Interrupting the BlackBerry market

The government has formally informed telecom companies that security agencies can start intercept Black-Berry Messenger (BBM) Services with effect from January 8.
However, Canada-based BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) maintains that it does not have the key to provide interception of its Blackberry Enterprises Service (BES), used mainly by corporates, to security agencies.
RIM claims that BES allows customers to create their own security keys which it cannot access. The company also claims that there are no backdoor tricks to crack the encryption.
RIM had been asked by the government to provide resolution and Web browsing requirements for both BES and BBM in consultation with telecom companies to enable legal interception of these services by security agencies.
BBM is an Internet-based instant messenger application that allows messaging between BlackBerry users.
“We wish to underscore once again that this enablement of lawful access does not extend to BlackBerry Enterprise Server. All of BlackBerry’s largest operators in India have already achieved full compliance,” an RIM spokesman told MAIL TODAY.
Telecom secretary R. Chandrashekhar said that the Department of Telecommunications has been regularly communicating with telecom operators on this issue.
“I cannot specifically recall about the latest communication to operators on the BlackBerry issue but we have been regularly communicating with operators,” said Chandrashekhar.
All major telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Tata Teleservices, had agreed last year to share real-time interception of BlackBerry calls and data services on their networks with security agencies to meet the December 31, 2012, deadline.
“In that case, we have no problem to begin formal interception of BBM services now. We are hopefully free from any technical glitches and we have got our system tuned as per requirements of security agencies, who want real time access to BlackBerry services,” said a top executive of a leading telecom company.
Airtel and Tata Teleservices were initially reluctant to fall in line but with RIM agreeing to provide real-time interception of its Black-Berry services to security agencies, these companies were now left with no option but to follow suit.
Vodafone and Tata Teleservices were among the first to report compliance. Airtel had also informed DoT that it is ready to test the equipment.
Operators had been pushing for an extension of the deadline but DoT had refused to budge on the issue.
According to the licensing norms, it is mandatory for telecom companies to put a mechanism in place to allow security agencies to intercept any conversation or message of a subscriber when required.
RIM had agreed to place a server in Mumbai for this purpose and also stated that it has complied with requirements of investigative agencies after their services were red-flagged on security issues as the interception was not in the readable format.
RIM had, at one point, adopted the stand that it was for the telecom companies to provide this assurance to the government. This resulted in a crackdown on service providers. The gridlock had persisted for over two years.
RIM, in the meantime, even tried to find an escape route by getting the Canadian government to intervene. Unlike the intransigent stance it took in India, RIM had provided access to its services to the US and Chinese authorities. All big telcos will share real-time interception of BlackBerry calls and data services on their networks with security agencies.

Hussey goes out a winner with Australian victory

Mike Hussey bowed out of Test cricket with a win, when he guided Australia to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Sunday, giving the home side a clean sweep of the three-match series.

Left-hander Hussey, playing in his 79th and final Test after announcing his international retirement, got his team over the line after the loss of five wickets on a tense fourth day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 37-year-old provided the steadying hand as Australia made hard work of running down 141 runs for victory on a turning pitch.

At the close Hussey was unbeaten on 27, while Mitchell Johnson hit the winning run to end on one not out.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath had earlier threatened to bowl the Sri Lankans to their first-ever Test victory in Australia at the 13th attempt. He finished with three wickets for 47.

Young Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird was named man of the match with seven wickets and skipper Michael Clarke was picked as man of the series.

The umpires stunned the crowd when they took tea with just five runs left to decide the Test, leaving onlookers with a sense of anti-climax.

The tourists were all out for 278 in their second innings earlier in the day as Dinesh Chandimal prolonged the resistance, batting with the tail in a defiant unbeaten knock of 62 off 106 balls with 11 fours.

Chandimal shared in a fighting 41-run last-wicket stand with Nuwan Pradeep off 74 balls to give the tourists some vital extra runs and make things uncomfortable for the Australian batsmen on a turning pitch.

Herath was bowled by Bird for 10 and Suranga Lakmal swung wildly and was cleaned up by Johnson for a duck.

Johnson finished with three for 34 and Bird captured three for 76.

Sri Lanka got an early reward when the threatening David Warner was out first ball.

