The Iranian government has blocked access to the social networking site Facebook amid political jockeying for the June 12 presidential elections, according to the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency. Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi — a former prime minister considered a threat to current hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — created a Facebook page for his campaign that has more than 5,000 supporters on the site. Those attempting to visit Facebook received a message in Farsi saying, “Access to this site is not possible,” according to CNN personnel in Tehran.
Tag Archives: internet
Spanish granny dubbed ‘world’s oldest blogger’ dies
A Spanish grandmother who became an Internet sensation after dubbing herself the "world’s oldest blogger" has died aged 97. Maria Amelia Lopez, who died Wednesday, began blogging from her home in Galicia two years ago, winning a raft of fans with her eclectic mix of commentary and nostalgia infused with a sharp wit. She was introduced to the Internet when her grandson set up the blog as a gift to mark her 95th birthday
The Newburgh 4: "These Guys Picked the Wrong Town to Mess With"
It will be days, possibly weeks, before we know all the details of how the attempted Riverdale, New York, bombing was foiled, but counterterrorism experts say it’s already clear where the plotters made their first mistake: they picked targets in New York City. Since the devastating attacks on Sept
Finale stuns ‘Idol’ worshippers
Even "American Idol" winner Kris Allen couldn’t believe it. When Allen, the clean-cut guy from Arkansas, triumphed over the spiky-haired rocker Adam Lambert to win season eight of the competition, he seemed positively astounded.
‘Virtual currencies’ power social networks, online games
When Santiago Martinez wants to give his friends birthday presents, he buys a cake or flowers or sometimes a teddy bear. But the 41-year-old, who lives on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, doesn’t spend pesos or dollars. He buys the gifts with an online-only currency called hi5 Coins.
China demolishes ‘Love Land’ sex park
Chinese authorities were explicit: Tear down the nation’s first sex-themed amusement park before it gets going full steam.
Israel warns citizens to beware Facebook spy requests
Terrorism groups are using Facebook and other social networking sites to recruit Israeli citizens as spies, the Israeli government warned Monday. Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, issued a statement warning Israelis about the dangers of trading confidential information for money. “The Shin Bet has gotten many reports about cases where terrorist elements are using the Internet to get in touch with Israelis with proposals to enlist in terror activity or to pass classified information in exchange for payment,” the statement said.
Howard ‘fully prepared’ to accept criticism in ‘Angels & Demons’
"The Da Vinci Code," a film based on a novel from Dan Brown, opened three years ago amid controversy and protests. Now, a new film based on another Brown novel, "Angels and Demons," opened on Friday. Larry King talked with the star of the movie, Tom Hanks, and its director, Ron Howard, about whether the new film will spark more controversy
Official: Craigslist to replace ‘blatant Internet brothel’
Craigslist will replace its controversial online "erotic services" listings with a section where ads are individually checked by Craigslist employees before they are posted, according to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
Welcome to the ‘weisure’ lifestyle
The line dividing work and leisure time is blurring right before our eyes, says one expert, and it’s creating a phenomenon called "weisure time." Many who haven’t already abandoned the 9-to-5 workday for the 24-7 life of weisure probably will do so soon, according to New York University sociologist Dalton Conley, who coined the word. It’s the next step in the evolving work-life culture.