The city of Charlotte has reached an out-of-court settlement with the family of a 17-year-old grocery store employee who died after being shocked with a Taser.
Charlotte Teen Taser Death
Charlotte Teen Taser Death
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Man who served time charged with robbing same bank
A Pennsylvania man who served nearly six years in prison for robbing a southern New Jersey bank was charged with robbing the same one again.
Robbing the same bank
Robbing the same bank
Mars monument 'proof of life?'
The rectangular structure - measuring five meters across - was photographed by a super high resolution camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Man paints complaint to city on house
A Cary, N.C., man said water runoff from city road projects prompted him to have "Screwed by the town of Cary" painted on the side of his house.
TV ads promote urinating in shower to save rain forest
Brazilians are being urged to save water and the country’s forests by urinating in the shower.
Iraq to impose Porn controls on Internet
The Iraqi government has decided to crack down on Internet service providers and ban sites that incite violence or carry pornography, officials said Tuesday, a move that has been strongly criticized by freedom of speech advocates as a dangerous first step toward political censorship.
The plan to strengthen government control of content and usage will require Internet cafes — and later the service providers as well — to obtain licenses that are subject to government review and cancellation if compliance requirements are not met.
"All Web sites that glorify terrorism and incite violence and sectarianism, or those that violate social morals with content such as pornography will be banned," communications ministry spokesman Sameer al-Hasoon said Tuesday.
Al-Hasoon refused to divulge further details of the committee's recommendations, but said he expected them to be approved by the Cabinet next week. The next step would be for the government to send the draft legislation to parliament.
Another official said the ministry is planning to license five of the 10 wireless Internet service providers currently operating in Iraq. He refused to say why the five were chosen, but said the tightened restrictions will implemented in coordination with the Interior Ministry's anti-Internet crimes directorate.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to make statements to the media.
The plan to tighten government controls has raised concerns about the protection of constitutional freedoms. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq has had relatively lax restrictions on Internet providers compared with some of its Muslim neighbors.
The officials said their concern is primarily over sites that promote violence. They also say they want to ensure that the online fare readily available at Internet cafes does not get too far out of step with Iraq's social mores.
But the Baghdad-based independent Journalistic Freedom Observatory denounced the step as an "attempt to control the flow of free information on the Internet and limit the knowledge of the citizens."
The JFO also claimed the plan violates the Iraqi constitution, which guarantees the freedom of mail, telegrams, phone and electronic communications. The constitution, enacted in 2005, says such communications cannot be "monitored, tabbed or revealed."
"Excuses of protecting national security or moral standards are unacceptable," the JFO said in a statement. "It is only being used to censor Internet service and control freedom of expression."
The group said the plan opens the door for tighter controls, particularly over political discussions, dissent or debate on issues that are sensitive to the government.
It says the controls are a throwback to the days of Saddam, when access to the Internet was limited to just one provider and e-mail and phone calls were monitored and censored by the Ministry of Communications and security agencies.
After Saddam was toppled in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, dozens of wireless Internet providers started business and hundreds of Internet cafes were opened in the capital, Baghdad, and other provinces.
"No one opposes blacking out web sites that offer pornography because of the damage such sites bring to society," said Hassan al-Kaabi, the 26-year-old owner of an Internet cafe in Baghdad's eastern Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City. "But the government decision that deals with web sites that incite violence and terrorism is vague and needs more clarification."
Al-Kaabi, who has 12 computers and offers wireless service to about 80 subscribers, said he is worried about his future and the gains Iraq has made since Saddam's ouster.
"This is just like a trap to me," he said. "This will definitely affect our business."
The plan to strengthen government control of content and usage will require Internet cafes — and later the service providers as well — to obtain licenses that are subject to government review and cancellation if compliance requirements are not met.
"All Web sites that glorify terrorism and incite violence and sectarianism, or those that violate social morals with content such as pornography will be banned," communications ministry spokesman Sameer al-Hasoon said Tuesday.
Al-Hasoon refused to divulge further details of the committee's recommendations, but said he expected them to be approved by the Cabinet next week. The next step would be for the government to send the draft legislation to parliament.
