Looking for a GPS navigation application for your iPhone but put off by the high prices (US$59.90 for TomTom!)? Fret not, with Papago! Singapore + Malaysia, you can finally own a good navigation app without breaking the bank.
There are two versions: Pro (US$19.99) and Lite (US$9.99). The Pro version has built-in 3D landmarks and realistic junction views, which the Lite version lacks.
When you start up the application, it will assume that you are in Kuala Lumpur. Once you start navigating, it will even assume you are going there!
Thankfully, once you complete a computed route to a location here, it will then remember that last location.
For a phone navigation application, it picks up GPS signals pretty quickly. It takes around five to 10 seconds for it to lock on and the map to re-orientate itself.
The interface is simple and intuitive. The large icons allow easy tapping even while you’re driving (not recommended though, as you’re not supposed to operate it while driving). Even typing in road names while the phone is on the dock is effortless. Finding points of interest is a breeze.
I particularly like the fact that the app even displays a small picture when you are nearing exits and junctions to make sure you make the right turn.
This application would have been perfect if it allows postal code search (stated as such on the iTunes App Store). I have tried finding my house via postal code but it does not seem to be working at the moment.
But for its price and usability, Papago! Singapore + Malaysia is by far the best value-for-money GPS navigation app on the iPhone for Singapore right now.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
HTC Denies Infringement of Apple iPhone Patents As Google Claims It Is Not a Part of the Fight.
Google “Stands Behind” Android and Partners in Apple-HTC Legal Action
HTC Corp. has issued a statement claiming that it had not infringe Apple iPhone-related patents and will vigorously fight to defend its rights and intellectual property. The company also said that the lawsuit would under no circumstances affect its short-term financial performance. Meanwhile, Google, the developer of Android that powers HTC phones said it was not a part of the legal action.
“HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones. HTC Corp. values U.S. and international patent rights and will work with in the U.S. Judicial System to protect its own innovations and rights,” an official statement from HTC reads.
HTC said that it believed that consumer choice is a key component to success in the smartphone industry and this is best achieved through multiple suppliers providing a variety of mobile experiences. HTC also offered customers a uniquely-HTC experience through HTC Sense and its broad portfolio of own-brand smartphones, which may mean that HTC believes that the Sense interface and Android operating system is the reason for the lawsuit.
Google itself, which lead the development of Android operating system that powers Sense-based phones from HTC, said that it was definitely not a party of the legal fight between Apple and HTC, but it would stand behind Android as well as its partners. Considering the fact that Google’s own Nexus One is made by HTC, the search giant may indeed become a part of the legal action.
“We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it,” an official from Google is reported to have said.
HTC also stated that it did not believe this lawsuit poses a short-term material impact to its business nor will it affect its Q1 2010 guidance.
HTC Corp. has issued a statement claiming that it had not infringe Apple iPhone-related patents and will vigorously fight to defend its rights and intellectual property. The company also said that the lawsuit would under no circumstances affect its short-term financial performance. Meanwhile, Google, the developer of Android that powers HTC phones said it was not a part of the legal action.
“HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones. HTC Corp. values U.S. and international patent rights and will work with in the U.S. Judicial System to protect its own innovations and rights,” an official statement from HTC reads.
HTC said that it believed that consumer choice is a key component to success in the smartphone industry and this is best achieved through multiple suppliers providing a variety of mobile experiences. HTC also offered customers a uniquely-HTC experience through HTC Sense and its broad portfolio of own-brand smartphones, which may mean that HTC believes that the Sense interface and Android operating system is the reason for the lawsuit.
Google itself, which lead the development of Android operating system that powers Sense-based phones from HTC, said that it was definitely not a party of the legal fight between Apple and HTC, but it would stand behind Android as well as its partners. Considering the fact that Google’s own Nexus One is made by HTC, the search giant may indeed become a part of the legal action.
“We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it,” an official from Google is reported to have said.
HTC also stated that it did not believe this lawsuit poses a short-term material impact to its business nor will it affect its Q1 2010 guidance.
Microsoft Accuse Google of Anti-Competitive Practices
Yes, you did read the title correctly. Dave Heiner, Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, has posted an official blog post following Google’s suggestion that the EU antitrust inquiry was instigated by companies with business connections to Microsoft.
Heiner’s article continues to criticize Google and advises affected companies to contact competition authorities:
It’s therefore understandable if Microsoft are considering dirty tricks campaigns. But accusations of anti-competitive practices? I guess they must be experts in that field!
Has Google become a monopolistic and anti-competitive? Does Microsoft have a duty to publicize the complaints? Or should both companies just grow up and shut up?!
Google’s public response to this growing regulatory concern has been to point elsewhere — at Microsoft. Google is telling reporters that antitrust concerns about search are not real because some of the complaints come from one of its last remaining search competitors.This is absolutely correct. If the EU think there’s grounds for an inquiry, Google should take the allegations seriously and conduct a thorough internal investigation. Fabricating conspiracy theories doesn’t answer the questions and won’t impress the regulators. Just because you’re big, profitable, and providing free products doesn’t mean you’re not “doing evil”.
