Scientists detect 'dark lightning' energy burst linked to visible lightning

Apr. 24, 2013 ? Researchers have identified a burst of high-energy radiation known as 'dark lightning" immediately preceding a flash of ordinary lightning. The new finding provides observational evidence that the two phenomena are connected, although the exact nature of the relationship between ordinary bright lightning and the dark variety is still unclear, the scientists said.

"Our results indicate that both these phenomena, dark and bright lightning, are intrinsic processes in the discharge of lightning," said Nikolai ?stgaard, who is a space scientist at the University of Bergen in Norway and led the research team.

He and his collaborators describe their findings in an article recently accepted in Geophysical Research Letters -- a journal of the American Geophysical Union.

Dark lightning is a burst of gamma rays produced during thunderstorms by extremely fast moving electrons colliding with air molecules. Researchers refer to such a burst as a terrestrial gamma ray flash.

Dark lightning is the most energetic radiation produced naturally on Earth, but was unknown before 1991. While scientists now know that dark lightning naturally occurs in thunderstorms, they do not know how frequently these flashes take place or whether visible lightning always accompanies them.

In 2006, two independent satellites -- one equipped with an optical detector and the other carrying a gamma ray detector -- coincidentally flew within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of a Venezuelan storm as a powerful lightning bolt exploded within a thundercloud. Scientists were unaware then that a weak flash of dark lightning had preceded the bright lightning.

But last year, ?stgaard and his colleagues discovered the previously unknown gamma ray burst while reprocessing the satellite data. "We developed a new, improved search algorithm?and identified more than twice as many terrestrial gamma flashes than originally reported," said ?stgaard. He and his team detected the gamma ray flash and a discharge of radio waves immediately preceding the visible lightning.

"This observation was really lucky," ?stgaard said. "It was fortuitous that two independent satellites -- which are traveling at 7 kilometers per second (4.3 miles per second) -- passed right above the same thunderstorm right as the pulse occurred." A radio receiver located 3,000 kilometers (1864 miles) away at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina detected the radio discharge.

The satellites' observations combined with radio-wave data provided the information that ?stgaard and his team used to reconstruct this ethereal electrical event, which lasted 300 milliseconds.

?stgaard and his team suspect that the flash of dark lightning was triggered by the strong electric field that developed immediately before the visible lightning. This strong field created a cascade of electrons moving at close to the speed of light. When those relativistic electrons collided with air molecules, they generated gamma rays and lower energy electrons that were the main electric current carrier that produced the strong radio pulse before the visible lightning.

Dark and bright lightning may be intrinsic processes in the discharge of lightning, ?stgaard said, but he stressed that more research needs to be done to elucidate the link.

The European Space Agency is planning on launching the Atmospheric Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) within the next three years, which will be able to better detect both dark and visible lightning from space, said ?stgaard, who is part of the team that is building the ASIM gamma-ray detector.

Dark lightning has remained a perplexing phenomenon due to scientific limitations and a dearth of measurements, ?stgaard explained.

"Dark lightning might be a natural process of lightning that we were completely unaware of before 1991," he noted. "But it is right above our heads, which makes it very fascinating."

A grant from the European Research Council and the Research Council of Norway funded this research.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Geophysical Union.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. N. ?stgaard, T. Gjesteland, B. E. Carlson, A. B. Collier, S. Cummer, G. Lu, H. J. Christian. Simultaneous observations of optical lightning and terrestrial gamma ray flash from space. Geophysical Research Letters, 2013; DOI: 10.1002/grl.50466

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xhX8u93o0HY/130424210319.htm

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Anchor fired after video of his on-air F-bomb goes viral

By Ian Sager, TODAY

Editor's note: The video above includes profanity.

A live camera can be a daunting thing. Mistakes are mercilessly broadcast to often unforgiving viewers and bosses. ?The first time live on camera can be one of the scariest things that happens to somebody in this business. ?But do jitters excuse all mistake?

A.J. Clemente ? a weekend news anchor for NBC affiliate KFYR ? uttered his first words as a TV anchor,?but before the young aspiring journalist knew it, he was trending for all the wrong reasons.?

When the F-bomb is dropped, especially on live TV, it's loud.

Clemente's bosses weren't amused. The fledgeling anchor was first suspended, then outright fired. Monica Hannan,??KFYR's news director, explained the decision on Facebook:

To all of you who are writing in...I want to apologize for an incident that occurred prior to our early newscast this evening, when one of our employees used profanity on the air.

He did not realize his microphone was on, but still, that's no excuse. WE train our reporters to always assume that any microphone is live at any time. Unfortunately, that was not enough in this case. WE can't take back what was said. The person involved has been suspended until we resolve the situation. All we can do at this point is ask for your forgiveness, and I can offer my personal assurance that I will do my best to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again under my watch.?

But did the punishment suit the crime? Weigh in below:

{"contentId":"17875531","totalVotes":"2502"}

Should the local news anchor who cursed on air have been fired or given a second chance?

Source: http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2013/04/23/17875531-anchor-fired-after-video-of-his-on-air-f-bomb-goes-viral?lite

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E! Slate Includes WWE Women, Josh Schwartz-Stephanie Savage Drama

By Tim Molloy

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - E! unveiled six new shows Monday, including a reality series about the WWE, and announced that its new series in development include the drama "Laurel Canyon," from "Gossip Girl" co-creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.

Besides including the WWE-focused "Total Divas," the network's new shows include "Hello Ross" (a working title) about "super fan" Ross Matthews and "The Trend," about fashion, beauty and design. It announced them ahead of its upfront presentation to advertisers in New York.

The development slate also includes shows from "Walking Dead" producer Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Warren, and Kevin Spacey, who also had a series in development for E! last year.

"Songbyrd," from "Grey's Anatomy" writer Krista Vernoff, is about a songwriter who's inspiration turns out to be a lie. It features songs from Grammy winner Diane Warren and draws on her experiences. She also executive produces along with "Smash" and "Chicago" producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron.

"Dirty/Pretty," which Hurd is executive producing, is about a blue-collar guy from South Boston who is scouted to be a Miami model. His friends take advantage of his new life to expand their criminal activities.

The Spacey project, "Fortunate Son" is about a formerly hard-partying golden boy who becomes a criminal informant forced to work in the slums. Last year, E's development slate included "Upstarts," a Spacey-produced project about Silicon Valley's boom in the late 1990s.

The network's slate also includes a previously announced reality series about pop group "The Wanted," which will be accompanied by a Ryan Seacrest special about the group.

"With its tremendous reach and influence, E! delivers original programming that achieves our network's mission to inspire and entertain the pop culture fan in all of us," said E! president Suzanne Kolb. "We are continuing to build on the success of our signature programming with new projects featuring a diverse mix of genres, formats and points of view that are centered in pop culture and are sure to excite our fans."

Here are E!'s upcoming projects, as described by the network:

NEW SERIES

"The Wanted Life" - Sunday, June 2 at 10:30pmET/PT (moves to regular timeslot starting Sunday, June 9 at 10:00pmET/PT)

This new half-hour series will chronicle the personal and professional lives of the edgy pop music powerhouse, The Wanted, who has already taken the world by storm. Viewers will see an unfiltered look inside the world of the chart-topping UK pop band as they head to sunny California to record their third album, gear up for their new US & Europe tour later in 2013 and solidify their top ranking on American pop music charts, along with their surprising dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions, Scooter Braun Projects and Global Talent TV.

"Total Divas" - Sunday, July 28 at 10:00pm ET/PT

Revealing the real women behind the WWE Divas for the first time, this new one-hour series proves that the drama is even bigger when the sexy superstars step outside the ring. "Total Divas" goes inside the personal lives of these glitzy, glamorous celebrities who entertain sold-out crowds in arenas around the world and are adored by millions of fans. "Total Divas" is produced by WWE and Bunim-Murray Productions. Jon Murray, Gil Goldshein, Jeff Jenkins and Russell Jay are Executive Producers for Bunim-Murray Productions.

