Suicide Terrorist Who Killed 21 Receives 'Highest Honor' From ...

By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, PMW ? ?Female Palestinian suicide bomber Hanadi Jaradat, who killed 21 Israelis and injured more than 50, has been chosen worthy of ?the highest honor? by the Palestine Committee of the Arab Lawyers Union. The Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam reported earlier this week that the Arab Lawyers Union had ?created the ?Martyr Hanadi Jaradat plaque of honor,?? which a delegation presented during a visit to Jaradat?s family.

Hanadi Jaradat was working as a lawyer when she carried out a suicide terrorist attack in a restaurant in Haifa in 2003.

The honorary plaque refers to the day of her suicide bombing as ?the sweet anniversary of her Martyrdom?? The following is the report on the Arab Lawyers Union honoring suicide terrorist Jaradat from the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam:

Headline: ?Jenin: Arab Lawyers Union honors family of Martyr (Shahida) Hanadi Jaradat?

?Yesterday, the Arab Lawyers Union honored the family of martyred lawyer Hanadi Jaradat (i.e., suicide terrorist) from the city of Jenin, marking the ninth anniversary of her death as a Martyr, during a visit by a delegation representing the union to the family?s home. The visiting delegation awarded a plaque from the Arab Lawyers Union to honor the family of Martyr Jaradat, who died a Martyr?s death on Oct. 4, 2003, in an operation (i.e., terror attack) during which 19 Israelis were killed and about 50 injured. Member of the Palestine Committee of the Arab Lawyers Union, Ayman Abu Aysha, said that the honoring of the family of Martyr Jaradat came in the wake of a decision taken by the Palestine Committee of the Arab Lawyers Union during a meeting held in Cairo on Sept. 8, 2012. The delegation, which included Khatam Al-Hih, Muhammad Alan, Muhammad Halaweh, and Adi Alawi, conveyed to the family of Martyr Jaradat the good wishes of the head of the Union, Mr. Omar Al-Zayn, and of the head of the Palestine Committee in the Union, Mr. Said Abd Al-Ghani, and also emphasized the pride of the Arab Lawyers Union for what their daughter had done in defense of Palestine and the nation. Deputy Secretary of the Arab Lawyers Union, Said Abd Al-Ghani, said that the Union created the ?Martyr Hanadi Jaradat plaque of honor,? the highest honor awarded by the Union in esteem for any [female] lawyer in the Arab homeland.?

Read more.

Flashback: Terrorist Murderer Glorified Twice in One Month on Palestinian Television

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Source: http://midnightwatcher.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/egypt-suicide-terrorist-who-killed-21-receives-highest-honor-from-palestinian-lawyers-union/

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Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: alternative calendar apps for iPhone shootout!

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars: alternative calendar apps for iphone Shootout

If you don't like the default Calendar app that comes with your iPhone, the App Store is filled with alternatives. Whether you want something more simple and elegant, more powerful and robust, or just something that works more the way you work, you have options to consider. Agenda, CalenGoo, and Calendars by Readdle all give you even more control over your calendars, events, and notifications than the default Calendar app does, and all organize things in a different way. But which one is best, and more importantly, which one is best for you?

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: User interface

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars user interface

Agenda for iPhone is simple and clean. The interface is minimal but still manages to be powerful at the same time. If you enjoy the way the default Calendar app looks but don't think it offers enough functionality, Agenda is a happy medium between the two. You can turn on an option that allows event creation to look just like it does in the default calendar app. This is something users of the default iPhone Calendars app will like and will most likely help make for a smooth transition.

agenda for iphone UI

When initially launching Agenda it'll ask you if you'd like to migrate calendars and what services you'd like to set up. Once that's done you'll be brought to a screen that shows a list view of everything in your calendar. You can flick through it or tap into certain days to get a better idea of what you have going on for that day. From here you can tap into a single event and view it, edit it, share it via e-mail or text, and more.

The menu bar in Agenda is easy enough to navigate as well. Along the bottom of the main screen you'll see arrows that allow you to toggle between month, week, and year view. Next to those you'll see a calendar ticker that allows you to jump to any given month and year. To the right you have a "+" icon which is used to add events to your calendar. Next to that is a gear icon which gives access to your settings. This icon remains static throughout any screen you may be on so you can easily jump into settings from wherever you are.

calengoo for iphone UI

CalenGoo syncs natively with Google Calendars. After the initial sync you'll be brought to a main screen that shows a month by default. Your main navigation items will be located along the bottom while settings and adding events are handled from the top navigation bar. CalenGoo allows you to view day, week, month, and list views. There is also a quick button that's located in the bottom left that lets you easily jump to events for the current day. To the far right you've got a search option that lets you search for calendar events.

Adding an event to CalenGoo is easy enough and can be done by tapping the "+" symbol in the upper right hand corner. You'll be prompted to enter a title for the event and then enter the details. Once you're done and hit save it'll be added to your calendar. CalenGoo will use the default calendar colors that you already have set up through Google Calendars.

