February 5, 2012

Hamas fighter killed in Israel air strikes on Gaza

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Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed a Hamas fighter and wounded several other people. Missiles struck central Gaza and Gaza City late on Friday; tunnels on the strip's southern border were also hit. The strikes came after a rocket fired from the coastal enclave by militants earlier on Friday hit the Israeli city of Ashkelon on the Mediterranean coast. That attack caused no casualties but damaged a building and cars in the city, 12km (7 miles) north of Gaza. Israel and the Palestinians * Back to business in Gaza? * Little room to manoeuvre * Guide: Eased Gaza blockade * Israel-Obama rocky friendship Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said he took the rocket attack on Ashkelon - which has a population of 125,000 - "very seriously". The city's mayor said the attack was the most serious since Israel ended an offensive against the Gaza Strip in January 2009. Reduced violence Hamas - the Islamist group which controls the territory - named the dead militant as Issa Batran, 42 - a commander of the group's military wing in central Gaza and a rocket maker. The military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said eight other Hamas supporters and three civilians were also injured in air strikes on a Hamas military training camp in Gaza City, smuggling tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border and a target outside a central Gaza refugee camp. The group said it would avenge the killing. Israel's military confirmed the air strikes and said they came in response to the Ashkelon attack. Map Rocket fire from Gaza has reduced in the past year after Hamas reined in attacks, but sporadic fire from other militant groups continues. Correspondents say such attacks are almost always ineffective, with rockets mostly landing in open fields. One Thai farmer in Israel has been killed in the past year. Dozens of Palestinians, some of them civilians, have been killed in attacks from Israel over the same period. … [Read more...]

Afghan leak: Wikileaks’ Assange denies ‘blood on hands’

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The founder of the website Wikileaks has rejected US claims he has blood on his hands after releasing 90,000 leaked classified documents on the Afghan war. Julian Assange told the BBC there was no evidence that any informants had died as a result of the leaks. He accused the Pentagon of trying to distract attention from the thousands of lives being lost in the war. The White House has appealed to Wikileaks not to publish another 15,000 documents it is thought to hold. The US denied Mr Assange's assertion that he had asked the US government to help vet the documents to protect lives. Mr Assange told the BBC's Newshour programme that the US government had presented no evidence that innocent people or informants had been harmed by the leaks. And he directly addressed comments made by Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who sharply criticised Wikileaks. "One must consider why the Pentagon is focusing on the hypothetical blood that it says might be on our hands - although there is no evidence of that - compared to the 20,000 lives that have been lost in Afghanistan that are documented and exposed by our material," Mr Assange told the BBC. 'Abuses exposed' Mr Assange said Wikileaks had sought to engage the White House in its efforts to vet the material before it was released. He has pledged to continue the release of documents. Pfc Bradley Manning Pfc Bradley Manning has been described as a "person of interest" in the Wikileaks Afghan document leak "We will not be suppressed," he said. "We will continue to expose abuses by this administration and others." The documents, which Wikileaks has dubbed the Afghan War Diary, were first described in news reports late on Sunday. Among other revelations, they describe previously unreported civilian deaths, they claim members of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency have backed the Taliban in Afghanistan, and state that the Taliban has used surface-to-air missiles to down coalition aircraft. On Thursday, Adm Mike Mullen expressed his outrage over the leaks at a press conference. "Mr Assange can say whatever he likes about the greater good he thinks he and his source are doing, but the truth is they might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family," he said. That was followed on Friday by a plea from White House aide Robert Gibbs for whoever possessed the Afghan files not to release any more. "It is important that no more damage be done to our national security," he said on NBC's Today show. Meanwhile, a soldier accused of leaking video of a deadly helicopter attack in Iraq has been transferred to a base in the US. US Army Pfc Bradley Manning is to stand trial on charges he gave video of the attack - in which a Reuters photographer was killed - to Wikileaks. The Pentagon is also investigating whether he handed over the 90,000 classified documents. The army said on Friday that … [Read more...]