It’s worth asking whether Google’s response really addresses the concerns that have been raised. Complaints in competition law cases usually come from competitors.
Heiner’s article continues to criticize Google and advises affected companies to contact competition authorities:
As Google’s power has grown in recent years, we’ve increasingly heard complaints from a range of firms — large and small — about a wide variety of Google business practices. Some of the complaints just reflect aggressive business stances taken by Google. Some reflect the secrecy with which Google operates in many areas. Some appear to raise serious antitrust issues. As you might expect, many concerned companies have come to us and asked us for our reaction and even for advice. When their antitrust concerns appear to be substantial, we suggest that firms talk to the competition law agencies.It’s unusual for Microsoft to engage in public mud-slinging. It’s not in the company’s culture — you don’t need to undermine competitors when you’re at the top:
- Microsoft remains one of the most dominant and profitable IT companies primarily because of ongoing revenues from Windows and Office.
- They’ve beaten dangerous competitors by producing better products, reducing costs, or acquiring the company.
- You can’t criticize others when everyone is your customer. I’m sure Google buys Microsoft software — even if it’s just to assess the functionality.
It’s therefore understandable if Microsoft are considering dirty tricks campaigns. But accusations of anti-competitive practices? I guess they must be experts in that field!
Has Google become a monopolistic and anti-competitive? Does Microsoft have a duty to publicize the complaints? Or should both companies just grow up and shut up?!
IAB works with MySpace to encourage graduates into digital careers
The IAB has partnered with MySpace to attract young talent to working in the digital media industry.
The trade body and music-focused social network are working together to create an online hub for young people interested in learning more about digital advertising, part of the IAB’s initiative to attract young talent to the industry.The IAB launched an initiative called Talent Taskforce late last year, which aims to teach young people about the skills needed to work in digital media. The MySpace tie-up is the latest step to encourage graduates to get a job in digital.
Stuart Aitken, editorial manager at the IAB, said, “Young people outside the industry are a new audience for us and it made perfect sense to engage with them in a ready-built community and on their terms.”
The hub, at myspace.com/digitaltalent, will host content including videos, educational materials and an events calendar to widen the reach of the roadshow.
The IAB has invited workers from the industry to blog about their experience and give advice about how to get into online advertising. The hub will also give young people the chance to do work experience in IAB member companies.
Simon Daglish, VP commercial director of Fox Interactive Media, owner of MySpace, said, “It’s important we continue to attract the best creative talent to the media industry. MySpace is a valuable conduit between the media industry and a young, vibrant audience.”
As part of the recruitment drive, the IAB will be visiting universities with representatives from brands, media owners and agencies, with the first roadshow event, of which new media age is a partner, taking place this week in Bournemouth.
'Lily Allen took coke in my house' claims Courtney Love in Twitter rant
They've been bickering since the Brits - and the Lily Allen-Courtney Love spat really exploded into life yesterday.
Lily should have known better when she posted an unflattering picture of Courtney on her Twitter page.
Maybe it was supposed to be a joke, but she must have realised that Courtney is a real bruiser when it comes to celeb bust-ups.
The Hole rocker was never going to take it lying down.
And she came out all guns blazing, making the extraordinary claim that Lily had snorted "blow" and "gak" - slang words for cocaine - in Courtney's house.
She also posted her own pic of Lily - calling her "fat" - and accused her of stealing sunglasses from her daughter Frances Bean. Ouch.
Their feud erupted at the Brits three weeks ago after Courtney accused Lily of not allowing anyone else to be clothed by Chanel.
But what started off as a row over designer clobber has now spilled into the world of narcotics. On Monday Lily called Courtney a "drug-addled lunatic" - and yesterday's tweet pic tipped Courtney over the edge.
She wrote: "Lily tweeted that pic? That's just baby brat nonsense. Wouldn't deign to post a pic of her thighs."
Oooh, you absolute bitch! Courtney then really upped the ante - and accused Lily of taking drugs in her house.
She added: "Lily, I'm not the one on gak every night dear, you are. The night you home invaded me, (you) did all the blow I've ever seen in my home, wouldn't leave and blamed ME for your s*** show? You're really a brat. Is there anyone who you haven't started a meaningless strop with?"
Courtney - who has been in rehab for cocaine abuse - has sworn to be off drugs since she was put under house arrest in 2005, and refuses to have cocaine in her house.
Yesterday she went on: "Here's the thing, I'm NOT on drugs, she IS. If you want to be factual about it, since she accused me of being on them first.
"I can't believe someone who did massive amounts of cocaine at my house and was thrown out blamed me for her drugs. Publicly she said I gave her hallucinogens, when she did about a kilo with my daughter asleep upstairs, and had to be physically removed. Lying that I gave her a drug I've never even taken and I specifically said not to take coke in my house.
"I have ALL the dirt on Lily.
