Showing posts with label International News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International News. Show all posts
Bridge collapses in Washington state
THE COLLAPSE ON INTERSTATE 5 TOOK OUT THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND SIDES OF THE SPAN AND OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7PM LOCAL TIME IN MOUNT VERNON, 55 MILES NORTH OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON STATE PATROL SPOKESMAN TROOPER MARK FRANCIS SAID.
Man killed in FBI custody
AN FBI AGENT SHOT AND KILLED A FLORIDA MAN WHO TURNED VIOLENT WHILE BEING QUESTIONED ABOUT THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS EARLY ON WEDNESDAY, THE BUREAU SAID.
A FRIEND OF THE DEAD MAN TOLD THE ORLANDO SENTINEL AND ORLANDO TELEVISION STATIONS THAT HE WAS 27-YEAR-OLD IBRAGIM TODASHEV OF ORLANDO, A CHECHEN WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY LIVED IN BOSTON. TWO BROTHERS IDENTIFIED BY THE FBI AS SUSPECTS IN THE APRIL 15 BOMBINGS WERE ALSO ETHNIC CHECHENS WITH ROOTS IN RUSSIA'S VOLATILE NORTH CAUCASUS REGION.
THE FBI SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT A SPECIAL AGENT, "ACTING ON THE IMMINENT THREAT POSED BY THE INDIVIDUAL, RESPONDED WITH DEADLY FORCE. THE INDIVIDUAL WAS KILLED AND THE SPECIAL AGENT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES."
IT SAID THE SHOOTING OCCURRED IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, WHILE THE SPECIAL AGENT AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WERE INTERVIEWING THE MAN ABOUT THE BLASTS THAT KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND INJURED 264 OTHERS AT THE FINISH LINE OF THE BOSTON MARATHON.
"A VIOLENT CONFRONTATION WAS INITIATED BY THE INDIVIDUAL," THE FBI SAID, WITHOUT PROVIDING FURTHER DETAILS.
TODASHEV'S FRIEND, KHUSN TARAMIV, SAID TODASHEV KNEW BOMBING SUSPECT TAMERLAN TSARNAEV BECAUSE BOTH WERE MIXED MARTIAL-ARTS FIGHTERS BUT HAD NO CONNECTION TO THE BOMBING.
"BACK WHEN HE USED TO LIVE IN BOSTON, RIGHT, THEY USED TO HANG OUT," TARAMIV TOLD CENTRAL FLORIDA NEWS 13. "HE MET THEM FEW TIMES 'CAUSE HE WAS MMA FIGHTER THE OTHER GUY WAS BOXER, RIGHT. THEY JUST KNEW EACH OTHER THAT'S IT."
THE SHOOTING OCCURRED AT AN ORLANDO APARTMENT COMPLEX WHERE SEVERAL PEOPLE OF CHECHEN DESCENT LIVED. TARAMIV SAID TODASHEV AND OTHERS IN THE COMPLEX HAD BEEN QUESTIONED SEVERAL TIMES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS SINCE THE DAY THE TSARNAEV BROTHERS WERE IDENTIFIED AS THE BOMBING SUSPECTS.
TAMERLAN TSARNAEV, 26, DIED IN A GUNFIGHT WITH POLICE. HIS BROTHER, DZHOKHAR TSARNAEV, 19, WAS FOUND HIDING IN A BOAT IN WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, FOUR DAYS AFTER THE BOMBINGS. HE WAS CHARGED WITH CRIMES THAT COULD CARRY THE DEATH PENALTY IF HE IS CONVICTED.
TAMERLAN TSARNAEV HAD BEEN ON A US GOVERNMENT DATABASE OF POTENTIAL TERRORISM SUSPECTS AND THE UNITED STATES HAD TWICE BEEN WARNED BY RUSSIA THAT HE MIGHT BE AN ISLAMIC MILITANT, ACCORDING TO US SECURITY OFFICIALS.
IN FLORIDA, THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID TODASHEV HAD BEEN ARRESTED ON MAY 4 AND CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY WITH GREAT BODILY HARM. DETAILS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ARREST WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.
5 dead, including gunman, in shooting rampage near Santa Monica College
A man with a semi-automatic rifle killed at least four people and wounded several others Friday as he carried out a deadly rampage across several blocks of a normally idyllic beachfront city before police shot him dead in the Santa Monica College Library.
Police said earlier that seven people were killed, including the gunman.
The violence began when the gunman, dressed in all black and wearing what appeared to be a ballistic jacket, opened fire on a house where the bodies of the gunman's father and brother were found, authorities said.
