U.S. Women?s Gymnastics In Pictures: Team Wins Gold At 2012 Olympics, Led By Jordyn Wieber And Gabby Douglas

Apple iPhone not arriving in September; blame it on Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Apple will not launch its fabled iPhone 5 in September during the iPod refresh event.

The primary reason for the delay is that Apple's iOS 5 will be launched in fall which Apple confirmed at the WWDC event. However, Apple failed to give the exact date but merely stated the iOS 5 arrival date as this fall. The fall stretches from September to November.

Incidentally, BGR reported that Google will launch its pure Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich version phone the Nexus 4G around thanksgiving. The phone is touted to be an absolute beast with an ear-to-ear monster-sized screen.

However, Apple will be worried more about the OS, the Android Ice Cream Sandwich rather than the hardware which the phone will grace. Ice Cream Sandwich OS unifies the features of tablet-specific Android Honeycomb and smartphone specific OS Gingerbread. Ice Cream Sandwich will usher in features like flexibility to resize widgets and apps, facial recognition (thus the camera can track a user's facial features like Microsoft Kinect) and will allows users to use an Android device as a USB host to connect with multiple devices like keypad and Xbox controller. It will later use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices.

Ice Cream Sandwich UI is expected to have the Honeycomb feel. Google demonstrated some features of the Ice Cream Sandwich at Google I/O. The underlying Ice Sandwich philosophy is One OS that runs everywhere. The OS is Google's most ambitious release.

Moreover, Ice Cream Sandwich brings support for Flash videos.

The Ice Cream Sandwich would be featured on the Nexus 4G. It is reported that the phone will sport a 1.2 GHz or 1.5GHz microchip, possibly Krait-based Snapdragon chip. It will have a 5MP rear-facing and 1MP front-facing camera and will offer 1080p video capture and playback. The 5MP camera is surmised to be an advanced 5 MP sensor capable of delivering enhanced low-light performance.

Apple's iOS 5 brings 200 new features with the most prominent being iMessage which allows users to send free SMS to other iOS devices over Wi-Fi and 3G. Another key feature is Notifications Center which pools in notifications originating from various sources and displays them at the top of the status bar. It also offers Twitter integration which allows users to have a single sign-in for Twitter and related apps.

Other features that iOS 5 will include are voice recognition, NFC-enabled mobile payment option, Thunderbolt (which allows users to connect up to 9  devices with a single cable) and possibly glasses-free 3D capability -to counter HTC's EVO 3D.

Apple was sanctioned a 3D patent in December 2010 which relates to glasses-free 3D viewing technology. The patent was filed under the rubric Three-dimensional display system. The technology used ascertains the position of a viewer and determines the left and right eye locations, and then uses the information to navigate the pixels to a particular spot on screen which reflects it back to respective left and right eye locations.

In the light of what Ice Cream Sandwich will bring and the work at Apple's hands to tweak its iOS 5, the delay in iPhone 5 looks imminent.

The delay has given rise to rumors that Apple could possibly release iPhone 4S - which would offer minor hardware upgrades like dual-core A5 chip, bigger screen, and 8MP camera. The above stated enhancements will place the iPhone in the same footing as Android superphones like Motorola Photon, Atrix, HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S 2.

However, earlier experience with iPad 2 reveals, that even minor changes can tilt the balance in Apple's favor. The iPad 2 brought in slimmer and lighter frame and a faster microchip keeping other features constant and it was enough to beat the Android tablets like Motorola Xoom and RIM PlayBook.

Similarly a stop-gap arrangement like an iPhone 4S can give Apple time to sharpen its iPhone 5 to not play catch-up but once again set the benchmark for Androids to follow.

Apple is not only facing threat from Android but also from Nokia as its CEO Stephen Elop has confirmed that Nokia will start selling Windows Phone later this year. Microsoft previewed its updated version of WP7 called the Mango last month. Mango brings in 500 new features which are centered on communications, apps and internet. It contextualizes content and apps around subject-specific hubs and integrates with its online cloud-based services like Microsoft Office 365, Xbox Live and SkyDrive services.

In the light of the competition and the gargantuan list of expectations it faces, Apple can be excused the delay provided iPhone 5 delivers them.

Congress says bottled water not safer than tap water

The U.S. Congress released a report on Wednesday saying bottled water is less regulated than plain old tap water and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has little power to regulate the safety of bottled water.

