22526202
submission
tgtanman writes:
The Washington Post reports that the TSA will begin installing new software on millimeter wave body scanners at 41 airports that will replace the controversial body images with generic images of the body. While the change is currently limited to millimeter wave scanners, similar upgrades for backscatter scanners is being developed, according to the TSA. The ACLU has applauded the changes but continues to note other concerns with the scanners.
18557204
submission
tgtanman writes:
CNN reports that Myspace has announced that they have laid off 500 employees, 47% of their total staff. From the article, "MySpace's management kept most of the site's developers but gutted nearly every other job role, according to a staffer who survived the cuts ... 'Today's tough but necessary changes were taken in order to provide the company with a clear path for sustained growth and profitability,' CEO Mike Jones said in a written statement.'These changes were purely driven by issues related to our legacy business, and in no way reflect the performance of the new product.' "
202261
submission
tanman writes:
After reading an article in the Miami Herald that said "[President] Bush's twin daughters, gave him a CD they had made for him to listen to while exercising", a Florida lawyer calculated statutory damages of 1.8 million dollars and has sent a letter to the RIAA asking that they "display the same vigor in prosecuting this matter and protecting the rights of your rights-holders that it has displayed in enforcing those rights against other alleged violators." From the letter, "This is a serious violation of copyright. As you know, whichever of your member organizations that are right-holders for the copied musical works may be entitled to statutory damages of $150,000.00 per musical work copied."
152963
submission
tanman writes:
A Chinese student at the Houston-area Clements High School was arrested, sent to an "Alternative Education Center" and banned from graduation after school officials found he created a video game map of his school (Google mirror). School district police arrested the teen and searched his home where they confiscated a hammer as a "potential weapon". ' "They decided he was a terroristic threat," said one source close to the district's investigation. ' With an upcoming May 12 school board election, this issue has quickly become political, with school board members involved in the appeal accusing each other of pandering to the Chinese community in an attempt to gain votes.
94190
submission
tanman writes:
CNN reports that a draft FCC report circulating on Capitol Hill "suggests Congress could craft a law that would let the agency regulate violent programming much like it regulates sexual content and profanity — by barring it from being aired during hours when children may be watching, for example ... 'In general, what the commission's report says is that there is strong evidence that shows violent media can have an impact on children's behavior and there are some things that can be done about it,' FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Thursday. The issue is bipartisan. Martin, a Republican, gave a joint interview to The Associated Press with Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps."
42202
submission
tanman writes:
CNN reports the California Supreme Court has ruled that websites that publish libelous text written by third parties cannot be sued for libel. From the article, "The ruling in favor of free online expression was a victory for a San Diego woman who was sued by two doctors for posting an allegedly libelous e-mail on two Web sites ... In reversing an appellate court's decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that the Communications Decency Act of 1996 provides broad immunity from defamation lawsuits for people who publish information on the Internet that was gathered from another source"
29321
submission
tanman writes:
CNN reports that NASA Administrator Michael Griffin has agreed to send astronauts on one final mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. No date was reported for the mission, other than before the shuttle fleet is retired. From the article, "A rehab mission would keep Hubble working until about 2013. It would add two new camera instruments, upgrade aging batteries and stabilizing equipment, add new guidance sensors and repair a light-separating spectrograph. Without a servicing mission, Hubble will likely deteriorate in 2009 or 2010."
16423
submission
tanman writes:
CNN reports that "The online hangout MySpace.com will organize 20 concerts featuring bands promoted on its site as part of a campaign to raise awareness and money for humanitarian relief in Sudan. ... The site, which grew in popularity thanks to its early adoption by emerging bands and their fans, has in recent months taken a more active role in promoting social causes, such as environmental awareness and voter registration ... Bands — pop, rock, country and reggae, among others — agreed to donate part of their ticket proceeds to Oxfam's relief efforts in Sudan and neighboring Chad. The campaign also includes a public service announcement featuring Samuel L. Jackson."