He was caught in the slips by Mahela Jayawardene off paceman Lakmal's first delivery for a duck, with the Australians going to lunch at 13 for one.

Phil Hughes hit four boundaries but never looked set, and was next out leg before wicket on review to Herath for 34 off 49 balls.

Captain Michael Clarke used his feet and crease well against the wily Sri Lanka spinners as Australia's score crept along.

Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan tied down the batsmen, although a big lbw shout from Herath was turned down on review when Clarke was on 13.

But Dilshan got the skipper's prized wicket when he was caught off bat and pad for 29, bringing Hussey to the wicket in his final Test innings to a standing ovation.

Ed Cowan was out in the next over, lbw to Herath for 36 with 33 needed for victory.

First-innings centurion Matthew Wade was bowled by Herath for nine, setting up a fairytale finish for Hussey to be there for the win.

What was this Hollywood star thinking?

This week's worst-dressed crew includes Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, and Pauly Shore.

"Django Unchained" star Kerry Washington unchained a baffling ensemble at a press event for the controversial Quentin Tarantino-directed flick in Rome on Friday. What do you make of Ms. Washinton's Peter Pilotto-designed dress, which featured a cut-out and cascading ruffles? Fashion-forward or fashion faux pas?

 

The hue of Mena Suvari's Georges Hobeika dress -- which she wore to Jamie Kennedy's New Year's Eve debacle -- may have been festive, but everything else about it was a hot mess, minus the hot. The only things that should ever look cheap and boxy are cheap boxes, not couture.

 

Suffice it to say, we hope Kim Kardashian's baby-to-be doesn't inherit its mother's sense of "style." 

 

Prior to showcasing her growing bump in that lacy black monstrosity on New Year's Eve, Kim sported a thousand skinned skunks en route to Sin City with baby daddy, Kanye West, in tow

 

In addition to hitting the gym, hopefully one of Pauly Shore's New Year's resolutions is to purchase less-revealing swimwear. 

 

Simon Cowell's gal pal Carmen Electra looks fab for 40, but cornrows? Really? She's not a tramp-stamped teen running wild through Cancun on spring break. Ah, the good ol' days. 

 

As if former "Baywatch" babe Pamela Anderson didn't already look enough like a Barbie doll. 

 

If this barely-there getup -- worn by rapper Nicki Minaj -- is any indication of what she'll be sporting on the new season of "American Idol," consider our DVR season passes deleted.

 

And last but not least, we have Lindsay Lohan. We've run out of horrible things to say about her equally horrible outfits, so we're leaving this caption up to you. Have fun and make us laugh! 

Least Stressful Jobs for 2013

When was the last time you said, "Man, I wish I had a less stressful job!"
Three minutes ago, right?!
But if pressed, would you know exactly what type of jobs are the least stressful?
Well, CareerCast is out with its annual list of the Least Stressful Jobs of 2013 as well as the Most Stressful Jobs.
So what makes a job "least" stressful?
"If you look at the list, the key that you see there is these are jobs where people are in control of their day – working as fast as they feel they need to be effective," said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com. "You don't have somebody kind of breathing over your shoulder. There's no physical risk at all, and no one is depending on you in your job to make their life expectancy last longer!"
"These are jobs that that keep your blood pressure nice and low," Lee said.
And while you won't hear a lot of "thank yous" for the most stressful jobs, these least stressful jobs are loaded with them!
"Most people tend to be thankful for what they do," Lee said. "They get a lot of 'thank yous' and smiles and warm fuzzies!"
Wow, low blood pressure and warm fuzzies – where do I sign? Are there any downsides?
"They don't necessarily pay particularly well," Lee said. "Salaries on average are higher for the most stressful jobs than the least stressful."
So what are the least stressful jobs of 2013 and is yours on the list? Read ahead to find out.
 
1. University Professor
Median Salary: $62,050
And the winner of Least Stressful Job of 2013 is … university professor!
Professor is a newcomer to the list this year, and it shot straight to the top.
"If you look at the criteria for stressful jobs, things like working under deadlines, physical demands of the job, environmental conditions hazards, is your life at risk, are you responsible for the life of someone else, they rank like 'zero' on pretty much all of them!" Lee said.
Plus, they're in total control. They teach as many classes as they want and what they want to teach. They tell the students what to do and reign over the classroom. They are the managers of their own stress level.
The most stressful thing about being a professor?
"Interacting with other professors!" Lee said.
 