As the house burst into flames, the man wounded a woman in a car before moving toward the campus, spraying bullets as he went. Police said he opened fire on a city bus, a police car and other vehicles, as well as bystanders and pedestrians.
He killed three people on the street before shooting at an SUV leaving a campus parking lot. That vehicle's driver was killed and two passengers were wounded as the car crashed through a block wall.
From there, the gunman entered the campus, shooting a woman as he made his way toward the college's library, where students were studying for final exams.
"It appears that those who were encountered on the street were random victims," Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said.
"We saw a woman get shot in the head," said administrative assistant Trena Johnson, who looked out the window of the dean's office, where she works, when she heard gunfire. "I haven't been able to stop shaking," she said.
Inside the library, students reported hearing gunfire and screams.
"I was totally scared to death and I can't believe it happened so fast," said Vincent Zhang, a 20-year-old economics major who said he heard a woman pleading, "No, no. Please, no."
The gunman continued to shoot at people in the library, Seabrooks said, but apparently didn't hit anybody there as dozens ran for the exits.
"The officers came in and directly engaged the suspect and he was shot and killed on the scene," she said.
Just 3 miles away, President Barack Obama was attending a fundraising luncheon. Secret Service spokesman Max Milien said the agency was aware of the shooting, which began just before noon, but it had no impact on the president's event.
The president was scheduled to take Marine One to the airport, but traveled by motorcade to avoid any impact on the ongoing local response to the shooting.
After the gunman was killed, police wearing helmets and armed with shotguns and rifles searched the campus for a second shooter. A man dressed entirely in black, the words "Life is a Gamble" on the back of his sweatshirt, was seen being led away in handcuffs.
Sgt. Richard Lewis, a Santa Monica police spokesman, said at a news conference Friday night that investigators had released a man who had been detained and questioned as a "person of interest."
The identities of the man detained and those who were killed were not immediately released.
Two officials briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press the two victims in the burned house were the gunman's father and brother.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
Two women were admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, said Dr. Marshall Morgan, the chief of emergency medicine. One was listed in critical condition after undergoing surgery. The other arrived in serious condition but was upgraded to fair condition Friday night.
Three other women went to UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica with relatively minor injuries, Morgan said. One had shrapnel-type injuries and the two others had injuries not related to gunfire, he said. All were treated and released.
Jerry Cunningham Rathner, who lives near the house that caught fire, said she heard gunshots and came out onto her porch to see a man shooting at the residence. Soon, the building erupted in flames and was billowing smoke.
The gunman, dressed in black and wearing an ammunition belt, pointed a rifle at a woman in a car and told her to pull over, Cunningham Rathner said. He then signaled to a second car, also driven by a woman, to slow down and began firing into the vehicle.
"He fired three to four shots into the car -- boom, boom, boom, right at her," said Cunningham Rathner, who went to the woman's aid and saw she was wounded in the shoulder.
She said the gunman then abducted the woman in the first car and drove away.
From there, the chaos shifted to Santa Monica College, located among homes and strip malls more than a mile inland from the city's famous Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and its expansive, sandy beaches.
The two-year college, spread out across 38 acres, has about 34,000 students.
Jimes Gillespie, 20, told The Associated Press he was in the library studying when he heard gunfire, and he and dozens of other students began fleeing the three-story building.
"As I was running down the stairs I saw one of the gunmen," said Gillespie, who described the shooter as a white man in his 20s, wearing cornrows in his hair and black overalls.
As he ran across campus, he said he saw a car in front of the English building that was riddled with bullet holes, had shattered windows and a baby's car seat in the back.
Student Noke Taumalolo told Fox News that he saw a female worker sorting recycling cans lying bloody on the ground with the gunman standing over her. According to the student, the gunman was wearing black tactical gear including a vest, SWAT-like fatigues and a riot helmet.
In a staff parking lot, college employee Joe Orcutt said he saw the gunman standing calmly with his weapon, looking as though he was trying to determine which people to shoot at.
"I turn around and that's when he's just standing there, like he's modeling for some ammo magazine," Orcutt said. "He was very calm just standing there, panning around, seeing who he could shoot, one bullet at a time, like target practice.
Police said earlier that seven people were killed, including the gunman.
The violence began when the gunman, dressed in all black and wearing what appeared to be a ballistic jacket, opened fire on a house where the bodies of the gunman's father and brother were found, authorities said.
As the house burst into flames, the man wounded a woman in a car before moving toward the campus, spraying bullets as he went. Police said he opened fire on a city bus, a police car and other vehicles, as well as bystanders and pedestrians.
He killed three people on the street before shooting at an SUV leaving a campus parking lot. That vehicle's driver was killed and two passengers were wounded as the car crashed through a block wall.