Of particular note, FDA does not have the specific statutory authority to require bottlers to use certified laboratories for water quality tests or to report test results, even if violations of the standards are found, the General Accountability Office (GAO) also said in another report.

Many people assume bottled water is healthier and safer to drink than ordinary tap water, but some companies have lured consumers away from the tap with claims of health and purity that aren't backed by public data, Jane Houlihan of the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that submitted a second report to the committee, said in a statement.

Over the past several years, however, bottled water has been recalled due to contamination by arsenic, bromate, cleaning compounds, mold, and bacteria. In April, a dozen students at a California junior high school reportedly were sickened after drinking bottled water from a vending machine. Joseph Doss, president and chief executive officer of the International Bottled Water Association, told the hearing.

The GAO found that the FDA does not regulate a compound called DEHP, a so-called phthalate linked to some health risks in bottled water.

Specifically, FDA deferred action on DEHP in a final rule published in 1996 and has yet to either adopt a standard or publish a reason for not doing so on the safety of bottled water, the GAO said in the statement.

Doss also said that DEHP was unlikely to be in bottled water, which he said was governed by several layers of regulation.

Roger Ebert Defends Ryan Dunn Tweet, Says He drank, he drove, 2 people died

Ryan Dunn may be resting in peace, but spat over his death does not seem to have stopped.

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert has refused to apologize and defended his earlier comments on Twitter about dead Jackass star Ryan Dunn.

Daredevil Ryan Dunn breathed his last early Monday after a fatal car crash in Pennsylvania. During the crash, Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 went off a road, crashed in to woods and caught fire. According to police, the accident occurred at 3 a.m. on Route 322 and New Street in West Goshen Township.

Dunn, who was identified after the crash through his tattoos and facial hair, had posted a photo on Twitter hours before his death which showed him drinking with his friends in a bar, TMZ reported.

The report fueled speculation that drinking would have been the cause for the horrific accident, which also claimed the life of a 30-year old passenger who was later identified as Zachary Hartwell of West Chester. Hartwell was working as a production assistant on the movie Jackass Number Two.

Ebert, who is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, tweeted Friends don't let Jackasses drink and drive.

The tweet sparked a controversy among Dunn's friends, well-wishers and near and dear, saying Ebert was too soon to publish a negative opinion about a person who has died just hours before.

Dunn's long-time friend Bam Margera blasted Eger through the same mode -- Twitter. Margera tweeted: About a jackass drunk driving and his is one, f**k you! Millions of people are crying right now, shut your fat f**king mouth!

He further tweeted: I just lost my best friend, I have been crying hysterical for a full day and piece of s**t roger ebert has the gall to put in his 2 cents.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was suggesting that Ebert may have made his comments too soon.

But Ebert stood by his tweet and responded insensitively to Hilton by saying Perez Hilton's readers agree with me and not with Perez about my tweet on Ryan Dunn. He drank, he drove, 2 people died.

Though Ebert was seen as insensitive and rude to make a negative comment about a dead person, some people, however, seemed to agree with the film critic.

One Michael Clarke tweeted: YOU were spot on with your tweet Roger. NOTHING was insensitive about it for it was the truth.

But, majority of them blasted Ebert for his arrogance.

A tweet from xRay Burns says: Are you so desperate that you resort to DANCING ON SOMEONE'S GRAVE? For some easy meaningless rhetoric? Ur arrogance=disgrace.

Another tweet from Jimmy Patrick said: stick to movies a**hole. You aren't privy to Dunn's autopsy. Your not f****ing God!

Whatever may be the case, Dunn's fans and Jackass crew paid tributes to the daredevil.

I don't really know what to say right now everybody because the sadness is overwhelming, but today we lost one of our own. Our brother Ryan Dunn has passed. He died in a car wreck in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, this morning at 3:00am. Goddamn that's tough to write.    

As we get more info we will let you know, but right now our hearts go out to his family and to his beloved Angie. Ryan will be missed and remembered by us all. Thanks for the kind words of support everybody, Jackass crew's official statement reads.

In a tweet, fellow prankster Johnny Knoxville said, RIP Ryan, I love you buddy.

Motocross racer Carey Hart remembered Dunn, writing, You were an amazing guy and you were cut way too short. Enjoyed the times we had. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Dunn's fans also expressed their grief on MTV.com, saying We will never forget all the laughs you gave us and Rest in peace, bro. You're pranking God now, that lucky b*****d.

