Arm Exercises for Women Bat Wings or Batwings
Get Rid Of Bat Wings by doing Kettlebell workouts and working out with weights.
Besides, it can be greatly improved by reducing your body fat through diet and cardiovascular exercises and a solid weight training program that features heavier compound movements.
Seated tricep dips, push-ups, bench presses with respectable weight, even some power yoga-type of poses. In general, heavy pushing movements will greatly help, plus you get stronger in the process.
Women who lose weight may develop something known as batwings on the under arm. These flabby patches of skin that do not seem to stop moving when your arm does. There are arm exercises for women that are specially designed to help solve this problem.
Whether you are a novice or someone who has been working out for some time now, the following tips can help you increase muscle in your arms, decrease the excess skin, and just get an overall improvement in strength. You can even include some maneuvers to decrease unsightly belly fat.
Everyone is familiar with Pilates and the exercises using giant blow up balls, but not everyone knows the purpose of them. When you work out with a Pilate ball you are using every muscle you can think of because you are constantly trying to stabilize yourself. Your workouts will be increased in difficulty but well worth the effort.
The first thing you are going to need is a stabilization ball and some free weights or dumbbells that weight 3 to 5 pounds. Make sure you have one for each hand.
With dumbbells in hand sit on the stabilization ball, and once you are settled and secure begin the routine by following these steps:
• Begin the exercise with your upper arms running parallel to the floor. Your lower arms should be perpendicular while the dumbbells are in your hand.
• When you are ready, begin by lifting your upper arms to a position over your head. You will need to be tightening your abs to maintain your balance on the ball. When your arms are overhead make sure that your palms are facing each other while you hold the dumbbells.
• From this position, lower the dumbbells behind your head slowly, bending your elbows so that they are pointing toward the ceiling. Doing this slowly is key as if you go too fast you can hurt yourself and you will also not get a workout.
• With your palms facing each other, slowly lift the dumbbells over your head. Try to get up to doing 10 to 12 repetitions three times. You will find your biceps burn. This proves you are working your muscles. Once the difficulty has lessened advance to heavier weights.
These arm exercises are not hard to do and will get your "batwings" under control finally. If you want to start out slower begin with using just the weights, avoiding using the exercise ball. If this is still too much for you to handle then use less weight.
Once you are ready, you can increase weight, add the exercise ball and increase your repetitions and sets. Keep in mind, however, that with less weight and not using the exercise ball the exercise will be dramatically easier and you will not see results as quickly.
Whatever your needs, be it under arm flab or just wanting to get more strength and tone, these arm exercises for women can help you achieve that goal.
Fitness Equipment
2009-07-31
馬會開錯盤 賭客「及時執死雞」 小保加對AC賠率對調 買齊必贏
馬會開錯盤 賭客「及時執死雞」 小保加對AC賠率對調 買齊必贏
(明報)2009年7月31日 星期五
【明報專訊】馬會發生疑是近年最嚴重的「開錯盤」事故，馬會證實由於人手輸入出錯，令「小保加 對AC米蘭 」賽事的「讓球主客和」主客賠率昨一度調轉。雖然該錯誤10分鐘內已被修正，但本報得悉，有投注者「及時」在雙方投注各4萬元，無論賽事結果為何，都大約會贏2000元至7.2萬元不等。
人手輸入出錯 承諾檢討
馬會昨未有披露有多少顧客藉着此錯誤下注，但承諾檢討輸入程序。
今次已非馬會首次開錯盤，民政事務局 回應說，關注馬會有否採取措施避免開錯盤，會跟進了解事件。
導致馬會「燒鬚」陷必輸尷尬局面的賽事「小保加（主）對AC米蘭（客）」，已於香港時間今日凌晨上演，理論上，馬會昨午12時開盤，但網友「M」指昨晨約11時58分已公布賠率及受注，但他即時發現賠率不妥。
這場球賽，主隊小保加不被看好，故根據馬會「主客和」彩池，小保加及AC米蘭在沒有讓球下的勝出賠率，分別為3倍及2.05倍。但在馬會讓球盤方面，即使小保加受讓1球，其一旦得勝的可獲賠率卻反而高達3.8倍，較不獲讓球的贏波賠率（3倍）更高，這不合情理。
「M」即時想到這是開錯盤，於是立即兩邊也投注，據悉，他先藉着「讓球主客和」的錯誤賠率，以約4萬元買小保加勝（3.8倍）；他又同樣以約4萬元，在傳統主客和買AC米蘭勝（2.05倍）。
據本報分析，此投注組合下馬會必輸——若AC米蘭勝，馬會僅輸約2000元；但若小保加勝或賽和，馬會將會輸接近7.2萬元。「M」下注後，即在網上討論區公開馬會開錯盤，但由於馬會10分鐘內已得悉開錯盤及更正賠率，大部分網友無法趕及仿效「M」雙邊下注。
「M」接受本報查詢時，指從投注者角度，他當然希望馬會「不停出錯」，但他指若以馬會管理層角度，這是一個很嚴重的錯誤，因導致賭客必贏。他又指馬會一年都有幾次開錯盤，但通常發生在「走地波」身上，例如明明其中一隊剛入了一球，但投注領先隊伍最終勝出的賠率，卻往往不會即時下降，致投注者有「着數」。
馬會稱數分鐘內修正 按例照賠
馬會發言人回應時證實，小保加對AC米蘭的讓球主客和一度開錯盤，即是把主隊及客隊勝出的賠率調轉，理由是人手輸入賠率時出錯。但他強調，馬會在很短時間內（數分鐘）已發現及修正錯誤。雖然有人利用此錯誤，以必贏的策略下注，但馬會指會按規例「照賠」。
馬會發言人未肯披露賠率出錯期間有多少人下注，但承認以往亦有開錯盤。馬會表示，會再次檢討現時人手輸入賠率程序的核實機制，希望「做得更好」。
明報記者 陳志偉
馬會拒補回賠率差價 買錯讓球 隨時少賺
馬會拒補回賠率差價 買錯讓球 隨時少賺
(明報)2009年7月31日 星期五
【明報專訊】馬會開錯盤，投注者有得有失。因「聰明」的球迷可分析賠率兩邊均下注造成必贏局面，但另一方面，若有顧客不慎誤買了「讓1球」的AC米蘭 勝，有可能「贏少咗」即蒙受損失，因此時AC米蘭勝出的讓球賠率錯列為1.65倍，遠低於原本應有的3.8倍。
馬會昨回應時堅持，賭客接受賠率才下注，故不會考慮補回賠率差價。但博彩及獎券事務委員會委員何漢權認為，既然賠率出錯是因馬會職員犯錯引起，馬會便應向下注者賠償賠率差價，否則便不公平。民政事務局 指出，政府沒有收過有關馬會足球博彩有限公司「開錯盤」的投訴；但若有投注者對開錯盤不滿，可向博獎會投訴。
馬會開辦賭波以來，以「走地盤」賠率出錯的問題，較受球迷關注。就像約10天前國際米蘭 對阿美利加的賽事中，在阿美利加率先入球後，馬會開出的阿美利加得勝賠率一度仍維持在5.1倍，未有下調，即被網友質疑馬會出錯「益了下注者」。但由於最後兩隊賽和，故馬會未有實際損失。
2009-07-23
HP - Photosmart Multifunction Printer/ Copier/ Scanner
HP - Photosmart Multifunction Printer/ Copier/ Scanner
Model: C4680 | SKU: 9317456
BestBuy.com
This multifunction printer allows you to print, copy and scan with ease whether at home or in the office. Built-in media slots allow you to print photos and documents.