"Pop Innovators" - July 2013

This new series showcases the most influential names in pop culture in their own words. We love them for what they bring to our world, and how they have helped define pop culture and captured the collective zeitgeist. These are the people who, as leaders in their respective fields, have taken their fame and gone in new directions to become influencers across a wide range of topics, and who inspire others to do the same. The first episode of "Pop Innovators" will offer an in-depth look at the life and career of Will.i.am from his point of view and will also feature interviews with other celebrities that he's influenced most.

"Love and Other Contact Sports: Eric and Jessie" - Late summer 2013

From Khlo? & Lamar to Kendra & Hank, E! has followed the romantic celebrity relationships of popular athletes and their gorgeous companions for years. The new "Love and Other Contact Sports" franchise will take viewers inside the confines of even more celebrity/athlete romances starting with country/pop singer Jessie James and her fianc?, Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker whose wedding is quickly approaching. The series will chronicle the sexy young couple's road to the altar as they juggle careers, relationships, family and more. Currently residing in their Denver dream home, they share an ambition to succeed, a charmingly fun and unfiltered outlook on life, and most of all, a red hot attraction for each other. Produced by Shed Media U.S.

"Hello Ross" (working title) - Fall 2013

As the ultimate pop culture fan forum, this new interactive talk show is hosted by the super fan himself, Ross Mathews. Fans will have the unique opportunity to share their opinion on all the latest in pop culture, debate the most buzzworthy topics and come face to face with their favorite celebrities. From Borderline Amazing Productions.

"The Trend" - Fall 2013

This news series will feature a team of experts and celebrity contributors discussing all things fashion, beauty and design.

NEW SPECIALS

"Blinging Up Baby" - Thursday, May 2 at 10:00pmET/PT

There is nothing more buzzworthy in Hollywood these days than celeb parents and their star tots who fill the pages of weekly magazines. In this one-hour special hosted by Melissa Rycroft, E! explores how the stars are heralding stork visits, from preparing luxurious nurseries, to exotic and ultra-pricey "babymoons," to dazzling "push presents," outrageous celebrity baby and toddler gifts, and more. If it is hot in the world of celebrity mommyhood, you'll find out about it here. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.

"Nick Cannon's Big Surprise" - Thursday, May 9 at 10:00pmET/PT

Sexy actor, singer and TV personality Nick Cannon has a big surprise. Grateful to his grandparents who helped raise him, Cannon shows his appreciation with a surprise home makeover. Through the process, the star will share childhood memories, photos and videos as the audience gets an intimate look back at his life. But will his highly opinionated grandmother, actually like what he does with her place? There's only one way to find out. Produced by Entertainment One.

"Holly Has A Baby" - May 12 at 9:00pmET/PT

Holly Madison just took on the biggest role of her life when she became a mommy to a baby girl she named Rainbow Aurora Rotella. In this one-hour Mother's Day special, viewers will follow Holly to the hospital for the big event, and share in all she did to prepare for her new arrival with boyfriend Pasquale Rotella. Then, we're invited home with the trio as they share with us exactly what the future holds for Holly and her new family, including the possibility of wedding bells. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.

"The Untold Story: Jason Derulo" - Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00pmET/PT

Simon Cowell said he would be huge, Lady Gaga said he's "a freakin' superstar," and Jordin Sparks calls him, boyfriend. He was well on his way to the top when an injury sidelined his career, and could have nearly ended his life. This half-hour special is a turbulent ride with Derulo as he battles his way back from injury. With never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes access, we'll uncover the real man behind the persona of music royalty's newest member. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.

"Ryan Seacrest with The Wanted: An E! Special" - Monday, May 27 at 10:30pmET/PT

Days before the premiere of their highly anticipated new E! series, Seacrest is sitting down with the bad boys of pop, and no topic is off limits. Discussing their music, rock star lifestyles and their much-buzzed-about personal lives, The Wanted open up to Seacrest in this new one-hour special.

"Bigger, Badder Celebrity Feuds" - Tuesday, May 28 at 10:00pm

The Hatfields and McCoys had nothing on some of Hollywood's biggest and most explosive feuds, and this one-hour special pulls out all the stops to reveal the gritty details of what went down between Chris Brown and Frank Ocean, Halle Berry's ex and her current squeeze, Kelsey and Camille, and many, many more. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.

"E! Special: Brooke Burke" - June 2013

Giuliana Rancic is sitting down with the sexy actress and TV personality who has helped make Dancing With the Stars one of today's biggest television sensations. Opening up about her career, family and personal life, Burke shares her ups, downs and everything in between with Giuliana from her home in Los Angeles.

"Secret Societies of Hollywood" - Late Summer 2013

Beyond the red carpet and behind the security gates lies a forbidden Hollywood that only the rich and famous know about ...until now. "Secret Societies of Hollywood" is a two-hour documentary that will expose the cults, cabals and underground clubs that exist in today's entertainment industry. From Prometheus Entertainment.

"50 Hours with 50 Cent" - Fall 2013

What is it like to be 50 Cent? One lucky super fan gets to find out. This special captures 50 hours with 50 Cent as one of his biggest fans gets to spend exactly that amount of time with him. Viewers will experience over two full days with this iconic rapper, entrepreneur and businessman as he enters global promotional mode leading up to the release of his newest album.

"Inner Circle" - Fall 2013

A new experiment in storytelling from Executive Producer Ashley Tisdale, these specials will feature celebrities picking a member of their inner circle (a trusted friend, family member or close confidant) to tell their real story and to ask the questions. More conversation than interview, it's an emotionally charged journey where the celebrities let their guards down, open up and have fun with someone from their "inner circle." From Blondie Girl Productions and Relativity Television.

NEW UNSCRIPTED PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):

"Young Sonoma"

This series chronicles the personal and professional lives of premier families at the top of their game in world renowned wine country, Sonoma Valley. Featuring Envolve Winery's Ben Flajnik ("The Bachelor"), Mike and Kate Benziger, Danny and Collette Fay, and B.R. Cohn Winery's Vallerie and Tasha Cohn, the series goes inside the day-to-day drama that comes from living in a small town, working with friends and family, as well as being local and national celebrities. From Mandt Bros Productions.

"Queens Are Wild"

Docu-soap that goes inside the high-stakes world of gambling and follows four of the top female poker players as they live together, travel the world and compete to win millions. From Tollin Productions, Inc.

"Palazzo Riggi"

Through the eyes of the outrageous family who lives there and the staff that run it, this new docusoap takes viewers inside a unique, luxurious world filled with eccentric personalities and gives viewers a glimpse into a jaw dropping, elaborate 24,000-square-foot family estate in upstate New York that boasts an authentic English pub, Balinese wellness spa and perfectly heated lawn that is designed to keep the paws of the family's 35 dogs warm year-round. From AEP Media and Machete.

"Flash"

This self-contained competition elimination series pits up-and-coming photographers against one another. In each episode, the photographers are given a real world challenge with real clients from the world of pop culture, who expect an amazing photo to sell their brand, talent or idea. Each week the winning photographer will get the exposure that could help launch their career. From Super Delicious.

"Sex & Real Estate"

Set in Miami, this new docusoap follows the personal and professional lives of a group of hot, successful real estate agents at the top of their game as they juggle a world where business always mixes with pleasure. From FremantleMedia North America and Purveyors of Pop.