We are devastated by the tragic loss of Ryan Dunn - a beloved member of the MTV family for more than a decade, Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music/Film Group, said in a statement. He made us all laugh and had the tireless enthusiastic approach to life of your favorite middle school friend. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Ryan's family and friends. The Jackass brotherhood will never be the same.

Dunn, who was born in Medina, Ohio, moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in his early teens. Dunn was known for his dangerous antics and practical jokes in MTV's Jackass series and movies with his long-time friend Bam Margera.

He got to fame while appearing in videos alongside his friends in the Camp Kill Yourself(CKY) Crew.

The CKY videos caught the eye of Johnny Knoxville, a like-minded prankster who became the Jackass frontman and asked to include CKY clips and new footage featuring them on Jackass, which had its premiere on MTV in 2000.

Dunn is survived by his parents, Ronald Dunn and Linda Piscitello, fiancé Lynn Dunn, and sister Angela Cuturic.

Summer Solstice 2011: Why is the Longest Day of the Year not the Warmest?

June 21 is the longest day of the year here in the northern Hemisphere and also marks the official beginning of the summer season.

But, here is an interesting fact about the summer solstice. The longest day of the year is not normally the warmest.

Some of you may be wondering why the longest day of the year is not normally the warmest day of the year. There is a lag between the longest day of the year and the warmest average temperatures in most of the mid and high latitude locations.

The Sun's angle is high before and after the summer solstice with a maximum number of daylight minutes. As the Sun begins to move lower in the sky, the length of daylight decreases, National Weather Service says.

For example, in New Mexico's Albuquerque, the maximum daily temperature occurs nearly 3 weeks later in mid July. This lag in temperature occurs because even though the minutes of daylight are decreasing, Earth's surface and atmosphere continues to receive more energy than just what it receives from the Sun. Average temperatures continue to climb until the Sun drops lower in the sky.

In Albuquerque, July averages 3.7F degrees higher than June, with August also warmer than June by 1.3F, even though the length of days in August is considerably less than the length of days in June.

Depending on the shift of the calendar, the Summer Solstice occurs between December 21 and December 22 each year in the Southern Hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.

As a major celestial event, the Solstice happens twice in a year, during summer and winter. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

The Summer Solstice, which is also called as 'midsummer,' would result in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

On the day of Summer Solstice, the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and this happens when Earth's North Pole is tilted the most toward the Sun.

The word 'Solstice' comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning sol (the sun) and stit (standing). The sun's position at noon actually changes very little in the days surrounding the solstice, hence the concept of the sun standing still, National Weather Service says.

The summer solstice occurs at the moment the earth's tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the Sun appears at its highest elevation with a noontime position that changes very little for several days before and after the summer Solstice.

Due to daylight saving time, the Sun is expected to be at its highest point in Los Angeles at 12:55 p.m., rather than at noon. The exact stopping point of the sun will be at 10:16 a.m. Tuesday.

The Summer Solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at 23.5° latitude North, and runs through Mexico, the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and southern China.

Worldwide, the event is approached in various manners, but most have held recognition of sign of the fertility, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.

Also, Google has put its Google Doodle welcoming the Summer Solstice by putting a floral doodle called the First Day of Summer by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami on its home page.

Chinese group begins multi-billion Afghan project

A Chinese firm started work on a copper deposit in Afghanistan on Thursday, part of a multi-billion dollar project and the first major foreign investment of its kind in Afghan history, an official said.

As if to underscore the dangers of working in Afghanistan, just hours before work began at the Aynak mine in Logar province a powerful blast in another part of the province killed 25 people, including 15 school children.

State-owned China Metallurgical Group Corp (CMGC) and China's top integrated copper producer Jiangxi Copper Co won a 2008 tender to explore and develop the vast Aynak Copper Mine south of the capital Kabul.

Aynak is thought to contain up to 13 million tonnes of copper and is regarded as one of the major ore bodies in the world.

With Afghanistan facing a growing Taliban-led insurgency, security concerns had stopped CMGC from starting work on the project until Thursday.

The deposit was discovered in 1974 and surveyed by Soviet geologists in 1979 has never been developed until now.

Landmines in and around the site had to be removed, and a number of large craters, caused by U.S. bombs dropped on what was then a military training camp in late 2001, had to be filled, a Mines Ministry official said.

The minister has gone to inaugurate the start of the actual work of Aynak, the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The Chinese group will invest $2.898 billion on the project.

