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Meanwhile, ad revenue for news media fell nine percent in France alone last year, "a disaster for the industry".
"Years have passed (without anything being done) and free and reliable newsgathering is now threatened because the media will simply no longer be able to pay for it," the news agencies added.
"Diverse and reliable news sources, a pillar of democracy, risk being undermined."
Attempts by news outlets in France, Germany and Spain to force internet giants to pay have only resulted in them coughing up a "few symbolic crumbs", they added.
The press agencies insisted that some of the vast imbalance could be rectified if the EU gives them and other media "related rights" copyright to their work.
However, some European Parliament members were worried that the proposed directive would threaten free access to news for internet users.
But that would not be the case, the agencies insisted.
"Internet users would not be touched... simply those who now pocket a disproportionate part of advertising revenue would have to share a significant part of it with those who actually produce the information" on which the money is made.
The appeal was signed by AFP; the German agency DPA; Britain's Press Association; the Spanish agency EFE; Italy's Ansa; the Swedish agency TT; Belga of Belgium, Austria's APA, and the Dutch agency ANP.
Venture capitalist Tim Draper speaks in 2014 at a news conference to roll out the signature-gathering campaign for his proposed ballot measure to split California into six states.
As Silicon Valley VC king Tim Draper hammers away at his uphill battle to convince Californians to break up their state into three smaller states, it’s a good time to see what other Americans have done across the country with similar set-us-free campaigns.
Draper, 59, said such a move would improve the state by making it run more efficiently with less top-heavy bureaucracy mucking things up. He claims education, safety, infrastructure and health care would all improve.
Nebraska: In 1854, then-acting governor and politically connected Thomas Cuming tried to declare Omaha the territory of Nebraska’s capital, essentially proposing the creation of a South Nebraska alongside the original Nebraska. Nebraskans living in the southern of the state hated the idea and asked Congress to intervene. The north-south debate was eventually sidelined once the Civil War began to rage.
Montana el al: A 1939 secessionist movement came up with the big idea to create a new state of Absaroka. Why the name? Well, the new state would be slapped together by taking portions of Montana, adjacent areas of Wyoming, Nebraska and parts of North and South Dakota. Sort of a bureaucratic Frankenstein. The idea was fueled by local opposition to New Deal politics and folks who figured a new state would trigger tourism in the region.
New Jersey: In 1980, a non-binding referendum to partition the state was passed by several counties in southern New Jersey. That’s as far as it went.
New York: The great state of NY has actually seen a half-dozen attempts by its citizens to see if breaking up really is hard to do. One of the more colorful campaigns took place from 2007 to 2009 when Long Island residents played around with the secession idea after feeling their tax dollars were not being used to fund programs in their counties. Proposals were made for the entire island (Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties) and for just the two suburban counties (Nassau and Suffolk).
Oregon/California: In 1941, counties in southwestern Oregon joined counties of Northern California to call for secession and to become the State of Jefferson. The movement was spawned by residents of mostly rural communities who felt they were being ignored by political leaders in more urban areas. While the effort to break away eventually fizzled, you can see “Welcome to Jefferson” signs throughout that swath of the neighboring states to this day.
Virgin Media to offer free Spotify 3G streaming?
Virgin Media may be preparing a deal that would allow Spotify users on Virgin Mobile handsets to stream unlimited amounts of songs of 3G mobile data connections without incurring any costs, or using up any of a customers data allowance….
Virgin Mobile has announced what it claims is the UK’s best value monthly tariff, sprinting in at just £8.50 per month.
Virgin Mobile has decided that its customers deserve cheaper access to the mobile Internet and has introduced a new tariff for moderate daily surfing.
The “Casual User” tariff, available to both contract and pre-pay customers, costs 30p per day and has a 25MB daily limit (we hope that it’s megabytes, though the press release implies megabits).
This, Virgin claims, is up to three times cheaper than most other networks. In an attempt to prove that, a lengthy and boring comparison chart has been published. I’m not going to mess about drawing you a table of figures, because you’re all more than capable of checking out the competition yourself. Suffice it to say, the deal seems pretty average. Heavy mobile Net users would probably be better off with a higher bandwidth or “unlimited with fair use” tariff, but for those just checking Facebook and a few sport and weather pages, it should suffice.
I am a bargain hunter. In restaurants I look at the prices before I look over the food. I shop the markets rather than the malls. And I always ask “¿Cuánto vale?”(“How much?”) before making my decision.
