Since both the blogosphere and the traditional media is abuzz today with the news about a cyberattack against Georgian official websites presumably organized by Russia (and I have already claimed that I believe the Russian hackers really did not need any special request to get started with the DDoS attack), I thought I’d mention another aspect of the situation that is remotely related to this one and proves my point again.A Russian-language blog reports today another story about Russian bloggers manipulating results of a poll on CNN website to demonstrate what exactly people think here about the conflict between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia.

The story began when CNN decided to carry out a poll where respondents were supposed to answer one simple question: “Do you think Russia’s actions in Georgia are justified?” with two options available: 1) Yes, it’s peacekeeping and 2) No, it’s an invasion.

I believe CNN editors expected to receive opinions from the site’s main target audience (which definitely is not in Russia) but what it received instead were mainly votes from Russia with the first answer getting 92% of votes (or over 329 thousand of people).

How did this happen? Very simple actually. The information about the CNN poll quickly made it to the Russian blogosphere (it is impossible to determine where it all started because of the huge number of posts on the topic) and bloggers started encouraging their readers to go to CNN and vote for the first option. The news was quickly disseminated over an enormous number of the Russian blogs and the results were predictable: 92% supported the official point of view of the Russian government.

The poll is not active any more and no matter how hard I tried I could not find any archive for previous polls on CNN but I hope the screen shot in the beginning of the post is credible enough. I hope no one will suggest here that it was an organized campaign initiated by the governmental authorities in Russia. It just proves once again that Russian people - be it bloggers or hackers - will do exactly what they believe in without any invitation from the government.

Please digg it if you like it

Popularity: 8% [?]

The sites like Cheap car hire Italy, Cheap car hire Pisa airport provides the users with the benefits of hiring cheap car rental services from the Pisa airport to other parts of the country and also with the option of returning the car there. The users have to see the site for the details and fill it up. The details include the options of the number of days the user wants to the hire a car for and the where they would be hiring the same from. The time of the car hire and the drop off also has to be mentioned. The users are then given a comparison of the different companies which rent out the cars and they mention their specific prices on the same basis.

Popularity: 14% [?]

The process of web hosting can be defined as the service which is an internet hosting service. This service helps the individuals and also the various organizations to make their website accessible to others through the medium of the World Wide Web also known as the WWW, which the consumers are familiar with to view various sites. There are many sites which offer the consumers with the web hosting services like web hosting, best budget hosting and best blog hosting. The web hosting companies provide the consumers with the internet space and connectivity and which is usually in a data centre. This space is then used by the clients to make use their site or sites on the World Wide Web. These services are easily available these days both online and at very nominal prices and the consumers can get started with their own websites.

Popularity: 15% [?]

There are many suggestions on the sites like web hosting, cheap web hosting and colocation hosting to deal with the providers who claim to provide cheap web hosting service. One of these suggestions is the bad customers sharing the common server space. The consumers should remember that bandwidth and the disk space have a certain limit. Hence even if a consumer claims that unlimited space is provided there is a restriction on the use of the space. There are various instances where the consumers are tricked in to sharing the space of their servers with other users. The risk here is that another person can easily misuse the space. There are various things which such users can do like getting the site blacklisted by the search engines or try and cause trouble with the loading speed of the site and similar things.

Popularity: 15% [?]

If you are a person who has fallen in this habit of drugs, then you are similar as other celebrities who are famous and have fallen to the same habit as well. Also it has now become common that famous actors are now in a “drug rehab”. Also every week there are speculations about who will be the next actor. However the life of addiction is a complete horror.

The great thing about these rehabs is that they strive on holistic treatment with home like facilities along with excellent treatment facilities. Also there are other teachings as well in the form of yoga, meditation, acupuncture, Also the drug abuse patients are treated with extreme care as if they are in their own house. The treatment aims at complete healing along with healing of the body and the mind. Also these techniques are found to have a positive impact in the lives of the patients.

No single treatment is perfect for a drug addict and hence these rehabs have various methodologies to choose the treatment. As different causes are responsible for the addiction, focus is also given differently here. Also the other facilities like on staff for 24 hours is a must in the drug rehab. Also extremely good care is given here in these centers. Also the treatments are very effective and continuous assessment of the health is given priority. Also follow ups are maintained.

Also general counseling is given to the patients along with other programs like Anger Management and also post counseling systems are also available. Also the person is treated through some of the recreational methods as well. These are very refreshing as well. Also it is seen that the side effects are seen in few people and the processes are there to correct them as well. So it is very necessary that people try to come out of the habit to have full effects of it. A comprehensive program will include individual and group counseling, family counseling to help all family members cope with the problems addiction has caused, and to heal the broken family, as well as substance abuse education and motivation to maintaining a substance-free lifestyle.

