TIMBUKTU, Mali (AP) ? A delegation of U.S. lawmakers met with military officials in Mali's capital on Monday, and urged caution as the French-led military intervention to wrest back control of the country's north from the al-Qaida fighters entered its fifth week.
French President Francois Hollande unilaterally launched the intervention last month after the extremist groups began a push south. They later reached out to allies for logistical help. The United States is providing C-17 transport planes and in-air refueling, as well as help with intelligence gathering, but has ruled out sending troops.
The four lawmakers are led by Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee that oversees Africa issues. After meeting with French military officials as well as their Malian counterparts, Coons told The Associated Press by telephone: "My initial impression is that the French are very confident that their military intervention has been swift, decisive and effective in driving the jihadists completely out of towns in the north."
But he added: "My concern ... is that there are longstanding internal tensions in Mali that reflect development challenges, and political fractures and ethnic tension that may be dramatically worsened by how the French and their allies ... and the Malians conduct themselves in the field in the next few weeks."
Among the worrying signs are the recent back-to-back terrorist attacks in the newly-freed city of Gao in the north. Columns of French forces have had to double back to Gao to reinforce the town, even as a different unit of French troops continues to push northward. The suicide attacks, he said "suggest a level of jihadist militancy that doesn't reflect the confidence that I heard from the French ? that the jihadists are not from here, are not supported here, and have been driven away."
Over the weekend, French forces secured the small town of Bourem, located between Gao and Kidal. French and Chadian forces were also patrolling the city of Kidal, though it remains unclear if the northern administrative capital is secure. The roads connecting the towns remain unsafe, with repeated sightings of jihadist convoys as well as several fatal incidents involving landmines planted by the extremists.
Mali, a landlocked nation of nearly 15.8 million, has long been among the poorest in the world, but until last year, it was viewed as relatively stable despite the infiltration of its remote deserts by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. The extremists took advantage of a March 2012 coup in the capital in order to push into the main cities in the north, including Timbuktu, where residents are just now starting to fully regain the freedoms they lost during 10 months of Islamic rule.
The four person delegation also includes Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-GA, Rep. Karen Bass, D-CA, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) ? Ethiopian rebels on Monday warned a Canadian oil company against oil exploration in the country's east and said the area is unsafe because of fighting.
Africa Oil Corporation should halt all operations until the rebels make peace with the government, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, or ONLF said. The group is blamed for the 2007 attack on a Chinese-run oil field in the region in which scores were killed.
The rebels said in a statement that the company is "conspiring with the government to exploit the region's oil."
"ONLF calls upon African Oil to desist from paying blood money to Ethiopia until a just settlement of the conflict is achieved and the people of the Ogaden are in a position to be masters of their wealth and interest," the statement said.
The Ethiopian government spokesman downplayed the statement saying the region is peaceful and that the rebels don't pose any real threat.
"The region is now fully stable and peaceful. The government and people are mobilizing together to develop the region," said Communications Minister Shimeles Kemal.
Various ONLF factions have in the near past requested and subsequently negotiated with the government after which they have put down their arms and re-joined the people to lead a peaceful life, Shimeles said.
"They have completely lost that capacity as most of their fighters have put down their arms. Now the remaining faction's leaders are engaged in a routine propaganda to disturb the ongoing development activities," he said.
Africa Oil Corp. said on its website that it has three projects in Ethiopia including in the Ogaden Basin where ONLF has been fighting the Addis Ababa government.
The rebels want to create an independent state in the Ogaden region, which is inhabited by mostly ethnic Somalis. Peace talks between ONLF and Ethiopians government in neighboring Kenya ended in disagreement in October.
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Long segments of RNA? encoded in our DNA but not translated into protein?are key to physically manipulating DNA in order to activate certain genes, say researchers at The Wistar Institute. These non-coding RNA-activators (ncRNA-a) have a crucial role in turning genes on and off during early embryonic development, researchers say, and have also been connected with diseases, including some cancers, in adults.
In an online article of the journalNature, a team of scientists led by Wistar's Ramin Shiekhattar, Ph.D., detail the mechanism by which long non-coding RNA-activators promote gene expression. They show how these RNA molecules help proteins in the cell to create a loop of DNA in order to open up genes for transcription. Their experiments have also described how particular ncRNA-a molecules are related to FG syndrome, a genetic disease linked to severe neurological and physical deficits. "These ncRNA-activators can activate specific genes by working with large protein complexes, filling in a big piece of the puzzle," said Shiekhattar, Herbert Kean, M.D., Family Professor and senior author of the study. "Our DNA encodes thousands of these ncRNA-activators, each with a role in timing the expression of a specific gene. As we learn more about non-coding RNA, I believe we will have a profoundly better understanding of how our genes function."