The settings section of CalenGoo gives you access to all kinds of options that can help you customize the app to your liking. While CalenGoo does allow you to customize pretty much everything imaginable, the settings panel is pretty complicated and the amount of options may be overwhelming to non-advanced users. If you aren't an advanced user, it doesn't mean the app won't serve your purposes, just leave everything at default and only change things you need to and you should still be good to go. I found CalenGoo's defaults to be more than sufficient for my needs.

calendars by readdle for iphone UI

Calendars by Readdle is quite similar to CalenGoo when it comes to user interface at first appearance but the controls are actually quite different. Along the top menu of Calendars you'll have a calendar button that allows you to show or hide calendars from view followed by a menu that lets you toggle between list, day, week, month, and tasks view. The far right top corner has a "+" sign that you'll use to add events.

The menu running along the bottom allows you to access Calendar's settings or quickly slide through months with the date changer. In the bottom right corner you will see today's date. Tapping on it instantly brings you back to the current day.

Adding an event in Calendars is easy. Just tap the "+" symbol in the upper right hand corner and you'll be brought to the event creation screen. Here you can choose your event title, what calendar you want to add it to, and more. Once you're done just tap Save and it'll be added to your calendar. There's nothing tricky or confusing.

The settings panel in Calendars allows you to change quite a few options including what view you'd like to be set as your default. If you always want the app to load the way you left it you can choose the Last Used View option to do so.

Agenda and Calendars both have better interfaces than CalenGoo. If you want something clean and simple and don't need a ton of extra customization options, Agenda is a great choice. Calendars by Readdle's settings are easy to navigate but give you more powerful control than Agenda and for that, it's a tie between the two when it comes to interface and design.

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: Organizing, sorting, and sharing

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars sorting organizing

Agenda is not only a beautiful app but makes it easy to see what you want, when you want to see it. Agenda will automatically pull the calendar colors you already have configured on whatever service you're using to make it easy to pick out what event or reminder belongs to what calendar or list.

When it comes to sorting, you can tap into the settings panel of Agenda at any time and then into calendars and turn on or off any calendars you do or don't want to view at a given time. If you're on vacation you can easily tick off work reminders, alerts, and events from appearing. Even though you're hiding them it won't disable alerts for those calendars which is good if you want to still receive alerts but bad if you don't want them.

agenda for iphone sorting

After choosing the "+" sign to add an event, you can toggle along the top to choose between event and reminder creation. Just as a side note, if you've got the iOS Event Creation option chosen in Settings, you won't have the option to create reminders in Agenda. You'll have to make sure this feature is turned off if you want Agenda to handle your reminders as well. Once you've created an event or reminder, it'll instantly be added to your calendar and will sync with whatever service you're using.

If you'd like to share an event or reminder with someone else you can easily do so in Agenda by tapping on the arrow next to the event name. You can e-mail the entry or copy it. If you want to inform someone you're running late, on time, or any other message of your choice you can choose the message or text icon towards the bottom. You can then customize the message or send an update to whoever you'd like from the default templates available. This is an extremely nice feature and something a lot of calendar and event apps lack.

calengoo for iphone sorting

CalenGoo also will use the default calendar colors from Google Calendars. If you'd like to hide certain calendars, you can do so within the settings panel. You can also choose to create calendars and tasks that don't show up in Google Calendar if you choose to do so. While the settings panel may be overwhelming to some users, advanced users will greatly appreciate the flexibility and control they have over their content with CalenGoo.

When it comes to sharing events, you can easily do so in CalenGoo by choosing the Send button by any event. You'll then have the option to e-mail or send the event as an SMS to any contact or e-mail address. You can also choose to save the event as a template by choosing the envelope with a down arrow icon next to the send button. It's a nice feature for things you may need to set up later but aren't quite sure on dates now.

While CalenGoo is extremely powerful, the menu setup is a little strange. Whenever you click on a view, that button will change to accommodate the view that isn't shown. It's a little weird and none of the buttons ever remain static. This would confuse me when trying to get to certain views.

calendars by readdle for iphone sorting

Calendars by Readdle has a nice menu system within it that lets you quickly sift through and sort calendars as you wish. Just slide the date slider to the left or right to quickly page through months, days, or weeks. If you have a lot of calendar entries and need to find something in a certain calendar, just tap the calendar icon in the upper left hand corner and hide other calendars to make it easier to find things. This is a feature that both Agenda and CalenGoo hide in the settings panel. Calendars makes things easy to find and the app more practical to use.

Single tapping on any event will show you a preview of that event. Unfortunately there is no way to expand it. Tapping edit will, however, allow you to add attendees and view additional information or change anything you need to. Again, Calendars just like both Agenda and CalenGoo will use the same colors for your calendars that you already use.

Along the top you'll be able to toggle views and if you have tasks enabled in settings, you'll see the addition of a tasks tab. Tapping on it gives you a list of the tasks you have for any list you've got configured in Google. To create a new task you'll need to be in task view before clicking the "+" sign. If you're on any other screen it'll default to event entry which for most, isn't a problem and probably a preferred method anyways.

Agenda offers the best solution when it comes to sorting, organizing, viewing, and actually interacting with your events and tasks. It's simple and clean but yet still more powerful than the default iPhone Calendars app.

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: Alerts, notifications, and recurring entries

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars alerts and recurring reminders

Agenda allows you to customize alerts and notifications under the settings panel. You can choose to use either the default or one of 8 other notification tones. You can also choose the time for which you want Agenda to alert you of an event or task. You can choose between several options including at the time of event, minutes before, hours before, or days before. You change the all day event alert time the exact same way as you would for regular events.

