Vendredi 15 avril 2011

Asleep at the Switch? Snoozing Controllers Lead to Major FAA Resignation

gucci outletBy Megan Friedman and Megan Gibson This really raises the stakes on the whole idea of "sleeping on the job." On Wednesday night, an air-traffic controller from Reno-Tahoe International Airport was suspended for being asleep and out of touch when an emergency medical flight was landing. With an ill patient onboard, there was total radio silence as the fretting pilot circled the airport, awaiting instructions. (More on TIME.com: Is shift work to blame for sleepy air-traffic controllers?) After the incident, which was the latest and most severe in a string of incidents involving sleeping or unresponsive controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that not only was it putting a second controller on the late-night shift in 27 towers but also that the head of the FAA's Air Traffic Organization, Hank Krakowski, was resigning. discount gucci bagsFAA administrator Randy Babbitt issued a statement saying there would be a "top to bottom review of the way we operate our air traffic control system." Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood weighed in on NBC: But amid all the breathless headlines, what's been missing from the conversation is some basic background info. A typical control tower has a few people on duty. Radar controllers spend their time turning pilots toward their final landing approach, while tower controllers lead planes to their gates. Supervisors make sure the process goes smoothly. In some of the recent incidents that have made the morning newspapers, one sleeping controller does not mean the entire tower has gone dark, though many towers are indeed shorter-staffed during the overnight shift — when workers will no doubt be the most exhausted. Furthermore, some airports have towers that go entirely unstaffed at some point during the day. replica coach handbags outlet When an airport lacks controllers, which is somewhat common, pilots are put on the same radio frequency as maintenance crew members on the ground. (More on TIME.com: See 20 reasons to hate the airlines.) This rash of sleeping controllers comes five years after a plane crash in Kentucky killed 49 people when a fatigued controller was working alone (though the responsibility was placed on the pilots). Although there have been no major injuries from this year's incidents, they shed new light on air safety and the fatigue that comes with the midnight shift. Here's a timeline of this year's incidents of unresponsive air-traffic controllers, which has led the FAA to take new action: Dec. 31, 2010: Errors by air-traffic controllers hit an all-time high in 2010, causing cockpit-collision warnings dozens of times. Jan. 20, 2011: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated an incident in which an American Airlines jumbo jet carrying 259 people nearly collided with two military cargo planes. One controller, who was responsible for collecting data, saw the flight paths and told a radar controller to stop the commercial plane's ascent at 20,000 feet.Gucci Indy Bags But the radar controller was distracted by other information from a Continental Airlines flight and did not hear the warning. The American Airlines plane continued to climb, not noticing any problems until its cockpit alarm went off. Reports vary, but the planes may have come as close as 2,000 yards to each other. Feb. 19, 2011: An air-traffic controller reportedly slept for five hours while seven planes landed at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tenn. According to the Washington Post, the radar controller had brought a blanket and made a bed out of couch cushions so he could take a nap. An anonymous federal official told the Post that another employee at the airport noticed the tower's silence and repeatedly tried to wake up the controller. Each time she woke him, the controller promised he would get back to work. But as soon as she left, the controller dozed off again, while employees in other parts of the tower helped land the incoming planes. Gucci Jolicoeur BagsThe FAA has said it is working to fire the controller, and the NTSB is evaluating the incident.
Par zizihuang - 1 commentaire(s)le 15 avril 2011
Jeudi 14 avril 2011

