Images: NBC News

 No matter which direction Arthur Joe looks from his home, he sees abandoned properties and the blight they attract.

Next door is an empty house where “drugheads” – as Joe calls them – often set up camp. Behind is a duplex with trash visible through every broken window, and an alley clogged with refuse spilling from several abandoned lots.

Across the street is a vacant house owned by Joe’s landlord. Joe mows the grass there, vowing “we’re going to put it back together.”

For decades, Gary has been ravaged by economic decline and a long, deep housing bust, and putting it back together won’t be easy. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson thinks letting vast swaths of her once-prosperous city, the birthplace of Michael Jackson, return to nature might be a solution.

“I’d like to see 100,000 folks in Gary. That’d be great,” the mayor said recently, walking through a neighborhood where empty lots and structures outnumber occupied homes. “We could probably do it in 35 square miles.” That’s 25 percent more residents on nearly 40 percent less land.

More from NBC News

Posted by Libergirl

Electricity

We’re a web design and development company, and that means a large part of our environmental impact comes from the electricity we use. Here at head office each of our staff has a computer with a couple of monitors, while in a data centre in Manchester a cluster of servers hosts our client websites.

The inside of the data centre

To know where to concentrate energy-saving efforts, we needed to know where electricity was being used. At head office we used an Ecosaver energy monitor to measure each device’s power consumption, while the company that built our servers, Bytemark, helpfully provided us with the figures for their power consumption.

Monitors

While LCD monitors use much less power than the bulky CRT monitors they supplanted, their cold cathode fluorescent backlighting is still inefficient: our previously standard Samsung SyncMaster 205BW monitor – a 20-inch monitor with a 1680×1050 resolution – uses around 44 watts. Monitors with LED backlighting use significantly less energy: our new standard monitor is the LG IPS224V, which despite being larger (22 inches with a 1920×1080 resolution) uses only 21 watts.

Desktop computers

Our designers use Macs, and for new designers the choice is obvious: the Mac Mini. The original Mac Minis were low-end computers, unsuitable for design work, but the newer Mac Minis are suitable for all but the most high-end uses. The power consumption of a Mac Mini is incredibly low: only 11.4 watts when idle. The desktop set-up below, belonging to our newest designer Steve, consumes a total of only 53.4 watts. Apple’s Mac Mini Environmental Report shows that low energy usage isn’t the Mac Mini’s only green credential.

Steve’s Mac Mini

Servers

One key way of reducing the environmental impact of hosting websites is to host more websites on each server. The limiting factor for most content management systems is the processing power required to generate pages. The it’seeze content management makes extensive use of multiple levels of caching, allowing us to fit huge number of sites onto each server without performance suffering. Our newest web server consumes less than 0.1 watts for each client website.

We can go further though: despite the impressive energy efficiency of the data centre, it’s still using energy from the UK’s national grid, which gets most of its power from burning coal and gas. As a result, we’ve recently started using GreenQloud‘s Storage Qloud service to serve static content, such as the it’seeze logo you can see at the base of all our sites. Storage Qloud works exactly like Amazon’s S3 service (used by Pinterest, Tumblr, and Dropbox), but GreenQloud’s data centre is in Iceland and is powered entirely by renewable energy. The GreenQloud dashboard even gives live statistics on how much energy you’ve saved in comparison with an average data centre, giving your resident eco-warrior another opportunity to feel smug.

The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station in Iceland

Tension between Obama and Putin?

This year marked the turn of the United Kingdom and it’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, to host the G8 summit as well as set the agenda. Transparency, trade and taxes were due to be at the top of the agenda, but that fell by the wayside, with increasing violence in Syria. These agenda were points were both noble and needed, and it was a bold move by Cameron to address these. However, regarding the matter of taxes and transparency, with particular focus on clamping down on tax evasion and avoidance, it is extremely hard for multilateral cooperation on the matter. Tax havens have very little incentive to reverse their policies, and money is also like water flowing through a stream. As much as one tries to dam the stream, the water always finds a way through somehow, and this has to be said for money with new loopholes and tax schemes opening up to replace old ones that have been made illegal.

