Atlas V successfully launches spy satellite

Thursday, March 13, 2008

An Atlas V rocket has successfully launched a classified spy satellite for the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The satellite, currently known to the public as NRO L-28, or Launch 28, is believed by amateur enthusiasts to be a signals intelligence (SIGINT) spacecraft, known by the codename Trumpet. The Atlas V carrier rocket flew in the 411 configutation, with a 4 metre diameter fairing, one solid rocket motor, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E), at 10:02 GMT (03:02 local time) this morning. Today’s flight marks the thirteenth launch of the Atlas V, and the first Atlas V launch from Vandenberg. It is also the tenth orbital launch of 2008. The satellite entered a Molniya orbit, usually used by the NRO for SIGINT and communications satellites.

The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin, who designed and built the Atlas V, and Boeing, to provide EELV launches for the US Government. ULA president Michael Gass described the launch as “a proud moment in our company’s history”. The launch had been delayed by two years, from early 2006, due to a number of factors.

In addition to its reconnaissance payload, the satellite is carrying two small experiments. SBIRS-HEO 2 and TWINS-B. SBIRS is a test article for a missile detection system, slated to launch late this year or early next, and TWINS is a NASA infrared astronomy experiment. They will remain attached to the satellite for the duration of its mission.

Following the separation of the payload fairing, around five minutes after launch, all information on the launch was withheld, however about an hour into the flight, the launch was confirmed to have been successful. ULA will conduct its next launch on Saturday, when a Delta II will orbit a GPS satellite. The next Atlas launch is scheduled for mid-April, with the ICO G1 communication satellite.

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Wikinews 2020: An ‘Original reporting’ year in review

Friday, January 1, 2021

After an active year of original content published on the English-language Wikinews, we take a look back at some of the two dozen-plus original reports from our contributors during 2020.

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Christmas Celebrations Around Northeast Alabama

Christmas Celebrations Around Northeast Alabama

by

Nova Sisk

Several unique Christmas traditions will be celebrated around the northeast Alabama region this season. Visitors will find a variety of activities including a lighted harbor spectacle on Lake Guntersville, a tour of homes, an underground nativity, and small town parades. Bring the family and enjoy the holiday fun.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0MusD_I2x8[/youtube]

Guntersville, Alabama will celebrate ‘A Storybook Christmas’ on December 10. The event kicks off with a Christmas parade downtown at 5pm. The parade will include marching bands and decorated floats, with Santa making his appearance at the finale. The celebration continues at 6:30pm with the Stars in the Harbor Festival of Lights. Head down to Guntersville Harbor on Lake Guntersville where a flotilla of boats will be lit up with Christmas displays. Spectators can vote on their favorites, and prizes will be awarded. This is a unique way to enjoy holiday lights. More than 5,000 luminaries will light up the streets of the Twickenham Historic District of Huntsville, Alabama on December 10. Some of the beautifully decorated homes in this historic neighborhood will be open for the 2011 Spirit of Christmas Past Homes Tour. The 1819 Federal style Weeden House Museum at 300 Gates Avenue will be part of the tour. The home contains the paintings of artist Maria Howard Weeden. Tickets to the Christmas Tour of Homes are $15 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. Homes are open from 5-9pm. Sequoyah Caverns in Valley Head, Alabama is the setting for a unique Christmas celebration. A live nativity is held underground in the caverns on December 21-24. Live animals are part of the program, and a choir performs seasonal music. Visitors may also tour the caverns. Sequoyah Caverns is located off I-59 at Exit 239. Admission is $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for ages 4-12. For an old fashioned small town Christmas celebration, visit Rainsville, Alabama, atop Sand Mountain. The 52nd annual Christmas at the Crossroads is scheduled for December 10. There will be a parade down Main Street at 4pm, followed by Christmas in the Park. Enjoy holiday music, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, and free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Some additional activities will be held at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College. Several other small towns in the region have also scheduled Christmas parades on December 10. The parade in Dutton begins at 11am, the one in Skyline starts at 1pm, and the Hollywood, Alabama Christmas Parade begins at 5pm. These community events are fun for the whole family. Visitors are sure to enjoy the Christmas celebrations in northeast Alabama. These festivities are a great way to celebrate the holiday season.