Recurring events in Agenda are better than the default iPhone calendar app. You can choose between day, week, month, or year which is the same as the default app but you can choose not only a start and end date which is an ability the default Calendar app doesn't give you but also intervals at which you'd like them to repeat. For example, you can have an event repeat every 3 weeks or every first Friday of the month if you'd like.

CalenGoo does alerts a little differently. You can set different alert tones for different calendars and tasks through the settings panel as well as customize what kind of pop ups you want or choose no pop ups. It's a little bit of a hassle to configure at first but once you've got alerts set up how you want them, you're good to go.

Recurring events inside CalenGoo are a lot like Agenda and allow you to choose specific increments as well. Which means you can have an event set to recur every 2 days if you'd like just like you can in Agenda. You can also change the events from recurring endlessly or limited to a certain date. These are nice for times when you have conference series or events that may repeat every few days or weeks but have a definitive end time.

Calendars by Readdle has a total of 15 alarm and alert tones to choose from and you can change them at any time through the settings panel. The same panel in settings also allows you to choose what time you want all day events to start, which is when they'll populate in your calendar.

Recurring events in Calendars is the most robust of all three options. You can choose from the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly presets or choose the custom option. With this option you can customize reminders virtually whatever way you'd like. You can have events repeating endlessly any days of the week you'd like.

When it comes to alerts and customization, all three apps handle alerts very well but when it comes to recurring events, Calendars by Readdle wins that battle but only by a slight margin since Agenda can do the same intervals and types of recurrences. The only reason I give the edge to Readdle is the fact that they're easier to configure and understand.

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: Supported services

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars services

Agenda supports sync with iCloud, Google Calendar, and Exchange natively. If you've got any of these services, you'll be good to go. The first time you start up the app it can import all your events into Agenda from the default iPhone calendar app for you. You can also choose to keep them in sync and any changes you make in Agenda will appear in your iPhone calendar and vice versa. Google Calendar and Exchange support will work in the exact same way.

CalenGoo only currently provides support for Google Calendar, as its name implies. If you only use Google Calendar, it's just as good of an option as the other two.

Calendars by Readdle supports both Google Calendar services and the built-in iPhone calendars app so if you've got events saved in either one it'll be able to pull them effortlessly.

Even though Agenda and Calendars by Readdle carry the same support, Agenda syncs much more seamlessly and with very little effort. For users that have shared events in iCloud, CalenGoo and Calendars by Readdle don't always seem to sync to the default app very well or without some effort on your part. So if you're looking for a solution that makes your life easier and less complicated, Agenda is the best option for you.

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: Cross-platform support

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars cross platform support

Agenda, CalenGoo, and Calendars by Readdle are all universal downloads for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Once you purchase any one of them, you instantly own the app for all your other iOS devices as well.

If you're looking for Mac support, none of the three currently have Mac counterparts. Most likely due to the syncing support the apps already carry.

Tie between Agenda, CalenGoo, and Calendars.

Agenda vs. CalenGoo vs. Calendars: Pricing

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars pricing

Agenda is currently priced at $0.99 which will get you the app for any iOS device you own. CalenGoo and Calendars by Readdle are both priced at $6.99 and just like Agenda, it'll get you the universal version that's optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

If price is an important factor to you, Agenda is a great app and at $0.99, you really can't beat it.

Agenda vs. Calengoo vs. Calendars: The bottom line

Agenda vs Calengoo vs Calendars the bottom line

There's no doubt that Agenda, CalenGoo, and Calendars by Readdle all give you a lot more functionality than the default Calendar app on the iPhone, yet they're also very different when it comes to how they work and how well they work.

CalenGoo is a good option, but sync times to sometimes take longer than they should. The settings panel is also too jam packed with options. While it makes the app very customizable, some of the options aren't necessary and will only serve to confuse a lot of people.

If you need a better calendar app than the default one, we recommend either Agenda or Calendars by Readdle.

Calendars by Readdle is an excellent app and syncs seamlessly. If you have a lot of recurring events at odd intervals and need the ability to manually set them up and customize them, get Calendars by Readdle.

Agenda us also excellent and also syncs seamlessly. If you want something that looks as good as it works, that can be simple but also functional, and with a price that can't be beat, get Agenda.

Agenda - $0.99 - Download Now

CalenGoo - $6.99 - Download Now

Calendars - $6.99 - Download Now

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/x1g0skUuSV8/story01.htm

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Have A Personal Trainer? Are You Kidding? - Hive Health Media

My personal training journey started one Sunday afternoon when I decided to clear out the cupboard under the stairs. I sat down with a box of old photos I had not sifted through for years and was shocked at how much weight I had amassed over a relatively short space of time. There were pictures of me when I was twenty looking, well, erm, pretty amazing and I never realised. I don?t think I knew just how different I looked squeezing into a size 18 swimming costume for the last set of holiday snaps.

I leant against the wall and stared hard knowing something had to be done but all my attempts at personal fitness had lasted a maximum of three months and I seemed to slip back into old habits. Having sorted all the pictures I decided to pin one up on the fridge, then called a friend and went down the pub to drown my sorrows.

We discussed the problem and she told me about an internet search she had carried out herself which had thrown up My Home Trainer. She showed me on her mobile. ?It looks great? she said, ?Look, you can even have someone come to the house until you can fit into smaller gym clothes!?

