Saturday, July 31, 2010

Apple purges thousands of voluptuous apps from app store to purify up code

Apple has purged more than 5,000 "overtly sexual" applications after receiving complaints from parents and software developers that they are crowding out the popular App store.

However, the move has provoked fury among smaller developers who point out that similar risque content from bigger brands has not been banned.

Enlarge sports illustrated appEnlarge beach app

The Sports Illustrated Apps (left) have been allowed to continue in the Apple store, despite thousands, including the Simply Beach App (right), being banned

The Apple App store has been a major draw for customers, with three billion Apps downloaded since it launched in July 2008.

There are now 140,000 software applications,most costing no more than a couple of pounds. They vary fromtime-wasting games to digital books and useful tools.

Then last week, Apple e-mailed a number of developers telling them their Apps were being removed as they did not conform with new content guidelines.

One such app is called Wobble iBoobs, where users can "wobble" parts of a bikini-clad model.

Its developer Jon Atherton said the Apple removal notice noted:"We have recently received numerous complaints from our customers aboutthis type of content and have changed our guidelines appropriately.

wobble

The Wobble iBoob application was one of more than 5,000 to be taken down from the Apple store over the weekend

"We have decided to remove any overtly sexual content from the App Store, which includes your application."

When asked for more specific guidelines Mr Atherton said he was told no images of women in bikinis would be allowed.

This was backed up by the British developers of the "Simply Beach" App.

They were surprised when the computer pulled their online shopping application because its pictures of girls in kaftans and bikinis were deemed too risque.

Managing director Gerrard Dennis said: "You can see much worse at your local swimming pool.

"I hope that the women who buy and wear our products do feel sexy in them, but it"s not the sort of thing men would download in order to ogle.

"The e-mail arrived straight to a junk mail folder on Friday and at first we thought it was a spam joke.

"We then checked iTunes to find the App had in fact been removed. It seems like political correctness gone mad."

Apple executive Phil Schiller said they had removed around three percent of the Apps as they were unsuitable for family viewing and theyhad "to put the needs of the kids and parents first".

More...Microsoft forced to offer Windows users choice of web browsers

Strangely, a number of "sexy" applications featuring scantily-clad models from Sports Illustrated have not been banned.

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When challenged about this inconsistency, Mr Schilling said the source of the App was also taken into consideration.

"Thedifference is this is a well-known company with previously publishedmaterial available broadly in a well-accepted format," he told the New York Times.

Analysts said Apple are making sure the App Store doesn"t scare off new customers as their products go mainstream.

They are hoping their new iPad tablet computer will be a family product and used as an educational tool.

Gene Munster, ananalyst at Piper Jaffray, said: "At the endof the day, Apple has a brand to maintain. Thebottom line is they want that image to be squeaky clean."

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Istanbul: From the Orient Express to European 2010 Capital of Culture

The most expensive gin-and-tonics in Istanbul are served in a poorly-lit hotel bar unchanged since Greta Garbo, Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway haunted the Pera Palas.

The quirky Palas opened in 1892 as the first hotel built in Istanbul for Europeans. Its horse-drawn carriages would meet the Orient Express as it steamed in below the sultan"s palace at Topkapi.

Spies such as Graham Greene and Mata Hari also out in the bar with dispossessed Russian emigr�s and professional intriguers.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Ravishing: The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul"s Big Five

Today, the city has expanded rapidly to become an economic and cultural powerhouse - and now it"s being honoured as European 2010 Capital of Culture.

In the backstreets of Pera, less has altered. As I dive between the time-blackened houses that line the streets of the old diplomatic quarter, there are still puddles in potholes and housewives hoisting home deliveries up in rope baskets, the smell of sweet apple tea wafting from their doorways. More...Hotel review: checking in at W Hotel, Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul: Turkey"s second city is this year"s hottest weekend breakTo find more Turkish delights click here

The Crimea Memorial Church (built to honour British soldiers who died despite Florence Nightingale"s best endeavours) is still hidden away behind a mosque in Serdar Ekrem Sokak.

This very British church, designed by George Street, architect of London"s Royal Courts of Justice, was only rediscovered in the Eighties. And yet it"s just off Istiklal Caddesi, the trendiest shopping street in Istanbul.

The artSumer Gallery, which opened in September, is the place for cutting-edge contemporary Turkish painting while 360 Istanbul is one of the city"s most fashionable restaurants because of its uninterupted 360-degree view over the whole city.