From there, the gunman entered the campus, shooting a woman as he made his way toward the college's library, where students were studying for final exams.
"It appears that those who were encountered on the street were random victims," Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said.
"We saw a woman get shot in the head," said administrative assistant Trena Johnson, who looked out the window of the dean's office, where she works, when she heard gunfire. "I haven't been able to stop shaking," she said.
Inside the library, students reported hearing gunfire and screams.
"I was totally scared to death and I can't believe it happened so fast," said Vincent Zhang, a 20-year-old economics major who said he heard a woman pleading, "No, no. Please, no."
The gunman continued to shoot at people in the library, Seabrooks said, but apparently didn't hit anybody there as dozens ran for the exits.
"The officers came in and directly engaged the suspect and he was shot and killed on the scene," she said.
Just 3 miles away, President Barack Obama was attending a fundraising luncheon. Secret Service spokesman Max Milien said the agency was aware of the shooting, which began just before noon, but it had no impact on the president's event.
The president was scheduled to take Marine One to the airport, but traveled by motorcade to avoid any impact on the ongoing local response to the shooting.
After the gunman was killed, police wearing helmets and armed with shotguns and rifles searched the campus for a second shooter. A man dressed entirely in black, the words "Life is a Gamble" on the back of his sweatshirt, was seen being led away in handcuffs.
Sgt. Richard Lewis, a Santa Monica police spokesman, said at a news conference Friday night that investigators had released a man who had been detained and questioned as a "person of interest."
The identities of the man detained and those who were killed were not immediately released.
Two officials briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press the two victims in the burned house were the gunman's father and brother.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
Two women were admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, said Dr. Marshall Morgan, the chief of emergency medicine. One was listed in critical condition after undergoing surgery. The other arrived in serious condition but was upgraded to fair condition Friday night.
Three other women went to UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica with relatively minor injuries, Morgan said. One had shrapnel-type injuries and the two others had injuries not related to gunfire, he said. All were treated and released.
Jerry Cunningham Rathner, who lives near the house that caught fire, said she heard gunshots and came out onto her porch to see a man shooting at the residence. Soon, the building erupted in flames and was billowing smoke.
The gunman, dressed in black and wearing an ammunition belt, pointed a rifle at a woman in a car and told her to pull over, Cunningham Rathner said. He then signaled to a second car, also driven by a woman, to slow down and began firing into the vehicle.
"He fired three to four shots into the car -- boom, boom, boom, right at her," said Cunningham Rathner, who went to the woman's aid and saw she was wounded in the shoulder.
She said the gunman then abducted the woman in the first car and drove away.
From there, the chaos shifted to Santa Monica College, located among homes and strip malls more than a mile inland from the city's famous Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and its expansive, sandy beaches.
The two-year college, spread out across 38 acres, has about 34,000 students.
Jimes Gillespie, 20, told The Associated Press he was in the library studying when he heard gunfire, and he and dozens of other students began fleeing the three-story building.
"As I was running down the stairs I saw one of the gunmen," said Gillespie, who described the shooter as a white man in his 20s, wearing cornrows in his hair and black overalls.
As he ran across campus, he said he saw a car in front of the English building that was riddled with bullet holes, had shattered windows and a baby's car seat in the back.
Student Noke Taumalolo told Fox News that he saw a female worker sorting recycling cans lying bloody on the ground with the gunman standing over her. According to the student, the gunman was wearing black tactical gear including a vest, SWAT-like fatigues and a riot helmet.
In a staff parking lot, college employee Joe Orcutt said he saw the gunman standing calmly with his weapon, looking as though he was trying to determine which people to shoot at.
"I turn around and that's when he's just standing there, like he's modeling for some ammo magazine," Orcutt said. "He was very calm just standing there, panning around, seeing who he could shoot, one bullet at a time, like target practice.
Doublespeak Denials Of PRISM Hid The Truth About Participation
“Direct Access” didn’t mean no access. “Back door” didn’t mean no door. “Only in accordance with the law” didn’t mean PRISM is illegal. And you didn’t need to have heard of a codename to have participated. Larry, Zuck, you didn’t spell out your denials of the NSA’s data spying program in plain english, and now we know why. You were obligated to help the government in its spying, but were muzzled.
[Update: This article and its headline have been edited,]
The New York Times says you knowingly participated in the NSA’s data monitoring program. In some cases, you were asked to create ”a locked mailbox and give the government the key”, to allow it to peer into private communications and web activity. Even if the exact words of your denials were accurate, they seemed to obscure the scope of your involvement with PRISM. Outlining as clearly as possible exactly what kind of data the government could attain would have gone a long way.