What's Included
* HP Photosmart Multifunction Printer/ Copier/ Scanner
* 1 black ink cartridge, 1 tricolor ink cartridge
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* 3-in-1 functionality
Prints, copies and scans for convenient operations.
* Fast print speeds up to 29 ppm* in black, up to 23 ppm* in color
To generate documents quickly.
* Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi resolution in black
As well as up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi in color for stunning print jobs.
* Multiple print sizes
From 3" x 5" to 8.5" x 30" for flexible print control.
* Built-in card slots
Support Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick Duo and xD-Picture Card formats.
* Copies up to 9 cpm* in black, up to 6.5 cpm* in color
To generate copies quickly.
* Copy resolution up to 1200 x 1200 in black
As well as up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi in color for rich images.
* Flatbed scanner with 48-bit color
Plus a scan resolution up to 1200 dpi optical and up to 1200 x 2400 dpi hardware to reproduce images and documents.
* Prints on a variety of paper
Including plain, photo, envelopes, labels, card stock and transparencies to meet your printing needs.
* 80-sheet input tray
With a 15-sheet output tray to organize your printing.
* High-speed USB connectivity
To quickly interface with your computer.
* *Note: Print speeds vary with use. See mfg. for info on print speeds.
Model: C4680 | SKU: 9317456
BestBuy.com
This multifunction printer allows you to print, copy and scan with ease whether at home or in the office. Built-in media slots allow you to print photos and documents.
What's Included
* HP Photosmart Multifunction Printer/ Copier/ Scanner
* 1 black ink cartridge, 1 tricolor ink cartridge
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* 3-in-1 functionality
Prints, copies and scans for convenient operations.
* Fast print speeds up to 29 ppm* in black, up to 23 ppm* in color
To generate documents quickly.
* Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi resolution in black
As well as up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi in color for stunning print jobs.
* Multiple print sizes
From 3" x 5" to 8.5" x 30" for flexible print control.
* Built-in card slots
Support Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick Duo and xD-Picture Card formats.
* Copies up to 9 cpm* in black, up to 6.5 cpm* in color
To generate copies quickly.
* Copy resolution up to 1200 x 1200 in black
As well as up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi in color for rich images.
* Flatbed scanner with 48-bit color
Plus a scan resolution up to 1200 dpi optical and up to 1200 x 2400 dpi hardware to reproduce images and documents.
* Prints on a variety of paper
Including plain, photo, envelopes, labels, card stock and transparencies to meet your printing needs.
* 80-sheet input tray
With a 15-sheet output tray to organize your printing.
* High-speed USB connectivity
To quickly interface with your computer.
* *Note: Print speeds vary with use. See mfg. for info on print speeds.
Sony - Cyber-shot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Blue
Sony - Cyber-shot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Blue
Model: DSC-W230/L | SKU: 9256663
BestBuy.com
Easily capture special moments with family and friends using this digital camera that features face detection technology and a SteadyShot optical image stabilization for clear, detailed images.
What's Included
* Sony Cyber-shot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera
* Lithium-ion battery
* Picture Motion Browser 4.2 software
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
* 12.1-megapixel CCD
Captures high-resolution images. 1/2.3" Super HAD CCD with BIONZ imaging processor delivers detailed images with low noise and high contrast.
* Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 4x optical zoom/up to 25x digital zoom
Lets you capture sharp, highly detailed long shots. Sony Smart Zoom technology crops into the central portion of interest in your photo, avoiding image degradation.
* 3" Clear Photo LCD screen
For excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.
* SteadyShot optical image stabilization and high sensitivity (ISO 3200)
Minimize blur due to hand shake, low light conditions or times when flash is not possible.
* Dynamic Range Optimization
Preserves image data in bright highlights and reveals more detail in shadows or backlit areas for great results even in difficult lighting conditions.
* Face detection technology
Tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure. Smile Shutter mode allows you to shoot automatically when your subject laughs, smiles or grins.
* Intelligent scene recognition
Automatically recognizes 5 different types of scene conditions and selects the appropriate camera settings.
* Scene modes
Include auto, easy, program auto, high sensitivity, twilight, twilight portrait, soft snap, landscape, beach, snow, fireworks, underwater and gourmet.
* Burst mode
Lets you take up to 100 shots at 1.8 fps so you can capture the best possible image.
* 9-area multipoint autofocus
Evaluates your shot at 9 points for great results, even with off-center subjects. Center and spot auto focus also included for sharper images.
* White balance modes
Including auto, daylight, cloudy, incandescent, flash and 3 fluorescent options achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions.
* Flash modes
Include auto, flash-off and slow synchro for great images no matter what the lighting.
* Color modes
Include vivid, sepia, normal and black-and-white.
* Capture high-quality video clips
MPEG VX fine with audio (640 x 480 at 30 fps), MPEG VX standard with audio (640 x 480 at 16 fps) or presentation (320 x 240 at 8.3 fps).
* 15MB internal memory
Supports Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards (not included).
* >> Store more photos! Find compatible memory cards in our Memory Center!