5 Things Women Wear That Men Hate

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There’s more than one reason we love to see women naked. Sure it’s easy on the eyes, but it also saves us from having to stare at some of the most horrific fashion to ever be worn. We’re talking clothes so ugly that we can’t focus on anything except taking them off…and running to the nearest bonfire to burn them. Disclaimer: Always remember to keep a simple rule in mind: if a girl asks “does this look good on me?,” say “of course!” This rule operates independently from your opinions. 1. Crocs – First and foremost, these look ridiculous unless you’re a toddler. They come in a wide assortment of nauseating colors, such as ‘Lime,’ ‘Dahlia,’ ‘Sky,’ ‘Pearl,’ and ‘Chocolate.’ Made of plastic, Crocs are extremely conducive to putrid foot odors. Don’t worry, these are conveniently unisex, threatening both femininity and manhood. Usually people wear these to “just relax,” making them distastefully popular on college campuses. 2. Wedges – Another example of footwear that can ruin a good mood. Like Crocs, their disturbing presence attracts your eyes like a streak of mustard across her face. Maybe I’m drawing broad conclusions, but it seems like wedges always come with an attitude. Of course, we’ll never really know if wedges make her moody or if moody girls wear wedges. 3. Babydoll Dress - This thing is called a “babydoll.” Girls seem to think these are sexy, but we don’t know why. Yea baby, it’s short, but are you expecting or something? It does absolutely nothing for a girl’s curves except hide them under flowy material. We’re all for being discrete, but come on, no one wants to hook up with someone who chooses to wear something with the word baby in it. 4. One-Piece Suit- Ah, the one-piece. Risque in days past, this swimsuit now bows down to the bikini. It’s heartbreaking to see college girls with tight stomachs and luscious busts wearing one of these. It just doesn’t really make any sense. Maybe it’s that they don’t want any attention. But they don’t realize that a one-piece will give them attention — but the absolutely wrong kind. They transform any hot girl into a frazzled soccer mom who came to the beach in a minivan. 5. Oversized Clothing - Save the worst for last. Do any of us know what to call these? “Really, really baggy shirts reminiscent of 90s tall-tees” should work. Like the babydoll, these hide her body definition and turn her into a walking square. And unless you’re the kinda guy who gets turned on by right angles, this probably won’t do it for you. She might as well tape a pillow case to her neck and save the fifty spot. They seem to be associated with indie culture, so if she listens to Modest Mouse or tries to get you to wear skinny jeans, she probably has one of these in store for you. … [Read more...]

Win Her Over & More

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Yes, it's that time once again: The day we feature your dating and relationship questions. Although we would like to answer each one personally and with as much detail as possible, the overwhelming amount of inquiries forces us to highlight those that are most interesting to AskMen readers. This week's Q&A explores how to move past a woman's reservations, how to win her over when she says you're just a friend, and how to use cocky & funny comebacks in a relationship. David DeAngelo, author of Double Your Dating: What Every Man Should Know About How To Be Successful With Women, has your answers. reader’s question Dear Dave, I was very skeptical of your approach, but I have been trying Cocky & Funny routine recently and it has been working like a charm. I have a question, though. What if a woman states she does not like a certain type of guy, like if she says she likes tall guys but one happens to be short. Can you give be a couple of examples of turning a perceived deficit (height, lack of hair, etc.) into Cocky & Funny responses? Thanks a million, Disciple in Training in D.C. dave’s response I really like this question. And the answer's simple: Just because a woman says that she doesn't like a certain type of guy doesn't mean that she can't feel a powerful attraction for a guy of that "type". Why? Because, like I always say, attraction isn't a choice. It's an emotional and physical response. But preferring a "type" is just a choice. It's a preference. That's why just because a woman says that she doesn't "prefer" a certain type of guy, it doesn't mean that she can't be made to feel a powerful attraction for that type. So, when you ask me how to use a Cocky & Funny line to turn a "perceived deficit" around, the first thing I have to say is, stop caring what a woman thinks of you. If you care what she thinks, you're probably going to start acting like a total wuss. And women do not feel attraction for men who act like wusses. Next, try to bring it up before she does. If you're talking about height, you might say: "Well, you're taller than me. I'm over it, are you yet?" This says you're confident and not afraid to deal with it. It will also let you know how she feels about it. If she just can't get past it, she'll tell you, and then you can stop wasting time on her. Finally, make it her problem. Use Cocky & Funny and say: "Wow, you're kind of a freak. I think something like 1% of women are as tall as you. It must suck trying to find nice pants, huh?" Bottom line: Show that you don't care what she thinks of you. That redirects the conversation, and then you can decide whether or not she's the kind of woman you would like to go out with. reader’s question Hey, Dave! I know you don't like relationship questions but I'm going to ask anyhow. Is it necessary to tone down the Cocky & Funny when you two become boyfriend/girlfriend? And second, how do you respond when women start challenging you back? I know you … [Read more...]