But you were probably cornered by Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act restrictions about what you could say about PRISM. And in fact, you might have beeen subtly trying to fight back by asking the government for more transparency. When you decode Mark’s statement “We strongly encourage all governments to be much more transparent about all programs aimed at keeping the public safe”, I hear “Our hands are cuffed. Only the government can reveal that we participated. We wish they would.”
Sadly, you really were working with the NSA to give it access to our private data, so your supposedly candid statements full of technicalities just broke our hearts, as the truth has come to light.
The terms you used disguised what was going on. Direct access means unrestricted access with no intermediary, but the government didn’t need to be standing in the server rooms to get what it wanted. A back door means access to data without its host’s knowledge or consent, but you were well aware of the NSA’s snooping. The NSA’s actions are likely protected by law, so saying you’re only honoring prying that’s legal didn’t mean no prying. And why would the government tell you the juicy codename or details of its data spying program? All it had to say is it needed your data.
Now these excuses ring hollow. The average citizen doesn’t know the difference. They heard “we didn’t help the NSA”, and you did, so their trust in you has disintegrated.
That’s a threat to your business, and our way of life. I like that all my friends use Google Docs. I like that I can invite any of my friends to a Facebook Event. Seeing them ditch the building blocks of the web you’ve developed because they don’t believe anything you say anymore will be a great inconvenience. And that inconvenience pales in importance to the actual liberty PRISM strips away from us.
Then again, your silence would have been taken as an admission of guilt. What an awful position our government put you in.
[Update 12:45am PST 6/8/13: This article and its headline have been edited as I think the title "Doublespeak Denials Of Prism Participation Were Careful Lies" went a bit far. The execs weren't lying, but by denying specifics rather than discussing their participation in PRISM on a high level, I think they obscured their involvement. However, their companies are legally required to provide private information requested by the government, and were legally restricted in how they could explain the process, so I feel the blame rests more on the NSA than the tech giants. For more information, read my follow-up "Tech Giants Built Segrated Systems For NSA Instead Of Firehoses To Protect Innocent Users From PRISM"]
[Update: This article and its headline have been edited,]
The New York Times says you knowingly participated in the NSA’s data monitoring program. In some cases, you were asked to create ”a locked mailbox and give the government the key”, to allow it to peer into private communications and web activity. Even if the exact words of your denials were accurate, they seemed to obscure the scope of your involvement with PRISM. Outlining as clearly as possible exactly what kind of data the government could attain would have gone a long way.
But you were probably cornered by Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act restrictions about what you could say about PRISM. And in fact, you might have beeen subtly trying to fight back by asking the government for more transparency. When you decode Mark’s statement “We strongly encourage all governments to be much more transparent about all programs aimed at keeping the public safe”, I hear “Our hands are cuffed. Only the government can reveal that we participated. We wish they would.”
Sadly, you really were working with the NSA to give it access to our private data, so your supposedly candid statements full of technicalities just broke our hearts, as the truth has come to light.
The terms you used disguised what was going on. Direct access means unrestricted access with no intermediary, but the government didn’t need to be standing in the server rooms to get what it wanted. A back door means access to data without its host’s knowledge or consent, but you were well aware of the NSA’s snooping. The NSA’s actions are likely protected by law, so saying you’re only honoring prying that’s legal didn’t mean no prying. And why would the government tell you the juicy codename or details of its data spying program? All it had to say is it needed your data.
Now these excuses ring hollow. The average citizen doesn’t know the difference. They heard “we didn’t help the NSA”, and you did, so their trust in you has disintegrated.
That’s a threat to your business, and our way of life. I like that all my friends use Google Docs. I like that I can invite any of my friends to a Facebook Event. Seeing them ditch the building blocks of the web you’ve developed because they don’t believe anything you say anymore will be a great inconvenience. And that inconvenience pales in importance to the actual liberty PRISM strips away from us.
Then again, your silence would have been taken as an admission of guilt. What an awful position our government put you in.
[Update 12:45am PST 6/8/13: This article and its headline have been edited as I think the title "Doublespeak Denials Of Prism Participation Were Careful Lies" went a bit far. The execs weren't lying, but by denying specifics rather than discussing their participation in PRISM on a high level, I think they obscured their involvement. However, their companies are legally required to provide private information requested by the government, and were legally restricted in how they could explain the process, so I feel the blame rests more on the NSA than the tech giants. For more information, read my follow-up "Tech Giants Built Segrated Systems For NSA Instead Of Firehoses To Protect Innocent Users From PRISM"]
New generation of Arab singers
Nancy Ajram
Arab music has a long tradition of Oud — a local variety of lute — and soulful longing. It is the foundation of classical Arab music. Umm Kulthum of Egypt was phenomenally popular throughout the Arab world. Many regard Al-Atlal (The Ruins) as her best song. She died in 1975.
