Ahmadinejad criticizes Paul the octopus

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims Paul the octopus, who correctly guessed the outcomes of eight matches of the World Cup, is a sign of decay of Western culture.

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor suggests that Islam is a 'cult'

Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Tennessee politician has been criticised by Islamic groups and Islamic leaders by suggesting that Islam is a cult and is therefore ineligible for protection under the first amendment of the United States constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

Though Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, at a campaign stop in Chattanooga earlier in the month, said he's "all about freedom of religion", he also said that "[y]ou could even argue whether that being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult or whatever you want to call it".

Bull fighting banned in Catalonia

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The parliament of Catalonia, an autonomous region of Spain, today voted to outlaw bullfighting – an iconic sport in much of the country. The vote was held after animal rights activists, led by Spanish animal rights group Prou! (Spanish for "Enough!"), who claim the practice is "barbaric", collected 180,000 signatures to a petition.

Severe smog blankets Moscow

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

At least 43 peat fires have erupted in rural regions to the east and south of the city, and temperatures only 0.1 degrees Celsius less than the record high of 34.7 degrees, set Monday, have led to a thick cloud of smog settling over the city.

Plane crash in Pakistani capital kills 152

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

An Airblue-owned passenger plane, originating from Karachi, Pakistan, has crashed on approach to Islamabad International Airport in the Pakistani capital earlier today. There were 146 passengers and 6 crew members on board.

Initial reports were unclear as to the death toll, with some indicating that everyone on board, including crew, have died, and others saying at least five survivors had been taken to the hospital. Later reports, however, confirmed that all aboard had died.

Wyclef Jean considering standing for president of Haiti

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Following months of rumours, musician Wyclef Jean today confirmed that he is considering standing for the presidency of Haiti in the country's November elections. A statement from his family and verified by his spokeswoman said that the 37-year-old had not yet announced his intention to run, but that media would be informed "if and when a decision is made".

Investigation into Washington D.C. Metro crash finds need for new safety rules

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

An investigation into the fatal 2009 Washington Metro train collision conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for new safety and maintenance rules. The report, released today, blamed the crash on the faulty automatic train-control system. The report also cited the use of dated 1000-Series train cars. The 2009 crash, which killed 9 and injured 80, occurred during the evening rush between the Takoma and Fort Totten stations on the Red Line.

NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman, said that the system is currently regulated by state and local agencies. She called for Federal oversight. "Now it’s really time for them to step up to the plate and for Congress to address the issue," Hersman said during the release of the findings.

One dead after motorcycle and car collision in Guernsey, Channel Islands

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A man has died as the result of a collision involving a motorcycle and another car on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. On Monday, at approximately 2130 BST (2030 UTC), 22-year-old Ryan Thomson, who came from Saint Martin, was riding on a motorcycle near to the location of the Mont Variouf School, located in Le Neuf Chemin, Saint Saviour. He collided with a stationary car and died as a consequence.

Analysis of the incident is currently occurring. States of Guernsey Police Service would now like to discuss with any witnesses who sighted two motorcycles being driven en masse near to the location of the incident at approximately 2100 BST (2000 UTC).

New Jersey governor calls television show "Jersey Shore" negative

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Chris Christie, governor of the US state of New Jersey, complained on ABC's Sunday morning talk show This Week that TV series Jersey Shore promotes a negative image of the state.

Prompted by a feature in The New York Times on Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, one of the stars of the MTV show, interviewer Jake Tapper asked the governor whether he thought the series was positive or negative for the state. Christie unequivocally answered that the show was "negative for New Jersey... It takes a bunch of New Yorkers, drops them on the Jersey Shore, and tries to make America feel like this is New Jersey". He concluded, "I can tell people: they want to know what New Jersey really is? I welcome them to come to New Jersey any time."

Australian rules football: 2010 Gippsland Football League round 15 - Leongatha v Traralgon

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Gippsland Football League, officially the Gippsland League, is the only major Australian rules football competition in the Gippsland region according to the Victorian Country Football League.

Scores are quoted as goals-behinds (total); or goals, behinds. Goals are worth six points, behinds worth one.

U.S. Orders for Dell Streak Overflow Even Without a Price

Though the Dell Streak took its inaugural bows on Telefonica's O2 network in the United Kingdom early last month, U.S. consumers are still waiting to get their hands on the hybrid tablet-smartphone. Despite a large volume of pre-orders on the company's web site, Dell has yet to announce pricing or provide a firm U.S. launch date.