I had to admit to being sceptical about personal training, ?Yes, but personal trainers are for celebrities, not ordinary women like me.? ?Apparently not? she went on, ?It?s eminently affordable and I guess when it?s to do with health and wellbeing aren?t you prepared to spend money to look after yourself?? I thought about it and agreed, after all, at this rate it would be a new set of posh work shirts which would cost me a packet anyway.

Having munched our way through a whole bag of pretzels we made a pact. ?Ok? I said, ?You book a personal trainer and I will do the same and we can see how we get on.? And the rest, as they say, is history.

I remember, it was the beginning of April 2012 when I nervously opened the front door to my very own personal training guru. Nikki was brilliant and immediately put me at ease as I was feeling so self-conscious. Straight away she seemed to ?get me? and knew exactly the process I had undergone to get to this starting point. She was so optimistic and motivational. It?s easy to feel stupid thinking about working out in your own home but at the end of it as I stood in the shower I could not have been happier. It kind of felt right and I knew there was no way of getting out of my bi weekly sessions and right from the off I felt it would be easy to keep going on this exercise regime.

Nikki seemed so knowledgeable and oozed enthusiasm; she suggested as I wasn?t wholly unfit I might want to do a little jog every day mixed with some quick walking. I have never seen myself as a runner but boy, have things changed and I use any excuse these days to break into a run; it?s like having emerged from a chrysalis!

I have never been an exercise evangelist although always enjoyed sport at school but I feel as if I have been given another opportunity to use my body correctly rather than simply accepting the fact I was looking rather plump (but lovely it must be said) and huffing and puffing up the stairs at work. What I have learned is that I don?t have to simply accept this situation and personal trainers MHT areexactly what I needed and something everyone will benefit from; my friend is a convert too!

This post was brought to you by Vivienne Neale on behalf of:? My Home Trainer. If you want to explore this incredible option then click here and see just what MHT can do for you, honestly, you will never regret that first personal training session.

Related posts:

  1. 5 Reasons to Choose a Personal Trainer
  2. Weight Loss tips from a Personal Trainer
  3. Can You Replace Your Personal Trainer with These Affordable iPhone Fitness Apps?
  4. Personal Trainers are a Perfect Source of Motivation
  5. Is a Personal Training Career Right for You?

Source: http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/hire-personal-trainer/

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Microsoft Announces Heavily Discounted Office 365 University Edition For Students, $80 For 4 Years

0624.OfficeIcon_265x84.jpgOver 22 million students currently use Microsoft's Office 365 for Education online services, but today, the company is also announcing a new - and highly discounted - version of Office 365 for students whose schools don't use Office 365. Office 365 University will cost just $79.99 for a four-year subscription and will give students access to all the standard Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/coALYYuJcvQ/

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Man Asian Literary Prize loses funding

The Man Group, which also sponsors the Man Booker Prize, has withdrawn its support from the Man Asian Literary Prize, which will be unable to go on after this year if another sponsor isn't found.

By Molly Driscoll,?Staff writer / October 19, 2012

South Korean author Kyung-sook Shin was awarded the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize for her novel 'Please Look After Mom.'

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The Man Asian Literary Prize, which honors the best novel of the year written by an Asian writer and translated into English, is seeking new sponsorship after the Man Group withdrew its financial support.

Skip to next paragraph Molly Driscoll

Staff writer

Molly Driscoll is a Books and the Culture staff writer.

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The Man Group, which is an assets management firm, is also behind the Man Booker Prize, which was awarded earlier this week to ?Bring Up the Bodies? writer Hilary Mantel.

?We recently announced a program to reduce costs by $100 million by the end of next year, and this decision should be seen in that context," Man Group head of communications David Waller said of the decision.

Man Group CEO Peter Clarke said the company was proud to have been involved with the prize.

"We are committed to supporting the prize organizers in finding a new sponsor to ensure the continued development of this leading literary prize," he told The Bookseller.

The 2012 prize, which will be awarded in March, will be the last given with support from the Man Group.

Executive director of the Man Asian Literary Prize Professor David Parker said that with its current funds, the organization would be able to give out the prize in March, but would need a new source of money after that.

?To put it bluntly, we have got about 16 weeks to find some way of funding the prize, and we are absolutely determined we are going to do it," he told the Guardian. ?There is quite a lot of potential value in backing a prize such as this, so we're not entirely desolate at this moment.?

The Man Asian Literary Prize was first given out in 2007, and last year?s went to writer Kyung-sook Shin, the first female winner, for ?Please Look After Mom.?

?Of course I was shocked, upset, disappointed to hear about [the sponsorship withdrawal]," Xu Xi, an author who made the shortlist for the prize in 2007 and who is now writer-in-residence at the City University of Hong Kong, told CNN. ?There is no other prize in Asia that has any kind of international clout, that helps to bring to the fore writing specifically that is Asia-focused.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/KFNessR2Urw/Man-Asian-Literary-Prize-loses-funding

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Movie Review: Paranormal Activity 4 Scares the Easily Spooked ...

Location

Wide Release

Dates

Opens Oct. 19

Haunted houses (the sort found at carnivals or fairs) don?t scare me. They just piss me off. You wander through the dark as hidden people jump out at you, and you?re startled for a fraction of a second, sure, but not frightened. I hate being startled.

