Netflix Aborts Plan to Separate DVD, Streaming Services

Netflix (NFLX) has abandoned its unpopular plan to spin off its DVD-by-mail service and rename it Qwikster, saying it will continue to offer both services through its flagship web site.

The movie renter told customers in an email and blog post on Monday that they will continue using "one web site, one account and one password" under the Netflix brand for both streaming and DVD-by-mail services.

The decision comes just three weeks after the  company initially revealed plans to separate its DVD service and operate the brand under Qwikster.com. It had intended to use Netflix.com for its streaming-only service, forcing dual-service customers to use two separate accounts.

That decision proved to be just the latest among a series of missteps for the Los Gates, Calif.-based company, which has seen its share price drop 60% since July when Netflix announced a price increase for subscribers using both streaming and mailed DVD services. Previously, Netflix users had been able to pay one lower price for the combined service.   Read Here

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Case of Iranian Pastor Facing Death Penalty Reportedly in Hands of Supreme Leader

The case of an Iranian pastor facing a possible death sentence for apostasy has reportedly been referred to Iran's supreme leader, a move some say shows the Islamic republic is feeling pressure in the face of growing international support.

Attorney Mohammad Ali Dadkhah told AFP on Monday that an Iranian court has decided to seek the opinion of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- the Islamic republic's spiritual leader and highest authority -- in the case of Youcef Nadarkhani, a 32-year-old pastor who was arrested in October 2009 and later sentenced to death for converting to Christianity.

Messages seeking comment from Dadkhah were not immediately returned early Monday.  Full Read

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Race against time to save New Zealand's stunning coast as oil begins to wash ashore from stricken ship

These worrying images of globules of thick, black oil show that it's now a race against time in order to save New Zealand's stunning coastline after a leak from a stricken ship has begun to wash ashore.

Spots of the slick now punctuate the stunning beaches after the Liberian ship MV Rena struck the Astrolabe Reef about 14 miles from Tauranga Harbour in the Bay of Plenty region on the North Island.

The 775-foot (236-metre) ship, which ran aground on Wednesday, has created a three-mile leak, leading to fears it could cause an environmental disaster if it breaks apart.  More Read

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Scientists warn out-of-control three ton telescope is hurtling towards Earth

Earth has been told to brace for a possible satellite collision as an orbiting telescope weighing nearly three tons has spun out of control and is plummeting homewards.

ROSAT, a German X-ray telescope built with British and American technology, has been orbiting the Earth since 1990 and has provided invaluable data on stars. But they lost contact with it in 1999.

It is now predicted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere at the end of this month.  Read Full

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Winter's first icy blast is on the way: Frost and temperatures of 3C by the weekend

Only a week ago many of us were basking in the glow of a spectacular Indian summer.

With temperatures as hot as Hawaii, we packed parks, beaches and swimming pools, soaking up the last rays of sunshine. And it seems they probably were the last.

Within days Britain will get its first taste of winter weather as Icelandic winds blast across the country and by Saturday many areas will be hit by the first frosts of the year.  More Read

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Horror on the High Street as woman shopper is stabbed to death in random early morning attack

A worker at the nearby Rose Pub who did not give her name said: 'I didn't see what happened but I think one of the girls stole a knife from the butcher's.

'A policeman told my boss that's what happened. We were really shocked.


'On the whole we don't get that sort of thing around here. It isn't a bad place.'

Police were called to the area at around 8.30am, along with London Ambulance Service.  More Read

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Real-life Jedi: Pushing the limits of mind control

The inner workings of the brain can now be read using low cost hardware

You don't have to be a Jedi to make things move with your mind.

Granted, we may not be able to lift a spaceship out of a swamp like Yoda does in The Empire Strikes Back, but it is possible to steer a model car, drive a wheelchair and control a robotic exoskeleton with just your thoughts.

"The first thing is to clear your mind…to think of nothing," says Ed Jellard; a young man with the quirky title of senior inventor.