* PhotoTV HD and PHOTOMUSIC
Let you display high-definition photos and create an HD slideshow with music when connected to your compatible high-definition TV (requires cable, not included).
* PictBridge compatible
Connect your camera to a compatible printer and print photos directly without using a PC.
* Easy shooting mode
Limits the number of settings for beginners or users who want to keep things simple.
* Stamina battery power
Provides extended battery life and shooting capacity when using a fully charged lithium-ion battery (included).
Model: DSC-W230/L | SKU: 9256663
BestBuy.com
Easily capture special moments with family and friends using this digital camera that features face detection technology and a SteadyShot optical image stabilization for clear, detailed images.
What's Included
* Sony Cyber-shot 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera
* Lithium-ion battery
* Picture Motion Browser 4.2 software
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
* 12.1-megapixel CCD
Captures high-resolution images. 1/2.3" Super HAD CCD with BIONZ imaging processor delivers detailed images with low noise and high contrast.
* Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 4x optical zoom/up to 25x digital zoom
Lets you capture sharp, highly detailed long shots. Sony Smart Zoom technology crops into the central portion of interest in your photo, avoiding image degradation.
* 3" Clear Photo LCD screen
For excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.
* SteadyShot optical image stabilization and high sensitivity (ISO 3200)
Minimize blur due to hand shake, low light conditions or times when flash is not possible.
* Dynamic Range Optimization
Preserves image data in bright highlights and reveals more detail in shadows or backlit areas for great results even in difficult lighting conditions.
* Face detection technology
Tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure. Smile Shutter mode allows you to shoot automatically when your subject laughs, smiles or grins.
* Intelligent scene recognition
Automatically recognizes 5 different types of scene conditions and selects the appropriate camera settings.
* Scene modes
Include auto, easy, program auto, high sensitivity, twilight, twilight portrait, soft snap, landscape, beach, snow, fireworks, underwater and gourmet.
* Burst mode
Lets you take up to 100 shots at 1.8 fps so you can capture the best possible image.
* 9-area multipoint autofocus
Evaluates your shot at 9 points for great results, even with off-center subjects. Center and spot auto focus also included for sharper images.
* White balance modes
Including auto, daylight, cloudy, incandescent, flash and 3 fluorescent options achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions.
* Flash modes
Include auto, flash-off and slow synchro for great images no matter what the lighting.
* Color modes
Include vivid, sepia, normal and black-and-white.
* Capture high-quality video clips
MPEG VX fine with audio (640 x 480 at 30 fps), MPEG VX standard with audio (640 x 480 at 16 fps) or presentation (320 x 240 at 8.3 fps).
* 15MB internal memory
Supports Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards (not included).
* >> Store more photos! Find compatible memory cards in our Memory Center!
* PhotoTV HD and PHOTOMUSIC
Let you display high-definition photos and create an HD slideshow with music when connected to your compatible high-definition TV (requires cable, not included).
* PictBridge compatible
Connect your camera to a compatible printer and print photos directly without using a PC.
* Easy shooting mode
Limits the number of settings for beginners or users who want to keep things simple.
* Stamina battery power
Provides extended battery life and shooting capacity when using a fully charged lithium-ion battery (included).
Motorola - 14-Mile, 22-Channel 2-Way Radios with Backlit Display (Pair) - Blue
Motorola - 14-Mile, 22-Channel 2-Way Radios with Backlit Display (Pair) - Blue
Model: SX600R | SKU: 9170078
BestBuy.com
Stay in touch with your group when camping with these 2-way radios that feature a range up to 14 miles. A convenient backlit display lets you use the radios at night.
What's Included
* Motorola 14-Mile, 22-Channel 2-Way Radios with Backlit Display (Pair)
* Dual charger, charging adapter
* 2 battery packs
* 2 belt clips
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
* Up to a 14-mile range
Enables you to keep an open line of communication with your party.
* 22 channels
Offer a wide variety of signals to choose from.
* iVOX
For operating the radios hands-free without the use of a headset.
* 10 call tones
Let you differentiate between members of your party.
* Audible low battery alert
So you know when they radios need to be recharged.
* Backlit display
Lets you operate the radios in the dark.
Kalorik - Sunny Morning 2-Slice Wide Toaster - White/Tangerine
Kalorik - Sunny Morning 2-Slice Wide Toaster - White/Tangerine
Model: TO25908T | SKU: 9373705
BestBuy.com
Brown and toast bread, bagels and more with this 2-slice toaster that features 7° of browning control for precise toasting. A slide-out crumb tray ensures quick and easy cleanup.
What's Included
* Kalorik Sunny Morning 2-Slice Wide Toaster
* 2 matching table mats
* Striped bread basket
* Owner's manual
Product Features
* From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
* 3 functions
Include reheat, defrost and cancel buttons.
* 7° of browning control
For precise, accurate toasting according to your preferences.
* 700W power
Provides efficient toaster operation.
* 2 wide slots
For toasting multiple pieces at once.
* Cool touch exterior
Protects against would-be burns.
* Slide-out crumb tray
For quick and easy cleanup after toasting.
* Auto pop-up and high-lift lever
Make it easy to get toasted foods out of the toaster.
* Automatic shutoff
Turns the toaster off if you forget to for added safety.
* Cord storage
Tucks the cord away for a clutter-free toasting area.
2009-04-27
Swine flu fears prompt quarantine plans, pork bans
Swine flu fears prompt quarantine plans, pork bans
By Frank Jordans, Associated Press Writer
4/26
Drugstores Online
GENEVA – Countries planned quarantines, tightened rules on pork imports and tested airline passengers for fevers as global health officials tried Sunday to come up with uniform ways to battle a deadly strain of swine flu. Nations from New Zealand to France reported new suspected cases and some warned citizens against travel to North America.
World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan held teleconferences with staff and flu experts around the world but stopped short of recommending specific measures to halt the disease beyond urging governments to step up their surveillance of suspicious outbreaks.
Governments including China, Russia and Taiwan began planning to put anyone with symptoms of the deadly virus under quarantine.
Others were increasing their screening of pigs and pork imports from the Americas or banning them outright despite health officials' reassurances that it was safe to eat thoroughly cooked pork.
Some nations issued travel warnings for Mexico and the United States.
Chan called the outbreak a public health emergency of "pandemic potential" because the virus can pass from human to human.
