Meals on Wheels advocate worried over shutdown - Sep. 30, 2013

Meals on Wheels programs have been struggling to meet increasing demand for their services after years of funding cuts at the federal, state and local levels.

Meals on Wheels advocate worried over shutdown - Sep. 30, 2013

FHA will keep lending during shutdown - Sep. 30, 2013

Applications for all government-backed mortgages will continue to be processed during a government shutdown, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

FHA will keep lending during shutdown - Sep. 30, 2013

Shutdown could freeze payments to Denver firm - Sep. 30, 2013

On Oct. 1, Lisa Buckley's security management firm is due to bill thousands of dollars in new business to Uncle Sam. But if thegovernment shut downs at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, those invoices could remain unpaid indefinitely.

Shutdown could freeze payments to Denver firm - Sep. 30, 2013

How to Create a Facebook Fan Page

How to Create a Facebook Fan Page

USDA Blog » Summer Camp Provides Lifelong Environmental Learning for Utah High Schoolers

USDA Blog » Summer Camp Provides Lifelong Environmental Learning for Utah High Schoolers

Picture This: Last of the Summer Sun - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Picture This: Last of the Summer Sun - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Rome Government Could Collapse as Berlusconi Ministers Resign - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Silvio Berlusconi has plunged Italy into another political crisis. It's a wake-up call for Europe and a reminder that, despite what the recent German election campaign suggested, the euro crisis is by no means over yet.

Rome Government Could Collapse as Berlusconi Ministers Resign - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Roma and Sinti in Berlin Often Sleep in Cars - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Thousands of economic refugees flood into Berlin every year, including many Roma. Some end up homeless, many are insulted or spat upon. Now a new program aims to help them find jobs and apartments -- and begin a new life.

Roma and Sinti in Berlin Often Sleep in Cars - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Pinterest Sponsored Pins Will Be Tested

Pinterest Sponsored Pins Will Be Tested

USDA Blog » USDA’s Iftar Dinner Reflects a Common Calling – Rebuilding and Strengthening Communities in Need

USDA Blog » USDA’s Iftar Dinner Reflects a Common Calling – Rebuilding and Strengthening Communities in Need

Former Auschwitz Worker Hans Lipschis Faces Trial - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Prosecutors claim 93-year-old former Auschwitz worker Hans Lipschis is complicit in the murder of thousands of people. The charges raise questions about how to interpret guilt in the Holocaust, as well as why the German justice system waited so long to pursue such cases.

Former Auschwitz Worker Hans Lipschis Faces Trial - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Press Review and News Roundup on German Coalition Talks - SPIEGEL ONLINE

It's quickly becoming clear how hard it's going to be for Angela Merkel to form a new government. The SPD wants the Finance Ministry and will ballot its members on any deal. In the end, though, they're likely to reach an agreement, say media commentators.

Press Review and News Roundup on German Coalition Talks - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » When Schools Improve Meals, Positive Results Follow

USDA Blog » When Schools Improve Meals, Positive Results Follow

Syria's other crisis – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

Syria's other crisis – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

Francesca Tosarelli Photographs Women Rebel Fighters in Congo - SPIEGEL ONLINE

They murder, rob and kidnap, just like their male comrades. Some women fight for rebel groups in Congo against their will, while others are driven by desperation. Photographer Francesca Tosarelli documented their dangerous lives.

Francesca Tosarelli Photographs Women Rebel Fighters in Congo - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Mark Cuban trial on insider trading set to start - Sep. 30, 2013

Mark Cuban trial on insider trading set to start - Sep. 30, 2013

ECB at Loggerheads with Policymakers Over Banking Stress Tests - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The European Central Bank wants to impose rigid tests on financial companies in the euro zone before it assumes its new supervisory role. But even before the tests are set to begin, the ECB is already tangling with policymakers.

ECB at Loggerheads with Policymakers Over Banking Stress Tests - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Government Reelected in Austria Despite Voters Shifting to Righ - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Austrians voted on Sunday to re-elect their current coalition government. But the country's two largest parties saw their worst nationwide election results since World War II while the right-wing populists made substantial gains.

Government Reelected in Austria Despite Voters Shifting to Righ - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Secretary’s Column: Following Through to Keep Our Youth Safe on the Farm

USDA Blog » Secretary’s Column: Following Through to Keep Our Youth Safe on the Farm

New Circumcision Ruling Requires Doctors to Discuss Procedure - SPIEGEL ONLINE

In the latest twist in a controversy that has divided Germans, a regional court has ruled that doctors need to discuss circumcision procedures with the child before they can be carried out.

New Circumcision Ruling Requires Doctors to Discuss Procedure - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Oktoberfest Organizers Introduce Vegan Food Options - SPIEGEL ONLINE

For some 200 years, Oktoberfest has been all about copious amounts of beer and meat. But, this year, organizers are breaking with tradition and reaching out to visitors with dietary restrictions by offering vegan dishes and even vegan wine.

Oktoberfest Organizers Introduce Vegan Food Options - SPIEGEL ONLINE

How Germans Escaped Kidnapping in Syria - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Septegenarian Ziad Nouri spent more than three months in the hands of jihadist kidnappers in Syria. His story highlights the problem of abductions in a country fractured by civil war and upstart foreign Islamists without a plan.

How Germans Escaped Kidnapping in Syria - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Foreign Jihadists in Syria Favor Liberal Transit Towns over Front - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Foreign Islamists coming into Syria have been gathering in the relatively quiet north. But many of them are finding transit towns -- with good food, video games and smoking -- preferable to the front. When they do end up fighting, it's often with each other.

Foreign Jihadists in Syria Favor Liberal Transit Towns over Front - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Scientists: Dolphin Intelligence May Be Overrated - SPIEGEL ONLINE

For decades, it's been common knowledge that dolphins are among the world's smartest species. Now some researchers -- and a new book -- argue the supposed underwater geniuses aren't so special after all.

