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* stephen hawking's univers
* tiger woods * jim fur
Barack Obama, China, Hu Jintao,
Melinda Hackett, manhattan
Moshe Katsav, bbc news
new zealand miners, louise heal
Vikram Pandit, bbc news, ft
Wilma Mankiller,
9/11, september 11, emily strato
Abdel Kareem Nabil Soliman, bbc
afghanistan, bbc news, the econo
Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, bbc news
Ai Weiwei, bbc news
aids virus, aids, * hiv
Airbus A330, suzanne gould, bbc
airline security, bbc news
airport security, bbc news, biod
al-qaeda, natalie duval, yemen,
al-qaeda, new york city, suzanne
algeria, bbc news
amanda knox, bbc news, italy mur
american airlines, natalie de va
ancient rome, bbc news
arab spring, bbc news
arizona immigration law, bbc new
arms control, bbc news
arms flow to terrorists, bbc new
Arnold Schwarzenegger, bbc news
aung song suu kyi, myanmar, bbc
australia floods, bbc news
australia, cookbooks
australian shipwreck, bbc news
baltimore shooting, bbc news
ban aid, bob geldof, bbc world s
bangladesh clashes, bbc news
bat global markets, bbc news
bbc 2, biodun iginla
bbc news
bbc news, biodun iginla, david c
bbc news, biodun iginla, south k
bbc news, biodun iginla, the eco
bbc news, google
bbc strike, biodun iginla
bbc world service, biodun iginla
bcva, bbc news
belarus, bbc news, maria ogryzlo
Ben Bernanke, federal reserve
Benazir Bhutto, sunita kureishi,
benin, tokun lawal, bbc
Benjamin Netanyahu, bbc news
berlusconi, bbc news, italy
bill clinton ,emanuel, bbc news
bill clinton, Earth day, biodun
black friday, bbc news
black-listed nations, bbc news
blackwater, Gary Jackson, suzann
blogging in china, bbc news
bradley manning, bbc news
brazil floods, bbc news
brazil, biodun iginla, bbc news,
british elections, bbc news, bio
broadband, bbc news, the economi
Bruce Beresford-Redman. Monica
BSkyB bid, bbc news
budget deficit, bbc news,
bulgaria, natalie de vallieres,
business travel, bbc news
camilla parker-bowles, bbc news
canada, bbc news, biodun iginla
carleton college, bbc news, biod
casey anthony, bbc news
catholic church sex scandal, suz
cdc, e coli, suzanne gould, bbc
charlie rangel, bbc news
chicago mayorial race, bbc news,
chile miners, bbc news
chile prison fire, bbc news
chile, enrique krause, bbc news,
china, judith stein, bbc news, u
china, xian wan, bbc news, biodu
chinese dipolomat, houston polic
chinese media, bbc news
chirac, france, bbc news
cholera in haiti, biodun iginla
christina green, bbc news
Christine Lagarde, bbc news
Christine O'Donnell, tea party
chronical of higher education, b
citibank, bbc news
climate change, un, bbc news, bi
coal mines, west virginia, bbc n
common dreams
common dreams, bbc news, biodun
commonwealth games, bbc news
condi rice, obama
condoms, suzanne gould
congo, bbc news
congress, taxes, bbc news
contagion, islam, bbc news
continental airlines, bbc news
Continental Express flight, suza
corrupt nations, bbc news
Countrywide Financial Corporatio
cross-dressing, bbc news, emily
ctheory, bbc news, annalee newit
cuba, enrique krause, bbc news,
Cuba, Raúl Castro, Michael Voss
dealbook, bbc news, nytimes
digital life, bbc news
dorit cypis, bbc news, community
dow jones, judith stein, bbc new
egypt, nasra ismail, bbc news, M
elizabeth edwards, bbc news
elizabeth smart, bbc news
embassy bombs in rome, bbc news
emily's list, bbc news
entertainment, movies, biodun ig
equador, biodun iginla, bbc news
eu summit, bbc news, russia
eu, arab democracy, bbc news
europe travel delays, bbc news
europe travel, biodun iginla, bb
europe travel, france24, bbc new
eurozone crisis, bbc news
eurozone, ireland, bbc news
fair, media, bbc news
fake deaths, bbc news
FASHION - PARIS - PHOTOGRAPHY
fbi, bbc news
fcc, neutral internel, liz rose,
Federal Reserve, interest rates,
federal workers pay freeze, bbc
fedex, racism, bbc news
feedblitz, bbc news, biodun igin
ferraro, bbc news
fifa, soccer, bbc news
financial times, bbc news
firedoglake, jane hamsher, biodu
flashing, sex crimes, bbc news
fox, cable, new york, bbc
france, labor, biodun iginla
france24, bbc news, biodun iginl
french hostages, bbc news
french muslims, natalie de valli
FT briefing, bbc news, biodun ig
g20, obama, bbc news
gabrielle giffords, bbc news
gambia, iran, bbcnews
gay-lesbian issues, emily strato
george bush, blair, bbc news
germans held in Nigeria, tokun l
germany, natalie de vallieres, b
global economy, bbc news
goldman sachs, judith stein, bbc
google news, bbc news, biodun ig
google, gianni maestro, bbc news
google, groupon, bbc news
gop, bbc news
Gov. Jan Brewer, bbc news, immig
greece bailout, bbc news, biodun
guantanamo, bbc news
gulf oil spill, suzanne gould, b
Hackers, MasterCard, Security, W
haiti aid, enrique krause, bbc n
haiti, michelle obama, bbc news
heart disease, bbc news
Heather Locklear, suzanne gould,
Henry Kissinger, emily straton,
Henry Okah, nigeria, tokun lawal
hillary clinton, bbc news
hillary clinton, cuba, enrique k
hugo chavez, bbc news
hungary, maria ogryzlo
hurricane katrina, bbc news
Ibrahim Babangida, nigeria, toku
india, susan kumar