In terms of the final ‘T’, trade, the main element of this was the prospective EU-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would, if ratified, bring huge benefits to both economic giants. The globalization of the modern era has brought the two blocs together and are very much intertwined now- the two crashed simultaneously in 2008, and with the establishment of this FTA, may resolve the economic crisis side-by-side. However, the G8 Summit was not the forum for this kind of discussion. These discussions need to be between the US and the entirety of the EU, not just the exclusively “rich” and “established” ones in the EU. Not to mention that Japan, Russia and Canada were irrelevant to those kind of discussions.

Eventually the geopolitical crisis in Syria came to the fray and dominated the agenda, with much being said about the stalemate between Obama and Putin. It is common knowledge that the Russian government and in particular Putin have long been firm allies of the Assad regime in Syria, and inevitably, the pro-Syrian rebel rhetoric espoused by Obama meant the two would clash at some point. Whilst they both agree on what the pseudo-endpoint should be (a diplomatic resolution), Putin will seek to ensure Assad retains his grip on the nation, whilst Obama will not. Whilst a diplomatic resolution is the optimum goal, this seems to be a distant dot on the political horizon as Russia continues to arm Assad, whilst the US has recently confirmed it will be arming the Syrian rebels. Furthermore, the war has no chance of any realistic ceasefire as of yet, with both sides unwilling to compromise and having polar opposite goals. With Assad’s forces recently making strides thanks to the help of Hezbollah forces and the heavily-condemned use of chemical weapons, it is becoming more and more likely that a peaceful resolution is far away, as Assad tries to cling onto power, whilst the rebels are vying for power.

The growing humanitarian concern about the conflict in Syria (with circa 90,000 dead, around 1.2m displaced and the recent exposure of the use of sarin nerve gas) has prompted the G8 to pledge a further $1.5bn for humanitarian needs. Indeed, it is indicative that the majority of the news coverage concerning the G8 was regarding the discourse on Syria, and not the three “T”s that Cameron proposed, simply due to the former’s prominence and the latter’s irrelevance.

The new track made its debut at the Ventura Theatre, CA 22nd May as part of their 2013 US tour, and is the first insight into the fifth studio album which is set for release before September.

Alex Turner’s usual lyrics could be personified as a whimsical love sick puppy, a mash-up of Noel Gallagher and Willy Wonka if you will. However, there’s no need to think too hard when it comes to this song. With lines such as “I’ve been thinking of you of every night this week” and “I don’t know if you feel the same as I do” there are not many lines for angsty teens on songmeaning.com to fight over.

Do I Wanna Know?  does lend its ear to AM’s previous Suck it and See album (which was questioningly influenced by The Smiths), especially the self-titled track. It is also clearly related to the sound heard in the latest hand full of singles, which have been sporadically released, such as R U Mine and Electricity. There is nothing original here, but it’s one solid, badass song. It is best summed up with a description of its video: Sexy hillbilly garage go-karting.

The track has a very prevalent beat from the start and throughout which makes it instantly addictive which is added to by Turner’s smooth vocals. With thanks to Nick O’Malley, the bass adds the real power behind this song. There are also some amusing backing vocals provided by Matt Helders and Jamie Cook, who sound as if they were sampled from the female backing of a late 1960s showband.

Check it out below.

Hook:

Crawlin’ back to you
Never thought I’d crawl in when you’ve had a few
As I always do
Maybe I’m too busy being yours to fall for somebody new
Now I’ve thought it through
Crawling back to you

Do you like Arctic Monkeys current sound or do you prefer the Fluorescent Adolescent days? Are you looking forward to the new album?

http://dcist.com/2013/06/dutch_embassy_will_serve_cicadas_me.php

Flavour and his band will hit Dallas Texas; July 5th, July 6th Houston Texas, July 12th Maryland and finally July 13th New York.
Flavour set for US Tour

This weeks News Review features the man who had a boner.. for 8 months! The butt implant that caused amputations, Birminghams ugliest prostitute, Bolivian man buried alive and the Chinese WILL arrest you for lying about killing an alien.
Listener Louis sent us some amazing real life survival stories that you may and some you may not of heard.

