WASHINGTON — The United States said Monday it will not back away from an Internet freedom push that has raised hackles in China amid a dispute between Beijing and Web giant Google over cyberattacks.
"We are aware that China has a different position with respect to restricting information," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
"We think this is inconsistent with the information environment and prerequisites of the 21st century," Crowley told reporters.
"So we will continue to promote the free flow of information, unfettered access to information, the ability to have virtual freedom of association.
"These are all, we believe, fundamental tenets of the environment that we live in, and we will not back away from advocating that this should be something that all countries should promote," Crowley said.
The spokesman also recalled that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a major policy speech on Internet freedom last week in which she talked about "being able to surf the Internet without restrictions."
Beijing lashed out at Clinton's speech last week, saying it was "harmful" to relations, and a Chinese spokesman on Monday denied any state involvement in the cyberattacks which Google said originated in China.
The Internet giant has said that following the cyberattacks on the email accounts of Chinese human rights activists it is no longer willing to censor Web search results in China even it that means it has to leave the country.
A spokesman for China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said Monday that the "accusation that the Chinese government participated in (any) cyberattack, either in an explicit or inexplicit way, is groundless and aims to denigrate China."
"China's policy on Internet safety is transparent and consistent," the spokesman told state news agency Xinhua, saying the country with the world's largest online community was itself the "biggest victim" of hacking.
The White House said last week that President Barack Obama was "troubled" by the Chinese-based cyberattacks on Google and other US companies and was seeking official answers.
The Google row, which erupted almost two weeks ago, has threatened to damage Sino-US ties, which are already dogged by trade and currency issues, US arms sales to Taiwan and climate change.
Political News Media blog. Australian and international politics. Local, State, Federal. American politics. Part of the Media Man Group
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Greens join net blackout protest - 25th January 2010
The Australian Greens will join more than 500 other websites in fading their webpage to black in protest against the federal government's proposed internet filter.
The government's plan will not protect children, will do nothing to crack down on criminal activity online, and sets a dangerous precedent of centralised net censorship, Greens communications spokesman Scott Ludlum said in a statement on Monday.
"Communications Minister Stephen Conroy should start paying attention to the almost universal condemnation of this scheme and pursue alternatives rather than pushing ahead with the mandatory filter," Senator Ludlum said.
A website, www.internetblackout.com.au, has been specially set up for the week-long event, dubbed The Great Australian Internet Blackout.
The government's plan will not protect children, will do nothing to crack down on criminal activity online, and sets a dangerous precedent of centralised net censorship, Greens communications spokesman Scott Ludlum said in a statement on Monday.
"Communications Minister Stephen Conroy should start paying attention to the almost universal condemnation of this scheme and pursue alternatives rather than pushing ahead with the mandatory filter," Senator Ludlum said.
A website, www.internetblackout.com.au, has been specially set up for the week-long event, dubbed The Great Australian Internet Blackout.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Casino Jack and the United States of Money
GENRE: Documentary
DIRECTOR: Alex Gibney
RUNNING TIME: 2:00
RELEASE DATE: Opens 23rd January 2010
"Casino Jack" is a rollicking circus of corruption, from high rollers in Indian casinos, hookers in Saipan, a murdered Greek tycoon, Cold War spy novels, plush trips to paradise . . . and the United States Congress. These are among the intriguing clues that add up to the epic mystery behind one of the greatest attempted heists in American history.
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DIRECTOR: Alex Gibney
RUNNING TIME: 2:00
RELEASE DATE: Opens 23rd January 2010
"Casino Jack" is a rollicking circus of corruption, from high rollers in Indian casinos, hookers in Saipan, a murdered Greek tycoon, Cold War spy novels, plush trips to paradise . . . and the United States Congress. These are among the intriguing clues that add up to the epic mystery behind one of the greatest attempted heists in American history.
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WWE News: Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon dodges tough WWE-related questions during TV interview - 17th January 2010
During a TV interview on WFSB in Connecticut that aired this morning, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon stuck to her regular defenses promoting WWE's TV-PG programming, recent institution of the Wellness Policy, and paying for medical costs for pro wrestlers in response to being grilled about her executive decisions in WWE.
McMahon was asked several questions about her role in WWE based on how she created wealth to run for Senator in Connecticut and whether McMahon overlooked health issues ongoing in her company while making money off wrestlers.
During the interview, McMahon set up each WWE-related response with a preface on how she believes WWE is a great, family-friendly product. McMahon challenged reporter Brian Lockhart to check the Wellness Policy on WWE's website for details on the policy, but she would not address WWE's handling of health issues prior to the Wellness Policy's creation in 2005.
"We have had drug testing policies in place for many, many years. Maintaining the health and wellness of the performers in the ring is paramount to us," McMahon said.