Construction work is due to finish in less than three years and the Chinese group will pay the Afghan government $400 million a year to operate the mine, which should provide jobs for thousands of Afghans.

It plans to extract some 200,000 tonnes of copper a year, according to previous ministry estimates. It will first build a power station to run to the mine and will seek coal deposits to fuel the station.

The project is the biggest foreign investment in Afghanistan's history.

Afghanistan currently relies on aid for about 90 percent of its budget, but its mines minister told Reuters in March the country was sitting on vast reserves of mineral wealth.

It was looking for mining firms to open up a huge iron deposit, holding an estimated 1.8 billion tonnes of high-quality ore, in the central part of the country.

A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows Afghanistan may hold far higher amounts of minerals than previously thought, with iron deposits alone estimated at between five to six billion tonnes, Mines Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Adel said in March.

(Editing by Paul Tait and Jeremy Laurence)

Tablet Shootout: iPad 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the winner is...

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 released last week in the U.S. amidst high expectations of the people who expected it to be an iPad killer. But has it lived up to the hype?

The Galaxy Tab was billed as an iPhone killer because of several reasons.

The Galaxy Tab boasts a huge screen - 10.1 inch - and a higher resolution display than iPad 2 (1,280 x 800 versus the iPad's 1,024 x 768).

The Galaxy Tab is also technically thinner than the iPad 2 (0.01 inch thinner). However what is noticeably different is the weight - Galaxy Tab weighs 1.24 lb compared to iPad 2’s 1.33 lb weight.

However, that’s not all.

Galaxy Tab comes with super-fast Tegra 2 dual core 1 Ghz processor, a top notch touch response, 1080p video playback, 720p video recording, WiFi, Bluetooth and a long-lasting battery.

Galaxy Tab also has a gyroscope and accelerometer, which will give a decent motion gaming experience.

It is also Samsung's first Honeycomb 3.1 OS powered tablet. The new OS promises better animations, faster response and improved web browser performance.

Galaxy Tab is also Samsung’s first tablet to feature the new panel technology, Plane to Line Switching (PLS), which offers a 10 percent greater brightness, clarity and viewing angles twice as large as the more traditional In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels used by iPad.

However, Galaxy Tab has its fair share of weaknesses.

For instance the battery life of Galaxy Tab cannot be compared to iPad 2. While iPad 2 users could reach a little under 10 hours with Wi-Fi on, display brightness at around 65 percent, and a lot of video usage, the Galaxy Tab users can expect the device to last shorter than 6 hours under the same conditions.

Moreover, though the Galaxy Tab can claim to be the thinner of the two tablets, the thinness was achievable at a sacrifice - Galaxy Tab is missing USB, HDMI, and SD card slot.

Furthermore, the speakers of Galaxy Tab are tiny and though loud when you crank up the volume, aren't pleasing to the ears.

And, no matter whichever way you look at it - slice it or dice it - Honeycomb lacks the finesse and elegance of iOS.

And of course, there's the app store we need to think about. The iconic Apple App Store has over 425,000 apps or more than double of Google's Android Market offers. Google has also been lagging behind Apple for quite some time when it comes to offering quality apps.

However Galaxy Tab is no pushover.

It beats the iPad 2 in terms of the camera specs. Galaxy Tab comes with a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera (for video chat). It also offers 1080p video capture capability.

In comparison, Apple iPad 2 has a 0.7-megapixel rear-facing camera which can record videos at 720p along with a secondary VGA front-facing camera for video chat.

Galaxy Tab also boasts of a bigger display than the iPad 2 - 10.1-inch versus 9.7-inch. And, that's a wonder, given the fact that Galaxy Tab is thinner and lighter than iPad 2.

Galaxy Tab also has more RAM than iPad 2 - 1GB versus 512MB.

Galaxy Tab is also competitively priced - the 16GB version retails for $499 while the 32GB version retails for $599.

And, in what could be the clincher for many tablet buyers, Galaxy Tab boasts of another capability lacking in iPad 2, which is Adobe Flash playback.

In conclusion, Galaxy Tab is the best Android tablet to be ever released. No doubt about that. But if you've made up your mind about getting iPad 2, don't give it a second thought. The UI of iOS will not make you want to regret your decision.

Check out the video on Galaxy Tab below:

Will Euro collapse by 2013?

Eurozone will probably cease to exist by 2013, according to a new study published on Monday.

Sliding euro and falling states expenditure will avert economic recovery in Southern Europe, widening the gap between the core Eurozone and peripheral countries, said Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), UK.

