Syracuse Center of Excellence to receive over $1.5 million

Syracuse.com is reporting that Siemens has pledged $1.55 million to the Syracuse Center of Excellence.

The money is intended to finance research into energy efficiency and air quality in buildings.

U. S. Rep. Dan Maffei also announced that the Center will receive $500,000 in federal funding for research projects.

This five-year partnership will create jobs for the city.

Siemens will also fund graduate student research at Syracuse University’s L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science.

My Take: It is of the interest of to the Syracuse community to know that a center in the city is going to be participating in such an important partnership. It is also important to SU students because one of the colleges will be benefitting from this as well.

Chicago man accused of plotting Mumbai attacks

According to CBSnews.com, a Chicago man was charged Monday with being involved in planning terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India in 2008 that killed 166 people.

David Headley of Chicago, 49, is also accused of attacking a Danish newspaper.

Headley allegedly attended terrorist training camps in Pakistan operated by a group that carries out attacks on India.

Prosecutors and FBI agents will keep seeking charges against other people also involved in the attacks.

My Take: This is an important national story because the Mumbai attacks had a big impact and affected a large number of people.

Facebook seeks to protect children

CNN.com is reporting that Facebook and five other internet groups are working together to increase child safety online.

The other groups are Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, WiredSafety, Childnet International and the Family Online Safety Institute.

Facebook has also added more privacy settings that allow users to decide who can see their posts.

It also plans on making the privacy settings page simpler.

My Take: I chose this story as my pick because Facebook is a social networking website used by many, especially youth. Safety in the internet is an issue that concerns the people.