McMahon was also grilled on wrestlers assuming risk and WWE not assuming much risk by classifying wrestlers as independent contracts. McMahon again defended the issue by saying wrestlers acknowledge their risk as wrestlers.
"The performers in WWE are independent contractors. They sign that waiver. Even given the waiver, we protect them," she said. "Any injury - surgery or rehab - WWE covers that and covers all their rehab."
McMahon's only true admission in the interview was acknowledging WWE has pushed the envelope on TV in the past, which came after she shot a glare toward reporter Brian Lockhart for bringing up Triple H's infamous simulated sex with the storyline corpse of Katie Vick.
"Yes, I think there are times when we have (pushed the envelope). That's what happens you write television 52 weeks per year. It's fiction," she said.
There wasn't enough time at this point in the segment to follow up on WWE appealing to a younger demographic that may not understand that pro wrestling is "fictional" and how she responds to that.
The final WWE-related note from the interview was Linda McMahon suggesting her husband, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, could be on the campaign trail down the line.
"He is fully supportive of this race, as is my family, and he is cheering me on for this campaign," McMahon said. "He might campaign down the road."
Links: Watch Part 1 of the Video on WFSB Ch. 3 and Part 2 and Part 3.
(Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch)
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McMahon was asked several questions about her role in WWE based on how she created wealth to run for Senator in Connecticut and whether McMahon overlooked health issues ongoing in her company while making money off wrestlers.
During the interview, McMahon set up each WWE-related response with a preface on how she believes WWE is a great, family-friendly product. McMahon challenged reporter Brian Lockhart to check the Wellness Policy on WWE's website for details on the policy, but she would not address WWE's handling of health issues prior to the Wellness Policy's creation in 2005.
"We have had drug testing policies in place for many, many years. Maintaining the health and wellness of the performers in the ring is paramount to us," McMahon said.
McMahon was also grilled on wrestlers assuming risk and WWE not assuming much risk by classifying wrestlers as independent contracts. McMahon again defended the issue by saying wrestlers acknowledge their risk as wrestlers.
"The performers in WWE are independent contractors. They sign that waiver. Even given the waiver, we protect them," she said. "Any injury - surgery or rehab - WWE covers that and covers all their rehab."
McMahon's only true admission in the interview was acknowledging WWE has pushed the envelope on TV in the past, which came after she shot a glare toward reporter Brian Lockhart for bringing up Triple H's infamous simulated sex with the storyline corpse of Katie Vick.
"Yes, I think there are times when we have (pushed the envelope). That's what happens you write television 52 weeks per year. It's fiction," she said.
There wasn't enough time at this point in the segment to follow up on WWE appealing to a younger demographic that may not understand that pro wrestling is "fictional" and how she responds to that.
The final WWE-related note from the interview was Linda McMahon suggesting her husband, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, could be on the campaign trail down the line.
"He is fully supportive of this race, as is my family, and he is cheering me on for this campaign," McMahon said. "He might campaign down the road."
Links: Watch Part 1 of the Video on WFSB Ch. 3 and Part 2 and Part 3.
(Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch)
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Monday, January 11, 2010
PartyGaming News: Danske Spil chooses PartyGaming to launch online games in Denmark
11th January 2010
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, today announces an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’).
Controlled by the Danish Government, The Danske Spil Group is one of the largest betting and gaming organisations in Europe with DKK 10,955 million of turnover in 2008. Offering a variety of gaming products in Denmark including the national lottery, numbers games, instant games as well as gambling on machines, Danske Spil has also established a large online gaming business and already has over 500,000 registered online customers.
In 2009 the Danish Government published draft legislation for a partially liberalised gaming market in Denmark that is expected to become law in 2011. If adopted, poker and casino will be among the games subjected to open competition in the Danish market. Whilst Danske Spil has strengthened its position in a number of online gaming categories such as bingo, sports betting and casual games with strong growth in the number of players and revenues, it recognised the need to join forces with a leading online gaming company in order to achieve its potential.
Over the past seven months, Danske Spil has screened the market for providers of services and potential online partners that specialise in poker and casino games. As part of its selection criteria, Danske Spil was determined to find a supplier that matched its own high standards for product quality, security and ethical requirements. PartyGaming passed all of these pre-requisites and is set to create a new strategic alliance with Danske Spil in Denmark. It is expected that the commercial terms between both companies will be finalised within the next few weeks.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming said:
“This is a landmark B2B deal for PartyGaming and validates our strategy to become a leading provider of B2B services to both corporates and governments around the world. Danske Spil is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading gambling businesses, one that is pre-eminent in the Danish market. We are delighted that Danske Spil has recognised our expertise and high standards of business practice and we look forward to building a significant and profitable enterprise as soon as the newly regulated Danish online gaming market opens.”