Hugh Grant's Finest Acting Role: As a Journalist

discount gucci bagsThe actor's name is associated with many things—English charm (Hugh Grant can "twinkle for Britain," the screenwriter and director Richard Curtis told me as I researched this piece about Grant's on- and off-screen rival Colin Firth); a weakness for beautiful women including Elizabeth Hurley and Jemima Khan; and a weakness for less beautiful women. What Grant hasn't got a reputation for is acting. Trapped in repetitive iterations of the sweetly hopeless Brit romantic lead, he's rarely been given the chance to let his inner demons dance, though there were glimmerings of the mordantly funny, sharply intelligent man he's reputed to be in real life in his impersonation of Daniel Cleaver in the Bridget Jones movies. So it was left to his former girlfriend Khan to give Grant a role worthy of his talents: as an undercover reporter for Britain's left-leaning political journal New Statesman. Khan herself has been trying on a role more worthy of her talents, mutating from daughter-of (mega-wealthy financier and political eccentric James Goldsmith) ex-wife-of (Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan) status to human rights activist. It was her support for Julian Assange that inspired the New Statesman's editor Jason Cowley to offer her a guest editorship at the magazine. gucci handbags on saleShe used the opportunity to commission Grant to write a piece about a subject close to their hearts: Britain's viciously competitive tabloid culture and its use of illegal techniques to secure celebrity scoops. It's also a subject making headlines in Britain: the news is top of the news—well, for some media outlets. In 2009 the full panoply of British press followed the lead of the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in exposing abuses by politicians of a lax parliamentary expenses regimen. There's notably less enthusiasm for exposing the illicit and sometimes illegal activities of the press and the skein of relationships with police and political spin doctors that afforded the press protection in these activities. But thanks to investigative work led by The Guardian and New York Times and joined by other publications including the New Statesman, that protection has begun to crumble.nike sb shoes Prime Minister David Cameron's communications chief, Andy Coulson, a former editor of the News of the World, the Sunday tabloid found to have hacked the mobile phones of British royals and aides, resigned in January. Just this weekend, the tabloid—its thirst for scandal long ago earned it the nickname News of the Screws—issued an apology, admitting that there were more victims of the hacking than its executives had owned up to. The newspaper and its parent company News Corp are involved in a frantic damage limitation exercise, to avoid court action, spiraling damages and disruption of company business and ambitions. Enter Hugh Grant, equipped with a concealed recording device. His target: Paul McMullan, a former journalist for the News of the World, now a freelancer and publican. Last December, Grant's car broke down on a remote stretch of road. McMullan gave him a ride and also prevailed on Grant to pose for a photograph "just for the wall of the pub" that duly appeared in the mass-market Mail on Sunday, absolving Grant of any lingering sense of gratitude to his rescuer. Gucci Jolicoeur Bags The actor returned to the pub and engaged McMullan in a conversation that laid bare in a way that even the painstaking work of seasoned professionals at The Guardian had not been able to do the swirling resentments that underpin tabloid bad behavior. Here's an excerpt:
Par zizihuang - 0 commentaire(s)le 14 avril 2011
Mercredi 13 avril 2011

Why Libya's Rebels Don't Trust the African Union

gucci outletAn African delegation on a mission to end the seven-week conflict in Libya received a hostile welcome in the rebel capital of Benghazi Monday. "No Gaddafi, no sons!" hundreds of protesters shouted as they swarmed the vehicles of the Presidents of Congo, Mali, Mauritania and Uganda. Inside the Tibesti hotel, the opposition Transitional National Council (T.N.C.) was just as unreceptive to the African Union's (A.U.) ceasefire plan. There had been some hope of diplomatic progress on Sunday, after Libya's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi accepted the plan presented by the African presidents. However, the TNC rejected the plan because it did not stipulate that Gaddafi relinquish power and leave Libya. Among the plan's key points were an end to airstrikes by NATO, a cease fire, and a starting point for negotiations between the two sides. But the TNC was in no mood to confer with Gaddafi about a ceasefire, and on Monday they rejected the proposals offered by the African presidents. "It's very simple, and this is the Libyan people's opinion. cheap gucci outlet storeIf it does not include his departure, resigning his job, it won't be accepted by the street," T.N.C. spokesman Mustafa Gheriani declared. On the streets of Benghazi, residents were just as defiant. "We want him to leave and leave now. That is the only thing we are willing to discuss," said Husam al-Jawhari, 31, a few hours after the AU delegation ended talks with T.N.C. leaders. (See pictures of the battle for Libya.) The T.N.C. fears Gaddafi would use the ceasefire to consolidate his position and tighten his grip on the besieged Western city of Misratah, which is under rebel control. His past "truces" have been followed by further pushes towards Benghazi, leaving the rebels with little faith in his promises. "The world has seen these offers of ceasefires before and within 15 minutes [Gaddafi] starts shooting again," Nike outletremarked rebel spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah. Though Washington and the European Union supported the initiative, they reiterated their call that Gaddafi step down. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared, "there needs to be a transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people and the departure of Gaddafi from power and from Libya." (See pictures of workers lost in Libya's turmoil.) With the international community demanding his immediate resignation, Gaddafi was happy to welcome an A.U. delegation that did not insist on his departure. Gucci 2010 New ArrivalsAfrican nations have long provided a diplomatic shield for the erratic Libyan leader who has showered their destitute countries with billions of dollars. In the 1990s, African countries flouted a United Nations flight ban imposed on Libya for downing an American airliner over Scotland. In 2003 they rebuffed Washington's protests and helped Libya secure the presidency of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. In the current conflict, they have proved just as obliging.Gucci Abbey Bags While the E.U. and U.N. imposed sanctions against Gaddafi,, and his fellow Arab leaders denounced him and suspended his membership in the Arab League, A.U. members have refrained from condemning him. Instead, they denounced NATO's airstrikes against his forces.
Par zizihuang - 0 commentaire(s)le 13 avril 2011

