Batteries, already the Achilles heel of mobile devices, present an even bigger challenge for even smaller devices, like wearables and the budding Internet of Things industry. These latter devices are not things that you would, or should, associate with the frequent charging and battery replacement we are used to on smartphones. How do you balance performance and battery life? Atmel, … Continue reading
Chevrolet has redesigned the Malibu for 2016 making the car all-new and much better looking than in the past. The 2016 Malibu has an available hybrid powertrain that uses some of the tech pioneered with the Chevy Volt. Thanks to that Volt tech, the new Malibu is able to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 45mpg. The car is … Continue reading
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Keep your eyes on the skies on Saturday morning for what promises to be a spectacular — if brief — total eclipse of the moon.
The totality will last for less than 5 minutes, making it the shortest lunar eclipse of the century, according to NASA. During some lunar eclipses, totality can last for more than an hour.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon enters Earth’s shadow. In this case, the moon is entering the very edge of that shadow instead of running right through the heart of it, which is why the eclipse will be so fleeting.
NASA has prepared a map showing where the eclipse will be visible. In the United States, the total eclipse will be observable from the West Coast to the U3 line (which runs roughly along the Mississippi River), while a partial lunar eclipse will be visible east of that line, with sunrise cutting the event short:
More diagrams of the eclipse are available on the Sky & Telescope website.
The eclipse will begin at 3:16 a.m. PT when the shadow of the earth begins to cover the moon. Totality will begin at 4:58 a.m. PT, with the greatest eclipse at 5 a.m. and totality ending at 5:03 a.m. The remaining partial eclipse will last until 6:45 a.m. PT, according to NASA.
Because the moon can look red during an eclipse, the event is sometimes called a “blood moon.”
This eclipse is the third in a tetrad, or a period of four eclipses, which began on April 15, 2014. The next and final lunar eclipse in the cycle will be on Sept. 28.
A map of that event is visible here.
For those unable to see the eclipse, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will provide a livestream.
In addition, NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams will answer questions on Twitter (@NASA_Marshall) from 6 a.m. ET until the end of the eclipse.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinians formally joined the International Criminal Court on Wednesday, as part of a broader effort to put international pressure on Israel and exact a higher price for its occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state.
Beyond seeking war crimes charges against Israel at the court, the Palestinians want the U.N. Security Council to set a deadline for an Israeli troop withdrawal and hope for new momentum of a Palestinian-led international movement of boycott, divestment and sanctions. The atmosphere seems ripe for international intervention after recently re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu startled the world with a pledge to voters, since withdrawn, that he would not allow a Palestinian state to be established.
But a legal and diplomatic showdown isn’t inevitable as aides say Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas isn’t interested in an all-out confrontation with Israel. War crimes charges against Israel could be years away and Washington likely will soften any Security Council resolution on Palestinian statehood.
Here is a look at what’s expected:
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THE COURT
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki was meeting with court officials Wednesday, but it’s largely ceremonial.
Attempting to lower expectations among Palestinians of speedy court action, Malki told the Voice of Palestine radio Wednesday: “I don’t want to disappoint our people, but the ICC procedures are slow and long and might face lots of obstacles and challenges and might take years.”
Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda already launched a preliminary review to determine if there are grounds for an investigation of possible war crimes in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem — lands captured by Israel in 1967 and recognized by the U.N. General Assembly in 2012 as the “state of Palestine.”
A senior Palestinian official said the Palestinians will wait for the outcome of that review — which can take months or years — before considering further action. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss Palestinian strategy.
Earlier this year, the Palestinians accepted the court’s jurisdiction dating back to June 2014, to ensure that last summer’s Gaza war between Israel and the militant group Hamas will be included in any review.
The Palestinians suffered heavy civilian casualties in the war, prompting allegations by some rights groups that Israel committed war crimes. Hamas, which rules Gaza, is also exposed to war crimes charges because it fired rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilian areas.
Israel’s settlement construction, deemed illegal by much of the world, is also bound to be examined by the prosecutor. Since 1967, Israel has moved more than 550,000 of its civilians to occupied lands.
Palestine’s court membership could help shift focus to settlements as a legal and not just a political issue, said Alex Whiting, a former official in the international prosecutor’s office.
Israel and Palestine also will have to show that they are looking into possible war crimes on their own — a shield against ICC involvement if deemed credible. Israel says it’s investigating alleged violations by its troops in Gaza. Hamas is not investigating its actions, claiming rocket attacks were self-defense.
Israel vehemently opposes Palestinians joining the court. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said unilateral Palestinian moves are “absolutely counterproductive” and will make it harder to resume negotiations.
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THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL
France is working on a Security Council resolution that would set the parameters for a Palestinian statehood deal. The draft would define the pre-1967 frontier as a reference point for border talks, designate Jerusalem as a capital of two states and call for a fair solution for Palestinian refugees.