Belly dancer

Eastern mystique: The city combines the exotic with the modern

You get the same panorama from the 200 ft-tall Galata Tower that dominates this side of the Golden Horn, the famous inlet of the Bosphorus that cuts into the European side of this city.

It was built by the Genoese who held Pera as an independent colony until 1453 when the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul.

Istanbul has a "Big Five" - Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar,Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Great Cistern - and theseshould not be missed.

Then there are the Lesser Five - Galata Toweris one - the Crimea Church and the restaurants under the GalataBridge and others.

Until recently, Galata Bridge was on of the few places you could eat in Istanbul and get a view of the Bosphorus.

Theold city turned its back on the water but now there is Aqua, therestaurant at the new Four Seasons Bosphorus. There"s also Angeliquefurther north along the Bosphorus, which serves the best Asian fusionfood in this city.

But I head past the colourful, musty Spice Market, another16th-century structure where visitors should call in to shake handswith a caviar salesman called "Al Pacino Turco".

On a side street called Bahcekapi, in 1777, an immigrant to Istanbulcalled Haci Bekir created the dish that was to make him famous.

Bekircalled his soft, sweet cubes lokum and they proved so popular thatSultan Abdulhamid appointed him Royal Confectioner. When we Englishdiscovered lokum in the 19th century, we renamed the heavenly product"turkish delight".

Haci Bekir"s family still runs the shop, and always offers you a taste as you enter. I"m unable to resist. A delight indeed.

Travel Facts

The Ritz Carlton (0090 212 334 4444; www.ritzcarlton.com) offers double rooms from 169. Turkish Airlines (0844 800 6666; www.thy.com) has return flights to Istanbul from 128. For further information, contact the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, www.gototurkey.co.uk.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Israeli supermarket parodies Dubai gangland slaying in TV advert

Israeli actors ready to go up as members of a strike patrol filming a blurb for a supermarket

Sophie Tedmanson & , : {}

"Mossad mania" one after another in Israel this week when a supermarket sequence filmed a radio blurb desirous by the gangland slaying of a Hamas commander in chief in Dubai.

The commercials for the Mahsaney Kimat Hinam (Almost Free Warehouse) sequence shows actors carrying tennis rackets and wearing hats, eyeglasses and wigs the same disguises ragged by the purported killers in notice images expelled by Dubai troops as they have their approach along store aisles.

The actors are seen by the supermarket security cameras secretly slipping products in to their offered trolley. One singer wearing a tennis outfit browses the solidified food territory whilst an singer wearing a wide-brimmed floppy hat mimics Israel"s process of conjunction confirming nor denying impasse in the assassination, observant she couldn"t confess to anything.

The announcement even carries the slogans Eliminate the prices" and We suggest torpedo prices.

Related LinksNew think spoken in Dubai assassinationRush to stick on Mossad after Dubai killingWere all anxious by Mossad the movie

Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a owner of the troops wing of the Islamist Hamas transformation that controls Gaza, was found passed in his room in the Al Bustan Rotana road house nearby Dubai airfield on Jan 20. Mr al-Mabhouh had been unperceiving and afterwards suffocated.

Dubai troops have expelled endless notice camera footage that they contend shows the group of twenty-seven suspects from the strike patrol they have related to the Mossad, the Israeli view agency.

Sefi Shaked, an promotion executive, pronounced that the debate was desirous by the footage expelled by Dubai police. He denied that the announcement was in bad taste, observant that the association hoped to gain on the outrageous volume of media courtesy generated by the Dubai killing.

It"s a droll take of this event, Mr Shaked said. We were preoccupied by the technique of utilizing notice cameras instead of high-production blurb cameras, and the ultimate events in Dubai gave us a good opportunity.

All the Israeli radio humerous entertainment shows have finished it, so because shouldn"t we?"

Israel has conjunction reliable nor denied the impasse in Mr al-Mabhouhs death. notwithstanding increasingly assured announcements by Dubai troops that they have related Mossad to the killing.

Last month The Times reported that Mossad has turn renouned again in Israel, with stores offered out of the agencys memorabilia and a flourishing series of people on vacation the central website to get report on how to turn agents.

Opticians additionally reported a climb in sales of the horn-rimmed eyeglasses in the character ragged by a little of the suspects, whilst T-shirts with Mossad logos were additionally offered out in shops.

Ilan Mizrahi, a former emissary executive of the agency, spoken that Mossad has been easy to the excellence days .

On Monday the general troops group Interpol released detain notices for a serve sixteen suspects longed for by Dubai in tie with the killing, in further to the eleven already issued.