We are standing in a testing room at IBM's Emerging Technologies lab in Winchester, England.

On my head is a strange headset that looks like a black plastic squid. Its 14 tendrils, each capped with a moistened electrode, are supposed to detect specific brain signals.   Full Read

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Hunt for archaic office down to finalists

Small businesses across Auckland have shared their horror stories and spoken out about their daily struggles with ancient computers.

After sifting through and whittling down the entries, six workplaces are now in the running for a $25,000 IT makeover from Dell.

A second-rate set-up can cause big delays - something the competition's entrants attest to.

Homevision Blinds' Raewyn Moston said their systems "are ancient and archaic" and an upgrade would allow more integration between the company's sites at Glenfield and East Tamaki.

"We're going to try to link the offices ... as it is, one person actually takes the backup each night over to East Tamaki and loads it on the system, so they're always behind us."

Coffee roaster and merchant Mark Hillis said his company had 21st century ideas but was "using technology from the Middle Ages".

"We've been working really hard trying to integrate everything ... but our system's not quite up to standard," he said. "It would be far better to have a central system."   Continue

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Earphones may have distracted girl hit by train

A 15-year-old schoolgirl hit and killed by a train may have been oblivious to onlookers' warning screams because she was wearing earphones.

About 15 witnesses at the level crossing and on the platforms at Ginifer station in Melbourne's north watched as the girl ran out in front of a city-bound V/Line train on Monday morning. They yelled at her to stop, but after hesitating she made the fatal decision to run.

Sergeant Rob Atkinson said the Cairnlea girl may have been wearing earphones and so didn't hear the screams of warning or the sound of the train. "Witnesses have yelled out to her to stop," he said.   More Read

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Top Rugby World Cup tip: Keep calm, trust the All Blacks

Keep calm, trust in the All Blacks and block all calls from Australia. That's the advice being given before this weekend's ultimate transtasman battle, the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

Sports psychologist Jane Magnusson said it was understandable that some Kiwis would be feeling the heat because of cross-Tasman rivalry and the effects of an Australian upset.

"Usually it would be just another semifinal or rugby game," she said.

"But it probably does put it in a different psychological realm because it's against Australia."

Dr Magnusson, who is also a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland's Sport and Exercise Science Department, said it would be hard for Kiwis to handle losing to the Wallabies, but there was nothing more to do except back the team and trust in them.  Read More

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Child mental disorders: New diagnosis or another dilemma?

The final straw for Carolyn Alves came last fall when she tried to help her daughter Cecelia dress for kindergarten.

The volatile 6-year-old had worked herself into a frenzy as she tried on outfit after outfit, rejecting each as unacceptable. The tantrum at full bore, she scooped up a pile of clothes and hurled them at the front door of the family's Spanish-style bungalow in Glendale.

The clock ticked past the school's 8 a.m. bell. Alves pulled her wailing child into her arms and held her on the couch. After several minutes, Cecelia stopped, took a breath and announced that she was ready to go to school.  More Read

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Is pooch world’s smallest dog?

The pug is just 6in long and weighs ONE pound six ounces — four ounces less than the Guinness World Record holder, Brandy the chihuahua.

Vets think the five-month-old is suffering from dwarfism.
Pugs are normally at least 10in high but Gracie is under 6in. More Read

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Workers in 800ft skyscraper caper 1932 pic recreated in London

TALK about nerves of steel! Construction workers recreate one of the world's most famous photos — 800ft up a London skyscraper.

Michael Crompton persuaded 11 pals to sit across a girder like the nonchalant New York steel workers in the 1932 snap Lunch Atop A Skyscraper.  More Read

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Rocker found dead after eerie Twitter prediction

THE former bassist of rock band Weezer has died of a suspected overdose – after predicting the exact time and place of his death on Twitter. 

