Archive for February, 2009
NYTimes Science And Technology News: 19 February 2009
February 20th, 2009 • NYTimes, Science, Technology
- Gadgetwise: What’s Your Favorite Tech Folk Remedy?
We want your favorite unconventional fixes to common (or not-so-common) tech problems.
- Frugal Traveler: Photo Geo-Tagging on the Cheap
The Eye-Fi Explore SD is a wonder of miniaturization: an affordable 2-gigabyte memory card outfitted with a Wi-Fi chipset that automatically uploads photos.
- Dueling Software Is the Focus of Attention at a Mobile Phone Show
The focus has shifted from devices to mobile operating systems, shaking up a market that had been dominated by Nokia.
- Sirius XM Wins a Critical Loan From Liberty Media
Sirius XM’s infusion from Liberty Media means the satellite radio company can operate without fear of imminent bankruptcy.
- Video Game Review | Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned: Grand Theft Auto: The Story Continues, as Gritty as Ever
“The Lost and Damned” is set in the same dark version of New York that provided the backdrop for the original game.
- With Four More Months to Switch, Hundreds of Television Stations Are All Digital
More than 400 stations have stopped broadcasting in analog form, months before the rescheduled transition to digital TV.
- Lawsuit Says Google Was Unfair to Rival Site
A small search engine accused Google of raising its ad rates after it realized the company was a potential competitor.
- As Earnings Drop 32%, Comcast Raises Dividend
The cable company also took a $600 million write-down on Clearwire, the wireless technology provider.
- India Opens High-Level Inquiry in Fraud Case
India’s highest-level investigative agency agreed to investigate Satyam Computer Services, a move that might complicate a quick sale of the company.
- Alcatel Chief Tries to Paint a Rosy Picture
Ben Verwaayen, the chief executive of the struggling telephone equipment maker, said Alcatel is poised to regain market share after stumbling for two years.
- Hewlett-Packard’s Profit Declines 13%
Sales at Hewlett-Packard felt the waning demand for technology products worldwide, but managed to meet earnings expectations.
- Revenue Drops as Sprint Nextel Loses Subscribers
The wireless carrier reported a $1.6 billion loss in the quarter as 1.3 million subscribers dropped its service.
- Yahoo Shows Search Ads With Images and Video
The struggling search engine is trying to win business back from its big rival, Google, by improving click-through rates.
- Facebook Withdraws Changes in Data Use
After a wave of protests, Facebook said it would withdraw changes to its terms of service concerning the data supplied by users.
CNN U.S. News: 19 February 2009
February 20th, 2009 • CNN News, U.S.
- California lawmakers pass state budget
California lawmakers passed the state’s budget — closing a $42 billion deficit — early Thursday, and it now awaits the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The budget package includes tax increases, spending cuts and borrowing to close the deficit. - Economy puts bite on shark attacks
Shark attacks on humans were at the lowest levels in a decade last year, and a Florida researcher says hard economic times may be to blame. - Guarding endangered whales
North Atlantic right whales are among the largest and most endangered whales and females are giving birth off the coast of Florida and Georgia. - Bloggers blast Holder for ‘nation of cowards’
America is “a nation of cowards” when discussing race. That sentiment from the country’s first African-American attorney general, Eric Holder, has stirred up pundits, bloggers and readers. - Nearly intact mammoth skeleton a rare find
He had a rough life during the Ice Age, walking around with a couple of broken ribs and a possibly cancerous lesion on his jaw before dying at a young age. - Men see bikini-clad women as objects
It may seem obvious that men perceive women in sexy bathing suits as objects, but now there’s science to back it up.
