Designer McQeen dies!

Such a young age!

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk The fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead, his company said. His office confirmed to the BBC that Mr McQueen, 40, was discovered at his London home this morning. Alexander McQueen was named British designer of the year four times Paramedics called to the Mayfair property pronounced him dead at the scene. Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious. A statement said his family were "devastated" at the "tragic news", and added that they shared "a sense of shock and grief". In a message on his Twitter page on 3 February, Mr McQueen said his mother had passed away. A former British Designer of the Year winner, London-born Mr McQueen started his career as an apprentice in Savile Row, where he learned how to make jackets at Gieves and Hawkes.

Martial Arts Pensioner

Life in the old dogs yet!

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk A Scottish pensioner has become one of only seven living people to hold judo's highest rank. Martial arts expert George Kerr, 72, was named a "10th Dan" black belt at a ceremony held by the International Judo Federation in Paris. Mr Kerr (left) has dedicated much of his life to the martial art He is one of only five non-Japanese recipients of the award, which honours his contribution to the sport. Mr Kerr, who runs a judo club for 200 youngsters in Edinburgh, said he was "humbled" by the award. Fewer than 20 people have ever received the honour, which recognises Mr Kerr's contribution to the sport as a competitor, coach, referee and administrator.

BBC News - Boy's cycling design chosen for Olympic 50p coin

Boy's cycling design chosen for Olympic 50p coin

Judges said Theo's design 'captured the essence of cycling'

A design by a West Yorkshire teenager has been chosen from more than 3,000 entries to become a new 50p coin inspired by the Olympic Games.

Theo Crutchley-Mack, 16, from Halifax, said it was "absolutely amazing" that his picture of a cyclist in a velodrome was chosen by the Royal Mint.

His design was also seen and approved by the Queen.

Up to three million of Theo's coins will be released into circulation later this year.

via news.bbc.co.uk

Well done Theo!

Posted via web from dannymaher's posterous

BBC News - China shuts down training website for hackers

China has more internet users than any other country

China has closed down what is believed to be the country's biggest training website for hackers, state media has reported.

They say the site, Black Hawk Safety Net, gave lessons in hacking and sold downloads of malicious software.

The reports say three people suspected of running the site were arrested.

Hacking is a sensitive topic for China, especially since the internet giant Google recently threatened to pull out of the country.

Google said China-based hackers had attacked its operations but the Chinese government denied any involvement.

The hacker training operation openly recruited thousands of members online and provided them with cyber attack lessons and Trojan software, the China Daily and the Wuhan Evening News said.

Trojans, which can allow outside access to a computer when implanted, are used by hackers to illegally control computers.

Black Hawk Safety Net recruited more than 12,000 paying subscribers and collected more than seven million yuan ($1m: £650,000) in membership fees, while another 170,000 people had signed up for free membership, the paper said.

The Hubei government refused to comment on the reports.

It was unclear when the shutdown had taken place but the Black Hawk Safety Net site was unavailable on Monday.

Cyber attacks

In January Google threatened to pull out of China unless the government relented on censorship.

It said it had uncovered a computer attack that tried to plunder its software coding and the e-mail accounts of human rights activists protesting against Chinese policies.

Government officials have defended China's online censorship and said the country is the biggest victim of web attacks.

China has some 350 million internet users - more than any other country - and provides a lucrative search-engine market worth an estimated $1bn last year.

Google holds about a third of the country's search market, with Chinese rival Baidu having more than 60%.

The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing says that the reports made no link between the hacking site and Google's allegations.

But the case will help authorities show that China is taking action against those who hack into computers, says our correspondent.

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via news.bbc.co.uk

Scary huh?

Posted via web from dannymaher's posterous

Terry is Sacked

Mmm! Suppose this will be an excuse now,when they are losing all their matches!

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk Defender John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy following allegations he had an affair with an England team-mate's ex-girlfriend Terry, 29, held talks with England boss Fabio Capello at Wembley on Friday. "After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry," said Capello in a statement. Terry said he fully respected Capello's decision to demote him, adding he would still "give everything for England". They next match is a home friendly against Egypt on 3 March as they continue their preparations for the World Cup in South Africa.

Google pushes CHROME browser.

It will be interesting to see how many new customers opt for IE.

clipped from uk.reuters.com By Georgina Prodhan and Leila Abboud LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Google has taken the unusual step of using real-world advertising to promote its Chrome web browser in Europe ahead of a regulatory change that will make it easier for consumers to switch Web browsers. In a departure from its usual dependence on viral and word-of-mouth marketing, Google is running a billboard and newspaper ad campaign for its Chrome browser in the streets and underground train stations of London, Paris and Amsterdam. The campaign comes as the European Union is gearing up to implement its so-called browser ballot, which will allow users to actively select the programme they will use to surf the Internet when they use their computer for the first time.

Penchant for Poultry.

Dear Duck!

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk X-ray reveals rubber duck inside terrier 18 months on A dog has had a £1,000 operation to remove a rubber duck from its gut - 18 months after the bathroom toy vanished. The owners of Spike the Patterdale terrier were astonished when they took their sick pet to the vet and discovered what had caused the problem. The duck emerged intact apart from losing its yellow paint Colin Smith, 52, of Thorner, near Leeds, said: "I was absolutely amazed. "When we saw it after the operation it was the same duck he swallowed 18 months ago. We assumed he'd chewed it up and it had passed through him." Mr Smith said he and his wife Lorraine Fenton were relieved to discover what was making their dog so ill, despite the £1,060 cost of the operation.