"The Soup Investigates"

"The Soup Investigates" is a new spin-off series of E!'s popular comedy franchise "The Soup" that will answer all the questions that pop culture fans never thought to ask, and then some. How DOES that rose get from the grower's field to The Bachelor's hand just in time for the all important rose ceremony? What is life like inside the fascinating world of the "Mother Duckers," the families who make their living creating duck callers who WEREN'T cast in "Duck Dynasty"? Host Joel McHale and our investigative reporters will be working around the clock to get to the truth, or at least a very plausible facsimile thereof.

NEW TOPICAL / COMEDY PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):

"James Davis Show"

Sketch comedy show parodying a wide range of pop culture subjects and personalities starring actor/comic/writer, James Davis. From Funny or Die Media, Inc.

"White People Can't Dance"

From Executive Producer Jack Osbourne and Vin Di Bona, this tongue-and-cheek format show features a team of experts who analyze some of the more outrageous stereotypes perpetuated by pop culture. Each episode our team will put multiple stereotypes to the test to determine which are fact and which are fiction. From FishBowl Worldwide Media and Schweet Entertainment.

"Secrets & Lies"

Secrets & Lies is the game show, based on the classic parlor game three truths and a lie, that tests pop culture fans' knowledge of their favorite celebrities while revealing shocking secrets about the stars we THINK we know and love. From Shine America's format label Ardaban.

NEW SCRIPTED PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):

"Laurel Canyon"

In this drama from executive producers Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Gossip Girl, Chuck) and Stephanie Savage (The O.C., Gossip Girl, Carrie Diaries) and executive producer/writer Karen Croner (Admission, One True Thing), a young woman returns to her dysfunctional, extended family in Laurel Canyon with her son after hearing her rock-star legend father has passed away. Based on Croner's experience of growing up in the Hollywood Hills, the project is from Schwartz and Savage's Fake Empire in association with Warner Horizon Television. Fake Empire head of television Len Goldstein (The Carrie Diaries) also serves as executive producer.

"The Stand-In"

A darkly psychological re-telling of "The Prince & the Pauper" set behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's most famous actresses, who, tired of the spotlight, runs away in search of a normal life. Desperate, her family secretly hires a look-a-like to step into the star's glamorous world and high profile career - only to have the doppelganger slowly lose herself in the process of becoming someone else. From Executive Producers Ryan Seacrest, Nina Wass and Adam Sher, Ryan Seacrest Productions, Universal Cable Productions and writer Craig Chester.

"Songbyrd"

From writer Krista Vernoff (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Shameless), a young, prolific songwriter of some of the best love songs struggles to find love in her personal life after her inspiration is revealed to be a lie. Featuring the songs and experiences of Grammy winner Diane Warren, who Executive Produces with Craig Zadan & Neil Meron (The 2013 Academy Awards, Chicago, Smash) and Vernoff. From Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions.

"Expectations"

From writer Ron Bass (Oscar winning writer of Rain Man, Sleeping with the Enemy), inspired by the classic Dickens work, a soap about a morally corrupt family in the diamond business set in New York City. Executive produced by Oscar winner Dan Jinks (American Beauty, Milk). From CBS Television Studios.

"The Shoreline"

The golden child of a small coastal town in South Carolina returns home to see that a major Hollywood prime time soap, The Shore Line Yacht Club, is the biggest employer in town. An enormous class divide separates the cast and producers from the townspeople, yet their lives are now continuously and irrevocably intertwined - for better or for worse. From writer Carolyn Ingber and executive produced by Becky Hartman Edwards (Switched at Birth, Parenthood). From Fox Television Studios.

"Dirty/Pretty"

From Keith Eisner (The Good Wife, Law & Order), Jason Markarian and John Mirabella, a dark comedy centering on a blue collar guy from south Boston who gets scouted to be a model in Miami. Life gets turned upside down when his two best friends join him and see his new life as a way to expand their criminal activities. Gale Anne Hurd/Valhalla Entertainment will act as Executive Producer. From Universal Cable Productions.

"Fortunate Son"

Framed for a drug deal by a friend from his hard-partying days, society golden boy Michael Baron becomes a criminal informant and is at the mercy of the police. He bounces between his privileged west side of Los Angeles existence and the case he is forced to work in the slums. But his dark past gives Michael some leverage over his fate, and he makes a dangerous deal that could clear his name. Or get him killed. From writer and Co-Executive Producer Joey Falco and Executive Producers Kevin Spacey, Michael DeLuca and Dana Brunetti. From Universal Cable Productions.

"The Royals"

Part fairy tale, part cautionary tale, this contemporary family ensemble is steeped in all of the regal opulence of the British Monarchy and framed by Shakespeare's Hamlet. It's a tale of men and women corrupted by power, wealth and desire while looking at the nature of celebrity from a Royals' point of view. Executive produced and written by Mark Schwahn (One Tree Hill) and executive produced by Brian Robbins and Joe Davola (One Tree Hill, Smallville). From Lionsgate.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/e-slate-includes-wwe-women-josh-schwartz-stephanie-104931646.html

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His Name Tells the Tale (Balloon Juice)

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Meteor shower webcast: Watch outside or onscreen

Tonight's meteor shower can be viewed outside, if you have little light pollution and clear skies. City folk and those with cloudy skies can watch NASA's livestream of the meteor shower.

By Tariq Malik,?Space.com / April 22, 2013

This sky map shows where to look in the eastern night sky for the 2013 Lyrid meteor shower. Vega (center) is one of the brightest stars in the sky, and Cygnus the Swan (lower left) contains enough bright stars to be easily spotted.

Starry Night Software / Space.com

Enlarge

The annual Lyrid meteor shower may have peaked overnight on Sunday and Monday, but if you missed the celestial fireworks show don't fret. NASA's got you covered.

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Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala., will broadcast live images of the Lyrid meteor shower tonight and early Tuesday (April 22 and 23) for stargazers stuck with bad weather or light-polluted night skies. ?

The NASA broadcast will begin at 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 April 23) and run throughout the evening. You can watch the Lyrid meteor shower webcast on SPACE.com courtesy of NASA's MSFC feed.

"If you'd like to catch a last look at 2013 Lyrid meteor shower, this is your chance!" MSFC officials said in an announcement today. "Although a bright moon may interfere with viewing, you should still be able to see Lyrid meteors at an anticipated rate of 10-20 meteors per hour."

This year, the Lyrid meteor display runs from April 16 through April 26, though it peaked overnight on April 21 and 22. Because the moon is bright in the evening sky, the best time to look for the Lyrids is in the wee morning hours before dawn, after the moon has set but before the sun rises.

The Lyrid meteor shower occurs each year in mid-April when the Earth passes through a dusty lane of debris left over from Comet Thatcher, which is also known as C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The comet orbits the sun once every 415 years. The Lyrids are created when the comet's dust streaks through Earth's atmosphere at speeds of up to 110,000 mph (177,027 kph). ?

The Lyrids get their name because they appear to radiate out of the constellation Lyra. Humans have been observing the "shooting stars" display for more than 2,600 years, NASA scientists have said.

Editor's note:?If you snap a great photo Lyrid meteor shower that?you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, send photos, comments and your name and location to managing editor Tariq Malik at?spacephotos@space.com.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him?@tariqjmalik?and?Google+.?Follow us?@Spacedotcom,?Facebook?and?Google+. Original article on?SPACE.com.

Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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GOP lawmakers want Boston bombing suspect treated as 'enemy combatant' (Washington Post)

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Interview with Isabel Allende - The Ancestral Continuum |

New

Published on April 20th, 2013 | by admin

In September 2011 Nicola interviewed the author and activist, Isabel Allende, for The Ancestral Continuum. She gave generously of her time as she talked about her childhood, the inspirations for her books, and the loss of her daughter, Paula, who inspired her first memoir. Her epic bestseller House of Spirits began when, living in exile, she heard that her grandfather was dying. She began to write him a letter and just continued writing and that became the manuscript for her debut novel. Ever since she begins writing a new book on the same day ? January 8^th and doesn?t emerge until she has finished. Her new novel is Maya?s Notebook. Isabel is a master storyteller, her books are enchanting tales of family across generations, of eccentric characters and love and loss. The House of Spirits is based on her grandparents? home in Santiago where she grew up. Isabel is familiar with the realm of the ancestors and regularly calls on them for inspiration and support, none more so than her beloved daughter, Paula, who died from a rare genetic condition when she was just 29. Here are some unpublished exerts from the interview.

On Childhood:

?Everyone of us is marked forever by childhood so if you have a strange and unusual childhood it really helps in becoming writer. I had a very unhappy childhood, as most kids probably do, but it was also an unusual one. I was born in 1942 in Chile in a very patriarchal, conservative Catholic family. Being born a girl at that time in Chile meant that you were trapped into a certain way of behaving and thinking, there was no way out.? In a way I was lucky that my father left my mother when I was three because it meant that my mother went to live with me and my two brothers in my grandfather?s house. And so it was that I escaped from the normal family life. Although I always noticed how different my mother?s life was from her brothers. How little freedom she had so I always wanted to be a boy. I think that is what turned me into a feminist and an activist.

My grandmother was an extraordinary, lovely, spiritual person who died very suddenly from leukemia. I was only four or five but I was very attached to her. So first my father left and then my grandmother died. So we were left in the house with my grandfather. He was a very tough, severe but wonderful man of Basque origin. He was the kind of man who would never complain about anything, was very hard working and disciplined and he instilled those qualities in me. That is the way we lived: According to him life was not supposed to be pleasant; life was a veil of tears and you were here to work and serve especially if you were a girl. He turned our house into a place of mourning after my grandmother died. My grandfather painted part of the furniture black and dressed in black from head to toe. There were desserts, no parties, no music, no radios, no flowers. It was a sad and masculine house.

My mother was there but she was very lost, very young with three kids. So I would hide in the basement reading. It was the only way out of this kind of life. I was a good student. I was very lonely and very imaginative and I imagined that the spirit of my grandmother was in the house leaving me messages, hiding them here and there. The house was full of souls; all kind of stories that I created in my mind. That environment, that house, my mother, was very inspiring later in life when I realized I had all this wonderful material to work with in my stories.

I can?t say how much was imagination and how much I really lived in another world. I really believed that my house was full sprits. I couldn?t look in the mirror at night because the devil might appear. These were the stories that my grandfather told and I was young so I really believed them. I wasn?t a particularly spiritual kid. I wasn?t religious and I walked away from religion and the Catholic Church when I was 15 and never came back. But I grew up with the idea that what we perceive in this world is only appearances and I still have that idea. There are many dimensions of reality: there is much more that we don?t know, energies and currents and influences that we don?t control and they do exist and they change things and they determine things.

On the Voices of her Ancestors:

The voice of my grandfather is inside my head all the time. I have been in therapy for years trying to tell that voice to ?fuck off? because it?s the voice of responsibility, of hard work. The voice that tells you that you are never good enough, that you don?t complain, you don?t whine, you just take whatever comes. And that tough voice is the voice of my grandfather. I always have it and I have to make an effort to push that voice away as it hinders my writing and my life. I like the voice because the voice is him and I love him but it really doesn?t help me much. But my love of nature is also to do with my grandfather and the journeys we went on with him. He gave us the incredible experience of raw, wide nature in the South when there was no modern transportation. We would take a train, a jeep, then a mule and horses and go over the moor and be picked up by the gauchos on the other side. He also gave me the love of stories. He was a great storyteller; he would repeat anecdotes of the family and every time he told each tale it was further enriched and a little changed and those are the stories in the House of Spirits.

Then I have the other voice that is not so potent or so clear. That is my grandmother. That is the voice that I hear in meditation, when I am alone for hours and hours. When I am writing I can hear my grandmother. She was always about the lightness of being, spirit, the mystery of the universe and how complex everything is and how similar people are and how we can connect spiritually without words. She really believed in telepathy. And that comes when I am writing.

And then I have another voice which is the voice of my daughter Paula and that is the voice of my close companion. She helps me in my relationships. I have a large tribe where I live here in California. There is always some kind of drama going on and before I make any decisions I talk to Paula as I know she will always give me good advice. Nora and Hilda often come to me in my dreams and Paula?s presence is always around.

It?s amazing to me that all those voices are in Spanish. I have been living in English for 25 years but all the voices, all the stories are in Spanish. And I can only write in Spanish.? I think that it is the language of childhood and my youth and also it is a very emotional language ? for me English is very practical, I communicate well in English but I cannot express subtleties in English and I have no sense of humour. In Spanish I am very funny, actually.

Talking of ancestors, I have two other ancestors that are also present in my life. Nora was my former husband?s mother who was adorable and I loved this woman. She lived next door she helped me raise my kids and she was very close to Paula. When we had to leave because of the coup in Chile she died of sorrow in less than two years. She really could not live without the two kids. I always have her in my mind and I have pictures all over to remind me that she is there.

And then there is Hilda, our adopted grandmother who was the mother of my brother?s first fianc?. They were 14 years old, fell in love in school, married then divorced, then got back together and had two kids. He was not the right man for her but the mother of this girl was the right grandmother for my children. She lived with us on and off for years and she accompanied me everywhere. She was only one who would get in the car when I was driving because I am a terrible driver. She was my companion, this abuela, this grandmother. She died four years ago. She stopped eating and drinking and just decided to leave. With great elegance and dignity she died in a month or so. But the interesting thing is the person sitting with her said that she woke up and she said, ?Pass me my bag, Paula has come to fetch me.?

I have photographs of them all around me and I live with them, I really do. I carry them with me as I have been a traveler, an immigrant, a political exile, I have lived abroad all my life and started from scratch several times and you leave everything behind, you know, so all I carry with me are photographs and the letters of my mother.

The whole of Western culture is beginning to forget our ancestors. We live always in a hurry, we live in the noise, always about the next step and we are never present in the moment so we never remember. But I am a writer so my job is to remember. I spend so much time in silence and alone and I can have the luxury of having my ancestors around and remembering them.

We don?t know what we carry inside. We don?t only carry the physical genes, there are spiritual genes as well. Many people believe that we carry our ancestors? vices and their virtues. I believe we carry their spiritual legacy as well.

?

On her Daughter, Paula:

Paula?s untimely death broke my heart. She was a graceful, spiritual young woman, the light of our family. We have done so many rituals for her. I have little ceremonies with her and for her often when I feel like it. When it is her birthday, when we are celebrating something. She died on December 6^th so this day is for us a very intimate and sacred day. We go to the forest where we scattered her ashes. We light candles, we bring a little picnic, we bring a photograph of her and we put flowers in the pond where we scattered her ashes. And every time I finish a book I will take a CD of it to the forest and bury it so it is there for her to take care of.

She is very, very present in my family?s life.? She died very young and she was such a huge person in our family: She was the first-born grandchild, the first-born child, she was smart and already mature when she was two years old so we always treated her like an adult. She was like a mother to her brother so for my son her loss has been really hard. People always think that the parents suffer the most but in this I think her brother, Nicolas suffered her loss just as much as I did. He was very close to her. ?When we finally bought Paula home from Madrid in a coma, Nicolas had two babies in diapers and a sister in diapers as well and he would take care of them all with such natural skill. It was impressive to watch. And so moving.

(Paula fell into a coma in Madrid following complications arising from porphyria, a genetic condition. Isabel brought her home where she nursed her for a year before she died.)