Her agency was considering whether to issue nonbinding recommendations on travel and trade restrictions, and even border closures. It is up to governments to decide whether to follow the advice.
"Countries are encouraged to do anything that they feel would be a precautionary measure," WHO spokeswoman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi said. "All countries need to enhance their monitoring."
New Zealand said that 10 students who took a school trip to Mexico "likely" had swine flu. Israel said a man who had recently visited Mexico had been hospitalized while authorities try to determine whether he had the disease. French Health Ministry officials said four possible cases of swine flu are currently under investigation, including a family of three in the northern Nord region and a woman in the Paris region. The four recently returned from Mexico. Tests on two separate cases of suspected swine flu proved negative, they said.
Spain's Health Ministry said three people who just returned from Mexico were under observation in hospitals in the northern Basque region, in southeastern Albacete and the Mediterranean port city of Valencia.
Mexico closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in a bid to contain the outbreak after hundreds were sickened there. In the U.S., there have been at least 11 confirmed cases of swine flu in California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50. At least two were hospitalized. All recovered or are recovering.
New York health officials said more than 100 students at the St. Francis Preparatory School, in Queens, recently began suffering a fever, sore throat and aches and pains. Some of their relatives also have been ill.
Some St. Francis students had recently traveled to Mexico, The New York Times and New York Post reported Sunday.
Preliminary tests of samples taken from sick students' noses and throats confirmed that at least eight had a non-human strain of influenza type A, indicating probable cases of swine flu, city health officials said. The exact subtypes were still unknown, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was conducting further tests.
Hong Kong and Taiwan said visitors who came back from flu-affected areas with fevers would be quarantined. China said anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two weeks of arrival an affected area had to report to authorities. A Russian health agency said any passenger from North America running a fever would be quarantined until cause of the fever is determined.
Tokyo's Narita airport installed a device to test the temperatures of passengers arriving from Mexico.
Indonesia increased surveillance at all entry points for travelers with flu-like symptoms — using devices at airports that were put in place years ago to monitor for severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and bird flu. It said it was ready to quarantine suspected victims if necessary.
Hong Kong and South Korea warned against travel to the Mexican capital and three affected provinces. Italy, Poland and Venezuela also advised their citizens to postpone travel to affected areas of Mexico and the United States.
Symptoms of the flu-like illness include a fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), body aches, coughing, a sore throat, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.
At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by the disease in Mexico, according to the WHO.
The virus is usually contracted through direct contact with pigs, but Joseph Domenech, chief of animal health service at U.N. Food and Agriculture Agency in Rome, said all indications were that the virus is being spread through human-to-human transmission.
No vaccine specifically protects against swine flu, and it is unclear how much protection current human flu vaccines might offer.
Russia banned the import of meat products from Mexico, California, Texans and Kansas. South Korea said it would increase the number of its influenza virus checks on pork products from Mexico and the U.S.
Serbia on Saturday banned all imports of pork from North America, despite reassurances from the FAO that pigs appear not to be the immediate source of infection.
Italy's agriculture lobby, Coldiretti, warned against panic reaction, noting that farmers lost hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) because of consumers boycotts during the 2001 mad cow scare and the 2005 bird flu outbreak.
Japanese Agriculture Minister Shigeru Ishiba appeared on TV to calm consumers, saying it was safe to eat pork.
In Egypt, health authorities were examining about 350,000 pigs being raised in Cairo and other provinces for swine flu.
The WHO's pandemic alert level is currently at to phase 3. The organization said the level could be raised to phase 4 if the virus shows sustained ability to pass from human to human.
Phase 5 would be reached if the virus is found in at least two countries in the same region.
"The declaration of phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short," WHO said.
Phase 6 would indicate a full-scale global pandemic.
____
Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
By Frank Jordans, Associated Press Writer
4/26
Drugstores Online
GENEVA – Countries planned quarantines, tightened rules on pork imports and tested airline passengers for fevers as global health officials tried Sunday to come up with uniform ways to battle a deadly strain of swine flu. Nations from New Zealand to France reported new suspected cases and some warned citizens against travel to North America.
World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan held teleconferences with staff and flu experts around the world but stopped short of recommending specific measures to halt the disease beyond urging governments to step up their surveillance of suspicious outbreaks.
Governments including China, Russia and Taiwan began planning to put anyone with symptoms of the deadly virus under quarantine.
Others were increasing their screening of pigs and pork imports from the Americas or banning them outright despite health officials' reassurances that it was safe to eat thoroughly cooked pork.
Some nations issued travel warnings for Mexico and the United States.
Chan called the outbreak a public health emergency of "pandemic potential" because the virus can pass from human to human.
Her agency was considering whether to issue nonbinding recommendations on travel and trade restrictions, and even border closures. It is up to governments to decide whether to follow the advice.
"Countries are encouraged to do anything that they feel would be a precautionary measure," WHO spokeswoman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi said. "All countries need to enhance their monitoring."
New Zealand said that 10 students who took a school trip to Mexico "likely" had swine flu. Israel said a man who had recently visited Mexico had been hospitalized while authorities try to determine whether he had the disease. French Health Ministry officials said four possible cases of swine flu are currently under investigation, including a family of three in the northern Nord region and a woman in the Paris region. The four recently returned from Mexico. Tests on two separate cases of suspected swine flu proved negative, they said.
Spain's Health Ministry said three people who just returned from Mexico were under observation in hospitals in the northern Basque region, in southeastern Albacete and the Mediterranean port city of Valencia.
Mexico closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in a bid to contain the outbreak after hundreds were sickened there. In the U.S., there have been at least 11 confirmed cases of swine flu in California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50. At least two were hospitalized. All recovered or are recovering.
New York health officials said more than 100 students at the St. Francis Preparatory School, in Queens, recently began suffering a fever, sore throat and aches and pains. Some of their relatives also have been ill.
Some St. Francis students had recently traveled to Mexico, The New York Times and New York Post reported Sunday.
Preliminary tests of samples taken from sick students' noses and throats confirmed that at least eight had a non-human strain of influenza type A, indicating probable cases of swine flu, city health officials said. The exact subtypes were still unknown, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was conducting further tests.
Hong Kong and Taiwan said visitors who came back from flu-affected areas with fevers would be quarantined. China said anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two weeks of arrival an affected area had to report to authorities. A Russian health agency said any passenger from North America running a fever would be quarantined until cause of the fever is determined.