Nouhad Wadi Haddad a Lebanese female singer popularly known as Fairuz or Turquoise closely followed her in eminence. While classical songs were Umm Kulthum’s forte Fairuz excelled in modern Arabic songs also projecting the Lebanese heritage. Her all time popular song A’tini al-Nay is cherished by every Arab.
They are followed by new bunch of talented and popular young singers, both male and female. They are Amr Diab, Nancy Ajram, Tamer Hosny, Mohammed Hamaki, Elissar Zakaria Khouri, Sherine Ahmed Abdul Wahab, Kadim Al Sahir, Cairokee a band group and Wael Kfoury.
Among the lot, Amr Abdel Basset Abdel Azeez Diab (Amr Diab) of Egypt is a versatile performer; Diab is both a singer and composer. He has received many awards as the best-selling Arab recording artist. Music connoisseurs commend Diab for blending a Mediterranean Music style combining Arab sound and diction with Western cadence and instruments.
Amr Diab’s 1996 album “Nour El Ain” (Light of the Eye-Sight) became a sensation in the music world. “Habibi” from the album drew music lovers like infatuation worldwide in countries like Pakistan, India (performed by Nachiketa in Bengali with lyrics of his own), Afghanistan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The album sold 3 million copies! In 1998, he received the World Music Award from the Prince of Monaco. Diab became a living legend. His album “Amarain” (Two Moons) of 1999 is rated as his best. Amarain featured Diab in a duet “Qalbi” with Algeria’s “Didi” famed Khaled based in France.
Nancy Nabil Ajram (Nancy Ajram) of Lebanon is an immensely popular pop star in Arab music. Nancy came into the limelight in 2003 with the big success of her lead single “Akhasmak Ah”. With her fourth album “Ah w Noss” (Yes, and a half)) she became the pop icon of Arab world. Coca Cola made Nancy their official celebrity spokesperson. The commercial was a hit — “Oul Tany Kida?” (Say that again?). The success continued and her fifth album “Ya Tabtab Wa Dalla” is believed to be her best. Ajram’s crowning moment came when her best-selling album “Betfakkar Fi Eih” won the first World Music Award .as the best-selling Middle Eastern Artist.
Tamer Hosny Abbas Farghaly (Tamer Hosny) of Egypt is idolized as the Star of Generation. He is a highly endowed talent – singer, actor, composer, director and songwriter. In 2004 his second album “Hob” (Love) a romantic one featured a catchy solo “Arrab Habibi”. Its success earned him the nickname “King of Generation”. The solo song kept on running in music channels. The 8th album “Elly Gai Ahla” (2011) found great popularity and he found his bride in his fellow Moroccan singer Bassma Boussil.
Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed El-Hamaki (Mohammed Hamaki) of Egypt is known as the Master of Pop Music. He is in his thirties. His virtuosity extends to musical instruments; he can play both guitar and piano. He shot into fame with his album “Kheles El Kalam” (All The Words Have Finished!). The song “Wahda Wahda” (One by One) became very popular.
Elissar Zakaria Khouri (Elissa) is a Lebanese pop singer. Elissa became a phenomenon with her W’akherta Ma’ak. It included a popular duet “Betghib Betrouh”. The video clip of her equally successful album “Ayshalak” was done in France by French Director Fabrice Begotti.
The popularity of this new generation of singers shows that Arab world has great love for music and has a wealth of talents to keep it alive. The legacy of Umm Kulthum and Fairuz continues.
Hour of Code campaign urges students to learn to code (podcast)
It's pretty unusual to see an issue supported by President Obama and House Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor -- as well as Apple and Microsoft -- but they're all backing Hour of Code, which aims to get 5 million students in 33,000 classrooms around the world to learn at least one hour of computer science this week.
Sponsored by Code.org, the effort features entertainers Shakira, Ashton Kutcher, and Angela Bassett and athletes Chris Bosh, Warren Sapp, and Dwight Howard in videos supporting this cause. Tech luminaries including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Google's Susan Wojcicki, and the late Steve Jobs also weigh in with messages on the importance of learning to code. Click here to view them.
During the course of the week there will be Hour of Code Learning events at every major Apple store in the U.S. along with all 51 Microsoft retail stores. This is also Computer Science Education Week. In a recorded interview (scroll down to listen), Code.org co-founder Ali Partovi said that "only 5 percent of U.S. schools teach computer science today, and that number is down from where it was 10 years ago." He said that computer science education peaked around 2003/2004 for a variety of reasons including budget along with state education standards. "In the vast majority of U.S. states computer science does not count toward graduation. It counts as an elective." As money gets tight, schools are cutting computer science along with art and music.