"It's a good thing she's going to retire, look at the lyrics for 'The Fear,' she lies, she steals, (sunnies from Frances who loathes her)."
Er, right.
Last night a spokesman for Lily - who has admitted taking drugs in the past - refused to comment.
But Courtney's tirade seemed to have had a mellowing effect on Lily, who appeared back on Twitter to say: "Sorry that was mean. Enuff of these juvenile musings, I should never have risen to the bait. Silly Lily."
Lily should have known better when she posted an unflattering picture of Courtney on her Twitter page.
Maybe it was supposed to be a joke, but she must have realised that Courtney is a real bruiser when it comes to celeb bust-ups.
The Hole rocker was never going to take it lying down.
And she came out all guns blazing, making the extraordinary claim that Lily had snorted "blow" and "gak" - slang words for cocaine - in Courtney's house.
She also posted her own pic of Lily - calling her "fat" - and accused her of stealing sunglasses from her daughter Frances Bean. Ouch.
Their feud erupted at the Brits three weeks ago after Courtney accused Lily of not allowing anyone else to be clothed by Chanel.
But what started off as a row over designer clobber has now spilled into the world of narcotics. On Monday Lily called Courtney a "drug-addled lunatic" - and yesterday's tweet pic tipped Courtney over the edge.
She wrote: "Lily tweeted that pic? That's just baby brat nonsense. Wouldn't deign to post a pic of her thighs."
Oooh, you absolute bitch! Courtney then really upped the ante - and accused Lily of taking drugs in her house.
She added: "Lily, I'm not the one on gak every night dear, you are. The night you home invaded me, (you) did all the blow I've ever seen in my home, wouldn't leave and blamed ME for your s*** show? You're really a brat. Is there anyone who you haven't started a meaningless strop with?"
Courtney - who has been in rehab for cocaine abuse - has sworn to be off drugs since she was put under house arrest in 2005, and refuses to have cocaine in her house.
Yesterday she went on: "Here's the thing, I'm NOT on drugs, she IS. If you want to be factual about it, since she accused me of being on them first.
"I can't believe someone who did massive amounts of cocaine at my house and was thrown out blamed me for her drugs. Publicly she said I gave her hallucinogens, when she did about a kilo with my daughter asleep upstairs, and had to be physically removed. Lying that I gave her a drug I've never even taken and I specifically said not to take coke in my house.
"I have ALL the dirt on Lily.
"It's a good thing she's going to retire, look at the lyrics for 'The Fear,' she lies, she steals, (sunnies from Frances who loathes her)."
Er, right.
Last night a spokesman for Lily - who has admitted taking drugs in the past - refused to comment.
But Courtney's tirade seemed to have had a mellowing effect on Lily, who appeared back on Twitter to say: "Sorry that was mean. Enuff of these juvenile musings, I should never have risen to the bait. Silly Lily."
Sex offender poses as teen on Facebook to contact victim
UNION CITY -- Criminal charges and a prison sentence apparently haven't discouraged a former West Side Middle School assistant band director from pursuing an underage female student.
After his most recent release from jail, authorities say Matthew A. Stewart's obsession took a decidedly 21st century path -- he created a new persona on Facebook and "friended" the object of his affections.
As a result, Stewart, 23, is back in the Randolph County jail, preliminarily charged with invasion of privacy.
The Stewart saga in the Randolph County court system began in September 2007, when the Union City man, then 20, was accused of having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl he met while working as a volunteer with middle school band musicians.
Last week -- after nearly 30 months that have seen Stewart convicted of two felony counts of child solicitation and sentenced to prison, and found guilty of invasion of privacy after he repeatedly had contact, online and off, with the girl in violation of court orders -- the Union City man was arrested again.
Stewart is accused of contacting the now-15-year-old girl yet again, this time by creating a Facebook profile for a teenage girl named "Janie," then sending a "friend request" to the girl, who assumed the invitation came from a fellow high school student.
Once that link was established, authorities said, Stewart began sending the girl text messages that included information about his legal status and their past encounters.
For a brief period on the afternoon of Feb. 26, according to a probable cause affidavit, Stewart exchanged online messages intended for the girl, but actually received by a Union City police officer.
After obtaining a search warrant, Union City police found the phone Stewart used to send the messages hidden under a dishwasher in his kitchen.
His arrest on Feb. 27 came only 40 days after Jay Circuit Court Judge Jay Toney had agreed to allow Stewart to spend the remainder of his sentence for the April 2009 solicitation convictions on house arrest.
At that Jan. 18 hearing, the judge had specifically ordered Stewart to have no contact with the girl, "direct or indirect."
Randolph Eastern school officials have noted that Stewart was a volunteer, never a paid staff member, for the middle school band program, and had no criminal history at the time.
The Union City man was originally charged with two counts of child molesting, a Class B felony with a standard 10-year prison term, over his summer 2007 encounters with the girl, but pleaded guilty to lesser charges as part of a plea agreement.