Paranormal Activity 4 is no more sophisticated than the typical Halloween attraction, and it?s got few tricks that you haven?t seen before ? including in the previous three installments of this movie series. Once again the story is crafted from supposedly ?found footage? of home video cameras, security cameras, and webcams that details a supernatural menace terrorizing a suburban family.

Alex (Kathryn Newton) and her boyfriend Ben (Matt Shively) are freaked out by a young neighbor, Robbie (Brady Allen), who comes to stay with her family after his own mother ends up in the hospital. Robbie likes to wander the neighborhood in the dark and seems to be talking to some invisible presence. Alex and Ben rig the webcams on computers throughout the house to record the strange activity ? noises and shadows, etc. ? that seems to be happening at night.

From there the movie?s scenes are contrived setups for a series of simple tricks ?that might catch you off-guard:?people (including SMU grad Katie Featherston, reprising her role as a possessed woman) appearing unexpectedly behind others, objects (or the family cat) suddenly knocking in the camera, etc. I jumped in my seat at the first couple, but soon tired of the effect. I felt nothing in later scenes when a chandelier nearly falls on one character or when another is mysteriously lifted into the air while she sleeps.

It builds to a final climactic horror sequence that may frighten some people, but which I found a relatively nonsensical cheat.

Source: http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2012/10/movie-review-paranormal-activity-4-scares-the-easily-spooked-bores-the-easily-irritated/

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Bentley Continental GT Speed, 2013

Bentley has released full technical details of the Bentley Continental GT Speed - its exciting new 205 mph (330 km/h) all-wheel drive performance flagship - ahead of its official international show debut at the 2012 Moscow Motor Show. The new Bentley Continental GT Speed is the fastest road-car Bentley has ever produced and orders are being taken now, with deliveries scheduled to start in October 2012.

Powered by Bentley's iconic 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the GT Speed develops 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6000 rev/min - up 50 PS versus the standard Continental GT - with 800 Nm (590 lb.ft) of torque available from 2000 to 5000 rev/min (up 100 Nm) for instantly accessible high performance. Coupled with a new ZF eight-speed close-ratio automatic transmission and state-of-the-art engine management software, the GT Speed despatches the zero-to-sixty sprint in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2s), reaching 100 mph (160 km/h) from a standing start in just 9.0 seconds. In-gear acceleration is equally breath-taking.

In the Bentley Speed tradition, outstanding performance is matched by an enhanced chassis with up-rated springs, anti-roll bars and bushes, a lowered ride height (by 10mm front and rear) together with re-tuning of the electronically controlled damping and steering systems.

However, this newest, most powerful addition to the Continental stable still displays the refinement and suppleness that makes a Bentley unique. Even the exhaust note, deeper and more exhilarating under hard acceleration, remains civilised and refined during high-speed cruising.

Its all-wheel-drive system, biased 60:40 in favour of the rear, offers reassuring stability and the potential to access the prodigious performance all year round in virtually any weather conditions or road surface.

Subtle signature design cues distinguish the GT Speed from its stable-mates, including exclusive 21-inch, ten-spoke alloy wheels, dark-tint matrix to the radiator shell and lower bumper grilles and 'rifled' exhaust tailpipes. Inside the handcrafted cabin, the Speed models are specified exclusively with the Mulliner Driving Specification, featuring quilted, perforated leather and bright metal detailing plus a broader choice of optional technical finishes. This now includes the exclusive-to-Speed dark tint aluminium as well as carbon fibre. The result is a highly distinctive, contemporary, sporting, luxury coupe.

The 575 PS (567 bhp) W12 powertrain of the Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible models also benefits from enhancements made to the more powerful GT Speed. In addition to the new engine management system and eight-speed transmission, all W12 engines now feature an energy recuperation system. Together, these deliver a 12% improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions across the GT W12 range and a 10% improvement for the GTC W12.

W12 POWERTRAIN
As the fastest production Bentley ever, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed reaffirms the legendary W12's status as an engine of extreme performance. Developing 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6000 rev/min and 800 Nm (590 lb ft) of torque from 2000 rev/min, the twin-turbo, 48-valve, 6.0-litre W12 is now fitted with the very latest ME17 engine management system. Capable of performing 180 million individual calculations per second, the new system delivers enhanced turbocharger control, outstanding torque management and improvements to driveability. In addition, a revised Sport mode provides a sharper throttle with faster response for effortless acceleration at all speeds.

The W12 engine is mated to a ZF eight-speed transmission for the first time. Designed to handle the extreme levels of torque generated by the W12, the transmission cuts acceleration times by ensuring that the engine is always at the ideal speed for peak torque delivery. This state-of-the-art transmission also features "Block Shifting" technology, capable of shifting directly from (for example) 8th gear to 4th gear for instantaneous response and thunderous acceleration.

The combination of the new transmission and the uprated engine results in breath-taking supercar performance. The sprint from 0-60 mph takes just 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds) and the relentless acceleration continues to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h). 0-100 mph is dispatched in a mere 9.0 seconds - a level of performance akin to the previous generation Continental Supersports, and almost a full second quicker than the updated 575 PS Continental GT.

The exhaust system of the Bentley Continental GT Speed has been developed from the free-breathing, low back pressure design first used on the Continental Supersports Ice Speed Record car. The new exhaust produces a sportier, more intense baritone sound under hard acceleration without sacrificing a relaxed, refined and quiet tone during cruising conditions.