Ten days before her death I had a dream. Paula was sitting on my bed and she told me that she needed to go. The dream was so real it was as if she was really there although I knew she was completely paralyzed so there was no way she could come to sit on my bed. It was very clear that she was telling me we needed to let her go and take her journey. I called her husband Ernesto in New York and he flew to California and we both locked ourselves in her room and got into her bed holding her, telling her that she could go. As we both said goodbye, something shifted in that moment. Ten days later she died. It was very strange that she died on December 6^th, exactly a year after she had entered the hospital.

People often ask me how I ?got over it? or whether I have healed the loss. What is healing, really? Is it getting over the pain? Is it forgetting? What is it? I don?t know how to answer. The loss of my daughter left a sadness that is like sediment at the bottom of my heart, like a fertile soil where the best thing grows and I don?t want to get rid of it. I want to remember her and I don?t mind when I am signing books and someone comes with Paula?s book and says, this is the most important book in my life and I cry. I don?t mind crying. When I think of her and talk about her, I am moved always and sometimes to the point where I cry. It?s fine. I think that is the way it needs to be and if healing is getting over that then I don?t want it. I want to remember.

One of my questions after she died was ?why did you stay so long?? She should have died at the beginning. We had kept her alive artificially. Why didn?t she die sooner? I think that, maybe, she needed to teach us something. Everybody changed during that year. That was a time when my youth ended. I turned fifty. I became another person before and after Paula. The whole structure of the family and each of us individually changed. It was a time of deep mourning and suffering but there were many gifts.

One gift was strength. Any mother will tell you that the worst fear of their lives is that something will happen to your child and that you will not survive it. Paula?s death showed me you that I had a strength that I didn?t know I had. That was a gift. Then there was the gift of love: of Willie, my son, my parents who were by my side no matter what. That was a gift. And she gave me the gift of understanding unconditional love for I loved her through that year when silent in her bed, my daughter couldn?t give me anything. I had to love her as she was, without even knowing whether she knew that I was loving her. In the years that have passed I remember that love and try to repeat it as often as I can. She helped me to realize that the only thing we have is that which we give.

She also helped me to lose the fear of death. I felt as though I went with her into the void when she died and there was nothing frightening about it. I am afraid of the suffering still, but I am not afraid of the end.

Paula?s Foundation

During her short life Paula worked as a volunteer in poor communities in Venezuela and Spain. She cared deeply for others. When in doubt, her motto was: What is the most generous thing to do? So I set up the foundation supporting women and girls, based on her ideals of service and compassion to continue her work.?And this has been another great gift for I am in touch with extraordinary women. I am in touch with women in Congo who have been terribly raped and tortured and they have never recovered from their physical and emotional wounds yet these women can hold hands and stand in a circle and dance.

I am in touch with immigrant women in this country that have left six children behind and they haven?t seen them for years and years and years and yet they work day and night to feed them. And they can still make empanadas and have a party and dance.? I am in touch with people who are really spiritual in the real sense ? it?s not about hanging crystals around your neck and sitting meditating like the Dalai Lama. No, its about being in the world, serving the world, knowing that there is something else, that there is spirit, that you can always get back on your feet and you can always help someone get back on your feet. That to me is a spiritual practice and that is what keeps me connected with the other dimensions of reality that is not practical or visible and it is not easy to talk about because it is so personal.

It?s a wonderful truth that things we want most in life ? a sense of purpose, happiness and hope ? are most easily attained by giving them to others.? My most significant achievements are not my books, but the love I share with a few people, especially my family, and the ways in which I have tried to help others.? When I was young, I often felt desperate: so much pain in the world and so little I could do to alleviate it! But now I look back at my life and feel satisfied because few days went by without at least trying. A day at a time, a person at time; in the end it adds up!? In every human being there is a core of shining dignity and courage.?

?

On Dreams, Writing and Nature:

I write the way that I live. I write the things I care for. For me a dream can be more important than anything that happened during the day. The dream can haunt me and force me to make a certain decision and makes me look at something that I have avoided. Consciously and unconsciously it starts to bother me when I am asleep ? so finally I have to pay attention. So I am connected to the dream world and to nature. I am thoroughly convinced that trees have a soul, they are giants that are alive, and they have memories. I live in the most beautiful place in California with the beautiful sequoias and the red woods. They have witnessed 3000 years of human life going on underneath them. They are such a strong presence. That is why we scattered Paula?s ashes there ? to be with her ancestors, to be with the trees.

On Chile:

I feel totally Chilean when I am in the US and yet when I go back to Chile I am a foreigner there. The first week I love it and then I have the feeling that everyone wants me to leave because I don?t fit in and my mother is terrified that I will go on TV and talk about abortion, for example, or gay marriage. So, I am in the end forever an exile. There are still scars and wounds in Chile. Truly, I think that the last person who was a victim will have to die for the healing to really occur because what we have done is bury everything under the rug. There is no real healing if the truth is not exposed and the victims are not honored. There is a sense of ?lets forget the past, the country is doing well.? And now there is a generation who are the grandchildren of the victims and the healing will come from them. We need to honour the past to move forward.

On her Mother:

Although my mother is still alive at 90, she is already my ancestor. She is 90 and she has lived a long rich life. She is the closest person in my life, the only one I can talk about anything with. She is very smart and very lucid, with a great irony and cool sarcasm that I love and I cannot use in the US as it is politically incorrect. We write to each other every day. We promised each other no one will ever read those letters so the plan is that whoever leaves first is going to burn them. But of course, I?m not going to burn her letters because when she is gone I will be able to open a letter a day and have her with me forever.

I asked one final question: whether can she imagine herself as an ancestor communicating with her descendants. I love her answer. It suggests that we can all have the experience of hearing the voices and feeling the presence of those who have gone before us, we just need to cultivate openness towards it.

Unless my descendants use their imagination as I have and they cultivate that imagination and care for it, they will not hear any voices at all. It is not the spirit who decides to whom it is going to talk, it?s the person who is open to the experience. You are the recipient and you create your experience. With Joan of Arc, I don?t think God was talking to her, I think that she was hearing His voice. And there is a difference. It all depends how open you are to the mystery.

Source: http://www.theancestralcontinuum.com/interview-with-isabel-allende

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Obama: 'We refuse to be terrorized' (CNN)

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Sony announces Jak and Daxter Trilogy coming to PS Vita this June

Despite what the sales figures might imply, the general consensus is that, for the most part, the PlayStation Vita's a neat portable console -- although some still argue Sony could do a little more to give its precious handheld a boost when it comes to available content. And just as it did with the PS3, the Japanese electronics maker has now announced that a remastered collection of Jak and Daxter is headed to the PS Vita as well, which includes Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II and Jak 3. The trilogy's said to be debuting on the PlayStation Vita at some point in June of this year for $29.99 in North America, or a corresponding €29.99 for those located across the pond in Europe. Not too bad a price to pay for some nostalgia-filled gaming sessions, eh?

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Via: Joystiq

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/20/sony-jak-and-daxter-playstation-vita/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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American Airlines resumes flight schedule

DALLAS (AP) -- American Airlines played catch-up Wednesday, resuming most flights and even adding a handful that weren't on the schedule to help passengers stranded by a massive technology failure that grounded the carrier's entire U.S. fleet a day earlier.

But some cancellations persisted, and delays were still common. About a third of American flights were late as of mid-afternoon.

American's CEO blamed Tuesday's breakdown on a software problem that knocked out computer systems needed for booking flights, tracking bags, loading and fueling planes and more.

"As you'd imagine, we do have redundancies in our system," Tom Horton, chief executive of parent company AMR Corp., said in an apology to passengers posted on YouTube. "But unfortunately in this case, we had a software issue that impacted both our primary and backup systems."