So I also search out events that are free or low-cost but seem interesting. One such event is the International Book Fair, which is held the last week in June. This year it was at Pedregal event center in San Antonio de Belén, west of San José. Yes, I know, thebooks are all in Spanish. But if you like books, you’re also interested in what’s available in Latin America. And if you can’t read the books, you can always judge them by their covers. Besides, it only cost ¢500 ($1) to get in and looking around inside is free.
First bargain: everyone going in gets a free book and some bookmarks. I sometimes think I go for the bookmarks just to replace all the torn-off pieces of paper and covers of greeting cards that fill my books. A free book isn’t so bad either.
Then there are also lots of other exhibits, such as stamps and coins and pre-Columbian figurines. The former displayed a slew of envelopes from days of yore when a name, a street and a country were all that was needed to send your letter winging to its destination.
The coins and bills were a little depressing as they reminded you how much five colones used to buy. Now those colorful bills are seen only in antique displays and in the hands of peddlers who charge tourists considerably more than five colones for them.
For kids there were free balloons, and I saw a few grown-ups in the balloon line if that’s your thing.
The book dealers and publishers were arranged in a huge circle around the hall so you couldn’t miss any of them. Other things were easy to miss. I planned to meet a friend there and learned the next day that she had been walking in the same direction around the circle but at a different radius.
For those who aren’t afraid to take on reading in Spanish, there were plenty of books. Casa de Revistas had the most tantalizing display on Da Vinci,Mary Magdalene and the Knights Templar, cashing in on the new popularity at ¢13,000 ($26) and more.
Much too steep for us pinches (think of penny-pinchers), I moved on. The Bible Society had some children’s books on Bible stories with cute illustrations and stickers. And cheap – probably keeping in mind the tale of Jesus and the money changers. With Christmas a mere six months away, I bought a bunch for the kids around my neighborhood, especially those who need to be reminded now and then of their catechism lessons.
Some of the booths were pass-bys – too technical or too limited in scope. But Oceano, which handles dictionaries, encyclopedias and computer equipment, is a good place to find Spanish-English aids or material for the student set.
There were booths for publishers from other Latin American countries, Nicaragua, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, giving an idea of the span of literature published in the region. The bookstores were there too, Lehmann, Universal and Internacional, offering 10 and 15% discounts on all books.
I headed for the booth of the StateUniversity at a Distance (UNED), whose selection is extensive, with lots of books on Costa Rica by local authors, and very reasonable.
My kind of books. By buying two, I got a discount, a pen and a big paper shopping bag.
My kind of shopping. If books aren’t your thing, they also have a food court.
At three o’clock the whistle blew announcing that the train waiting at the back door would soon depart for the Pacific station in San José, and it was all aboard for those going that way. I go to Alajuela, northwest of San José, but what the heck, I can take the train to San José and catch an express bus back, and it’ll be just as fast as the stop-andstart bus to Alajuela.
The train charged a whopping ¢1,000 ($2) and wobbled all the way to San José, but it was fun, especially seeing a couple of the above-mentioned balloons fly out the window as the train paused over a bridge suspended half a kilometer over a river. Then the train wobbled through the western districts of La Carpio and Pavas, blowing the horn and stopping traffic, and all the passengers waved to the kids along the way, who waved back.
And that concluded my inexpensive excursion about which I had no complaints.
By checking through The Tico Times’ Calendar section, you can find other events that are cheap and choice. Book presentations and inauguraciones (opening nights) of art shows are always free, give you an idea of what’s happening culturally in Costa Rica and serve snacks.
Film festivals held at various cultural centers are also a good value, especially when they’re free. Fairs, festivals, concerts and programs in the parks are other inexpensive ways to see the sights.
Chances are you’ll see me there, too.
HOLLYWOOD -- In Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, five absolutely faaaabulous boys perform a head-to-toe-to-apartment makeover on an absolutely clueless straight guy. It's funny, catty and oh-so-gay, with lots of heart and good intentions.
Honey, it's to die for.
Here's the 411: Five gay men, known as the Fab Five, land on a straight guy's doorstep. One is an expert on grooming, another on fashion, and still others on interior design, culture, and food and wine. With the straight guy's permission, the Fab Five proceed to transform his look and his home. Sometimes, they even help the straight guy save his job or his marriage.
