News for today's 2018

SITREP SYRIA

4:46 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4emVO8TAPBC34zCPkvHWpQH_XxqX5SspvZ3dvdP1KOy0XjSm6-I1fTnOmeeSs0-FUcb4G45AaG9xlHDtuNdC5lsbKuXDP6chcWWAOyJ2692zgjCIaf8jGp_wCzd4yfogEGIOJG50JvUIq/s1600/syrian-chemical-weapons-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4emVO8TAPBC34zCPkvHWpQH_XxqX5SspvZ3dvdP1KOy0XjSm6-I1fTnOmeeSs0-FUcb4G45AaG9xlHDtuNdC5lsbKuXDP6chcWWAOyJ2692zgjCIaf8jGp_wCzd4yfogEGIOJG50JvUIq/s1600/syrian-chemical-weapons-300x225.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ASSAD’S TROOPS, MORE CHEMICAL ARMS MOVE NW, IRANIAN ARMS AIRLIFT TO PALMYRA</span></b></span></span><br /><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On Tuesday, <u>20 March 2012</u> Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring wrote: </span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6896989063397229776" name="7026944894046391462"></a><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SYRIAN MISSILES WILL PRE-EMPT ANY MILITARY INTERVENTION </span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/syrian-missiles-will-pre-empt-any.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/syrian-missiles-will-pre-empt-any.html</a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On Tuesday, <u>08 March 2012</u> Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring wrote: </span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">GIVEN FACT SYRIA DOES POSSESS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MISSILE HEADS</span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/given-fact-syria-does-possess-chemical.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/given-fact-syria-does-possess-chemical.html</a></span></span></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Via DEBKA<i>file</i></span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">US, TURKISH, BRITISH, JORDANIAN </span>and <span style="color: blue;">FRENCH </span>forces are standing ready around SYRIAN borders for the order to go forward still to come from US President Barack Obama. SYRIAN President Bashar Assad is regrouping his army in defense array in strategic parts of Damascus, while planting mines and bomb traps in abandoned bases. Convoys carrying missiles, shells and canisters armed with chemical and biological weapons continue to ply roads to the north, while the airlift of Iranian arms is rerouted to northern air bases.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />The situation in SYRIA as it stands Saturday, Dec. 8. is summed up by debkafile’s military sources:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.  Assad has so far resisted rebel pressure to withdraw with his army from the capital, Damascus, but as in SYRIA’S largest town, Aleppo, he has regrouped his forces for the defense of centers of government against the rebel push from the east.<br />For now, his army fully controls the western districts of Damascus and areas up to Zabadani on the LEBANESE border. This keeps the SYRIAN ruler’s direct military corridor open to a key prop of his regime, Hizballah, on the other side of the border.  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. His second key prop is the air passage plied by IRANIAN transports for keeping his army furnished with arms and ammunition. Up until midweek, the Iranian planes, coming in at the rate of three or four transports a day, were landing at Damascus military air base, which is section of its international airport. Friday, Nov. 7, the rebels declared both the civilian and military sections of Damascus airport a military target. All planes were warned that by landing there they risked being shot down by the shells or anti-air missiles recently delivered to them by QATAR or booty taken from the SYRIAN army bases they captured.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3f3y7Kp7CSGDxYf4mVfH5gUq6EMjksAX6WLKE88U6jroAeoCf6fQnhdgCkLallCFoiLCXmO7gZRzZNMBN7ubc39Y9MRAnLTR3PwkXfcyXjkfvlDWHFn7Ol_MyZJNbwQ-Q6nYwYZ6k1Gf/s1600/Chemical-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3f3y7Kp7CSGDxYf4mVfH5gUq6EMjksAX6WLKE88U6jroAeoCf6fQnhdgCkLallCFoiLCXmO7gZRzZNMBN7ubc39Y9MRAnLTR3PwkXfcyXjkfvlDWHFn7Ol_MyZJNbwQ-Q6nYwYZ6k1Gf/s1600/Chemical-.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Following the rebel warning, the IRANIAN transports were being rerouted to the Shayrat and Tiyas airbase between the northern SYRIAN towns of Homs and Palmyra. <br />This necessitates intense SYRIAN army effort to keep the roads open for the incoming IRANIAN supplies to reach the hands of the units fighting in Damascus, Aleppo and Latakia.<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. SYRIAN engineering units are systematically planting mines and booby-trapping the buildings at the bases from which the army has retreated. Our military sources were told that the quantity of explosives Assad’s troops are leaving in their wake would take years to clear.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4. There has been no letup in the military convoys heading north with missiles, shells and bombs containing chemical arms.<br />Western intelligence sources say Assad is keeping the convoys moving on the roads for two purposes:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />One, as a red warning to the Western and Arab powers preparing to intervene in the SYRIAN conflict that any attack or attempt to impose a no-fly zone over the country would trigger a chemical offensive.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And two, to confuse his enemies: The poison gas weapons apparently moving openly along SYRIAN highways may be decoys to conceal the operational chemical warfare units which some Western intelligence watchers suspect  are kept hidden until Assad gives them the order to strike.</span></span> </div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

