Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft is rumored to be working on a smartwatch of their own, according to sources. Their offering will not only be their entry into the increasingly muddled smart wearable category, … Continue reading

Give the gift of connection this Father’s Day with stylish, cutting-edge tech gifts to compliment quality time with Dad. Here are 7 Dad 2.0 gift picks for 2014.

For the Mad Scientist (or Gourmand): Deluxe Molecular Gastronomy Kit

If Dad fancies himself to be the next Ferran Adrìa, this is the gift to end all gifts. More than a cookbook, this Deluxe Molecular Gastronomy Kit is a laboratory in a box. Containing everything that the adventurous food scientist needs for extraordinary feats of edible science–from calcium lactate to food-grade syringes–the Kit turns meals into a magical adventure. The hardbound recipe book contains instructions for 40 dazzling palate pleasers, from first course to last. This gift would surely be one of shared quality time, while giving Dad a novel new toy. Available on Uncommon Goods, and Amazon, $198.95)

For the Bookworm: Oyster for Unlimited e-books

Whether Dad’s tastes are Golding or Grafton, Oyster is the perfect gift for the e-bibliophile. Offering unlimited access to a growing library of 500,000+ books, Oyster’s monthly subscription model, the “Netflix” for books, is a gift that will deliver happiness in perpetuity. Instead of risking single-book-buyer’s remorse, give Dad the gift of intellectual freedom. Bestsellers, award winners, literary feats, classics, and new releases all come to Oyster to roost. With its hi-res photography, handpicked typography, and clean interface, Oyster makes digital reading a delight. Available at Oysterbooks.com and on iOS devices, $9.95/month)

For the Grillmaster: iGrill Mini

Ever wish Dad spent more time chatting at summer barbecues instead of hovering over the grill? With the brilliant iGrill Mini thermometer, he will know when the steaks are done from up to 150 feet away. (Touch football, anyone?) This single-probe, wireless Bluetooth Smart thermometer takes the guesswork out of grilling. As soon as the food on the barbecue reaches the optimal temperature, the iGrill Mini sends an alert to Dad’s mobile device telling him it’s go-time. Say goodbye to burnt meat and spend more time with Dad! (Available at Apple stores and directly from iGrill, $39.99)

For the Inner Boy Scout: In-1 Multi-tool Utility Smartphone Case

Dad can probably remember the joy of receiving his first Swiss Army knife: every tool he’d ever need, all in one. And when he got his first smartphone, it was the same: a camera, a phone, the Internet, video… Give that joy all over again with the In-1 Multi-tool Utility Case, the Swiss Army knife of phone cases. With a full set of screwdrivers, pens, a nail file, tweezers, scissors, a screen protector, and a kickstand for easy video viewing, he’ll truly be prepared for anything. And it’s TSA-approved. Currently this case is available for the iPhone 5/5S, with other models in the works (Available at In-1 Case, and Amazon, $44.95).

For the Stylish Technophile: Pebble Steel

The Pebble Steel digital watch combines modern, cutting-edge design with technical wizardry. The Pebble Steel is the most fashion-forward smart watch on the market — combining the latest in wearable technology — a daylight-readable display, a tricolor status LED, and the ability to receive his text messages, emails and control his music — all from his wrist. With dozens of apps to choose from — Google Maps, remote controls, daily weather and stocks, fitness, games — Dad will never miss a flight, be late to an event, have to get up to adjust the thermostat again (or have to miss a workout, with a virtual coach on his arm) — all while sporting the chicest chronometer on the market (Available at Pebble, $249).

For Dads on Dawn Patrol: Game Golf

The best part of golf is the game — not the scorecards and the miniature pencils. Let Dad maximize the time he has to enjoy the game, by adding technology and science to the art of this precision sport. Game Golf chronicles every shot of every round played in a user-friendly app. With the Game Golf system, Dad will never have to guess how far he actually hits his 8-iron. The Game Golf uses a GPS and chip reader to determine which club he used and how far he hit the ball with every swing. When it comes time for the 19th hole? This smart app let’s golfers share and compare their games, and amplifies the enjoyable parts of the game, while leave the onerous details in the sand trap. (Available at Apple stores, and on GameGolf.com, $249)

For the Dad who also rocks it on the tennis court or the baseball field in addition to golf, the Zepp sensor will help get his swing into shape across activities. (Available at Apple stores or on Zepp.com, $149.99)

For the Dashing Dad: Mujjo Sleeves Laptop Case

Gone are the days when laptop cases only came in bulky black neoprene: enter the Mujjo Sleeves Collection, which will guarantee there will never be another dull day at work again…at least style-wise. Made of sturdy felt and gorgeous tanned leather, these handcrafted cases offer protection and security while enhancing appearance. With storage compartments for documents, earplugs, and even built-in leather slots for credit cards and an SD card, Dad will be ready to take on the concrete jungle in style. ( Mujjo.com, $69)

The mother of a teenage burglary suspect is behind bars herself after allegedly punching a sheriff’s sergeant who was trying to charge her son.

