Hostilities flare along Israeli-Gaza border

By Jeffrey Heller

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel pressed Hamas on Wednesday to rein in rocket-firing militants in the Gaza Strip after the most serious outbreak of cross-border hostilities since the ceasefire that ended an eight-day war in November.

The flare-up, sparked by anger in Gaza over the death from cancer of a Palestinian held by Israel, included Israel's first air strike on the Hamas-run coastal enclave since the truce.

Confrontations spread to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces clashed with dozens of Palestinian protesters in the city of Hebron, where Maysara Abu Hamdeya who died in jail on Tuesday aged 64, is due to be buried on Thursday.

Troops fired teargas and rubber bullets at youths throwing stones and petrol bombs; Reuters journalists saw several protesters escorted away with injuries. The Israeli military said a rock had also struck one of its officers in the face.

Some 4,600 Palestinian prisoners declared a hunger strike for three days in protest at Abu Hamdeya's death, accusing the authorities of poor medical treatment. Food trays were returned untouched on Wednesday, an Israeli prisons official said.

In West Bank towns, some shops were shuttered in solidarity.

The Gaza frontier fell quiet by evening and Israel and Hamas appeared to be weighing carefully their next moves; four months of relative calm has enabled Palestinians in Gaza to rebuild and Israelis near the border to live without sirens and rockets.

Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip had struck southern Israel in a morning attack on Wednesday, causing no casualties, the Israeli military said. Hours earlier its planes had targeted "two extensive terror sites" in the north of the territory.

Israel launched the air strike after three rockets landed on Tuesday. An al Qaeda-linked group, Magles Shoura al-Mujahadeen, claimed responsibility for the attacks on both days, saying it was responding to the death of Abu Hamdeya, who was jailed for life in 2002 over a planned bomb attack on a Jerusalem cafe.

Tuesday was the third time since the November truce that rockets from Gaza had struck southern Israel. But with a new government and defense minister now in place after weeks of coalition-building since a January election, Israel seems keen to show resolve, putting the onus on Hamas to curb militants.

"(Israel's armed forces) decided to attack overnight in order to signal to Hamas that we will not suffer any strike on the south. And any shooting will meet a response, in order to restore quiet for the south soon," Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai, the chief military spokesman, said on Army Radio.

"I assess that Hamas has no interest in seeing the situation deteriorate," he said. "Our goal is to maintain the quiet."

SYRIA SPILLOVER

Spillover from the civil war in Syria - mortar and machinegun fire toward Israeli troops in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - has also heightened Israeli unease.

"We will absolutely not allow any sporadic fire toward our citizens and our forces," Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said in a statement, referring to both Gaza and Syrian frontiers.

Israeli tanks fired at a Syrian post on Tuesday, though it was unclear whether rebel or government forces were manning it.

Hamas, an Islamist group close to the Muslim Brotherhood now ruling neighboring Egypt, has cracked down on hardline Salafist rivals it sees as jeopardizing its control of the Gaza Strip.

But the death of Abu Hamdeya has touched a nerve among the wider Palestinian populace, which regards those in Israeli jails as heroes in the fight for statehood.

Israel has denied negligence in his treatment.

Commenting on the violence in Gaza, Richard Serry, the U.N.'s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said it was of "paramount importance to refrain from violence".

He said in a statement that renewed violations of the ceasefire threatened to unravel Egyptian-brokered understandings that included an easing of Israel's blockade on the enclave.

Egypt mediated the November truce after fighting in which some 170 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed. Israel had launched that Gaza offensive, as it did a bigger campaign in 2008-09, with the declared aim of ending rocket fire.

Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement in 2007 after winning an election a year earlier. Palestinians want to establish a state in the enclave along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in a 1967 war.

(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Noah Browning in Ramallah and Allyn Fisher-Ilan in Jerusalem; Editing by Will Waterman and Alastair Macdonald)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hostilities-flare-along-israeli-gaza-border-080427719.html

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Former voice of TV's Elmo sued in NY for 5th time

NEW YORK (AP) ? A puppeteer who was the voice of Elmo on "Sesame Street" is being sued for the fifth time, accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy.

In a federal lawsuit filed in New York on Tuesday, 25-year-old Kevin Kiadii says he was 16 when he met Kevin Clash during an online chat.

Kiadii attorney Jeff Herman says Clash sent a limousine to pick up the teen in Brooklyn and take him to his Manhattan apartment for sex.

Herman represents four other people who filed similar lawsuits. He acknowledges his clients were compliant but says the 52-year-old puppeteer took advantage of them by playing father to them.