Why Libya's Rebels Don't Trust the African Union

gucci outletAn African delegation on a mission to end the seven-week conflict in Libya received a hostile welcome in the rebel capital of Benghazi Monday. "No Gaddafi, no sons!" hundreds of protesters shouted as they swarmed the vehicles of the Presidents of Congo, Mali, Mauritania and Uganda. Inside the Tibesti hotel, the opposition Transitional National Council (T.N.C.) was just as unreceptive to the African Union's (A.U.) ceasefire plan. There had been some hope of diplomatic progress on Sunday, after Libya's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi accepted the plan presented by the African presidents. However, the TNC rejected the plan because it did not stipulate that Gaddafi relinquish power and leave Libya. Among the plan's key points were an end to airstrikes by NATO, a cease fire, and a starting point for negotiations between the two sides. But the TNC was in no mood to confer with Gaddafi about a ceasefire, and on Monday they rejected the proposals offered by the African presidents. "It's very simple, and this is the Libyan people's opinion. cheap gucci outlet storeIf it does not include his departure, resigning his job, it won't be accepted by the street," T.N.C. spokesman Mustafa Gheriani declared. On the streets of Benghazi, residents were just as defiant. "We want him to leave and leave now. That is the only thing we are willing to discuss," said Husam al-Jawhari, 31, a few hours after the AU delegation ended talks with T.N.C. leaders. (See pictures of the battle for Libya.) The T.N.C. fears Gaddafi would use the ceasefire to consolidate his position and tighten his grip on the besieged Western city of Misratah, which is under rebel control. His past "truces" have been followed by further pushes towards Benghazi, leaving the rebels with little faith in his promises. "The world has seen these offers of ceasefires before and within 15 minutes [Gaddafi] starts shooting again," Nike outletremarked rebel spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah. Though Washington and the European Union supported the initiative, they reiterated their call that Gaddafi step down. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared, "there needs to be a transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people and the departure of Gaddafi from power and from Libya." (See pictures of workers lost in Libya's turmoil.) With the international community demanding his immediate resignation, Gaddafi was happy to welcome an A.U. delegation that did not insist on his departure. Gucci 2010 New ArrivalsAfrican nations have long provided a diplomatic shield for the erratic Libyan leader who has showered their destitute countries with billions of dollars. In the 1990s, African countries flouted a United Nations flight ban imposed on Libya for downing an American airliner over Scotland. In 2003 they rebuffed Washington's protests and helped Libya secure the presidency of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. In the current conflict, they have proved just as obliging.Gucci Abbey Bags While the E.U. and U.N. imposed sanctions against Gaddafi,, and his fellow Arab leaders denounced him and suspended his membership in the Arab League, A.U. members have refrained from condemning him. Instead, they denounced NATO's airstrikes against his forces.
Par zizihuang - 1 commentaire(s)le 13 avril 2011
Mardi 12 avril 2011

Bernie Madoff Confesses...to Reading Danielle Steel Novels in Jail

古奇低价直销店随着后面的六五○○○○○○○○○○○○美元庞氏骗局的酒吧150年徒刑,麦道夫不会有太多的期待。在采访中目标的一年,金融时报,财政丢脸终于透露了他的真实故事和,他的秘密监狱中生存:抗抑郁药和浪漫小说。 “'我花了我大部分时间在我的房间,阅读,”麦道夫说。 “而且 - 这是我的秘密 - 丹妮尔钢是,丹妮尔钢。。” (于TIME.com更多:见麦道夫认罪视频) 而谁又能责怪转向了热气腾腾的恋情,意图逃避位后丢失欺骗数以千计的受害者家族病史,财富和自由的严酷现实,他?当记者问他为什么以及如何设计诈骗阴谋的历史,马多夫告诉金融时报,“你必须明白我的历史。 折扣Gucci包我开始与500美元的资本。我看着我的父亲破产。我很驱动。目标后,我一直在俱乐部外,俱乐部作为纽约证券交易所和白鞋的公司。他们战斗的每一步我。“ Gucci的皮包更令人惊讶的是,许多大学都已经与他联系,对企业伦理教育。目标之前,他在一家大碰壁商学院教学演出,他可能要投资于一个丑角小说轮班在批次之间的监狱小卖部历史的房子。 (于TIME.com更多:看,在麦道夫禅让附图)
Par zizihuang - 1 commentaire(s)le 12 avril 2011
Lundi 11 avril 2011