“New forecasts for the Eurozone imply need for severe adjustment measures unacceptable to electorates in Southern Europe,” the report said.

Jean-Claude Juncker, head of eurozone finance ministers, on Saturday had cautioned that the ongoing debt crisis of Greece and other countries in the region could hit Italy and Belgium, Suddeutsche Zeitung, a German daily reported.

Noting that the crisis could have disastrous effect on the currency of the region, euro, he warned we are playing with fire.

If Greece was deemed to be a defaulter that would have drastic consequences for the rest of the eurozone, he said.

“Sooner or later both the Greek population and international creditors will tire of fighting a loosing battle, leading to a break-up of the currency union as Greece pulls out, probably followed by other countries,” said Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of Cebr.

Many British lawmakers and politicians, including London Mayor Boris Johnson, are calling for Greece to default and exit the euro.

CEBR said without a euro breakup, growth in Southern Europe will be below 1.5 percent every year until 2015.

A combination of austerity packages, exports held back by the overall value of the euro and the structural impact of low tech exports facing massive competition from East Asia means that the prospects for growth for Southern Europe in the Eurozone are bleak, the research firm said.

“Germany has no choice but to compromise in this round of bail-out negotiations. The rewards of a stable euro outweigh the cost of further loans from Germany, even if these will not be repaid fully,” said Tim Ohlenburg, senior economist, CEBR.

 “The eventual breaking up of the Euro is likely to damage the solvency of various European banks, especially in France. The danger of knock-on effects means that a bailout like that which followed the Lehmans collapse will be required, though the extent of it will depend on how quickly the authorities manage the process,” said McWilliams.

Steve McNair 911 call unveiled after police rules murder-suicide

The 911 call made after former American Football player Steve McNair and his 20-year old lover Sahel Kazemi were found dead was released by the Metro Nashville Police Department today.

The call was placed on Saturday July 4, at about 1:37 p.m. and published by TMZ.

To listen to the 911 call click here.

Nashville police chief said yesterday that jealousy drove Kazemi to shoot McNair,36 to death while he was sleeping and then she committed suicide.

Read below a transcript of the call.

RINGING...

CALLER: Oh my God.

OPERATOR: Hello?

Heavy breathing

OPERATOR: Hello?

CALLER:....Heavy breathing....Hello

OPERATOR: Yeah, what's going on man? This is 911.

CALLER: Hello ...Crying ...Oh my God.

OPERATOR: Sir, what's going on?

CALLER: Inaudible

OPERATOR: Hello ...

CALLER: Hey, what is his address? ...What's his address?

OPERATOR: What street are you on?

CALLER: Inaudible.

OPERATOR: Sir, what street are you on?

CALLER: I don't ... Second and Main? inaudible

CALLER: Second and Lea. [NOTE Lea is pronounced lee.]

OPERATOR: All right, what's your name?

CALLER: My name is Rob.

OPERATOR: Rob, what's going on?

Inaudible

OPERATOR: OK, Rob?

CALLER: Yes... inaudible.

OPERATOR: Second and Lea don't cross. Where are you at?

CALLER: At this ... at a condo.

OPERATOR: OK. Do you know what the address is?

CALLER: What? ... Hey man? ... I am trying to ask this guy right here.

OPERATOR: OK.

CALLER: Excuse me, excuse me ... Excuse me. Excuse me.

OPERATOR: OK, I tell you what. Let's do this. Rob, tell me what's going on. I've got it. Where you at?

CALLER: Coughing

OPERATOR: Rob?

CALLER: Yeah?

OPERATOR: Tell me what's going on?

CALLER: Somebody's been shot, I haven't checked the vitals, but he's ... but ...

OPERATOR: OK. All right, bear with me. I am going to help you out here. Where exactly are you at Second and Lea?

OPERATOR: Rob?

CALLER: Yeah?

OPERATOR: OK. Boss, talk to me so I can try to help you here. Give me some info. Where are you?

CALLER: I am trying to find exactly where I'm at sir. I am walking out here to the curb.

OPERATOR: Is the person breathing?

CALLER: It don't look like it.

CALLER: Between, between the Rutledge... the-the-the condos are between the Rutledge and Second Avenue.

OPERATOR: OK.

CALLER: There is sign right here that says Car-Car Cardwell Place, 105 Lea Avenue

OPERATOR: OK. All right. I got help on the way. Now, tell me what is going on?

