Turkish Internet restrictions raise more concerns

More than 40,000 websites, many of them pornographic, are blocked in Turkey. — File Photo

ANKARA: New Internet restrictions approved by parliament are raising concerns the government is trying to control the flow of information amid a corruption scandal, and a senior European official on Thursday called the measures "a step back" for media freedom.

Under the legislation approved Wednesday, the country's telecommunications authority would be allowed to block websites or remove content that is deemed to be in violation of privacy without seeking court approval. Internet providers would also be forced to keep data on peoples' online activities and make them available to authorities when requested.

The bill, which still needs to be signed by the president, would extend the government's already tight grip on the Internet. Turkey, which hopes to become a member of the European Union, has already come under criticism for censorship and restriction on media freedoms.

In a tweet, European Parliament President Martin Schulz called the legislation "a step back in an already suffocating environment for media freedom."

The government has rejected accusations of censorship and says the legislation will protect privacy.

The measure comes at a time when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has been trying to contain a corruption and bribery scandal that led him to dismiss four government ministers. Erdogan's government has replaced hundreds of police officials and prosecutors since the scandal erupted in December, including many involved in the investigation. Turkish news reports say those moves have thwarted a second probe that sought to question his son and others.

Erdogan insists the probe is a conspiracy to discredit his government before local elections in March.

In recent days, some recordings of wiretapped telephone conversations allegedly involving Erdogan or businessmen have been leaked onto the Internet.

"The aim is to drown the allegations instead of investigating them," said Riza Turmen, a legislator from the main opposition People's Party, during the debate in parliament.

More than 40,000 websites, many of them pornographic, are blocked in Turkey, according to Engelli Web, a site which monitors banned websites.

Hackers may hvae used PA. company to hit Target

People shop at a Target store during Black Friday sales in the Brooklyn borough of New York, in this November 29, 2013, file photo. — Reuters Photo

NEW YORK: The hackers who stole millions of customers' credit and debit card numbers from Target may have used a Pittsburgh-area heating and refrigeration business as the back door to get in.

If that was, in fact, how they pulled it off - and investigators appear to be looking at that theory - it illustrates just how vulnerable big corporations have become as they expand and connect their computer networks to other companies to increase convenience and productivity.

Fazio Mechanical Services, a contractor that does business with Target, said in a statement Thursday that it was the victim of a "sophisticated cyberattack operation," just as Target was. It said it is cooperating with the Secret Service and Target to figure out what happened.

The statement came days after Internet security bloggers identified the Sharpsburg, Pa., company as the third-party vendor through which hackers penetrated Target's computer systems.

Target has said it believes hackers broke into its vast network by first infiltrating the computers of one of its vendors. Then the hackers installed malicious software in Target's checkout system for its estimated 1,800 US stores.

Experts believe the thieves gained access during the busy holiday season to about 40 million credit and debit card numbers and the personal information - including names, email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses - of as many as 70 million customers.

Cybersecurity analysts had speculated that Fazio may have remotely monitored heating, cooling and refrigeration systems for Target, which could have provided a possible entry point for the hackers. But Fazio denied that, saying it uses its electronic connection with Target to submit bills and contract proposals.

The new details illustrate what can go wrong with the far-flung computer networks that big companies increasingly rely on.

"Companies really have to look at the risks associated with that," said Ken Stasiak, CEO of SecureState, a Cleveland firm that investigates data breaches. Stasiak said industry regulations require companies to keep corporate operations such as contracts and billing separate from consumer financial information.

Stasiak emphasized that the thieves would have still needed to do some serious hacking to move through Target's network and reach the checkout system.

Chester Wisniewski, an adviser for the computer security firm Sophos, said that while it may seem shocking that Target's systems are that connected, it is a lot cheaper for a company to manage one network rather than several.

He added that while retailers are supposed to keep consumer information separate, they are not required to house it on a separate network.

Still, he said he was extremely surprised to hear that the hackers may have gotten in via a billing system, saying those kinds of connections are supposed to provide extremely limited access to the other company's network.

As a result, while the hackers were clearly talented, it's obvious something went wrong on Target's end, he said.

"If normal practices were followed, they wouldn't have been able to get access,"Wisniewski said.

Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary confirmed that investigators are looking into the attack at Fazio Mechanical Services, but wouldn't provide details. Molly Snyder, spokeswoman for Minneapolis-based Target, would not comment.

Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh referred calls to their counterparts in Minnesota, who would not discuss the investigation.

In the weeks since Target disclosed the breach, banks, credit unions and other card companies have canceled and reissued cards, closed accounts and refunded credit card holders for transactions made with the stolen data.