SITREP SYRIA

ASSAD’S TROOPS, MORE CHEMICAL ARMS MOVE NW, IRANIAN ARMS AIRLIFT TO PALMYRA On Tuesday, 20 March 2012 Geopolitical Analysis and Monitorin...

USA, CHINA and AFRICA

3:34 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><br />   <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDTaTS7EZSdtfN_QLQQy9zufBnUjxEKk-RJE5i17qgkcCmqo5D1WYIp8in4siPeiPR5hyxnDjk1VcWbdNFZr-LmEk-hzJP6iUqINETB6k8nxllmeabf-BDOM5UqBLs7huE2gUR2zzqZfb/s1600/056-0701121555-china_africa_us.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDTaTS7EZSdtfN_QLQQy9zufBnUjxEKk-RJE5i17qgkcCmqo5D1WYIp8in4siPeiPR5hyxnDjk1VcWbdNFZr-LmEk-hzJP6iUqINETB6k8nxllmeabf-BDOM5UqBLs7huE2gUR2zzqZfb/s320/056-0701121555-china_africa_us.png" width="320" /></a><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE SECRET WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND THE US FOR AFRICA'S OIL RICHES</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By Chris Mansur</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">via Oilprice </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In the struggle to secure energy resources, the great powers consider all states to be fair game. Indeed, this is precisely what characterizes AMERICAN foreign policy in the modern era. When it comes to economic and geopolitical interests, Washington seldom differentiates between democratic leaders and despots, especially when those interests involve oil. Currently, the stakes are high in the rush to secure oil resources and nowhere is this more evident than in the SINO-AMERICAN rivalry in AFRICA. Both states are competing to secure their share of oil supplies in order to quench their addiction to the coveted ‘black gold.’</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">AMERICA’S RELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL HAS DECREASED SINCE ITS PEAK IN 2005, BUT NEVERTHELESS IS STILL VULNERABLE TO SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDzv5QVkzKSWoyeuQA4qySxVIuLmLkt5gdi2P9PWhHGUAAPUj_znXXWBFYsOJ1aNHkSM5zBM5VH5l4JzhL8me7cqvJDx0fuMof-crhA9rjK07-ewPR68uPmyuPkFOKAIgFFld9Aue3l9r/s1600/USA_China_Africa_Oil_domaines-17395-1387a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDzv5QVkzKSWoyeuQA4qySxVIuLmLkt5gdi2P9PWhHGUAAPUj_znXXWBFYsOJ1aNHkSM5zBM5VH5l4JzhL8me7cqvJDx0fuMof-crhA9rjK07-ewPR68uPmyuPkFOKAIgFFld9Aue3l9r/s320/USA_China_Africa_Oil_domaines-17395-1387a.jpg" width="316" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One of Washington’s primary energy security concerns has been to diversify its sources of foreign oil. During the 1970s oil crisis, the UNITED STATES imported one-third of its petroleum. Now, it imports approximately 11.4 million barrels per day of petroleum (which includes crude oil and petroleum products), amounting to 45 percent of all petroleum consumed in AMERICA. While most of its foreign oil comes from the WESTERN HEMISPHERE, a sizable portion comes from AFRICA and the PERSIAN GULF . Despite the fact that AMERICA’S reliance on foreign oil has decreased since its peak in 2005, it is still vulnerable to supply disruptions, oil price shocks and OPEC supply squeezing. <b>For Washington, the need to decrease its vulnerability to foreign oil is a principle national security interest, and the solution lies in diversifying imports away from <span style="font-size: large;">over - reliance</span> on any one region</b>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">WEST AFRICAN OIL REMAINS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT FOR U.S. POLICY MAKERS, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE TO PERSIAN GULF OIL</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">WEST AFRICA is also geographically closer, making transportation less costly than oil from the PERSIAN GULF. The high-quality sweet crude that is produced by the GULF OF GUINEA states is crucial to the U.S. market. As such, oil corporations are doing whatever they can to secure this important hydrocarbon and Washington is fervently promoting free trade in AFRICA in order to make it easier for them.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA is home to two of the largest oil-producing states: NIGERIA and ANGOLA. (See:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/argentina-and-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/argentina-and-africa.html</a>) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">These two states account for 53 percent and 26 percent of total U.S. petroleum imports from SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA respectively. Thus, it is no surprise that the two states also receive the largest share of U.S. security assistance to AFRICA.