Up to 12% efficiency improvement for all two-door Continentals
Powertrain developments have not been restricted to the pursuit of outright performance. Bentley's engineering team has also focused on enhancing efficiency, and the power and torque increases for the new GT Speed are accompanied by an improvement of up to 12% in fuel economy, range and CO2 emissions across the two-door model range.

The new eight-speed transmission delivers six per cent of the total efficiency gain. The eight close-ratios ensure that the engine operates in its most efficient range during relaxed driving, while the very latest software developments ensure that gear changes are both fast and imperceptibly smooth.

The new transmission, together with the ME17 engine management system, is fitted to the standard Continental GT and GTC models from now.

The W12 engine features recuperation for the first time, delivering a 1.6 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions alone. Recuperation is a technology involving precise control of the vehicle's electrical system and alternator to allow flexible generation of electricity. The output of the alternator is increased during low engine load conditions, for example when decelerating, with the excess electrical energy stored in the car's battery. When the engine is then under load, the alternator output is reduced, increasing overall engine efficiency while the battery provides the previously stored energy to compensate.

Reflecting the improvements in efficiency, the Continental GT and GT Speed now feature a combined cycle fuel economy of 19.5 mpg (14.5 litres/100km) and CO2 emissions of 338 g/km (subject to certification) - outstanding figures for a 12-cylinder grand tourer. Meanwhile, the GTC has a combined cycle fuel economy of 19.0 mpg (14.9 litres/100km) and CO2 emissions of 347 g/km.

The efficiency improvements also benefit the performance of the standard GT and GTC models. The standard 575 PS GT now takes just 4.3 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph (0-100 km/h in 4.5s) with 100 mph (160 km/h) reached in 9.8 seconds from a standstill. The performance of the Continental GTC is equally exhilarating - 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.7s) and 0-100 mph (and 0-160 km/h) in 10.3 seconds.

CHASSIS
The new Bentley Continental GT Speed features significant changes to both chassis hardware and software for a sporty, engaging drive that matches the formidable powertrain. Aluminium double wishbone front suspension and a trapezoidal multi-link rear setup are retained, but now feature revised air suspension springs and dampers for improved agility and body control, with roll, pitch and heave all reduced for a more agile driving experience.

The self-levelling system constantly monitors ride height and damping according to road conditions, and positions the car with a ride height 10mm lower than the standard Continental GT. Bentley's chassis engineers have also fitted stiffer suspension bushes for sharp, communicative handling and uprated anti-roll bars to optimise the handling balance.

Software changes are also wide-ranging, combining to use the revised suspension hardware to deliver an exciting but refined experience. Steering and suspension control systems receive revised calibrations.

Sophisticated stability control, optimised for driver involvement
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system has been optimised to work perfectly in tune with the new ME17 engine management system for outstanding driving performance. The ESC system retains the "Dynamic Mode" setting that allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds, with engine torque reinstated more quickly after a system intervention. Together, these systems give the spirited driver more opportunity to exploit the full potential of the new chassis setup and higher power output. Steering feel and feedback to the driver are both improved, while careful tuning of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system means minimal degradation in ride comfort despite the uprating of the suspension components.

Outstanding stopping power across the Continental range
In line with the standard Continental models, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is fitted with 405 mm diameter front and 335 mm rear ventilated, cast iron brake discs and eight-piston callipers as standard for outstanding stopping power. The boundaries of braking performance can be further extended by specifying 420 mm front / 356 mm rear cross-drilled Carbon Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs as a cost option. Providing a 20 kg weight saving over the standard brakes, the fade-free CSiC discs last the lifetime of the car under normal driving conditions, while brake pad life is doubled. ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Assistance, Drag Torque Control and aquaplane detection are all fitted as standard.

All-wheel drive - a performance car for all seasons
For all Continental models, the new eight-speed transmission feeds the famous Bentley wave of torque to a permanent all-wheel-drive system which retains the 60% rear / 40% front torque split first introduced on the Supersports. Allowing the spirited driver to control the car's line and balance using the throttle, the rear-biased torque split minimises understeer during hard cornering and varies torque between the front and rear axles for optimum grip. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive system provides reassuring grip and traction in all road and weather conditions.

BODY DESIGN
The iconic Continental GT has a form that expresses the same balance of power and elegance, exhilaration and endurance that is provided by its exceptional powertrain. The classic Bentley DNA is evident through the sensual powerline that runs the length of the car, meeting the sculpted rear haunch.

Advanced superforming technology uses high temperatures and pressurised air to shape the front fenders into exquisite, unbroken curves in extremely durable aerospace-grade 5083 aluminium alloy. The latest body construction techniques deliver crisply defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The flowing lines and curves - inspired by the original 1950s R-Type Continental - create highly distinct surfaces, bringing the feel of a truly coachbuilt car to the Continental family.

For the GT Speed, these elegant shapes are enhanced with a suite of signature design cues. A new 9.5J x 21" ten twin-spoke wheel design is exclusive to GT Speed, available in bright painted or dark tint finishes, and fitted with 275/35 ZR21 tyres. Dark tint radiator matrix and front bumper grilles enhance the air intakes that pay homage to the Le Mans winning Bentleys of the 1920s to give the front of the new GT Speed a more aggressive, sporting look.