Scientists: Dolphin Intelligence May Be Overrated - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Sunday Election Could End Traditional Government Makeup in Austria - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A grand coalition has ruled Austria for almost seven years and most of the postwar period. But rising support for upstart and populist parties could disrupt that trend after Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Sunday Election Could End Traditional Government Makeup in Austria - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Breaking Bad economy: How Walt made $80 million - Sep. 27, 2013

Walter White may be fictional. But the $80 million profit he turned by selling meth in less than a year is a very realistic sum for a true-life drug kingpin.

Breaking Bad economy: How Walt made $80 million - Sep. 27, 2013

Weekend Reading: September 27th Edition–Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are here! - The Official Microsoft Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

Weekend Reading: September 27th Edition–Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are here! - The Official Microsoft Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

USDA Blog » Be Prepared When Visiting our National Forests — What to do if you Encounter a Marijuana Cultivation Site

USDA Blog » Be Prepared When Visiting our National Forests — What to do if you Encounter a Marijuana Cultivation Site

Roman Polanski Rape Victim Relives History in New Book - SPIEGEL ONLINE

When she was 13, Samantha Geimer was raped by Roman Polanski at Jack Nicholson's home in Los Angeles. She has written a new book about that night in 1977 and its aftermath. In an interview with SPIEGEL, she tells why she still doesn't hate the director.

Roman Polanski Rape Victim Relives History in New Book - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » PLANTS Database Provides Answers for Vegetative Questions

USDA Blog » PLANTS Database Provides Answers for Vegetative Questions

CDU Campaign Promises over Tax Increases in Doubt - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Chancellor Merkel's conservatives unequivocally rejected tax increases in the recent election campaign. But now that they need to find a coalition partner among left-leaning parties, their tone seems to be changing.

CDU Campaign Promises over Tax Increases in Doubt - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Divers Find Human Remains at Site of Costa Concordia Cruise Ship - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A total of 32 people died when the Costa Concordia capsized off the Italian island of Giglio last January, but only 30 bodies were recovered at the time. Italian authorities have now recovered human remains after the ship was pulled upright.

Divers Find Human Remains at Site of Costa Concordia Cruise Ship - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Organic International – Opening New Markets for American Organic Producers

USDA Blog » Organic International – Opening New Markets for American Organic Producers

Berkeley Lab Indoor Air Roundup: Natural Ventilation Comes with Health Risks, and more « Berkeley Lab News Center

Berkeley Lab Indoor Air Roundup: Natural Ventilation Comes with Health Risks, and more « Berkeley Lab News Center

Forest Boy Ray Given Community Service for His Lies in Berlin - SPIEGEL ONLINE

"Forest Boy Ray" intrigued Europe when he turned up in Berlin pretending to have lived in the woods for years. When it all turned out to be lies, he was charged with fraud. But a court has now decided to drop the charges if he completes community service.

Forest Boy Ray Given Community Service for His Lies in Berlin - SPIEGEL ONLINE

How German Finance Minister Schäuble Navigates the Euro Crisis - SPIEGEL ONLINE

As Germany's Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble is one of Europe's most influential politicians -- and one of its most hated. Many hold his austerity policies responsible for mass poverty and unemployment in the south. How does he know his decisions are right?

How German Finance Minister Schäuble Navigates the Euro Crisis - SPIEGEL ONLINE

European Court of Justice Rules on Reimbursement for Weather Delays - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Until now, train passengers in Europe delayed by bad weather or worker strikes had no recourse to compensation. That has changed, however, with a court ruling on Thursday requiring railway companies to refund part of the ticket cost in such situations.

European Court of Justice Rules on Reimbursement for Weather Delays - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Pope Francis Message of Humility at Odds with German Bishops Lifestyle - SPIEGEL ONLINE

At the Vatican, a down-to-earth Pope Francis has been preaching humility and modesty. Many bishops in Germany, however, are having a hard time embracing a more austere lifestyle.

Pope Francis Message of Humility at Odds with German Bishops Lifestyle - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Food Safety and Chicken Served in the National School Lunch Program

USDA Blog » Food Safety and Chicken Served in the National School Lunch Program

USDA Blog » Young Texas Trio Brings Technology to the Farm

USDA Blog » Young Texas Trio Brings Technology to the Farm

California to pay backlogged unemployment claims - Sep. 25, 2013

Faced with a computer glitch that delayed unemployment checks to more than 80,000 residents, the state of California will pay out all backlogged jobless claims, regardless of whether they are valid or not.

California to pay backlogged unemployment claims - Sep. 25, 2013

Berkeley Lab Report Finds U.S. Energy Service Companies Experienced Steady Growth Despite Recession « Berkeley Lab News Center

Berkeley Lab Report Finds U.S. Energy Service Companies Experienced Steady Growth Despite Recession « Berkeley Lab News Center

California raises minimum wage to $10 - Sep. 25, 2013

Millions of California's hourly workers will become among of the best paid in the country next year under a new minimum wage law enacted Wednesday.

California raises minimum wage to $10 - Sep. 25, 2013

Shipping newspaper drops print after 300 years - Sep. 25, 2013

Shipping newspaper drops print after 300 years - Sep. 25, 2013

Yale beats Harvard on endowment returns - Sep. 25, 2013

Yale beats Harvard on endowment returns - Sep. 25, 2013

My experience of the nuclear horror – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

My experience of the nuclear horror – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

German Politics Sees Growing Ethnic Mobilization - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Parliamentarians with foreign roots were considered exotic in Germany for a long time, but that has changed. Candidates with Turkish heritage now represent a new force in the country's political landscape.