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ASIDE OF INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE, THE USA ALSO EXPANDED ITS COVERT INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS ACROSS AFRICA</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In order to boost its influence in AFRICA and secure the loyalty of governments, the U.S. has provided military arms and developed military training programs with individual AFRICAN governments. To increase its military presence, it has acquired basing rights and access to airfields in DJIBOUTI, UGANDA, MALI, SENEGAL and GABON, along with port facilities in MOROCCO and TUNISIA. In addition, it has also expanded its covert intelligence operations across AFRICA in the name of combatting terrorism. Yet, these operations also serve another purpose. By expanding its military presence in AFRICA, Washington is reminding its rivals that it is both willing and able to respond to threats to its strategic interests, the likes of which include the unimpeded flow of AFRICAN oil.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">AFRICOM</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In 2007, the U.S. African Command AFRICOM was established as the ninth of the Unified Combatant Commands under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). The alleged purpose is to oversee AMERICAN military operations on the AFRICAN continent in order to enhance the stability of the region and to promote U.S. national security objectives. Many critics of AFRICOM believe there is a direct relationship between the existence of AFRICOM and America’s interest in AFRICAN oil.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Background Information</span></u></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">:</span> See <span style="color: blue;"><b><span>AFRICOM EXPANDS MISSION IN AFRICA</span></b></span></span>: <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html</a><span>  </span>published 16 Jul 2012</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBSd1onaNWs?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There is a parallel between AMERICA’S increased military presence in AFRICA and its military expansion into the PERSIAN GULF since the establishment of the Carter Doctrine. While this endeavour is noticeably more limited in AFRICA and does not involve any significant oil-for-security arrangements- at least, not yet- there is no doubt that AMERICA would respond with force if oil supplies were threatened. The difference is in style, not substance; AMERICA seeks a more subtle presence in order to engage in rapid combat and covert operations, when necessary. This operational capacity is equal parts the U.S. bending to the strategic realities of the 21stcentury and a response to AFRICAN governments, for obvious historical reasons, not welcoming permanent military bases on their soil.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ALLEGEDLY AFRICOM WAS ESTABLISHED BECAUSE OF <span style="font-size: large;">CHINA'S</span>INCREASED PRESENCE IN AFRICA</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There may be another, often overlooked, purpose of AFRICOM. The presence of CHINA in AFRICA is creating some concern for AMERICAN officials. Beijing is competing with Washington for both the loyalty of AFRICAN governments and the steady supply of AFRICAN oil. There is a growing sentiment in Washington that CHINA’S presence in AFRICA could challenge U.S. security interests now and in the years to come. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Background Information</span></u></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">See<b> <span style="color: blue;">CHINA’S WINNING STRATEGY IN AFRICA </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA’S unconditional financial aid and its steady flow of cheap goods to AFRICAN states (in exchange for oil contracts) have often made it a more appealing trading partner than AMERICA. Indeed, a 2005 DoD report indicated that CHINA’S need to forge close ties with AFRICAN governments to secure energy supplies could lead to ‘a more activist [CHINESE] military presence abroad’. In this regard, AFRICOM would monitor CHINESE activity and contain any CHINESE incursion into AMERICAN zones of interest by flexing AMERICA’S naval presence. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Background Information</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">:</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">See <span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CHINA'S</span> STEADY GROWING NAVAL FORCE</b>,</span> see:<a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/10/china-s-new-aircraft-carrier-liaoning-joins-the-fleet">http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/10/china-s-new-aircraft-carrier-liaoning-joins-the-fleet</a>and</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/gcaptain/2012/06/19/chinas-great-white-fleet-will-a-secret-fleet-soon-outnumber-the-us-navy/">http://www.forbes.com/sites/gcaptain/2012/06/19/chinas-great-white-fleet-will-a-secret-fleet-soon-outnumber-the-us-navy/</a>as well as</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jb_VFYAmYkCR_ca--_isA5RpzS1Q?docId=CNG.9c18d2343f3269a07799e2711d4b82d8.8d1">http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jb_VFYAmYkCR_ca--_isA5RpzS1Q?docId=CNG.9c18d2343f3269a07799e2711d4b82d8.8d1</a>)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA PERCEIVES ITS PRESENCE IN AFRICA AS A CONTINUATION OF ITS LEGACY AND AS AN IMPORTANT GEOPOLITICAL INTEREST ON THE ROAD TO MAJOR POWER STATUS</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTmipKot6mOFggOiSjDZhIMEjwHA07eA4PtNkzPjTUsMuy0576L1VFKlROiLl51CKHZfi9y5Y3Ydv_NzUOQYxOKKf3kse4QnlTFfEQXwep82VfBUJbo5DZpcv1Vwp5_2Y_hErANb1XNjO/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTmipKot6mOFggOiSjDZhIMEjwHA07eA4PtNkzPjTUsMuy0576L1VFKlROiLl51CKHZfi9y5Y3Ydv_NzUOQYxOKKf3kse4QnlTFfEQXwep82VfBUJbo5DZpcv1Vwp5_2Y_hErANb1XNjO/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The stakes for Beijing, however, seem to be greater for three reasons. First, CHINA has an annual GDP growth rate of 7.4 percent. To sustain this, the CHINESE economy relies heavily on the consumption of oil. It is constantly seeking new sources of oil to meet its domestic demand, but its AFRICAN oil supplies are indispensable. Second, CHINA imports more oil from AFRICA than AMERICA does (30 percent vs. 20 percent). CHINA’S oil imports from AFRICA will likely grow to be bigger than AMERICA’S in the decades to come, and CHINA is expected to take AMERICA’S spot as the world’s biggest oil importer very soon. By 2020, CHINA will import approximately 65 percent of its oil. Lastly, CHINA is not a newcomer to AFRICA. In the 1960s and 1970s, it supported many national liberation movements, provided a large share of arms to post-independence governments and invested heavily in national infrastructure projects. In this sense, Beijing perceives its presence in AFRICA as a continuation of its legacy and as an important geopolitical interest on the road to major power status.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However, AFRICA might not provide the most secure alternative to PERSIAN GULF oil. AFRICA’S production capacity is more limited than that of the PERSIAN GULF, and it also has fewer proven reserves. In terms of aggregate global oil production, AFRICA is still lagging behind other major crude oil-producing regions. If we assume that ‘peak oil’ estimates are accurate, then (according to BP’s reserves-to-production ratio) SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, as a whole, has an oil-producing capacity that will end by 2030. This would leave only NIGERIA and SUDAN as major oil-producing states in the region (of course, this assumes that production will remain constant and that no new reserves will be discovered).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In addition, AFRICA’S political environment can be as unstable as the PERSIAN GULF. Internal instability, the rise of transnational terrorist networks, military coups, civil strife, endemic corruption and the conflict-stricken NIGER DELTA all pose significant problems for business operations in the AFRICAN continent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Background Information:</span></u></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">AFRICA the Forgotten and underestimated Continent </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">AMERICA must show restraint in its expansion into AFRICA. While a military conflict with CHINA over access to AFRICAN oil may seem presently unrealistic- especially given AMERICA and CHINA’S mutual economic dependence- future regional developments and the further militarization of the region could shift the SINO-AMERICAN rivalry into a more adversarial direction. The ‘military security paradox’ is an important lesson to be learned by the great powers. Militarizing a region in the pursuit of regional stability and security can often have the opposite effect. Only time will tell if Washington and Beijing heed this warning.</span></span></div>