AHF Blasts XBIZ; Duke and Helmy Respond

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LOS ANGELES — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation publicly blasted XBIZ on Friday over the adult industry media company's decision to reject a paid advertisement espousing its ongoing campaign to require use of condoms in the production of all adult films. The AHF, which disseminated a 1,200-word press release through Business Wire, said XBIZ has "clearly decided to take sides with the industry by shutting down AHF’s freedom of the press and our free expression" and that it is XBIZ's "desire to curry favor with those in the industry who may be angered by AHF's ad." AHF's advertisement urges industry leaders "to begin the process of instituting the necessary changes to make the industry safe" with on-set condom use. "AHF could be your best ally on the road to reasonable safety regulations," the ad reads. Alec Helmy, XBIZ's president and publisher, responded to the AHF's charges, claiming the media company has aggressively covered the issues of adult performer worker-safety through the years and that it feels the AHF's attempt to regulate the adult industry is misguided. "We feel that the solutions AHF has proposed are unrealistic and problematic," he said. "We have given equal weight to their argument in all of our online and print news coverage. "Running an ad of this nature would cross the line in terms of our position, particularly since we are a supporting sponsor of the Free Speech Coalition." The FSC on Friday evening lauded the media company over its stance and said the AHF and its leader, Michael Weinstein, are "grandstanding." "I applaud XBIZ for its courage and commitment to the industry and its wisdom in not allowing AHF to use this industry publication as yet another avenue for disseminating its propaganda," FSC Executive Director Diane Duke told XBIZ."AHF has launched a number of attacks against the adult entertainment industry. "They have filed countless, frivolous lawsuits and complaints against the industry, Cal/OSHA, Los Angeles County and AIM. Neither the industry nor its performers want anything to do with AHF or its sensationalistic grandstanding." … [Read more...]

Advancements in Mobile Advertising

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LOS ANGELES — As the mobile media market continues to expand, sophisticated advertising methods are increasingly supplanting display advertising such as banner ads. "People love apps as well as reading mobile websites, that's why mobile display advertising is taking off right now — and that's only the beginning," Smaato cofounder and VP Petra Vorsteher stated. "Connected devices will be everywhere and people use them all the time. I would call this a promising opportunity." "But ad formats will be richer, and ads will be more personal than they are today," Vorsteher added. "Augmented reality campaigns and location targeted ads are only two things we support and push today." Beyond format types and approaches, cross-platform marketing opportunities exist. For example, a mobile phone user could scan a bar code on a DVD cover and bring up a review, sample content, or perhaps even a discount coupon or free website access — while print magazines could include such "links" as direct hooks into advertiser sites — bridging the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. With the increase in mobile video, advertisers are looking at creative ways of placing their message into the content, evolving past simple "commercials" before, during or after a sponsored video clip, to include focused product placement and social marketing. Much is also made of the possibilities of Bluetooth advertising, delivering localized offers to prospects as they pass within range; as well as MMS and SMS advertising using multimedia and text-based promotions, respectively. For its part, AdMob boasts a 10-fold increase in click-through rates for its mobile offerings (which focus on banners and text links), over the rates of comparable online advertising methods, showing the robustness of traditional digital marketing techniques. Innovation requires capital, however, so the development of new advertising vehicles will depend on convincing advertisers to spend their often-dwindling budgets on trying new approaches to new markets — even if they do not fully understand the technology. "The Mobile Marketing industry is still in its infancy. That's why most of the people in the mobile industry are entrepreneurial types and share a passion for technology," Vorsteher concluded. "We still need to educate marketers to shift their media spend to mobile." For those seeking standards, the Mobile Marketing Association offers ad guidelines, while the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) offers a series of Best Practices for mobile websites and adult applications. Given the adult entertainment industry's heritage of being first-to-market with new advertising tools, the future looks bright for operators able to reach today's demanding, tech-savvy mobile consumers — before these new methods in turn become passé. … [Read more...]