indonesia, bbc news, obama admin
inside edition, bbc news, biodun
insider weekly, bbc news
insider-trading, bbc news
International Space Station , na
iran, latin america, bbc news
iran, lebanon, Ahmadinejad ,
iran, nuclear weapons, bbc news
iran, wikileaks, bbc news
iraq, al-qaeda, sunita kureishi,
iraq, nasras ismail, bbc news, b
ireland, bbc news, eu
islam, bbc news, biodun iginla
israeli-palestinian conflict, na
italy, eurozone crisis
ivory coast, bbc news
James MacArthur, hawaii five-O
Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, biodun igi
jane hansher, biodun iginla
japan, bbc news, the economist
jerry brown, bbc news
Jerry Brown, suzanne gould, bbc
jill clayburgh, bbc news
Jody Weis, chicago police, bbc n
John Paul Stevens, scotus,
juan williams, npr, biodun iginl
judith stein, bbc news
Justice John Paul Stevens, patri
K.P. Bath, bbc news, suzanne gou
keith olbermann, msnbc, bbc news
kelly clarkson, indonesia, smoki
kenya, bbc news, police
Khodorkovsky, bbc news
Kyrgyz, maria ogryzlo, bbc news,
le monde, bbc nerws
le monde, bbc news, biodun iginl
lebanon, nasra ismail, biodun ig
Lech Kaczynski
libya, gaddafi, bbc news,
london ftse, bbc news
los alamos fire, bbc news
los angeles, bbc news, suzanne g
los angeles, suzanne gould, bbc
LulzSec, tech news, bbc news
madoff, bbc news, suicide
marijuana, weed, bbc news, suzan
Martin Dempsey, bbc news
maryland, bbc news
media, FAIR, bbc news
media, free press, fcc, net neut
media, media matters for america
media, mediabistro, bbc news
melissa gruz, bbc news, obama ad
mexican drug cartels, enrique kr
mexican gas explosion, bbc news
mexican's execution, bbc news
Michael Skakel, emily straton, b
Michelle Obama, bbc news
michigan militia, suzanne gould,
middle-class jobs, bbc news
midwest snowstorm, bbc news
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, bbc news
minnesota public radio
moveon, bbc news, biodun iginla
msnbc, david shuster, bbc news
mumbai attacks, bbc news
myanmar, burma, bbc news
nancy pelosi, us congress, bbc n
nasra ismail, israeli-palestinia
Natalia Lavrova, olympic games,
Nathaniel Fons, child abandonmen
nato, afghanistan, bbc news
nato, pakistan, sunita kureishi,
nelson mandela, bbc news
nestor kirchner, bbc news
net neutrality, bbc news
new life-forms, bbc news
new year, 2011, bbc news
new york city, homelessness, chi
new york snowstorm, bbc news
new zealand miners, bbc news
News Corporation, bbc news
news of the world, bbc news
nick clegg, uk politics, tories
nicolas sarkozy, islam, natalie
nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, toku
nobel peace prize
nobel peace prize, bbc news, bio
noreiga, panama, biodun iginla,
north korea, bbc news, nuclear p
npr, bbc news, gop
npr, media, bbc news
ntenyahu, obama, bbc news
nuclear proliferation, melissa g
Nuri al-Maliki, iraq, biodun igi
nytimes dealbook, bbc news
obama, bill clinton, bbc news
obama, biodun iginla, bbc news
oil spills, bbc news, the econom
olbermann, msnbc, bbc news
Omar Khadr, bbc news
Online Media, bbc news, the econ
pakistan, sunita kureishi, bbc n
paris airport, bbc news
Pedro Espada, suzanne gould, bbc
phone-hack scandal, bbc news
poland, maria ogryzlo, lech Kac
police brutality, john mckenna,
police fatalities, bbc news
Pope Benedict XVI, natalie de va
pope benedict, natalie de vallie
popular culture, us politics
portugal, bbc news
Potash Corporation, bbc news
prince charles, bbc news
prince william, katemiddleton, b
pulitzer prizes, bbc news, biodu
qantas, airline security, bbc ne
racism, religious profiling, isl
randy quaid, asylum, canada
Ratko Mladic, bbc news
Rebekah Brooks, bbc news, the ec
republicans, bbc news
richard holbrooke, bbc news
Rick Santorum , biodun iginla, b
robert gates, lapd, suzanne goul
rod Blagojevich, suzanne gould,
roger clemens, bbc news
russia, imf, bbc news, the econo
russia, maria ogrylo, Lech Kaczy
san francisco crime lab, Deborah
sandra bullock, jess james, holl
SARAH EL DEEB, bbc news, biodun
sarah palin, biodun iginla, bbc
sarkosy, bbc news
saudi arabia, indonesian maid, b
saudi arabia, nasra ismail, bbc
Schwarzenegger, bbc news, biodun
science and technology, bbc news
scott brown, tufts university, e
scotus, gays in the military
scotus, iraq war, bbc news, biod
sec, judith stein, us banks, bbc
Senate Democrats, bbc news, biod
senegal, chad, bbc news
seward deli, biodun iginla
shanghai fire, bbc news
Sidney Thomas, melissa gruz, bbc
silvio berlusconi, bbc news
single currency, bbc news, the e
snowstorm, bbc news
social security, bbc news, biodu
somali pirates, bbc news
somalia, al-shabab, biodun iginl
south korea, north korea, bbc ne
south sudan, bbc news
spain air strikes, bbc news
spain, standard and poor, bbc ne
state of the union, bbc news
steve jobs, bbc news
steven ratner, andrew cuomo, bbc
Strauss-Kahn, bbc news, biodun i
sudan, nasra ismail, bbc news, b
suicide websites, bbc news
supreme court, obama, melissa gr
sweden bomb attack, bbc news
syria, bbc news
taliban, bbc news, biodun iginla
Taoufik Ben Brik, bbc news, biod
tariq aziz, natalie de vallieres
tariq azziz, jalal talbani, bbc
tea party, us politics