Their findings also provide a plausible mechanism of how locations along chromosomes, classically known as "enhancer" elements, can influence the expression ("reading") of genes located 5,000 to 100,000 base pairs ("letters") of DNA away. According to their findings, ncRNA-a molecules bind to large protein complexes to form a loop of DNA, which then opens up the gene to the molecular machinery that transcribes DNA. "There is an abundance of evidence to indicate that enhancers are critical components of transcription during embryonic development and disease process," Shiekhattar said.
"Non-coding RNAs are probably one of the earliest molecules that determine spatial and temporal gene expression in a developing embryo," Shiekhattar said. "These enhancers can help turn genes on and off as a growing embryo would need, but as we have seen in other genetic mechanisms of embryonic development, they can lead to cancer if they are switched on inappropriately in adult cells."
In the classic "central dogma" of biology, chromosomal DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated by the cell into proteins. In recent years, however, scientists have found that not all transcribed RNA molecules become translated into proteins. In fact, studies have shown that large portions of the genome are transcribed into RNA that serve tasks other than functioning as blueprints for proteins. In 2010, the Shiekhattar lab first published the discovery of these ncRNA enhancer molecules in the journalCell(2010 Oct 1;143(1):46-58), and theorized on their role as "enhancers" of gene expression. Since then, laboratories around the world have published and linked ncRNAs not only to transcriptional enhancers but also to certain diseases, including some cancers.
To discover how such enhancer-like RNAs function, the Shiekhatter laboratory deleted candidate molecules with known roles in activating gene expression, and assessed if they were related to RNA-dependent activation. They found that depleting components of the protein complex known as Mediator specifically and potently diminished the ability of ncRNA-a to start the process of transcribing a gene into RNA. Further, they found that these activating ncRNAs can attach to Mediator at multiple locations within the Mediator protein complex, and Mediator itself can interact with the enhancer element site on DNA that encodes these activating ncRNAs. Their results also determined how mutations in a protein that makes up the Mediator complex, called MED12, drastically diminishes Mediator's ability to associate with activating ncRNAs.
Mutations in the MED12 protein are a marker for FG syndrome (also know as Opitz?Kaveggia syndrome), a rare genetic disorder that leads to abnormalities throughout the body and varying degrees of physical and neurological problems. "This clearly shows how activating ncRNAs can influence disease development, an idea that has been gaining evidence in the scientific literature," Shiekhattar said. To confirm that ncRNA-a works with Mediator to form a loop in DNA, the researchers used a technique called chromosome conformation capture (3C) to gain a better understanding of the three-dimensional structure of chromosomes. Their results show how Mediator gets a foothold of sorts on the portion of DNA that encodes the ncRNA-a, and twists the DNA to form a loop.
"The looping mechanism serves to physically bring together a distant enhancer element with the start site of the targeted gene, allowing Mediator to recruit the proteins responsible for reading the gene to the location," Shiekhattar said. "It is at least one answer to how these classical enhancer elements function while being physically distant from their target genes."
###
The Wistar Institute: http://www.wistar.org
Thanks to The Wistar Institute for this article.
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MADRID (Reuters) - The Bank of Spain has launched an investigation into property deals made by the real estate arm of nationalised lender Bankia (BKIA.MC), two sources at the central bank and at the ...
Corruption Accusations in Spain May Hamper Economic Recovery
VOA - Friday 15th February, 2013
SEVILLE -- In Spain, new details keep emerging in a corruption scandal that reaches to the top ranks of the ruling party. Some analysts believe the B?rcenas affair and the numerous other ...
Tenants in Spain Win First Battle against Evictions
IPS - Friday 15th February, 2013
MALAGA, Spain, Feb 15 2013 (IPS) - Public outcry against evictions this week led Spain?s parliament to accept a popular initiative against mortgage-related evictions for unpaid debts, which in ...
Spains Reyal Urbis nears bankruptcy after talks fail - sources
Reuters - Friday 15th February, 2013
By Toms Cobos and Carlos Ruano MADRID (Reuters) - Creditors of Spanish property developer Reyal Urbis (REYU.MC) rejected the company's 3.6 billion euro ($4.8 billion) debt restructuring ...