At the rear of the car, new rifled exhaust tailpipes are fitted exclusively to GT Speed and are complemented by chrome rear lamp bezels that are also introduced on Continental GT and GTC models. Also fitted as standard to all 6.0 litre Continental models are new W12 badges located below the muscular power line on the front fenders. Beneath the bonnet, the twin turbocharged intake manifolds of the Speed model are uniquely powder-coated with a black finish. GT Speed treadplates complete the set of exterior design cues.

Mulliner Styling Specification in polished carbon fibre
All two-door Continental models may also be specified with the striking Mulliner Styling Specification package option. Available as a dealer-fit accessory, the "Classic Pack" comprises a range of styling features finished in carbon fibre that accentuate the car's iconic shape:
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Complementary features include carbon fibre door mirror cowls, the finishing of the standard rear spoiler in carbon fibre and the fitment of the 21" "Elegant" wheels in a unique black finish.

As well as the 17 exterior paint finishes available as standard to the Continental models, a range of almost 100 additional paint options is available including solid, metallic, pearlescent and satin finishes. Further extending the art-of-the-possible, Bentley's specialist paint team can also create bespoke exterior colours to precisely match customer requirements.

INTERIOR DESIGN
Despite the GT Speed's sporting overtones, this grand tourer retains a hand-crafted interior created using only the finest natural materials. Soft, supple leathers, polished veneers and cool-touch metals combine with the meticulous craftsmanship for which Bentley is renowned to provide a cabin of exceptional quality.

As standard, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is specified with Bentley's luxurious yet sporting Mulliner Driving Specification, which features diamond-quilted, perforated leather hides to all four seats, door trims and rear quarter panels. The cabin headlining is finished in indented leather hide, while optional embroidered Bentley emblems can be specified for the headrests.

The sports gear lever has a classic knurled finish, while the driver uses drilled alloy sports foot pedals. The unique Bentley "Jewel" filler cap is provided as standard, as are Dark Stained Burr Walnut or Piano Black veneers.

With its gleaming, geometrically precise overlapping circles, engine-turned aluminium - also known as 'engine spin' - has indelible associations with Bentley sporting success. The dashboard of 'Old Number One' - the Speed Six that won two Le Mans 24 Hour races - is crafted from the same material. With such a pedigree it's natural that Bentley offers two engine spin options for the fascia and consoles - one in Bright Aluminium and the other, unique to the Bentley Continental GT Speed, in Dark Tint Aluminium. Its understated shade perfectly complements the dark tint chrome radiator and bumper grilles.

Alternatively, the more recent Bentley Le Mans success is reflected in choosing the Carbon Fibre option for fascia, roof and centre consoles, its satin finish specially developed to reduce unwelcome reflections.

Seventeen different hide colours are available and as with the rest of the Continental family, the interior of the GT Speed can be specified with duo-tone colour splits, including one split previously exclusive to GT V8. Contrast stitching throughout, including to the steering wheel, is also available.

ADVANCED INFOTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY
A new feature of the advanced 8-inch touchscreen, 30GB on-board Infotainment system is the addition of satellite navigation "Personal Points of Interest". This allows the user to save places of their choosing (e.g. a specific restaurant) into the system.

The touchscreen displays the car's audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings and navigation information, which uses both the hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data.

An eight-speaker sound system is offered as standard employing the latest Balanced Mode Radiator technology. These unique compact, flat-panel speakers provide exceptional clarity across the audible spectrum and a very wide frequency range. The 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system - created exclusively by British audiophiles Naim - is available across the Continental range.

Music can be played and controlled directly from an iPod? as well as from a six-disc CD changer, SD card reader or directly from the car's hard-disc drive, which can store up to 15GB of music. DAB digital radio is also available in regions where the infrastructure supports it.

Source: http://automotivesreview.blogspot.com/2012/10/bentley-continental-gt-speed-2013.html

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Documents back up claims for more security in Benghazi

Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have released new documents backing up claims by security personnel previously station in Libya that there was a shortage of security personnel in Benghazi.

The documents?contain previously unreleased cables from Ambassador Stevens and his staff reflecting concerns about safety in the country.

The U.S. State Department did not have an immediate comment.

One signed by Stevens and titled ?LIBYA?S FRAGILE SECURITY DETERIORIATES AS TRIBAL RIVALRIES, POWER PLAYS AND EXTREMISM INTENSIFY,? dated June 25, 2012, assess the increase in violence.??From April to June, Libya also witnesses an increase in attacks targeting international organizations and foreign interests,? Stevens wrote, describing attacks on a United Nations official in Benghazi, International Committee for the Red Cross buildings in Benghazi and Misrata, and IED at the mission in Benghazi, and RPG fired at the British Ambassador?s convoy, and an attack on the consulate of Tunisia.

A Libyan government national security official told Stevens ?that the attacks were the work of extremists who are opposed to western influence in Libya. A number of local contracts agreed, noting that Islamic extremism appears to be on the rise in eastern Libya and that the Al-Qaeda flag has been spotted several times flying over government buildings and training facilities in Derna,? a village to the east in Benghazi. Other contacts disagreed with that assessment, however.

