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As TV Networks Focus on Mumbai Landmarks, Local Captures Ground Shots On Flickr

Shortly after he heard explosions outside of his home in the Colaba district in Mumbai, 27-year-old Vinu Ranganathan grabbed his camera and ran outside to take some shots. For hours, his graphic photos of the destruction wrought by the terrorists in the Colaba district on the photo-sharing site Flickr seemed to be the only relevant ones available online.

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With the orange hues and human police chains blocking crowds from entering streets, the photos gave a sense early on of the pandemonium during the early hours of the terrorist attacks.

Ranganathan, a 2005 Berkeley mechanical engineering graduate, literally became a mini-celebrity overnight as blogs (including Danger Room,) television networks and newspapers around the world picked up his photos to show their audiences what was going on in Mumbai.

Ranganathan answered a few questions via e-mail late Wednesday night about why he ran out into the streets when most people probably would have locked their doors and stayed at home.

Wired.com: Do you live near the scenes where you shot the photos? Where are those shots of the destruction located in Bombay?

Ranganathan: Yes, two minutes walking distance from my apartment. Here’s a Google Maps link: Its in the southern area - the financial district of Mumbai.

Wired.com: What inspired you to run out and get the shots and upload them to Flickr? Most people would have stayed safely at home.

Ranganathan: I have always been a shutterbug. Would love to be a photo journalist someday! When I heard two loud reverberating [noises] in the night around 10:45pm, I picked download comedy movies my camera bag and headed out.

As I was stepping out my sis said there are reports of firing at CST (train station) - but I suspected it was bomb as it was pretty loud. Turns out they were grenades.

Wired.com: What’s your occupation in Bombay?

Ranganathan: Business Development Manager at www.netcore.co.in.

Wired.com: What does the city feel like right now? Are all the friends all right?

Ranganathan: Luckily all my friends are safe. One of my father’s friends was shot dead at a restaurant. The city is still scared and angry. I feel the situation is still not under control and hostage drama is still on.

Wired.com: Did you feel that you were personally in any danger?

Ranganathan: I think in general every person in Bombay does all the time be it terror, traffic or mob. We have kind of got largely de-sentized. But feelings overflow when things happen ‘live’ near you for 12 hours.

The incident near my place which I took photos - grenades were thrown by the terrorist from the terrace of the building on to the adjacent gas station. And they have taken some families hostage … the situation is still not in control. I have heard 5 gun shots in the last hour (12 hrs after start of the incident!)

Wired.com: Have you ever been in a situation download action movie like this before in Bombay, and if so, did you rush out and take photos?

Ranganathan: I have witnessed shoot-out before when I was kid more 12-15 yrs ago when the mob fighting was at its peak. That incident was of mob groups engaging in cross fire over the roof tops of buildings. Even a film got realeased last year on that - “Shootout at Lokandwala.”

Wired.com: Did I see that someone gave you some money to update to a “pro” account? If so, who was that? Was that someone reacting to your shots?

Ranganathan: I was have a problem while uploading my snaps on flickr possibly due to restrictions. I was a pro user but had not renewed it for last 4 months. A Flickr staff who got my twitter decided to give me a 3 month gift of Pro.

Photo: Vinu Ranganathan

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Turn it Insiders Out

I don’t give New Zealand enough lovin’ and for that I apologise so as it is a rare occasion (I will try and make it less of a rarity…) I’ll go for a NZ oldie…. I’m sure all Kiwians know a fair bit about Nom*D. They did make it over to LFW in 1999 and were supposed to show their S/S 08-9 collection in London back in September. It didn’t happen but for a collection that is based on minute details and turning things inside out, I doubt a catwalk show would have done it justice anyway.