Spanish solar panels firm Isofoton starts insolvency proceedings
Reuters - Friday 15th February, 2013
Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:29am ...
Spain proposes deep cuts to local government
Sign on San Diego - Friday 15th February, 2013
MADRID -; The Spanish government has passed a draft bill that aims to make deep cuts to local administration and is expected to save some (EURO)7.1 billion ($9.5 ...
Iberia Express Vueling to cancel over 400 flights due to strike
Reuters - Friday 15th February, 2013
MADRID | Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:51am EST MADRID Feb 15 (Reuters) - Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling and budget airline Iberia Express said on Friday they would have to cancel more than 400 ...
HRT Cars Sold to Spanish Auto-Breaker
New York Times - Friday 15th February, 2013
LONDON (Reuters) - The HRT Formula One team hit the sporting scrapheap on Friday with five of their cars, minus engines and gearboxes, sold to a Spanish auto-breaker and another going to Pirelli for ...
Vodafone adds to Spain corporate job cull with 620 dismissals
Reuters - Friday 15th February, 2013
VOD.L ) said it had reached agreement with labor unions to lay off 620 workers at its recession-hit Spanish unit, adding to a list of job cuts in Spain's hard-hit ...
Man United On Standby to Make Summer Move for Barcelona Contract Rebel
Barcelona Daily News - Friday 15th February, 2013
Nou Camp keeper on Old Trafford wish-list. Check in to Manchester United vs Reading Man United are reportedly on standby to make a move for Barcelona contract rebel Victor Valdes according to the ...
Spains Bankia hires Rothschild to sell company stakes
West Australian - Friday 15th February, 2013
, as the bank rebuilds its capital.Bankia, which along with parent group BFA took 18 billion euros (15 billion pounds) of European Union aid last year, has to shrinks its business as a condition of ...
Spain will prohibit transmission of Hispan TV and Press TV
Pravda - Friday 15th February, 2013
Iran's ambassador in Madrid, Morteza Saffari, rejected the attitude of the Spanish authorities to prohibit the transmission of the channels Hispan TV and Iranian Press TV. He also warned about ...
Europol cracks Spanish cybercrime ring
Euro News - Friday 15th February, 2013
A cybercrime ring netting over one million euros a year has been cracked by Europol. Eleven people from Russia, Georgia and Ukraine have been arrested. Warnings which appeared to have come from the ...
Nolito unfazed by Barcelona clash
soccerway - Friday 15th February, 2013
Granada winger Nolito says he and his team-mates are undaunted by facing Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.Despite the colossal task facing the league leaders, with 36 points separating the two sides ...
Bootcamp break the pain in Spain
The National - Friday 15th February, 2013
Marbella is not the obvious destination for those seeking enlightenment. Situated on the Spanish Mediterranean, the Costa del Sol's ever-so-slightly sleazy but upmarket resort town is more ...
Spain Earmarks $4.67 Billion for Job Creation
Congoo - Thursday 14th February, 2013
MADRID - Spain will devote 3.5 billion euros ($4.67 billion) over the next four years toward efforts to expand economic opportunities for young people and encourage self-employment, the government ...
Simon Calders Holiday Helpdesk It looks as if Spanish economy has hit another link from the UK
The Independent - Thursday 14th February, 2013
Simon Calder is Travel Editor at Large for The Independent, writing a weekly column, various articles and features as well as filming a weekly video diary. Every Sunday afternoon, Simon presents the ...
Spanish state TV accused of biased reporting on government and crisis
Irish Times - Thursday 14th February, 2013
GUY HEDGECOE in MadridAs the government faces a torrent of negative headlines linked to Spain?s economic and political crises, the state broadcaster is being accused of playing down the bad ...
In Miami suburb a mayors push for Spanish as official second language is rebuffed
Canada.com - Thursday 14th February, 2013
DORAL, Fla. - In many parts of Miami, Spanish is used as frequently -- or more often -- than English. That's certainly case in the neighbouring suburb of Doral, where an influx of immigrants ...
Top seeds Nadal Almagro win in Brazil
Middle East Times - Thursday 14th February, 2013
Nicolas Almagro each logged a second-round victory Thursday to advance at the Brazil Open. Nadal, in comeback mode after missing seven months with a knee injury, moving on to the quarterfinals when ...