The Saturday night incident began when sheriff’s deputies in Pinal County, Arizona saw three teens walking and recognized two as possible suspects in several recent residential burglaries, AzStarNet.com reports.

The deputies took suspects Jesse Samano, 16, and Kenneth Mosley, 17, into custody for questioning.

Samano was questioned with his mother present and admitted to committing the burglaries with Mosley, police claim. He was released to the custody of his mother and faces burglary charges.

Mosley was about to be question when his mother, Sanqusia Johnson, 37, arrived with her boyfriend, Genaire Roberts, 42, at the Arizona City substation.

Investigators say Johnson was confrontational with officers when her son was being questioned and that she had to be restrained.

When a supervisor tried to walk her away from her son, she allegedly struck the deputy in the face with her hand,

Roberts then allegedly grabbed on to Johnson to prevent her from being handcuffed, AzCentral.com reports.

Both Roberts and Johnson were taken into custody. Johnson was booked into the Pinal County Jail on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and obstruction of a governmental operation, KPHO.com reports.

Roberts was cited and released for obstruction of a governmental operation. According to Pinal County Sherrif Paul Babeu, Roberts allegedly told a deputy that when Johnson “acts like that at home he just leaves until she calms down,” according to AzStarNet.com.

Moseley was referred to juvenile court on the burglary charges.