H.C. Madsen, CEO at Danske Spil, said:
"With some of the world’s leading products in online poker and casino as well as a large international customer base, PartyGaming is definitely a strong business partner for Danske Spil. Combining this with Danske Spil’s unique and strong position in the Danish market with more than 500,000 Danish online customers will guarantee that together we will deliver a highly attractive customer experience to players in Denmark."
Editor’s Notes
About PartyGaming:
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY. In the year to 31 December 2008, PartyGaming’s Continuing operations generated revenues of $472.9m and Clean EBITDA of $144.2m.
PartyGaming’s principal brands are www.PartyPoker.com, one of the world’s largest online poker rooms, www.PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, www.PartyBingo.com, www.PartyGammon.com, www.PartyBets.com, www.PartyMarkets.com, www.FoxyBingo.com, www.GetMinted.com, www.Gamebookers.com and www.WorldPokerTour.com. None of the Group’s sites accept real money customers located in the US.
PartyGaming is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and it is also certified as a responsible gaming operator by GamCare, the leading UK authority on the provision of advice, practical help, support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling.
PartyGaming’s shares are also a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which enables investors to identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.
About Danske Spil
Danske Spil is a company group comprising of Danske Spil A/S and the subsidiary company Dansk Automatspil A/S. Danske Spil A/S has 270 employees.
In the 2008 financial year, the Danske Spil Group recorded a turnover of DKK 10,955 million, DKK 8,757million in Danske Spil and DKK 2,198 million in Dansk Automatspil. Group profits were DKK 1,543 million and a total of DKK 1,610 million, including guarantee payment from the State of DKK 100 million, was distributed to stakeholders. Danske Spil’s total contribution to Danish society in 2008, comprising profit for the year and government taxes, was DKK 2,795 million.
The Board has 15 members, five of whom are employee representatives and ten of whom are appointed by the following government ministries as well as organisations distributing the pools and lottery funds: The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Education. The Danish Sports Federation (DIF), the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association (DGI), the Danish Football Association (DBU), the Outdoor Council, the Danish Company Sports Association (DFIF) and the Danish Youth Council (DUF). The chairman of the Board is appointed by the Minister of Taxation.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, today announces an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’).
Controlled by the Danish Government, The Danske Spil Group is one of the largest betting and gaming organisations in Europe with DKK 10,955 million of turnover in 2008. Offering a variety of gaming products in Denmark including the national lottery, numbers games, instant games as well as gambling on machines, Danske Spil has also established a large online gaming business and already has over 500,000 registered online customers.
In 2009 the Danish Government published draft legislation for a partially liberalised gaming market in Denmark that is expected to become law in 2011. If adopted, poker and casino will be among the games subjected to open competition in the Danish market. Whilst Danske Spil has strengthened its position in a number of online gaming categories such as bingo, sports betting and casual games with strong growth in the number of players and revenues, it recognised the need to join forces with a leading online gaming company in order to achieve its potential.
Over the past seven months, Danske Spil has screened the market for providers of services and potential online partners that specialise in poker and casino games. As part of its selection criteria, Danske Spil was determined to find a supplier that matched its own high standards for product quality, security and ethical requirements. PartyGaming passed all of these pre-requisites and is set to create a new strategic alliance with Danske Spil in Denmark. It is expected that the commercial terms between both companies will be finalised within the next few weeks.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming said:
“This is a landmark B2B deal for PartyGaming and validates our strategy to become a leading provider of B2B services to both corporates and governments around the world. Danske Spil is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading gambling businesses, one that is pre-eminent in the Danish market. We are delighted that Danske Spil has recognised our expertise and high standards of business practice and we look forward to building a significant and profitable enterprise as soon as the newly regulated Danish online gaming market opens.”
H.C. Madsen, CEO at Danske Spil, said:
"With some of the world’s leading products in online poker and casino as well as a large international customer base, PartyGaming is definitely a strong business partner for Danske Spil. Combining this with Danske Spil’s unique and strong position in the Danish market with more than 500,000 Danish online customers will guarantee that together we will deliver a highly attractive customer experience to players in Denmark."
Editor’s Notes
About PartyGaming:
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY. In the year to 31 December 2008, PartyGaming’s Continuing operations generated revenues of $472.9m and Clean EBITDA of $144.2m.
PartyGaming’s principal brands are www.PartyPoker.com, one of the world’s largest online poker rooms, www.PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, www.PartyBingo.com, www.PartyGammon.com, www.PartyBets.com, www.PartyMarkets.com, www.FoxyBingo.com, www.GetMinted.com, www.Gamebookers.com and www.WorldPokerTour.com. None of the Group’s sites accept real money customers located in the US.