iPhone 4 Offers New Chat Opportunities for Adult

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NEW YORK — With the launch of the iPhone 4, adult companies wasted no time in taking advantage of the phone’s videoconference feature, developing video-sex chat services. FoxNews.com reported that the porn industry has always been early adopters of new technologies. According the report, Craigslist ads in several cities seek models for video sex chat on FaceTime, which lets people call another iPhone user and have live video conversations over a WI-FI connection through the phone’s camera and screen. "A phone is such an intimate thing, you usually don't lend it out or have someone else use it,” Pink Visual’s Quentin Boyer said. Boyer said his company began planning for iPhone 4 video services almost as soon as the device hit stores. Boyer said the company will offer FaceTime sessions with some of the same women who appear in its videos. “It has a very personal feel — your mobile phone to hers," he said. So far, most online video sex chat services have let the customer see the performer, but not the other way around. FaceTime may change that. “We are seeing more and more that customers want to be watched as much as they want to watch,” said Dan Hogue, owner of CamWorld, which is planning FaceTime services. Apple has been firm on its no-porn policy, but the company will have a hard time dictating how FaceTime is used. Internet experts say customers will understand that Apple cannot control what goes on in private video chats. … [Read more...]

Laurence Fishburne’s Daughter Stars in Porn Movie

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LOS ANGELES – Montana Fishburne, 19-year-old daughter of award winning actor Laurence Fishburne has made "Montana Fishburne," her first-ever adult movie with Vivid Entertainment. The DVD of the movie will be released nationwide and available online at Vivid on August 18. Vivid said the movie is more than an hour long and follows Fishburne as she engages in erotic adventures in a car, a hotel room and even in public while visiting a mall! "I view making this movie as an important first step in my career," Fishburne said. "I've watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape by Vivid. I'm hoping the same magic will work for me. I'm impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it." "Montana made up her mind to make this DVD before we met her," said Vivid founder/co-chairman, Steven Hirsch. She grew up in the entertainment business and was well aware of our company. In looking at the careers of many current leading female personalities, she saw a path to success and hopes to follow it." Hirsch added, "When we first met, we were impressed with not just her beauty, but how self-possessed she is. Her performance in the movie is scorching, and we think that she will bring that same passion to all of her endeavors – whether in adult or the mainstream." Interviews with Fishburne describing her "at home experience" along with porn performer Brian Pumper have been circulating on YouTube. … [Read more...]