Pointing to the number of coding jobs not just in tech firms but hospitals, government, and all types of businesses, Partovi said that computer science "is the most empowering thing a kid could be learning, especially a kid from a disadvantage background." I didn't fact-check this, but he said that "a college graduate's first job in computer science makes more money than a doctor who's 10 years older." One thing I can't argue with is his statement that for disadvantaged youth, "the dream of becoming a computer programmer" is much more realistic than the odds of becoming an NBA player or a hip-hop star.
Click below to listen to the interview with Ali Partovi and click here for a post and video about Hour of Code.
Sponsored by Code.org, the effort features entertainers Shakira, Ashton Kutcher, and Angela Bassett and athletes Chris Bosh, Warren Sapp, and Dwight Howard in videos supporting this cause. Tech luminaries including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Google's Susan Wojcicki, and the late Steve Jobs also weigh in with messages on the importance of learning to code. Click here to view them.
During the course of the week there will be Hour of Code Learning events at every major Apple store in the U.S. along with all 51 Microsoft retail stores. This is also Computer Science Education Week. In a recorded interview (scroll down to listen), Code.org co-founder Ali Partovi said that "only 5 percent of U.S. schools teach computer science today, and that number is down from where it was 10 years ago." He said that computer science education peaked around 2003/2004 for a variety of reasons including budget along with state education standards. "In the vast majority of U.S. states computer science does not count toward graduation. It counts as an elective." As money gets tight, schools are cutting computer science along with art and music.
Pointing to the number of coding jobs not just in tech firms but hospitals, government, and all types of businesses, Partovi said that computer science "is the most empowering thing a kid could be learning, especially a kid from a disadvantage background." I didn't fact-check this, but he said that "a college graduate's first job in computer science makes more money than a doctor who's 10 years older." One thing I can't argue with is his statement that for disadvantaged youth, "the dream of becoming a computer programmer" is much more realistic than the odds of becoming an NBA player or a hip-hop star.
Click below to listen to the interview with Ali Partovi and click here for a post and video about Hour of Code.
France vs Germany: World Cup 2014 match preview
Read a full match preview including team news of the World Cup quarter-final between France and Germany at Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, on Friday, July 4, 2014, kick-off 17.00 (BST)
Kick-off: 17.00 BST.
TV: BBC ONE.
TV: BBC ONE.
France (Possible, 4-2-1-3): Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Matuidi, Cabaye; Pogba; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezman.
Germany (Possible, 4-3-3): Neuer; Hummels, Boateng, Mertesacker, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos; Özil, Müller, Götze.
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina).
Betting: France 11-5, Germany 7-5, Draw 2-1.
Team News
France jave a doubt over defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration following Monday's 2-0 win over Nigeria.
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems.
Coach Didier Deschamps should decide between Giroud or Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Germany are without Shkodran Mustafi, who tore his hamstring against Algeria in the last-16 tie.
Christoph Kramer has had what was described by the German camp as a light fever but should be available.
And Mats Hummels, who missed the 2-1 win over Algeria with flu, has recovered and could feature as a replacement for Mustafi.
There were suggestions that Philipp Lahm could be swiitched to full-back to cover for Mustafi, as he did after the defender went off against Algeria, but that appears unlucky.
Lukas Podolski should be available after a thigh problem.
Match Notes
These European rivals know each other well and the rivalry goes back to 1931, but they last met in the World Cup in 1986 when West Germany won 2-0 in the semi-final.
Previously was the infamous game that ended in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw and the incident in which France's Patrick Battiston was shoulder-charged by German keeper Harald Schumacher.
France say they are fired up for the tie and the prospect of playing Brazil or Colombia in the semi-final.
Certainly there is a unity within the French squad rarely witnessed in recent tournaments, and that could carry them through.
Stat of the game: In 25 previous clashes, France have won 11 to Germany's eight successes, with six drawn. In terms of goals scored, Germany have the edge, with 42 to France's 41.
Team News
France jave a doubt over defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration following Monday's 2-0 win over Nigeria.
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems.
Coach Didier Deschamps should decide between Giroud or Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Germany are without Shkodran Mustafi, who tore his hamstring against Algeria in the last-16 tie.
Christoph Kramer has had what was described by the German camp as a light fever but should be available.
And Mats Hummels, who missed the 2-1 win over Algeria with flu, has recovered and could feature as a replacement for Mustafi.