PartyGaming is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and it is also certified as a responsible gaming operator by GamCare, the leading UK authority on the provision of advice, practical help, support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling.
PartyGaming’s shares are also a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which enables investors to identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.
About Danske Spil
Danske Spil is a company group comprising of Danske Spil A/S and the subsidiary company Dansk Automatspil A/S. Danske Spil A/S has 270 employees.
In the 2008 financial year, the Danske Spil Group recorded a turnover of DKK 10,955 million, DKK 8,757million in Danske Spil and DKK 2,198 million in Dansk Automatspil. Group profits were DKK 1,543 million and a total of DKK 1,610 million, including guarantee payment from the State of DKK 100 million, was distributed to stakeholders. Danske Spil’s total contribution to Danish society in 2008, comprising profit for the year and government taxes, was DKK 2,795 million.
The Board has 15 members, five of whom are employee representatives and ten of whom are appointed by the following government ministries as well as organisations distributing the pools and lottery funds: The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Education. The Danish Sports Federation (DIF), the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association (DGI), the Danish Football Association (DBU), the Outdoor Council, the Danish Company Sports Association (DFIF) and the Danish Youth Council (DUF). The chairman of the Board is appointed by the Minister of Taxation.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Australia's Casino Canberra proposal rejected by Labor ACT Treasury, by Greg Tingle - 10th January 2010
Casino Canberra in the nations capital is being denied entry to the gaming sector as the ACT Labor Government's Labor Clubs grabbed the majority of the almost $100 million profit made by pokies in the ACT last financial year.
The situation is leading to claims of a conflict of interest since Labor club poker machines made $14.21 million profit in 2008-09, just one-seventh of the $98.6 million profit made by all pokies in the ACT over the 12 months.
In a submission to the Australian Productivity Commission's gambling inquiry, Casino Canberra put forward a proposal to install 200 machines in the casino and estimated that they would contribute $3-4 million dollars to the ACT economy annually, in addition of $235 million contributed since it opened. However in a separate submission the ACT Treasury has once again rejected the casino's plans.
The Treasury submission argued granting the casino machines did not fit the ACT community gaming model. "When the Canberra casino licence was offered for sale by tender in the early 1990s, it was made clear at that time that gaming machines would not be permitted as part of the development," the submission said.
Media Man International, Gambling911, Crown Casino - Crown Limited, PartyGaming and Tabcorp are amongst the parties taking a keen interest in the case and Media Man representatives were heard joking that the situation might provide more good fodder for the film producer doing a feature on Australian casinos relationship with the Labor party in "Casino Jack" style.
Australia has some of the biggest and most passionate gamblers in the world, both in an traditional and online capacity, and many companies are looking for a piece of the action.
The online casino, sports betting and bingo sector is expected to grow this year, however as of this writing Casino Canberra is not satisfied with their current involvement.
Media Man reminds the public to bet responsibly and that measures such as playing with a friend or setting bet limits can be employed to keep the experience enjoyable.
*The writer holds shares in Crown Casino
*The writer is the founder and director of Media Man, primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer is a special features contributor for Gambling911
Websites
Media Man International
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
The situation is leading to claims of a conflict of interest since Labor club poker machines made $14.21 million profit in 2008-09, just one-seventh of the $98.6 million profit made by all pokies in the ACT over the 12 months.
In a submission to the Australian Productivity Commission's gambling inquiry, Casino Canberra put forward a proposal to install 200 machines in the casino and estimated that they would contribute $3-4 million dollars to the ACT economy annually, in addition of $235 million contributed since it opened. However in a separate submission the ACT Treasury has once again rejected the casino's plans.
The Treasury submission argued granting the casino machines did not fit the ACT community gaming model. "When the Canberra casino licence was offered for sale by tender in the early 1990s, it was made clear at that time that gaming machines would not be permitted as part of the development," the submission said.
Media Man International, Gambling911, Crown Casino - Crown Limited, PartyGaming and Tabcorp are amongst the parties taking a keen interest in the case and Media Man representatives were heard joking that the situation might provide more good fodder for the film producer doing a feature on Australian casinos relationship with the Labor party in "Casino Jack" style.
Australia has some of the biggest and most passionate gamblers in the world, both in an traditional and online capacity, and many companies are looking for a piece of the action.
The online casino, sports betting and bingo sector is expected to grow this year, however as of this writing Casino Canberra is not satisfied with their current involvement.
Media Man reminds the public to bet responsibly and that measures such as playing with a friend or setting bet limits can be employed to keep the experience enjoyable.
*The writer holds shares in Crown Casino
*The writer is the founder and director of Media Man, primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer is a special features contributor for Gambling911
Websites
Media Man International
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
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