The Consumer Bankers Association said that its members have replaced over 17.2 million debit and credit cards as a result of the Target breach, at a cost of over $172 million.

Target has said its customers won't be responsible for any losses.

Renowned actor Ghayyur Akhtar passes away

Ghayyur Akhtar. -Screen grab

LAHORE: Renowned radio, TV and film actor Ghayyur Akhtar passed away after a protracted illness here on Friday.

The actor was suffering from paralysis for last four years. He was shifted to the Services Hospital as his condition deteriorated last night.

Akhtar started his acting career in the 1970s and became a very popular actor in the following decade.

His performances in drama serials such as 'Khawaja and Sons' and 'Sona Chandi' were widely appreciated.

Ghayyur Akhtar was decorated with Pride of Performance Award for outstanding performances throughout his career.

Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid expressed his heartfelt condolence over the demise of Ghayoor Akhtar.

In a statement, the minister said Ghayoor was a great artist whose art and work will be remembered by the people for many years to come.

He prayed to God that his soul rests in peace and that his bereaved family would bear the loss with fortitude.

New York concert defies Putin on eve of Sochi

Maria Alyokhina (L) and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot speak onstage at the Amnesty International Concert presented by the CBGB Festival at Barclays Center on February 5, 2014 in New York City. –Photo by AFP

NEW YORK: Feted by Madonna and cheered by thousands, Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot defied President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the Sochi Olympics at a star-studded New York concert.

The performance highlighted soaring tensions between Russia and the United States, which drastically deteriorated when Moscow granted asylum to US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden last year.

US pop icon Madonna hailed the courage and fearlessness of punk heroines Maria Alyokhina, 25, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 24, who were released from Russian penal colonies last December.

Madonna said she was threatened with death after supporting them at a concert in Moscow during their trial in August 2012 and accused of by Russian authorities of propagating homosexual behavior.

“It's time for the rest of the world to be as brave as Pussy Riot and to stand up against people like President Putin and other leaders and other organizations that do not respect human rights and perpetuate discrimination and injustice,” Madonna said.

“It is my privilege and my honor, ladies and gentlemen, to introduce Masha and Nadya from Pussy Riot,” she shouted over cat calls as the ecstatic Barclays Center in Brooklyn went wild.

“Can we get a 'hell yeah,'” she bellowed, dressed in a black woolly hat and long black coat before embracing the two women on stage.

Wearing black blazers, ankle boots and white tunics with black crucifixes emblazoned on the front, Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova delivered a furious and emotional rebuke of the Putin regime.

“We will not forgive and we will not forget what the regime is doing to our fellow citizens. We demand a Russia that is free,” Tolokonnikova told the crowd.

“Now Russia will be free,” the pair chanted, thanking Madonna and saying they were “overjoyed” by her support.

The duo were sentenced to 21 months in jail for hooliganism after performing a stunt inside a Moscow cathedral.

Although the stunt was unpopular among ordinary Russians, their trial and sentence turned them into dissident stars in the West.

They were released two months early in December as part of a pre-Sochi amnesty. But they have vowed no let up in their campaign against Putin's crackdown on civil liberties.

Organized by Amnesty International, Wednesday's concert whipped up a crowd of thousands crammed into one of New York's largest music and sporting venues with a maximum capacity of 18,000.

Blondie, fronted by a still electric Debbie Harry, brought the house down with their hits “Call Me” and “One Way or Another”.

US pop and rock bands Imagine Dragons, who also paid tribute to Pussy Riot, Flaming Lips, Cake, the Fray and Cold War Kids fired up the crowd who danced and cheered form their seats.

Grammy-winning American soul singer Lauryn Hill, who spent three months in a US prison last year for failing to file her tax returns, also performed a set to wild cheers from loyal fans.

US actress Susan Sarandon introduced the concert and there were pre-taped messages from the likes of Peter Gabriel and Sting.

The Sochi Winter Olympics have opened up a new front of distrust between the United States and Russia, and tensions over security preparations amid fears the games could be attacked by extremists.

They are the first Olympics held in Russia since the US boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and have added to the host of issues, including the Syrian civil war, that have divided the countries.

Relations reached a nadir last summer after Moscow gave asylum to Snowden and President Barack Obama scrapped a planned visit.

Moscow also reacted angrily to US charges in December against 49 current and former Russian diplomats and their wives for fraud.

Amnesty says that Pussy Riot represent a young generation of Russians standing up to repressive laws introduced under Putin.