The reason for the delay is that the Streak is the most successful pre-sale device that the computer maker has ever offered, according to Dell blogger Lionel Menchaca. "There are many pieces that need to fall into place to release a product like this, and the reality is that we need more time to work out some things," Menchaca wrote Monday.

Definitely a Need

Once Dell launches the device in the United States, the main question will be to what extent it impacts Apple's iPad sales, given that the Streak will offer similar features but be small enough to carry just about anywhere. IDC Research Manager Francisco Jeronimo expects to see the iPad and the Dell Streak successful in two different market segments.

The iPad will be the choice for people with "a clear preference for a bigger screen" who primarily wish to use their devices at home, Jeronimo said. However, another segment of users will be attracted to a smaller go-anywhere device that sports a screen large enough to view web pages in their natural form -- something they are unable to do on a smartphone.

"For these users, the Dell Streak will be a much more attractive proposition," Jeronimo said. "There's definitely a need on the market for a mobile device that falls midway between a netbook and a smartphone."

Unlike the iPad, the Streak will be able to place and receive calls as well as offer support for Adobe Flash 10.1 multimedia...
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Amazon Kindle Sold Out Amid Reports of an Upgrade

Amazon.com has depleted its inventory of basic Kindle e-readers just a month after a substantial price drop from $259 to $189. Amazon now lists the second-generation Kindle as "temporarily out of stock," but is still taking orders that will ship when available.

The company seems focused on selling the deluxe Kindle DX, with its larger screen at 9.7 inches instead of six inches, and a price of $379. Both devices feature free 3G coverage to download some 630,000 commercial e-books as well as 1.8 million free public-domain titles.

Next Generation?

The depletion of the basic Kindle supply comes amid reports, unconfirmed by Amazon, that it is preparing an upgraded version.

"One of the possible reasons that Amazon's e-reader inventory has been moving briskly is in preparation for a third-generation Kindle device," said ABI Research mobile-devices analyst Jeff Orr. "A price cut on gen-2 readers could test the waters for a future tiered offering [of the lower-priced model]; different screen sizes or Wi-Fi-only, for example." No current Kindle models offer a Wi-Fi connection.

Amazon faces a crowded field of competitors, including Barnes & Noble's nook and Sony's Reader, as well as a range of tablet computers rushing to market to compete with Apple's popular iPad, which has far more functionality and offers access to Apple's growing library of e-books, currently at 75,000.

Apple says it has sold 3.27 million iPads in about three months since its debut, and analysts predict sales for 2010 may reach as high as 12 million. Amazon hasn't released sales figures for the Kindle.

iCompetitors?

But Orr said the devices are reaching different markets.

"Kindle and iPad do not compete any more than Kindle and iPhone compete," said Orr. "Avid book readers are choosing between a dedicated e-reader or sticking with books. Computer users that want a home companion device may opt for a media tablet...
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Safari 5.0.1 Released with Extensions Gallery, Bug Fixes

On the heels of an iMac refresh, Apple on Wednesday released the next version of its web browser. As promised, Safari 5.0.1 comes complete with extensions and a Safari Extensions Gallery. In June, Apple rolled out extensions support to help developers create extensions using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. The result is a growing gallery currently at 100 extensions.

The gallery lets Apple fans find extensions that add new features to the browser, such as toolbars that display live web feeds and sophisticated programs that filter web content. Safari 5.0.1 users can download and install extensions from the gallery or directly from a developer's web site.

"The Safari Extensions Gallery puts Safari right up there with Chrome or Firefox with its ability to add functionality to the browser," said Michael Gartenberg, a partner at Altimeter Group. "It looks like they've got a good collection of extensions already up in the gallery. What's interesting is that once again there is a Bing extension built in. Other than the extensions, this is a minor release."

Microsoft, Amazon and Twitter Agree ...

Apple is getting kudos from some of its heavy-hitting technology colleagues (and competitors), including Microsoft, Twitter and Amazon.com. Gianna Puerini, vice president of worldwide design and community at Amazon, pointed to how the browser helps its customers build wish lists.

"With Safari 5, we were able to quickly build the Add to Amazon Wish List extension that lets customers add items from any web site to their Amazon wish list with the click of a button," Puerini said.

Jeff Henshaw, general manager of Microsoft's Bing User Experience, said the software giant is excited about working closely with Apple to bring "visually compelling Bing experiences to Safari."