tech news, bbc, biodun iginla
technology, internet, economics
thailand, xian wan, bbc news, bi
the economist, biodun iginla, bb
the economsit, bbc news, biodun
the insider, bbc news
tiger woods. augusta
timothy dolan, bbc news
Timothy Geithner, greece, eu, bi
tornadoes, mississippi, suzanne
travel, bbc news
tsa (travel security administrat
tsumami in Indonesia, bbc news,
tunisia, bbc news, biodun iginla
turkey, israel, gaza strip. biod
Turkey, the eu, natalie de valli
twincities daily planet, bbc new
twincities.com, twin cities dail
twitter, media, death threats, b
Tyler Clementi, hate crimes, bio
uk elections, gordon brown, raci
uk phone-hack, Milly Dowler
uk tuition increase, bbc news
un wire, un, bbc news, biodun ig
un, united nations, biodun iginl
unwed mothers, blacks, bbc news
upi, bbc news, iginla
us billionaires, bbc news
us economic downturn, melissa gr
us economy, us senate, us congre
us empire, bbc news, biodun igin
us housing market, bbc news
us jobs, labor, bbc news
us media, bbc news, biodun iginl
us media, media matters for amer
us midterm elections, bbc news
us midterm elections, melissa gr
us military, gay/lesbian issues
us politics, bbc news, the econo
us recession, judith stein, bbc
us stimulus, bbc news
us taxes, bbc news, the economis
us, third-world, bbc news
vatican, natalie de vallieres
venezuela, bbc news
verizon, biodun iginla, bbc news
volcanic ash, iceland, natalie d
volcanis ash, bbc news, biodun i
wal-mat, sexism, bbc news
wall street reform, obama, chris
wall street regulations, banking
warren buffett, us economic down
weather in minneapolis, bbc news
white supremacist, Richard Barre
wikileaks, bbc news, biodun igin
wvirginia coal mine, biodun igin
wvirginia mines, biodun iginal,
xian wan, china , nobel prize
xian wan, japan
yahoo News, biodun iginla, bbc n
yahoo, online media, new media,
yemen, al-qaeda, nasra ismail, b
zimbabwe, mugabe, biodun iginla
|
Biodun@bbcnews.com
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Obama at the plate
Topic: obama, biodun iginla, bbc news
Published: Nov. 17, 2010 at 6:46 AM
By HARLAN ULLMAN for THE BBC's BIODUN IGINLA  Listen View CaptionWASHINGTON, Nov. 14  -- To borrow a baseball analogy, U.S. President Barack Obama is in a terrible batting slump. Buttressed by huge expectations given the foreign policy and economic disasters set in place by his predecessor, the first president of color -- I completely dissent from the practice of using ethnic, racial or religious characterizations of our people as African-American; Irish-American; Jewish-American; and Hispanic-American and the like declaring myself an American-American -- Obama's inauguration was filled with hope and promise. The president embarked on improving America's reputation abroad. Visits to Berlin and Cairo were tours de force. But besides knocking a few balls out of the park, he also began fouling, grounding and even striking out. The first mishit came in the initial months of his administration and the Afghanistan study report called AfPak. As argued in this column, that study was profoundly flawed for many reasons. In particular, it depended on a functioning government in Kabul; recruiting, training and retaining a capable Afghan security force; and identifying Pakistan as the strategic center of gravity in the region and providing the wherewithal accordingly. None of these assumptions worked. The president and Congress did pass an economic recovery act and groundbreaking healthcare and financial reform packages. But each was also flawed. More about that later. In foreign policy, the president's attempts to win the 2016 Olympics for his home town of Chicago and to push climate change in Copenhagen were strikeouts. That said, he was still granted the Nobel Prize -- baseball's most valuable player and rookie of the year awards rolled into one. Most recently, he went hitless in failing to obtain a free trade agreement with South Korea or to convince the Group of 20 to focus on currency alignment. Ironically, he was booed from the sidelines just before the Asian meetings by Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve who deserves his share of blame for the fiscal and economic meltdowns. Writing in the Financial Times last week, Greenspan recommended benching his protege Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and successor Ben Bernanke by rebuking the latest moves of the administration to buy back $600 billion of bonds through quantitative easing. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government isn't playing ball despite repeated attempts by the Obama administration to exert influence. It is neck and neck whether the lame duck Senate will approve the vital new START nuclear arms treaty with Russia. These failures will drive the president's already anemic batting average even lower. When the new 112th Congress takes office in January, the flaws in the healthcare and financial reform acts will move front and center. The chief errors in the first were the failure to contain costs and to reduce Medicare payments to the point where physicians will only be able to practice as part of hospitals and health maintenance organizations rather than privately driving up expense and possibly rationing care. The financial reforms didn't cover the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. and Federal National Mortgage Association -- Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae -- and the huge liabilities of those agencies regarding mortgage guarantees or rein in hedge funds. The record breaking bonuses of the big Wall Street banks will also not be received well by an already furious public. And unemployment is still close to 10 percent. The biggest whiffs occurred two weeks ago with the by-elections. The Republicans won the House of Representatives and closed the gap in the Senate. Worse, virtually all the moderate and conservative or Blue Dog Democrats were defeated meaning that the more extreme left wing will dominate the party and clearly limit the president in batting from both sides of the plate. So what can Obama do to get his batting eye back and hit at least a single or two if not a home run? Later this week, NATO heads of state will gather in Lisbon, Portugal. For those who may not recall, NATO has been the most successful military alliance in history. But it remains a military alliance in which the threat that created it has been gone for 20 years. And in growing to 28 members operating under consensus rules, taking tough decisions ain't easy. More than a great speech is needed. While the hard work has been done, Obama must hit one out of the park. A breakthrough deal on Day Two at the NATO-Russia summit (and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is attending) is a sure home run. Decisions on Afghanistan are likely to be deferred until after the United States completes its review at year's end and should not be an at bat. And getting the new Strategic Concept -- the last one was approved in 1999 -- to say something of significance will get him to second base. If the G20 and trip to India are indicative, the mighty Casey Obama will strike out. But let us hope the president will break his slump and do so quickly. -- (Harlan Ullman is chairman of the Killowen Group, which advises leaders of government and business, and
Posted by biginla
at 10:52 PM GMT
France 24 Observers by Sandy and Biodun, BBC News and France24
Topic: france24, bbc news, biodun iginl
THE OBSERVERS ON THE WEBAbout The Observers The Observers is a collaborative site on France 24 that covers international current affairs by using eyewitness accounts from "Observers"... Read more
|
Posted by biginla
at 10:26 PM GMT
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: House Democrats Re-Elect Pelosi as Their Leader
Topic: nancy pelosi, us congress, bbc n
Wed , November 17, 2010 -- 2:39 PM ET
-----
by Melissa Gruz, BBC News US Desk, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla
Representative Nancy Pelosi was re-elected as the House
Democratic leader on Wednesday despite a striking show of
unrest among members of her caucus following the Democrats'
heavy losses in the midterm elections.
Meeting in private, House Democrats voted 150-43 to leave in
place a woman who, as Speaker of the House, became a
lightning rod for public anger over some of the sweeping and
costly legislation passed during the past two years.
Posted by biginla
at 10:15 PM GMT
MediaBistro News Feed by Biodun Iginla, BBC News and MediaBistro
Topic: media, mediabistro, bbc news
 | Morning Media NewsfeedWednesday, November 17, 2010
|
Are you coming to eBook Summit on December 15? Speakers include Ken Auletta (The New Yorker), Douglas Rushkoff (author), Debbie Stier (HarperCollins), and David Gaspin (Condé Nast). new from mediabistro.comSo What Do You Do, Gail Simmons, Host of Top Chef: Just Desserts?
The TV host and brand ambassador shares her path to the top of the media food chain and dishes on what's next. On-Camera Media Training: One-Day Intensive - November 19 in New York
Tape a professional video and learn to be clear and confident on camera. learn more
 Click here to receive mediabistro.com's Morning Media Newsfeed via email.
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 Newsweek And The Gray Lady: Your Future Awaits(GigaOM)
Is killing Newsweek.com such a bad idea? Not necessarily. In many ways, Newsweek is facing the same kinds of wrenching decisions that other traditional media entities are. The key question is: How much emphasis will be placed on the Web, as opposed to print? The reality is that Newsweekis a failing brand, with a failing business model. So why keep a Web site shackled to that fading name? Nostalgia? Ad Age: At this point, Newsweek.com, with its 7 million visitors per month, dwarfs The Daily Beast's 4 million or so. However, a closer look at traffic loyalty shows the Beast's relative strength in community building. On average, Newsweek.com visitors come to the site about 1.5 times per month and click on just over three pages, according to Quantcast. Daily Beast visitors come to the site 2.3 times per month, looking at close to seven pages each visit.