Popularity: 25% [?]

TOKYO — A United States court-martial sentenced a marine to four years in prison on Friday for sexually abusing a 14-year-old Japanese girl, ending a case that had deepened anger over the American military presence in japan

The marine, Staff. Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, pleaded guilty to “abusive sexual contact” at the court-martial at Camp Foster in Okinawa, but was cleared of rape, the United States military said. He was also given a dishonorable discharge.

In February, Mr. Hadnott, who was stationed at a base in Okinawa, was arrested after the girl accused him of raping her inside his car. The marine, who had given the girl a ride, denied the accusation but admitted pressing her down and trying to kiss her.

The incident caused widespread anger in Okinawa, home to most of the 40,000 members of the American military based in Japan, and led to protests by Japanese politicians, including Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

On a visit to Japan in February, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice  expressed deep regret over the case.

Japanese anger subsided after the girl, who was criticized in the news media for getting into the car with the marine, withdrew her complaint and Japanese prosecutors dropped the charges against the serviceman.

“Even though he was not prosecuted under the Japanese judicial system, we found that there was enough evidence to prosecute him under the U.S. system,” Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, the commander of the United States forces in Japan, said at a news conference Friday.

The case was one of several involving American servicemen in Japan in recent months. Last month, Olatunbosun Ugbogu, 22, a Navy seaman who had been wanted for deserting his base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, was charged with killing a taxi driver over a dispute about a fare.

Popularity: 68% [?]

Do you love GTA 4? If yes then you should looking for a GTA 4 Cheats to unlock many hidden option in the game. If you are looking for it then I would suggest you to make visit at Cheatmaster.com. They have collections of cheats including GTA 4 Cheats. They provide all cheats for all hidden options in the game. You just need to unblock them by following their instruction. It is very easy to use each instruction. Once you have unblocked it you will enjoy the game.

Here are Cheat Master’s cheats and cheat codes for Grand Theft Auto IV:

• Access Cheats Again
• Adjust Your Wanted Level
• Change Weather & Time of Day
• Easy Cash- GTA 4
• Fire Truck FUN[Easter Egg]
• FREE Game Contest
• Free Taxi Rides
• Friendship Perks
• Health Packs Locations
• Heart of Liberty City
• Hidden Weapons Locations
• Hidden Armor Locations
• Pigeon Locations
• Long-Lasting Fire Truck
• Refill Health, Armor & Ammo
• Spawn Car Codes
• Weapon Batch

I am sure you wouldn’t find any better website then this for GTA 4 Cheats.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Tehran, 6 May (AKI) - A 20-year-old Iranian is due to be executed on Wednesday for a crime he allegedly committed as a teenager despite international efforts to save his life.

Behnoud Shojai was found guilty of murder after allegedly killing another young man in a park in Tehran during a fight three years ago.

He reportedly stabbed the man with a shard of glass after he was threatened with a knife.

Behnoud, 17-years-old at the time of the crime, will be hanged in what is Iran’s second execution of an alleged criminal who was underage at the time of the crime.

On Monday the European parliament asked Iranian authorities to suspend the execution of Behnoud, while Amnesty International has also appealed to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to commute the death sentence.

Iran has ratified international treaties including the convention on the rights of the child, which forbids capital punishment for underage youth who commit crimes.

In Iran young men are considered to be adults from the age of 14 and young women from the age of eight and a half, and therefore responsible for any crimes that they commit.

Last weekend 12 people were hanged in the Iranian cities of Ahwaz, Birjand and Mashhad.

The group was accused of drug trafficking, assault with a weapon and rape.

Last week 80 death sentences were issued by the tribunal in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city, 850 kilometres east of Tehran, said Iran’s privately owned news agency Fars.

Eighty-four people have been executed in Iran since 2008, while 317 people were executed in Iran in 2007.

Iran has one of the highest rates of capital punishment in the world.

A report by Amnesty International says that since 1990, Iran has executed at least 28 child offenders, six of them in 2007.

At least 86 child offenders are currently on death row in Iran, although Amnesty International says this number may be higher as at least a further 15 Afghan child offenders have reportedly been sentenced to death recently

source:http://www.iranfocus.com/en/human-rights/iran-young-man-faces-execution-despite-international-protests.html

Popularity: 74% [?]

The economy grew at its slowest pace for three years during the first quarter because of stuttering growth in the UK services sector.

GDP rose by 0.4 per cent in the first three months of the year, down from a 0.6 per cent increase in the final quarter of 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The annual rate of growth slowed from 2.8 per cent in the fourth quarter to 2.5 per cent in 2008, below expectations of a 2.6 per cent rise.