Interpol pronounced that the suspects had all trafficked utilizing alternative people"s identities, together with twelve British citizens, 6 Irish, 4 French, 4 Australian and one German who all had their pass sum stolen and used in the assassination.

The supermarket commercials are approaching to air in time for the Passover legal holiday season, that starts at the finish of March.

hair wig

Car stop predicament spreads to Japanse rivals

Nissan trademark at the association domicile in Tokyo

Leo Lewis, Middle East Business Correspondent & , : {}

Nissan, Suzuki and Daihatsu, in in between Japans greatest carmakers, have released big car recalls currently given of problems with their electronics, that a little experts hold to be the unused error with Toyota models.

Industry experts told The Times that the 3 were responding to both open and behind-the-scenes vigour from the Japanese Government to have the picture of Japan Inc squeaky purify in light of the Toyota crisis.

A sum of some-more than half a million vehicles have been influenced by the 3 new recalls, that request especially to cars and vans that have been on the roads of Japan for a little years.

Significantly, the recalls have been released to understanding with sincerely teenager problems that have caused no injuries.

Related LinksToyota trainer breaks down after US stop hearingToyota abandoned reserve fears, Congress toldToyota arch to face pile-up victims" family

However, given Toyota"s problems have mushroomed, Japan is receiving no chances.

The new ambience of fright was strong currently by a notice to Toyota from Yukio Hatoyama, the Japanese Prime Minister.

After the barbecuing of Toyotas tip management team by the US Government, Mr Hatoyama pronounced that, nonetheless it was great for the Toyota boss to give justification in Washington this week, "I don"t think this has put an finish [to the issue]".

The Suzuki, Nissan and Daihatsu recalls, that were released inside of the past couple of hours, follow the thespian interrogate last night of Akio Toyoda, the head of Toyota.

His sworn statement prior to a United States congressional hearing, in that the senior manager apologised for his companys poise and after sobbed openly, was noticed by code specialists as a abrasive blow to the worlds largest carmaker.

Possibly in fright of identical inquire and open humiliation, Suzuki pronounced that it was recalling 432,366 units of dual minicar models.

The fault, that highlights the new mood of apprehension in in between Japanese carmakers, has caused dual teenager incidents with no injuries when tools of the dashboard began to melt.

The defect, that can begin on vehicles sole in in between 2005 and 2009, appears to engage an inapt money coming in valve for the air-conditioning system.

Under sure circumstances, H2O droplets can come in the mechanism, decay the steel tools and concede feverishness to set up up at the back of the dashboard.

Nissan, meanwhile, voiced a stop of 76,415 cars opposite ten models. About 2,280 of the influenced vehicles are thought to have been sole overseas.

The error in subject is a probable issue with a joining depot that might have been somewhat shop-worn when the vehicles were tested prior to withdrawal the factories.

The electric wires could potentially means the engine to stall. No accidents have been reported.

Daihatsu, that is a auxiliary of Toyota, released a stop of 60,774 vehicles opposite 4 models. Problematic electric wires on models on vehicles built in in between 1998 and 2000 could means the puncture airbags to muster at the wrong time.

Two incidents of that function have been reported in the past decade, but conjunction of them concerned any injury.

Masayuki Naoshima, the Minister of Trade, additionally pronounced that Mr Toyodas sworn statement to Congress would not pull a line underneath Toyotas problems. Worse, he warned that the fallout from of the recalls could be far-reaching.

Not usually carmakers but alternative Japanese companies contingency pull a doctrine from the Toyota issue and begin required reforms for the good of consumers, he said.

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Monday, July 26, 2010

Bangladesh v England: Alastair Cook leads the follow for array win

Bystaff 847AM GMT twenty-four March 2010

Bangladesh v England Alastair Cook leads the follow for array win Reversing the direction Kevin Pietersen seeking to finish the debate with an dominant innings Photo GETTY IMAGES

England were shutting in on feat on the last afternoon of the second Test opposite Bangladesh, with captain Alastair Cook heading the chase.

Bangladesh battled well in the sunrise event to perplex the tourists" hopes of an early finish but Shakib Al Hasan was last man out for 96 usually after lunch to set a feat aim of 209.

Bangladesh v England scoreboard Late wickets progress England Tea forsaken catches harm England Lunch Shakib frustrates England Lunch Broad takes early wicket The Ashes England v Australia, fifth Test, day four, tea inform

Jonathan Trott over for nineteen prior to Kevin Pietersen (24 not out) assimilated Cook (46no) to drive England to 95 for one at tea.