2. Seamstress/Tailor
Median Salary: $25,850
The big advantage here is time flexibility. People bring things in, and the seamstress or tailor tells them when it will be ready.
"Most seamstresses and tailors are independent business people, so that means they're in control of their day," Lee said. "If they want to take off early see their kids play, if they want to not work and go fishing, they can do that and take a little bit longer to get things done."
Of course, you also get a lot of "thank yous" for repairing or tailoring clothing to fit better.
And, like the librarian with the books, you have an added bonus – clothes don't talk back!
 
3. Medical Records Technician
Median Salary: $32,350
These are technicians – not administrative assistants – who are specially trained to deal with medical records. Making sure patient files are updated, given to the correct people, etc.
Like the lab work, this is a critical job that you don't want to mess up, so they're given more room to move at their own pace. Plus, it's a 9-to-5 job.
"You walk in to work, you turn it on. You walk out, you turn it off," Lee said. "It's not like something's going to weigh on you and keep you from sleeping!"
 
4. Jeweler
Median Salary: $35,170
"Jewelers tend to be self-employed and work in an environment where they're given a lot of flexibility and leeway," Lee said. "Because they have an expertise, they're given the bandwidth to make their own decisions about how they manage their workday," Lee said.
Not to mention, you're surrounded by pretty, sparkly things all day, and you get a lot of "thank yous" for helping people pick out pretty, sparkly things!
 
5. Medical Laboratory TechnicianMedian Salary: $46,680
These are specially trained technicians who deal with lab tests (blood tests, urine tests, etc.) and data from those samples.
Due to the critical importance of getting the analyses of these tests right, there isn't a lot of pressure.
"They're given the latitude to do the job at their own pace because it's important that they get it right," Lee said.

'Disgusting' rape case divides community: Ohio sheriff confronts protesters in football rape case

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Reuters) - A county sheriff under fire for how he has handled a high school rape investigation faced down a raucous crowd of protesters on Saturday and said no further suspects would be charged in a case that has rattled Ohio football country.

Ma'lik Richmond and Trenton Mays, both 16 and members of the Steubenville High School football team, are charged with raping a 16-year-old fellow student at a party last August, according to statements from their attorneys.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla, accused of shielding the popular football program from a more rigorous investigation, told reporters no one else would be charged in the case, just moments after he addressed about 1,000 protesters gathered in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse.

"I'm not going to stand here and try to convince you that I'm not the bad guy," he said to a chorus of boos. "You've already made your minds up."

The "Occupy Steubenville" rally was organized by the online activist group Anonymous.

Abdalla declined to take the investigation over from Steubenville police, sparking more public outrage. Anonymous and community leaders say police are avoiding charging more of those involved to protect the school's beloved football program.

The two students will be tried as juveniles in February in Steubenville, a close-knit city of 19,000 about 40 miles west of Pittsburgh.
The case shot to national prominence this week when Anonymous made public a picture of the purported rape victim being carried by her wrists and ankles by two young men. Anonymous also released a video that showed several other young men joking about an assault.
Abdalla, who said he first saw the video three days ago, said on Saturday that it provided no new evidence of any crimes.
"It's a disgusting video," he said. "It's stupidity. But you can't arrest somebody for being stupid."

The protest's masked leader, standing atop a set of stairs outside the courthouse doors, invited up to the makeshift stage anyone who was a victim of sexual assault. Protesters immediately flooded the platform, which was slightly smaller than a boxing ring.

Victims passed around a microphone, taking turns telling their stories. Some called for Abdalla and other local officials to step down from office for not charging more of the people and for what they called a cover-up by athletes, coaches and local officials.

Abdalla then climbed the stairs himself and addressed the protest over a microphone.

Abdalla said he had dedicated his 28-year career to combating sexual assault, overseeing the arrest of more than 200 suspects.

Clad in a teal ribbon symbolizing support for sexual assault victims, Abdalla later told Reuters that he stood by his decision to leave the investigation with local police. He would have had to question all 59 people that the Steubenville Police Department had already interviewed in its original investigation, he said.

"People have got their minds made up," he said. "A case like this, who would want to cover any of it up?"