CALLER: I'm, I'm about ... Do I, do I need to walk back inside the place?

OPERATOR: That's up to you. I'll leave it up to you.

CALLER: There's two bullet wounds, two gun shots inside the wall

OPERATOR: OK. All right, now do you know who this is? I mean, tell me, tell me how you found this?

CALLER: Inaudible

OPERATOR: OK. What apartment is it?

CALLER: It's Apartment..... Oh, boy.

OPERATOR: You don't have to go back in there if you don't want to ... but I mean, you know.

CALLER: Apartment four, sir

OPERATOR: Is there a name to those apartments?

CALLER: Is there a what?

OPERATOR: Is there a name to those apartments?

CALLER: No, not that I know of.

OPERATOR: And you're not sure what the address is?

CALLER: No sir...I hate to have to be the one to make this call. This is so messed up.

OPERATOR: OK. All right, Rob. I have some help coming to you. Now, tell me what happened?

CALLER: I have no idea sir.

OPERATOR: OK, but I mean how did you ...

CALLED: I - I received a phone call that um ... that there was injured parties inside this apartment.

OPERATOR: OK.

CALLER: And...

OPERATOR: OK. Is it male or female?

CALLER: Two, there's two people.

OPERATOR: Two people?

CALLER: Yeah.

OPERATOR: And they both appear to be deceased?

CALLER: I think so sir.

OPERATOR: OK. Male, female, both?

CALLER: Yes.

OPERATOR; Yes?

CALLER: I don't know how long they have been there.

OPERATOR: OK, hold on. You said they are male or female or both, what? What are their genders?

CALLER: It's a male and a female.

OPERATOR: OK.

CALLER: Oh my...

OPERATOR: Do you see the officer yet?

CALLER: No, I hear the sirens though. ... This is so messed up and I haven't, I haven't even been upstairs.

OPERATOR: OK. Now, you got a call from who?

CALLER: His name is, his name is Wayne and him and one of the inaudible.... He came by and got inaudible. He didn't really pay no attention. But he said, 'I think they are hurt in there.' So, he called me because he knows I am a man's best man. So I check on him and he's. ... It is not looking good in here.

OPERATOR: And you said the guy you got the call from is what?

CALLER: Wayne

OPERATOR: And you don't know his last name?

CALLER: No, sir.

OPERATOR: And he's the roommate?

CALLER: Yeah, however they had it situated.

OPERATOR: And he's the roommate of one of the deceased?

CALLER: I think so sir. I don't know all the details.

Police arrives at the scene.

POLICE OFFICER: Who are you and what are you doing here?

CALLER: My name is Robert Gaddy, and I received a phone call. I came down and checked it out.

OFFICER: Who called you?

CALLER: His name is Wayne. The guy inaudible shared an apartment with.

OFFICER: Now, do me a favor.

CALLER: Can I get off the phone now.

OPERATOR: You, can talk to the officer, bye bye.

New Internet Domains will increase phishing attacks

Web 2.0 is on the path of liberation. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will roll out new top level domains (TLDs) to compete with the currently used .com, .net, .org. The frustrating unavailability of domain names is ending and an era of ideal domain for each and every business and individual is beginning with new extensions.

But looks like the 'liberated' web will see more phishing attacks because it will get increasingly difficult to tell between real and bogus sites, at least in the beginning. According to Help Net Security, cybercriminals could also seek these new domains to create legitimate looking websites using well-known brand names.

The most feared form of attack from cyber criminals with the Domain Name expansion will be phishing or delivery of Trojan malware to unsuspecting visitors. Help Net Security elaborates, For example - imagine you received an email from yourbank.bank. You might tend to trust those emails, but in the beginning at least, you wouldn't necessarily know if this came from the institution in which you have accounts.

While the bigger brands will be in a position to secure control of most of the top-level domains using their brand name, the mid-to-small level businesses may not have the resources to do so.

Help Net Security quoted Spencer Parker, Group Product Manager at Websense as saying: This is where the largest danger will lie. I can see for example, small regional banks with small IT departments being taken advantage of in this way. ICANN will need to strictly enforce its policies and stringent evaluation procedures for generic top level domains so that the bad guys don't get their hands on them.

Ensuring protection of your brand by preregistering your company name and trademarks under the new top-level domains, securing the rights and taking precautions so that people aren't accidently accessing bogus sites etc should be done against potential phishing attacks, advises Help Net Security.