Google News Experiments With Metatags For Publishers To Give 'Credit Where Credit Is Due'(NJL)
One of the biggest challenges Google News faces is determining authorship. So Google is trying to build a way to bake an article's originality into its algorithm. Yesterday, it rolled out an experiment that hopes to tackle the "original authorship" problem: two new metatags, syndication-source and original-source, intended to attribute authorship, via URLs, into the back end of news on the Web. Sasha Frere-Jones, The New Yorker's Music Critic, Will Be Editor At News Corp.'s iPad Newspaper (NYT / Media Decoder)
Sasha Frere-Jones, a music critic at The New Yorker, will become the culture editor of The Daily, News Corp.'s so-called iPad newspaper, which is in development, according to two people involved in the project who did not speak for the record because the hiring had not been announced. Frere-Jones remains under contract with The New Yorker. Editor David Remnick said Frere-Jones would continue to write for the magazine. advertisement  The Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalismshowcases substantive and innovative coverage that informs viewers about their electoral choices. The award recognizes television journalism that helps viewers understand who the candidates are; what the issues and ballot propositions are; how electoral choices will affect their lives; how to assess campaign information, including advertising; and how to register, vote and make their own voices heard.
The early-bird entry deadline is December 14, 2010; entry deadline is January 14, 2011. Entry forms, fees and guidelines are available online at www.CronkiteAwards.org. Google Targets Fashion Market (Guardian) Google is preparing to enter the fashion business with a Web site believed to be called Boutiques.com. Its fashion-dedicated Web site will direct customers toward existing retailers such as Net-a-Porter and Asos, or designers' sites. It has also asked designers to set up virtual shops within the site. In addition, Google is hiring Sarah Jessica Parker to establish a personalized shop and has invited other celebrities to do the same. The New York Times Restructures Its Web Newsroom (Yahoo / The Cutline)
The New York Times' Web producers will now report directly to their respective desks. Digital news editor Jim Roberts has been named assistant managing editor for news, and Web newsroom editor Fiona Spruill has been named editor for emerging platforms. In an address to staff several weeks ago, executive editor Bill Keller said that morning news meetings and editing roles would be streamlined and that there was a proposal "to merge the separate Web and print union contracts." TVNewser Gets A Younger -- Or Is It Older? -- Sibling (TVNewser)
WebMediaBrands, the company that owns mediabistro.com, is acquiring TVSpy.com from Vault. TVSpy was once known as Shoptalk, a pre-Internet newsletter covering news, job moves, and gossip from local TV stations around the country. It will now become part of mediabistro's fast-growing network of 18 blogs covering all areas of the media, including advertising, social media, sports media, publishing, and the Web. mediabistro.com featured jobs Vice President - Consumer
Publicis Consultants USA
Seattle, WA Editor
Smart Meetings magazine/Bright Business Media, LLC
Sausalito, CA Business Manager
MediaMax Network
Valhalla, NY Amazon.com Going Into Movie Producing With New Web Site, First-Look Deal With Warner Bros.(LAT) Amazon.com is launching Amazon Studios, a new Web site that lets users upload scripts and sample movies, and then use community tools to evaluate and edit each others' work. Work judged the best by a panel of experts and company executives will be brought to Warner Bros., where Amazon has signed a first-look deal, in hopes of ultimately producing feature films under the Amazon Studios production label. BBC Readies Global Launch Of The iPlayer (Beet.TV)
With the approval of its governing body, the British Broadcasting Corp. is readying the global introduction of the iPlayer, the highly successful video on-demand platform that registered 139 million video-program views in October. Its popularity has nearly doubled over the past 12 months, the BBC says, citing views of 79 million in October 2009. The commercial-free service, which streams BBC programming on-demand, is currently limited to viewers in the United Kingdom. Comcast Defends Merger In Response To Sanders (NYT / Media Decoder)
Comcast released a statement in response to a letter that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent to the Federal Communications Commission seeking to block the upcoming takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast. Sena Fitzmaurice, vice president of government communications for Comcast, argued in the statement that the proposed combination of Comcast and NBCU had wide support among both local and federal legislators, despite the opposition of some consumer advocacy groups. student news  Mediabistro graduate Colleen Mescall found a new career and a passion for blogging after she took our intro to magazine writing class. Congratulations, Colleen! read her story
Dan Rather Memoir Acquired By Grand Central (GalleyCat) News anchor Dan Rather has signed a book deal with Grand Central Publishing for his memoir. The book will be entitled Summing Up, and it is tentatively scheduled for spring-2012 publication. The book will cover major historical events ranging from the Watergate scandal to the Iraq War, and it will include a very "personal and candid" section about leaving CBS News in a storm of controversy. Aol's European Media Director Downing Has Left (paidContent)
The director of the Aol Media division in Europe, Julian Downing, has left the company. It's thought that Downing's role was made redundant, although Aol would not confirm that. The company had been staffing up the division since new CEO Tim Armstrong and new Aol Europe director Kate Burns refocused the former Mediaglow unit as Aol Media. Should Objectivity Still Be The Standard In News? (NPR)
After MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was suspended for making political contributions to the Democratic party, journalist Ted Koppel criticized the lack of objectivity in the news, and looked backward toward the halcyon days of Edward R. Murrow. But media critic Jeff Jarvis believes the old model is outdated. mediabistro.com event  SOCIAL GAMING SUMMIT - EAST
December 1, 2010 | The New Yorker Hotel, New York City
Explore the intersection of games and the social web. Speakers include Trip Hawkins (Digital Chocolate), Katharine Lewis (FM Ventures), and Dennis Ryan (PopCap). Register today!
