Archive for category World News

As of Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, at least 769 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has canceled a planned stopover in Canada next week, a Canadian government official said Saturday.

The remains of a U.S. soldier who has been missing since a 1965 helicopter crash in South Vietnam have been returned to Nebraska.

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

According to Nielsen, the company that also provides TV rating information, reported that in August of 2009, 17-percent of all time online was spent on social networking sites. In August of 2008, that percentage was only at 6, meaning that in just one year, the amount of time spent on Facebook, Twitter, and the like has tripled.

According to Jon Gibs, a VP at Nielsen's online division, this represents a "wholesale change in the way the Internet is used." While the change might sound drastic, it's certainly not surprising. In a few short years, social networking has gone from a fringe trend powered by tech-savvy youngsters to a mainstream phenomena embraced by everyone and their mom (literally).

Continue reading Social Networking Now Takes Up Three Times the Time

Social Networking Now Takes Up Three Times the Time originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lee Dong-un cried and held the hands of his 60-year-old North Korean daughter Saturday during their first meeting in more than half a century. They were one of hundreds of families reuniting as part of a program revived by Pyongyang in an effort to ease tensions with South Korea.

Lee Dong-un cried and held the hands of his 60-year-old North Korean daughter Saturday during their first meeting in more than half a century. They were one of hundreds of families reuniting as part of a program revived by Pyongyang in an effort to ease tensions with South Korea.

Lee Dong-un cried and held the hands of his 60-year-old North Korean daughter Saturday during their first meeting in more than half a century. They were one of hundreds of families reuniting as part of a program revived by Pyongyang in an effort to ease tensions with South Korea.

Meat "ethics" are about to get even more complicated.

For electronics manufacturer Electrolux's recent design competition, first place went to a device that creates meat and fish by heating animal cells and growing them into edible food.

While still in the design phase, the Cocoon would theoretically replicate real meat by synthesizing the compounds that make it up. The controversial product would heat food packets containing muscle cells, oxygen and nutrients. "This will create 100% pure meat without the need for animals to be killed and with no risk of contamination," said Cocoon creator Rickard Hederstierna, a 27 year-old Swedish design student. "It will change everything."

Continue reading Device That Grows Meat in Your Kitchen Wins Design Prize

Filed under: Visionaries

Device That Grows Meat in Your Kitchen Wins Design Prize originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Internet has put an unsettling amount information at our fingertips. Now that the Web is finally usable on our phones, thanks to devices like the iPhone and Palm Pre, we can draw on this vast well of information (that many people would likely prefer remain private) anywhere we are.

One particularly creepy application appears thanks to Intelius, a company that provides a "people search" engine. The soon to be released 'Date Check' is a free app that lets you perform basic background checks on potential mates. While the app itself is free, the checks are not. After entering a person's name or cell phone number, 'Date Check' performs one of several types of searches, like 'Sleaze Detector,' which searches for a criminal background, 'Net Worth' provides details about a person's assets including property, and 'Interests' scours social networking sites for personal details.

Continue reading 'Date Check' App Lets You Perform Background Checks on the Go

Filed under: Cell Phones, iPhone, Web, Social Networking

'Date Check' App Lets You Perform Background Checks on the Go originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enjoying films and video games often requires a suspension of disbelief on the part of the viewer or gamer. Sometimes, though, the material is so absurd and unrealistic that forgiving the inconsistencies becomes impossible. Because of those distorted portrayals, the jokesters at Cracked recently hosted a Photoshop contest, just to see "what would happen if video game makers started adding a little realism."

There are 27 total finalists, so there are some predictable (although well done) 'shop jobs, like the ridiculously huge assortment of weapons in 'Grand Theft Auto: IV'. But, wildly creative and hilarious offerings abound, too. Behold the cosmetic surgeon's waiting room -- chock full of heroines with wildly exaggerated physiques. Meanwhile, the hilarious feces-flinging 'Donkey Kong,' the 'Duck Hunt' observers, and the 'Punch-Out!' Wii Street Journal headline only reinforce what gamers have been saying and wondering aloud for the last couple of decades.

Continue reading Cracked Contest Brings Realism to Video Games

Filed under: Video Games

Cracked Contest Brings Realism to Video Games originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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