Analysis: Judge Dismisses Free Speech’s §2257 Lawsuit

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PHILADELPHIA—In case anyone hadn't figured it out yet, sex is an incredibly powerful—perhaps the most powerful—motivating force in human interaction, and as such, everyone who seeks power wants to control it. That includes clergy, politicians, employers, parents, teachers—you name it. So why is that important to U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson's dismissal of the Free Speech Coalition's (FSC) lawsuit challenging the federal recordkeeping and labeling laws (18 U.S.C. §§2257 and 2257A)? Because to assume that Congress enacted those laws with no regard for the content of the speech those laws affect—SEX!—shows either a complete lack of understanding of human nature and/or a deliberate disregard for one's own nature, no matter under how many layers of "civility," religious belief or politics they may have attempted to buried it. "What we have in Section 2257 is a holdover of the Meese Commission's deliberate attack on sexually explicit expression," observed attorney and constitutional scholar Reed Lee, "and it appears that the Meese Commission used every trick it could find in a book to burden and to—if it had its way—stamp out sexually explicit expression even between consenting adults. The problem is, the book it was looking in had nothing to do with the U.S. Constitution." Judge Baylson's animus toward sexual expression is obvious in the first sentences of the first two paragraphs of his opinion: The first—"Child pornography is one of the serious scourges of our time"—because the lawsuit filed by Free Speech Coalition and 18 other plaintiffs isn't about child pornography, it's about government overreaching; and the second—"Let us turn to recordkeeping, as old as history itself"—because it attempts to minimize the deleterious effects of the massive and unconstitutional mandatory recordkeeping scheme the government has put in place in order to accomplish—as noted in our reprinted article on Tuesday—nothing. Indeed, "nothing" describes the relevance of much of the verbiage of Judge Baylson's opinion, which goes on for pages about how terrible child pornography is (when no one involved in the case has denied that for a moment); how much effort the government has put in over the years to suppress it (when that effort has little to do with the issues raised by the FSC lawsuit because, as previously noted, §2257 doesn't stop child porn); and what the courts have had to say about minors appearing in sexually explicit material (again, nothing to do with the current suit). Baylson, a Bush II appointee nominated by then-Pennsylvania Republican senators Rick "Man On Dog" Santorum and Arlen Specter, has been a federal judge since 2002, having previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for five years as a Ronald Reagan appointee—a résumé that might give one reason to suspect that he might be less than objective about sexual expression to begin with—a suspicion clearly borne out … [Read more...]

Four Adult Sites Generate 15 Percent of Wireless Video Traffic

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Research shows mobile video consumptions peaks at 10 p.m., ebbs at 5:30 a.m. MOBILE CYBERSPACE—Bytemobile, an international mobile internet strategies and solution company, has released research for the month of July that shows a marked increase in mobile video consumption, especially during the evening. The research also shows that four of the top 10 mobile video domains are adult-related, and account for 15 percent of the total video traffic on wireless networks. YouTube continues to be the dominant source for mobile video consumption, accounting for 36 percent of total traffic on wireless networks, with Googlevideo.com coming in second at about 7 percent, with Xvideos.com at about 6 percent and YouPorn.com at a tad under 5 percent. Rounding out the top 10 are Megavideo.com, Myvideo.de, Archiv.to, Pornhub.com, Phobos.apple.com and Tnaflix.com. ADVERTISEMENT Interestingly, considering Apple’s recent denunciation of the format, Adobe Flash accounts for 90 percent of all wireless video traffic, by far the most popular video format. However, the research also found that Apple’s CODEC, H.264 accounts for nearly 50 percent of all mobile internet videos, and is often used with Adobe Flash. In terms of the video watching experience, research results are mixed. Not surprisingly, video usage is the single largest factor in reduced bandwidth availability and network congestion, with most of the consumption peaking around 10 p.m. across all time zones, which is when most networks report the greatest congestion. To combat the congestion, the researchers found that mobile users opt for lower-quality videos to avoid stalling, which occurs on even the fastest networks. The low tide for mobile video consumption occurs at 5:30 a.m., when, as a result, bandwidth is most available. The study also found that high-definition video is nearly non-existent on wireless networks, and that video optimization significantly improves the user experience by reducing stalling. On average, it found, 60 seconds of video watched on a 3G network averages 10 seconds of stalling; if optimized, however, the stalling is reduced to zero. Around 95 percent of mobile video viewers watch at resolutions between 176×144 and 640×480. The research can be read here. For more information, visit www.bytemobile.com. … [Read more...]