Tokyo's Narita airport installed a device to test the temperatures of passengers arriving from Mexico.
Indonesia increased surveillance at all entry points for travelers with flu-like symptoms — using devices at airports that were put in place years ago to monitor for severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and bird flu. It said it was ready to quarantine suspected victims if necessary.
Hong Kong and South Korea warned against travel to the Mexican capital and three affected provinces. Italy, Poland and Venezuela also advised their citizens to postpone travel to affected areas of Mexico and the United States.
Symptoms of the flu-like illness include a fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), body aches, coughing, a sore throat, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.
At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by the disease in Mexico, according to the WHO.
The virus is usually contracted through direct contact with pigs, but Joseph Domenech, chief of animal health service at U.N. Food and Agriculture Agency in Rome, said all indications were that the virus is being spread through human-to-human transmission.
No vaccine specifically protects against swine flu, and it is unclear how much protection current human flu vaccines might offer.
Russia banned the import of meat products from Mexico, California, Texans and Kansas. South Korea said it would increase the number of its influenza virus checks on pork products from Mexico and the U.S.
Serbia on Saturday banned all imports of pork from North America, despite reassurances from the FAO that pigs appear not to be the immediate source of infection.
Italy's agriculture lobby, Coldiretti, warned against panic reaction, noting that farmers lost hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) because of consumers boycotts during the 2001 mad cow scare and the 2005 bird flu outbreak.
Japanese Agriculture Minister Shigeru Ishiba appeared on TV to calm consumers, saying it was safe to eat pork.
In Egypt, health authorities were examining about 350,000 pigs being raised in Cairo and other provinces for swine flu.
The WHO's pandemic alert level is currently at to phase 3. The organization said the level could be raised to phase 4 if the virus shows sustained ability to pass from human to human.
Phase 5 would be reached if the virus is found in at least two countries in the same region.
"The declaration of phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short," WHO said.
Phase 6 would indicate a full-scale global pandemic.
____
Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
Swine flu confirmed in NYC high school students
Swine flu confirmed in NYC high school students
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer
4/26
NEW YORK – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that students at a city high school were infected with swine flu.
New York officials previously had said they were eight "probable" cases, but tests later confirmed that it was indeed swine flu. Bloomberg stressed that the cases were mild and many are recovering.
The city is awaiting the tests of additional samples to see if more St. Francis Preparatory School students were infected.
About 100 students complained of flu-like symptoms at the school. Some students went to Cancun on a spring break trip two weeks ago.
Health Food
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer
4/26
NEW YORK – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that students at a city high school were infected with swine flu.
New York officials previously had said they were eight "probable" cases, but tests later confirmed that it was indeed swine flu. Bloomberg stressed that the cases were mild and many are recovering.
The city is awaiting the tests of additional samples to see if more St. Francis Preparatory School students were infected.
About 100 students complained of flu-like symptoms at the school. Some students went to Cancun on a spring break trip two weeks ago.
Health Food
2009-03-16
Millions in AIG bonuses draw chorus of outrage
Millions in AIG bonuses draw chorus of outrage
3/16
Insurance Quotes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of the White House economic team and the Senate's top Republican bellowed about bonuses at a bailed-out insurance giant and pledged to prevent such payments in the future.
From one Sunday talk show to the next, they tore into the contracts that American International Group asserted had to be honored, to the tune of about $165 million and payable to executives by Sunday — part of a larger total payout reportedly valued at $450 million. The company has benefited from more than $170 billion in a federal rescue.
AIG has agreed to Obama administration requests to restrain future payments. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner pressed the president's case with AIG's chairman, Edward Liddy, last week.
"He stepped in and berated them, got them to reduce the bonuses following every legal means he has to do this," said Austan Goolsbee, staff director of President Barack Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board.
"I don't know why they would follow a policy that's really not sensible, is obviously going to ignite the ire of millions of people, and we've done exactly what we can do to prevent this kind of thing from happening again," Goolsbee said.
Added Lawrence Summers, Obama's top economic adviser: "The easy thing would be to just say ... off with their heads, violate the contracts. But you have to think about the consequences of breaking contracts for the overall system of law, for the overall financial system."
Summers said Geithner used all his power, "both legal and moral, to reduce the level of these bonus payments."
The Democratic administration's argument about the sanctity of contracts was more than Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky could bear.
"For them to simply sit there and blame it on the previous administration or claim contract — we all know that contracts are valid in this country, but they need to be looked at," McConnell said. "Did they enter into these contracts knowing full well that, as a practical matter, the taxpayers of the United States were going to be reimbursing their employees? Particularly employees who got them into this mess in the first place? I think it's an outrage."
In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke did not address the bonuses but expressed his frustration with the AIG intervention.
"It makes me angry. I slammed the phone more than a few times on discussing AIG," Bernanke said. "It's — it's just absolutely — I understand why the American people are angry. It's absolutely unfair that taxpayer dollars are going to prop up a company that made these terrible bets — that was operating out of the sight of regulators, but which we have no choice but to stabilize, or else risk enormous impact, not just in the financial system, but on the whole U.S. economy."
AIG reported this month that it had lost $61.7 billion for the fourth quarter of last year, the largest corporate loss in history.
In a letter to Geithner dated Saturday, Liddy said outside lawyers had informed the company that AIG had contractual obligations to make the bonus payments and could face lawsuits if it did not do so.
Liddy said in his letter that "quite frankly, AIG's hands are tied," although he said that in light of the company's current situation he found it "distasteful and difficult" to recommend going forward with the payments.
Liddy said the company had entered into the bonus agreements in early 2008 before AIG got into severe financial straits and was forced to obtain a government bailout last fall.
The bulk of the payments at issue cover AIG Financial Products, the unit of the company that sold credit default swaps, the risky contracts that caused massive losses for the insurer.
Goolsbee acknowledged the AIG example could make it harder to sell the administration's financial plan to Congress.
"Yes, you worry about that backlash. But you're also angry that this would happen at an institution that has been so troubled and you're trying to save. So I think that's perfectly fair," he said.
Goolsbee appeared on "Fox News Sunday," and Summers was on CBS' "Face the Nation" and ABC's "This Week," where McConnell also was interviewed.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
3/16
Insurance Quotes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of the White House economic team and the Senate's top Republican bellowed about bonuses at a bailed-out insurance giant and pledged to prevent such payments in the future.