German Politics Sees Growing Ethnic Mobilization - SPIEGEL ONLINE

German Euroskeptic Party AFD Could Unravel After Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germany's euroskeptic Alternative for Germany party came tantalizingly close to the threshold needed for parliamentary representation in Sunday's election. But it failed. Now members are worried that the young party could unravel.

German Euroskeptic Party AFD Could Unravel After Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with MiPlato

USDA Blog » Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with MiPlato

German Press Review on Merkel's Search for a Coalition Partner - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The Social Democrats hate the idea of a coalition with Angela Merkel, but media commentators say the party will probably have to accept one -- and could even benefit if it extracts the right price. A Merkel coalition with the Greens is possible, but unlikely.

German Press Review on Merkel's Search for a Coalition Partner - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Diepholz Attic Mummy Made of Plastic Skeleton with Real Skull - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A mysterious mummy found in a German attic has kept experts busy for several weeks. Now they have finally determined it's a fake.

Diepholz Attic Mummy Made of Plastic Skeleton with Real Skull - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Merkel Coalition Prospects Could Mean Softening of Europe Policy - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A sigh of relief can be heard around the Continent, where many European countries states are hopeful that a left-leaning German coalition partner could steer Angela Merkel toward a gentler course and less austerity in managing the euro crisis.

Merkel Coalition Prospects Could Mean Softening of Europe Policy - SPIEGEL ONLINE

World Leaders React to Election Victory for Chancellor Angela Merkel - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germany's influence in Europe is at its highest in decades, and leaders around the world watched the federal election closely. Now embarking on her third term, Chancellor Angela Merkel remains a uniting figure at home and a polarizing figure abroad.

World Leaders React to Election Victory for Chancellor Angela Merkel - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Ensuring Safety of Imported Processed Chicken from China

USDA Blog » Ensuring Safety of Imported Processed Chicken from China

USDA Blog » Now That’s Special: USDA Program Fuels Economic Development

USDA Blog » Now That’s Special: USDA Program Fuels Economic Development

USDA Blog » What Would You do to Keep Your Food Safe During an Emergency?

USDA Blog » What Would You do to Keep Your Food Safe During an Emergency?

'Massive' sweepstakes scam swindles millions from elderly - Sep. 24, 2013

Despite years of warnings and millions of dollars lost, people are still falling for one of the most common scams on the books: a fraudster contacts you, saying you've won a lottery or sweepstakes -- you just need to send in a small sum of money to collect your huge cash prize.

'Massive' sweepstakes scam swindles millions from elderly - Sep. 24, 2013

Germany Boosts Efforts To Get Women In STEM Fields - SPIEGEL ONLINE

As one professional roller girl once declared, "A pretty face and cleavage is all you really need!"


Despite its best efforts, the science and technology sector is failing to attract girls, potentially undermining Germany's strength as a global export power. Now some are getting creative, launching preschool initiatives and even a new soap opera.

Germany Boosts Efforts To Get Women In STEM Fields - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Computer glitch delays unemployment checks for 80,000 Californians - Sep. 24, 2013

A computer glitch has delayed unemployment checks for about 80,000 Californians, many of whom depend on the money to pay bills and feed their families.

Computer glitch delays unemployment checks for 80,000 Californians - Sep. 24, 2013

Court Weighs Whether Immigrants Can Be Leveraged to Learn German - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Imhan K., a Turkish woman living in Germany, had her welfare benefits slashed after her husband refused to let her take German courses. Now a court must decide whether immigrants can be forced to learn the language and adopt Western mores.

Court Weighs Whether Immigrants Can Be Leveraged to Learn German - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Celebrate Fall Season With Free Access to Public Lands on Sept. 28

USDA Blog » Celebrate Fall Season With Free Access to Public Lands on Sept. 28

Fischer Comments: Shake Up for Green Party after Poor Election Showing - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germany's Green Party faces a shake-up after its poor performance in Sunday's election, with lead candidate Jürgen Trittin the latest to step down. Now former head Joschka Fischer is taking the party's leadership to task, as the finger pointing begins in earnest.

Fischer Comments: Shake Up for Green Party after Poor Election Showing - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Social Democrats in Germany Demand More Social Europe from Merkel - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Chancellor Merkel is likely heading towards a coalition with the Social Democrats. SPD leaders have begun making concrete demands for changes to her policies on Europe. European Parliament President Schulz wants quick action.

Social Democrats in Germany Demand More Social Europe from Merkel - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Free Syrian Army Head Gen. Idriss: Rebels Need Western Support Now - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Gen. Salim Idriss is head of the Free Syrian Army. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses why the chemical weapons deal with Assad is a ruse, why the West worries too much about Islamic extremists and how he coordinates his forces via Skype.

Free Syrian Army Head Gen. Idriss: Rebels Need Western Support Now - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Social Dems Wary of Grand Coalition with CDU as are Greens - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Angela Merkel can now start looking for a coalition partner, but it will not be simple. The SPD and the Greens are both skittish about an alliance with her CDU -- and have good reason to be. Difficult negotiations lie ahead.

Social Dems Wary of Grand Coalition with CDU as are Greens - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Picture This: Eye of the Storm - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Picture This: Eye of the Storm - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Europe Waits to See if Merkel Victory Means German Policy Change - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Angela Merkel clearly won Sunday's German election, but she will need a coalition partner. Many in Europe are hoping an alliance with the center-left Social Democrats would mean a change in the chancellor's harsh austerity policies. Those hopes may be dashed.

Europe Waits to See if Merkel Victory Means German Policy Change - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Afghan Warlords Like Ismail Khan Prepare for Western Withdrawal - SPIEGEL ONLINE

While the West is trying to extricate itself from the war zone in Afghanistan as quickly as possible, old warlords like Ismail Khan are preparing for a post-withdrawal period that many anticipate will be violent.

Afghan Warlords Like Ismail Khan Prepare for Western Withdrawal - SPIEGEL ONLINE

2013/09/23 DARPA Young Faculty Engage with Next Generation of Army Tech Users

2013/09/23 DARPA Young Faculty Engage with Next Generation of Army Tech Users

Euroskeptic Alternative for Germany Has German Election Breakthrough - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Despite falling short of the 5 percent hurdle required to enter parliament, the euroskeptic Alternative for Germany party performed surprisingly well in the German election. Experts say the party shouldn't be underestimated.

Euroskeptic Alternative for Germany Has German Election Breakthrough - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Merkel at Peak of Her Powers as She Wins Third Term - SPIEGEL ONLINE

When she took over the Christian Democrats 13 years ago, few thought Angela Merkel would last long. But after her resounding victory on Sunday, it is now clear that she has become so much more than just Germany's political leader.

Merkel at Peak of Her Powers as She Wins Third Term - SPIEGEL ONLINE

German Free Democrats Fail To Enter Parliament - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The biggest losers of the German election are the pro-business Free Democrats, who failed to make it into parliament. After decades of playing kingmaker, its spectacular defeat marks a seismic shift in Germany's political landscape.

German Free Democrats Fail To Enter Parliament - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Angela Merkel's CDU Scores Big Win But Problems Remain - SPIEGEL ONLINE

It hardly gets any more exciting, more enthralling or more spectacular. This 2013 German election represents a watershed. The chancellor has triumphed, and her coalition partners the pro-business Free Democrats are shattered. Germany is well and truly Angela Merkel country.

Angela Merkel's CDU Scores Big Win But Problems Remain - SPIEGEL ONLINE

▶ The 404 - Comic-Con 2013: The 404 Show Sideshow Collectibles booth tour - YouTube

Video (6:28)

▶ The 404 - Comic-Con 2013: The 404 Show Sideshow Collectibles booth tour - YouTube

Merkel Set to Win Third Term in German Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Chancellor Merkel has run a bland re-election campaign. But that is exactly what voters were looking for. There are many reasons why she will win a third term on Sunday, but the primary one is her deep understanding of what the German electorate wants.

Merkel Set to Win Third Term in German Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Romanian Mining Plan Sparks Mass National Protests - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The Rosia Montana mine in Romania is currently one of Europe's most controversial projects. Plans by Bucharest to push through approval for the large-scale mining that would eliminate an entire town have sparked mass protests.

Romanian Mining Plan Sparks Mass National Protests - SPIEGEL ONLINE

USDA Blog » Secretary’s Column: The White House Rural Council: Partnering in Support of Rural America

USDA Blog » Secretary’s Column: The White House Rural Council: Partnering in Support of Rural America

Nature High Summer Camp Connects Young People, Natural Resource Professionals

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Kathryn Sosbe, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service, on September 20, 2013 at 2:20 PM

Sierra Hellstrom, Nature High Summer Camp director, explains to student about the core sample taken from an aspen tree.

In a few short years, high school students at Nature High Summer Camp on the Manti-LaSal National Forest in Utah may become newly minted natural resource professionals who make a difference in the world of natural resources.

The 30 high-school students from Utah met as strangers on a Monday morning, but left Saturday as good friends who connected with nature in a way they had never before experienced.

“It’s amazing to see the changes in the students over the course of a week,” said Sierra Hellstrom, camp director who works in the U.S. Forest Service’s Intermountain Region. “They arrive shy and scared, with little knowledge of public land management. They leave enlightened and a very tight-knit group, and have a hard time saying goodbye to one another.”

The 22-year-old camp, a partnership with several government agencies, introduces students to “a day in the life” of a natural resource professional to learn about the complexities of public land management.

They work with silviculturists – or forester – to learn how to core trees to gather information on the age of stands (grouping of trees), health of trees, and other vital information.

Working with biologists, students learn about aquatic insects and how their presence – or absence – can reveal water quality. Students don waders and spend a morning catching samples in nets to identify and then interpret what they have discovered and how that relates to the entire watershed.

Hanna Gold, a senior from Layton, Utah, examining her findings while using a D-net to collect specimens of aquatic insects.

A soil scientist helps the students get literally dirty by digging a plot of soil so they can study the layers, the health of the surrounding area and other variables that affect how the soil is compacted.

A hydrologist and students carrying high-tech instruments wade into the water to test stream flow, temperature and other factors to determine spring run-off numbers and how they will affect the water supply throughout the summer.

Then they hike through the forest with an entomologist to learn that a very small insect – a bark beetle – in large numbers and under the right conditions can kill millions of trees. The students collect insect samples then return to camp to study them.

The students, by working in the field with professionals, also learn how science contributes to public policy and the eventual decisions that shape the public’s use of 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands.

“We cram a lot into a small period of time,” Hellstrom said. “But each segment is important. We can only hope that during that week we planted a seed in the minds of these young people who may see natural resources as a viable career choice. At the very least, we hope that they grow into adults who understand the connection between the natural world and our everyday lives.”

The success of camp is also measured by how many students eventually find internships, summer work or volunteer opportunities with natural resource agencies.

Perhaps the success of the program can best be summed up with a written critique from a camper: “I have a new outlook on life and people in general. We really can make a difference.”

Eneida Rosas, a senior from Logan, Utah, learns how to take a tree core sample with an increment borer.

Dutch Filmmaker Leon Giesen Says Mittenwald Is Site Of Nazi Treasure - SPIEGEL ONLINE

After some initial digs, a Dutch filmmaker believes he may have found the site of buried Nazi treasure long rumored to exist. He was led to the Bavarian town of Mittenwald after cracking a code believed to be hidden in a music score.

Dutch Filmmaker Leon Giesen Says Mittenwald Is Site Of Nazi Treasure - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Belgian Prime Minister Angry at Claims of British Spying - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The hacking attack by Britain's GCHQ intelligence service on Belgian telecoms provider Belgacom has angered politicians in the country. Belgium plays host to the EU's top institutions as well as NATO, and Prime Minister Elio di Rupo is considering diplomatic retaliation.

Belgian Prime Minister Angry at Claims of British Spying - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germans Pay Less for Euro Bailout Than Other EU Countries - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A new study shows that Germany contributes less per person to the permanent euro bailout fund than residents of several other countries in the European Union. Luxembourg, Holland and Ireland are among the nations paying more per capita.

Germans Pay Less for Euro Bailout Than Other EU Countries - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Latest Poll Shows Governing Coalition Has Narrow Lead ahead of Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

On the eve of election weekend in Germany, the governing coalition has a narrow lead of just 1 percent, according to a last-minute poll. The upshot? The outcome of the election is anyone's guess.

Latest Poll Shows Governing Coalition Has Narrow Lead ahead of Election - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Decline in Voter Turnout in Germany a Danger to Democracy - SPIEGEL ONLINE

With the help of intellectuals and celebrities, not voting has recently become de rigueur in Germany. But declining voter turnout harms democratic legitimacy, bolsters the power of those who prompted discontent and could sway Sunday's election.

Decline in Voter Turnout in Germany a Danger to Democracy - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Federal Police Report Explains Inaction Despite Mini Drone Attack - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Federal Police Report Explains Inaction Despite Mini Drone Attack - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Aid Organizations Confront Child Slavery in India - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Millions of Indian children work as slaves in factories, brothels or in the homes of families. Out of poverty and desperation, parents sell their daughters, and human traffickers wait at train stations for runaways and scour for orphans in monsoon-ravaged villages.

Aid Organizations Confront Child Slavery in India - SPIEGEL ONLINE

British Spy Agency GCHQ Hacked Belgian Telecoms Firm - SPIEGEL ONLINE

A cyber attack on Belgacom raised considerable attention last week. Documents leaked by Edward Snowden and seen by SPIEGEL indicate that Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency was responsible for the attack.

British Spy Agency GCHQ Hacked Belgian Telecoms Firm - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Pavlos Fyssas Murder: Greeks Protest Rise of Far Right Golden Dawn - SPIEGEL ONLINE

The alleged murder of a leftist rapper by a neo-Nazi has shocked Greece, where thousands have taken to the streets to protest the rise of the far-right Golden Dawn party. Athens says it is determined to take action.

Pavlos Fyssas Murder: Greeks Protest Rise of Far Right Golden Dawn - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Celebrating Grey Towers' Golden Anniversary

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Deidra L. McGee, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service, on September 19, 2013 at 2:07 PM

The Pinchot legacy continues for future generations with programs offered at Grey Towers. Credit: US Forest Service, Grey Towers NHS

A beautiful, blue stone mansion with its slate roof and turrets, known as Grey Towers, in Milford, Pa. has been a sanctuary for visitors from around the world to learn about conservation and natural resources.

Fifty years ago on Sept. 24, 1963, President John F. Kennedy dedicated the Grey Towers National Historic Site and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies as a “living memorial” to America’s first forester and two-term Pennsylvania governor, Gifford Pinchot.

On Sept. 19-22, the Forest Service, the Pinchot Institute and the Grey Towers Heritage Association will celebrate Grey Towers’ golden anniversary with public and private events, receptions, lectures, honored guest speakers, public visitation and family programs. This commemoration is an opportunity for the Forest Service, and its partners and collaborators to celebrate Pinchot’s legacy and highlight the many contributions he made to the Forest Service and beyond. What better way to honor the conservation legacy of the father of American conservation than by offering the Pinchot home as a public center for tours, meetings, study and research.

President Kennedy gets approval from audience and dignitaries at Grey Towers dedication ceremonies of Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies. Note: Others on stage -- Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, Chief of the Forest Service, Edward P. Cliff, Pres of the Conservation Foundation Samuel Ordway, and Governor of PA, William Scranton. Credit: US Forest Service, Grey Towers NHS

The historical Grey Towers was first completed in 1886. Eight decades later, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 1980, more than $16 million in federal, state, and private funds were raised to complete a comprehensive restoration of the historic features and the renovation of the building and estate for “adaptive re-use” as a world-class conference center.  The Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, which was established on this site, has served as a center for today’s most challenging environmental issues.

President Kennedy with Dr. and Mrs. Pinchot at the Finger Bowl where historic conversations were held. Credit: US Forest Service, Grey Towers NHS

The Forest Service, along with its partners, is carrying out Pinchot’s legacy of “practical idealism,” and his philosophy that in order to be effective, natural resource conservation must be not only ecologically sound, but economically viable and socially responsible. To this day, Pinchot’s philosophy of providing “the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run” is the driving principle behind the Forest Service’s approach to natural resources management.

Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the US Forest Service and two-term governor of Pennsylvania. Credit: US Forest Service, Grey Towers NHS

Back to School with Statistics, Join USDA's Virtual Open House

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, on September 19, 2013 at 12:40 PM

A new academic year is here for millions of students and teachers across the country, and in spirit of the many back to school nights and open houses taking place, I’m encouraging you to explore USDA’s International Year of Statistics Virtual Open House.

The International Year of Statistics, sponsored by more than 2,000 organizations – including the USDA – is a worldwide event to help teach everyone about the powerful and far-reaching effects of statistics. When people hear the word “statistics,” they often think of sports statistics or the course they took and struggled to pass. While you can think of statistics in these terms, there is more to the relationship between you and statistics than you may imagine.

For agriculture, did you ever wonder about where your food is raised, how it’s produced, and by whom? How this information impacts future food prices and availability? About weather patterns and climate change and the effects they have on crops, livestock and America’s farm land? These questions and many more can be answered with statistics that are produced by USDA.

Statistics are rewarding to us not only as statisticians, economists and researchers, but also as students, teachers, parents and consumers. They arm us with the knowledge to contribute to the wellbeing of the entire human race – the people living with us at home, to our neighbors in nearby communities, to strangers we’ve never met around the globe.

Because of agricultural statistics we can make informed buying decisions for our families, we can impact societal change by supporting U.S. farm and rural policy, and we can make strides for the future by encouraging young minds to explore careers in statistics, mathematics and science.

Join the USDA’s International Year of Statistics Virtual Open House today by exploring the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the World Agricultural Outlook Board online. Touring these online sites, you can discover statistics, data tools and research, including:

• Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials explores the basics of farm and food sectors with 75 charts and maps.
• Amber Waves presents the economics of food, farming, natural resources and rural America in lay terms via engaging features, findings, and statistics.
• CropScape, a data visualization and analysis tool with satellite derived land cover images showing the annual planted crops and the ever-changing impacts on U.S. agriculture.
• Food Security Information and research that is helping provide access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.
• Quick Stats 2.0, the most comprehensive tool for accessing agricultural data published by NASS that allows you to visualize, manipulate, and export exactly the information you desire, whether it is based on commodity, location, or time period.
• World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports which shows U.S. farmers, policymakers, and traders what’s going on in the world of farm commodity forecasts at a single moment in time.

If you have a question, you can also connect with us on Twitter by tweeting NASS (@usda_nass) and ERS (@usda_ers). Join our virtual open house today and learn how agricultural statistics enhance the work of USDA and your life – every day and in every way!

Most common Obamacare scams - Sep. 19, 2013

Some scammers may offer help navigating the new health insurance marketplace under Obamacare, for a fee. Others will warn that you will need a new Medicare card. And still others may say they are from the government and need your personal information.

Most common Obamacare scams - Sep. 19, 2013

Cover Crops Help Young Farmer Thrive

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Pattie Thomas, NRCS, on September 19, 2013 at 11:25 AM

Russell Wire, a northwest Illinois farmer, found cover crops to be an excellent option for his operation. His cattle enjoy grazing quality forage, and his soil health is improving as well.

At age 8, Russell Wire knew he liked agriculture. That was when he raised some beef cattle for a 4-H project, eventually turning that project into a herd of 40.

This natural affinity makes sense—Wire, who lives in northwest Illinois, comes from a farm family. The 28-year-old is actually a fifth-generation farmer.

Since 2005, Wire has worked 40 acres of pastureland, and he’s grown corn on another 50 acres since 2011. Recently he decided to incorporate cover crops into his operation to provide more forage for his herd, prevent erosion and improve soil health.

He sought guidance from specialists at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help make decisions and plans for successfully growing and managing cover crops.

Late summer 2012 was Wire’s first year planting cover crops. He opted for a mix of annual ryegrass and tillage radish. He likes the fact that he is able to do something different for a conservation solution that will sustain his operation.

Wire used a no-till drill to seed the radishes. While the right soil temperatures are important for success, 2012’s drought conditions threatened good seed germination. Luckily, a late September rain saved the day and he was able to grow a good, healthy cover crop.

At the same time, Wire allowed forage on his pastures to grow to a height of about 20 to 24 inches. This made high moisture haylage available for the herd.

Because of the pasture’s location, he uses his cropland to grow hay instead of using it for livestock grazing. He cuts the forage when it’s ready, then bales it for later use.

According to Wire, the best part about cover crops is that they improve the health of his soil. He’s also happy to see fewer weeds due to the annual ryegrass’ dense foliage.

He’s found that the radishes effectively break up soil compaction and bring valuable nutrients back to the surface for other crops to use.

Wire is pleased with the results of his new techniques. He can watch his cover crops grow, provide quality hay and feed for his cattle, and hold back erosion. And he’s a pioneer in his area.

“A lot of people are watching me to see how it works,” he says.

Follow NRCS on Twitter.

Check out other conservation stories on the USDA blog.

Russell Wire’s cover crops include a mix of annual ryegrass and tillage radish that will help provide more forage for his herd.

An Interest Rate Cut Will Do Little to Solve Greek Budget Trouble - SPIEGEL ONLINE

In August, Merkel's government admitted that Greece needs billions of euros in additional aid. Some have called for a cut to interest rates on emergency loans made to Greece. But with the rates already so low, it would be but a drop in the bucket.

An Interest Rate Cut Will Do Little to Solve Greek Budget Trouble - SPIEGEL ONLINE

German Election System Explained - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Germany's voting system is complicated, to the point that not even most Germans completely understand it. But it is one of the fairest around. Here is a brief explanation.

German Election System Explained - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Forest Service Reaches Latinos through Legacy Program

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Kathryn Sosbe, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service, on September 19, 2013 at 10:25 AM

More than 1,500 inner-city youth from Houston Independent School District gather over a week-long period at Jones State Forest – Children’s Forest each year to participate in the annual Exploring Houston’s Backyard. The Bosque Móvil-Forest Mobile is one tool the U.S. Forest Service’s Latino Legacy program uses to provide learning experience around Texas.

Roughly a decade ago, Tamberly Conway impulsively agreed to leave Key West, Fla., with a friend to serve as crew members on a 47-foot sailboat with a captain they barely knew. But somewhere between Key West and Guatemala, she began reevaluating her decision.

They got off the boat in Guatemala and spent the next year absorbing the Latino culture and Spanish language. She turned that unexpected experience into helping the U.S. Forest Service reach out to the Latino community. Along with her multiple degrees in natural resources, Conway connects Latinos to the natural world around them through such programs as Latino Legacy.

“These programs provide avenues for students who gradually gain a sense of empowerment,” Conway said. “They understand that it’s okay to be a leader in this arena and help their community understand the need to take care of the land and conserve what they have. I tell them, ‘You can be leaders in this area so you can improve your nation’s food sources and make sure we have enough wood, water and wildlife in the future.’”

Stationed in Texas, Conway’s first project after joining the Forest Service five years ago centered on development of the Latino Legacy program, created in large part through a More Kids in the Woods cost-share initiative and partnership funds. Latino Legacy program goals are to develop, implement and evaluate culturally appropriate conservation education programs designed for urban and rural Latino communities. It has since evolved into a hub for a number of programs focusing on diversity outreach and conservation education.

Forest Service conservation education specialist Tamberly Conway talks about how to use binoculars for wildlife viewing to members of the Chikawa-Aztec Cultural Troupe during the Wild About Wings program at Jones State Park in Texas.

The two primary outreach tools are the “Bosque Movil,” or forest mobile, a mobile information and activity station, and the “Amigos de Bosque,” or the Friends of the Forest, a semi-bilingual conservation education and community outreach team, managed by the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.

The Friends organization was formed to help the Forest Service make the 600,000 acres of forests and grasslands in that state more accessible to diverse audiences. Together with strong partners like the Texas A&M Forest and Stephen F. Austin State University, the program has reached at least 250,000 people, although some supporters believe the number to be more than double that amount.

“We are able to go into schools that have high populations of Latinos and engage not only the students but also educators, administrators, parents and community partners,” she said. “Our work helps create a pathway to something more. Whether these youth choose to work in natural resources or not, they have a new excitement about the outdoors, and they share that excitement with others in their communities.  They are becoming our current and future conservation leaders.”

Conway’s next project, in a USFS partnership with a Project Learning Tree grass-roots program called Green Schools!, will result in a national model that will target early childhood through high school in an educational feeder pattern or “grapevine,” with a strong focus upon higher education and possible futures in natural resource careers.  The Green Schools! initiative helps students improve communication, civic and leadership skills, while increasing environmental awareness. The pilot project will focus on the East End community in Houston and the Houston Independent School District, which are predominantly Latino.

A young boy, who earlier seemed disinterested, suddenly lit up during the Chikawa Aztec Cultural Troupe’s participation in the Exploring Houston’s Backyard program. Shortly after the dance performance, the young boy up to one of the performers, grabbed him and said, “This is my culture!”

A New Player Emerges in Mapping Protein Structures, Thanks to Berkeley Lab Technology « Berkeley Lab News Center

A New Player Emerges in Mapping Protein Structures, Thanks to Berkeley Lab Technology « Berkeley Lab News Center

East German Voter Apathy Could Mean Record Low Turnout - SPIEGEL ONLINE

East German Voter Apathy Could Mean Record Low Turnout - SPIEGEL ONLINE

15 People with Foreign Roots Discuss Experiences of Racism in Germany - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Several recent controversies in Germany -- from the treatment of refugees to the obstacles faced by immigrants in the job market -- have thrown the issue of racial discrimination into the limelight. SPIEGEL spoke to 15 people of foreign descent to find out how racism affects their daily lives.

15 People with Foreign Roots Discuss Experiences of Racism in Germany - SPIEGEL ONLINE

FBI — Public Corruption: Courtroom for Sale

FBI — Public Corruption: Courtroom for Sale

2013/09/19 Spectrum Challenge Preliminary Event Showcases Robust Radio Techniques

2013/09/19 Spectrum Challenge Preliminary Event Showcases Robust Radio Techniques

2013/09/19 AAAI Honors DARPA PM Bonnie Dorr for “Significant Contributions”

2013/09/19 AAAI Honors DARPA PM Bonnie Dorr for “Significant Contributions”

German Chemicals Sent to Syria Could Have Had Military Use - SPIEGEL ONLINE

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that according to preliminary information, German chemicals sent to Syria were not used to produce sarin. The Left Party wants a closer look.

German Chemicals Sent to Syria Could Have Had Military Use - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Colorado floods: Costly and often uninsured - Sep. 19, 2013

The recent severe floods in Colorado could end up costing homeowners, businesses and local governments nearly $2 billion, according to Eqecat, a firm that conducts loss estimates for the insurance industry.

Colorado floods: Costly and often uninsured - Sep. 19, 2013

German Left Party Strong But Shunned by Mainstream - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Social Democratic candidate Peer Steinbrück could win Sunday's election, but he would have to partner with the Left Party in order to prevail. The leftists continue to be surprisingly strong, but their Communist roots make them an unpalatable partner.

German Left Party Strong But Shunned by Mainstream - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Partnership and Investment on Health IT Week

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Doug O’Brien, Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development, on September 18, 2013 at 5:05 PM

Nurse Jennifer Witting stands beside newly installed telemedicine equipment at the Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, MI in June 2012. The Aspirus Health Foundation, Inc. received two Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development (RD) DLT Program, that enabled Aspirus to grow their Telehealth infrastructure into communities in north-central Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. USDA photo.

This week at USDA we are celebrating National Health IT week by highlighting USDA’s ongoing efforts to expand modern health care access to rural America. Yesterday, we announced two new steps to improve health care for rural Americans – both through new investments in health infrastructure and ongoing interagency partnerships designed to better focus Federal efforts on rural health care.

USDA is expanding a partnership with HHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as part of our work together on the White House Rural Council, to leverage funds and other efforts that will support advanced health care technology in rural hospitals. This partnership is an extension of a successful pilot launched in five states – Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi and Texas – to identify rural critical access hospitals in persistent poverty areas in need of advanced health care technology. For example, during the pilot phase of this partnership, the USDA Rural Development Iowa State Office, the Iowa Regional Health IT Extension Center (REC) and the Iowa State Office of Rural Health convened the first Iowa Rural Health IT Forum to expand care for Critical Access Hospitals.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to let folks know about HHS and VA health care initiatives. This has included the Department of Veterans Affairs Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot Program, to empower rural organizations in promoting high-quality health care and mental health services for our veterans. And last week, The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health Policy announced grants to build telehealth networks, delivering mental health services to rural veterans as well as funds that will recruit and train a workforce with expertise in Health IT.

We also continue to strengthen partnerships with rural communities by investing in high-quality health care infrastructure. Yesterday, USDA announced loans and grants that will help improve health care facilities – providing assistance with everything from building a new critical access hospital building, to modernizing surgical equipment and improving patient registration. These new investments complement efforts that USDA has already made, since 2009, that have expanded distance health care tools to more than 1,600 health care institutions and provided support for more than 1,000 health care facilities.

All of these efforts are helping to create a modern health care infrastructure to better serve rural Americans. At the same time, we are working together to be sure that all Americans have access to affordable health care – in particular by reminding folks across the nation that new opportunities for coverage under the Affordable Care Act will soon be available through new Health Insurance Marketplaces. Beginning in 2014, more than 7.8 million uninsured rural Americans under age 65 will have new opportunities to enroll in affordable health care.

This is critically important in rural America, where nearly one in five uninsured Americans lives and where a greater share of residents lack health insurance.  A large proportion of folks in rural America will be eligible for discounted insurance coverage through their states’ Health Insurance Marketplaces, so we’ll continue helping to get the word out in rural America. The Department of Health and Human Services provides a wide range of information on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act – and how to obtain coverage if you’re not insured – on www.healthcare.gov.

Rural America faces unique barriers to health care, but together we can meet these challenges. I’m looking forward to continuing USDA’s work alongside our interagency partners that will further expand health care for rural Americans in generations to come.

Scary Nature, Airport Insecurity and More – Security News Roundup, Week of Sept. 16

Scary Nature, Airport Insecurity and More – Security News Roundup, Week of Sept. 16

In Water as In Love, Likes Can Attract

SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Lynn Yarris (510) 486-5375  lcyarris@lbl.gov

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Science Short

This model of the guanidinium chloride salt (blue and silver) in solution shows carbon (yellow) and water (green) surrounding the cations and demonstrates cation-cation pairing.

At some point in elementary school you were shown that opposite charges attract and like charges repel. This is a universal scientific truth – except when it isn’t. A research team led by Berkeley Lab chemist Richard Saykally and theorist David Prendergast, working at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), has shown that, when hydrated in water, positively charged ions (cations) can actually pair up with one another.
“Through a combination of X-ray spectroscopy, liquid microjets and first principles’ theory, we’ve observed and characterized contact pairing between guanidinium cations in aqueous solution,” Saykally says. “Theorists have predicted this cation-to-cation pairing but it has never been definitively observed before. If guanidinium cations can pair this way, then other similar cation systems probably can too.”
Guanidinium is an ionic compound of hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon atoms whose salt – guanidinium chloride – is widely used by scientists to denature proteins for protein-folding studies. This practice dates back to the late 19th century when the Czech scientist Franz Hofmeister observed that cations such as guanidinium can pair with anions (negatively charged ions) in proteins to cause them to precipitate. The Hofmeister effect, which ranks ions on their ability to “salt-out” proteins, became a staple of protein research even though its mechanism has never been fully understood.
In 2006, Kim Collins of the University of Maryland proposed a “Law of Matching Water Affinities” to help explain “Hofmeister effects”. Collins’s proposal holds that the tendency of a cation and anion to form a contact pair is governed by how closely their hydration energies match, meaning how strongly the ions hold onto molecules of water. Saykally, who is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Chemical Sciences Division and a professor of chemistry at the University of California Berkeley, devised a means of studying both the Law of Matching Water Affinities and Hofmeister effects. In 2000, he and his group incorporated liquid microjet technology into the high-vacuum experimental environment of ALS beamlines and used the combination to perform the first X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements on liquid samples. This technique has since become a widely used research practice.

Berkeley Lab’s Rich Saykally has spent much of his career investigating the amazing chemistry of water.

“The XAS spectrum is generally sensitive to the changes in the local solvation environment around each atom, including potential effects of ion-pairing,” Saykally says. “However, the chemical information that one can extract from such experimental data alone is limited, so we interpret our spectra with a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and a first principles theory method.”
Development of this first principles theory method was led by Prendergast, a staff scientist in the Theory of Nanostructures Facility at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry. Computational resources were provided by the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). The Molecular Foundry and NERSC, as well as the ALS, are all U.S. Department of Energy national user facilities hosted at Berkeley Lab.
With the liquid microjet technology, a sample rapidly flows through a fused silica capillary shaped to a finely tipped nozzle with an opening only a few micrometers in diameter. The resulting liquid beam travels a few centimeters in a vacuum chamber and is intersected by an X-ray beam then collected and condensed out. In analyzing their current results, which were obtained at ALS Beamline 8.0.1, the Berkeley Lab researchers concluded that the counterintuitive cation-cation pairing observed is driven by water-binding energy, as predicted by theory.
Orion Shih, a recent graduate of Saykally’s research group, is the lead author of a paper describing this study in the Journal of Chemical Physics. The paper is titled “Cation-cation contact pairing in water: Guanidinium.” Saykally is the corresponding author. Other co-authors are Alice England, Gregory Dallinger, Jacob  Smith, Kaitlin Duffey, Ronald Cohen and Prendergast.
“We found that the guanidinium ions form strong donor hydrogen bonds in the plane of the molecule, but weak acceptor hydrogen bonds with the pi electrons orthogonal to the plane,” Shih says. “When fluctuations bring the solvated ions near each other, the van der Waals attraction between the pi electron clouds squeezes out the weakly held water molecules, which move into the bulk solution and form much stronger hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. This release of the weakly interacting water molecules results in contact pairing between the guanidinium cations. We believe our observations may set a general precedent in which like charges attract becomes a new paradigm for aqueous solutions.”