EA was last week, so expect the geek-o-meter to be off the charts as we discuss the future of gaming. Also, a Last Of Us and Bishock Infinite review!

Song of the week – Shoenice22′s Rap Song

Keep on listening, keep on sending in your stories and remember to ‘share’, ‘like’ & ‘Tweet’.
Check out www.soundandmotionmag.com

Subscribe on iTunes and never miss a show!

Download straight you your iPhone, iPad & iPod to play whenever, wherever.

Both players are part of the France’s national squad and have been under investigation since 2010 over the allegations. If proven guilty, they risk up to three years imprisonment and fines of 45,000 euros for soliciting the services of an underage prostitute.

Ribery’s lawyer has however asked the Paris court on Tuesday’s hearing to seize the Constitutional Council from interpreting a clause in the penal code that bans soliciting underage prostitutes. He said that it was too vague to be used against his client while arguing Ribery’s case.

The scandal has lead to exposing of French footballers’ inclination towards flings and party culture. It was unfurled in public domain right ahead of the 2010 World Cup, further damaging the image of the French squad which was already struggling with internal bickering, public tantrums, defeats.

Algerian-born Zahia Dehar is now 21 years old and had since turned into designer Karl Lagerfeld’s muse and protégée leading to launching her own lingerie line and soft-porn website later.

State prosecutors have requested for dropping the case while arguing that the footballers did not knew Dehar was a minor.

Prosecutors representing the state under the French legal system can open an investigation and assign independent judges to lead it. As the investigation advances, prosecutors can change their mind and recommend dropping the case, but the judges can ignore this advice and continue with trial.

Source: Sportsillustrated, Mirror, Thesun

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As some of you may know, I stay with my grandparents on weekdays, weekends I go back to my house. Sometimes I’m tasked to cook for Nenek and Atok. Today was no different. Except, I’m told to peel pineapples. 

With a parang. The very same one people use to slash people. (Ok at least I think it’s e same one. How many different types of parangs are there in the first place? OK so there are different types of parangs. Moving on.)

Initiallt I was excited. I’d thought I’ll be able to employ the technique used by Martin Yan (you know, the Yan can cook guy) on one of his shows. You’d get something like this. 

Source

Naturally I told Mak and she said 

“Kau jangan nak ngada-ngada. Kopek macam biase aje” 

So yes I did peel it the old fashioned way, with a parang. Fearing I’d cut myself along the process. While trying my best not to touch the blade at all. Even when I washed the parang after I’m done. 

Honestly I thought I butchered the whole pineapple! It was so thick then it came to this size.No turning back. I continued with the second pineapple. After which I’m told to cut it like how it is cut for rojak. 

If I though I butchered the pineapple the first time round, it was nothing compared to this. I don’t think pineapple for rojak look like this. Halfway through cutting, I thought I was making the filling for pineapple tarts. 

All aside, I think I did an okay job peeling the pineapples. While washing the dishes, I know I DO NOT want to clean fish. Or siang ikan. I honestly would want to put that off forever if I could. Also while Google-ing for pictures of peeled coconut, I saw this…

Source

You’ve got to agree. This is a cool product. Possibly expensive, but cool nonetheless. 

Obama will announce the goal during a speech Wednesday in Berlin — a city rife with Cold War history.

The president will also outline his goal to reduce U.S. and Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, the official said. The president hopes to work with NATO allies on proposals toward that goal.

It’s all part of Obama’s “vision of achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons,” the official said.

“We will seek to negotiate these reductions with Russia to continue to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures,” the official added.

Obama’s speech will take place almost exactly 50 years after President John F. Kennedy delivered his “Ich bin ein Berliner” — or “I am a Berliner” — speech in the city that was divided by Western and Soviet occupations during the Cold War.