"The Bing Extension for Safari brings Bing search intelligence to everyday browsing with Safari," Henshaw said. "When a user selects text in Safari,...
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Amazon-Facebook Deal Could Lead To Social Shopping

The leading e-commerce site and the leading social network just shook hands on a tie-up that could lead to social shopping. Amazon.com launched a new beta feature Tuesday that lets shoppers connect their Amazon and Facebook accounts. The feature serves up gift recommendations for users and their friends based on the information stored in Facebook profiles.

Privacy advocates haven't launched any missives yet, but Amazon was nonetheless quick to stress that it will not share any user account information or purchase history with Facebook. Amazon also promised not to try to contact anyone's friends on the social network.

Intro To Social Shopping?

When you connect Amazon and Facebook, the Internet book-selling giant said it will improve your shopping experience via an Amazon Facebook page. Amazon offers three reasons why shoppers should make the Amazon-Facebook connection.

First, the company said it helps shoppers discover recommendations for movies, music and other products. Second, you can see upcoming birthdays of your friends and buy them a gift they'll enjoy because you can see their Amazon wish lists. Finally, you can explore your friends' profiles to see who has similar interests.

Greg Sterling, principal analyst at Sterling Market Intelligence, said the Amazon-Facebook deal could significantly improve product recommendations that Amazon offers, as well as increase frequency and engagement with the site.

"Ultimately it could help Amazon incrementally sell more stuff to people," Sterling said. "This was not an explicit part of the deal, but I also wonder whether Amazon will become a product data provider to any 'social shopping' initiative that Facebook might consider doing. I'm not sure, but it's interesting."

Will Facebook Be Regulated?

Amazon didn't go so far as to integrate the "Like" button on its product detail pages. Taking that step would have opened the door for Facebook to collect information about a customer's book, music and other...
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Good Virus Protection Doesn't Have To Be Expensive

They're out there on the Internet, waiting: viruses, worms, hackers and phishers. And these days, those who fail to protect their computers against them are rightly accused of negligence -- particularly because you don't even have to spend money to get decent protection.

Even so, not all free software is equal. You will sometimes have to install multiple free programs to be assured of reasonable protection.

"You can achieve reasonable security with free programs," says Matthais Gaertner from the German Federal Agency for Security in Information Technology (BSI). This was confirmed by a recent test by German computer magazine c't. Four of six no-cost programs delivered very good results.

All free scanners are capable of removing viruses, Trojans, or rootkits relatively effortlessly. "One of the two biggest problems with free virus scanners is the artificially inflated signature update intervals. Updates are not made every couple of hours, but rather just once a day. The other is the thoroughly underwhelming behavior identification systems," explains c't editor Christiane Ruetten.

The first disadvantage, the delayed update of signatures, isn't that serious an issue, the expert feels. After all, identifying the virus signatures, a bit like a fingerprint for malicious software, is just one of several ways that malware is detected. "There's also the heuristic approach, the statistic analysis, and behavior recognition," Ruetten explains.

The second disadvantage, the lack of behavior recognition systems, is a bigger problem. That functionality is one of the primary pillars for raising the alarm if a program acts in a suspicious way. Ruetten therefore recommends installing extra free software like Threatfire to identify suspicious behavior if your free virus scanner of choice lacks that function.

Another factor to consider: so-called drive-by infections. These come when malicious software is unintentionally downloaded while surfing the Internet. Programs that monitor the data flow on the web include Avast...
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Don't Bite at Phish Bait -- Keep Your Data Secure

Making sure a computer is secure should be Job One for anyone who uses the Internet. Unfortunately, most people don't pay enough attention to it . . . if they think about it at all.

That changes once you've suffered the consequences of inattention and been the victim of a virus, spyware, a hacking intrusion or online identity theft. These are preventable if you take the proper steps.

In this installment of my Computing 101 series on the basics of computer literacy, I'll look at what you need to know to keep your computer and your personal data safe. [You can find past installments at chron.com/computing101.]

I suspect much of this you've heard before, even if you're not computer savvy. It's common sense: Your best defense is often your own behavior.

* Be click-wary. Don't open attachments in e-mails you weren't expecting, and don't click on random links sent via e-mail, which often are attempts to lure you to malicious sites. Even e-mails that look official may contain links that take you to booby-trapped Web pages. For example, if you get an e-mail telling you your Amazon order has shipped -- but you hadn't ordered anything recently from that store -- hover your cursor over the link. If it says something other than an Amazon.com address, delete the e-mail.