While awaiting resolution of that criminal case, Stewart was accused of violating court orders by repeatedly contacting the teen online, through MySpace sites, instant messages and chat rooms, at one point asking her to lie, under oath, about whether he had been aware of her age when they had sexual contact.
He was also arrested in a car with the girl in Greenville, Ohio, in November 2008.
After his most recent release from jail, authorities say Matthew A. Stewart's obsession took a decidedly 21st century path -- he created a new persona on Facebook and "friended" the object of his affections.
As a result, Stewart, 23, is back in the Randolph County jail, preliminarily charged with invasion of privacy.
The Stewart saga in the Randolph County court system began in September 2007, when the Union City man, then 20, was accused of having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl he met while working as a volunteer with middle school band musicians.
Last week -- after nearly 30 months that have seen Stewart convicted of two felony counts of child solicitation and sentenced to prison, and found guilty of invasion of privacy after he repeatedly had contact, online and off, with the girl in violation of court orders -- the Union City man was arrested again.
Stewart is accused of contacting the now-15-year-old girl yet again, this time by creating a Facebook profile for a teenage girl named "Janie," then sending a "friend request" to the girl, who assumed the invitation came from a fellow high school student.
Once that link was established, authorities said, Stewart began sending the girl text messages that included information about his legal status and their past encounters.
For a brief period on the afternoon of Feb. 26, according to a probable cause affidavit, Stewart exchanged online messages intended for the girl, but actually received by a Union City police officer.
After obtaining a search warrant, Union City police found the phone Stewart used to send the messages hidden under a dishwasher in his kitchen.
His arrest on Feb. 27 came only 40 days after Jay Circuit Court Judge Jay Toney had agreed to allow Stewart to spend the remainder of his sentence for the April 2009 solicitation convictions on house arrest.
At that Jan. 18 hearing, the judge had specifically ordered Stewart to have no contact with the girl, "direct or indirect."
Randolph Eastern school officials have noted that Stewart was a volunteer, never a paid staff member, for the middle school band program, and had no criminal history at the time.
The Union City man was originally charged with two counts of child molesting, a Class B felony with a standard 10-year prison term, over his summer 2007 encounters with the girl, but pleaded guilty to lesser charges as part of a plea agreement.
While awaiting resolution of that criminal case, Stewart was accused of violating court orders by repeatedly contacting the teen online, through MySpace sites, instant messages and chat rooms, at one point asking her to lie, under oath, about whether he had been aware of her age when they had sexual contact.
He was also arrested in a car with the girl in Greenville, Ohio, in November 2008.
Google's new acquisition - Picnik, a photo-editing online service
The latest venture that has entered to the list of acquisitions made by Google Inc, the internet search giant, is the online photo-editing website ‘Picnik’. This takes the number of entities acquired by Google to three after Aardvark, a social search engine and mobile Web email service reMail last month.
Picnik is one of the first websites that has taken the photo editing activity to the cloud. Over the years, as Picnik says in its blog, the software furnished by the company has grown out to be the world’s most fun online photo editor, with millions of visitors every month. Started in 2005, the Seattle-based firm today comprises of around 20 employees.
Writing at Google’s Official Blog, Brian Axe, Product Management Director mentions, “We're very impressed with the Picnik team and the product they've created, and we're excited to welcome them to Google. We're looking forward to collaborating closely with them to improve the online photo editing experience on the web.”
Using Picnik, the users can crop, do touch-ups and add cool effects to their photos. All these effects can be done without the need of purchasing software and making use of their web browsers. Google will be working to integrate its web photo-sharing service, Picasa with Picnik.
No changes to service, Picnik, will be made immediately. The financial details of the deal have not been revealed.
That's a hella number: Scientists call for new word to describe 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 ,000
A campaign to name the number 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 'hella' is attracting strong support from scientists.
An online petition started in California - where the word 'hella' is slang for 'many' - is calling for the word to become an internationally recognised prefix, joining the likes of mega, kilo and giga.
The word would apply to figures with 27 zeros after the first digit.
Supporters of the campaign believe recent breakthroughs in science mean the International System of Units (SI) needs to go further with its classification of long numbers.
More than 20,000 people - including scientists and students - have signed up to a petition on Facebook.
The largest number with a recognised designated prefix is a 'yotta' - a digit with 24 zeroes. It was recognised by the International Committee for Weights and Measures in 1991 along with zetta, for 21 zeroes.
Campaign organiser Austin Sendek, from the University of California, said the name hella would be an appropriate choice.
'Since the SI system has traditionally adopted the last names of accomplished scientists for unit nomenclature, it follows that prefix designation should do the same,' he said.
'From this tradition comes the chance for the SI system to use nomenclature to honor a constantly overlooked scientific contributor: Northern California.'
'The area is also notorious for the creation and widespread usage of the English slang 'hella,' which typically means 'very,' or can refer to a large quantity (e.g. 'there are hella stars out tonight').
The campaign has attracted the interest of a British chemist who helps advise the International Committee for Weights and Measures.
Professor Ian Mills of the University of Reading has promised to raise the petition at the September meeting of the Consultative Committee for Units, which advises the international committee.