This “Insiders” collection turns to menswear as an inspiration but not in the usual way…. vintage men’s scarves get turned into a print on a dress. Tuxedos and waistcoats are softened up as opposed to being replicated; they’re cropped and shorn and their zips are placed proudly on the outside. Reversely, women’s petticoats are toughened up with tie dye and chopped up to make components of a dress. Inspiration aside, the entire collection is ripe for layering over and over again which of course pleases me to know end and being an Antipodean S/S 08-9 collection, it’s actually available for sale on General Cucumber right now. I see zips in all the right places, loose enough silhouettes for layering away and prints that are subdued enough to be mixed together. I promise I will do more NZ investigation…

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In Mumbai, terrorists and survivors sought

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hostages remain trapped in taj mahal hotel. the death toll rises to at least 143. update: five hostages were initiate dead in the mumbai jewish center after police took control of the building. oberoi hotel is reportedly under police control. the undoing toll from the assaults has reached 143. — ap

Far Cry 2 Gets New Goodies via DLC

beyond the shadow of a doubt mewl 2 is a adroit game, we have in the offing written a very positive review for it, and the title intention safeguard a great experience for any sandbox shooter fan gone from there. from the gorgeous graphics to the chic straightforward with of realism employed in the gameplay, a lot of the game’s features transfer have an impact on you, especially the fire which is quite at one of the most superb things implem…
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Iraqi Pact A Step Forward

A security pack ratified by the Iraqi Parliament Thursday finally allows the United States to legally withdraw its troops in a responsible time frame.

It won’t appease the liberal wing of the Democrat Party whose support for Barack Obama opposing the Iraq war catapulted him to prominence in the early stages of the presidential primaries.

But is does lend credence for Obama’s expected choice to keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates who supported the compromised agreement on board for a year as a means of continuity.

It also reflects a partial defeat for President Bush who opposed time tables for withdrawal and, to use his own words, because events on the ground changed.

The pact consists of two documents: a Status of Forces Agreement defining the rules under which American forces will operate, and a wider Strategic Framework Agreement outlining a broad bilateral view looking toward the future.

A New York Times dispatch from Baghdad outlines the bitterly contested pact:

The new agreement comes into force when the United Nations’ mandate that currently governs the American troops expires on Dec 31. The new pact says all American combat forces should withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30 next year and all American troops should be out of Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011.

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The pact gives Iraq considerable say in what operations American troops can undertake in the country, and sets limits on the Americans’ ability to search homes and buildings, and hold suspects that they detain.

The agreement also allows some foreign contractors to be tried under Iraqi law if they commit a crime, a clause aimed particularly at curbing the behavior of Western security contractors such as Blackwater.

American troops will remain subject to American military law if they are on duty and on their bases, but could be prosecuted under Iraqi law if they commit heinous offenses while off duty and outside their bases.

The Iraqi Supreme Council consisting of a Sh’ite, Sunni and Kurd is expected to certify the agreement in the next several weeks. One of the compromises approved by 140 of Parliament’s 275 members was a referendum vote next July. If the people vote it down, all U.S. troops would be withdrawn in 2010.

However, the Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki government can negotiate a later, separate, agreement with the Americans allowing them to stay longer if it believes Iraq is not yet stable enough.

The so-called preemptive invasion of Iraq was a colossal blunder by the neocons who held favor with the Bush administration in 2002. The strike was justified by fabricated intelligence that Saddam Hussein possessed nuclear warhead capabilities.

Management of the occupation was bungled by U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremer and then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Nearly 4,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and 30,000 wounded.

Americans should allow this sorry chapter in U.S. geopolitics to drift away into the sunset. It almost has as our attention is now directed at ourselves struggling to cope in a recession economy.

Our military is commended for its bravery and fighting a cause with one hand tied behind its back.

There is no sense in arguing the past.

The Iraq war was not won. It was a diplomatic settlement as so many wars end.

cross posted on The Remmers Report

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Beyond The News: HP’s New Multi-Touch Notebook

Today’s Show: Beyond The News: HP’s New Multi-Touch Notebook. The All-Star Panel discusses how HP’s new multi-touch tablet may foreshadow the future of mobile computing.

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Woman who hoaxed suicidal teen found guilty of three misdemeanors [MySpace Suicide]

lori drew (right), the 49-year-cast off missouri mom who posed as a 16-year-skilled boy on myspace viagra kaufen, has been convicted of three misdemeanors, but no felonies, in the expiry of 13-year-old megan meier — a former “best friend” of drew’s own daughter sarah — who committed suicide after being rejected by the humbug boy. in short, the only charges prosecutors could bring involved potty-topic acts such as “accessing a computer without authorization.” drew’s verifiable crime — cruelly manipulating a helpless child on account of four weeks — isn’t proscribed by law. (photo by ap/nick ut)

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Tory MEP involved in hotel siege in Mumbai

Sajjad thriller movies Karim, the Conservative MEP for North West England who defected from the Liberal Democrats a year ago today has found himself embroiled in a siege in a hotel in Mumbai.