Mikey Welsh, who was part of the group from 1998 to 2001 – was found unconscious in a Chicago hotel room on Saturday.

On September 26 he had penned an ominous message on his Twitter feed, saying: "dreamt i died in chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). need to write my will today".

Shortly after, he added: "correction: the weekend after next".

Welsh, 40, who was found unresponsive on the floor of his hotel room when he failed to check out, was in the city to see his former band play.

He performed on the quartet's 2001 album Weezer, which included singles Hash Pipe and Island In The Sun.

He left the band shortly afterwards after having suffered a nervous breakdown.   Read Here

 

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Smash-and-grab gang raid Apple store

A SMASH-and-grab gang stormed past a shrine to former CEO Steve Jobs to raid an Apple store in London's Covent Garden last night.

The thieves made off on mopeds and motorbikes with a reported £50,000 worth of Apple products including iPads, iPods and Mac computers.

It is thought seven criminals executed the 1am raid and two people were being held on suspicion of burglary today.

One of the store's windows was smashed and all suspects were wearing full face helmets.

Cops in Islington, North London, spotted a moped believed to have been involved but failed to stop it.

A similar vehicle was then found abandoned nearby and a 16-year-old boy and 21-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of burglary.   Read More

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Body found in SUV of slain Wash. woman's husband

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A body has been found in a Jeep belonging to a missing Washington man, whose wife was slain during a crime spree that left one other person dead and ended with the arrest of two armed fugitives, Oregon authorities say.

The vehicle is owned by David Jones Pedersen — known as "Red" to his friends and family. He's been missing since last month, when his wife, Leslie Pedersen, was found stabbed to death in their Everett, Wash., home.

Authorities have not identified the deceased white male found in the Jeep, but they said that Red Pedersen's relatives have been notified.

An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Monday to confirm whether the body is that of Red Pedersen and how the man died, authorities said Saturday.   Read Here

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Lady GaGa’s binoculars to peek at royals

ECCENTRIC Lady GaGa is such a huge fan of the Royal Family she is trying to SPY on the Queen during a visit to the UK. 

The Poker Face singer has invested in a pair of expensive binoculars to find out what goes on behind closed doors at Buckingham Palace.

GaGa, 25, made a special request to staff at the posh Lanesborough Hotel in West London to ensure her luxury suite has the best possible view of the Palace.

The five-star luxury hotel is close by but only a few of the best rooms actually allow guests to see the royal residence.

GaGa is in Britain for an appearance on the Jonathan Ross show and a private gig. And she has been glued to her hotel window at every opportunity to try to catch a glimpse of the Queen or Prince Phillip.  Read Full

 

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Dr Liam Fox was warned over pal Adam Werritty

Defence Secretary under fire over 'adviser' 

 

DEFENCE Secretary Dr Liam Fox ignored warnings about his "improper" dealings with a friend who passed himself off as an adviser, it emerged last night.

It came as Dr Fox issued a grovelling apology over his relationship with Adam Werritty, who joined him on overseas trips and visited him at the MoD.

The Sun can reveal that Dr Fox ignored a stern warning from Britain's top warrior over his suspect business relationship with close friend Werritty.

Sir Jock Stirrup was "seriously concerned" about two secret overseas meetings Dr Fox held with his best man and ex-flatmate Werritty — within WEEKS of taking office.

Last night Dr Fox apologised over his "blurred" relationship with the freelance defence consultant.  More Read

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Surprise? Women eat more when they're around other women

The next time you order a side salad for dinner or are three helpings deep into a basket of cheese fries, take a look around the table and see who is sitting with you. A new study finds that your company could determine how many calories you consume.

What does this mean for women? Researchers say that their study of college-aged people at lunch and dinner meal times revealed that women eat more when they are with other women, less when they are dining with men.