He said he expected the campaign to be received with smiles, but 'doubted it would go further.'
He told the Daily Telegraph: 'The prefixes we introduced 20 years ago are still not widely used. There is no point making changes that nobody pays any attention to which would only make things more complicated.
'At the moment we are focusing on more pressing issues, such as redefining the weight of the kilogram. But he is correct to say that we will need prefixes to express a greater range of magnitudes as science advances. The very fact that a student is asking a question like this is very encouraging.'
Prof Mills suggested that a simpler option would be for the committee to relax rules banning compound prefixes, so that, for instance, a hella could be expressed as a kiloyotta.
An online petition started in California - where the word 'hella' is slang for 'many' - is calling for the word to become an internationally recognised prefix, joining the likes of mega, kilo and giga.
The word would apply to figures with 27 zeros after the first digit.
Count on us: A group of maths fanatics have started a petition to prefix a digit with 27 zeroes with the word 'hella'
More than 20,000 people - including scientists and students - have signed up to a petition on Facebook.
The largest number with a recognised designated prefix is a 'yotta' - a digit with 24 zeroes. It was recognised by the International Committee for Weights and Measures in 1991 along with zetta, for 21 zeroes.
Campaign organiser Austin Sendek, from the University of California, said the name hella would be an appropriate choice.
'Since the SI system has traditionally adopted the last names of accomplished scientists for unit nomenclature, it follows that prefix designation should do the same,' he said.
'From this tradition comes the chance for the SI system to use nomenclature to honor a constantly overlooked scientific contributor: Northern California.'
'The area is also notorious for the creation and widespread usage of the English slang 'hella,' which typically means 'very,' or can refer to a large quantity (e.g. 'there are hella stars out tonight').
The campaign has attracted the interest of a British chemist who helps advise the International Committee for Weights and Measures.
Professor Ian Mills of the University of Reading has promised to raise the petition at the September meeting of the Consultative Committee for Units, which advises the international committee.
He said he expected the campaign to be received with smiles, but 'doubted it would go further.'
He told the Daily Telegraph: 'The prefixes we introduced 20 years ago are still not widely used. There is no point making changes that nobody pays any attention to which would only make things more complicated.
'At the moment we are focusing on more pressing issues, such as redefining the weight of the kilogram. But he is correct to say that we will need prefixes to express a greater range of magnitudes as science advances. The very fact that a student is asking a question like this is very encouraging.'
Prof Mills suggested that a simpler option would be for the committee to relax rules banning compound prefixes, so that, for instance, a hella could be expressed as a kiloyotta.
Israel urges US to act alone, as anti-Iran bids fail
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Brazil to recruit support for international penalties on Iran.
As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tours Latin America to recruit support for new international sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, Tel Aviv urges Washington to adopt Cuba-like embargos against Tehran.
Israel and the US accuse Iran of seeking nuclear arms, as Tel Aviv threatens to attack Iranian nuclear installations and Washington warns of keeping 'all options on the table,' including economic sanctions and military measures.
Iran, however, says its program, which is extensively monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is directed at the civilian applications of the technology. The country has also called on all nuclear powers to abandon atomic weaponry and eliminate all such arsenal.
Clinton, meanwhile, is on a five-day tour of Latin America. She was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that Washington is working "expeditiously and thoroughly" to rally support for new Iran sanctions.
She has arrived in Brazil, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), to win support for the sanctions. Brazil has repeatedly said that Iran is entitled to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
Although the IAEA says it continues to verify the non-diversion of Iran's nuclear material, the UNSC has already imposed three rounds of sanctions on the country.
Amid the intensified efforts by the US to impose fresh sanctions, China has appeared to reject the calls to support such a measure. Beijing argues that more negotiations are required to resolve the nuclear issue.
Israel, meanwhile, said Tuesday that the US should impose unilateral sanctions on Iran to isolate the country the same way it acted alone on Cuba 50 years ago, Reuters reported.
"We are a little worried by the pace of developments in the international arena," Lieberman told reporters. "I think that from now on Israel should perhaps change its Iran policy a little, and we should ask the United States to adopt the Cuban model ... Here the United States alone can do everything in order to stop this (Iranian) program."
Iranian officials have argued that favorite US pressure tactics such as sanctions are outdated and no longer relevant in the global economy as they have been proven futile in the last three attempts against the Islamic Republic. They insist that imposing new sanctions on Iran will further expose the irrelevancy of the UN as a viable international body.
Iran, however, says its program, which is extensively monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is directed at the civilian applications of the technology. The country has also called on all nuclear powers to abandon atomic weaponry and eliminate all such arsenal.
Clinton, meanwhile, is on a five-day tour of Latin America. She was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that Washington is working "expeditiously and thoroughly" to rally support for new Iran sanctions.
She has arrived in Brazil, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), to win support for the sanctions. Brazil has repeatedly said that Iran is entitled to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
Although the IAEA says it continues to verify the non-diversion of Iran's nuclear material, the UNSC has already imposed three rounds of sanctions on the country.