Berlin is also where President Ronald Reagan’s delivered a famous line to the Soviet Union in 1987: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Beyond New START

Obama’s latest proposals come two years after New START — a nuclear agreement between the United States and Russia — went into effect. New START, which stands for strategic arms reduction treaty, calls for both countries to limit their nuclear warhead arsenal to 1,550 by the year 2018.

Obama’s proposals Wednesday would reduce both stockpiles by another one-third — to roughly 1,000 warheads for each country.

U.S. guidance on nukes

After New START was ratified, Obama ordered a detailed internal analysis of U.S. nuclear needs and what it would take to deter other countries from attacking, the White House said.

“The president has determined that we can ensure our security and that of our allies and partners … while safely pursuing up to a one-third reduction in deployed strategic nuclear warheads below the New START treaty level,” the administration official said.

Obama has also said the United States will only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of the United States or its allies and partners, the White House said.

Pressuring Iran and North Korea

The United States will continue working to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, with specific pressure on Iran and North Korea, the administration official said.

Obama will also participate in the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague and will host a Nuclear Security Summit in 2016 to work with other countries in securing nuclear materials and preventing nuclear terrorism, the official said.

NEW PARENTS: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

THE NAME of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s four-day-old daughter has been ‘leaked’ by a nurse at the LA hospital where the reality star gave birth at the weekend (June 15).

According to reports, the new parents have named their bundle of joy Kaidence Donda West.

Her first name keeps the Kardashian family tradition of beginning with a K, while her middle name is said to be a tribute to West’s late mother, Dr Donda West.

Cadence is also a musical term for a sequence of notes indicating the end of a phrase. It’s therefore believed that hip-hop star West had a lot more to do with this choice of name.

The names were reportedly revealed by a nurse a Los Angeles’ Cedars Sinai Hospital where the infant came into the world almost a month prematurely.

Confirming the safe arrival of baby ‘Kimye’, an amalgamation of the superstar parents names, Kim’s sister Khloe took to Twitter: “I can not even begin 2 describe the miracle that is now a part of our family. Mommy/baby are healthy & resting. We appreciate all of the love.

ARRIVAL: The couples daughter was born in LA’s Cedars Sinai hospital on June 15

“More info will come when the time is right! Thank you for all understanding! We love you all dearly! Overwhelmed with love right now.”

Kim’s mother Kris Jenner told E! at the Daytime Emmys a day after the baby’s arrival (June 16) that her daughter was “extremely happy and thrilled for the new baby and she’s doing great and she’s beautiful”.

A source has also told E! Online that the little girl weighed in at “less than five pounds”.

CONFIRMATION: Kim’s sister Khloe confirmed the safe arrival of Kim’s daughter on Twitter

Mr. Chen released a statement on Sunday saying the university officials were worried that his blunt criticism of the Chinese government might threaten the academic cooperation with the country. As a matter of fact, N.Y.U. has recently opened a campus in Shanghai, and a number of professors are involved in programs and research projects here that could be undermined had the Chinese visas were denied to them.

“The work of the Chinese Communists within academic circles in the United States is far greater than what people imagine, and some scholars have no option but to hold themselves back,” Mr. Chen said. Mr. Chen also said “Academic independence and academic freedom in the United States are being greatly threatened by a totalitarian regime.”

Source: Thenewyorktimes, Washingtonpost, WSJ

Top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Joseph Dunford, talks to media representatives at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, June, 18, 2013. Dunford said NATO will support any positive movement to bring reconciliation between the Afghan people and Taliban. American…
Read more about:
Karzai suspends talks with US over Taliban move

Artist Name: Future Screens

Label: Self-Released, Rallye Label (JP)

Location: Brooklyn, New York, US

Release Date: 30 May 2013

Tags: dream pop, electronic pop, indie pop, synth pop

Sounds:

Video:

Future Screens – Outta Sight

Links: Website / Bandcamp / Facebook / Myspace / SoundCloud / Tumblr / Twitter

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

I see a bit of a pop culture reference in that rock.

Geeks rejoice.

And for those that aren’t catching it, click here.