Clash resigned from "Sesame Street" in November. He has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer hasn't responded to a call for comment on the latest lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/former-voice-tvs-elmo-sued-ny-5th-time-210344344.html

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HP's $169 Slate 7 tablet apparently delayed until June

Maybe it's that $169 price, or maybe it's the inclusion of an honest-to-goodness memory card reader, but we know some of you can't wait to get your mitts on HP's new Slate 7 Android tablet. Back when it was first announced, the company indicated it'd be available by April, but it would seem that plan has changed: the product page on HP's site is now saying the Slate won't arrive until sometime in June. We're not sure why there's a delay (we're asking for comment), but we do know this can't be good news for HP. By June, after all, Google I/O will have come and gone, and the next-gen Nexus 7 might already be on sale.

[Thanks, jmartj]

Filed under: Tablets, HP

Comments

Source: HP

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/29/hp-slate-7-delayed-until-june/

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Top 5 Strategy Games for iOS and Android

No matter which period throughout human history you examine, one of the constants of each culture is the incorporation of games for pleasure, competition and education. Games have been discovered by historians dating back to as far as 2500 BC, showing that this type of social interaction has been instrumental in shaping our existence from the very beginning.

Games come in a myriad of different flavors, ranging from single person activities to those that can span nations. With the introduction of modern technology in the last century, games have evolved into something truly spectacular, with whole worlds being created for the enjoyment of millions of people. In addition, the rise in popularity of mobile computing devices has provided the opportunity for people to bring their favorite gaming pastimes with them wherever they go.

One specific category of games has benefited greatly from the ability to play them on hand-held devices: strategy games. Strategy games provide a unique opportunity for developers to provide not only interesting challenges, but also the chance to enhance them with eye-catching graphics and immersive sound. Following are some of the best strategy games that are currently available for both Android and iOS mobile devices.

Plague Inc.

Plague Inc. is touted as one of the most popular strategy games currently available for both Android and iOS users, as well as being a nominee for IGN?s 2012 Best Overall Strategy Game award. Plague Inc. continues its run of popularity with over two million downloads, marking it as the 15th most downloaded paid game on the iOS market.

The object of the game is simple in its overall goal, as well as providing a challenge in accomplishing it. Your character is ?Patient Zero,? tasked with spreading a deadly virus around the world, all while staying just ahead of the efforts to provide a cure. While the premise for the game may seem a bit macabre, you can enjoy hours upon hours of harmless fun.

Plague Inc is available from the Google Play store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miniclip.plagueinc&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5taW5pY2xpcC5wbGFndWVpbmMiXQ..) and at the Apple App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plague-inc./id525818839?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2).

Backgammon Free

Our second offering steers us toward a mobile computing rendition of the famous boardgame, Backgammon. Backgammon Free provides many different challenges, with five levels of difficulty, a strong AI opponent and multiple boards and piece sets. This game is perfect for those looking to go head-to-head with friends or family, as well as providing an engaging activity to enjoy on your own.

Backgammon Free is available from Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.aifactory.backgammonfree&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInVrLmNvLmFpZmFjdG9yeS5iYWNrZ2FtbW9uZnJlZSJd) and the App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/app/backgammon-free/id335445524?mt=8).

Mahjong

Another rendition of a popular and storied strategy game, which can be found for Android and iOS users, is Mahjong. Mahjong is similar in ways to solitaire, in that the goal of the game is to match up identical tiles to remove them from the board. Mahjong features over 80 different boards to play on, as well as varying levels of skill.

Versions of Mahjong can be found at the Google Play store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nix.game.mahjong&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5uaXguZ2FtZS5tYWhqb25nIl0.), as well as in the App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mahjong-unlimited-hd/id434781441?mt=8) for iPad and iPhone users.

Great Little War Game

If your strategy gaming needs reach to the popular goal of conquering the world, Great Little War Game provides a 3D platform that gives you the opportunity to go head to head with other players in a fun and engaging atmosphere. Battle your enemies on land, air or sea, making tactical use of different terrain features and variables. GLWG also provides multiple skill levels, a wide variety of different unit types and multiple play modes for different gaming experiences.

GLWG can be found in the Google Play store for both Android and iOS users at http://www.rubicondev.com/glwg/.

Little Commander- WWII TD

Rounding out our list of some of the most popular strategy games available on Android and iOS is Little Commander- WWII TD. Little Commander is a cartoon-style tower defense game that allows you to control your armies in a World War II setting. Virtually every aspect of the game is customizable, allowing for a unique gaming experience each time it is played.

Little Commander- WWII TD is available on both Android and iOS by visiting http://www.heyzap.com/game/little-commander-wwii-td.

If you are looking for a fun and engaging way to pass your free time, as well as a way to exercise your brain in the process, finding a great strategy game can go a long way towards satisfying both goals. With technology ever advancing, be sure to keep an eye out for better and more sophisticated games as time progresses.

Source: http://www.techtous.com/blog/top-5-strategy-games-for-ios-and-android/

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Spring 2013 iOS and OS X conference schedule

The spring iOS and OS X developer and designer conference season is in full swing and this year more than ever the schedule looks jam packed with events and talent.