Another official said the ministry is planning to license five of the 10 wireless Internet service providers currently operating in Iraq. He refused to say why the five were chosen, but said the tightened restrictions will implemented in coordination with the Interior Ministry's anti-Internet crimes directorate.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to make statements to the media.
The plan to tighten government controls has raised concerns about the protection of constitutional freedoms. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq has had relatively lax restrictions on Internet providers compared with some of its Muslim neighbors.
The officials said their concern is primarily over sites that promote violence. They also say they want to ensure that the online fare readily available at Internet cafes does not get too far out of step with Iraq's social mores.
But the Baghdad-based independent Journalistic Freedom Observatory denounced the step as an "attempt to control the flow of free information on the Internet and limit the knowledge of the citizens."
The JFO also claimed the plan violates the Iraqi constitution, which guarantees the freedom of mail, telegrams, phone and electronic communications. The constitution, enacted in 2005, says such communications cannot be "monitored, tabbed or revealed."
"Excuses of protecting national security or moral standards are unacceptable," the JFO said in a statement. "It is only being used to censor Internet service and control freedom of expression."
The group said the plan opens the door for tighter controls, particularly over political discussions, dissent or debate on issues that are sensitive to the government.
It says the controls are a throwback to the days of Saddam, when access to the Internet was limited to just one provider and e-mail and phone calls were monitored and censored by the Ministry of Communications and security agencies.
After Saddam was toppled in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, dozens of wireless Internet providers started business and hundreds of Internet cafes were opened in the capital, Baghdad, and other provinces.
"No one opposes blacking out web sites that offer pornography because of the damage such sites bring to society," said Hassan al-Kaabi, the 26-year-old owner of an Internet cafe in Baghdad's eastern Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City. "But the government decision that deals with web sites that incite violence and terrorism is vague and needs more clarification."
Al-Kaabi, who has 12 computers and offers wireless service to about 80 subscribers, said he is worried about his future and the gains Iraq has made since Saddam's ouster.
"This is just like a trap to me," he said. "This will definitely affect our business."
Google China Search Decline Follows Porn Crackdown
In the wake of China's campaign to limit the availability of pornographic content online, Google's search market share in the country appears to be declining.
In June, Baidu overtook Google as the number one search engine in China, according to NetApplications.
A NetApplications graph shows that Baidu began gaining search market share late last year and that Google China started slipping in March.
Chinese authorities met with Google executives in June "to discuss problems with the Google.cn service and its serving of pornographic images and content based on foreign language searches," as a Google spokesperson described it at the time.
In January, Chinese authorities criticized Google, Baidu, and other popular Chinese Internet services for pointing people to illegal content.
This year has been particularly bad for politically sensitive anniversaries in China. March 10 marked the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. June 4 marked the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. And October 1 marks the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
As a result, Chinese authorities are determined to enforce their vision of social order. And the worldwide outcry against the government's Green Dam filtering mandate hasn't helped matters.
Last week, according to a report in the English-language China Daily, China's Ministry of Public Security said that it is ramping up its war against online pornography and prostitution, with the help of nine different government and Communist Party departments.
"[T]he crackdown will also target search engines that do not filter pornography," the report says.
Asked whether its falling search share in China could be attributed to content restrictions enacted to comply with the demands of Chinese authorities, a spokesperson for Google China did not respond.
In June, Baidu overtook Google as the number one search engine in China, according to NetApplications.
A NetApplications graph shows that Baidu began gaining search market share late last year and that Google China started slipping in March.
Chinese authorities met with Google executives in June "to discuss problems with the Google.cn service and its serving of pornographic images and content based on foreign language searches," as a Google spokesperson described it at the time.
In January, Chinese authorities criticized Google, Baidu, and other popular Chinese Internet services for pointing people to illegal content.
This year has been particularly bad for politically sensitive anniversaries in China. March 10 marked the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. June 4 marked the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. And October 1 marks the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
As a result, Chinese authorities are determined to enforce their vision of social order. And the worldwide outcry against the government's Green Dam filtering mandate hasn't helped matters.
Last week, according to a report in the English-language China Daily, China's Ministry of Public Security said that it is ramping up its war against online pornography and prostitution, with the help of nine different government and Communist Party departments.