* Don't click on pop-ups. Some Web sites that have been compromised may display pop-ups trying to sell you security software, usually by declaring that your PC is already infected. Do NOT click on them, and don't download the offered product or let them scan your system. These are usually spyware programs masquerading as antispyware products, and once on your system, they demand that you pay money to remove them. In general, it's a good idea never to buy something that comes at you unsolicited online,...
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Business Software Maker SAP Posts Profit

Business software maker SAP AG said Tuesday that growth in the United States and emerging markets helped it to a 15 percent increase in second-quarter net earnings.

SAP earned euro491 million ($636 million) in the April-June period, up from euro426 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the company's preliminary earnings statement.

Total revenue increased 12 percent to nearly euro2.9 billion from euro2.6 billion a year ago, it added. Revenue from software and software-related services was up a stronger 16 percent, to euro2.26 billion from euro1.95 billion.

SAP, based in Walldorf, Germany, also said it has completed its cash tender offer for U.S. database software maker Sybase Inc. -- a $5.8 billion takeover that won clearance from the European Commission last week.

SAP, whose programs help companies like Apple Inc.'s iTunes do back-office work such as payroll, inventory management and accounting, said it was seeing increased investment from companies of all sizes and from many sectors.

"We had outstanding growth in strategic markets like the U.S. and we saw continued double-digit growth in key emerging markets in Latin America and Asia," co-CEO Bill McDermott said in a statement. He credited "renewed customer confidence" as a factor in the second-quarter performance.

First-half net earnings were up 41 percent at euro878 million from last year's euro622 million. Total revenue was up 9 percent at euro5.4 billion, while software and software-related service revenue climbed 14 percent to euro4.2 billion.

Including Sybase, SAP said it expects full-year software and software-related revenue to increase by between 9 and 11 percent in constant-currency terms.

With the acquisition, SAP said it expects that it "will be able to extend its reach into new user categories well beyond its traditional user base."

Sybase will continue to operate as a separate company under its current CEO, John Chen, SAP said. It added that "Sybase's expertise...
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WikiLeaks Vows To Put More Documents Online

It has no headquarters and its public face -- a wiry, silver-haired Australian with a physics Ph.D. -- carries his desktop computer in a backpack as he moves from place to place.

WikiLeaks is a bare-bones organization on a mission to root out the secrets of the high and mighty, from Sarah Palin to the Church of Scientology. Its founder, Julian Assange, said his group's biggest coup so far -- the publication of tens of thousands of classified U.S. military reports on Afghanistan -- will likely unleash a new wave of leaks.

"It is our experience that courage is contagious," Assange said Monday, telling reporters at London's Frontline Club that his greatest fear was "that we won't be able to do justice to the material that we're getting in."

According to Assange, the torrent of leaked information being uploaded to his Web site is enormous, with a reserve of unexamined documents so unwieldy that the site has been more or less inactive since December.

What's in the backlog? The 39-year-old former computer hacker refuses to say.

"We have files that concern every country in the world with a population of over 1 million," he said. "Thousands of databases and files about all sorts of countries."

WikiLeaks has been posting sensitive information to the Web since 2006, when Assange set up the Web site from a house outside the University of Melbourne. Since then it has published everything from Church of Scientology documents to U.S. Embassy cables, passing along transcripts, secret videos and more. Its enemies have included everyone from British bankers to Kenyan politicians.

Assange has pledged to keep publishing -- just as soon as he can get his Web site reorganized to handle the volume of data rushing in.

WikiLeaks rose to prominence in the U.S. when it published a chilling video shot from the cockpit of...
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iCampaigning? Political Candidates Turn to Phone Apps

Running for office? You can make an app for that.

Maintaining a Facebook page and Twitter feed has become standard practice for political candidates seeking to get their message out. And some are even creating iPhone applications so supporters can follow their campaigns and make contributions on the go.

The method has grown in popularity -- especially since President Barack Obama's widely chronicled and successful embrace of social media during the 2008 campaign. He even had a sophisticated iPhone app that let people get in touch with local organizers and find local events.

"The demand for it, to be able to do it, is going to grow a lot, particularly if it's shown that apps are an effective way to raise money for a political campaign," said Peter Scheer, executive director of the California-based First Amendment Coalition.

Doug MacGinnitie, a Republican running to be Georgia's secretary of state, has an iPhone app that provides information about his campaign and helps supporters donate money. Friends approached him about making one for the campaign last year, and it's been downloaded roughly 200 times, he said.

"I don't think it's going to change the course of history, but I've gotten comments from people who think it's cool," MacGinnitie said. "It reinforces the notion that I come from the business world, which is generally quicker to embrace technology."

Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who's running to be the Democratic nominee for governor, has an app that lets people follow her calendar, read news releases, familiarize themselves with her background and make campaign contributions.

"It shows that our campaign is a modern campaign," said Kelliher spokesman Matt Swenson. "We're connecting with people where they are right now through the phones in the palms of their hands."

Illinois state Sen. Dan Rutherford, who's the Republican candidate for state treasurer, said his campaign has...
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Rambus Patent Battle with Nvidia Grinds On

Chipmaker Rambus Inc. said Monday that The U.S. International Trade Commission plans to stop competitors from bringing products into U.S. that contain its patented technology. In April, the trade commission decided that Nvidia Corp.'s technology infringes on several of Rambus' patents.

Rambus had filed a complaint against Nvidia, which makes computer graphics chips and other technology, plus device manufacturers including PC makers Hewlett-Packard Co. and Asus Computer International Inc., in 2008. Rambus argued that Nvidia chips infringe on its patents related to the workings of memory systems in computers, gaming consoles and mobile devices.

Rambus said in a statement Monday that the trade commission intends to issue a limited exclusion order, which bars Nvidia and the device makers from importing and selling products that contain the technology in question.

The companies could import and sell the products during a 60-day review period, Rambus said, if they post a bond of 2.65 percent of the value of the products.

The trade commission's final determination has not yet been published.

Nvidia spokesman Hector Marinez said in a statement that the ruling will not affect the company's customers or business, because the chipmaker plans to use a license the European Commission required Rambus to make available as part of an ongoing antitrust investigation there.

The license will prevent the trade commission's order from being enforced, Marinez said.

Nvidia said it plans to appeal the case and press its arguments before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Shares of Los Altos, Calif.-based Rambus jumped $1.47, or 7.5 percent, to $21.06 in after-hours trading, while Nvidia's stock dipped 15 cents to $10.40.
Read more [FreeNewsFeed.com]

Open Rights Group holds first conference in London

Sunday, July 25, 2010

London – The Open Rights Group, a pressure group pursuing reform of intellectual property law in the United Kingdom, held its first "ORGCon" yesterday at City University London. Approximately 100 delegates took part in six hours of panel discussions and workshops on a wide range of topics in intellectual property, discussing such subjects as "How To Talk To Your MP" and "ACTA: A Shady Business", in what ORG billed as a "crash course in digital rights" designed to inspire campaigning on intellectual property issues.

Cory Doctorow, a fiction author and digital rights activist, led the keynote panel discussion "Thriving in the Real Digital Economy", which opened the conference. Doctorow called for a "reframing" of the digital rights slogan "information wants to be free". "The most important thing" about digital rights, he noted, "has nothing to do with art. We are refitting the information network with lots of control." Digital rights management (DRM) technologies, Doctorow warns, build in limitations on how consumers exchange information and "abuse the market". John Buckman of Magnatune followed up Doctorow's comments, noting that DRM is "unsustainable" but that the public needed to "pressure companies into" open-source solutions.

Hong Kong teenager murders mother and sister

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A 15-year-old boy from Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong murdered his mother and sister with a chopper in the early hours of Thursday morning. Police records show that the teenager had no record of drug abuse or mental illness, and was known by neighbours to be a well behaved, polite boy. The only clue to the motivation of the murder was when he told police, "the world would be better with fewer people" during interrogation.

Stampede at German music festival kills nineteen

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A stampede at the entrance of a German music festival, the Love Parade, today killed nineteen people and injured around a hundred more.

BP CEO Tony Hayward to resign, say analysts

Sunday, July 25, 2010

BP Chief Executive Anthony Bryan "Tony" Hayward is negotiating the terms of his departure and will stand down from the company; effectively taking responsibility for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to journalists. The New York Times cites an anonymous source "close to the board", and the BBC's business editor makes a similar analysis. It is expected that President and CEO of the company's Gulf Coast Restoration Organization Bob Dudley, a Mississippi native, member of the Board of Directors, and most senior American executive of BP, will replace Tony Hayward as Chief Executive.

A report by the BBC World Service said a BP press release asserted that, "[Hayward] has the full confidence of the Board." The resignation, and change of leadership, at the multinational UK-based oil firm are expected to be discussed by the company's Board of Directors on Monday, and will potentially be ratified as early as Tuesday.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez cuts relations with Colombia

Sunday, July 25, 2010

President Hugo Chávez has temporarily suspended relations with the neighboring country of Colombia.