| Microchips everywhere: A future vision
A seamless, global network of electronic ""sniffers"" will scan radio tags in myriad public settings, identifying people and their tastes instantly so that customized ads, ""live spam,"" may be beamed at them.
In ""Smart Homes,"" sensors built into walls, floors and appliances will inventory possessions, record eating habits, monitor medicine cabinets — all the while, silently reporting data to marketers eager for a peek into the occupants' private lives. Science fiction?
In truth, much of the radio frequency identification technology that enables objects and people to be tagged and tracked wirelessly already exists — and new and potentially intrusive uses of it are being patented, perfected and deployed.
Some of the world's largest corporations are vested in the success of RFID technology, which couples highly miniaturized computers with radio antennas to broadcast information about sales and buyers to company databases.
Another Rate Cut by the Fed
In the category of positive reports was news Tuesday that orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket durable goods jumped 5.2 percent in December, the biggest increase in five months, and demand in a key series that tracks business investment shot up at the fastest pace since last March. The House, worried about the possibility of a downturn, overwhelmingly approved a $146 billion economic stimulus bill on Tuesday. Passage in the Senate could be slowed by an effort to expand the measure. Bernanke pledged in a speech on Jan. 10 to take decisive action to combat a slowdown. Many economists believe the funds rate could fall to 2.5 percent before the Fed stops easing. "It is clear that the Fed has moved into a crisis-fighting posture," said David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors.
More Canadians using fingers, not feet, for Boxing Day bargains
Lineups for Boxing Day sales increased at the keyboard but not at the cash registers as retailers reported a rise in online traffic and restrained shopping madness in their stores across the country Wednesday. In-store Boxing Day sales were expected to decline this year partly as a result of strong pre-Christmas shopping and Canadians' increasing preference for point-and-click purchasing from their computers. The lineups for deals in some locations began in the waning hours of Christmas Day and retailers gleefully trumpeted the allure of their sales. Future Shop said at least two of their Vancouver outlets had lineups that began late Christmas Day and early Wednesday - Boxing Day - Best Buy said there were over 1,000 people waiting for the doors to open in some stores; and Wal-Mart Canada said consumer demand had forced it to keep its stores open 24 hours until Dec.
'Incredible' gap to fill, says Haddin
When you go on tours, batsmen and bowlers can talk shop with each other, but it can be pretty lonely for keepers," he said. "The few opportunities we've had to tour together have been great, and we've spent quite a lot of time talking shop. "It has also been great to see first-hand the way he goes about his business. "The standards he has set with the gloves and even more with the bat have been incredible. Everyone has had to lift their game, and that says plenty about the kind of mark he's made on the game." Haddin's phone has been inundated with messages since Gilchrist announced his retirement from Test cricket on Saturday. However, the NSW gloveman has been reluctant to talk about the situation until he has received an indication from national selectors as to their intentions.
Scottish history included in Higher exam
In 2005, the situation was described as a "national disgrace" by Professor Tom Devine, the nation's foremost contemporary historian, who said Scotland was the only country in Europe with a national history that was not compulsory in school. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was also lobbied by the Scottish Association of Teachers of History (Sath) who called for a review of the course. Following the review in May this year, which overwhelmingly backed change, the SQA has decided to introduce a revised Higher paper in the 2010-11 school year which will feature a compulsory section on Scottish history. Although the content is still under consideration, topics could include the 1286-1329 Wars of Independence, migration and Scotland's role in the Empire and the Act of Union.
Beach narrows its list of potential Dome developers
City leaders are short-listing three developers who want a chance to turn the long-vacant Dome site into an entertainment district two blocks from the beach. Representatives from the three companies will be interviewed in the next month. One company could then be chosen for six months of exclusive negotiations with the Virginia Beach Development Authority. "We’re going to bring those guys in as soon as we can to ask them more questions," said Steve Herbert, the city’s chief development officer. "Their concept of development, their experience … their thoughts of Virginia Beach." The chosen developers are: - A partnership of Armada Hoffler, Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Co . Armada Hoffler is the company that built Virginia Beach’s Town Center and has worked before with Bruce Smith, a former NFL star turned developer.
SHARLENE VELEZ
Then I return to the office, verify insurance and start thinking about tomorrow. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS TRYING TO ENTER THIS FIELD? Do this from the heart, make it something you love to do every day! --As told to Bill Freehling
Date published: 1/30/2008 .
Father Foley Cape Cod abuse case settled For $550,000
The Archdiocese of Hartford agreed this week to pay $550,000 to a man who accused the Rev. Stephen Foley of using his position as Hartford County fire chaplain to sodomize him when he was a 14-year-old parishioner in Windsor Locks. Foley, who has been accused of abuse by at least 11 men since 1993 and was removed from public ministry in 2002, is still affiliated with the county fire organization he belonged to when the alleged assault occurred. He now holds the title of "chaplain emeritus" of the group, according to board members... The current president of the group is Windsor Locks Fire Chief Gary Ruggiero. Haber said Ruggiero sent an e-mail to the board of directors Friday criticizing the newspaper for publishing a story last Sunday that exposed Foley's continued use of a police-equipped Crown Victoria with flashing lights, sirens and scanners... abuse took place on a weekend when the boy and his friend accompanied Foley to a home on Cape Cod, which Foley said was owned by his aunt, the brief said.
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