Mayor Bloomberg Is On The Hunt For A Successor. Could Cathie Black Be It? (NY Observer) Former Hearst chairwoman turned New York City schools chancellor Cathie Black had shown no previous interest in public service, and her only relevant experience was running an international media empire. A lot, in other words, like Mike Bloomberg in 2001, when he campaigned for City Hall. "If you only have to be a manager to run the schools," said one city pol close to the mayor, "then you only have to be a manager to run the city. If she does even a reasonably good job, I think you will see them talk her up for mayor in 2013." Wenner Media Sued For Alleged SMS-Spam (MediaPost)
Wenner Media has been hit with a potential class-action lawsuit for allegedly sending SMS-spam to potential subscribers. In a complaint filed last week, Karen Schrock of Indiana alleged that Wenner Media and subscription-marketing firm Consumer Benefit Services violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by sending her unsolicited messages with the purpose of selling magazine subscriptions. Cooks Source Still Doesn't Get It (LiveJournal)
Cooks Source, which made headlines for repackaging plagiarism as falling under "Internet copyright law," has published a note on its site essentially blaming the original theft victim and saying thatCooks Source is probably doomed: "We have never been a great money-maker even with all the good we do for businesses. Having a black mark won't help…and now, our black mark will become our shroud. Winters are bleak in western New England and, as such, they are bleak for Cooks Source, as well."  Mediabistro graduate Kara Richardson Whitely published her book, Fat Woman on the Mountain: How I Lost Half Myself and Gained Happiness, after taking personal essay and nonfiction book proposal courses. Congratulations, Kara! read her story
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Posted by biginla
at 3:33 PM GMT
Roman settlement unearthed in Syon Park, west London
Topic: ancient rome, bbc news
17 November 2010 Last updated at 09:32 ET Continue reading the main story Roman skeletons were excavated from the Syon Park site A Roman settlement filled with ancient artefacts and human remains has been found on a west London building site. Archaeologists excavating the listed Syon Park site made the discovery of more than 11,000 Roman items just half a metre below the ground. They were digging on the land ahead of the construction of a new hotel on the outskirts of the historical Syon Park Estate, near Brentford. Part of one of Roman Britain's most important roads was also found. 'Extremely fortunate' About 11,500 fragments of pottery, 100 coins and jewellery were uncovered by the experts from the Museum of London Archaeology. Jo Lyon, a senior archaeologist at the museum, said: "We were extremely fortunate to discover such a comprehensive repertoire of Roman finds and features so close to the surface. "They tell us a great deal about how the people of this village lived, worked and died. "It helps us build a picture of the Roman landscape and shows how the busy metropolis of Londinium connected with the rest of Roman Britain." The site was excavated in 2008, but the fascinating discoveries have only now been revealed. Archaeologists said the Roman settlement had remained remarkably undisturbed for almost 2,000 years.  Part of a late Bronze Age gold pennular ribbon bracelet was found at Syon Park A section of one of Roman Britain's most important roads was revealed, linking Londinium with the Roman town of Silchester and an ancient tributary of the Thames. The artefacts found included two shale armlets, fragments of a lava quernstone and a late Bronze Age (1000-700 BC) gold bracelet. Ms Loyn said her most exciting find was more than 100 Roman coins. "It was so nice to find so many lost coins. They were scattered along the Roman Road, dated to different years across the period." 'Remarkable history' Post excavation manager at the museum Julian Hill explained why it took more than two years between the excavation and announcing what was found.  About 10 archaeologists took about two months to excavate the site "The process took so long because it was important that we went through the data in correct sequence," said Mr Hill. "There was lots of raw data when we came off site. We need to rebuild the sequence of the excavation from the bottom up." Some of the historical finds are expected to go on display at the hotel which is due to open at the site next year. "It's rare to get this sort of stuff surviving in a relatively undisturbed state," Mr Hill added. "So far, only the site where the hotel is to be built has been excavated. "Given the amount that we found, it is quite possible that more will be found in the area nearby." The Duke of Northumberland, whose family has held residence at Syon Park for more than 400 years, said: "Syon Park has a rich and remarkable history. "The Roman findings are an incredible addition to this legacy and emphasise Syon Park's place as a prominent landmark in ancient British history."