NSConf has already wrapped up in Leicester, England, where it sounds like a good time was had by all. Run by Steve Scott, and with presenters like Evan Doll, Michael Jurewitz, Craig Hockenberry, Daniel Jalkut, Daniel Pasco, Manton Reece, Rob Rhyne, and Emily Loop, that was never in any doubt. Hopefully the sessions will be available soon.

If you missed it though, there are several more coming our way soon.

CocoaConf Dallas - April 4-6, Dallas, USA - features Daniel Pasco, Manton Reece, and more.

?ll - April 12-18, Dublin, Ireland - is run by Paul Campbell of Hypertiny and Dermot Daly of Tapadoo. This year's slate of speakers includes Lex Friedman, Don Melton, Jennifer Brook, Matthew Panzarino, Jaimee Newberry, Matt Gemmel, and panels with Dave Wiskus, Neven Mrgan and Jim Dalrymple.

CocoaConf San Jose - April 18-29, San Jose, USA - features Michael Jurewitz, Matt Drance, Michael Simmons, and more.

NSNorth - April 19-21, Ottawa, Canada - is being held by Dan Byers and Philippe Casgrain. Speakers lined up include Guy English, Luc Vandal, Sam Vermette, Rob Rhyne, Gus Mueller, Caroline Sauve, and more.

One more thing - May 24, Melbourne, Australia - is put on by Anthony Agius and Lauren Watson of MacTalk. Speakers include Lex Friedman, Jaimee Newberry, Dave Wiskus, Louise Duncan, and many more.

And, of course, Apple should be capping it all off in June with WWDC 2013...

All of the events have lots of valuable information to share and many of them still have tickets available. So, head on over and grab yours now.

(If I missed listing your event let me know ASAP and I'll add it in.)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/SXvoATbTGAk/story01.htm

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Hollywood Group Kills Hundreds of ?Pirate? TV and Movie Streaming ...

Hollywood Group Kills Hundreds of ?Pirate? TV and Movie Streaming Sites

The popular movie and TV streaming script TVstreamScript has shut down ?voluntarily? following pressure from movie industry group FACT. The script was used by hundreds of streaming sites, which have all been rendered useless overnight. FACT tells TorrentFreak that convincing site owners to sign over their domains is one of the strategies they use to tackle online piracy.

With broadband connections becoming more prevalent, movie and TV streaming sites have become a growing problem for copyright holders.

These streaming sites come in all shapes and sizes, and there are scripts on the market that allow anyone to set up their own streaming index in just a few minutes.

TVstreamScript is one of these options and hundreds of sites, mostly smaller ones, run on this software. The script costs $99 for a basic one domain license and buyers can expand their sites with plugins or buy themes to make it more unique.

A TVstreamScript demo site

However, yesterday, TVstreamScript shut down following pressure from Hollywood-backed UK anti-piracy group FACT. The site owner voluntarily signed over the TVstreamScript.com domain to FACT and it?s currently redirecting to a parked page.

As a result, hundreds of streaming sites that relied on the script have become unusable.

Tvsuperstream.com, Infinityshows.com, Cinesheet.com, Streamflix.org, Whatchon.me, Seriesvk.com, Yeahstream.com, Canaltv.ru, Tvshows2k.com, Watchtvstream.com, Online24tv.com, Movifan.net and Tvdrot.com/ are just a few examples of the sites that are affected, but there are many more.

Most streaming sites now display 404 errors, redirect elsewhere, or show the following license error. ?License Error: Invalid license key. Please contact your software vendor for support.?

Gone

Commenting to TorrentFreak, the movie industry anti-piracy group says that the current action is one of the many strategies the group employs to combat the ?growing problem? of online piracy.

?When contacted, some site owners agree to sign over their domains to FACT and we then use that domain to help direct visitors to legitimate ways of watching movies, TV programmes or sporting events,? FACT explained.

Previously the group told TorrentFreak that they?ve seen a change in attitudes since the owner of TV streaming links site SurfTheChannel was sentenced to four years jail-time last year.

FACT is using the Vickerman verdict to convince operators of other streaming related sites to ?voluntarily? hand over their domains to escape prosecution, which many have done since.

However, not all streaming sites that were hit by the domain takeover are willing to throw in the towel. Several site owners are trying to recover and come back online and some have done so successfully.

And so it continues?.

Source: http://torrentfreak.com/hollywood-group-kills-hundreds-of-pirate-tv-and-movie-streaming-sites-130328/

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Charge your devices faster with the ChargeDr

If you find that charging your USB-chargeable devices takes too long, you may be interested in the ChargeDr USB Charge Booster from Digital Innovations. ?The ChargeDr uses an unspecified method of boosting the power from your computer’s USB port, so that a normal?5V, 0.5A-2.1A port always outputs?5V, up to 2.1A of power. ?The ChargeDr is [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/29/charge-your-devices-faster-with-the-chargedr/

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