Nova Sisk is the General Manager for Hampton Inn & Suites

Scottsboro Alabama Hotel

. The Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro hotel in Alabama is located in the mountain/lakes region of northern Alabama surrounded by majestic mountains and rich valleys, located minutes from Lake Guntersville.

For more information visit: http://www.scottsboroalabamahotel.com

Article Source:

Christmas Celebrations Around Northeast Alabama

Dubai World to receive $9.5 billion in government aid

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The government of Dubai announced that it intends to provide $9.5 billion to Dubai World to allow the government-owned investment company to restructure its debt.

The announcement comes as part of Dubai World’s plan to restructure more than $23 billion of debt, including converting nearly $9 billion of debt into equity, after its collapse last fall. The package includes $8 billion of funding to Nakheel, Dubai World’s real estate subsidiary, as well as $1.5 billion to Dubai World as a whole. The restructuring plan also seeks to, within eight years, repay all of Dubai World’s creditors.

According to the government of Dubai, $5.7 billion of the aid was from a former $10 billion loan to Dubai World, with the remainder being internally funded. The plan would transfer ownership of Nakheel, formerly a subsidiary of Dubai World, to the direct control of the Dubai government.

Response to the deal was largely positive, with one analyst saying the move “boosts sentiment because this is a strong commitment.” Christopher Davidson, author of books on Dubai and Abu Dhabi, said that while the new funding would “keep the wolves outside the gates a little longer,” the government could not be the sole funder of Dubai World and Nakheel.

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Four Boy Scouts killed in Iowa tornado

Thursday, June 12, 2008

A major storm suspected to be a tornado has reportedly killed four Boy Scouts camping at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa. Roughly ninety-five Scouts aged thirteen to eighteen and twenty-five adult staff members were believed to be camping at the time the alarm was raised. Most of the scouts were from Omaha-Metro Area, including Omaha and Bellevue, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is believed that the scouts had as little as twelve minutes to seek shelter from the time the alarm began to the time the storm hit. Early reports stated that thirty to forty scouts had been injured, that number was later reduced to twenty.

A spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America‘s Mid American Council, the region in which the camp was situated, has stated that the storm activated sirens but she couldn’t confirm whether the scouts were staying in tents or buildings.

The Scouts were participating in a training exercise at the 1,800 acre ranch roughly 40 miles northeast of Omaha. Julie Tack, a spokesperson for Iowa Homeland Security, stated that the camp was littered with debris and downed tree branches after being struck by a tornado at or around 7:00 PM Central Daylight Time. Tack went on to say that a search and rescue team had been deployed to the area.

Camp counselors have stated that they were aware of the possibilities that storm was coming and they had heard the tornado sirens going off. There was no underground shelter for the scouts, however they had shelters designated and emergency plans had been discussed the first day of camp. Officials said most of the boys were on a hike when storms moved in.

A camp staff member said that many scouts were injured when a fireplace in one of the shelters collapsed. Most of the injured scouts were treated at hospitals in Sioux City and Missouri Valley, Iowa. Six scouts were brought to the Missouri Valley hospital, most treated for minor injuries and broken bones. One scout suffered a broken hip and was transferred to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha.

Mercy Medical Center, in Sioux City, have reported two patients arriving by helicopter at 8:13 PM with a third arriving by ambulance. A fourth patient arrived later, again by helicopter. A spokesman for the hospital said the victims are all juveniles and all have serious injuries. Mercy does not expect to receive more camp victims. The names of the victims have not been released.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Four_Boy_Scouts_killed_in_Iowa_tornado&oldid=4584771”

A Complete Guide To Vitamin Infusion Therapy.

The above conditions could be the result of nutrient deficiencies and other imbalances in your body. Vitamin Infusion Therapy is the solution that can help you come over these irregularities quickly. It is an effective method to improve your energy level, treating specific medical conditions, improving and maintaining overall health, and preventing future diseases. Let us understand what vitamin IV therapy is in detail.