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He has just appeared on Sky News, giving an eyewitness account of events, which have reportedly seen two people shot dead by gunmen and many others injured download crime.

Mr Karim is not understood to have been injured.

More when we get it.Jonathan Isaby

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Britney Spears In Rolling Stone Magazine

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Phoenix Hexapod and MechRC Humanoid

Trossen has come out with a couple new robots, right at the moment when I need to be spending on toys for the kids instead of myself. Either of these would be cool, and with luck I might get one for R&D, but it’ll have to wait til after the holidays.

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First up is the Phoenix Hexapod Kit. This guy comes as a kit, but is pre-programmed with a number of walking gates, PS2 style remote, and sturdy aluminum components. Powered by a Basic Atom Pro 28 and 18 servos there are a lot of possibilities. Add some sensors and make him aware of your suroundings, or compete in a local robot challenge. With a little practice you could even program it to compete with the Ministry of Silly Walks.

Following close on my wishlist is the new MechRC Humaoid Robot. MechRC is similar to many other humanoids, but he has a few features that set him apart. 17 metal gear servos should give him the power and durability to perform some impressive moves. A fluid 3D visual programming environment allows even novices to quickly generate programs. A speaker in his chest lets you choose a soundtrack to accompany his awesome dance moves.

Video after the jump.

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Pre Thanksgiving Weekend List Of Blorgs To Lurg

First, the recipes. Most of these are mine, but not all.

And now, a quickie. How to make the abso-freaken-lootly freekin’ best pumkin pie. Well, actually, I’m not going to give you that recipe because it is too hard. But the second best recipe is brilliantly easy.

Go to the store and get the can of pumpkin stuff. Not the pie mix, but rather the pure pumpkin puree. Get all the ingredients on the back but also get one pint of heavy cream per pie and less evapo-milk. Make sure your spices are FRESH and if possible, grind them yourself.

Now, follow the instructions on the can except for the following:

Only eat this once a year. In fact, I make it (and I’m indeed making the pies for this year’s dinner) and I won’t be eating it. Too rich.

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Oh, get extra heavy cream. You’ll need that to make whipped cream….

OK, enough of that. Continuing on with our blogspherics, here is what you can read over the long weekend upcoming. First, a few items related to religion because this acheter levitra is kinda a religious holiday:

A little gender politics with your turkey and gravy:

And now, a plethora of fascinating items crossing varoius boundries of science, politics, fun, and technology:

read the comments on this post…
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Nothing’s Certain but Death and ? uh ?

Sluggo and I have been very lucky during the Great Global Economic Collapse of 2008. Since we didn’t have any money anyway, we didn’t have anything to lose. But other folks have not been so lucky, including dead folks.

A big long article in the British newspaper The Daily Mail said that dead people in England were being hit hard by the credit crunch, and some were having to wait more than two months to be buried. I imagine that must be difficult. And I can’t tell from the article whether or not the dead are being embalmed while they wait, or even whether they get to wait in a refrigerated facility or are just stacked up like cordwood in some abandoned Wal-Mart. It’s all due to British bureaucracy, it seems. People who are on the dole (half the population, even in good times) have to apply to a government agency called Department for Work and Pensions’ Social Fund to pay for funerals, and the Department is taking quite a while to decide whether or not to issue the checks, having first to determine whether someone is or is not dead. (”He’s dead!” “He’s not dead!” “He IS! He has expired, he has ceased to be!”) Meanwhile the esteemed members of the Royal Casketeers and Buriers Guild of Bodymongers, or whatever they call themselves, say they can’t be performing funerals on credit. You can’t blame them, really.

Things aren’t much better here in the U.S. Last month in Pontiac, Michigan (AKA Fun City, USA) five dead people and a bunch of cremated remains were evicted from a funeral home. The owners were known for providing services even when the families couldn’t afford to pay, so then they couldn’t pay their own taxes. Obviously the British Bodymongers know what’s what. At least they know it’s death and taxes.

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I don’t know what’s going to happen to you if you should die while all this financial sturm und drang is going on, but I do know that Costco sells coffins.

Thanks for reading my blogpost this time, and may God bless.

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