Facebook, Twitter face off ahead of Super Bowl

San Francisco - More than 100 million people will be glued to their TV screens on Sunday, when the Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks in America's premier sporting contest, the Super Bowl. But two fierce rivals, Facebook and Twitter, will also be clashing head-to-head on a "second screen" that TV viewers will tune in for the big game. The two social networks are jostling to be the venue of choice for fans to comment on big plays, the star-studded halftime show and of course the commercials - multi-million dollar productions by major brands that are often a draw in their own right. The Super Bowl is the biggest stage for a broader battle that has intensified over the past year between the two behemoths of social media. By dominating online chatter during events such as the American football game, each company hopes to attract users and advertisers and capture a slice of the $70bn spent annually on US television advertising. Aggressive moves Both companies can serve up new ads in real time and can target specific audiences. For years, the "second-screen" leader has been Twitter, which positioned its chatty, 140-character message platform as the go-to place for viewers to discuss events as they happen, from presidential debates to the Academy Awards. But Facebook, the world's largest social network with 1.2 billion users - roughly five times the size of Twitter - is now making aggressive moves to get into the real-time conversation itself. "Twitter is better at engaging in the real-time conversation," said Quinn Kilbury, the brand director for Newcastle Brown Ale. "But Facebook is catching up quickly - and you can't match their scale." This Super Bowl will be a major test for Facebook, which has spent the past year rolling out new features designed to close the gap with Twitter. The California-based company has hired a team, including former TV producers, to help broadcasters extract insights about the Facebook users watching their programming, such as how a team's fans breakdown by gender or geographic region. For the Super Bowl, Facebook will team directly with Fox Sports, the network owned by Twenty-First Century Fox, which is airing the game, to showcase pre-game chatter from Facebook and Instagram users alongside typical game stats. A specially created website will chart user data and comments in real time. The company has also actively encouraged athletes such as Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams to post commentary on the game to Facebook - athletes frequently use Twitter to sound off. Marketing "Facebook offers a really unique experience as a place where you can go to discover great content, but Facebook also offers a very personal aspect as well," said Justin Osofsky, Facebook's vice president of media partnerships and global operations, who is driving the company to be something of a virtual sports bar where fans banter and spar. During the 2013 Super Bowl, Twitter was mentioned in 26 of the 52 national TV commercials that aired during the game, according to a count by the blog Marketing Land. Facebook was mentioned in just four of those commercials. Twitter also has a partnership with the NFL, which will also be tweeting content - including game footage - before and after the game. As mobile adoption skyrocketed in the past three years, doubts about the effectiveness of reaching viewers via the "second screen" has gradually dissipated. According to a Nielsen study in June, nearly half of smartphone owners and tablet owners said they use their devices while watching TV every day. "This is probably the year where a critical mass of people have heard the term second screen," Pete Vlastelica, senior vice president of digital for Fox Sports Media Group. "I can't imagine many people watching this without a second device in their hand. We've been designing the Super Bowl experience with that in mind." For many marketers, the potential of reaching football viewers on social networks was driven home during last year's Super Bowl when the game was halted for 30 minutes in the third quarter due to a power outage at the stadium. Activity on Twitter surged, with tweets peaking at a rate of 231 500 per minute. Within minutes, the Oreo cookie brand quickly created a cheeky Twitter ad reminding users that they could still "dunk" a cookie in a glass of milk in the dark. The ad went viral, quickly garnering 15 000 retweets, and underscored the potential for nimble advertisers to make a splash without paying for a million-dollar 30-second TV spot. The lesson has not been lost on marketers, who with coaching from Twitter are setting up "war rooms" - physical or virtual - this year to monitor the game and seize on the right opportunity to make an impact. Source http://www.news24.com/Technology/News/Facebook-Twitter-face-off-ahead-of-Super-Bowl-20140131

Fans of China's 'Jade Rabbit' lunar rover await news of its status after mechanical problems