There were suggestions that Philipp Lahm could be swiitched to full-back to cover for Mustafi, as he did after the defender went off against Algeria, but that appears unlucky.
Lukas Podolski should be available after a thigh problem.
Match Notes
These European rivals know each other well and the rivalry goes back to 1931, but they last met in the World Cup in 1986 when West Germany won 2-0 in the semi-final.
Previously was the infamous game that ended in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw and the incident in which France's Patrick Battiston was shoulder-charged by German keeper Harald Schumacher.
France say they are fired up for the tie and the prospect of playing Brazil or Colombia in the semi-final.
Certainly there is a unity within the French squad rarely witnessed in recent tournaments, and that could carry them through.
Stat of the game: In 25 previous clashes, France have won 11 to Germany's eight successes, with six drawn. In terms of goals scored, Germany have the edge, with 42 to France's 41.
Why Mayweather Has No Product Endorsement: A Sports Marketing Analysis
Every year, over a combined billion people watch marquee sporting events, like the Super bowl, the NBA Play-Offs and WWE Wrestlemania. The Super bowl alone attracts more than 160 million people (bigger than half of the US population), and in certain parts of the spectacle, the full viewership will have their eyes fixed on the game. So, it should come as no surprise that some advertisers are willing to spend US$ 3.5 million on a 30-second ad just to reach their audience and grab their attention.
Highest Paid Athlete vs Brand Ambassador
Although Boxing does not enjoy the level of popularity of other sporting and entertainment events such as football, soccer, basketball and professional wrestling, the mega-fight between two of the greatest boxers of today (and maybe even in history), Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, is touted to draw billions of Dollars, billed by some analysts as the “biggest payday in sports history”. The massive amount of profit waiting for the promoters, and the boxers and their entourage is expected to come from ticket sales, pay-per-view subscriptions, and product endorsements.
Manny Pacquiao’s career earnings after the fight will reach an estimated US$ 425 million, paving his way into an elite group of highest-earning active athletes, which includes Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Pacquiao receives paychecks not only from his promoters, but also from his endorsements, such as HP, Sony, Henessy, Monster Energy and San Miguel Beer. But, while Manny Pacquiao is raking in millions through endorsements alone (his fighting shorts is estimated to be worth more than US$ 2.3 million), Floyd Mayweather is conspicuously devoid of any.
Bad Reputation Means Bad Marketing
Experts say that Mayweather is undoubtedly popular and that people are excited to watch him, but his reputation and history discourages sponsors from being associated with him. Mayweather has pleaded guiltily to domestic violence charges in at least three separate occasions, and he has served two months in jail for attacking the mothers of his 9- and 10-year old sons in front of them. He was also found guilty of the same charge in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Mayweather also has some nasty mic habits, hurling racist and homophobic comments about other boxers, including Pacquiao. And unlike other athletes who work hard to re-gain the lost trust and affection of their fans when they get into trouble, Mayweather has never acknowledged or apologized for his transgressions.
Despite this, Mayweather is the world’s highest paid athlete, and he has reached that distinction solely through his in-ring earnings. For the May 2 mammoth match, Mayweather is to earn an estimated US$ 120 million.
Largest Economic Impact in Boxing History
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao weighed in on 1st May 2015 with a strong 12,000 fans watched at the arena. This was the most lucrative weigh-in in the history of boxing.
The entry to the weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena cost $10, but the ticket resale online and on the street skyrocketed at $800. This is just the weigh-in ticket.
The ticket sales for the fight night on 2nd May 2015 at the ring side is a whooping $141,575 USD per person. The projected ticket revenue is $74M, exceeds 6 games of 2013 World Series ($62.6) and Super Bowl XLIX Live Gate ($60M). The expected pay-per-view revenue is larger than the GDP of 29 countries. If the fight goes the distance to 12th Round, Mayweather and Pacquiao will split approximately $130,000 per second, on pay-per-view revenue alone. Expected revenue for the bout will surpass $400M, the largest in boxing history.
Tale of the Tape
Mayweather vs Pacquiao
Age: 38 vs 36
Wins: 47 vs 57
Losses: 0 vs 5
KO: 26 vs 38
Draws: 0 vs 2
Weight: 146 pounds vs 145 pounds
Height: 5’8″ vs 5’6 1/2″
Reach: 72″ vs 67″
Style: Defensive vs Offensive
Sports Celebrity Endorsement: Marketing 101
Sports celebrities are ideal for businesses to linked with to project relevant aspects of their brand and products. Sports heroes can personify success, tenacity, resilience, teamwork, innovation, and determination despite vulnerability. Their performance in their respective fields, be it on court, on clay, on grass, or inside the ring or squared-circle impacts the viewers in more ways than any other media. Spectators feel awe when they experience jaw-dropping surge in speed, display of power, mind-breaking coordination or calm under tremendous pressure. Such a sensation could only be transmitted by sports stars, whose display of skills and mastery rise above and beyond the confusing web of messages conveyed by myriad companies through different channels.