Bishops of Spain thank Holy Father for invaluable service
EWTN - Thursday 14th February, 2013
Reacting to news of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation from the papacy, the bishops of Spain expressed profound gratitude to the pontiff and exhorted the faithful to pray for him.In a statement, ...
Spains bank restructuring fund forced to deny report that shares will be valued at just 1 euro cent each
The Guardian - Thursday 14th February, 2013
Bankia face substantial losses, with the bank's shares temporarily suspended on the Madrid stock exchange on Thursday morning amid rumours that existing stock would be declared almost ...
A Huntington Beach doctor has been accused of gross negligence and corruption based on allegations that he bought stolen medical equipment and allowed unlicensed personnel to assist in a pain relief procedure.
Dr. Van Huy Vu, a pain-management specialist, faces discipline by the California Medical Board that could include the loss of his medical license. His lawyer could not be reached for comment Friday.
According to legal documents filed by the board last week, in February 2011, Vu implanted a spinal-cord stimulator under anesthesia with equipment supplied by a fired employee of Boston Scientific. The documents say Vu purchased the equipment from William Trujillo at a fraction of the normal price.
Vu then allegedly told a company representative that he was using a different company's products. He also allowed Trujillo, who had no medical license, to assist during the pain-relief procedure. The documents say Vu used expired equipment and allowed a massage therapist to assist.
The day after, a representative of Boston Scientific sent Huntington Beach police officers to recover company equipment worth about $144,000. The medical board says Vu at first refused to allow the officers to come into his office, initially said he had no equipment from Boston Scientific, and then admitted to lying after officers saw products labeled with the company name.
Vu was the subject of an investigation last year by the Los Angeles Times. The newspaper analyzed fatal overdoses of prescription medications and found Vu linked to 16 deaths ? more than any doctor in Southern California.
The Times reported Thursday that Vu is under board investigation in connection with the deaths. Board spokeswoman Jennifer Simoes would not confirm an investigation, saying they are confidential by law.
Contact the writer: cperkes@ocregister.com 714-796-3686
Avoiding virus dangers in 'domesticating' wild plants for biofuel usePublic release date: 15-Feb-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Tom Oswald tom.oswald@cabs.msu.edu 517-432-0920 Michigan State University
In our ongoing quest for alternative energy sources, researchers are looking more to plants that grow in the wild for use in biofuels, plants such as switchgrass.
However, attempts to "domesticate" wild-growing plants have a downside, as it could make the plants more susceptible to any number of plant viruses.
In a presentation at this year's meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Michigan State University plant biologist Carolyn Malmstrom said that when we start combining the qualities of different types of plants into one, there can be unanticipated results.
"Most wild plants are perennials, while most of our agriculture crops are annuals," Malmstrom said. "Sometimes when you mix the properties of the two, unexpected things can happen."
For example, annual domestic plants are made to grow quickly. "In agriculture we select more for growth," she said. "There is a reduced need for the plants to defend themselves because we have taken care of that."
If pest control measures aren't taken, these annual plants can serve as "amplifiers," producing lots of viruses and insects to move the viruses around.
In contrast, perennial plants in nature grow slower, but are usually better equipped to fight off invading viruses. When wild-growing perennials do get infected they can serve as reservoirs for viruses, Malmstrom said, "a place where viruses can hang out a long time."
In the domestication of wild plants for bioenergy, long-lived plants are being selected for fast growth like annuals. "Now you have a plant that could be a long-term reservoir, but it also happens to be faster growing and can serve as an amplifier for viruses. This all-in-one combination could increase virus pressure in crop areas unless mitigated."
Malmstrom said that plant virus ecology and the study of viral interactions between wild-growing plants and agricultural crops is an expanding field. In the last 15 years, disease ecology has really come to the fore as a basic science.
Most of what is known about plant viruses comes from studies of crops. To understand the complete ecology of viruses, researchers are now studying these tiny organisms in nature, too. "The mysteries of how plant viruses can play a role in ecosystem properties and processes in natural ecosystems are emerging more slowly," Malmstrom said.
Malmstrom said it's important to catch-up in our understanding of viral ecology, as there are any number of societal issues that need to be addressed in this area.
"Society wants us to be able to answer questions such as whether viruses can be used in agricultural terrorism, how to recognize a novel virus, and what happens if a virus is genetically modified and then let loose?"