The Jade Rabbit did not go quietly into that long lunar night. Instead, China's troubled robotic moon rover -- given voice by a government news agency -- melodramatically pondered the meaning of its perhaps-fleeting existence, measured its contribution to humanity and, finally, said goodbye. Then it shut down for the lunar night, which lasts about 14 earth days -- its status unclear. The Jade Rabbit's fans in China sent Lunar New Year greetings to the robot Friday, wishing it a speedy recovery from a malfunction it reported before going into hibernation. "Chinese people have been worried about the Jade Rabbit," wrote a microblogger with the username Yang Huiyan. "Hope the New Year will bring good luck to him." The official Xinhua News Agency had carried what it described as a diary entry the rover "wrote" before it shut down. Despite being usually staid in their coverage of national events, Chinese state media tend to put a folksy touch on certain stories that help drum up national pride. State news outlets are especially fond of giving cutesy personalities to non-human actors playing key roles in propaganda efforts, whether they are pandas returning from zoos abroad or, in the Jade Rabbit's case, the stars of its military-backed space program. In the Xinhua diary entry, the Jade Rabbit takes on the tone of a heroic adventurer who has encountered an obstacle that might prove insurmountable, and who is trying to put on a brave face as it pens what might be its final farewell. "If this journey must come to an early end, I am not afraid," said the six-wheeled, solar-powered rover. "Whether or not the repairs are successful, I believe even my malfunctions will provide my masters with valuable information and experience." The personification of the rover has been a hit with the Chinese public. Parts of the Xinhua report were quoted by an unofficial Chinese microblog account written with the Jade Rabbit's voice, and the blog was flooded with tens of thousands of sympathetic comments. As for the rover's fate, a report Thursday by the state-run Science and Technology Daily newspaper said that would only be clear at the end of the lunar night. Calls to the space program rang unanswered Friday, a public holiday. On Sunday, the rover said its "masters" -- the space program's engineers, presumably -- had found an abnormality in its control mechanism and were working through the night to fix it. It provided no details on what the problem was, but hinted that it was serious. "Even so, I know I may not make it through this lunar night," it said, striking a somber note. The Jade Rabbit began operating last month after making the first soft landing on the moon by a space probe, Chang'e 3, in 37 years. The moon lander is named after Chang'e, a mythical goddess of the moon, and the rover, after Yutu, or "Jade Rabbit" in English, the goddess' pet. In the diary entry, the Jade Rabbit recounted its achievements in the 42 days it spent on the moon, saying it traveled more than 100 meters (110 yards) and collected a large amount of scientific data with a panoramic camera, radar and other equipment. But in a line clearly written with the aim of tugging at heartstrings, the Xinhua report had the Jade Rabbit appealing to its readers to take care of the space craft that brought it to the moon, Chang'e, in the rover's absence. "If I really cannot be fixed, when the time comes, I hope everyone will remember to help me comfort her," it said. The rover was designed to roam the lunar surface for three months while surveying for natural resources and sending back data. Then it ran into problems as it was shutting down in preparation for the lunar night when the temperature drops to minus 180 degrees Celsius (minus 292 degrees Fahrenheit). "The sun has already set here and the temperature is falling very quickly. I've said a lot today, yet still feel like it's not enough," the rover said in its concluding paragraphs. "I'll tell everyone a secret. Actually, I'm not feeling especially sad. Just like any other hero, I've only encountered a little problem while on my own adventure." "Good night, planet earth. Good night, humanity." Source http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/01/31/fans-china-jade-rabbit-lunar-rover-await-news/

Ukraine repeals tough laws, army calls for 'urgent steps'