The credit freeze weighed on the pace of growth in the UK’s services sector, which accounts for about 75 per cent of the country’s GDP. Growth slowed to 0.6 per cent.

Within services, finance and business services were hardest hit, with growth falling from 0.6 per cent to 0.4 per cent in the first quarter.

A weaker performance from mining and quarry firms also offset increases from manufacturers causing industrial output — accounting for 19 per cent of the economy — to shrink by 0.1 per cent in the opening three months of the year.

The Government forecasts that the economy will grow by between 1.75 per cent and 2.25 per cent this year, while most economists are more circumspect in their predictions.

Alan Clarke, UK economist for BNP Paribas, said: “Given the likely reverse in the strength of retail sales combined with continued deterioration elsewhere in the breakdown — particularly financial and real estate — growth is likely to be even slower in the coming quarters.”

The gloomy figures will put more pressure on the Bank of England to consider a rate cut next month to boost the flagging economy.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist for Global Insight, the economic consultancy, said: “We expect the Bank of England to trim interest rates by a further 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent in June, and would not rule out a move as early as May if credit conditions remain tight.”

David Kern, economic adviser of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Whilst the new figures do not signal a recession, they highlight the need for corrective action to ensure that the credit crunch and the squeeze on consumer spending do not worsen the downward pressures on the economy.

“We continue to urge the MPC [Monetary Policy Committee] to announce a modest cut in interest rates to 4.75 per cent in May.”

source: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3814472.ece

Popularity: 84% [?]

Fabio Capello, the England manager, insists David Beckham still has an international future. Capello included Beckham in the England to play France last month, a game in which the midfielder won his 100th cap, and when the former Real Madrid manager was asked whether he would still be a part of his plans come the 2010 World Cup, he gave the one-time England captain plenty of reason for optimism.

“It’s still open,” Capello said. “He [Beckham] played in the last game, he did well against France, and I sometimes go to see him in Los Angeles.”

Despite leaving the door open for Beckham, Capello insisted his selection would be entirely dependent on him maintaining his fitness. He added: “It depends, there are players who at 33 or 34 take good care of themselves, they understand that the body is not as it was and they take more care. It depends a lot on that.”

Since taking on the role in January, Capello has gradually adapted to English life, although he explained he was still adapting to his new role.

“It’s all new for me,” he added. “I was used to working daily with clubs and now it’s different. The job is very different from that of a club coach. At the moment I have only had the opportunity to train for five days. Only five days. I think I am becoming more integrated every day. I need some time, like in all jobs.

“I read a lot, I travel a lot and I see a lot of football. A couple of weeks ago I saw three games in a weekend - one at Tottenham, one in Liverpool and one in Manchester.”

The Italian also said that while his English had now reached a good level, he was reluctant to speak to the press in the language for fear of being misinterpreted. Capello experienced problems with translation in Spain two years ago, when he mistakenly labelled Fernando Torres, then with Atletico Madrid, a ‘tramposo’ - which translates as cheat.

“I can speak English” he added. “But I don’t want to speak English with the press, because if you get a word wrong it can make big headlines. That happened to me in Spain after a Real Madrid versus Atletico match, when I wanted to refer to Torres and asked the Madrid press officer how to say something and he replied ‘tramposo’. That wasn’t exactly what I wanted to say and it caused a tremendous scandal.”

Capello has been impressed with the Premier League since his arrival in England, although he admits the prominence of foreign players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Torres, could pose long-term problems for the national team. Reports today have suggested Capello would like to resurrect the England versus Scotland matches, and he insists the SPL provides a better basis for the national team.

“Some really good football is being played in England. At the moment it is the best league [in Europe], but then you have Arsenal, who play fantastic football and are out of the Champions League,” he said. “Our problem is that we have only 38 per cent of the players. There are Welsh players, Irish and Scots. In Spain and Italy, for example, 70 per cent of the players can be called up.”

The Italian added that the influx of Rafael Benitez and Juande Ramos have helped to improve the standard of football in England and have allied the passion of the Premier League with an improvement in technical ability.

“They have implanted this new philosophy, a new touch system, not only long balls, so that is good for English football,” he added. “Liverpool have never had a player like Torres. He is playing phenomenally well. He could be one of the stars of Euro 2008. He is enjoying a very good spell and he is also finishing better than he did at Atletico Madrid. Fabregas is a brilliant player. He is one of the best midfielders in the world.”

Despite England’s absence from Euroo 2008 this summer, Capello will be keeping one eye on the tournament and has tipped France, Italy and Spain, to win the tournament.

“France have a very good team,” he said. “They have good players and a lot of quality. Italy have a good national team and then there is Spain. I always put them among then favourites. They have a great team.”

source:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article3815024.ece

Popularity: 83% [?]