Men, they found, do the opposite, eating more when they are around women than they do while sitting at a single-sex table.  More Read

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Kristin Hermeler left $200,000 to twin Candice Hermeler

THE surviving Melbourne twin of a bizarre suicide pact has been left $200,000 by the sister who died after the pair shot each other in Colorado. 
 
The Herald Sun obtained documents lodged with the Supreme Court that show 29-year-old Kristin Hermeler did not leave anything to her parents.

Despite their plan to end their lives, Kristin appointed her sister Candice executor of the will in 2008 - two years before the tragedy shocked the world.

In the case that Candice died and had no children, Kristin's cash was to go to World Society for the Protection of Animals.

The twin sisters shot themselves in the head - with .22 pistols they rented for $20 - in a baffling suicide pact last November at a shooting range.  Full Read

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Liberal Party prepares war chest for snap poll

A TEAM of Liberal Party luminaries, including Alexander Downer and Santo Santoro, has been formed to fast-track a multimillion-dollar war chest for a snap federal poll. 
 
The Liberal Party is also mimicking the strategy of Barack Obama and will establish a "grassroots" fundraising program targeting small amounts of $20 or $40.

As Tony Abbott puts his MPs on alert for the possible return of Kevin Rudd, senior Coalition frontbenchers are criss-crossing Australia to hold fundraising events.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey is understood to have done three dinners, two cocktail functions and a fundraising lunch across three states in the past week alone.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop has also racked up thousands of kilometres in flights to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland for fundraising events.   More Read

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Tribunal throws out worker's tattoo claim

A claim of discrimination made by a woman whose employers asked her to cover a tattoo has been dismissed by the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

In May last year Claire Haupini, 32, who worked as a casual worker for the Spit Roast Catering Company in Auckland, was asked to cover up the tattoo on her left forearm, which evoked her Whakatohea and Ngaphui tribal links.

Working at a corporate function, Mrs Haupini was asked to wear a three-quarter shirt instead of a shorter-sleeved one being worn by workmates.

The tribunal heard the request left her angry, distressed and humiliated and brought her to tears on several occasions.  More Read

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See Germany's nuclear plant turned family playground

In Germany, nothing says fun for all ages like an abandoned nuclear power plant cooling tower! That's the sentiment behind Wunderland Kalkar amusement park--formerly known as the Schneller Bruter cooperative energy project--where you're more likely to encounter cotton candy and motion sickness than Geiger counters and radiation poisoning.

Before you let those fashionably hip Cold War-meets-Steampunk visions in your head take hold, I should note that the nuclear facility was, for political reasons, never completed, so there's actually no danger of coming in contact with any radiation while taking a ride on the mechanical swings that have been installed in the cooling tower.  More Read

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On the road to a low-energy house

Building technology is improving every day, but if it's a super energy-efficient dwelling you're after, the tools are already well at hand.

Once a year, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association organizes a green buildings open house where energy nerds like myself can see the latest in home efficiency.

The homes, which are both new construction and renovations, show that builders, architects, and homeowners have unlocked the code for making buildings dramatically more energy efficient than your typical construction. The question now is whether green building techniques and products will remain on the fringe or become more mainstream.   Read Full

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Harry Moseley: Tributes as cancer fundraiser, 11, dies

Tributes have been paid to an 11-year-old boy who has died from a brain tumour after raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Harry Moseley, from Birmingham, became well-known through his presence on Twitter after being diagnosed with the tumour after becoming ill in 2007.

Many celebrities have paid tribute to him on the site while Cancer Research UK said he was an "inspiration".

Harry made and sold bracelets for his Help Harry Help Others campaign.

He had been in a coma since August and died on Saturday night.
On Twitter, tributes came from the likes of England footballers Jack Wilshere and Rio Ferdinand, Dragon's Den entrepreneurs Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne and Deborah Meaden, snooker star Jimmy White, former prime minister's wife Sarah Brown, television presenter Ben Shephard and teenage diving star Tom Daley, whose father died of a brain tumour earlier this year.  Read Full

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