Take the July 15 premiere (9 p.m., Bravo). Brian, aka Butch (no joke), is an aspiring painter. In a few days, he's going to open his first art exhibit. All his friends are invited. But Butch is not in shape to meet the public. In fact, he hasn't had a haircut in nine years and dresses exclusively in T-shirts and overalls. His apartment is such a nightmare he can hardly find the paintings he wants to display, so buried are they under clothes, exercise equipment and other flotsam of unknown origin.
"This bed looks prison-issue," says Thom Filicia, the interior designer.
"You put a crack den where a living room used to be," wails fashionista Carson Kressley.
The mission appears hopeless, especially since Butch hasn't a clue that anything's really wrong. He's agreed to the makeover mainly to make his friends happy -- and because he wants to make an impression at his first art showing.
The Fab Five roll up their sleeves and get busy. Grooming expert Kyan Douglas persuades Butch to chop off his ponytail and advises him on the proper way to shave. Kressley introduces Butch to blazer and slacks and goes through Butch's closet (insert gay joke here), tossing out T's and some ancient boxers (oh, the embarrassment). Filicia proceeds to redo Butch's ratty apartment, a mammoth undertaking. Jai Rodriguez instructs Butch on handling the exhibition audience. And Ted Allen goes grocery shopping for hors d'oeuvres ingredients, teaching Butch how to prepare them for the big night.
Poor Butch is put through the wringer. Not only must he endure some well-intentioned savaging from the Fab Five, but he also is under the stress of dramatic lifestyle changes, all with cameras rolling.
I won't give away what happens, except to say that before the hour is up, you may laugh and you may cry.
"There's certainly some tough love in the opening scenes," Kressley told members of the Television Critics Association, here previewing upcoming shows.
"We tease them, but we really never try to be mean-spirited. We always try to be funny with it."
What if the situations were reversed and five straight guys tried to show a gay guy how to survive in the rough, tough, macho world?
"It's called high school," said Kressley.
"We've already been through that," agreed Filicia.
"Done that. Didn't like it," echoed Douglas.
Ten episodes of the show have been filmed. In Episode 2, which will air at 10 p.m. July 15, the straight guy is a John Belushi look-alike who wants to throw a surprise birthday party for his wife because he's missed her birthday seven years in a row. The series then unwinds in weekly installments beginning next Tuesday.
"What's really been fascinating to all of us is how all of the 10 straight guys completely buy into the program," said Allen.
When an episode ends, "they don't want us to leave," Rodriguez said. (He becomes a permanent member of the cast in Episode 2; a different culture maven appears in the premiere.) "They develop this close friendship. Some of the guys have welled up when we're leaving. It's really kind of shocking to us."
"It really starts to transcend the whole gay-straight question," said Allen. "Who wouldn't want five experts in their fields to come in and help in all these areas?"
"Our mantra has always been that it's not a makeover show," said Kressley. "We don't want to steamroll people into something that's not themselves. We do a lot of homework to make sure they're very involved. It's a make-better show. It's you, only better."
"One that we thought was going to be the scariest was the Sicilian policeman from Staten Island," Allen said.
"He actually started out semihomophobic, not actually wanting to drink from the same glass," said David Collins, the show's executive producer. "And by the end of the show ... "
" ... I was in his arms," said Douglas.
"He pulled us aside and was, like, so overwhelmed," said Rodriguez. "He was, like, `If you ever need anything, you call me.' "
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,9 and 10 p.m. July 15, Bravo. Grade: four snaps, honey.
Prairie Fest fun will return to Wood Dale this week.
Looking for something to do? We have suggestions ranging from Prairie Fest to the musical "Miss Saigon," a birthday party for Harry Potter, a new book by an inspirational local author, and a benefit rhythm 'n' soul concert for the DuPage Convalescent Center.
ABOUT: Prairie Fest is set to kick off through Friday with carnival rides, food vendors and bands from 6 to 11 p.m., before a weekend of expanded afternoon and evening events. The lineup includes arts and crafts, kids activities, and music by such artists as Modern Day Romeos, Kashmir in a Led Zeppelin tribute, Infinity, and Heartache Tonight in an homage to the Eagles. Fireworks will light up the sky Saturday night.
ABOUT: The band August will play rhythm 'n' soul at a benefit concert for the DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to the show under the stars. It begins at 7 p.m., preceded by an hour of entertainment by radio station 95.9 The River. All proceeds will benefit the center's residents.
ABOUT: Jedlicka Performing Arts Center launches its season with the musical "Miss Saigon," featuring Filipino stage and TV star Shana Dagny in the lead role based on Puccini’s opera "Madama Butterfly." It's the tale of a doomed romance between a Vietnamese bar girl and an American G.I. in the days leading up to the fall of Saigon.