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych scrapped controversial anti-protest laws on Friday but faced calls from the army to take "urgent steps" to end the ex-Soviet nation's worst crisis since independence. PHOTOS Opposition protesters gather near a barricade in Kiev. (AFP/ Vasily Maximov) Enlarge Caption KIEV: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych scrapped controversial anti-protest laws on Friday but faced calls from the army to take "urgent steps" to end the ex-Soviet nation's worst crisis since independence. The United States and European Union meanwhile said they were "appalled" after a leading protester reappeared with his face swollen and caked in blood, saying he had been tortured and dumped in a forest after vanishing more than a week ago. Yanukovych, who has been on sick leave since Thursday, repealed draconian anti-protest laws passed earlier this month that had radicalised the two-month anti-government protest movement. He also signed an amnesty bill for jailed opposition activists, but it will only take effect if protesters vacate the public buildings they have occupied within 15 days. The manoeuvres came after opposition activist Dmytro Bulatov, who went missing more than a week ago, reappeared Thursday night, saying he was tortured by abductors who cut off his ear and drove nails through his hands before dumping him in a forest. "They crucified me, nailed me, cut my ear off, cut my face," Bulatov said in televised remarks. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US was "appalled" -- the same word used by EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton -- at the "obvious signs of torture" inflicted on Bulatov. Amnesty International said the "barbaric" act should be immediately investigated. Bulatov was meanwhile placed on a police wanted list for allegedly organising mass unrest, sparking outrage among protesters. The protest movement's leaders claim that abuse and beatings of activists are widespread. A recent outbreak of violence in the protests saw several people shot dead and turned parts of the capital Kiev into a battle zone. Weighing in on the crisis for the first time, the Ukrainian armed forces called for Yanukovych to act urgently to stabilise the situation. The defence ministry, which previously said it would not interfere in the crisis, said the seizure of government buildings was unacceptable and warned that "further escalation of the confrontation threatens the country's territorial integrity". "Servicemen and employees of Ukraine's armed forces... have called on the commander-in-chief to take urgent steps within the limits of existing legislation with a view to stabilising the situation in the country and reaching consent in society," it said. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was "very concerned by attempts to involve the military in the crisis". "Ukraine's military is highly respected and must remain neutral," he said on Twitter. Political analyst Vadym Karasyov said the military's statement indicated it would side with the president. "It is a signal to the opposition that they need to find a compromise and vacate the occupied buildings," Karasyov said. The amnesty leaves open the possibility that protesters could be allowed to stay at their barricaded camp on Kiev's Independence Square. Opposition supporters are refusing to leave the camp despite a string of concessions from the authorities, including Yanukovych's acceptance of the resignation of prime minister Mykola Azarov and the entire cabinet. John Kerry to meet opposition leaders US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Berlin the measures pledged by Yanukovych did not go far enough. Opposition leaders including boxer-turned-politician Vitali Klitschko are due to meet Kerry for the first time on Saturday, a meeting sure to infuriate Russia, which has warned against foreign interference in Ukraine. The announcement of the meeting, on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, came as the White House said it was consulting with Congress over possible sanctions on Ukraine. On Friday, opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk of the Batkivshchyna party met German President Joachim Gauck and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, saying they had voiced support of his people's "fight for freedoms and liberties". Yatsenyuk also met the EU's Ashton separately. In November, Yanukovych scrapped an integration deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Kiev's historical master Moscow, sparking huge protests. The unrest has since spiralled into an uprising demanding the president's removal. After ditching the EU deal, Yanukovych accepted a $15-billion bailout package for Ukraine, but Moscow now says it is on hold pending the formation of a new government. Yanukovych on Thursday attacked the "irresponsible" opposition for inflaming tensions but also admitted the authorities had made mistakes and that he needed to take more account of the country's mood. An advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that the Ukrainian president would lose power if he did not "quash the rebellion". "The president has no choice," said Kremlin economic advisor Sergei Glazyev. "Either he defends Ukrainian statehood and quashes the rebellion provoked by financial and outside forces or he risks losing power, and mounting chaos and an internal conflict, from which no exit can be seen, await Ukraine." Source http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/ukraine-repeals-tough/975736.html

Six powers to hold new nuclear talks with Iran on February 18

EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton met and agreed on Friday with the Iranian foreign minister that the next international talks on Iran's contested nuclear programme will be held February 18, an EU official said. PHOTOS File picture from October, 2010, shows the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. (AFP/Majid Asgaripour) Enlarge Caption MUNICH: EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton met and agreed on Friday with the Iranian foreign minister that the next international talks on Iran's contested nuclear programme will be held February 18, an EU official said. "We had a really interesting meeting and the most important outcome at this stage is that we have agreed that we will start the talks between the E3+3 and Iran on 18 February ... in Vienna," Ashton said. "I very much look forward to working together with you then," said Ashton after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Ashton has led the international talks with Iran over its nuclear programme which resulted in an initial accord in November. Iran agreed then with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, United States plus Germany (known as E3+3)-- that it would open up its nuclear programme so as to allay fears it was seeking atomic weapons. In return, the world powers agreed to a progressive lifting of tough sanctions which have caused immense damage to the Iranian economy. Earlier this month, the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, certified that Tehran had stuck to its side of the initial deal, giving access to key nuclear installations and cutting back its enriched uranium stockpile. Accordingly, on January 20, the European Union and the United States began lifting sanctions, laying the groundwork for the next, six-month stage of the process. During this period, the United States and the EU have promised to impose no new sanctions. Iran has insisted repeatedly that its nuclear programme is peaceful, but in an atmosphere of complete distrust the West applied ever tighter sanctions seriously impacting its economy. Despite the initial progress, the core of these sanctions remain in place. The accord provides for their ultimate removal if Iran lives up to all its commitments. Source http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/six-powers-to-hold-new/975618.html