Amid the intensified efforts by the US to impose fresh sanctions, China has appeared to reject the calls to support such a measure. Beijing argues that more negotiations are required to resolve the nuclear issue.
Israel, meanwhile, said Tuesday that the US should impose unilateral sanctions on Iran to isolate the country the same way it acted alone on Cuba 50 years ago, Reuters reported.
"We are a little worried by the pace of developments in the international arena," Lieberman told reporters. "I think that from now on Israel should perhaps change its Iran policy a little, and we should ask the United States to adopt the Cuban model ... Here the United States alone can do everything in order to stop this (Iranian) program."
Iranian officials have argued that favorite US pressure tactics such as sanctions are outdated and no longer relevant in the global economy as they have been proven futile in the last three attempts against the Islamic Republic. They insist that imposing new sanctions on Iran will further expose the irrelevancy of the UN as a viable international body.
Indian Navy aircraft crashes into Hyderabad building, pilot dead
A trainer aircraft with the Indian Navy's aerobatics team, Sagar Pawan, crashed into a two-storied building during an air show in Hyderabad on Wednesday. The pilot has been killed, police said.
The aircraft, an HJT-16 Kiran Mk2 trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics, crashed a couple of minutes before noon near the old Begumpet Airport in the heart of the city.
Thousands of people were enjoying the spectacle when disaster struck, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air.
The aircraft, part of the navy's aerobatics team that uses four trainers, was unable to pull up from a dive and went into a spiral as the planes were breaking away from the formation and going at different directions.
There were no casualties on the ground, police said.
According to witnesses, the plane had crashed into the mobile phone towers on top of the building. They heard a loud boom, after which the plane went down.
Residents were in a state of shock.
Said Ashok, who was in his house at the time: "I was inside the house when I heard a loud noise and I came out to see flames."
Indian Navy spokesman Commander P.V. Satish said in New Delhi that he had no details but confirmed the accident had taken place.
The aircraft, an HJT-16 Kiran Mk2 trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics, crashed a couple of minutes before noon near the old Begumpet Airport in the heart of the city.
Thousands of people were enjoying the spectacle when disaster struck, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air.
The aircraft, part of the navy's aerobatics team that uses four trainers, was unable to pull up from a dive and went into a spiral as the planes were breaking away from the formation and going at different directions.
There were no casualties on the ground, police said.
According to witnesses, the plane had crashed into the mobile phone towers on top of the building. They heard a loud boom, after which the plane went down.
Residents were in a state of shock.
Said Ashok, who was in his house at the time: "I was inside the house when I heard a loud noise and I came out to see flames."
Indian Navy spokesman Commander P.V. Satish said in New Delhi that he had no details but confirmed the accident had taken place.
CPPCC spokesman: Google should adapt itself to Chinese culture
Google should adapt itself to Chinese culture, said CPPCC spokesperson Zhao Qizheng during a press conference March 2. "China's Internet is open and China will continue efforts to create a satisfying environment for foreign investment and protect the legitimate interests of foreign businesses."
Zhao looked back at Google's history in China. In 2005, Google came to China to investigate China's Internet market and investment environment, and in particular, studied relevant laws word for word. "It vowed to abide by relevant Chinese laws when formally extending its presence in China in 2006."
"Now, they have complained about attacks from Chinese hackers and hinted that the Chinese Government stands behind the hackers. Their claim is groundless and irrational because Chinese laws have placed a strict ban on hacker attacks and stipulates penalties for such attacks."
He added that a foreign business has to go through an adaptive phase in China, and should adapt to China's economic environment and Chinese culture.
He said, "a noteworthy point in the operation environment for any IT industry is the existence of hackers. It is the same as having viruses such as the A/H1N1 within the living environment for common people, and we have no choice but to get accustomed to it."
In regards to the competition between Google and Baidu, he said a good enterprise needs rivals to run along with it, and he wants to see how they will compete with each other.
Zhao stressed that China's Internet is open and China will continue to create a sound investment environment for foreign investors and protect their legal rights. China welcomes investors from various countries including international Internet enterprises to operate businesses in China, and also hopes that foreign investors respect the interests, cultural traditions of the Chinese people as well as Chinese laws, and assume corresponding corporate social responsibilities.
"Many CPPCC members cannot live their daily lives without the Internet, and they are very interested in Internet-related topics," he added.
Zhao looked back at Google's history in China. In 2005, Google came to China to investigate China's Internet market and investment environment, and in particular, studied relevant laws word for word. "It vowed to abide by relevant Chinese laws when formally extending its presence in China in 2006."
"Now, they have complained about attacks from Chinese hackers and hinted that the Chinese Government stands behind the hackers. Their claim is groundless and irrational because Chinese laws have placed a strict ban on hacker attacks and stipulates penalties for such attacks."
He added that a foreign business has to go through an adaptive phase in China, and should adapt to China's economic environment and Chinese culture.
