12 months and Google is gathering the intentions of all the humans in the planet, imagine where that might lead in 10 years ... [more]

 

 

3D has become the cool new technology for film-- again ... [more]

 

 

Whois to be scrapped to break deadlock?
Site contains information such as names, phone numbers of dot-com owners
--Associated Press

 

 

Librado Romero/The New York Times

Why They Called It the Manhattan Project

By WILLIAM J. BROAD

The first headquarters of the nation’s secret effort to build the bomb lay in New York City. The Pupin Physics Laboratories, above, housed some early experiments.

Interactive Feature

The Making of an Atomic Bomb

A map that highlights formal and informal sites involved in the secret effort to build the bomb. Video