With 9 wickets in palm that left England wanting 115 in the last session.

England proposed the sunrise anticipating to strike over the tail in discerning time and tee up a resting chase.

But, as has been the box for most of the series, the Bangladesh lower-order had opposite ideas.

Nightwatchman Shafiul Islam proposed by circumference Tim Bresnan in between wicketkeeper and trip but shortly settled, attack Graeme Swann for back-to-back boundaries.

He rode his fitness with a integrate of aerial sweeps and proposed to turn a genuine regard for the fielding side.

Shakib, meanwhile, looked in plain touch, receiving Stuart Broad"s initial over for eleven on his approach to a tranquil half-century.

The attainment of the new round roughly brought Broad the new thing when he dug one in short and Shafiul mis-hit high in to the leg-side.

Jonathan Trott, who forsaken a sitter at point yesterday, done great belligerent in the low and took a diving, one-handed catch usually to see the round cocktail out as he strike the ground.

Shafiul eventually fell for twenty-eight in the subsequent over, top-edging James Tredwell to give Trott a most easier take.

Naeem Islam gradual his healthy charge for half-an-hour prior to losing calm to feed Pietersen at mid-on off the bowling of Tredwell.

That done it 259 for eight but Shakib"s totalled strike ensured Bangladesh eked an additional twenty-six runs for the last dual wickets and - importantly - kept England watchful until after to lunch to bat.

Steven Finn claimed Abdur Razzak lbw 3 balls prior to the mangle and Shakib was stumped off Tredwell 4 short of a second Test ton usually 9 balls after the resumption.

That left the hosts 285 all out and set up an equation of 209 to win from a smallest 55 overs.

That meant Trott indispensable to find an additional gear, carrying strained for 195 balls for his first-innings 64, and he duly directed the fourth round of the innings to the third-man boundary.

As expected, the Tigers gave left-arm spinner Razzak the new ball, though he strayed in length to present Cook his initial 4 of the day.

England gathered steadily, but not dramatically, to reach 42 prior to Trott was run out for nineteen by the rapt Jahurul Islam.

That brought Pietersen to the double and after pushing Shakib for 4 he unleashed a switch-hit, removing dual for it notwithstanding a bad connection.

Undeterred, the series 3 used his feet well to raise Razzak for a true six.

Cook eased past 40 with fours off Mahmudullah and Shakib in unbroken overs but narrowly survived an lbw interest carrying usually got his desk desk pad outward the line.

Pietersen additionally had a impulse of fortune, roughly cannoning a Mahmudulla smoothness off his thigh desk desk pad and on to leg stump.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson: Rio Ferdinand need not fright for England destiny Manchester United

James Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent & , : {}

Fears might be flourishing over Rio Ferdinands think fitness, but Sir Alex Ferguson does not hold that the defenders damage problems will force him to scale behind his general commitments.

Ferdinand was ruled out for dual weeks by Manchester United yesterday after pang a regularity of a longstanding behind damage in training.

But nonetheless he will miss Englands accessible opposite Egypt at Wembley subsequent Wednesday, Ferguson pronounced that he would not forestall him from fasten up with the inhabitant patrol should Fabio Capello ask his presence.

The England physical education instructor spasmodic likes players to inform to stay even if they are harmed and, since that the compare opposite Egypt was ostensible to be Ferdinands initial as permanent captain after John Terry was nude of the armband in the arise of the liaison surrounding his extramarital affair, the Italian is expected to demand that the defender is present.

Related LinksFerdinand a genuine disbelief for World CupFerdinand suffers new damage setbackFerdinand preference spares FA"s blushes

I think thats wholly up to Fabio he can do that, Ferguson, the United manager, said. Thats no complaint for me. He [Ferdinand] wouldnt be precision here anyway, will he?

As well as the England game, Ferdinand will miss the Carling Cup last opposite Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday, Uniteds Barclays Premier League diversion afar to Wolverhampton Wanderers 6 days after and, majority probably, the lapse leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie opposite AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday week.

Given Ferdinands delayed liberation from prior behind problems, however, his accessibility for the joining matches at home to Fulham and Liverpool, on Mar fourteen and Mar twenty-one respectively, cannot be guaranteed, either.

Ferguson, though, does not hold that Ferdinand has reached the point at that he will have to extent his appearances for England.

I dont think we are at the theatre where he should be concentrating on one piece of his hold up in conditions of general and done at home football, Ferguson said. That has never been an issue. I have never discussed it with him and hes positively not discussed it.

