Expecting 2014

World could be plunged into crisis in 2014

New Zealand Political commentators and bloggers are in the midst of publishing their predictions, forecasts and analysis for 2014

Will the civil war in Syria end? No. Now that both the Obama Administration and many of the Islamist rebels have effectively given up on the Free Syrian Army, the only victor in the war is likely to be Bashar al-Assad and his government forces.

Will the Chinese economic miracle continue? Yes. After thirty years of rapid growth, the Chinese economy is now threatening to overtake the U.S. economy as the world’s largest, according to some measures.

Will Brazil win the World Cup? No. With an experienced coach in Luiz Felipe Scolari, and gifted young stars like Neymar (Barcelona), Oscar (Chelsea), and Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Brazil has the talent to match anybody. But in such a soccer-made nation, and with a relatively inexperienced team, the pressure of winning at home will prove too much.

Larry has authored many technical papers and the book "Evolution of the Storage Brain". He hosts a popular blog "About Data Storage.

Turkish hackers crack the Akron Police Department’s computer system and dispatch 27 squad cars to a canasta tournament at the Rockynol retirement complex.

A local judge approves Fairlawn’s plan to put a moat around Rosemont Ridge, protecting residents from the future Walmart on Rothrock Road.

A prolonged power outage postpones the finals of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship.

FirstEnergy recalls all of its Ohio Energy Conservation Kits, saying the company has quit the energy business to concentrate on marketing.