What is vitamin IV therapy?

Vitamin Infusion Therapy, also known as vitamin IV therapy, IV nutritional therapy, IV nutrient therapy, and intravenous therapy, is a traditional method, earlier used on cancer patients to enhance their health during treatment. Still, it is widely used for people with nutrient deficiencies and other body imbalances.

What Is Vitamin IV Therapy Used For?

IV Therapy is now widely used for patients aiming to improve their autoimmune health, whether that be to prevent viruses or to have more energy throughout the day. The process is utterly safe, effective, and stimulating. Other reasons people opt for vitamin iv therapy are:

  • Age Management
  • Immune System Enhancement
  • Illness Prevention
  • Energy Boost
  • Detoxification
  • Artery Cleansing

What Nutrients Are Offered?

In IV treatment, multiple vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients come together to help the patient get back on their feet. The treatment can be composed according to the patient’s needs. It provides a customized drip to help people with compromised immunity, boost energy to prevent illness, change chronic fatigue, modify the effects of malnutrition.

Some standard infusions used include:

  • Amino acids
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Glutathione
  • B Vitamins

How Is IV Nutrient Therapy Performed?

The process is pretty quick and straightforward; it involves injecting a combination of influential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients straight into the patient’s bloodstream for getting agile and productive results. The complete process is performed under the supervision of an experienced medical professional at a certified clinic. An individual patient can ask for a customized drip to suit their need after discussing with the doctor before taking the treatment.

Standard infusion therapies include:

  1. Glutathione – helps in detoxifying and improving immunity plus brightens the skin and strengthens the hair. Also, it reduces damage to liver problems.
  2. N-acetyl cysteine – increases glutathione production in the body.
  3. Vitamin C – boosts immunity and energy, skin color, flushing effect.
  4. Vitamin D3 – improves the body’s metabolism, immunity, and skin health. It provides healthy bones, lessens the risk of flu, promotes proper absorption of minerals, and helps lose weight and overcome depression.
  5. Micronutrients – increases immunity, removes toxins, and treats injuries.
  6. B complex helps improve skin and hair, immunity, intensifies mood, boosts energy, and enhances memory.

Who can do it?

Before undergoing vitamin IV therapy treatment, your doctor may perform regular check-ups to ensure you are good to go for the infusion. The overall procedure takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Your doctor will help you prepare for the process if required. The treatment is safe and effective; thus, you don’t need to worry about any side effects.

If you are looking for a consultation and considering IV therapy, feel free to call us or stop by, and our experts will help you solve all your queries and help you make the right decision for yourself.

News briefs:January 04, 2008

[edit]

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17-pound baby born in Russia

Thursday, September 27, 2007

A Siberian woman, Tatyana Barabanova, 43, residing in Russia was shocked, after giving birth to her twelfth child, to see a 17-pound (7.75 kg) baby.

Nadia, born on September 17, 2007, by Caesarean section at a maternity clinic in Aleisk, Russia, weighed in at a massive 17 pounds 1 ounce. “We were all simply in shock,” the mother stated. When asked what the father said, she answered “He couldn’t say a thing – he just stood there blinking.”

Barabanova said they did not have the money for “special foods”, so she “ate everything”. Nadia’s eight sisters and three brothers all weighed in at more than 11 pounds (5 kg), according to a local news reported, quoted by the Reuters news agency.

This is the second time this has happened, a Brazilian woman gave birth to a 17lb (7.73kg) baby in January 2005.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=17-pound_baby_born_in_Russia&oldid=4580356”

American Idol winner Ruben Studdard wins lawsuit

Friday, June 16, 2006

Former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard has won a lawsuit and $2 million against his ex-manager Ronald W. Edwards and Edwards’ promotions company, Sez Inc. The lawsuit was for misappropriating the singer’s money and credit cards. The suit claimed Edwards misused more than $246,000 of the singer’s money. According to the judge’s ruling, Edwards stole money from Studdard’s checking and other bank accounts, improperly used his credit cards and even used Studdard’s money to repay a $10,000 bank loan.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Scott Vowell awarded Studdard $500,000 for actual losses and another $1.5 million in punitive damages. Vowell dismissed Edwards’ promotions company from the suit because it was bankrupt and had no money or assets. Edwards filed a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on June 17, 2005. Studdard has sold 2.2 million records, but because of the damage done to his credit by Edwards, it is now even hard for Ruben to buy a home, said Vowell.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=American_Idol_winner_Ruben_Studdard_wins_lawsuit&oldid=417610”