###
For more details about AAAS, the world's largest general scientific society, visit www.aaas.org.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Avoiding virus dangers in 'domesticating' wild plants for biofuel usePublic release date: 15-Feb-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Tom Oswald tom.oswald@cabs.msu.edu 517-432-0920 Michigan State University
In our ongoing quest for alternative energy sources, researchers are looking more to plants that grow in the wild for use in biofuels, plants such as switchgrass.
However, attempts to "domesticate" wild-growing plants have a downside, as it could make the plants more susceptible to any number of plant viruses.
In a presentation at this year's meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Michigan State University plant biologist Carolyn Malmstrom said that when we start combining the qualities of different types of plants into one, there can be unanticipated results.
"Most wild plants are perennials, while most of our agriculture crops are annuals," Malmstrom said. "Sometimes when you mix the properties of the two, unexpected things can happen."
For example, annual domestic plants are made to grow quickly. "In agriculture we select more for growth," she said. "There is a reduced need for the plants to defend themselves because we have taken care of that."
If pest control measures aren't taken, these annual plants can serve as "amplifiers," producing lots of viruses and insects to move the viruses around.
In contrast, perennial plants in nature grow slower, but are usually better equipped to fight off invading viruses. When wild-growing perennials do get infected they can serve as reservoirs for viruses, Malmstrom said, "a place where viruses can hang out a long time."
In the domestication of wild plants for bioenergy, long-lived plants are being selected for fast growth like annuals. "Now you have a plant that could be a long-term reservoir, but it also happens to be faster growing and can serve as an amplifier for viruses. This all-in-one combination could increase virus pressure in crop areas unless mitigated."
Malmstrom said that plant virus ecology and the study of viral interactions between wild-growing plants and agricultural crops is an expanding field. In the last 15 years, disease ecology has really come to the fore as a basic science.
Most of what is known about plant viruses comes from studies of crops. To understand the complete ecology of viruses, researchers are now studying these tiny organisms in nature, too. "The mysteries of how plant viruses can play a role in ecosystem properties and processes in natural ecosystems are emerging more slowly," Malmstrom said.
Malmstrom said it's important to catch-up in our understanding of viral ecology, as there are any number of societal issues that need to be addressed in this area.
"Society wants us to be able to answer questions such as whether viruses can be used in agricultural terrorism, how to recognize a novel virus, and what happens if a virus is genetically modified and then let loose?"
###
For more details about AAAS, the world's largest general scientific society, visit www.aaas.org.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
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From a simple remodel to a complete rebuild, the Chilliwack?Street ?Cube? residence is a distinct contemporary dream home designed by architect,?Randy Bens. The initial plan was to add a second floor addition to an existing 1950?s split level home. But following a thorough evaluation of the project, it was understood that this plan would not work with the current structure. The home as it stood was too small for the family, so the owners decided to move forward with a different plan which involved removing the original structure completely and building the home. Within the design process for the new home, the owners chose a style that was reminiscent to portions of the original home. The footprint of the home remained unchanged and a second floor that included a master suite with attached office and deck was added. The home has a bold geometric shape and second floor cantilevers in a similar style to that of the lower level. The exterior is covered with cedar siding that has a natural stain finish. It provided a sense of warmth which is contrasted by the bluestone that is used on the front facade of the deck spaces, in the exterior landscaping and also in the interior of the home.
The first thing that strikes me about this home is the beautiful influx of light everywhere. The main living space opens to the rear patio via folding glass doors with windows atop. Nestled nearby is a contemporary gas fireplace that adds a sense of warmth to the crisp linear layout of the space. The contemporary kitchen and dining spaces are also adjacent in this open living format which allows for simultaneous cooking and entertaining.?Two bedrooms are located on the lower split level and the master bedroom suite is on the upper level to allow for additional privacy from guests. This second level also includes a loft style office nook and two terraces that open to the front exposure of the home.
The rear of the home includes?an extension of the living onto a private back patio with a large water feature, which perhaps includes a plunge pool. The garage entryway is also located adjacent to the patio. To me this layout with the garage and patio placement can have both positive and negative aspects depending on the life style of the owners. The driveway may not be the most beautiful view from the patio, but it does create an optional play space for children that is within sight of the patio, but not necessarily contained within it. ?With this design, the garage would also provide easily accessible storage of seasonal outdoor items. I think this home would be perfect for a family with extra space for entertaining.
It's no secret that we're fans of products like the Grid-It for holding your cables, gadgets, and other knick-knacks. Reddit user MinimumEffort put together his own that fits right in your pocket for your most essential stuff.