He said, "a noteworthy point in the operation environment for any IT industry is the existence of hackers. It is the same as having viruses such as the A/H1N1 within the living environment for common people, and we have no choice but to get accustomed to it."
In regards to the competition between Google and Baidu, he said a good enterprise needs rivals to run along with it, and he wants to see how they will compete with each other.
Zhao stressed that China's Internet is open and China will continue to create a sound investment environment for foreign investors and protect their legal rights. China welcomes investors from various countries including international Internet enterprises to operate businesses in China, and also hopes that foreign investors respect the interests, cultural traditions of the Chinese people as well as Chinese laws, and assume corresponding corporate social responsibilities.
"Many CPPCC members cannot live their daily lives without the Internet, and they are very interested in Internet-related topics," he added.
US nurturing Pakistan's new dialogue with India
One of the problems with the U.S.-Pakistan relationship over the decades has been that the two sides tend to fall in and out of love like a tempestuous couple. So it's wise to approach recent talk about a strategic breakthrough with skepticism.
In the upbeat White House version, the first big success for the Obama administration's new Afghanistan policy has come not in the battle of Marja in Helmand province but in Islamabad. Officials cite Pakistan's cooperation with the CIA in capturing and interrogating top leaders of the Afghan Taliban, and Pakistan's new dialogue with India.
Pakistani officials agree that there has been a positive change. They say the Obama administration has taken quiet steps to improve trust and to reassure Islamabad that the U.S. doesn't want to grab Pakistan's nuclear weapons, and that it isn't trying to smuggle in covert operators disguised as U.S. contractors.
But military and intelligence officials on both sides appear wary of overpromising what this new partnership can deliver. There's greater confidence, they say, because officials know each other better. One U.S. official counts 25 high-level American visits to Pakistan since President Obama took office. Even so, "there is a fair amount of residual mistrust," warns Shuja Nawaz of the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank.
One key administration official characterizes the relationship this way: "We have narrowed the gap in terms of strategic outlooks, and that has allowed a greater cooperation on the tactical level." But he cautions that it would overstate this rapprochement to call it a "strategic recalibration," as some White House officials have.
The up-and-down history of the relationship was examined by CIA analysts in a recent report. They noted that this ebb-and-flow was driven in part by the personalities on both sides, but that the Pakistanis always retained a focus on their strategic interests - starting with their historical rivalry with India.
Given the centrality of India in Pakistan's security calculus, U.S. officials are encouraged by the resumption last month of high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan. The Obama administration has been working behind the scenes to foster these contacts.
The X-factor in the Indo-Pak contacts is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been a strong advocate of better relations with his neighbor. U.S. officials have advised Pakistan that, in their view, Singh is an unusually farsighted leader who may be able to open doors in New Delhi that have otherwise been closed.
Indians, for their part, insist that no real progress in the relationship will be possible unless the Pakistani intelligence service curbs the Kashmiri militant groups, such as Lashkar-i-Taiba, that it helped create. Little has happened yet on the ground that would reassure India.
To address Pakistani security anxieties, the Obama administration has taken several little-noticed steps. One is to implicitly accept Pakistan's status as a declared nuclear weapons state and thereby counter conspiracy theories that the U.S. is secretly plotting to seize Pakistani nukes.
Obama made an early move in that direction when he told Pakistan's Dawn newspaper last June, "I have confidence that the Pakistani government has safeguarded its nuclear arsenal. It's Pakistan's nuclear arsenal." There have been similar private assurances, officials say.
The U.S. is also trying to combat Pakistani fears about covert U.S. military or intelligence activities. Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani has been negotiating measures for greater transparency, such as clearer labeling of official cargo. And the administration has repeated Obama's assurance last June that "we have no intention of sending U.S. troops into Pakistan."
The trickiest issue remains Afghanistan. The Pakistanis provided important help last month by capturing Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (which was partly an accident, given that neither the U.S. nor Pakistan knew at first that this was the No. 2 Taliban official). Because Baradar was the Taliban's chief of logistics and had notebooks and computer records, the operation proved to be a "gold mine," says one official.
But there's always something new to worry about in this relationship. The Pakistanis are concerned of late that the U.S. may negotiate a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban that cuts them out as an intermediary. "In reconciliation talks, Pakistan must have a seat at the table," insists one Pakistani. We should all be so lucky, if this proves the biggest problem.
In the upbeat White House version, the first big success for the Obama administration's new Afghanistan policy has come not in the battle of Marja in Helmand province but in Islamabad. Officials cite Pakistan's cooperation with the CIA in capturing and interrogating top leaders of the Afghan Taliban, and Pakistan's new dialogue with India.
Pakistani officials agree that there has been a positive change. They say the Obama administration has taken quiet steps to improve trust and to reassure Islamabad that the U.S. doesn't want to grab Pakistan's nuclear weapons, and that it isn't trying to smuggle in covert operators disguised as U.S. contractors.