Significance Of Digital Transformation In Healthcare

The outburst of COVID-19 is quickly moving, and some changes we notice even nowadays. Numerous health systems are converting to virtual care capacities for holding the outbreak of a deadly virus and survive somehow. Thinking about the current situation with the global health crisis, digital technologies will restructure the care delivery systems drastically in the long and short run. Digital transformation consulting servicesin healthcare ensure new trends in the sector. We might observe the rise of trends like IoT healthcare, mobile healthcare, robotics, VR healthcare, and so on.

Today, the healthcare sector, like any other one, is impacted by digital transformation. It denotes that diverse technological solutions and tools are utilized to optimize the patient experience, formulate new business models, service delivery, and make communication more proficient. Digital transformation consultingis not only about technology but how and for what reason it can be implicated to assist the healthcare field to grow and elevate.

Digital transformation in healthcare will become an exciting step for society as it automates processes, diagnosis, treatment, and better management. The main goal behind digital transformation strategy consulting is to formulate more customer-centred services, and it will be a great significance in healthcare as the treatment of each patient can become more personalized, thus crafting it improvised for the patients.

Core benefits of digital transformation in healthcare

Some people believe that it is the quality of life and not its quantity that matters. Possibly it is true because healthcare experts spot their light on providing accurate and timely care to their patients. Depending upon technology is the only way to do it faster. Technology can preserve lives- it has been proved so, time and again.

Improved services for patients-

Healthcare, like any other sector that makes its footsteps on the path to digital transformation advisory services, is patient-centred. The adoption of several technologies will provide an opportunity to design treatment more personalized. The individual approach is better than going after common suggestions that might not execute in some scenarios.

Better analysis-

The utilization of such technologies as AI furnishes with opportunities to efficiently scrutinize data and much faster than people can do. Also, these technologies reduce errors, thus improvising staff productivity.

Greater organization-

Thanks to cloud computing and other digital tools, all data could be digitalized. It permits fast access to medical records that provide the doctors with an opportunity to create decisions efficiently and furnish with more profound treatment. Besides, wearable devices could notify both doctors and patients in emergency cases automatically calling the ambulance.

Improvised time management-

The adoption of diverse business transformation consulting services into the healthcare field saves ample valuable time. This way, several lives could be saved when we endure, for example, a 24/7 connection with medical staff.

Better environment for doctors-

The technologies ensure access to a huge amount of data; they offer greater communication and could furnish with vital information for the research. More profound research that doctors could make outcomes in greater treatment and heads us to the first benefit in our record, improved services for the patients.

So, nowadays, digital healthcare technology endorses various changes in society and the healthcare field in specific. Some of the most famous technologies that are utilized for enhancing the medical facilities and the industry, in general, are artificial intelligence, cloud computing, augmented reality, IoT, Blockchain technology, and so on.

The eHealthcare field is only ensuring the first steps into the pathway of digital transformation. Some countries outrace others, but still, we cannot call this occurrence a global one. But thanks to obtainable digital transformation consultingfor healthcare that is continuously upgrading and enhancing, we might experience a new scenario in healthcare in the upcoming years, almost flawless and more efficient. Organizations and medical facilities should consider the right strategy to utilize obtainable software solutions to make this world a better place.

Healthcare organizations from around the globe are converting digital technologies into strategic benefits. A few of the ambitious ones are linking digital IT and legacy by indulging in difficult systems transformations. They are executing their experiments to craft the best of data and escalate the pace of R&D. At the rate digital transformation consulting servicesare moving now, we can assume rightly that the patient will be sitting in the driver’s seat soon enough, and they incline to acquire the best treatment at minimized costs, thereby improving life expectancy as well.

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