Posted by biginla
at 2:50 PM GMT
Germany tightens airport security over attacks threat
Topic: germany, natalie de vallieres, b
17 November 2010 Last updated at 08:30 ET  Extra security measures will remain in place until further notice, the interior minister said Germany is increasing security at airports and railway stations in light of "concrete indications" of terrorist attacks being planned for the end of November. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said it followed a tip-off from another, unnamed country. Germany had information on "sustained efforts" by Islamist extremists to carry out attacks, he said. He said the extra security would remain in place "until further notice". "There are grounds for concern, but not for hysteria," Mr de Maiziere told a news conference in Berlin. The federal police force has been ordered to step up checks at airports and train stations, he added. Yemen connection Mr de Maiziere said Germany had received a tip-off after two parcel bombs were intercepted en route from Yemen to the United States last month. Continue reading the main story Terrorism linked to Germany - October 2010: four German Islamists killed in US drone attack in northern Pakistan, believed to be part of a group which vanished from Hamburg in 2009
- August 2010: Hamburg mosque linked to 9/11 attacks closed down on suspicion it is again being used to foment extremism
- March 2010: four men jailed for planning explosions and attacks on US soldiers in Germany
- 2006: Moroccan student in Hamburg, Mounir al-Motassadek, convicted in connection with plotting the 9/11 attacks
One of the bombs was despatched via the German city of Cologne but was intercepted in the UK. The Yemen plot showed "the adaptability and the persistence of terrorists in pursuing their aims," Mr de Maiziere said, and also underlines "the reliability of some leads." Germany would not allow international terrorism to constrict its way of life or liberal culture, he said. Last year, twelve militants vanished from Hamburg, some to resurface in Northern Pakistan where at least one, but not all were killed in an American drone attack. Some of the new security measures would be clearly visible, Mr de Maiziere said, but others would not. The BBC's Stephen Evans, in Berlin, says a month ago, Germany was dismissive of American warnings of attacks. That feeling has now gone.
Posted by biginla
at 2:45 PM GMT
Talabani refuses to sign Tariq Aziz execution order
Topic: tariq azziz, jalal talbani, bbc
17 November 2010 Last updated at 05:58 ET  Tariq Aziz is thought to be unwell Iraqi president Jalal Talabani is refusing to sign the execution order for Tariq Aziz, former deputy prime minister under Saddam Hussein. Aziz, 74, was condemned to death last month by an Iraqi court for persecution of religious parties. Mr Talabani told France 24 television he would never sign the order because of Aziz's age and because he is an Iraqi Christian. Aziz was the face and voice of Saddam's government on the world stage. He had been previously convicted for his role in the execution of dozens of merchants for profiteering and for his role in the displacement of the Kurdish minority in northern Iraq. He is also reported to be seriously ill. The European Union, the Vatican and Russia have called on Iraq not to execute Aziz on grounds of age and ill health. Tariq Aziz served as Iraq's foreign minister and deputy prime minister and was a close adviser to Saddam Hussein. When he was sentenced last month, the BBC's Jim Muir said Aziz was not widely seen as one of Saddam's evil insiders, and a lobby could spring up to prevent him being sent to the gallows.
Posted by biginla
at 1:04 PM GMT
Germany tightens airport security over attacks threat
Topic: germany, natalie de vallieres, b
17 November 2010 Last updated at 07:03 ET Share this page by Natalie de Vallieres, BBC News EU Desk, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla  One of the parcel bombs from Yemen was shipped through Cologne airport Germany is increasing security at airports and railway stations in light of "concrete indications" of terrorist attacks being planned for the end of November. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said it followed a tip-off from another, unnamed country. Germany had information on "sustained efforts" by Islamist extremists to carry out attacks, he said. He said the extra security would remain in place "until further notice". "There are grounds for concern, but not for hysteria," Mr de Maiziere told a news conference in Berlin. Yemen connection He said Germany received a tip-off after two parcel bombs were intercepted en route from Yemen to the United States. One of the bombs was despatched via the German city of Cologne but was only intercepted in the UK. The Yemen plot showed "the adaptability and the persistence of terrorists in pursuing their aims," Mr de Maiziere said, and also underlines "the reliability of some leads." Germany would not allow international terrorism to constrict its way of life or liberal culture, he said. The BBC's Stephen Evans, in Berlin, says Germany downplayed the risk when the US increased its terrorism alert warning level for Europe three weeks ago. Some of the new security measures would be clearly visible, Mr de Maiziere said, but others would not.
