The European Commission's decision to change the name of the EU's Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program to reflect the German spelling of "Copernicus" has angered Poles. The move to change the spelling of the name, which reads as "Kopernik" in Polish and "Kopernikus" in German, reportedly came at the insistence of European Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen, a German. Poles have consequently accused the commission of Germanizing the name of the father of astronomy, Nicolas Copernicus. But there is more to the matter than simply a few letters. Copernicus' nationality has since long been a source of argument between Germans and Poles. Viewed in Poland as one of the nation's greatest figures, Germans also consider the man to be one of their own.
The move to change the spelling of the name, which reads as "Kopernik" in Polish and "Kopernikus" in German, reportedly came at the insistence of European Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen, a German.
Poles have consequently accused the commission of Germanizing the name of the father of astronomy, Nicolas Copernicus.
But there is more to the matter than simply a few letters. Copernicus' nationality has since long been a source of argument between Germans and Poles. Viewed in Poland as one of the nation's greatest figures, Germans also consider the man to be one of their own.
Belgian Luc Costermans has broken the world blind road speed record, on an airstrip in France. Mr Costermans topped 308.78km/h (192 mph) while driving a Lamborghini Gallardo supercar at Istres, near Marseille, in southern France. Mr Costermans thanked his co-pilot Guillaume Roman, saying: ""I'm very, very happy. It's a team effort." Mr Costermans took the record from Briton Mike Newman, whose BMW M5 reached 268km/h three years ago.
Belgian Luc Costermans has broken the world blind road speed record, on an airstrip in France.
Mr Costermans topped 308.78km/h (192 mph) while driving a Lamborghini Gallardo supercar at Istres, near Marseille, in southern France.
Mr Costermans thanked his co-pilot Guillaume Roman, saying: ""I'm very, very happy. It's a team effort."
Mr Costermans took the record from Briton Mike Newman, whose BMW M5 reached 268km/h three years ago.
Road speeding as a sport I find pretty pointless, but that's another story.
can't we find better ways?
it reminds me of locals here wanting moto-cross so the kids have something to do...
make 'em silent, and eco-electric, i'd feel different. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
MANILA, Philippines--Homes that consume a mere 15 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year, a car-less area that gives priority to bicycles and pedestrians and a green kindergarten school have made the German city of Freiburg an exceptional model for sustainable development. While many countries merely aspire for developing sustainable projects, Freiburg leads the way as it shows the world what can be done to mitigate climate change while improving the quality of life in an urban setting. Freiburg, like many other European cities, suffered during the Second World War when it was heavily damaged by Allied bombers. It had no industry and its biggest employer was the university, which accounted for its highly educated populace. It had very limited financial resources and as a result, the city was determined to use these resources wisely. Its goal was to make Freiburg one of the greenest cities in the world.
MANILA, Philippines--Homes that consume a mere 15 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year, a car-less area that gives priority to bicycles and pedestrians and a green kindergarten school have made the German city of Freiburg an exceptional model for sustainable development.
While many countries merely aspire for developing sustainable projects, Freiburg leads the way as it shows the world what can be done to mitigate climate change while improving the quality of life in an urban setting.
Freiburg, like many other European cities, suffered during the Second World War when it was heavily damaged by Allied bombers. It had no industry and its biggest employer was the university, which accounted for its highly educated populace. It had very limited financial resources and as a result, the city was determined to use these resources wisely. Its goal was to make Freiburg one of the greenest cities in the world.
A Frenchman at the helm of a "flying yacht" and a kite surfer are locked in a race to become the fastest through the "wind barrier" of 50 knots - nearly 60mph. Alex Caizergues, 29, from Marseilles, made nautical history off the coast of Namibia last week when he broke the record for wind-powered craft by keeping up a speed of 50.57 knots (about 58mph) over 500m with his kite surfboard. A few days before that, Alain Thébault, 45, had reached 52 knots in southern France, albeit over a shorter distance that did not qualify for a record. His craft, the Hydroptère, is a trimaran whose unusual design, he claims, gives it the acceleration of a sports car. The destruction of the "mythical wall" of 50 knots, which Thébault compared to the sound barrier in flying, has been hailed as a great French accomplishment.
A Frenchman at the helm of a "flying yacht" and a kite surfer are locked in a race to become the fastest through the "wind barrier" of 50 knots - nearly 60mph.
Alex Caizergues, 29, from Marseilles, made nautical history off the coast of Namibia last week when he broke the record for wind-powered craft by keeping up a speed of 50.57 knots (about 58mph) over 500m with his kite surfboard.
A few days before that, Alain Thébault, 45, had reached 52 knots in southern France, albeit over a shorter distance that did not qualify for a record.
His craft, the Hydroptère, is a trimaran whose unusual design, he claims, gives it the acceleration of a sports car.
The destruction of the "mythical wall" of 50 knots, which Thébault compared to the sound barrier in flying, has been hailed as a great French accomplishment.
Rain storms have cost a few lives and many accidents, mainly in Andalucia and the Mediterranean coast, where they are new records ´400 liters/sq.m. in 48 hours´ in some parts. There is flooding and property losses reported continually.
Two more tankers (Liberian, but no mention if double-hulled) are leaking fuel in Algeciras due to the weather; crews are safe. The Tawe anchored off Gibraltar (saves docking fees), had to raise anchors in the storm due to the wind gusts and run aground 50 meters off the beach, leaking its own fuel. I heard a reporter say it was ´not a problem because the fuel was volatile´!!!!
The Fedra, an empty 35,000 ton tanker, lost its anchor Friday and was smashed sideways against Punta Europa, Gib, which broke it in two and has nested it on the rocks. Its fuel is spreading to 12-14 km., unfortunately. It seems very symbolic at this time of crisis, that it made a clean break at the towering ´command bridge´ and separated it from its ´cargo´. Ships of state wrecks, mission acc... http://tinyurl.com/4f3pvn
The Earth is Unhappy for Good Reason: This seems like the millionth reminder that if we don´t see the forest for the crisis, that if we don´t learn something now, it will chew up and spit out more than tankers, FUVs and cheap housing.
How else do we want to be told? Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.
The American economist Paul Krugman won the 2008 Nobel prize for economics for bringing together analysis of trade patterns and where economic activity takes place, the prize committee said on Monday. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the prestigious 10 million crown ($1.4 million) prize recognized Mr. Krugman's formulation of a new theory to answer questions driving world-wide urbanization."He has thereby integrated the previously disparate research fields of international trade and economic geography," the committee said in its statement.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the prestigious 10 million crown ($1.4 million) prize recognized Mr. Krugman's formulation of a new theory to answer questions driving world-wide urbanization.
"He has thereby integrated the previously disparate research fields of international trade and economic geography," the committee said in its statement.