Another cable from Stevens, titled ?The Guns of August; security in eastern Libya? and dated August 8, 2012, states ?Since the eve of the (July) elections, Benghazi has moved from trepidation to euphoria and back as a series of violent incidents has dominated the political landscape during the Ramadan holiday.? Stevens describes the incidents as ?organized, but this is not an organized campaign.? The Supreme Security Council, the interim security force, he says, ?has not coalesced into a stabilizing force and provides little deterrence.?

Stevens wrote that the people of Benghazi want a security apparatus but ?inherently fear abuse by the same authorities. This debate, playing out daily in Benghazi, has created the security vacuum that a diverse group of independent actors are exploiting for their own purposes.?

A cable signed by Stevens on the day of his murder, September 11, described a meeting with the Acting Principal Officer of the Supreme Security Council in Benghazi, commander Fawzi Younis, who ?expressed growing frustration with police and security forces (who were too weak to keep the country secure)??

The documents also included an ?ACTION MEMO? for Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy dated December 27, 2011, and written by US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman. With the subject line: ?Future of Operations in Benghazi, Libya,? the memo states: ?With the full complement of five Special Agents, our permanent presence would include eight U.S. direct hire employees.?

This would seem to suggest that Undersecretary Kennedy had approved a plan for five permanent security agents in Benghazi, but that never happened. It should be noted that there were ultimately a total of five Diplomatic Security Agents in Benghazi that night since there were two stationed at the Benghazi compound, and three escorted Ambassador Chris Stevens to the compound.

In a letter to President Obama,?House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense, and Foreign Operations, note the Obama administration response that ?two extra DS agents would have made no difference. This misses the point. These agents would have provided the added cover to fully evacuate all personnel from the compound ? not just those who survived.?

One of the key conversations in the documents begins on February 11, at 5:29 pm, when Shawn Crowley, a foreign service officer at the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, writes: ?Apologies for being a broken record, but beginning tomorrow Benghazi will be down to two agents?We have no drivers and new local guard contract employees have no experience driving armored vehicles??

On February 11, 1:13 pm, Regional Security Officer of the Libyan Embassy Eric Nordstrom emails State Department officials, cc-ing then-Ambassador Gene Cretz, saying he?ll try to send personnel from the Security Support Team to Benghazi. ?I?ll speak with our SST personnel to se if they can free up 1 or 2 bodies for Benghazi?.While the status of Benghazi remains undefined, DS? ? Diplomatic Security ? ?is hesitant to devout (sic) resources and as I indicated previously, this has severely hampered operations in Benghazi. That often means that DS agents are there guarding a compound with 2 other DOS personnel present. That often means that outreach and reporting is non-existent.?

Norstrom notes that the British have ?a 5 person team assigned to just their head of mission, so they have made a commitment to maintain a larger presence in Benghazi than the USG,? the U.S. government.

At 8:53 pm. James Bacigalupo, the Regional Director Near East Asia Bureau of Diplomatic Security DSS for the State Department, emails Nordstrom, ?Call me, I am surprised at your statement that ?DS is hesitant to devote resources as I (you) have indicated previously that has severely limited operations in Benghazi.??

Norstrom responds on Sunday, February 12: 8:58 pm ?we have had multiple times previously had no movements in Benghazi because we had only 2 DS agents on the ground. Havingno movements for upwards for 10 days severely limits operations in Benghazi. I?ve been placed in a very difficult spot when the Ambassador tells me that I need to support Benghazi but can?t direct MSD? ? Mobile Security Detachment ? ? there and been advised that DS isn?t going to provide more than 3 DS agents over the long term.?

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Nordstrom adds at 9:00 pm: ?the last time we had only 2 agents at post, suspending outside movements for approximately 10 days.?

Meanwhile, security on the ground became increasingly precarious.

A March 2012 memo (mistakenly cited as 2011) from the Research & Information Support Center titled ?Progress Elusive in Libya,? based on open-source reporting, states that in late December 2011 ?reports indicated that al-Qa?ida leadership in Pakistan had sent ?experienced jihadists to Libya to build a new base of operations in the country. Between May and December 2011, one of these jihadists had recruited 200 fighters in the eastern part of the country. Documents seized in Iraq indicate that many foreign fighters who participated in the Iraqi insurgency hailed from eastern Libya. This small batch of fighters would have been dealt with quickly by a central authority, were it in place. Until a stronger national army or guard force is developed, rural Libya will remain fertile territory for terrorist groups such as al-Qai?da in the Islamic Maghreb.?

The committee also released some photographs of the Benghazi compound, before and after the attack.

Issa and Chaffetz say they?ve ?been told repeatedly? that the Obama administration not only ?repeatedly reject(ed) requests for increased security despite escalating violence, but it also systematically decreased existing security to dangerous and ineffective levels,? and did so ?to effectuate a policy of ?normalization? in Libya after the conclusion of its civil war.?

This ?normalization,? the GOP congressman write, ?appeared to have been aimed at conveying the impression that the situation in Libya was getting better, not worse. The administration?s decision to normalize was the basis for systematically withdrawing security personnel and equipment ? including a much-needed DC-3 aircraft ? without taking into account the reality on the ground. In an interview with Mr. Nordstrom, he maintained that the State Department routinely made decisions about security in early 2012 without first consulting him.? The congressmen submit ten questions for the president to answer.

-Jake Tapper

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/10/documents-back-up-claims-of-requests-for-greater-security-in-benghazi/

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