"[T]he crackdown will also target search engines that do not filter pornography," the report says.
Asked whether its falling search share in China could be attributed to content restrictions enacted to comply with the demands of Chinese authorities, a spokesperson for Google China did not respond.
Famous brand stunts that backfired
Penny-pinching strategies that save big bucks
These nine smart moves can help you save thousands each year.Senate reaches deal to save 'Cash for Clunkers'
Following lengthy negotiations, the Senate agrees to vote on a plan to give the dwindling program another $2 billion.
'Cash for Clunkers'
Also:
Former Manson follower to go free
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, who attempted to kill former President Gerald Ford in 1975, will be released from a Texas prison this month.
Former Manson follower to go free
Health club shooter's blog reveals twisted plot
Suspect George Sodini's online journal proves both disturbing and telling in the wake of his deadly rampage near Pittsburgh.
Health club shooter's blog
Also:
Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder
From the "Now, why does this NOT surprise me" Department:
Nation reporter Jeremy Scahill, who has focused much of his attention on Blackwater (now Xe) previously, writes that writes that in sworn statements filed with a Virginia court last night, a former Marine and a former Blackwater employee both claim that the company’s founder and former CEO, Erik Prince, "may have murdered or facilitated the murder" of people who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company.
Hot stuff
From the Ministry of Burlesque to Frightened Rabbit, Glasgow aims to make its mark on the capital's arty party.
The Edinburgh Festival is back and it is bigger than ever.
The Edinburgh Festival is back and it is bigger than ever.
Pricetag To Raise A Child
A middle-income family can expect to spend $291,570 including inflation to raise a child born in 2008 to adulthood, the government estimated on Tuesday, up slightly from the estimate made a year ago.
$291,570
$291,570
Freed journalists land in U.S.
After their four-month ordeal in Korea, Laura Ling and Euna Lee return home with Bill Clinton.
Journalists
Ancient bones show earliest human infection
Telltale damage to 2-million-year-old bones provides the earliest evidence for infectious disease in a hominid.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
 | | Wild orangutans use leaves to lower their voices in a ruse to ward off predators, a study shows. |
| Cultural taboos and fear for their livelihoods are driving fishermen to kill freshwater boto and tucuxi dolphins. | | Striking 3D images of 300 million-year-old fossilised spiders reveal their hunting and defensive adaptations. |
Coin tosses may not be 50-50
List of endangered post offices worries customers
700 offices are on the chopping block due to cutbacks, with 38 in one city alone.
Worried customers
Also:
Simple ways to lower your electric bill
With average electricity prices expected to climb, these easy steps can make a difference in your home energy bills.
Lower your electric bill
Also:
Fall swine flu epidemic predicted
Cases are likely to flare up after schools open, the Homeland Secretary warns.
Fall swine flu epidemic predicted
Also:
Daily Almanac
Today is Wednesday, Aug. 5, the 217th day of 2009.
There are 148 days left in the year.
Today In History August 5
There are 148 days left in the year.
Today In History August 5
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Pordenone, Friuli-Veneza, Italy
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
London, England, United Kingdom
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
Turku, Western Finland, Finland
Buenos Aires, Beunos Aires, Argentina
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
as well as Ukraine, and the United States
Pordenone, Friuli-Veneza, Italy
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
London, England, United Kingdom
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
Turku, Western Finland, Finland
Buenos Aires, Beunos Aires, Argentina
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
as well as Ukraine, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
You have a wonderful chance to revamp your image from the outer details to the inner.
That goes double when it comes to matters financial.
Keep a close eye on your wallet now.
The same impulses that lead you to make change easily might also lead you to spending money foolishly.
If your credit cards are talking to you, maybe it's time to cut them up or lock them away.
Hey, I cut them up over twenty years ago before it became fashionable to do so!
You have a wonderful chance to revamp your image from the outer details to the inner.
That goes double when it comes to matters financial.
Keep a close eye on your wallet now.
The same impulses that lead you to make change easily might also lead you to spending money foolishly.
If your credit cards are talking to you, maybe it's time to cut them up or lock them away.
Hey, I cut them up over twenty years ago before it became fashionable to do so!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