USA, CHINA and AFRICA

THE SECRET WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND THE US FOR AFRICA'S OIL RICHES By Chris Mansur via Oilprice In the struggle to secure energy resou...

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/08/2012

1:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<ul class="diigo-linkroll">      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/112686208983730112197">(2) Flat Classroom Community - Google+</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Google plus has rolled out a "communities" feature that some of us are testing. I've created an open flat classroom community for those who want to talk about flattening the classroom and connecting around the world. Too early to tell you what I think. </p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/google+">google+</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/socialmedia">socialmedia</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclassroom">flatclassroom</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/evernote">evernote</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/teachers-leaning-toward-challenging-reforms/2012/12/06/4679dd7e-3f6b-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_blog.html">Teachers leaning in favor of reforms - Class Struggle - The Washington Post</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Lots of views on edreform and assessments.  "The education-policy group Teach Plus looked at teachers with 10 or fewer years of experience compared with those with 11 or more years. The think tank Education Sector compared teachers with fewer than five years experience with those with more than 20 years. Teach Plus used an online poll of 1,015 self-selected teachers, less reliable than the Education Sector’s random sample of 1,100 teachers.  Seventy-one percent of the less experienced Teach Plus group said student academic growth should be part of their evaluations, while just 41 percent of the more experienced group had that view. Both Education Sector groups were more supportive of test scores being used in assessments than I think they would have been a decade ago. Fifty-six percent of newer teachers and 50 percent of older ones in the Education Sector survey said it was an excellent or good idea to measure teacher effectiveness using student growth models."</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edreform">edreform</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p>                                        </li>  </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/08/2012

(2) Flat Classroom Community - Google+ Google plus has rolled out a "communities" feature ...

Matt Said, Jay Said 5773

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsx299qwPiHK4rNBGvAqIp7jrrG2im7uuhk4rTQrxA6dCRSGaV9arY47YhOzMkQxwqPD_sbXd9e34orxBy_QsDNSSasEG2whEJkFMTNkrkdKeHTc4PzNICk2oOPBj54NA-RPDEKQUjZos/s1600/hanukkah-pricing-wodka-vodka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsx299qwPiHK4rNBGvAqIp7jrrG2im7uuhk4rTQrxA6dCRSGaV9arY47YhOzMkQxwqPD_sbXd9e34orxBy_QsDNSSasEG2whEJkFMTNkrkdKeHTc4PzNICk2oOPBj54NA-RPDEKQUjZos/s400/hanukkah-pricing-wodka-vodka.jpg" width="400" /></a>Matt kvetches.  Jay kvetches.  You get verklempt.<br /><br />Ring Ring…<br /><br />Matt:  Hello?<br /><br />Matt:  Hello?<br /><br />Matt:  Jay?  If this is Jay, or even if it isn’t, I can’t hear you.  Hello?<br /><br />Matt:  Jayman?  Did you leave the mute switch on, on your headset?  Hello?<br /><br />Jay:  Holaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!<br /><br />Matt:  I couldn’t hear you…You left the mute switch on, didn’t you?<br /><br />Jay:  Noooooooo………okay, maybe.  And it’s sad too, because I was singing to you.<br /><br />Matt:  Sorry I missed that.  Hey I made friends on Facebook with (name redacted).<br /><br />Jay:  Oh did you now…She has yet to accept my friend request, nor does she acknowledge me on Twitter.<br /><br />Matt:  Yeah, she ignores me on Twitter as well, but…She’s now my friend on Facebook.<br /><br />Jay:  Well isn’t that sweet?  That doesn’t make sense, I am so much nicer than you.  How did you manage to get her to friend you? What?  Did you tell her that your girlfriend is having major surgery next Friday?<br /><br />Matt:  Yes!!<br /><br />Jay:  Damn…You are one brilliant motherfucker!!<br /><br />Matt:  IKR?  I will be playing up the gutting of Schmoop for all it’s worth between now and next Friday.<br /><br />Jay:  I would t--…You sick opportunistic bastard…by the way, and speaking of opportunists, we should probably do a Hanukkah show this Saturday.<br /><br />Matt:  Oh Hell Yeah. Love the Jews and their magic candle.<br /><br />Jay:  IKR?  We could talk about our favorite Jews…such as Natalie Portman.<br /><br />Matt:  Or Scarlett Johansson.<br /><br />Jay:  And our least favorite Jews such as Schmoop’s boss.<br /><br />Matt:  He’s not Jewish.<br /><br />Jay:  Maybe not officially, but he is in spirit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN8tQfwuS07UB-uknaSpgJYJG0qUeDleQI9IQO74e8AUZGFExeGq6nzjXq3HRgSmqPynhcUcaRQbG4wB3Tl91eH9DRreHdW6EuybbJX5OsCAXKDDs3IRuNlA5lREs-6RUNzmksEbnUyM/s1600/hot+naked+jews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN8tQfwuS07UB-uknaSpgJYJG0qUeDleQI9IQO74e8AUZGFExeGq6nzjXq3HRgSmqPynhcUcaRQbG4wB3Tl91eH9DRreHdW6EuybbJX5OsCAXKDDs3IRuNlA5lREs-6RUNzmksEbnUyM/s320/hot+naked+jews.jpg" width="320" /></a>Matt:  We could check-in LIVE with the Hanukkah celebration going on at Ariel Sharon’s place.<br /><br />Jay:  Suhweeeeeeeeet.  We could also talk about Hanukkah foods, and lesser known Hanukkah songs that our vast and diverse worldwide audience may not be familiar with.<br /><br />Matt:  Excellent, and maybe we’ll have our pal Joey Goodbar sing one of his own Hanukkah songs.<br /><br />Jay:  This is shaping up to be quite the walk through the desert.  It’s gonna be HUGE!!<br /><br />Matt:  I think so, and as any good Jewish agent would say, <i>“Let’s hope the ratings are as well.”</i><br /><br />Join Jay and Matt <i>LIVE</i> tonight, Saturday December 8th at 11 PM EST on Blog Talk Radio, for their <i>Hanukkah Extravaganza</i>.<br /><br />You can catch the Hanukkah action <i>LIVE</i>, by clicking <span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2012/12/09/hanukkah-extravaganza" target="_blank">HERE</a></i>.</span></div>