2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal

discount gucci bagsOn Feb. 15, 1965, a diffident but self-possessed high school student named Raymond Kurzweil appeared as a guest on a game show called I've Got a Secret. He was introduced by the host, Steve Allen, then he played a short musical composition on a piano. The idea was that Kurzweil was hiding an unusual fact and the panelists — they included a comedian and a former Miss America — had to guess what it was. On the show (see the clip on YouTube), the beauty queen did a good job of grilling Kurzweil, but the comedian got the win: the music was composed by a computer. Kurzweil got $200. (See TIME's photo-essay "Cyberdyne's Real Robot.") Kurzweil then demonstrated the computer, which he built himself — a desk-size affair with loudly clacking relays, hooked up to a typewriter. The panelists were pretty blasé about it; they were more impressed by Kurzweil's age than by anything he'd actually done. gucci handbags on saleThey were ready to move on to Mrs. Chester Loney of Rough and Ready, Calif., whose secret was that she'd been President Lyndon Johnson's first-grade teacher. But Kurzweil would spend much of the rest of his career working out what his demonstration meant. Creating a work of art is one of those activities we reserve for humans and humans only. It's an act of self-expression; you're not supposed to be able to do it if you don't have a self. To see creativity, the exclusive domain of humans, usurped by a computer built by a 17-year-old is to watch a line blur that cannot be unblurred, the line between organic intelligence and artificial intelligence. That was Kurzweil's real secret, and back in 1965 nobody guessed it. Maybe not even him, not yet. But now, 46 years later, Kurzweil believes that we're approaching a moment when computers will become intelligent, and not just intelligent but more intelligent than humans. When that happens, humanity — our bodies, our minds, our civilization — will be completely and irreversibly transformed. nike dunk shoesHe believes that this moment is not only inevitable but imminent. According to his calculations, the end of human civilization as we know it is about 35 years away. (See the best inventions of 2010.) Computers are getting faster. Everybody knows that. Also, computers are getting faster faster — that is, the rate at which they're getting faster is increasing. True? True. So if computers are getting so much faster, so incredibly fast, there might conceivably come a moment when they are capable of something comparable to human intelligence. Artificial intelligence. All that horsepower could be put in the service of emulating whatever it is our brains are doing when they create consciousness — not just doing arithmetic very quickly or composing piano music but also driving cars, writing books, making ethical decisions, appreciating fancy paintings, making witty observations at cocktail parties. If you can swallow that idea, and Kurzweil and a lot of other very smart people can, then all bets are off. From that point on, there's no reason to think computers would stop getting more powerful. They would keep on developing until they were far more intelligent than we are. Their rate of development would also continue to increase, because they would take over their own development from their slower-thinking human creators. Imagine a computer scientist that was itself a super-intelligent computer. Gucci WalletsIt would work incredibly quickly. It could draw on huge amounts of data effortlessly. It wouldn't even take breaks to play Farmville. Probably. It's impossible to predict the behavior of these smarter-than-human intelligences with which (with whom?) we might one day share the planet, because if you could, you'd be as smart as they would be. But there are a lot of theories about it. Maybe we'll merge with them to become super-intelligent cyborgs, using computers to extend our intellectual abilities the same way that cars and planes extend our physical abilities. Maybe the artificial intelligences will help us treat the effects of old age and prolong our life spans indefinitely. Maybe we'll scan our consciousnesses into computers and live inside them as software, forever, virtually. Maybe the computers will turn on humanity and annihilate us. Gucci Travel Business BagsThe one thing all these theories have in common is the transformation of our species into something that is no longer recognizable as such to humanity circa 2011. This transformation has a name: the Singularity.
Par zizihuang - 0 commentaire(s)le 11 avril 2011
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