Emergency declared as Serbia shivers under snow

Strong winds and snow drifts snarled traffic in Serbia on Friday, prompting local officials to declare a state of emergency and deploy military helicopters to rescue stranded travellers. BELGRADE: Strong winds and snow drifts snarled traffic in Serbia on Friday, prompting local officials to declare a state of emergency and deploy military helicopters to rescue stranded travellers. Heavy trucks were banned from the roads in northern Vojvodina province and the border with neighbouring Romania, Croatia and Hungary was closed to freight traffic. Predrag Maric, head of the emergency services, said bulldozers were deployed to clear a road leading out of Belgrade where more than 100 cars became stuck in snowdrifts So far, some 24 people have been evacuated, while another 20 were still awaiting rescue. Overnight, winds reaching speeds of more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) per hour hit the eastern and northeastern parts of Serbia. The strong winds were expected to continue over the weekend. Navigation was also suspended along the river Danube in Serbia due to heavy winds and ice on its waters. Source http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/emergency-declared-as/975676.html

Heavy snow strands scores of people in north Serbia

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Strong winds have created meters-high snow drifts in northern Serbia, trapping up to 60 people in cars and buses, the head of the emergency services said on Friday. Rescuers used bulldozers and heavy machinery to open a road near the northern town of Zrenjanin, 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Serbia's capital Belgrade, after a column of cars got stuck overnight in the snow drifts, said Predrad Maric, head of the Interior Ministry's emergencies department. "It is very difficult, even for machinery. The rescuers are walking towards stranded cars," he told Reuters. Serbian authorities have imposed a state of emergency in Zrenjanin and several other towns in the northern province of Vojvodina after easterly winds with speeds of more than 150 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour) hit the region. Border crossings with neighboring Croatia, Romania and Hungary have been closed to freight traffic and authorities warned people in northern Serbia to avoid unnecessary travel. Port authorities in Belgrade also imposed restrictions on Friday for navigation along the River Danube after a barge carrying gravel capsized near the Serbian capital. Source http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-snow-strands-scores-people-north-serbia-151329011--finance.html

Eliza Dushku's Untitled "Albania" Documentary.

With production complete; the next stage is Post-production, Editing and Delivery to non-profit public television networks. Thank you for visiting our page! With production complete and over 20+ hours of footage in our hands, we need YOU to help pay for the editing and delivery of the finished product. Our team is standing by and we are excited about launching this to an international audience. Please join us in showcasing the best of Albania! STORY: In the splendour of the Northern Mediterranean, I visited my homeland of Albania to discover both the old and the new. Alongside my brother Nate, photographer and my "Cheshire Cat" Fadil Berisha, my boyfriend Rick Fox, actor Blerim Destani, opera singer Inva Mula, dancer Tony Davolani, singer Aurela Gace, footballer Lorik Cana, opera singer Ermonela Jaho, artist Capitol T, and more, we blazed a trail from the capital city Tirana to the sexy beaches of the Albanian Riviera and the rugged villages of the Albanian Alps. I was also fortunate to experience the hospitality of Albania's leaders: Prime Minister Sali Berisha, President Bamir Topi and Tirana Mayor Lulzim Basha and to hear their messages of hope for a beautiful country. I experienced many Albanian customs; eating, dancing, exploring, balling, shopping, sporting, etc. I got to know the people, politics and economics of a young democracy in an ancient land, as I uncovered the Albania of today. It was eye-opening to discover how Albania lives in me, witnessing the pride of the country and receiving the key to Korce, the city of my family's origin, and my Albanian citizenship. I am hoping to reach as many people as possible, so please spread the word! Faleminderit! (Thank you!) With Love, Eliza Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1168918241/eliza-dushkus-untitled-albania-documentary