From one Sunday talk show to the next, they tore into the contracts that American International Group asserted had to be honored, to the tune of about $165 million and payable to executives by Sunday — part of a larger total payout reportedly valued at $450 million. The company has benefited from more than $170 billion in a federal rescue.
AIG has agreed to Obama administration requests to restrain future payments. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner pressed the president's case with AIG's chairman, Edward Liddy, last week.
"He stepped in and berated them, got them to reduce the bonuses following every legal means he has to do this," said Austan Goolsbee, staff director of President Barack Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board.
"I don't know why they would follow a policy that's really not sensible, is obviously going to ignite the ire of millions of people, and we've done exactly what we can do to prevent this kind of thing from happening again," Goolsbee said.
Added Lawrence Summers, Obama's top economic adviser: "The easy thing would be to just say ... off with their heads, violate the contracts. But you have to think about the consequences of breaking contracts for the overall system of law, for the overall financial system."
Summers said Geithner used all his power, "both legal and moral, to reduce the level of these bonus payments."
The Democratic administration's argument about the sanctity of contracts was more than Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky could bear.
"For them to simply sit there and blame it on the previous administration or claim contract — we all know that contracts are valid in this country, but they need to be looked at," McConnell said. "Did they enter into these contracts knowing full well that, as a practical matter, the taxpayers of the United States were going to be reimbursing their employees? Particularly employees who got them into this mess in the first place? I think it's an outrage."
In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke did not address the bonuses but expressed his frustration with the AIG intervention.
"It makes me angry. I slammed the phone more than a few times on discussing AIG," Bernanke said. "It's — it's just absolutely — I understand why the American people are angry. It's absolutely unfair that taxpayer dollars are going to prop up a company that made these terrible bets — that was operating out of the sight of regulators, but which we have no choice but to stabilize, or else risk enormous impact, not just in the financial system, but on the whole U.S. economy."
AIG reported this month that it had lost $61.7 billion for the fourth quarter of last year, the largest corporate loss in history.
In a letter to Geithner dated Saturday, Liddy said outside lawyers had informed the company that AIG had contractual obligations to make the bonus payments and could face lawsuits if it did not do so.
Liddy said in his letter that "quite frankly, AIG's hands are tied," although he said that in light of the company's current situation he found it "distasteful and difficult" to recommend going forward with the payments.
Liddy said the company had entered into the bonus agreements in early 2008 before AIG got into severe financial straits and was forced to obtain a government bailout last fall.
The bulk of the payments at issue cover AIG Financial Products, the unit of the company that sold credit default swaps, the risky contracts that caused massive losses for the insurer.
Goolsbee acknowledged the AIG example could make it harder to sell the administration's financial plan to Congress.
"Yes, you worry about that backlash. But you're also angry that this would happen at an institution that has been so troubled and you're trying to save. So I think that's perfectly fair," he said.
Goolsbee appeared on "Fox News Sunday," and Summers was on CBS' "Face the Nation" and ABC's "This Week," where McConnell also was interviewed.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
2009-03-13
北京猿人再老20萬歲 最新測年法技術發現
北京猿人再老20萬歲 最新測年法技術發現
3月13日 星期五
Charles Darwin The Theory Of Evolution
【明報專訊】北京 猿人較之前所知「老」了20多萬歲！中國科學家採用最新測年法技術發現，周口店北京猿人生活在距今約77萬年前，這比之前認為的50萬年前說法，提早了20多萬年，顯示北京猿人可在冰河時期的寒冷環境下繁衍生息。
研究刊登在最新一期《自然》雜誌上。研究負責人、南京師範大學地理科學學院沈冠軍教授說，這次他採用了一種名為「鋁鈹埋藏測年法」的技術，對北京猿人發現地——周口店第1地點的石英砂和石英質石製品進行了測量，測定結果為距今77萬年，誤差8萬年。
小冰河時期 古猿人仍能生存
美國 學者評論說，最新測定成果，將北京猿人的生存時間推向了一個更寒冷的年代。與大約50萬年前相比，77萬年前地球要寒冷許多，那時正處於一個小冰河時期。新測定結果將使學術界對古猿人在寒冷氣候下的生存能力，有新的認識，還為研究北京猿人用火等問題提供了線索。
沈冠軍說，目前在人類起源問題上，「非洲 起源說」和「中國古人類自成體系說」也存在爭議，這次將北京猿人生存時間推前，總體有利於中國古人類自成體系的假說，有助在東亞建立一個更可信的人類進化年表。
世上不少考古遺址多用鉀氬法測定年代，但中國的考古遺址中缺少這一方法所需的火山灰。今次沈教授所採用的鋁鈹埋藏測年法，可填補中國考古研究的技術空白。沈冠軍說，將採用該測年法，研究重慶巫山龍骨坡、河北泥河灣等古人類遺址的年代。
新華社 /路透社
Man survives Niagara Falls plunge
Man survives Niagara Falls plunge
BBC NEWS
2009/03/12
Travel Agency
A man has survived despite plunging 180ft (55m) over Niagara Falls and spending 45 minutes in freezing waters resisting his rescuers.
The unnamed man was seen by tourists to scale a wall and leap into the rapids above the falls.
Shortly afterwards he was spotted in the water near the base of the falls clinging to a log.
The man was eventually pulled from the icy waters and taken to hospital with hypothermia and a head injury.
Canadian officials said he was in a critical condition.
Rescue team
A specially trained falls rescue team had rushed to the man's aid after receiving reports of him going over the Horseshoe Falls, one of Niagara's three waterfalls.
However, the man - who was naked - swam away from them toward the middle of the river, police said.
A private helicopter was called in and used the force of its rotor blades to blow him closer to shore.
Firefighter Todd Brunning and another rescue worker then swam about 60 yards, grabbed the man and pulled him to safety, officials said.
Mr Brunning said the man was conscious but unable to talk.
“ It appeared he didn't want to come into shore. I thought he was an idiot to be honest with you ”
Witness Phil Richmond
Local resident Phil Richmond, who witnessed the rescue, told The Toronto Star that the man clearly didn't want to be saved.
"It appeared he didn't want to come into shore. I thought he was an idiot to be honest with you," he said.
"It looked like he was swimming, like he was one of those polar bear nuts who swim naked. I didn't realise he had gone over the falls."
