Apple on Monday (Jun 4) unveiled new operating systems for its iPhones and computers with features designed to thwart the use of secret trackers to monitor people's online activities. Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). (AFP/Josh Edelson) The announcement by Apple comes amid a growing focus on protecting privacy following a Facebook data scandal and new rules being enforced by the European Union for online services. Apple, kicking off its annual developers conference, appeared to be setting itself apart from Facebook, which has drawn the ire of privacy activists, and even showed how its software could prevent the social network from tracking users on Apple devices. The upcoming versions of software powering iPhone and Mac computers will block the use of so-called "cookies" from Facebook "like" buttons that can follow people from one website to another, Apple said. "Turns out 'like' buttons and 'comment' fields can be used to track you, … [Read more...] about Apple touts privacy features of new operating systems
Bedtime 4 year old
Beyonce, Easter Bunny highlight Obama’s final egg roll
WASHINGTON, March 28 - Rain clouds auspiciously parted, A-list guests including the Easter Bunny and Beyonce were on hand and first dogs Sunny and Bo obliged for selfies as U.S. President Barack Obama celebrated his final Easter egg roll at the White House on Monday. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted 35,000 guests on the South Lawn for the 138th annual event, which Obama said was one of his favorite fixtures on the calendar. "You guys brought the sun out, so we appreciate that so much," Obama joked to attendees as showers were replaced by sun. Standing on the White House balcony, the president and first lady welcomed the crowd before heading down to the lawn for games, reading, and sports. "This is always one of our favorite events of the year. It's so much fun," he said, thanking volunteers and the Marine band. This year's guest list included singer Idina Menzel, who performed the national anthem and tweeted that the White House was "by far the best vocalizing spot," … [Read more...] about Beyonce, Easter Bunny highlight Obama’s final egg roll
Trang warms up for first Olympic competition – Entertainment – Arts & Entertainment
Trang is living her dream, competing in the first Olympic Games of her career. She is the only female Vietnamese badminton player in Brazil and will kick off her tournament on August 12 at the Riocentro, Pavilion 4. The 24-year-old has been chasing this opportunity for many years, and her efforts have transformed her from a little girl into the national No 1 seed. As her sister was a badminton player, Trang fell in love with the sport, and she started playing at the age of seven at a club in her village in Tan Dinh Commune, Bac Giang Province. “She really loved her racket and carried it with her all the time, even during meals and at bedtime,” Trang’s mother Nguyen Thi Xuan said. The girl practised badminton every day and showed great prowess, even beyond that of other members of the club. “She always tried hard to perform all the techniques well, even if it took her days to manage difficult ones. Never giving up and hungering for success are her most prominent … [Read more...] about Trang warms up for first Olympic competition – Entertainment – Arts & Entertainment
Art & Entertainment Headlines January 7
Documents assert Vietnam’s East Sea sovereignty On display are documents, items, publications and nearly 150 maps collected by domestic and international researchers and scholars. The exhibits demonstrate that Vietnamese States, from feudal to current socialist regimes, have exercised sovereignty over the two groups of islands in the East Sea. As well as Vietnamese, Chinese and French documents dating from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, the exhibition displays 20 copies of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), featuring the Vietnamese State’s exploitation, management and implementation of the sovereign rights at Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. It also includes documents and publications published by Western countries from the 18th to 19th centuries related to Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two groups of islands and versions of administrative documents of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam issued from 1975 to present day.. Visitors have the opportunity to see four … [Read more...] about Art & Entertainment Headlines January 7
EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 15-31 (daily updated)
Earth Hour 2014 Earth Hour: Sat 29 Mar 2014, 8.30 - 9.30pm Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Over the last several years, Earth Hour has become a global sustainability movement with millions people across countries participating. Earth Hour is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Earth Hour 2014 in Vietnam will take place on Saturday 29 March, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, when lights will be turned off in several major landmark venues across the country. There will also be entertainment activities to celebrate the occasion in Hanoi and HCMC: Hanoi: August Square (in front of the Hanoi Opera House): Open-air orchestral music from 8 pm HCMC: Youth Cultural House (no. 4 Pham Ngoc Thach, … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 15-31 (daily updated)