4:46 PM
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/the-reporters-account-4-days-with-the-taliban/?hp
The DOD gave the first development contract for this company's instantly dimmable bullet resistant windows. There are obvious military and commercial applications for bullet-proof windows that can also provide instant light control and attenuation, privacy, and protection from heat, glare, and UV light:
http://www.gknaerospace.com/newsarticle.aspx?page=S633879183598893697&ArchiveID=5&CategoryID=50&ItemID=352&src=
The gene most closely linked to Alzheimer's has been found to affect brain activity in adults in their 20s, much earlier in life than previously thought to have affected brain activity:
http://www.physorg.com/news171816576.html
Germany has started an ambitious project to install mini gas-fired power plants in people's basements and produce as much electricity as two nuclear reactors within a year. The power plants would provide thehome with heating, hot water and electricity, with excess power fed into the grid:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZyYs-5gWT8uCwMj0mCvoKbwjMpA
China is building the world's largest solar power plant--it will be bigger than Manhattan and generate 2 billion watts!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32737729/ns/business-oil_and_energy/page/2/
Only 1/3 of US businesses say that they could handle a swine flu outbreak that would force half their workers to stay home for two weeks:
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/09/10/Most-businesses-cant-handle-flu-outbreak/UPI-44571252560499/
Politicians should know to *not* brag about their affairs with multiple women when they are speaking near microphones (the microphone was at his desk, so it isn't like he didn't know it was there). This is especially true for this *married* Orange County legislator who has positioned himself as a conservative Republican (100% voting rating from a conservative advocacy group) strong on family values. He was the vice-chairman of the utilities committee and the lobbyist he was bragging about reportedly works for Sempra Energy, the company that operates San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/10/gop-lawmaker-resigns-amid-scandal/?uniontrib
Hawai'i hotels posted a sixth straight month of record low occupancy in July despite slashing prices to lure visitors in a down economy. Hawaii hotels have had six straight months of record low occupancy despite cutting prices significantly--Hawaii tourism just had its worst summer ever seen since they started keep track of tourism in 1987:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090910/NEWS01/909100342/Hawaii+hotels+have++worst+summer++with+July+occupancy+70.3+
Google plans to add a micropayment system to the newspaper and magazine industry that could save both industries--the new system is expected to be implemented within a year:
http://www.telecomtv.com/comspace_newsDetail.aspx?n=45465&id=e9381817-0593-417a-8639-c4c53e2a2a10#
Analysts and key people in the WiMAX industry feel that the number of mobile WiMAX equipment providers will be cut in half over the next few years--it had been hoped that 16e would compete wtih LTE but now most in the wireless industry just see mobile WiMAX as being used for "last mile" connection for mostly stationary computer users:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/4g-world-preview-sword-consolidation-hangs-over-mobile-wimax-vendors/2009-09-09?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
Time Warner will resell Clearwire mobile WiMAX service on Oahu and Maui next year:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090909/BREAKING03/90909084&source=rss_breaking
Sprint is offering unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes, with the key difference in their plan that the calls can be to any cell phone, even if that cell phone is with another carrier:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-offers-unlimited-calling-any-wireless-network/2009-09-10?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
Thanks to Steve for this link to the grant applications for the broadband stimulus money:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/applications/search.cfm
The World Champion in the 800 meter women's race may be prevented from entering future competitions because it turns out that she is *both* a man and a woman. It turns out that she doesn't have a womb or ovaries and medical exams found that she has internal male organs...her
condition actually has significant health risks so they are recommending she get an operation:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1212568/World-champion-Caster-Semenya-hermaphrodite-womb-ovaries--Australian-newspapers-shock-claims-gender-row-runner.html
For Lori--fans are divided about Ellen DeGeneres being the new American Idol judge, taking the spot that Paula Abdul had last year:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090910/ap_en_tv/us_tv_american_idol_degeneres