Matt Said, Jay Said 5773

Matt kvetches. Jay kvetches. You get verklempt. Ring Ring… Matt: Hello? Matt: Hello? Matt: Jay? If this is Jay, or even if it isn’t, I...

Nursing the Flu With Help From Apps - NYTimes.com

7:02 PM Tukiyooo 0

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I wasn't my usual self earlier this week. Some nasty <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Influenza." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">flu</a> bug had beaten me, reducing your usual quirky, chipper columnist to a feverish, bedridden shadow. It's never fun being ill, and I've never been a good patient because all the sensible advice to stay warm, hydrated and in bed leads to boredom.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">During this bout I was much better behaved because my smartphone, jammed with entertaining apps and Internet access, was a great sickbed companion. Apps can do more than keep you company; they can give you medical advice. And as the season of coughs and sneezes settles in, an app may even help you determine what's wrong.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">For a medical app that covers a plethora of icky illnesses, WebMD is probably your best bet (free for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/webmd/id295076329?mt=8" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">iPhone</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/webmd-for-ipad/id373185673?mt=8" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">iPad</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.webmd.android&hl=en" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">Android</a>). It's jammed with data, and can present it to you in a number of ways. A hypochondriac's dream, the app's Symptom Checker first asks that you tap on the corresponding part of an image of the body and then, choosing from detailed lists, specify which symptom you have. Once you select a symptom, the app leads you through a short question-and-answer session to refine your input, like exactly what kind of cough you have. You can input a number of symptoms, perhaps adding sneezes, for example, and then press the "view possible conditions" button.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The app lists all the conditions your symptoms may match, so you need to read each one earnestly to see if it describes your situation. It's written in plain language, and links help you find treatment or more information online. A tab takes you to pages describing symptoms in more detail, and another takes you to detailed articles about the condition.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">This app also works well if you already know, or suspect, what's wrong with you: you can simply consult its alphabetical index of illnesses. A section with drugs and treatments even has a "Pill ID" feature to help you identify a medication by its shape and color or the letters printed on it. Finally there's a quick-access First Aid section for emergencies.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The WebMD app is powerful and full of detail. This is obviously handy, but you can get a little lost navigating its sub-menus. You also need to be online so it can acquire data to meet your requests.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">An <a title="The app on iTunes." href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itriage/id304696939?mt=8" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">alternative app on iOS</a>, also free, is iTriage. It too has a comprehensive list of illnesses, and a symptom-checker section where you tap on a body image to input each symptom you're experiencing. But iTriage also provides information on a list of medical procedures. And you can record in a "my iTriage" section details of your insurance, health record, previous ailments and so on. The app is more graphical than WebMD, and is thus a little easier to use. A page on <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about The flu." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">influenza</a>, for example, has data carefully organized under a long list of headings. Some sections even have video links to help you, but again, you need an Internet connection to get the most benefit.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">One way to avoid seasonal illnesses like the flu is to avoid being exposed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's official Influenza app (free on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cdc-influenza/id439079630?mt=8" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">iOS</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.optimal.solutions.CDCFlu&hl=en" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">Android</a>) is jam-packed with data, including graphs, maps and medical terminology. It is mainly intended for professionals, but ordinary users can use it to find out where the flu is prevalent in the United States. It also has useful information about vaccination and flu prevention. But its interface is old-fashioned, it's easy to get lost in the various sections and data presentation is sometimes not the most accessible.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">A much simpler and possibly more useful app, is called FluDefender (free on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flu-defender/id440855785?mt=8" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">iOS</a>). This app's main attractions are detailed information about influenza, a built-in link to the CDC's Twitter feed about flu and a map that shows how common flu infections are state by state.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">While the apps have their uses, if you're really sick, seek professional help. Doctors can recognize symptoms you can't. And apps can't write <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/specialtopic/getting-a-prescription-filled/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Getting a prescription filled." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">prescriptions</a>.</p></div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/technology/personaltech/nursing-the-flu-with-help-from-apps.html?">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/technology/personaltech/nursing-the-flu-with-help-from-apps.html?</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Nursing the Flu With Help From Apps - NYTimes.com