I dont think he has ever thought about that himself and theres no reason for him to think about that at the moment.

Ferdinand, 31, has done a small 3 appearances in 4 months and has featured in usually 34 of the past 92 games for bar and country, but Ferguson is carefree that the complaint is not as grave as that that ruled him out for thirteen weeks in between last Oct and January.

It is a blow for us since I was seeking brazen to carrying Ferdinand and [Nemanja] Vidic behind on Tuesday [against West Ham United], Ferguson said. You never know with behind injuries. We have been by this before, but we dont think it is as well serious. We think he could be behind in dual weeks. I dont think he will be fit for the AC Milan game, but I dont think it will be prolonged afterwards.

Fergusons damage problems do not finish there. Although he expects Ryan Giggs to lapse to precision subsequent week once a image has been private from the Welshmans fractured right arm, an additional midfield player, Anderson, will be out for a smallest of 6 months after pang a cruciate knee vinculum damage in the 3-0 win over West Ham.

The Brazilian, who was creation his initial coming for five weeks after being solidified out by Ferguson, will have surgery in Portugal in a fortnight once the flourishing has subsided. The damage effectively manners out any plans United might have had of offered Anderson in the summer.

Poor form and perspective issues have caused him to tumble tainted of Ferguson this season, but his deficiency leaves the Scot short of options in midfield for the diversion opposite Milan, with Michael Carrick dangling and Giggs a doubt.

He will be out for the rest of the season, but hopefully 6 months should have him about right for the new season, Ferguson said. It is a bad blow.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Latin America backs Argentina as Britain starts Falklands oil quest

Hannah Strange, Caracas & , : {}

Argentina cemented a Latin American front over the Falklands yesterday as a British oil supply began training in the doubtful seas around the islands.

Regional leaders at the Rio Group limit in Mexico were approaching to pointer up for a fortitude subsidy Argentina in the sharpening row with Britain after Brazil and Chile affianced their support.

Venezuelas assertive President, Hugo Chávez, set the tinge of the summit, charity troops support. Characterising Britain as an imperialist relic, Mr Chávez demanded the lapse of "Las Malvinas", as they are well known to Argentinians.

The English are still melancholy Argentina. Things have changed. We are no longer in 1982, he warned. If dispute breaks out, be certain Argentina will not be alone similar to it was at the at the behind of of then.

Related LinksArgentina in tactful pull to retrieve FalklandsArgentina has selected a great time to clap the Falklands Tension in Falklands rises as supply arrives

British carry out of the archipelago was anti-historic and irrational, the former paratrooper continued, asking because the English verbalise of democracy but still have a Queen.

Unlike 1982, when a little Latin American nations, particularly President Pinochets Chile, corroborated Britains debate to repel Argentinas short advance of the islands, the continent right away enjoys clever ties in in between ideologically aligned governments and could mountain a absolute insurgency to British oil operations.

Mr Chávez was assimilated by President Ortega of Nicaragua, who likely that the Rio Group would throw the weight at the at the behind of of Argentinas claim. We will at the at the behind of of a fortitude perfectionist that England lapse Las Malvinas to the legitimate owner, that it lapse the islands to Argentina, he said.

Brazil, the greatest informal energy and traditionally Argentinas main rival, was likewise supportive. Las Malvinas contingency be reintegrated in to Argentine sovereignty, Marco Aurelio García, unfamiliar process confidant to President Lula da Silva, said, adding: Unlike in the past, currently there is a accord in Latin America at the at the behind of of Argentinas claims.

Almost 3 decades on from the confict, the improved of Argentina still stings the inhabitant alertness as an ancestral damage that contingency be redressed. President Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina has done the issue a executive lumber of her presidency, defeat up long-simmering resentments that have usually been compounded by the awaiting of a black bullion excavation in the isolated, windswept archipelago.

The British Geological Survey estimates that up to 60 billion barrels of oil could be underneath Falklands waters, nonetheless Desire Petroleum, the association carrying out the drilling, says that the commericially viable pot are most smaller.

Desire pronounced that exam training at the Liz 14/19-A scrutiny site off the Falklands began at 1415 GMT yesterday. Drilling operations are approaching to take we estimate thirty days and a serve proclamation will be done once training is completed.

Tensions in in between the former adversaries rose last week to their top turn given the war, as Argentina attempted to retard ships provision what it says are bootleg British activities and Britain strike at the at the behind of of with a notice that the islands were most improved shielded than on the eve of the Argentine advance in 1982.