But military and intelligence officials on both sides appear wary of overpromising what this new partnership can deliver. There's greater confidence, they say, because officials know each other better. One U.S. official counts 25 high-level American visits to Pakistan since President Obama took office. Even so, "there is a fair amount of residual mistrust," warns Shuja Nawaz of the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank.
One key administration official characterizes the relationship this way: "We have narrowed the gap in terms of strategic outlooks, and that has allowed a greater cooperation on the tactical level." But he cautions that it would overstate this rapprochement to call it a "strategic recalibration," as some White House officials have.
The up-and-down history of the relationship was examined by CIA analysts in a recent report. They noted that this ebb-and-flow was driven in part by the personalities on both sides, but that the Pakistanis always retained a focus on their strategic interests - starting with their historical rivalry with India.
Given the centrality of India in Pakistan's security calculus, U.S. officials are encouraged by the resumption last month of high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan. The Obama administration has been working behind the scenes to foster these contacts.
The X-factor in the Indo-Pak contacts is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been a strong advocate of better relations with his neighbor. U.S. officials have advised Pakistan that, in their view, Singh is an unusually farsighted leader who may be able to open doors in New Delhi that have otherwise been closed.
Indians, for their part, insist that no real progress in the relationship will be possible unless the Pakistani intelligence service curbs the Kashmiri militant groups, such as Lashkar-i-Taiba, that it helped create. Little has happened yet on the ground that would reassure India.
To address Pakistani security anxieties, the Obama administration has taken several little-noticed steps. One is to implicitly accept Pakistan's status as a declared nuclear weapons state and thereby counter conspiracy theories that the U.S. is secretly plotting to seize Pakistani nukes.
Obama made an early move in that direction when he told Pakistan's Dawn newspaper last June, "I have confidence that the Pakistani government has safeguarded its nuclear arsenal. It's Pakistan's nuclear arsenal." There have been similar private assurances, officials say.
The U.S. is also trying to combat Pakistani fears about covert U.S. military or intelligence activities. Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani has been negotiating measures for greater transparency, such as clearer labeling of official cargo. And the administration has repeated Obama's assurance last June that "we have no intention of sending U.S. troops into Pakistan."
The trickiest issue remains Afghanistan. The Pakistanis provided important help last month by capturing Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (which was partly an accident, given that neither the U.S. nor Pakistan knew at first that this was the No. 2 Taliban official). Because Baradar was the Taliban's chief of logistics and had notebooks and computer records, the operation proved to be a "gold mine," says one official.
But there's always something new to worry about in this relationship. The Pakistanis are concerned of late that the U.S. may negotiate a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban that cuts them out as an intermediary. "In reconciliation talks, Pakistan must have a seat at the table," insists one Pakistani. We should all be so lucky, if this proves the biggest problem.
US seeks to gain China's backing against Iran
US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
Following unsuccessful anti-Iran campaign in Latin America and the Middle East, the US is now sending emissaries to China to win Beijing's support in pushing through a UN Security Council resolution for international sanctions against Iran. Two top US diplomats arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit that will, among other things, focus on persuading China to cooperate in imposing embargoes against Iran.
Washington hopes that the visit to China by US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and the National Security Council's Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeffrey Bader will also help in easing trade tensions with the Asian power.
Steinberg will be the most senior US diplomat to visit Beijing since a wave of disputes erupted between the two governments in recent months over Internet issues, trade, and US arms sales to Taiwan.
“We've gone through a bit of a bumpy path here, and I think there's an interest both within the United States and China to get back to business as usual as quickly as possible,” US State Department spokesman told reporters in Washington on Monday.
Philip Crowley also asserted that Iran would be on the agenda of the talks between US officials and their counterparts in Beijing.
China, as well, seems interested in lowering the temperature of friction with the United States, a key trade partner.
Beijing has not yet acted on its threat to sanction US companies involved in the Taiwan arms sales. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said recently that he wants to ease trade tension with the United States.
The United States and other Western powers want China's backing for a proposed UN resolution slapping new sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.
Analysts and officials say that China will resist any proposed sanctions that would threaten the flow of oil to China and Beijing's investments in Iran, but most believe that the veto-wielding member of the Security Council will accept a rather narrowly-cast resolution that has a more symbolic than practical impact.
China, which has large-scale trade and investment ties with Iran, has so far resisted US pressure over the issue, stressing that the matter must be resolved diplomatically.
China could use its veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to block any proposed resolution.
Iran has repeatedly objected to what it describes as the unfair privileges that a few states have at the UN Security Council that allows some powerful countries to act above the law.
The US and its allies accuse Tehran of following a military agenda under its civilian nuclear program, although the UN nuclear watchdog inspectors stationed in Iran have not been able to substantiate such claims.
Under pressure from Washington, the UN Security Council has already passed a number of resolutions against Iran with the aim of restricting its nuclear activities.
Iran, however, has disregarded the motions, arguing that the resolutions are in direct contradiction with International Atomic Energy Agency regulations, which clearly state that all countries are entitled to enrich uranium as part of a peaceful nuclear program.
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