An European in Budapest/Hungary, graduated as astronomer, works for the railway, frontpager over at European Tribune, progressive (hard left in Europe, beyond fringe in the US).
Obama's speech in front of the Victory Column in Berlin was an unqualified campaign success. Check the photos in Al Rodgers's diary, here is one again (photo from SPIEGEL).
This diary however is meant as a deeper look at the event and its significance. Some of the points covered will be critical, others will be further appraisal:
This is a story on media and free speech in the Dubya Era.
Abjeez [=sisters] is an Iranian-Swedish band led by the eponymous sisters Safoura and Melody Safavi, doing ska in Farsi. They were little-known outside the Iranian ex-pat community -- until the husband of one made this YouTube video for their single "DemoKracy":
What made this video an issue is that two of the three involved worked for American media.
This series charts the specialities, differing best uses, and newer developments of different local rail systems. This part covers light rail.
Yarra Trams class C tram No. 3008 (low-floor type Citadis 202 of French maker Alstom) in Melbourne; January 24th, 2003. Photo by Stuart Jackson from Perthtrains
This series can also be viewed as a general guide as to what kind of projects local initiatives could aim for, and tries to give examples around the world that can be used as model for supporters and argument against opponents.
This series charts the specialities, differing best uses, and newer developments of different local rail systems. This part covers (heavy) metro -- that is mostly subways, and a new system pioneered by Paris's RER.
This series can also be viewed as a general guide as to what kind of projects local initiatives could aim for, and tries to give examples around the world that can be used as model for supporters and argument against opponents.
Sydney CityRail's bi-level M-set ("Millennium Train") M33 at Hurlstone Park, July 31st, 2006. Photo by Stuart Jackson from Perthtrains
Some general points are valid throughout the series. Don't think in lines, think in networks. Coordination, between different modes of transport, rather than rivalry, is essential. Even just in rail, one shoe doesn't fit them all. Different public transport modes for for differing kinds of travel are best different levels in a system, say:
high-speed rail,
express rail,
normal stopping trains,
rapid transit,
metro (subway/elevated),
light rail,
buses.
This five-part series charts the specialities, differing best uses, and newer developments of the four categories of local rail (nos. 3-6 on the list), trying to give ideas and good examples to quote for local initiatives. This part covers rapid transit.
As you may know, former Russian secret service (FSB) man Aleksander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive Polonium when he met an Italian associate in London over a month ago.
Today and yesterday, there have been spectacular new revelations about the Italian thread in the Italian press. There is a trail into the USA.