American and smaller-jet subsidiary American Eagle still canceled more than 300 flights by mid-afternoon, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.com. American said some flights were affected by bad weather in Chicago.

But American's performance was a huge improvement over Tuesday, when the computer failure brought all departures to a halt. Flights already in the air were allowed to continue to their destinations, but planes on the ground could not take off.

American and American Eagle canceled nearly 1,000 flights and delayed another 1,100. Two-thirds of their scheduled flights were late or never got into the air.

On Wednesday, American added seven unscheduled flights to accommodate passengers stranded the day before in Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles.

As marooned passengers resume their travels, questions lingered about the technology and whether American's systems will be adequate to avoid similar collapses after the company merges with US Airways to form the world's biggest airline.

AMR and US Airways hope to complete their merger by September and create a giant that would surpass current industry leader United in passenger miles. Airline mergers are always difficult, and one of the trickiest parts is combining technology systems.

When the systems of US Airways and America West Airlines were combined in 2007, chaos ensued. Hundreds of check-in kiosks didn't work, ticket agents were swamped, and flights delays lingered for days.

United's reservations system failed on several days last year after it converted to the one run by merger partner Continental Airlines. The CEO was forced to apologize.

Even if flights operate on time, there can be other hitches when systems are merged. At United, upgrades for elite members of the frequent-flier program weren't handled properly, and flights booked with miles weren't always ticketed correctly. Those mistakes were especially upsetting to the airline's most loyal customers. It's one thing for one flight to be late. For many veteran fliers, it's worse to constantly worry about upgrades.

Airline technology is notoriously complicated because so many pieces of the system rely on each other for information, said Emre Serpen, a consultant at InterVistas who works with airlines on technology issues.

Passenger information goes into the system and tells gate workers whether all the passengers have arrived. The same information is used to calculate the weight of the fully loaded plane. Flight dispatchers, who may be in a command center across the country, use the figures to order the right amount of fuel ? too much fuel adds weight and reduces mileage.

Besides performing many functions, airline computer systems might be assembled or serviced by different vendors. For American, the complexity will be magnified when it combines reservations, scheduling, frequent-flier and other programs with those at US Airways.

"They have to merge all the data from US Airways over to the American system. There could be huge translation problems" if the two airlines' systems use different coding, said Bill Curtis, senior vice president of CAST, a business software-analysis firm.

"They'll probably have some hiccups," Curtis said. "They may be big ones, or they may be so small that the public never notices."

AMR did not immediately respond to a request to make its chief information officer, Maya Leibman, available for an interview. She has been American's top technology officer for a little more than a year, replacing an executive who resigned shortly after AMR filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2011.

The term "information technology" appeared only three times in AMR's latest annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the company has provided few details on how much it spends to improve and maintain its computer systems, or who does all the work.

AMR said in the annual report that it has "engaged an increasing number of third-party service providers" for many jobs, including information technology hardware and services. The report also said the company will spend at least $80 million this year and $70 million in later years on a single IT-support contract.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker will run the new company after the merger. He has said he would prefer to convert his company's computer systems to American's since American is larger. He has pointed to the technology breakdowns that occurred after the United-Continental and US Airways-America West mergers, when the larger airline adopted the smaller one's systems.

For a second straight day Wednesday, US Airways declined to comment on whether Parker would reconsider his plans considering American's nationwide outage.

___

Associated Press Airlines Writer Joshua Freed in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

___

David Koenig can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/airlinewriter .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/american-airlines-resumes-most-flights-183233970.html

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Standardized testing creates 'toxic environment' in schools, professor says

Apr. 16, 2013 ? With standardized testing finally coming to an end in most districts, schools across the nation are exhaling a collective breath of relief.

After weeks of rigorous test preparation, anxiety-inducing practice, pep rallies and other contrived motivational activities, teachers and students are finally being liberated from the standardized testing rituals that have become an annual rite of passage each spring.

To Southeastern Louisiana University Education Professor James D. Kirylo, standardized testing has facilitated "an incredibly toxic environment in our schools and in our discourse about education, ultimately turning schools from learning centers to testing factories."

That emphasis on standardized testing has corrupted the focus on learning, he added, turning school-aged children into "experimental pawns."

"No doubt, the stakes are perversely high," said Kirylo, who writes prolifically about schools and education. "These singular tests determine, presumably, whether or not students are learning; whether or not teachers are effective; whether or not students will be subjected to boring skill and drill summer sessions; whether or not they will pass on to the next grade level; and ultimately how schools are rated. Likewise, teachers and principals will be faced with either job insecurity or celebrated with public praise."

According to Kirylo, the emphasis on standardized testing has resulted in students being objectified and curricula becoming disturbingly narrowed.

"We're in an environment where conversations among policy-makers, politicians and opportunists are talking about school reform using the language of competition, product, performance and outcome," said Kirylo, last year's recipient of Southeastern's Award for Excellence in Research. "We have created a system that inherently creates winners and losers."

That approach generates an atmosphere geared to winning at any costs, including the strong possibility of cheating. Kirylo said it should be no surprise that something like the recently discovered elaborate standardized testing cheating scheme in Atlanta occurred. That fraudulent activity involved the participation of teachers, administrators and a nationally recognized superintendent.

"Cheating is quite common and widespread," he added. "We all want to win, and many will seek to win by any means necessary. This is true in the history of sports, the corporate world and now in education."

Kirylo, a former Louisiana Elementary School Teacher of the Year, said many in positions of power are so focused on raising test scores, they lose sight of the ultimate goal of whether or not children are learning.

"As a result, there is no authentic concern about addressing the social economic, emotional or psychological disposition children bring to school; no care in finding solutions for over-crowded classrooms, and no care whether these tests are appropriate," he explained. "There is only one goal in mind, and that is to win; winning means high test scores, monetary awards and recognition.

"Schools don't exist to win, they exist to be places of learning," Kirylo added. "The task of the educator is not to compete with other educators, but to cooperate, collaborate and work together to lift all children up. Our children don't attend school to pass a test; they attend school to learn. Unfortunately, our sick educational climate continues to inappropriately test our children out of learning."

Kirylo serves on the editorial boards of The Association for Childhood Education International and the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/1yjvd86NuEo/130416102122.htm

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Justice's wife says husband shot Texas DA

KAUFMAN, Texas (AP) ? The wife of a former North Texas justice of the peace implicated her husband in the shooting deaths of a local district attorney, his wife and an assistant prosecutor, according to court records filed Wednesday.

An arrest affidavit revealed Kim Lene Williams told investigators Tuesday that her husband, Eric Lyle Williams, was the triggerman in the slayings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse. McLelland and Hasse prosecuted Eric Williams last year for theft of three computer monitors.

Kim Williams was arrested early Wednesday and charged with capital murder. Eric Williams has been in custody, charged with making terroristic threats. He has not been charged in the slayings.

The affidavit says Kim Williams "described in detail her role along with that of her husband." However, the document does not outline what Kim Williams' alleged role was.

After Eric Williams was convicted of theft, he lost his elected position as justice of the peace ? a judge who handles mostly administrative duties ? and his law license. He was sentenced to probation.

The McLellands were found dead March 30, two months after Hasse was slain.

The officer who signed the affidavit, Kaufman County Sheriff's Sgt. Matt Woodall, said he had learned from other officers and county employees that Hasse and Mike McLelland both believed Williams blamed them for the loss of his job and carried handguns because they thought he was "a threat to their personal safety."

Kim Williams was being held on $10 million bond at the Kaufman County Jail, sheriff's spokesman Lt. Justin Lewis said. He declined to answer questions Wednesday about the investigation but said families of the victims would be briefed on the case.

Her husband is being held on $3 million bond.

A probable cause affidavit says the former justice of the peace sent an email one day after the McLellands' bodies were discovered implying there would be another attack if authorities didn't respond to various demands.