It is against Canadian law to go over Niagara Falls, but police would not say if the man would be charged.
Very few people who have been swept over the falls have survived.
In 2003, American tourist Kirk Jones plunged over the Horseshoe Falls in what he claimed was "a spur of the moment act", and lived.
In 1960 a seven-year-old boy also survived the fall after the boat he was in capsized upstream.
BBC NEWS
2009/03/12
Travel Agency
A man has survived despite plunging 180ft (55m) over Niagara Falls and spending 45 minutes in freezing waters resisting his rescuers.
The unnamed man was seen by tourists to scale a wall and leap into the rapids above the falls.
Shortly afterwards he was spotted in the water near the base of the falls clinging to a log.
The man was eventually pulled from the icy waters and taken to hospital with hypothermia and a head injury.
Canadian officials said he was in a critical condition.
Rescue team
A specially trained falls rescue team had rushed to the man's aid after receiving reports of him going over the Horseshoe Falls, one of Niagara's three waterfalls.
However, the man - who was naked - swam away from them toward the middle of the river, police said.
A private helicopter was called in and used the force of its rotor blades to blow him closer to shore.
Firefighter Todd Brunning and another rescue worker then swam about 60 yards, grabbed the man and pulled him to safety, officials said.
Mr Brunning said the man was conscious but unable to talk.
“ It appeared he didn't want to come into shore. I thought he was an idiot to be honest with you ”
Witness Phil Richmond
Local resident Phil Richmond, who witnessed the rescue, told The Toronto Star that the man clearly didn't want to be saved.
"It appeared he didn't want to come into shore. I thought he was an idiot to be honest with you," he said.
"It looked like he was swimming, like he was one of those polar bear nuts who swim naked. I didn't realise he had gone over the falls."
It is against Canadian law to go over Niagara Falls, but police would not say if the man would be charged.
Very few people who have been swept over the falls have survived.
In 2003, American tourist Kirk Jones plunged over the Horseshoe Falls in what he claimed was "a spur of the moment act", and lived.
In 1960 a seven-year-old boy also survived the fall after the boat he was in capsized upstream.
Are Google's Behavior-Based Ads a New Privacy Concern?
Search Engines
Are Google's Behavior-Based Ads a New Privacy Concern?
By Nicholas Kolakowski
2009-03-12
Google Adsense
Google’s new interest-based advertising may lead to increased revenues for the search company, but privacy advocates have a list of new concerns for Google. Yahoo and other search-engine companies already use a variant of this sort of advertising, called “behavioral targeting,” in order to increase their advertisers’ chances of success. However, now that Google has entered the mix, privacy advocates fear they have more to worry about.
Google has raised privacy concerns with its newly launched interest-based advertising, which displays ads based on users' previous searches and page views. Also known as "behavioral targeting" or "online behavioral targeting," the method has privacy advocates up in arms over Google collecting massive amounts of user data.
While search engines use this type of technology, the fact that Google is now testing it has raised additional privacy concerns from those that see the search engine giant as already collecting too much personal information on its users. However, some others are defending Google, saying the company already has controls in place to control how personal data is used and collected.
The new Google advertising system, currently in beta, links "categories of interest" to the user’s browser, allowing targeted ads to appear even when the user is looking at a page totally unrelated to the ad’s subject matter. For example, someone who has spent months looking at pages about mini-notebooks will find ads for mini-notebooks appearing even when they’re on a site unrelated to PCs.
Google’s search rival Yahoo has already introduced its own application based on behavioral targeting, called Search Retargeting, which focuses display advertising based on users’ search histories. Search Retargeting, announced on Feb. 24, was anticipated by analysts as having the potential to draw massive privacy protests, but pushback from privacy advocates so far seems minimal.
For years, search engine companies have struggled to reassure the public that whatever information they collect is not being abused. This has led to much hand wringing about how long they should retain user data.
On Dec. 17, Yahoo announced that it could cleanse its system of user log data within 90 days. By contrast, Google has publicly stated that its data retention time is nine months.
Resource Library:
Nicole Wong, deputy general counsel for Google, argued in a blog posting on March 11 that the privacy policy behind the company’s interest-based ads provided "meaningful transparency and choice," with the company drawing a line at data-mining potentially sensitive categories for ad revenue.
"To provide greater privacy protections to users, we will not serve interest-based ads based on sensitive interest categories," she wrote. "For example, we don’t have health status interest categories or interest categories designed for children."
Users will be able access the individual interest categories associated with their browser via a tool called Ad Preferences Manager and add or delete specific ones.
"Access to the profile is something we’ve been promoting for years, and what we’ve been hearing from companies is that it would be too difficult for consumers; Google has essentially disproved that," Alissa Cooper, chief computer scientist for the Center for Democracy and Technology, said in an interview. "On the ad profile and ad access front, they’ve moved the ball forward."
Cooper also believes, though, that Google could stand to buttress its privacy protection in other areas – particularly with regard to its cookies. At the moment, Google users have the ability to delete their interest-based advertising cookie for the AdSense partner network, curtailing Google’s tracking; but there’s a catch.
"The cookie is only specific to the ads that Google is serving," Cooper said, which still leaves users potentially open to other search engines that utilize cookies for behavioral tracking.
And even though there are plans to label the ads provided by Google on the AdSense partner network and YouTube with information on how those ads are served, Cooper feels those labels could be more intensive.
"They talked about labeling the ads, which is something we’ve been talking about for a long time, and a link on the ad is a good idea," Cooper adds. "But it’s unclear about whether having an ad with a link that says, 'Ad by Google' will be effective for people wanting to see how they can defend their privacy."
Some analysts believe that Google is doing an effective job of being cautious with users' privacy.
Berin Szoka, a fellow at The Progress & Freedom Foundation and director of the Center for Internet Freedom, suggests that Google’s piling-on by some privacy advocates could be somewhat unwarranted, and that the company gives "consumers more granular control over their own privacy preferences by developing better tools."
"Because these services [and their competitors] are all free, Google has to compete in what economists call 'non-price terms'—such as privacy," Szoka wrote in a research report distributed on March 11. "So, Google has a lot to lose by alienating its users and a lot to gain by being seen as a leader in privacy protection."