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For three days, the Egyptian state pleaded with, demanded, threatened, cajoled, bribed voters to turn up at the polls. Egyptians were warned it was nothing less than a national duty to vote and they could be fined 500 Egyptian pounds for not doing so. They were told that Egypt would become Libya or Syria if they did not vote. The second day of voting was made a national holiday, and travel was made free to encourage voters to return to their constituencies. The TV anchors panicked and became hysterical. Voting was extended into a third day
Still they did not show up. An AFP crew touring Cairo’s polling stations found deserted halls. CNN reported likewise. Photos appeared on Twitter showing election officials asleep at their desks.
Interviewed on Good Morning Egypt, Najeeb Jibril, a human rights lawyer who heads the Egyptian Union for Human Rights protested on air as TV correspondents reported large crowds coming to the election stations to vote. Jibraeel said: “You had correspondents from Giza, Kafr Alsheikh and Suwais, and (behind them) we only saw one veiled woman voting in all three stations. He said it was not possible to “laugh” at the Egyptian people any more. “
By the end of the second day, the interim prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab, said that the turnout had exceeded 30%, and yet by the end of the third that had risen to 46%, leaving many to wonder how these figures could have been achieved in one day. Hamdeen Sabahi , the only challenger in the race, said the claimed turnout figures were an insult to the intelligence of the Egyptian people.
While some pollsters could be found who said these figures were credible, most monitoring organisations did not find them to be so. Estimates of the actual turnout ranged from figures as low as 10 per cent , which would be 5.5m votes, to 15%. The Arab Observatory for Rights and Freedoms put the turnout at 11.92% which equates to 6.425.989 voters. It reported numerous election violations and fraud. An interim statement published on behalf of the EU monitors made no comment on the reliability of turnout figures claimed by the pro-government judiciary.
Whichever set of figures you believe, one thing emerges loud and clear from a result like this. The bubble has burst. The idea that a “vast majority” of Egyptians ousted Mohamed Morsi on June 30 and Abdel Fatah al Sisi stepped up by popular request to take over on July 3 no longer holds true. If they ever existed in the numbers claimed in 2013, these millions of Egyptians no longer exist today. A “vast majority” behind Sisi has now shrunk to a ” vocal minority”. Almost entirely absent from this throng and from the television pictures of Sisi’s supporters are Egypt’s youth. They make up one quarter of the population and over half of them are impoverished.
A few days before the election the US polling organisation, Pew published a remarkable poll which found that only 54% of Egyptians said they favoured the military takeover; and while its popularity has declined, 38% of Egyptians still have a favourable impression of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is now officially branded as a terrorist organisation. This means that despite everything that has happened to them this year, mass arrest, mass death sentences, the support for the Brotherhood has remained constant. Pew found that dissatisfaction in Egypt was back to pre-revolutionary levels.
The central plank of Sisi’s legitimacy – the myth that a nationalist leader rose phoenix like from the ashes of Morsi’s presidency by popular demand – is now crumbling under his feet. If indeed less than 20 % of eligible voters cast their vote, Egypt is right the way back to 2010, when no matter how few voters turned up, Mubarak’s National Democratic Party triumphed nonethless. The Economist reported at the time the turnout estimates of civil rights groups of between 10 to 20% of voting age.
Elections like these paved the way for the revolution of January 25, three months later. Sisi is on no firmer ground now than Mubarak was then.
Indeed Sisi is more exposed today because since July 3 , he has jettisoned the liberal and secular leaders who helped him to power . He has burned away the civilian camouflage he so desperately needs. Where is Mohamed ElBaradei now? What has happened to the National Salvation Front, which is also barely mentioned? Amr Moussa is a backroom figure. And what of Tamarod , now that one of its founders Moheb Doss has admitted publicly that they were used by the Egyptian security services:”How did we go from such a small thing, five guys trying to change Egypt, to the movement which brought tens of millions to the street to get rid of the Brotherhood? The answer is we didn’t. I understand now it wasn’t us, we were being used as the face of what something bigger than us,” said Doss, who now has nothing to do with the Tamarod movement, or political life in Egypt. “We were naïve, and we were not responsible.”
Go back to June 30 and all of these virtual organisations were portrayed as significant forces in a new non-Islamist constellation. They turned out to be little more than the tools of carefully crafted campaign to disguise a counter revolution as a continuation of the first one in January 25. On June 30, Egypt’s secular and liberal politicians proved themselves to be useful idiots in the true Stalinist sense of the phrase. Egyptian voters have shown this week that they are not as easily fooled.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger won the 2003 California governor recall election, the nation was surprised to hear of an actor leaving Hollywood for high ranking political office. In the United States, the occurrence of this “Governator” type situation is rare. However, that is not the case in India. With nearly 550 million voters, the largest election in the history of mankind was a star studded affair with 20 Indian celebrities running for a seat in the parliamentary Lok Sabha elections.

65-year-old classical dancer and Bollywood actress, Hema Malini, often referred to as “Dream Girl” in her prime, won in Mathura for the BJP against incumbent Jayant Chaudhary, nearly doubling his vote total. However, this was not Malini’s first stint with politics as she had spent six years in India’s upper parliamentary house, the Rajya Sabha, from 2003-2009.

In Chandigarh, it was star versus star with IIFA awarding winning actress Kirron Kher defeating former Miss India, Gul Panag, in her first attempt at political office.

Of the male victors, Gujarati funny man Paresh Rawal decisively won his district in Ahmedabad East, while “tough guy” Shatrughan Sinha secured his district of Patna Saheb, which he has held since 2009. Film hero Vinod Khanna reclaimed his seat from Punjab’s Gurdaspur constituency after losing it in 2009.

The notable celebrity losers in these Lok Sabha elections were music giant Bappi Lahiri, actress Nagma, and actor Raj Babbar.

The common theme differentiating the triumphant celebrities from the defeated was their political alliance. Of the eight stars that ran under the BJP name, only “gold-man” Bappi Lahiri lost. Although their name power contributed weight to their victory, for the most part they rode on the Modi-led BJP coattails. Hema Malini acknowledges the people’s mandate for the BJP in an interview with IBNlive revealing, “of course the [Modi] wave gave an edge to all BJP candidates. I won because of Modi, but the wide margin by which I won was because of my own personal standing in the constituency.”

Modi was the true hero in the 2014 parliamentary elections, leading his party to their best performance ever with 282 seats and a majority in the Lok Sabha. Some people would say the stars aligned for Modi and the BJP. However, it seems that Modi was the one aligning the stars and able to channel their popularity to campaign esteem. In the words of Bollywood’s revered producer, director, and talk show host, Karan Johar, “BJP ….the first major Blockbuster of the year!!!! Huge opening and no sign of a Monday drop!!!”