ABOUT: Harry Potter fans are invited to his birthday party, replete with costume contest, Bertie Botts jelly bean eating competition, Horcrux Hunt for themed prizes, and such laser tag games as Dodge the Dementor. Hogwarts foods will include butterbeer. A free 15 minutes of MagiQuest game play is offered all costumed muggles and wizards. Staff members will be in character at Adventure Realm, a medieval-themed family entertainment center, where MagiQuest players use wands to interact with 150 effects in the kingdom.
ABOUT: "Through God's Eyes," written by Karla Sullivan of Downers Grove, is a compilation of personal, inspirational and motivational stories. Sullivan, a seasoned writer, notes the anthology is a manual for life that's focused on love, gratitude, spiritual guidance, laughter and heartache – all revolving around parents, children, grandparents and workplace.
A Chick-fil-A and a Wawa are part of a new shopping center proposed for the corner of Route 9 and Elton-Adelphia Road in Freehold Township.
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - A Chick-fil-A and a Wawa food market and fueling station are part of a new shopping center proposed for the corner of Route 9 and Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524) in Freehold Township.
The proposed project, called Elton Plaza, is scheduled to be heard by the Freehold Township Planning Board on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The proposal, by M&M Realty Partners at Freehold in Piscataway, is slated for 14.6 acres on the highway's northbound side, across from Park Nine Diner. It encompasses five retail buildings totaling 40,609 square feet and 264 parking spaces.
Chick-fil-A. The proposed 5,510-square-foot restaurant will have 102 seats inside and 16 outside. It will also have a drive-thru lane. According to the application, it will have about 70 to 80 employees. The popular chicken chain has restaurants at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold Township, on Route 9 in Howell and Route 70 in Brick.
Wawa. The convenience store will be 5,051 square feet. Outside the store, Wawa will have four rows of fuel pumps for gasoline and diesel. The fueling station, covered by a canopy, is for vehicles only with no tractor-trailer trucks allowed.
Retail building. No tenants are named for a 13,600-square-foot retail building. Besides retail space, the proposed building includes a 3,000-square-foot restaurant with 50 seats.
The project's second phase is included in the plan's drawings. It consists of a 14,724-square-foot retail space with a drive-thru lane and a 2,084-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru lane.
The project backs up against a residential neighborhood. Township officials have met with local residents.
The plan calls for a 75-foot landscaped buffer between the center and the residential properties. It will include a high berm with plantings, an official said.
(Reuters) - A group that published hacking tools that security experts believe were stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency said on Tuesday it plans to sell a new batch of stolen code in July to customers willing to pay more than $22,000 for it.
The Shadow Brokers group said in an announcement on the internet that it has not yet determined what files will be in the collection. It has previously said it has access to tools for hacking into web mobile handsets and Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT.O) Windows 10 operating system, web browsers and network routers.
It is not clear whether the group actually possesses those tools, or would make good on its promise to release them.
Security researchers have urged taking the threat seriously after the Shadow Brokers released a group of NSA hacking tools in April, including one that was used to launch this month’s massive “WannaCry” cyber attack.
WannaCry crippled some 300,000 computers worldwide, causing disruptions at hospitals, post offices, auto plants and government offices.
“This is potentially disastrous,” said Matt Suiche, founder of cyber security firm Comae Technologies, who closely follows the Shadow Brokers.
It is not clear who is behind the Shadow Brokers, though some security experts have said they believe the group is tied to the Russian government and working to embarrass the United States.
NSA officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. The agency has declined to say if it built the hacking tools released by Shadow Brokers, or discuss the group’s activities.
A Microsoft representative said she had no immediate comment.
The company said on May 16 that it was aware of Shadow Broker’s claims that it had tools for hacking Windows 10, adding that its staff were actively monitoring emerging cyber threats.
For hours, the dedicated queued on Saturday to carry off a prized autograph or to pose for a selfie with some of the biggest celebrities of a new generation.
Not for them the rock stars or sporting heroes, but video gamers who have won millions of global followers piling up blocks in the Minecraft virtual world and who came to London for the Minecon convention on July 4 and 5.
The 10,000 tickets sold made it the largest ever such event for a single video game. The fact those tickets cost 129 pounds ($200) was a sign of what big business Minecraft has become.
The game, whose developer Mojang was bought by Microsoft last year for $2.5 billion, has done more than any other to influence the way the youngest computer users play and communicate online.