Spain's blogger granny dies at 97
Written by Tront    Friday, 22 May 2009 09:11   

A Spanish grandmother who billed herself as the "world's oldest internet blogger" has died at the age of 97.

Maria Amelia Lopez only began blogging from her seaside home in Galicia two years ago.

But her postings on international affairs, Spanish politics and old age quickly turned her into a celebrity, attracting followers around the world.

Towards the end of her life Maria Amelia used video rather than text to offer her thoughts.

'Elderly in action'


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Health advert sparks gaming row
Written by Tront    Thursday, 12 March 2009 09:24   
Change for Life poster
The campaign is backed by a number of health charities

The games industry has condemned a government advert suggesting children who play computer games may die early.

The advert from the Change4Life campaign shows a boy playing a game, with the slogan "Risk an early death, just do nothing".

The industry trade magazine - MCV - has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about the advertisement.

The Department of Health said it is important be aware of the benefits of an active lifestyle.

A spokesman added that the government is "not saying children shouldn't play computer games".

Speaking to the BBC, MCV's associate editor, Tim Ingham, said its complaint to the ASA was fair and it had the backing of the games industry.

"This is a hugely inaccurate portrayal of an industry whose activity is far less sedentary than, say, watching TV.

"To say that video games are the main culprit in the UK's current obesity crisis is ridiculous," he added.


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Xbox killer given life sentence
Written by Tront    Friday, 20 February 2009 14:25   
Shane Boyd
Shane Boyd will serve at least 11 years of his sentence

An illiterate teenager who was convicted of stabbing a boy to death at a house party in Manchester has been given a life sentence.

Shane Boyd, 16, will serve at least 11 years for murdering Conor Black in an argument over a games console.

Conor, also aged 16, collapsed and died minutes after being stabbed outside the house in Moston last August.

Boyd, who boasted that he was "the man" after the attack, was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC sentenced him to life, to serve a minimum of 11 years before he can be considered for parole.

Boyd had admitted manslaughter but his plea was rejected by the court. He was found guilty of murder last month.

The court heard Boyd confronted Conor outside a house party in the early hours of 16 August over the alleged theft of an Xbox console.

Conor Black (Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester Police)

His mum lost her friend, her child, her life and that makes us so very sad and helpless

Conor Black's family

Boyd came out of the house and smashed his victim over the head with a can of lager, before stabbing him in the back as he turned to escape, the jury heard.

Conor ran a short distance to a grassy area where he collapsed and died. The stab wound had severed a main artery.

The court heard Boyd then stood in the road shouting that "he was the best, he was the man" - before threatening to kill anyone who mentioned his name to police.

"In truth you thought no more of having that knife in your pocket than you would a wallet or a house key," said the judge.

Devastating impact

He told Boyd that carrying and using a knife was no way to deal with a dispute about a games console.

After the sentencing the family released a statement through Greater Manchester Police saying they were devastated by Conor's death.

"All the hopes and dreams of a family were crushed when Conor's life was stolen in that terrible, violent way.

"His mum lost her friend, her child, her life and that makes us so very sad and helpless."

Det Ch Insp Serena Kennedy, of Greater Manchester Police, said Conor's death had shown the devastating impact knives could have.

"One boy's family is grieving the loss of his life, and today the defendant, himself a boy, will start spending his life in prison," she said.
SOURCE

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Love at first frag: Gamers tie the knot in Halo-themed wedding
Written by Tront    Friday, 23 January 2009 12:36   

Somehow I don't think this is what they mean by "shotgun wedding."

Die-hard gamers John Henry and Desirai Labrada exchanged marriage vows in Orlando over the weekend in a Halo-themed wedding, and MTV's Stephen Totilo was caught in the crossfire.

This one was strictly for the Halo nerdcore: The bride wore a wedding dress emblazoned with the Halo logo. A four-piece orchestra played select pieces from the sweeping Halo score. The backdrop in the wedding hall was a replica of Halo 2 map Ivory Tower. And the "Master Chief," who presided over the frag-free ceremony clad in MJOLNIR armour, pronounced the newlyweds "teammates for life."


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Chinese web portal porn apology
Written by Tront    Wednesday, 07 January 2009 09:48   
Chinese internet user (file image)
There are fears China's internet "clean up" could be used to stifle dissent

A leading Chinese search engine has apologised for providing links to pornographic content following an official internet crackdown.

The owners of Baidu said they felt "deeply guilty" for any "negative effects" such sites had on web users.

Baidu was among 19 sites criticised by the government for failing to get rid of material it deemed unsuitable.

The sites have been told to clean up or face possibly being shut down.

China's two leading online gaming operators, NetEase and SINA Corp, have also issued apologies.

Baidu said it had deleted the "obscene content and links concerned" and had also improved it regulatory system.

"We apologise to the netizens at large for the negative impacts we brought upon the society," it said.

The BBC's Micky Bristow in Beijing says China believes it has a duty to protect public morality and fears that "unhealthy" content could be damaging for young people.

But some fear that the latest crackdown could be used as an excuse to stifle expressions of political dissent online, says our correspondent.
BBC

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