Irish singer Bob Geld of called on a younger generation of Americans to campaign for human rights and blasted through his “I Don't Like Mondays” hit to a dwindling audience.

Speaking earlier, he compared Pussy Riot to the Sex Pistols and urged people to take a stand about rights issues in general.

“I hope tonight it's not all gloopy and American and gets straight to the heart of the matter,” Geldof told AFP.

U2′s new single “Invisible” raised $3 million to combat AIDS

U2 pose in the press room after winning the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for 'Ordinary Love' from 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,' in the press room at the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 12, 2014. – Photo by AFP

LOS ANGELES: Rock group U2's new single “Invisible” raised more than $3 million for the fight against AIDS during the 36 hours it was available for free on iTunes, it was revealed Tuesday.

It scored more than one million downloads in the hour after it premiered in a Bank of America commercial during Sunday's Super Bowl, then picked up two million more until the free offer ended Monday midnight (0500 GMT Tuesday.)

With the second-biggest bank in the United States pledging one dollar for every download, “Invisible” raised more than $3 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The song now is selling on iTunes for $1.29 with all proceeds going to the Global Fund, said (RED), a charity co-founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono to engage big consumer brands in AIDS fund-raising, in a statement.

“We are very thrilled with this, 'Invisible', it sounds great and it feels good,” Bono told Britain's BBC Radio One pop music station Monday. “We're just delighted there are still people very interested in us.”The Bank of America, which made $3.4 billion last year, has committed $10 million over two years to fight AIDS in a partnership with (RED) and U2 announced in January.

(RED) chief executive Deborah Dugan said: “These are much-needed funds for the fight to end the AIDS pandemic in our lifetime and to get closer to the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.

Frozen' keeps icy grip on top of Billboard album sales chart

Singer Demi Lovato, who is featured on the soundtrack, poses at the premiere of ''Frozen'' at El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, California November 19, 2013. -Photo by Reuters

LOS ANGELES: A pair of animated singing princesses kept the top spot on the weekly Billboard 200 chart of best-selling albums on Wednesday, ahead of Grammy-winning artists, as a new sing-along version of Disney's "Frozen" propelled sales of the soundtrack album.

"Frozen" sold 94,000 copies last week according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan, marking a fourth non-consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard 200. The film, a tale of two Scandinavian princess sisters forced to save their kingdom from an everlasting winter, also raked in $9.3 million at the box office last weekend with its new sing-along version.

It is the first film soundtrack to spend four weeks at the top of the album chart in a decade, Billboard said. The last album to do the same was the "Bad Boys II" soundtrack in August 2003, spending four consecutive weeks at No. 1.

"Frozen" continued to hold off the official "2014 Grammy Nominees" album, which held steady at No. 2 with sales of 87,000 copies. The Grammy awards on January 26 did boost sales of its performers, as albums from Lorde, Beyonce, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry and Daft Punk all featured in the top 10 this week.

Perry's single "Dark Horse," which she performed on the Grammy stage with rapper Juicy J, held the top spot on the Digital Songs chart this week, with 373,000 downloads.

Bruno Mars, who won a Grammy and also performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday, watched by a record-breaking 115.3 million viewers, saw his album "Unorthodox Jukebox" climb from No. 18 to No. 7 this week.

Only two new albums debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 this week. Heavy metal group Of Mice & Men's latest album "Restoring Force" came in at No. 4 while Christian rock band Casting Crowns landed at No. 6 with its latest record "Thrive."

For the week ending February 2, overall album sales notched 4.6 million units, down 12 percent from the comparable week in 2013, Billboard said.

Zinda Bhaag wins “Special Jury Award

A scene from movie, "Zinda Bhaag". - Courtesy Photo

JAIPUR: The trophies at “Zinda Bhaag” team’s shelf gained a new addition yesterday when it secured the “Special Jury Award” at the Closing Ceremony of JIFF – the Jaipur International Film Festival.

The festival, established in 2009, now in its sixth year, is gradually gaining prestige as one of the more recognized film festivals in India, attended by Bollywood and international filmmakers. The Turkish film “The Butterfly’s Dream” by Yilmaz Erdogan as well as actor-director Amol Palekar were also awarded at JIFF.

“Zinda Bhaag”, which already has an international presence by being Pakistan’s official submission at the 2014 Oscars, was also honored with kick-starting JIFF as the “Opening Night” feature presentation.

According to the press release by the producers, “The popularity of the Zinda Bhaag, amongst the Jaipur audiences could be ascertained by the fact that even before the name of the film was announced for the award, the members of the audience were heard to be cheering and shouting out its name”.