I wasn't my usual self earlier this week. Some nasty flu bug had beaten me, reducing your usual quirky, chipper columnist to a feveris...

Product Development Engineer ( Optics | metrology | interferometry | troubleshoot) (#108870)

5:45 PM Anonymous 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Product Development Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Business Unit:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The Surfscan-ADE division of KLA-Tencor is an industry leading supplier of wafer inspection and metrology systems. Wafer suppliers and device manufacturers worldwide rely on our measurement and inspection systems to certify and ensure the highest quality bare silicon substrates. Semiconductor device yields begin with the bare wafer, and our leading technology provides early insight into surface defect, shape, flatness and nano topography of these advanced 300mm substrates. Our optical inspection and metrology tools will support the next several generations of wafer and IC manufacturing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Work in an engineering team of scientists, system, mechanical and software engineers to develop the next generation wafer-geometry metrology products.  Job duties include but not limit to 1) work with senior System Design Engineer to develop metrology system and subsystem specifications. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2) participate in design, develop, modify and evaluate the data acquisition and motion control electronic and pneumatic systems. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3) evaluate the current architecture and improve the critical design parameters to improve the system performance and reliability. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4) document design, testing and diagnosis procedures to transfer the design to manufacturing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5) Support the production and field service.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">MS degree with 3-5 experience or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">1.The successful candidate must have hands-on experiences related to optical, opto-mechanical systems, data acquisition, motion control hardware and firmware.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2.Must be familiar with interferometer principles, phase-shifting technology, and image processing algorithms.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3.Hands-on experience in large aperture optical interferometer and in surface metrology tools for characterizing nanotopography of semiconductor wafers is highly desirable. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4.Familiar with SW tools such as Matlab, JMP. Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills are required. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5.Experience in tunable lasers and fiber-optics illumination systems is a plus. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">6.Good writing and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment are essential.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">MS degree with 3-5 years experience or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div></div></div>

Product Development Engineer ( Optics | metrology | interferometry | troubleshoot) (#108870)

Job Title: Product Development Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Business Unit: The Surfscan-ADE divisi...

Mechanical Design Engineer (Pro-E | AUTOCAD | 3D modeling) (#108881)