We've shown you how to make your own grid-style organizer, but this (literally) little project is perfect for the essentials: your earbuds, your key, your iPod nano, or whatever. All you need is an old hardback book, a bit of elastic, some duct tape, and a stapler. Most of that stuff you probably already have around, which means this is another great DIY projects you can do with less than $3. You can make it as small or as big as you want, too?MinimumEffort even made a really tiny one for the absolute bare essentials. Check out the video above to see the process in action.
I couldn't find my dream EDC pocket organizer, so I made it for $2.50 | Reddit
ILN, a London digital and content agency is looking for a Senior Designer (Digital) / Art Director to lead and execute visual design initiatives on a variety of strategic and tactical digital projects including for a range of high-profile clients in the Automotive, Fashion, FMCG and Travel sectors. This is a hands-on role, delivering projects from concept through to delivery
Overall Responsibilities
Develop original design concepts and responsible for the overall execution of concepts and designs across digital platforms, including: ecommerce websites, websites, online magazines, mobile websites, iPad applications, online advertising campaigns, social media campaigns, emails etc.
Tell stories through crafted design and great user experience to the luxury audience
Hands-on design,
Apply and extend brand identity systems, typography, photography, colour and other ingredients to create innovative visual solutions that meet business and user needs
Develop creative briefs and present work to client stakeholders, ensuring that designs meet the brief
Quality assurance of all digital creative output
Specific skills and experience required
A great digital/interactive portfolio illustrating beautiful, engaging and intuitive designs within the luxury sector
Develop ideas in scamp, user-flow and mood boards
Leading and directing digital design projects
Website design experience is a must, preferably Ecommerce and an understanding of the opportunities and limitations of web technologies and trends such as HTML5, CSS, Java, Ajax, responsive design, mobile platform etc.
Excellent grasp of digital design principles and appropriate software and tools
Excellent practical experience in user centred design, interaction design & visual design for web, tablet, mobile and digital campaigns
Work collaboratively with Web Development, Editorial, SEO, Planning and Strategy teams to conceptualize, design, and implement ideas and ensure the best creative solutions are realised, implemented and delivered
Contribute to proposals with ideas, concepts, designs, and resource estimates
Experience and knowledge of commissioning video, photography and illustrations etc. with a good book of relevant contacts and editing video a bonus
Personal Attributes
????????? You should be passionate about designing story-led, innovative, user experiences that are engaging, simple, functional and fun
????????? Driven to develop the look and feel of industry leading websites and apps
Confident approach and understands the value of relevant ideas
Effectively communicate ideas to the internal team and clients
Develop thought leadership around design technologies, tools, trends & methodologies
Hands-on, practical approach
High performance under pressure and in adherence to deadlines with a quality output
Highly motivated and proactive
Continually looking to develop and improve
Have a passion for all things digital and design
A sense of humour
For further information and to apply online please click on the "Apply Now" button
ILN is a customer engagement agency offering digital marketing and customer publishing services, with expertise in luxury, travel and retail sectors. We think that inspirational, well-crafted content is the most effective way to connect with audiences.
Recently we've seen AVG, an Android "security" app marking other applications as malware when they aren't. That's called a false positive, and it's a fairly common occurrence. When it happens to a popular app, it always causes confusion and gets everybody unnecessarily stressed out. This time it also got us thinking -- do people really need to run any type of Android malware scanner, and are they doing more harm than good?
Android malware certainly exists. We take issue with the way it gets reported sometimes, as sensationalism draws focus away from real issues, but we're not foolish enough to pretend that people aren't writing apps designed to cause trouble. But who needs to worry about this sort of thing, and how to stay safe is something that needs discussed. That's what we're going to try and do today, in real-talk that everyone can understand. Hit the break and let's get started.
Over 500 activists of various pro-Tamil outfits, including MDMK leader Vaiko and Tamil ...
Foreign National fined for offensive tattoo
Ada Derana - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
The Tourism Unit of the Kandy Police Headquarters has taken into custody a young woman, reportedly a Netherlands national, who has a tattoo of the Buddha on her ...
Sri Lankas elephant migration
CNN Asia - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Each year, as they have for centuries, hundreds of elephants descend on the shores of an ancient reservoir in Sri Lanka's north-central Minneriya National ...
FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Sri Lanka
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
COLOMBO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - President Mahinda Rajapaksa is under fire from the U.N. Human Rights Council, which last year adopted a United States-sponsored resolution demanding that Sri Lanka ...