A law enforcement official said ballistics experts were testing at least 20 weapons found in a storage locker under Eric Williams' name at a facility near Dallas. A Ford Crown Victoria similar to one spotted in the McLellands' neighborhood around the time the couple was killed was parked at the storage facility, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.

Jail records did not list an attorney for Kim Williams. A message left with an attorney who had been representing her husband was not returned Wednesday.

Williams has said that after the McLellands' deaths and after Hasse was gunned down Jan. 31 near the county courthouse, he submitted to gunshot residue tests and turned over his cellphone.

Williams has appealed his theft conviction, and a day before the McLellands' bodies were found, a state appeals court in Dallas agreed to hear oral arguments in the case.

During closing arguments at Williams' trial, the prosecutors presented testimony indicating he had made death threats against a former girlfriend and a local attorney.

In the sentencing phase, Kim Williams testified in her husband's defense. She said she suffers from several illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. She said her husband was her sole caregiver as well as the caregiver for her two ailing parents.

"Eric is a loving man," she testified. "He wouldn't do anything to hurt anybody. I'm standing by him 100 percent."

While Eric Williams was well known in the community as a lawyer and more recently a justice of the peace, his wife was largely invisible, according to Steve Hulme, an attorney who lives in Kaufman.

Hulme said he knew that Kim Williams had illnesses and that her parents, who live in the same neighborhood, also are in poor health. Beyond that, little else about her was known, he said.

"This is just shocking," Hulme said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/records-ex-officials-wife-says-husband-shot-da-210124457.html

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The Companies Attending The Next Web Conference Europe 2013

There are hundreds and hundreds of companies attending The Next Web Conference Europe 2013 next week in Amsterdam, and they are all eager to do business with you.

Want to add your name to this list? See your competitors on here? Get a ticket too so you can meet them all next week. You?ll also get to hear from top-notch speakers like author Tim Ferriss, Wolfram Research CEO Stephen Wolfram, legendary DJ and musician Ferry Corsten, Eventbrite co-founders Kevin and Julia Hartz?and many more? not least The Netherlands? Prince of Orange?who will be opening day one of the event. See you in Amsterdam!