5:32 PM Anonymous 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mechanical Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Business Unit:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The Surfscan-ADE division of KLA-Tencor is an industry leading supplier of wafer inspection and metrology systems. Wafer suppliers and device manufacturers worldwide rely on our measurement and inspection systems to certify and ensure the highest quality bare silicon substrates. Semiconductor device yields begin with the bare wafer, and our leading technology provides early insight into surface defect, shape, flatness and <span style="font-size: small;">nano topography</span> of these advanced 300mm substrates. Our optical inspection and metrology tools will support the next several generations of wafer and IC manufacturing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Surfscan-ADE division of KLA-Tencor is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join its team in Milpitas, California.  The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and sustaining KLA-Tencor state-of-the-art wafer geometry and surface nano-topography products. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The individual will be Working in an engineering team of scientists, systems, mechanical, and software engineers to develop the next generation wafer geometry metrology products as well as provide continuous improvement effort on our existing products. Define concept, design, analyze, and detail precision mechanisms, opto-mechanical subsystems, electronic packaging, and enclosure/frames. Prepare and conduct design reviews per company guidelines and product development processes. Build and troubleshoot prototypes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">1.Masters or Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering or closely related fields. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2.Minimum 3 years experience through research activities or coop/internships. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3.Thorough understanding of basics of several or all of the following topics: strength of materials, vibrations, dynamics, mechanisms, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4.Capable of demonstrating knowledge in fundamentals of mechanical engineering (free-body diagrams, classical stress calculations, conduction, convection).  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5.Familiarity with popular 3-D modeling tools, such as SolidWorks or ProEngineer.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">6.Experience in 2d drafting programs such AutoCAD and Visio.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">7.Familiar with several or all of the following mechanical manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding fabrication and molding/castings.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">8.Strong mechanical prototyping and tinkering/debugging skills. Experience in basic electrical engineering and cabling documentation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Familiar with finite-element methods for stress. Good presentation and technical writing skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Bachelor OR Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering with 8 or more years experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div></div></div>

Mechanical Design Engineer (Pro-E | AUTOCAD | 3D modeling) (#108881)

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Business Unit: The Surfscan-ADE division ...

Product Marketing Manager ( FEM | Sales Management | Marketing | Product Life Cycle | Semiconductor Capital Equipment)(#108863)

4:47 PM Anonymous 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">    <br /><div dir="LTR"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Position</span></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Product Marketing Manager<br />  </span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Location</span></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Milpitas, CA<br />  </span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Duration</span></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Full time</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />Job Description</span></b></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">:<br />  </span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) division is part of the Wafer Inspection Group (WIG) and consists in an organization globally located in US, Germany, India, and Singapore.</span></span></div><div dir="LTR"><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The SWIFT division has the mission to  provide cost-effective solutions for high-sampling wafer inspection applications. We effectively partner with field support teams and customers to lower overall fab costs by supplying world-leading high-throughput inspection, metrology and review systems. Our comprehensive product portfolio includes: all-wafer-surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection, standalone high-sampling inspection, and standalone edge inspection and metrology tools that are deployed across several advanced wafer fabs for a large number of applications.</span></span></div><div dir="LTR"><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Besides developing valuable products, the SWIFT division provides support to the customers to achieve performance entitlement through the sharing and implementation of applications BKM (Best Known Methods). The SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) division is part of Wafer Inspection Group (WIG) and consists in an organization globally located in US, Germany, India, and Singapore. The SWIFT division has the mission to  provide cost-effective solutions for high-sampling wafer inspection applications. We effectively partner with field support teams and customers to lower overall fab costs by supplying world-leading high-throughput inspection, metrology and review systems. Our comprehensive product portfolio includes: all-wafer-surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection, standalone high-sampling inspection, and standalone edge inspection and metrology tools that are deployed across several advanced wafer fabs for a large number of applications.<br />Besides developing valuable products, the SWIFT division provides support to the customers to achieve performance entitlement through the sharing and implementation of applications BKM (Best Known Methods).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />Responsibilities:</span></span></b></span></div><div dir="LTR"><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The successful candidate will be responsible for defining new products within the product lifecycle process including defining requirements, deciding the technology required, setting priorities for the development team, selecting and working with test partners and managing product launches. In particular this position relates to strong leadership across differing functional groups and effective communication with executive management will be key elements to success in this role.</span></span><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the semiconductor manufacturing process and the importance of inspection tools and techniques in improving process control. The candidate will likely have worked in a wafer fab environment. More recently the candidate will have direct product marketing experience or application development experience, probably working for a semi equipment company or other high tech operation<b>.<br /></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Preferred Qualifications:</span></span></b></span><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />5-10 years experience in semiconductor industry, direct wafer fab experience is considered an advantage.</span></span><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />Direct product marketing experience in a semiconductor or related industry is required.<br />MBA is considered an advantage but not essential to the position.</span></span><span lang="en" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><br />Kindly send your resumes to</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:sivaram.bose@kla-tencor.com"><u><span lang="en"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">sivaram.bose@kla-tencor.com</span></span></u></a></span></div></div>

Product Marketing Manager ( FEM | Sales Management | Marketing | Product Life Cycle | Semiconductor Capital Equipment)(#108863)

Position : Product Marketing Manager Location : Milpitas, CA Duration : Full time Job Description : The SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer ...