Wednesday, April 10, 2013

How to Make Sure No One Bothers You in a Computer Lab

You have a lot of work to do. You're on a deadline. You're stressing out because people are constantly dropping by your desk saying hi, how you're doing because you're in a computer lab. You need to block everybody out. What do you do? Slap on some headphones and tape this sign onto your back. That should do the trick. You can work without any interruption now. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Hs7KTGtp9eI/how-to-make-sure-no-one-bothers-you-in-a-computer-lab

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INTERIORS: Recaro touts new business class concept with a ...

Recaro business 2 150x150 INTERIORS: Recaro touts new business class concept with a separate lie flat areaRecaro, one of the leaders in economy class seating, is testing out a new business class seat concept that features a seat with a fully lie-flat space attached.

Company CEO Mark Hiller says the design criteria driving the potential new design are direct aisle access and offering a separate sleeping area for passengers that accompanies the seat.

While the seat may give the impression of taking up more space, Hiller explains that ?if you do the evaluation?you will figure out it [the seat] is more efficient than existing concepts available in the market?. He estimates carriers could increase passengers counts by 10% ?with such a seating concept?, and states the pitch on the possible new design could go down to 45in.

Recaro plans to get feedback from potential customers here at the Aircraft Interiors Expo ?and then after the show decide how to go forward?, says Hiller.

Recaro business INTERIORS: Recaro touts new business class concept with a separate lie flat area

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About Kerry Reals

Kerry is a London-based?freelance journalist who has spent eight years on the aviation beat, with an emphasis on how?the industry is addressing its environmental impact. Most recently, she was Deputy News Editor at Flightglobal. She was previously based in Washington DC.

View all posts by Kerry Reals ?

Source: http://blog.apex.aero/cabin-interior/recaro-touts-business-class-concept-separate-lieflat-area/

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Product Review: Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam ...

20130409tu-sony-hdr-cx220-high-definition-hd-handycam-video-camcorderThe Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) pictured here is a good choice for those wanting high quality video at a lower price point. [Buy]

This page provides some basic information about the camera and highlights some of the unique features that make this camera a good choice.

Amazon Product Information. The following information is from the Amazon product page for the Sony HDR-CX220.

  • Color: Black
  • 1920?1080 Full HD 60p with 8.9MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor
  • SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur
  • 27x Optical / 32x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action
  • 29.8mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar Lens
  • 2.7? wide Clear Photo LCD display (230K)

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss? Vario-Tessar? lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot? image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

The 2.7? (16:9) Clear Photo? LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily ? even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Create high definition 1920 x 1080 60p videos and high quality 8.9MP still images. Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony?s back-illuminated Exmor? R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor?R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions.

SteadyShot? image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture.

Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 27x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality.

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss? Vario-Tessar? lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot? image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

The 2.7? (16:9) Clear Photo? LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily ? even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and is ideal for capturing precious memories at special occasions, family vacations and other moments you want to treasure for a lifetime. MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive13 (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV4, allowing you to utilize the camcorder?s handy playback features.

The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it?s out of the way until you need it. Charging your camcorder is faster than ever now through the USB; for every two minutes of charge time you get one minute of recording time.

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes and wind noise reduction. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod , Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, Low light.

FOOTNOTES:

  • 4. Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold sep.
  • 9. For PC: Requires Microsoft? Windows? XP SP3/ Windows Vista? SP2/Windows
  • 7. For Mac: Requires Mac OSX (v10.5-10.7)
  • 13. Requires via VMC-UAM1 cable (sold separately), AC power for camcorder, and hard drive formatted in FAT-32. USB-hub not supported. External HHD/USB media should be less than 2TB(Terabytes).

Below is information obtained from the Sony Product page for the HDR-CX220.

Product Summary. The Sony Handycam? HDR-CX220 camcorder offers stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video quality at a great value. Plus, you can capture beautiful 8.9MP photos to frame or post to your profile. Your photos and footage will be incredibly smooth thanks to Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake to cut down on blur. Sony?s back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor delivers superb low-light performance with drastically reduced grain for crisp, clear quality. And with a professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, you?ll enjoy ultimate sharpness and contrast in every shot.

Create high definition 1920 x 1080 60p videos and high quality 8.9MP still images. Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony?s back-illuminated Exmor? R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor? R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions.

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss? Vario-Tessar? lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot? image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod , Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, Low light.

SteadyShot? image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture

The 2.7? (16:9) Clear Photo? LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily ? even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive13 (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV4, allowing you to utilize the camcorder?s handy playback features.

Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 27x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality.

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and is ideal for capturing precious memories at special occasions, family vacations and other moments you want to treasure for a lifetime. MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it?s out of the way until you need it. Charging your camcorder is faster than ever now through the USB; for every two minutes of charge time you get one minute of recording time.

  • Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx.2 1/8inch x 2 1/4inch x 4 5/8inch (52.5mm x 57mm x 117mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : Approx.6.3oz ((178g) Main Unit Only); Approx.7.8oz (NP-FV30 (supplied battery); Approx.8.1oz (NP-FV50); Approx.9.7oz (NP-FV70); Approx.13.2oz (NP-FV100)
  • Imaging Sensor : 1/5.8 ?(3.1mm) back-illuminated Exmor? R CMOS Sensor
  • Processor : BIONZ? image processor
  • Pixel Gross : Approx.2390K pixels
  • Effective Picture Resolution : Movie: Approx.2150K pixels(16:9) Still: Approx.2290K pixels(16:9)
  • Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
  • LCD Type : 2.7? (6.7cm) Clear Photo LCD? display (230K) Wide (16:9)
  • Angle Adjustment : Opening Angle:max.90 deg., Turning Angle:max.270 deg.
  • Brightness Control : Yes(Menu)
  • Coverage : 100%
  • Grid Display : Grid Line
  • Drive Mode : Photo Mode:Single-shot/Self-timer
  • Self-timer : Approx.10sec. (Still Image)
  • Shutter Speeds : Shutter Speed (Standard): 1/30 ? 1/10,000; Shutter Speed (Auto Control Range):1/8 ? 1/10,000
  • Memory Card Slot : Memory Stick PRO Duo? and SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible
  • SD Output : Composite Video Out(AV CABLE(sold separately))
  • HD Output : HDMI Out(micro)(supplied)
  • USB Port(s) : TypeA(built-in)/USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage/MTP)
  • BRAVIA? Sync? : Yes
  • PhotoTV HD : Yes
  • DC IN : Yes
  • HDMI Terminal : Yes (HDMI micro)
  • Multi/Micro USB Terminal : Yes
  • Supplied Software : PC: PlayMemories Home Lite (built-in; for PC only); PlayMemories Home (by download); Music Transfer(by download); MAC:Music Transfer(by download); PlayMemories Online Uploader(by download)
  • Operating System Compatibility : Windows XP SP3 /Windows Vista SP2 /Windows7 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. The Windows Image Mastering API (IMAPI) Ver. 2.0 or later is required to use the function for creating discs. Starter (Edition) are not supported. Standard installation is required. Operation is not assured if the above OS has been upgraded or in a multi-boot environment.
  • Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo?; (Mark 2)Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo?; Memory Stick XC-HG Duo?; SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card(Class 4 or Higher)
  • Still Image Mode : JPEG
  • Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 8.9 megapixels
  • Still Image Size 16:9 : Movie Mode: 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984?2240); Photo Mode: 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984?2240)
  • Still Image Size 4:3 : Movie Mode:6.7 megapixels 4:3 (2992?2240); Photo Mode: 6.7 megapixels 4:3 (2992?2240)
  • Video Mode : HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 AVCHD 2.0 format.compatible; STD: MPEG2-PS; MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
  • Video Resolution : HD:1920?1080/60p(PS),60i(FX,FH), 1440?1080/60i(HQ,LP); STD:720?480/60i; MP4: 1280?720 30p
  • Video Actual (Pixel) : Approx.2150K pixels(16:9),Approx.1610K pixels(4:3)
  • Video Signal : HDTV, NTSC color, EIA standards
  • Dual Record : 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984?2240); 2.1 megapixels 16:9 (1920?1080)
  • Audio Format : Dolby? Digital 2ch Stereo, Dolby? Digital Stereo Creator; MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
  • Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Zoom Microphone; Monoral Speaker
  • Mic Level Control : Yes(2steps)
  • Movie Recording Rate(Average Bit Rate/VBR) : HD PS: 28Mbps / FX: 24Mbps / FH: 17Mbps / HQ:Approx.9Mbps / LP:Approx.5Mbps ( Approx); STD HQ:9Mbps; MP4: Approx.6Mbps
  • Still Image File Format : DCF Ver.2.0 compatible, Exif Ver.2.3 compatible, MPF Baseline compatible
  • Wind Position : Yes(Off/On)
  • Focus System : Contrast AF
  • AF Modes : Auto/Manual(Menu)
  • Focus Area : Full range Focus
  • Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Manual
  • Fader Effect(s) : White/Black
  • Date / Time Stamp : Yes(Rec Date and Time, Camera info)
  • Erase/Protect : Yes/Yes
  • Media/Battery Indicator : Yes(recordable time, free and used media space)/Yes(recordable time, remaining capacity)
  • Power Save Mode : Yes
  • Still Image Playback Options : Slide Show
  • Video Playback Options : Highlight Playback(HD Movie Only); Highlight Playback Save and Share(Translate into STD quality); Highlight Scenario(Save/Playback/Erase); Hightlight BGM(Preinstalled 4 music files, Music transfer)
  • Built-in USB Cable : Yes(USB Charge Available)
  • Multiple Language Display : English; Spanish; Brazilian Portugese; Canadian French
  • Self Recording : Yes
  • View & Index : Event
  • Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx.2 1/8inch x 2 1/4inch x 4 5/8inch (52.5mm x 57mm x 117mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : Approx.6.3oz ((178g) Main Unit Only)
  • Limited Warranty Term : Limited Warranty ? 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor
  • Lens Type : Carl Zeiss? Vario-Tessar? Lens
  • Lens Stabilization : SteadyShot? image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
  • Aperture : F1.9-F4.0
  • Optical Zoom : 27x
  • Digital Zoom : 320x
  • Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : Movie Mode: 29.8-953.6mm(16:9), 36.4-1164.8mm(4:3); Photo Mode: 29.8-804.0mm(16:9),36.4-984.0mm(4:3)
  • Minimum Focus Distance : Approx.1cm(Wide) ,Approx.80cm(Tele) ,Approx.37cm(Tele Macro)
  • Extended Zoom : 32x
  • Focal Distance : f=2.1-57.0mm; f=3/32-2 1/4inch
  • Metering Modes : Multi-segment
  • Exposure Settings : Auto; Manual(Menu)
  • Scene Mode(s) : Auto/Night Scene/Sunrise & Sunset/Fireworks/Landscape/Portrait/Spotlight/Beach/Snow
  • D-Range Optimizer : Yes
  • Noise Reduction : Yes
  • White Balance Mode : Auto/Onepush/Outdoor/Indoor
  • Minimum Illumination : Standard:6 lux(1/30 Shutter Speed); Low Lux:3 lux(1/30 Shutter Speed)
  • Auto Iris Control : F1.9 ? F10
  • Backlight Compensation : Yes(Auto)
  • LOW LUX Mode : Yes
  • Face Detection : Yes
  • Image Stabilization : SteadyShot? image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
  • Intelligent Auto : Portrait/Baby/Tripod/Backlight/Landscape/Spotlight/Twilight/Macro/Low light
  • Priority Setting (for Face Detection) : Auto/Child Priority/Adult Priority
  • Smile Shutter? technology : Dual Capture/Always On/Off
  • x.v.Color? : Yes

Power Requirements : 6.8V/7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM? with AccuPower? Meter System (V Series)

  • USB Connection Support Cable (1)
  • Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV30) (1)
  • Operating Guide (1)
  • HDMI(micro) Cable (1)

Source: http://www.resourcesforlife.com/docs/item6797

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

China: Four more have H7N9 bird flu

A further four cases of a bird flu virus not previously seen in humans have been reported by authorities in China.

Three women aged 32, 45 and 48, and an 83-year-old man were diagnosed between 19 and 21 March and are critically ill.

There have now been seven confirmed cases of the H7N9 virus, the World Health Organization said. Two people have died.

But the WHO says there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

However more than 160 people who have had contact with the individuals are being closely monitored.

So far, none has developed symptoms.

The latest cases were seen in the Jiangsu province while the earlier cases were in the Shanghai and Anhui provinces.

Two contacts of one of the Shanghai cases who developed symptoms are being retrospectively investigated.

One died and the other recovered, but as yet there has been no laboratory confirmation of whether they were infected with H7N9.

Hygiene measures

The Chinese government has increased disease surveillance, infection prevention and control and communication between human and animal health and industry sectors.

Continue reading the main story

By identifying the source of infection measures can be taken to reduce human exposure?

End Quote Dr John McCauley MRC National Institute for Medical Research

It has advised the population to maintain good personal hygiene, including frequent hand-washing and avoiding direct contact with sick or dead animals.

The WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.

Dr John McCauley, Director of WHO Collaborating Centre on Influenza at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, said: "The virus belongs to the A(H7N9) sub-type, a sub-type that has not previously infected humans, and has emerged from the reservoir of avian influenza viruses.

"It is not known how the virus was transmitted.

"By identifying the source of infection, measures can be taken to reduce human exposure.

"The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating whether there has been any human-to-human transmission."

Tests suggest the virus could be treated with the anti-influenza drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22016945#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Pope visits St. Peter's tomb under Vatican

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis, followed by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, right, and Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, partially hidden, visits the necropolis where pagans and early Christians were buried under St. Peter?s Basilica at the Vatican and where St. Peter is believed to be buried, Monday, April 1, 2013, during what was called the first-ever visit by a pope. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis, followed by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, right, and Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, partially hidden, visits the necropolis where pagans and early Christians were buried under St. Peter?s Basilica at the Vatican and where St. Peter is believed to be buried, Monday, April 1, 2013, during what was called the first-ever visit by a pope. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis, center, visits the necropolis where pagans and early Christians were buried under St. Peter?s Basilica at the Vatican and where St. Peter is believed to be buried, Monday, April 1, 2013, during what was called the first-ever visit by a pope. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church. At right Bishop Vittorio Lanzani looks on. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis, flanked by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, left, and Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, right, kneels in prayer in front of what is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter's in the necropolis where pagans and early Christians were buried under St. Peter?s Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, April 1, 2013, during what was called the first-ever visit by a pope to the necropolis. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis, followed by Cardinal Angelo Comastri and Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, partially hidden, visits the necropolis where pagans and early Christians were buried under St. Peter?s Basilica at the Vatican and where St. Peter is believed to be buried, Monday, April 1, 2013, during what was called the first-ever visit by a pope. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Pope Francis waves to the crowd after the Regina Coeli prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday, April 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

(AP) ? Pope Francis on Monday took an emotional, close-up look at the tomb of Peter, the church's first pontiff, buried beneath St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said.

By doing so, Francis became the first pontiff to visit the necropolis, where pagans and early Christians were buried, since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago, the Vatican said.

The 45-minute "visit of devotion to the tomb of St. Peter" was private, the Vatican said, but it later released a video of it.

The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church.

The Vatican first said Francis would pray at Peter's tomb, but later said he prayed instead in the basilica.

The new pope "paused in silent prayer, in profound and emotional meditation" in the Clementine Chapel in the vast basilica that is "the closest place (in the basilica) to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles," it said.

During a tour of the necropolis conducted by its director and an Italian cardinal, the pope "climbed up a bit, got closer to the place where the tomb of St. Peter lies, exactly under the central altar and the dome of the basilica," the Vatican said.

Francis walked down the entire main street of the ancient city of the dead, the statement said. The streets of the necropolis are similar to those of ancient Rome, only they are flanked by tombs instead of shops and apartments.

The Vatican said Francis walked to the necropolis entrance from the hotel on the Vatican grounds where he lives, took the tour and later ? after paying homage at the tombs of several popes in another underground level known as the grottoes, including Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul I ? strolled back to his residence.

The underground excursion was a sharp departure from how popes in past years often spent the day after Easter, known in Italy as "little Easter." Those pontiffs would head to Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican palace in the Alban Hills, a short drive from Rome.

But that oasis of sprawling gardens and strolling paths in the quaint hill town is occupied by the predecessor of Francis, Benedict XVI, who spent the last hours of his papacy there before becoming the first pope in 600 years to retire. Benedict is staying in Castel Gandolfo until a monastery at the Vatican in Rome can be readied for him.

Many Italians spend "little Easter" by having a picnic lunch in the countryside or in city parks, and Francis told Romans and tourists who gathered in St. Peter's Square at noon Monday to see him to "have a good lunch." Francis said he was praying that Easter would inspire the faithful so that "hatred gives way to love, lies to truth," and that it would especially comfort those in "most need of trust and hope."

He spoke to them from the studio window of the apartment in the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square. Benedict and popes before him lived there, but so far Francis, who stresses simplicity, has declined to move into the quarters.

Instead, he has continued to stay at the Vatican hotel, where, as Buenos Aires archbishop, he stayed with fellow cardinals to elect Benedict's successor. They chose him, Jorge Bergoglio, the first pontiff from South America.

St. Peter's mission was to continue to preach the message of Jesus and reach more souls. Francis, as a Jesuit, is steeped in the evangelizing mission of the church, and the necropolis tour brings him back to the origins of the church in its simplest years as a community of Christians professing their faith in defiance of the crackdown by Roman emperors.

Peter himself was among the Christian martyrs during Nero's reign. He is believed to have been crucified, head down, on the Vatican hill.

Constantine, the first Christian emperor, had an early basilica built on the slopes of the Vatican Hill, burying the pagan and Christian cemetery ? necropolis means 'city of the dead' ? that surrounded Peter's burial site.

The current basilica, named after St. Peter, was constructed over the earlier basilica that was deemed unsafe and demolished in the late 15th century.

The Baroque master architect Bernini designed the bronze canopy over the central altar over the spot of Peter's burial site. The current basilica was planned as an awe-inspiring monument that would project the image of a powerful church.

Under popes of the last century, extensive excavations were carried out of the sprawling necropolis. In 1965, archaeologists said they had found the bones of Peter in an area near an ancient Greek inscription saying "Peter is here."

Part of a nearby necropolis came to light in 2003 during construction of a parking lot.

A few years ago, the Vatican unveiled the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs under St. Peter's Basilica ? that of a family of former slaves.

Guided tours of the necropolis, upon appointment, have been one of the most sought-after attractions for tourists to the Vatican.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-04-01-EU-Vatican-Pope/id-1dce0c295c9447d4adf216ab789fd9c3

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Italy invites Argentina to match dedicated to pope

Associated Press Sports

updated 2:11 p.m. ET April 2, 2013

ROME (AP) -Italy has officially invited Argentina to play a friendly in Rome on Aug. 14 that coach Cesare Prandelli hopes will be preceded by an audience for both squads with newly elected Pope Francis.

The Italian football federation announced that it sent an invitation Tuesday to the Argentine federation.

Pope Francis is from Buenos Aires and is a known football fan.

The match, if Argentina accepts, would likely be held at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, a short drive from Vatican City.

Italy's last match with Argentina was also a friendly in Rome, in 2001, which Argentina won 2-1. Before that, Diego Maradona's Argentina knocked host Italy out of the 1990 World Cup on penalties in a memorable semifinal match in Naples.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Barca, PSG wide open through Leg 1

PST: PSG scored a stoppage time equalizer to tie Barcelona 2-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal series. Most concerning for Barca is a hamstring injury to Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi injures hamstring against PSG

PARIS (AP) -Barcelona limped away from its Champions League quarterfinal at Paris Saint-Germain with superstar Lionel Messi sustaining a right hamstring injury and center half Javier Mascherano rupturing knee ligaments.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51405877/ns/sports-soccer/

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