"It’s no accident that Google was a late-comer to the OBA [Online Behavioral Advertising] market, lagging behind Yahoo in particular," Szoka added in the paper. "The most likely reason Google has taken its time in rolling out an OBA product is that Google is subject to a unique level of scrutiny by privacy advocates by virtue of its size. Being the 'big kid on the block,' Google has to be especially careful not to appear to be 'Big Brother.'"
Even if Google has no interest in becoming Big Brother, it still seems focused on becoming truly big.
Despite CEO Eric Schmidt’s announcement, at Morgan Stanley Technology Conference in San Francisco on March 3, that Google was "not immune" from "very, very tough" economic conditions, the company seems determined to push into new and untested areas.
Schmidt also decided to push Google to the forefront of the U.S. renewable energy debate, arguing that his company has a clean energy plan that will cut greenhouse-gas emissions in half by 2030.
On March 11, Google announced the release of Google Voice, an application that not only consolidates all of a user’s phones onto a single number, but also transcribes voicemail and makes it available for download.
Google Voice is an updated version of GrandCentral, a service that Google acquired in July 2007.
Earlier in March, Google unveiled new features for its Google Health solution, which now allows users to share their public medical profiles with trusted contacts.
Are Google's Behavior-Based Ads a New Privacy Concern?
By Nicholas Kolakowski
2009-03-12
Google Adsense
Google’s new interest-based advertising may lead to increased revenues for the search company, but privacy advocates have a list of new concerns for Google. Yahoo and other search-engine companies already use a variant of this sort of advertising, called “behavioral targeting,” in order to increase their advertisers’ chances of success. However, now that Google has entered the mix, privacy advocates fear they have more to worry about.
Google has raised privacy concerns with its newly launched interest-based advertising, which displays ads based on users' previous searches and page views. Also known as "behavioral targeting" or "online behavioral targeting," the method has privacy advocates up in arms over Google collecting massive amounts of user data.
While search engines use this type of technology, the fact that Google is now testing it has raised additional privacy concerns from those that see the search engine giant as already collecting too much personal information on its users. However, some others are defending Google, saying the company already has controls in place to control how personal data is used and collected.
The new Google advertising system, currently in beta, links "categories of interest" to the user’s browser, allowing targeted ads to appear even when the user is looking at a page totally unrelated to the ad’s subject matter. For example, someone who has spent months looking at pages about mini-notebooks will find ads for mini-notebooks appearing even when they’re on a site unrelated to PCs.
Google’s search rival Yahoo has already introduced its own application based on behavioral targeting, called Search Retargeting, which focuses display advertising based on users’ search histories. Search Retargeting, announced on Feb. 24, was anticipated by analysts as having the potential to draw massive privacy protests, but pushback from privacy advocates so far seems minimal.
For years, search engine companies have struggled to reassure the public that whatever information they collect is not being abused. This has led to much hand wringing about how long they should retain user data.
On Dec. 17, Yahoo announced that it could cleanse its system of user log data within 90 days. By contrast, Google has publicly stated that its data retention time is nine months.
Resource Library:
Nicole Wong, deputy general counsel for Google, argued in a blog posting on March 11 that the privacy policy behind the company’s interest-based ads provided "meaningful transparency and choice," with the company drawing a line at data-mining potentially sensitive categories for ad revenue.
"To provide greater privacy protections to users, we will not serve interest-based ads based on sensitive interest categories," she wrote. "For example, we don’t have health status interest categories or interest categories designed for children."
Users will be able access the individual interest categories associated with their browser via a tool called Ad Preferences Manager and add or delete specific ones.
"Access to the profile is something we’ve been promoting for years, and what we’ve been hearing from companies is that it would be too difficult for consumers; Google has essentially disproved that," Alissa Cooper, chief computer scientist for the Center for Democracy and Technology, said in an interview. "On the ad profile and ad access front, they’ve moved the ball forward."
Cooper also believes, though, that Google could stand to buttress its privacy protection in other areas – particularly with regard to its cookies. At the moment, Google users have the ability to delete their interest-based advertising cookie for the AdSense partner network, curtailing Google’s tracking; but there’s a catch.
"The cookie is only specific to the ads that Google is serving," Cooper said, which still leaves users potentially open to other search engines that utilize cookies for behavioral tracking.
And even though there are plans to label the ads provided by Google on the AdSense partner network and YouTube with information on how those ads are served, Cooper feels those labels could be more intensive.
"They talked about labeling the ads, which is something we’ve been talking about for a long time, and a link on the ad is a good idea," Cooper adds. "But it’s unclear about whether having an ad with a link that says, 'Ad by Google' will be effective for people wanting to see how they can defend their privacy."
Some analysts believe that Google is doing an effective job of being cautious with users' privacy.
Berin Szoka, a fellow at The Progress & Freedom Foundation and director of the Center for Internet Freedom, suggests that Google’s piling-on by some privacy advocates could be somewhat unwarranted, and that the company gives "consumers more granular control over their own privacy preferences by developing better tools."
"Because these services [and their competitors] are all free, Google has to compete in what economists call 'non-price terms'—such as privacy," Szoka wrote in a research report distributed on March 11. "So, Google has a lot to lose by alienating its users and a lot to gain by being seen as a leader in privacy protection."
"It’s no accident that Google was a late-comer to the OBA [Online Behavioral Advertising] market, lagging behind Yahoo in particular," Szoka added in the paper. "The most likely reason Google has taken its time in rolling out an OBA product is that Google is subject to a unique level of scrutiny by privacy advocates by virtue of its size. Being the 'big kid on the block,' Google has to be especially careful not to appear to be 'Big Brother.'"
Even if Google has no interest in becoming Big Brother, it still seems focused on becoming truly big.
Despite CEO Eric Schmidt’s announcement, at Morgan Stanley Technology Conference in San Francisco on March 3, that Google was "not immune" from "very, very tough" economic conditions, the company seems determined to push into new and untested areas.
Schmidt also decided to push Google to the forefront of the U.S. renewable energy debate, arguing that his company has a clean energy plan that will cut greenhouse-gas emissions in half by 2030.
On March 11, Google announced the release of Google Voice, an application that not only consolidates all of a user’s phones onto a single number, but also transcribes voicemail and makes it available for download.
Google Voice is an updated version of GrandCentral, a service that Google acquired in July 2007.
Earlier in March, Google unveiled new features for its Google Health solution, which now allows users to share their public medical profiles with trusted contacts.
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