Posted by biginla
at 12:28 PM GMT
Internet blow for Google and BBC
Topic: bbc news, google
by Biodun Iginla and Tamara Kachelmeier, BBC Tech Analysts Published: November 16 2010 23:02 | Last updated: November 16 2010 23:02
Internet service providers should be free to favour traffic from one content provider over another as long as they inform customers, the communications minister will say on Wednesday. The government’s refusal to back so-called net neutrality principles will come as a blow to companies such as Google and the BBC that believe unfettered access to the internet fuels innovation. This position paves the way for new revenue streams for ISPs such as BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media by allowing them to charge media companies for “fast lane” access. Speaking at the FT’s telecoms conference in London, Ed Vaizey is expected to say the market should decide how far ISPs can go in charging for preferential content delivery or slowing down other forms of traffic. “A lightly regulated internet is good for business, good for the economy and good for people,” Mr Vaizey will say. “Consumers should have the ability to access any legal content or service. Content and service providers should have the ability to innovate and, most importantly, to reach users.” The UK’s broadband market is sufficiently competitive that ISPs should be allowed “flexibility in business models”, he will add and the coalition is “no fan of regulation”. “Creating the content and networks of the future requires investment,” he will say. “This means ISPs should be allowed to manage their networks to ensure a good customer service . . . The key is that consumers must be informed and aware of what they are buying and of any limitations attached to it.” Mr Vaizey’s comments follow a similar light-touch approach proposed by Ofcom, the communications regulator, and by Neelie Kroes, the European Commission’s vice-president for the digital agenda. Both Ofcom and the Commission ran consultations on net neutrality over the summer. Ms Kroes said, in a speech last week: “To let competition work, consumers need to be effectively informed about traffic management practices and to be able to easily switch to alternative operators if they are not satisfied.” Google, owner of the YouTube video site, has been a leading advocate of net neutrality, the principle by which every kind of traffic from any source should be treated in the same way. It argues that charging for an internet “fast lane” could inhibit innovation. Erik Huggers, the BBC’s director of future media and technology, also warned against the dangers of abandoning the principle in a blog post last month. “An emerging trend towards network operators discriminating in favour of certain traffic based on who provides it, as part of commercial arrangements, is a worrying development,” Mr Huggers wrote. “This innovative and dynamic ecosystem, that enables huge public value, could be put at risk if network operators are allowed to use traffic management to become gatekeepers to the internet.” Ofcom on Tuesday announced plans for a large auction in early 2012 of radio spectrum suitable for mobile operators to use for high speed wireless broadband services. Ed Richards, Ofcom’s chief executive, said the auction timetable was dependent on the operators not getting embroiled in further legal disputes over spectrum ownership. A four-year dispute over spectrum ownership between mobile operators has delayed efforts to provide rural areas with mobile services based on third generation wireless technology, which enables web surfing and other activities on handsets. The row also means the UK will not be among the first tranche of countries to launch mobile services based on a 4G technology called LTE (long-term evolution), which should provide fast downloads. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.
Posted by biginla
at 1:30 AM GMT
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Welcome to the police state--US of A
Topic: tsa (travel security administrat
Dear Biodun Iginla, John Tyner had two options when he got to the airport: - Go through TSA's expensive new "porno scanners" unprotected, which the Airline Pilots Association tells pilots to refuse.1
- Get an aggressive groping by a TSA agent that one woman described as being "sexually assaulted by a government official."2
Tyner chose the latter option. But when he objected to the TSA's plan to fondle his genitals, the agents refused to let him board his flight. Tyner recorded the incident in a now-famous video in which he told the TSA to "don't touch my junk."3 Now the TSA says they are "investigating" Tyner, threatening him with prosecution and $11,000 in civil penalties.4 It should be obvious why the TSA is investigating Tyner: to intimidate the rest of us. Investigate the TSA, not Tyner. Sign our petition demanding Congress investigate the TSA's porno scanners, aggressive groping, and abuses of power. Click here to add your name: http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/tsa These new aggressive "pat downs" started on November 1, to punish people like Tyner who refuse to go through the scanners. Neither the scanners nor the aggressive pat-downs make us any safer. Experts call it "security theater," to insure the market for this new, expensive boondoggle doesn't dry up when the public refuses to participate. The House of Representatives voted against funding the scanners because they are incredibly invasive and don't keep us safe.5 So the Department of Homeland Security flipped them the middle finger and used $25 million in stimulus funds to buy machines anyway - creating just one job in the process.6 Now the TSA is further abusing its power, threatening a citizen's most basic rights to intimidate the rest of us. Say no to TSA's intimidation, and demand Congress investigate TSA's new porno scanners and aggressive groping. Click here to sign the petition. There should be no question: the only thing the TSA's new "groping" policy is meant to impact is people's willingness to go through these machines, which render images of people's naked bodies so graphic one mother called it "child pornography."7 And the TSA's decision to prosecute Tyner is nothing but an attempt to intimidate the public from following his lead and resisting this outrageous invasion of their personal freedoms. They want us to give up our rights for their latest abuses of power. This has nothing to do with keeping us "safe." It's the product of outrageous government corruption and an invasion of our most basic ideas of privacy. Time to shut down TSA's abuse of power. Sign our petition to Congress demanding an investigation of TSA's porno scanners and groping policies. Thanks for taking action on this important issue. Jane Hamsher
Firedoglake.com References 1. "President's Message." US Airline Pilot Association (USAPA), 11/8/10
2. "TSA - Sexual Assault." Our Little Chatterboxes, 11/12/10
3. "TSA Encounter at SAN." Johnny Edge, 11/13/10
4. "TSA May Prosecute 'Don't Touch My Junk' Guy." Firedoglake, 11/16/10
5. "TSA to the White House on Whole-Body Scanners: Shove It." Consumer Traveler, 10/2/09
6. "Project Summary: Rapiscan Systems, INC." Recovery.gov.
7. "TSA Child Porn or Protection?" WMAR ABC2 News, 7/22/10
Contribute to Firedoglake to support our activism. Click here: 
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Posted by biginla
at 11:23 PM GMT
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