Pillay demands international probe in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Guardian - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
( February 13, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has demanded an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations ...
The Buddhist Crusade Driving Sri Lankan Muslims Into Radicalism
Sri Lankan Guardian - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
( February 13, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The nationalist chauvinist sections of the Sinhala polity suffer from the worst form of inferiority complex. They have to be constantly a party to ...
Lanka IOC concerned over reported oil tanks takeover plans
Ada Derana - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Indian Oil Corporation Lanka on Tuesday expressed concern over media reports suggesting the island nation government was planning a takeover of its oil storage tanks in the north-eastern port ...
Forget budget support what Sri Lanka now need is life support
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday claimed that what Sri Lanka now needs was neither budget support nor balance of payments support, but "life support". In a statement, the main ...
LIOC to call for fresh tenders after last imported stock failed quality test
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Following last week?s rejection of a stock of diesel, which had been found to be of inferior quality, when it reached the Port of Colombo, the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has decided to ...
Commercial Credit debenture issue to close today
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
One of the leading insurance services companies in the country, Commercial Credit and Finance Plc's Rs 250 million debenture issue has already raised more than Rs 440 million until yesterday, ...
Appeal challenging CA decision for support in SC today
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
The appeal, filed in the Supreme Court, against the recent decision of the Court of Appeal, which quashed the findings of the Parliamentary Select Committee, will be supported on February 14, ...
Public asked not to panic over solar storms
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
The public have been told that there was no need to panic over the solar storm, which was expected to hit the earth after 154 years. Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, a consultant at the Arthur C. Clarke ...
Stand by me and I will deliver-Ranil tells JSS
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on his party rank and file to unreservedly support him and he would in turn fulfill their aspirations. "I will look after ...
Sri Lanka Protests across India against UN complicity in Tamil genocide
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Criticizing the United Nations, especially the Ban Ki Moon, Vijay Nambiar and Sir John Holmes trio for their complicity in the genocide of the Eezham Tamils owing to their calculated inaction, ...
Sri Lanka Navi Pillay precludes procedures to adopt at UNHRC
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2013, 22:46 GMT] While the US officials, who visited the island of Sri Lanka last month were talking of tabling ...
Sri Lanka needs strong government and we have one
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Dr Kamal Wickremasinghe The virtual non-existence of an effective parliamentary opposition in Sri Lanka is sustaining the growth and proliferation of extra-parliamentary groups and movements with ...
Dananjaya in Sri Lankas emerging squad
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Akila Dananjaya along with 21 other young players in an emerging squad from which the team for the warm-up match against Bangladesh in Matara will be ...
CB Governor scoffs at baseless allegations
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Governor of Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal Governor of Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, in an interview to ...
Police investigating Rs 25 m cash robbery and carjacking
General Sources - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE The Colombo Crime Division has launched investigations following a Rs 25 million cash robbery and carjacking that had taken place at around 12 noon yesterday on the ...
Sri Lankans expelled from UK allege torture after deportation to Colombo
The Guardian - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
Sri Lankans held in Colombo after being arrested while trying to sail to Australia illegally to seek asylum. One of the asylum seekers deported from Britain said she was tortured and raped by Sri ...
Rs.10 million robbed in Slave Island
Digatha News - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
In a day light robbery, ten million rupees were robbed by a group led by a person disguised as a traffic policeman in the Gangaramaya area in Slave Island this evening, police said. The victim ...
NCC SL Army dominant after second round
Cricinfo - Tuesday 12th February, 2013
A comprehensive performance from Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) set up their second big win in two matches and sent them to the top of the Group B table, while Sri Lanka Army topped group A, having ...
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Roger Deakins won the top feature-film award from the American Society of Cinematographers on Sunday night for "Skyfall," meaning that "Argo" only went two-for-three on a weekend of film awards ceremonies. While "Argo" won at the Scripter Awards on Friday and the BAFTA Awards earlier Sunday, it was not even nominated for an ASC Award, where Deakins' work on the James Bond movie "Skyfall" won out over Danny Cohen for "Les Miserables," Claudio Miranda for "Life of Pi," Janusz Kamninski for "Lincoln" and Seamus McGarvey for "Anna Karenina. ...
The resignation of Benedict XVI raises a conundrum not faced by the Catholic Church for centuries: How do you handle a still living ex-pope?