Last year, the council rejected a Palestinian resolution demanding an end to Israeli occupation within three years. The U.S. opposed that draft, saying Palestinian statehood can only be achieved through negotiations, but didn’t have to use its veto.
French diplomats now say they are working on a new draft with their allies, including the U.S., to ensure broad support. A resolution could be introduced later this month.
The U.S. said after Netanyahu’s comments on Palestinian statehood that it would re-evaluate its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a possible sign that Washington would no longer shield Israel in the Security Council.
Israel opposes imposed parameters for negotiations, but Palestinians are also skeptical.
They want internationally backed ground rules, after Netanyahu rejected the pre-1967 lines as a starting point. However, they also fear they’ll get a resolution that lacks enforceable deadlines and instead introduces the definition of Israel as a Jewish state. Abbas opposes such wording as a threat to the “right of return” of Palestinian refugees.
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BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS
Organizers said they expect Netanyahu’s re-election will galvanize support for the 10-year-old Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
BDS activists promote different objectives, with some focusing on a boycott of the settlements and others saying everything Israeli must be shunned until Israel withdraws from occupied lands.
The movement has scored recent successes, including some European businesses and pension funds cutting investments or trade with Israeli firms connected to West Bank settlements.
Nahshon, the Israeli official, dismissed BDS campaigners as a small group driven by anti-Semitism and “a wish to destroy” Israel.
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THE WAY FORWARD
Instead of a dramatic Israeli-Palestinian showdown, continued paralysis appears more likely.
Netanyahu and Abbas have signaled that they don’t want strained relations to break down.
Israel initially punished Abbas for seeking court membership, freezing monthly transfers of more than $100 million it collects for the Palestinians. Israel resumed the transfers after three months amid warnings that a continued freeze could bring down Abbas’ government.
Abbas has indicated he won’t end security coordination between his forces and Israeli troops in the West Bank that is aimed at shared foe Hamas.
Abbas also told senior PLO officials in March he remains committed to negotiations and would go along with the idea of an international peace conference, proposed by France, “despite low expectations.”
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Laub reported from Amman, Jordan. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Mike Corder at The Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report.
Milan, Florence, Rome: It’s no surprise that Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. But rather than hitting only the hot spots, carve out some time to visit the less-traveled regions, too. We turned to Ciao Andiamo, a website that helps you plan and book off-the-beaten-path Italian vacations. If you want to eat, drink, wander and even truffle-hunt your way through this Mediterranean gem, then check out these five regions.
See Venice, then head to Veneto
Once you’ve explored the picturesque canals of Venice, head farther into the region of Veneto. Away from the coast you’ll find the towns of Verona and Padua, where Shakespeare set his plays Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew. In Verona, stroll through the charming, romantic plazas and hear an outdoor concert at a First-century Roman amphitheater. In the University town of Padua, explore the Prato della Valle, one of Italy’s largest piazzas surrounded by water and statues. View panoramic.
See the Amalfi Coast, then head to Puglia
Puglia, an Adriatic Sea town in the heel of Italy’s boot, is quieter and less frequented by tourists than the Amalfi Coast. In addition to sunbathing on gorgeous beaches, see the historic architecture of Castel del Monte and the trulli of Alberobello, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Make sure to book a table at Grotta Palazzese to dine inside a carved-out limestone cave with a view of the sea. View panoramic.
See Florence, then head to Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s smallest regions, but for foodies it is not to be overlooked. The historic towns of Bologna and Parma (which gave their names to your favorite charcuterie) are culinary havens. Visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano or balsamic factory, take a home-made pasta-cooking class and feast on meats and cheeses at a countryside osteria. When you can eat no more, visit the authentic Ferrari museum in the region where Ferraris and Lamborghinis are made. View panoramic.
See Tuscany, then head to Umbria
After you’ve gotten your fill of the Tuscan countryside, head east to neighboring Umbria for a quiter, laid-back experience (thanks to fewer tourists). Called the “green heart” of Italy, it’s home to verdant hills and vineyards, medieval villages and authentic cuisine. Visit the town of Norcia, which is famous for truffles and wild-boar sausage, and sample wine in the hamlet Montefalco, which is known for the Sagrantino grape. View panoramic.
See Milan, then head to Piedmont
Escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Milan in nearby Piedmont. The region is famous for its medieval towns and sweeping landscapes, which are situated against the Alps. Visit the town of Canelli, where an “underground cathedral” of connected cellars makes sampling spumanti wine a breeze. Join experienced truffle hunters and dogs on the search for world-renowned white truffles, and then enjoy a lavish truffle-based lunch paired with red wine and local specialties. View panoramic.
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Yesterday, the Obama administration announced how it plans to gut greenhouse emissions over the coming decade. The documents explain the broad plans which will allow the country to reduce the emissions by an impressive 28 percent.
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