NYTimes Africa News: 18 February 2009
February 20th, 2009 • Africa, NYTimes, World
- The Saharan Conundrum
Terrorism experts feared that North Africa would be the next Afghanistan: a haven, and a launching pad, for Al Qaeda. Why hasn’t it turned out that way? - B. J. Ndiaye, Curator of Landmark in Slave Trade, Dies at 86
Mr. Ndiaye was the veteran curator of Senegal’s historic House of Slaves, whose famous visitors included Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. - Somali Pirates Get Ransom and Leave Arms Freighter
The saga over the Ukrainian arms freighter hijacked off Somalia’s coast more than four months ago drew to a close on Thursday. - Swarm of Caterpillars Infests West Africa, Menacing Crops
A bizarre swarm of caterpillars in Liberia has forced thousands of people from their homes as the infestation threatens crops and contaminates drinking water. - 84 Children Are Killed by Medicine in Nigeria
A toxic chemical mixed into a teething medicine for babies has killed at least 84 children in Nigeria, health officials there said. - U.S. Professor Is Accused of Genocide in Rwanda
Leopold Munyakazi, a professor at Goucher College, has been indicted on murder and several genocide-related charges in his home country. - Treason Charge for Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Is Dropped
It was not clear if the decision to withdraw the charges against Tendai Biti was a sign that President Robert Mugabe was easing pressure on the opposition. - U.S. Aided a Failed Plan to Rout Ugandan Rebels
The U.S. helped coordinate an attack on a Ugandan rebel group that went awry, killing as many as 900 civilians. - Deal Is Reached on Congo Rebel
Rwandan officials promised to return Laurent Nkunda to his home country, more than two weeks after the Rwandan military arrested him near the border. - More Than 20 Killed in Madagascar Protest
Security forces in Madagascar fired on a crowd of protesters outside one of the country’s presidential palaces in the capital city on Saturday. - World Briefing | Africa: Madagascar: Defense Minister Resigns, Citing Violence
Defense Minister Cécile Manorohanta resigned Monday, citing the deaths of at least 25 people who were shot during a protest Sunday near a presidential palace. - World Briefing | Africa: South Africa: Elections Scheduled for April
South Africa’s president, Kgalema Motlanthe, announced that national elections would take place on April 22. - World Briefing | Africa: Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Names Finance Minister
Incoming Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he will name Tendai Biti, his party’s secretary general, to serve as finance minister. - World Briefing | Africa: Zimbabwe: Valentine Protest Thwarted
Zimbabwean riot police broke up a large but peaceful demonstration of Women of Zimbabwe Arise. - World Briefing | Africa: Rwanda: Reconciliation With Congo
The embassies of Rwanda and Congo will reopen soon in Kigali and Kinshasa. - Claim in Africa About a Leader Is Recanted
A newspaper said a 24-year-old woman who claimed to be pregnant by President Kgalema Motlanthe had lied about her story. - World Briefing | Africa: Nigeria: 12 Held Over Tainted Syrup
The authorities have arrested 12 people in connection with tainted teething formula that killed 84 children after they took a syrup laced with diethylene glycol. - World Briefing | Africa: Zimbabwe: Activists Held After a Protest Are Released
Ten people arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Harare, the capital, on Tuesday, were released on bail Thursday. - Mugabe Swears In His Rival as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
Morgan Tsvangirai joined the government, but President Robert G. Mugabe still dominates the security forces. - Judges Approve Warrant for Sudan’s President
The International Criminal Court brushed aside requests to allow more time for peace talks in the Darfur region. - Hijacked Arms Ship Limps Into Port
The Ukrainian arms freighter held by pirates for more than four months docked at port in Mombasa, Kenya. - Zimbabwe Opposition Party Official Arrested
The arrest of a leading figure took place on the day Zimbabwe’s new unity government was sworn in. - Madagascar Rift Continues
President Marc Ravalomanana said Saturday that he intended to remain Madagascar’s leader, in his first public appearance since the eruption of a violent political crisis nearly three weeks ago. - Aide’s Arrest in Zimbabwe Draws Fire of Premier
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called the arrest of a close political ally an attempt to “undermine the spirit and credibility of the unity government.” - Party Rally Is Buoyed by Presence of Mandela
The 90-year-old patriarch’s appearance was viewed as an endorsement for Jacob Zuma, the leader of the embattled African National Congress. - World Briefing | Africa: Algeria: Violence Leaves 8 Dead
A series of attacks in Algeria has left seven soldiers and a suspected militant dead, as authorities intensified efforts to secure the country before elections in April. - Bid to Stop the Killing of Albinos
One man’s quest to stop the murders of albinos in Tanzania. - Gunfire Rattles Capital of Equatorial Guinea
Armed gunmen came ashore in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday morning and headed for the presidential palace before being repelled, the government said. - Sudan and Darfur Rebel Group Agree to Peace Talks
The Sudanese government and the most formidable rebel group in Darfur have signed a declaration of intent, paving the way for peace talks. - A Massacre in Congo, Despite Nearby Support
The spasm of violence shows the cruelty of the armed groups and the problems plaguing U.N. peacekeepers. - Cholera Epidemic Sweeping Across Crumbling Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s public services are failing as an epidemic rages — but Robert G. Mugabe won’t resign. - The Spoils: Battle in a Poor Land for Riches Beneath the Soil
A fight over uranium, an unrealized bonanza in one of the world’s poorest nations, could mean more misery in Niger. - Uncovering Lost Path of the Most Wanted Nazi
Aribert Ferdinand Heim, wanted for medical atrocities at concentration camps, lived in Cairo until his death in 1992. His hiding place was unknown until now. - Egyptian Political Dissident, Imprisoned for Years, Is Suddenly Released
The U.S. and Europe had long pressed for the release of Ayman Nour, a one-time presidential candidate. - Faradje Journal: Armed With Little but Resolve, and Defending a Hollowed Village
Militias have sprung up in isolated villages in Congo in an attempt to defend against the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. - Terrorism Trial for Figure in Zimbabwe Opposition
A magistrate in Zimbabwe ruled that Roy Bennett, the third-highest ranking member of the political opposition, should be tried on terrorism charges and remain in prison.