For the entire 2,000 year history of the Church, the accepted orthodoxy has been for a pope to rule until he dies. A select group of cardinals then get together in a secretive conclave and a successor is chosen, in a clean break from the past.
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All that has been turned on its head by Benedict?s surprise resignation, the first in the papacy since 1415. It raises a potential difficulty for the Vatican ? that even after his retirement, he could become a lightning rod for dissatisfaction and dissent with his successor, whoever that might be.
IN RETIREMENT, POPE WILL PUBLISH
The Catholic Church has faced painful schisms throughout its history, in which rival claims to the Seat of St. Peter resulted in competing papacies. In 1415, Pope Gregory XII stepped down in an attempt to end just such a schism, when two rival claimants set themselves up in opposing cities ? Pisa in Italy and Avignon in southern France ? precipitating one of the Church?s gravest crises.
When Benedict formally resigns on the evening of Feb. 28, he will be taken probably by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo, the traditional summer retreat of popes, in the hills outside Rome. The 85-year-old is expected to remain there for 15 to 20 days, until the conclave of around 120 cardinals drawn from around the world gathers at the Vatican and elects a new pontiff. Benedict will then take up residence in a cloistered monastery within the Vatican City State. His title at that point? Unclear.
Inevitably he will run into his successor and will still be in daily touch with cardinals and other influential figures within the Holy See. Not only that but, according to the Vatican spokesman, Benedict will continue to write and publish treatises and essays ? he is a noted theologian who recently completed a trilogy on the life of Christ.
That could produce a situation where the former pope says one thing on an important matter, while his successor says something different.
?Traditionally popes have not resigned because there is this question of what do you do with two popes,? says John Thavis, an American who has covered the Vatican for 30 years and recently wrote an insider?s account of the Holy See ? ?The Vatican Diaries.?
?What should be the role of a former pope ? does he have to stay quiet for the rest of his life? What if he speaks up and disagrees with his successor? You then have the prospect of the Church effectively having two popes.?
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Benedict has never been regarded as a power-hungry political player and will probably embrace a return to a quiet life of study and prayer.
?I don?t think he will deliberately upstage or contradict his successor,? says Mr Thavis. ?But he?s not going to be behind a wall of silence. If I was the new pope, I would be paying attention to whatever he writes about.?
VATICAN: NO CONFUSION
The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said there was no prospect of a schism in the Church and dismissed ideas that Benedict would attract a rival support base or interfere in papal affairs.
?We have no fears of this kind,? he told a packed press conference at the Vatican. ?He will renounce the post, so there will be nothing to discuss. There will be no confusion, or division.?
In St. Peter?s Square, however, tourists and Catholic faithful were not so sure it would be quite so easy.
?To have an ex-pope who is still alive, even if they are in not very good health, is unprecedented as I understand it,? says Daniel Benedyk from London. ?I don?t know how the Vatican will deal with that.?
There was collective disbelief about the news of the resignation among people strolling in front of St. Peter?s Basilica under gray winter skies.
"It was a huge surprise to me,? says Wolfgang Schnapel, a priest from Benedict's home region of Bavaria. ?I only heard when my mother called me from Germany. I think it would be nice if the next pope came from Africa or Latin America. And he should definitely be younger than Benedict was.?
Flora Joseph, a nun from Tanzania, says: "It's very difficult to accept. I have been saying to myself 'why is he leaving, why doesn't he want to continue?' But he is an old man and he has so many appointments and meetings. I guess he just has no energy left anymore."
Nicola Signorile, a businessman from Bari in southern Italy, said he was deeply saddened by the announcement, speculating that the pope must be very ill ?although the Vatican has given no indication he has health problems. "If he has made this choice, it must be for a very good reason."
Only a handful of Benedict?s closest confidantes knew that he had made the decision to resign, including Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican secretary of state is effectively prime minister of the tiny city state, Georg Ganswein, the pope?s private secretary, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the head of the College of Cardinals.
The papacy had seemed to many Italians like the one remaining constant in their lives after having been buffeted in the last few years by earthquakes, floods, the fall of Silvio Berlusconi, and the imposition of tough austerity measures by his successor, Mario Monti. The economy is in a deep recession and politics in turmoil ahead of a general election on Feb. 24-25.
?I can?t believe it ? first the government is about to end, now it?s the papacy that?s in trouble,? says Marco, a taxi driver. ?Everything is falling apart. I?ll be sad to see Benedict go. He was a bit cold and German, but he was a decent man.?
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