Companies coming to The Next Web Conference Europe 2013

21212 Digital Accelerator, 360kompany, 3R Studio Mobile , 908 Inc, 99designs, A Pretty Different Factory, A-lehdet, A2A Integration, Accel Partners, ADC Performance Improvement, Adzine, Agile Alkemy, Ahlia, AkzoNobel, Albumprinter, Alchemist Ventures, Alenio AB, Alian, Almende, Altis Insan Kaynaklari ve Dan. Hizm. Ltd Sti., Amazon, American Apparel, AMS-IX, Anagram Designs, Antevorte, anwalt.de services, AppFellas, AppFellas , AppMachine, Appsfire, Appvetica, Appy, Arcana, Arcana , Arena Media Communications Espa?a, Argus Labs , Articul Production, AS SEB Pank, ASN Bank, ASP4all Hosting, Author Herd, Author Tubes, Author Digital Vertigo, Avangate, Avans Hogeschool Breda, AVG, Axel Springer, Aybabtu, Azendoo, B-ruu, Balderton Capital, Barobogo, Batukhtina.ru, BBVA, BCM Hoondert Holding, Mindrockets, Bertelsmann, Bertelsmann , Betcafe, Betsson Technologies, BIG FAT WRITER, Bilyoner, Bird & Bird, Blendout, Bloovi, BlueMind, BlueSnap, Bol.com, Bolden, Bottlenose, Brand 24 , Brand 24, Brandhouse, Bread & Pepper, Appcab, Broyalfoto, Brussels News Agency, BusinessQuests, Busy Brain , Buzzer, C. Meerbeek, cabinet DN, Cafecreate, Capgemini, Cartel Internet & marketing, Casey Games, ?asnik Finance, Caspian Capital, Catfish Entertainment, Cavendish, Consumer Electronics Association, Centinela, Central and Eastern Europe School Association, Chameleon Collective, Changer, Changer BV, Christian Vision, CIRB-CIBG, Clarity Digital, Clateway, Clearleft, Clever?Franke, Click A Taxi, ClickDealer, codio.net, Cole Street, Compassion Australia, Compassion International, Compassion UK, Con Terra, Connect Ventures, Consumer Electronics Association, Contempro Spolka Jawna, Contrail Innovations, Core Incubator, Creathor Venture, Croak.it, CrossLang NV, Crowdynews.com, Cupid PLC, Curious Quests Ltd , CurrencyFair, Cuutio Software Ltd, CVC Network Ltd, DataKomm A/S, Davanti Media Group B.V., David Okuniew, DCU Ryan Academy, De facto image building, de Volkskrant, Decos Software Development, Decos Technology Group, Deloitte, Deloitte Innovation, Dendrite, DENIVIP Media, Dentsu Inc., Despark, Detectify, Diageo, Digitale Kunden, digitalfibr SAS, Digitalisma, Distimo BV, Dolphin-Insight ? venture partner INKEF Capital, dots consulting gmbh, dpdk, Drippler Ltd, Drippler Ltd., Dublin Web Summit, Duidelijke Verkoop B.V., Duinrand Trading, Dutch Photo Press, Dyn, Dynamic Network, e-conomic International, e-mmer Interactive, E-people, eBuddy, Ecwid Inc, EDU-projekt Dariusz Lamot, Eesti Ajalehed/Eesti Ekspress, EF1 Marketing & Management, ekholabs, Elion Ettevotted, Elsevier, Embassy of Poland, Endare bvba, Endomondo, Energroup, Engadget, Enrise B.V., Erasmus University Rotterdam, Esd?g?-Reigersdaal, ESET\, spol. s r.o., ESG, ESG Management School, Esign, Esomar, Eurex Frankfurt AG, European Commission, European Product Managers Group Ltd, Evangelische Omroep, Eventbrite, eVenture Capital Partners 1 GmbH, Everdune, Evernote, Everplaces, EZ Gemeente Amsterdam, Faberg?, Fabric, Fabric Digital Limited, Facebook, Factlink, Fashionchick, Faxion, Fidall, Finansbank, FinchFactor, Finparty.ru, Fivestarday AB, FLASHiZ, Flightfuse BV, Flightfuse BV , Flosites, Fontanel and Your Majesty, Fontys, Forbes, Forrester Research, Fosbury, Found Fair GmbH, FR8, Franktentler.com, FreedomLab Future studies, Frommees BV, Frontline Ventures, Funstage Spielewebseiten, Fuzzze, Ganda, Geekcelerator, Geeklist, Gengo, Get Localization, GetHealth, Glimworm IT, Global Accelerator Year, Globo Web, GMG IT Management, GNF, Goedgemerkt, Google, Google France, Goril Bili?im Yay. Mag. Dis Tic. AS, Grayling Momentum, Greentube Internet Entertainment Solutions GmbH, GriDD consultancy, Ground3d, Ground3d B.V. i.o., Grupa Allegro Sp. z o.o., Grupa Nokaut, GSE Holding SA, Guidion, Haagse Hogeschool, HAN, Hater, Hater app, Hawaii305, Hello Group, Hello Group A/S, HelloData, HENQ Invest, Het Financieele Dagblad, Hitta.se, Hittapunktse, Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Hojoki, Holding Italiana Quattordicesima, Holic IT Company Limited, Holvi Payment Services , HostCreator, Huib Koeleman Verandercommunicatie, Hunter & Bard, I Buzz FZ, ICTU, IDA Ireland, IDCEE, IDG Netherlands, Idium AS, IMG SRC, IMOLLO s.r.l., IMX Capital, Incrediblue, Industry of Cool, Info.nl, Infobip Ltd, ING, Insilencio, INSPIDEE, Intercomputer Global Services GmbH & Co.KG, Interweave Digital Communications Agency, IntroNiche, IPKO Telecommunications LLC, ITWEBOFFICE, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Jolicloud, Juraj Pikulik Blog, Juviu.com, KAIZEN INTERNET SOLUTIONS, KAMIA, Katoen Natie, Kennisnet Foundation, Klarna AB, Klarna, Klash, Kluwer, Kommunikationsforum, Kommunikationsforum A/S, Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen, Lab.davanac, LABKULTUR, LABKULTUR.tv, Lam?co Development, LDV Capital, Leadbox by Tone Agency, Leibniz University of Hannover L3S Research Center, Level Level, Li Chiao Design, Lime5 srl, LinkedIn, Lionbridge, Liquid Labs, Listonic Sp. z o.o., Littlebrain*, Live Solutions, LLC E-Commerce Group, Lloyds TSB, Lokum.com, LUMU Invest, LUON, Maan.nl concept en creatie, Maastricht University, Mailjet, make a startup angel fund gmbh & co. kg, Malmberg, Mam Startup, Mangrove, Marketing Rockstars, Marketing T?rkiye, marketyou, MarQin, Mavenhut, MaxCDN, Maxus Global Media, Maya the buzz, Media Evolution, Media Voogel, MeeChannel.com BV, Meetin.gs, Menzis, Mercury Global Partners, Metro, Microsoft, Microsoft Bizspark, Mila AG, Millmobile, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Kon., Mirabeau, Mobylizr, Mobypicture, MOO.COM, Moravia IT a.s., Motify.me, Mr Duke, MT Media Groep, MTVTD bv, Muen Solutions, MyNews.is, Native Design, NCRV, Neobyte Solutions, Nerdalize, Netwerven.nl, New Europe, Newell Belgium Services bvba, NewsWhip, Nexmo, Nexmo Inc., Nextone Media Ltd, Nexuss Company Srl, NIJGH, Njuskalo, Njuskalo , Nokia, Nordeus, Notificare, NRC Digitaal, Nutrino, Obrigado , Oce-Technologies B.V., Ons Soort, Open Knowledge Foundation, Opera Capital Partners, Optimizely, Orange, Orbitum, Orchestra Platform, Ordina AOP B.V., OSAGE, Osterr. Lotterien, Owlin, Parking Defenders B.V., PayLane, PayLane Sp. z o.o., Paymill, Paymill GmbH, PayPal, PayTouch, Peak Capital, peaqs, Pearson, Pearson International, Peerby, PeerReach, PeerReach BV, Pelliano, PeO, Persgroep, PIBN, Pick A Key, Pitney Bowes Software, PlagSpotter, Planning Management Consultants SA, Point Nine Management GmbH, PostNL, Powered Now, Present.me, Press42, PressDoc, Pretty Simple, Prime Consulting, Prime Ventures, Probaton, Proffesional Publishing Hungary, Proficiat, Proficiat bvba, Promodo, Proteq Schadeverzekeringen (5404), Puckipedia, Rabobank Groep ICT, Rackspace, Radio Netherlands Worldwide , Radio Prun, Ramotion Inc., Reaktor, Realmac Software, Rebtel, RECOMMEND, Reed Business, Resonet Sdn Bhd, Rhinofly, Rijksmuseum, Roamer, Roamler BV, ROBIN Software BV, RoboTopics, Rocket24, Rockstart, RogueSheep, Roozz.com, Round Window Studios, Royal press Holland, RTL, RTL Nederland interactief BV, RTV Noord-Holland, Runa Capital, Rutger.co, Salesforce, Salesforce.com, Sandheep Ramluckan, Sanoma, Sanoma Digital The Netherlands, Sanoma Media Netherlands b.v. SM-Playboy Redactie, Sanomamedia, Santander, SARL Mobile Amusement, SC Cyberghost SRL, SC NET CONECT, Searchengines.ru, Second Degree, Senefelder Misset B.V., Serendipity Accelerator, Seso Media Group, Shareforce, Shirtdesigner BV, Shop Direct Ireland, Shuffler Media, SIA Hello World, SIBIOTECH SAS, Silicon Ireland News, Silicon Valley Bank, Simply Zesty, SKANDALE, Skimm, Skript, SkyFlyer Capital, Social Seeder, socialdevelopers.nl, SocialMedia.nl, SoftLayer, SoLebIch, SOLV Advocaten, Solware B.V., Solware BV, SoundCloud, Special Brands, Squla, SRM Aktiviteiten, Start Capital, StartApp, StartupBusiness, StartupTalk, Steam, Storify, Student, Studentenkortingskrant, Sumo Creations LLC, Sunstone Capital, Suomen Verkkomaksut Oyj, Swaptech, Swipe, Swogo Limited, Taggito, Talent Fountain, TalentGate Oy, TAMAS A.A. ADRIAN PFA, TCV, Team2Venture, Technical University of Berlin, Techstad, TechTalk / Studio, TEDxDelft, Telecom Italia S.p.A., telecom italia spa, Telegraaf Media Group, Telegraaf Media Nederland, TERMINALFOUR, Terrus InfoSys, Tetecom Italia S.p.A., Textcase, The 4-Hour Chef, The Alchemedia Project, The Economist, The Eventful Group, The Global Fund, The Learning People, The Mobile Revolution, The New Storyteller, The Next Web, The Rude Baguette, The Verge, The Wall Street Journal, TheFactor.e, Think! Amsterdam, This Fluid World, THNK, Thuisafgehaald, TicketForEvent, Tierra Virtual, TMG Online Media, TMG Online Media B.V., TMNL Landelijke Media B.V., TNW, TNW Magazine, TokBox, TokBox Inc., TomTom International, Top Shop International, Trademob, Travelfreax, Trip6 Holding BV, Triptic, TROS, TrueServer B.V., Trustpilot, Tunezy, Turkcell, Tweakers, Twilio, TwitterCounter, Tyba Solutions Ltd, Tyba Solutions Ltd., Tyinternety, Typeform, U-Start, ugift, Uminova Innovation, Uncover, UNIQ systems, UnitApp, University of Brighton, UNStudio, UpCloud, UpCloud Ltd, Us Media B.V., UTI Grup SA, Van den Ende, van der Woerd ? Huizer BV, Van Dusseldorp, VConnect Global Services Ltd, Vectrix, Venista Ventures GmbH & Co. KG, Venture TV, VentureBeat, Vergic AB, Veronica Story Holding , Verzameld Werk, Videal, Visa Europe, Visions In Focus, Visual Storyteller, Vodafone Group Services, Voicebooking.com, Vubooo, Wakoopa, Wakoopa B.V., Wallept, Wallept Ltd, Wantr, WappZapp, We Canteen, Web Factory, Websecurify, Websites Nederland, Webspecialty, WebsPlanet, WebTastic, Weekdone, Weekend/Royalty, Wend, Wendy Hoenkamp, Werk aan de Muur, Westergasfabriek BV, WeTransfer, Wheels Up, Wired Magazine, Wit Communicatieadviseurs, Wolfram Research, Wonderful Copenhagen, WPG Service Centrum BV, Wuaki.tv, www.arichardlaurent.com, Xaton B.V., XING AG, Yandex, YouTellMe BV, Yuilop, Zalando, Zappp, Zaptravel, Zepppelin, Inc, Zoekmijnboekhouder.nl and Zombot.

Wow, you scrolled all the way down here? Awesome. Now go and buy a ticket before it is too late. :-)

Source: http://thenextweb.com/voice/2013/04/16/want-to-know-which-companies-you-except-during-tnw2013-here-is-a-small-list/

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