School Shootings

Interactive map of school shootings around the world.

Cases are negligible in Lebanon

Internet Society Supports United Nations Human Rights Day's Spotlight on Inclusion and Participation

The open Internet can give voice to the voiceless

[Geneva, Switzerland – 10 December 2012] – The Internet Society joined world-wide celebrations of the United Nations Human Rights Day and welcomed its focus on inclusion and the right of all people to participate in public life and make their voices heard.

The Internet, in just a few years, has emerged as a major platform for communication and expression, amplifying the voices of more than two billion people around the world. The open and global network offers the potential for greater inclusion in public issues and provides a platform for individuals to influence the decisions that shape their communities.

“The open and unencumbered Internet has become a key means by which people can share, receive, and impart information across frontiers,” stated Markus Kummer, Vice President of Public Policy, Internet Society.  “The Internet can play a major role in empowering people to have their voices heard. The inclusion of citizens in public life is central to the functioning of a vibrant democratic society.”

Responses by more than 10,000 people around the world to the Internet Society's Global Internet Survey confirmed that people view the Internet as an essential channel for sharing and expressing their views:

* 89 percent agreed or agreed strongly that Internet access allows freedom of expression on all subjects, and 86 percent agreed or agreed strongly that freedom of expression should be guaranteed on the Internet.

* 60 percent of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that Internet access has contributed significantly to civil action and political awareness in their country.

The development and continued evolution of the Internet is also defined by and dependent on open and participatory processes. Users are empowered to innovate without permission because of the bottom-up approach used in Internet technical standards development, such as those undertaken by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Kummer commented, “The open and inclusive model of Internet standards development means that anyone can build upon the work of those that went before them. The Internet model empowers users and provides them with the right to participate in the development of the Internet, a right we are celebrating today.”

Inclusion is particularly meaningful for persons with disabilities, such as hearing or visual impairments. The W3C has developed standards – the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – that enable persons with disabilities to access websites and help them to find information on the Web more quickly.

Kummer noted, “The Internet gives persons with disabilities the means to participate actively within their community on a more equitable and inclusive basis, in a manner that was previously not possible.”

Shortly after Human Rights Day, the Internet Society will publish the preliminary version of a discussion paper that looks specifically at the fundamental processes that make the Internet a success, and how those standards and protocol development processes map with the processes by which human rights standards are developed.

For more information on the United Nations Human Rights Day 2012 (OHCHR): http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/

For more information on the Internet Society’s engagement on Human Rights Day, visit:

http://www.internetsociety.org/humanrights/human-rights-day-your-voice-counts

Nuclear Chain Reaction

In December 1942, Italian-born physicist Enrico Fermi started up the world's first nuclear reactor:

Chain reaction: Collisions between neutrons and uranium nuclei initiate the process of nuclear fission, during which new neutrons are released. In turn, these neutrons lead to the fission of more and more nuclei.

Creating energy through nuclear fission: During nuclear fission, the energy that binds particles together in the nucleus is released. This process creates lighter nuclei (such as barium and krypton).

Interaction between neutrons and nuclei: When a free neutron approaches the nucleus of an isotope, there are three possible outcomes:
1- fission
2- capture
3- dispersion

The nature of the reaction: The reaction can be
1- attenuated to be stable
2- or brought to the
3- critical point that
produces an explosion.
The main factors regulating the reaction at a nuclear power plant are: the size of the reactor core and the degree to which control rods are inserted in it.

Reactor core: The reactor core is a tank filled with water, which serves as a moderator, into which uranium fuel rods are inserted, along with beryllium absorber rods used to control the reaction.

Absorbers: Due to their regular and rigid molecular structure, control (absorber) rods are able to capture free neutrons.

The efficiency of nuclear fuel as an energy source: From the point of view of energy, the fission of every atom in a single gram is equivalent to burning 2.5 metric tons of oil or three metric tons of coal.

Number of nuclear reactors worldwide: According to the latest report from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), there are currently 435 nuclear reactors in operation.

Portable ATM Machine on Android Systems

Few days ago, I run out of money in the middle of nowhere in [Choueifat-LB], It was a rainy day and I didn't have the chance to get to an ATM machine, so I asked myself: Why don't we have an application that can be downloaded on mobile phones [in addition to a hardware configuration that can be done on any new smartphone].It is like a built-in ATM machine that uses your bank account to withdraw [print] money from your mobile. Tab Y NOT ?!

How it works?

The application is an automated, consumer self-serve machine that quickly performs banking operations directly from mobile phones for cash. The process takes just a few minutes to complete.

Currently, Banking companies are competing for the best application for their clients. However, all you can do is [Transfer money] or [Check you account balance.]

First, you have to get approval from the central bank for issuing a unified money system for this process.

Second, high speed special [micro]printing technique is done using advanced technology that is not INVENTED yet!

Finally, Fraudulent activities will be controlled by specialized protocols.

PS: Future generations .. Please Feel free to use my ideas and change things around! 

The Beirut Souk Portraitist

There are hundreds of art galleries in our lovely town and its suburbs. There are more than 5000 well-known active artists and equal numbers are producing music, design, architecture, theater, film, photography and other forms of art in Lebanon.