Linking one’s brand to a personality should, however, come with utmost calculation and caution. Even as sports celebrities guard their reputation in public, they remain to be humans and can at times be susceptible to the temptations of wealth, popularity and ill-advice.
Want to know about Sports Marketing, Brand Management and Product Endorsement?
Email us at frmdhk@gmail.com
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
Highest Paid Athlete vs Brand Ambassador
Although Boxing does not enjoy the level of popularity of other sporting and entertainment events such as football, soccer, basketball and professional wrestling, the mega-fight between two of the greatest boxers of today (and maybe even in history), Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, is touted to draw billions of Dollars, billed by some analysts as the “biggest payday in sports history”. The massive amount of profit waiting for the promoters, and the boxers and their entourage is expected to come from ticket sales, pay-per-view subscriptions, and product endorsements.
Manny Pacquiao’s career earnings after the fight will reach an estimated US$ 425 million, paving his way into an elite group of highest-earning active athletes, which includes Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Pacquiao receives paychecks not only from his promoters, but also from his endorsements, such as HP, Sony, Henessy, Monster Energy and San Miguel Beer. But, while Manny Pacquiao is raking in millions through endorsements alone (his fighting shorts is estimated to be worth more than US$ 2.3 million), Floyd Mayweather is conspicuously devoid of any.
Bad Reputation Means Bad Marketing
Experts say that Mayweather is undoubtedly popular and that people are excited to watch him, but his reputation and history discourages sponsors from being associated with him. Mayweather has pleaded guiltily to domestic violence charges in at least three separate occasions, and he has served two months in jail for attacking the mothers of his 9- and 10-year old sons in front of them. He was also found guilty of the same charge in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Mayweather also has some nasty mic habits, hurling racist and homophobic comments about other boxers, including Pacquiao. And unlike other athletes who work hard to re-gain the lost trust and affection of their fans when they get into trouble, Mayweather has never acknowledged or apologized for his transgressions.
Despite this, Mayweather is the world’s highest paid athlete, and he has reached that distinction solely through his in-ring earnings. For the May 2 mammoth match, Mayweather is to earn an estimated US$ 120 million.
Largest Economic Impact in Boxing History
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao weighed in on 1st May 2015 with a strong 12,000 fans watched at the arena. This was the most lucrative weigh-in in the history of boxing.
The entry to the weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena cost $10, but the ticket resale online and on the street skyrocketed at $800. This is just the weigh-in ticket.
The ticket sales for the fight night on 2nd May 2015 at the ring side is a whooping $141,575 USD per person. The projected ticket revenue is $74M, exceeds 6 games of 2013 World Series ($62.6) and Super Bowl XLIX Live Gate ($60M). The expected pay-per-view revenue is larger than the GDP of 29 countries. If the fight goes the distance to 12th Round, Mayweather and Pacquiao will split approximately $130,000 per second, on pay-per-view revenue alone. Expected revenue for the bout will surpass $400M, the largest in boxing history.
Tale of the Tape
Mayweather vs Pacquiao
Age: 38 vs 36
Wins: 47 vs 57
Losses: 0 vs 5
KO: 26 vs 38
Draws: 0 vs 2
Weight: 146 pounds vs 145 pounds
Height: 5’8″ vs 5’6 1/2″
Reach: 72″ vs 67″
Style: Defensive vs Offensive
Sports Celebrity Endorsement: Marketing 101
Sports celebrities are ideal for businesses to linked with to project relevant aspects of their brand and products. Sports heroes can personify success, tenacity, resilience, teamwork, innovation, and determination despite vulnerability. Their performance in their respective fields, be it on court, on clay, on grass, or inside the ring or squared-circle impacts the viewers in more ways than any other media. Spectators feel awe when they experience jaw-dropping surge in speed, display of power, mind-breaking coordination or calm under tremendous pressure. Such a sensation could only be transmitted by sports stars, whose display of skills and mastery rise above and beyond the confusing web of messages conveyed by myriad companies through different channels.
Linking one’s brand to a personality should, however, come with utmost calculation and caution. Even as sports celebrities guard their reputation in public, they remain to be humans and can at times be susceptible to the temptations of wealth, popularity and ill-advice.
Want to know about Sports Marketing, Brand Management and Product Endorsement?
Email us at frmdhk@gmail.com
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
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