Facebook Top Spot In U.S. Display

Facebook's U.S. advertising revenue will total roughly $2.2 billion in 2011, displacing Yahoo Inc to collect the biggest slice of online display advertising dollars, according to a new study. Facebook's U.S. advertising revenue will give it a 17.7 percent share of the market for graphical display ads that appear on websites, according to a report released on Monday by research firm eMarketer. Last year Facebook had 12.2 percent share of the U.S. market. The figures underscore the growing clout of Facebook, the world's No.1 Internet social network. It has seen its valuation soar to roughly $80 billion in recent transactions for its shares on the private markets and some investors anticipate it could have an initial public offering next year. While Facebook has grabbed the top ranking, eMarketer analyst David Hallerman said the overall market for display ads, which include banner ads, video ads and Web page sponsorships, is growing robustly enough that it is benefiting numerous companies. "It's not a zero sum game," said Hallerman, noting that the display advertising market is experiencing rapid growth as both big international brands and small, local businesses increasingly turn to the Web to reach consumers. Internet companies such as Yahoo, Google Inc and Microsoft Corp are competing for those advertising budgets, while new players such as online coupon company Groupon are offering marketers alternatives to traditional online display ads. Web portal Yahoo will grow its online display business in the U.S. by 13.6 percent this year, eMarketer said. But that will lag the overall U.S. display market's growth rate of 24.5 percent. Google's revenue from U.S. display ads will total $1.15 billion in 2011, up 34.4 percent year-over-year.

Plane Crash In Faridabad

Mangled remains of an aircraft on streets, a damaged heavy metal fan of the engine, burning buildings, and people in panic. This was the scene at the accident site of the chartered plane that crashed in a residential area in Faridabad last night, killing ten persons, including all seven onboard. The aircraft lost control and nosedived crashing into the first floor of a building, killing three women residents. The building in no time turned into a ball of fire. A battery of people surrounded the accident site, which caused difficulty in rescue operations. "I rushed to the building, it was on fire. There were some people on the stairs who were engulfed in flames. I tried to find my way to the first floor but the flames were too strong," Omkar (30), one of the injured, said. Three persons were injured in the mishap. Apart from the wreckage of the ambulance aircraft, oxygen cylinders, icebox, and other medical articles were seen lying around the scene. The whole area has been cordoned off and security personnel deployed. The incident was a nightmare of sorts for the residents of the densely populated Parvatiya Colony as they came out of their houses after hearing the massive explosion. "It was very scary. I heard a loud explosion and rushed outside. I saw flames all over. I immediately called my friends and nearby people to douse the fire," said Rohan, a resident of the colony.

Philippine Police

A member of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group wanted for kidnapping was arrested at a posh residential condominium in the Philippine capital where he worked as a security guard, police said Friday. Arabani Jakiran was arrested amid an intensified manhunt for al-Qaida-linked militants to pre-empt any possible revenge attacks for Osama Bin Laden's killing this week in Pakistan, National Police Chief Raul Bacalzo said. The 39-year-old native of southern Jolo island was arrested early Thursday at the Pacific Plaza Tower in metropolitan Manila's upscale Bonifacio Global City, said Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. of the police criminal investigation group. Pagdilao said Jakiran has been linked to the 2001 kidnapping of 20 tourists, including three Americans, from a western Philippine resort, a siege and kidnapping at a southern hospital, and a hostage-taking in a coconut plantation. Jakiran has a 350,000 peso ($8,160) bounty on his head and an arrest warrant for kidnapping issued by a court in southern Basilan province, he added. The Abu Sayyaf, notorious for bombings, kidnappings for ransom and beheadings, has been blacklisted by Washington as a terrorist organization. U.S.-backed offensives have deprived it of its top leaders and hindered its ability to launch bombings and other attacks. A government threat assessment report seen by The Associated Press in February said the 410 remaining Abu Sayyaf fighters, who remain without a central leader, are so troubled by funding problems they have kidnapped even poor victims to get ransoms.

India Biggest Threat

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir feel that India will be the biggest threat for all teams including Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup. "I think India, Australia and South Africa can pose a big threat as they have very strong squads for the tournament," Ajmal told Pakistan's former captain and now well-known commentator Ramiz Raja on a television show. Ajmal said hopefully if Pakistan managed to get through to the knockout stages it would have to contend with India in the crunch stage of the event. "Matches against India are always played with extra hype and spirit and if such a match up takes place in the World Cup at any stage it would be great for the sport," the offie stated. He also feels that he has been in the form of his life and would make an impact in the World Cup in which the pitches are expected to assist the slow bowlers. "I want to come out of the World Cup with appreciable performances and with people saying Saeed bowled well for the team," he said. His teammate Tanvir said, "Both India and Sri Lanka have strong one-day combinations and both can pose a challenge to any team in the tournament and in the knockout stage," he said. "I am confident our team can perform well in the tournament and I see India or Sri Lanka as our main threats in the latter stages of the event," Tanvir said. The all-rounder who has made a comeback to the national team after remaining out of action for nearly a year due to a major knee operation ruled out England as a major contender for the title despite their recent success in the Ashes and after winning the T20 World Cup. Both Tanvir and Ajmal also felt that the role of the captain and coach was crucial in getting the best performance out of their players. "The captain and coach can do a lot to lift a player if he is going through a bad patch. A captain must back his player and tell him "I know you can deliver for me," Ajmal said.

Mubarak Fires Ministers, Vows To Stay, Appeals For Calm

Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak refused calls to step down, instead calling late Friday for his cabinet to resign amid nationwide protests. Thousands of demonstrators, who were in the streets all day and remained past midnight in central Cairo, demanded that Mubarak step down. 'I have asked the government to resign,' Mubarak said in a televised, 11-minute speech. A new cabinet would be named Saturday, he said. As many as 13 protesters were killed Friday in clashes with security forces, amid a tide of anger at Mubarak, who has held power for nearly 30 years. 'Down with Mubarak,' protestors have chanted nationwide. Friday's violence brings the death toll in this week's unrest to 27, including three officers from security forces. The military, called out Friday to reinforce police, continued to patrol the streets with tanks and armoured vehicles as demonstrators defied the overnight curfew, ordered by Mubarak for Cairo, Suez and Alexandria but later extended nationwide. In Cairo, protesters torched several police vehicles and stormed the foreign and information ministries. The headquarters of Mubarak's National Democratic Party party were looted and set ablaze. In the hours following Mubarak's speech, demonstrators remained on the streets early Saturday, with a group of 20 to 30 men in one part of Cairo ransacking a neighbourhood NDP office and burning contents including plaques. Firing of tear-gas canisters could still be heard after midnight. Mubarak said that he 'regrets innocent victims on both sides'. He repeated promises to work toward improving Egyptians' standard of living, increase employment opportunities and improve health care. Egyptians have been taking to the streets since Tuesday, demanding Mubarak's ouster. Amid tear gas and armoured cars rushing through crowds to disperse protesters, a demonstrator told DPA on the street: 'All people can die, to hell with us all - only Hosny Mubarak wants to live.' Saying he supports freedom of expression, Mubarak said that the protests had been made possible by the freedom allowed by the Egyptian government. But the government has banned unauthorized protests and warned protesters that they would be dealt with swiftly. More than 1,000 people have been arrested this week, with many more reportedly missing. Citing the Health Ministry, satellite broadcaster al-Arabiya reported that more than 1,000 people had been injured in Friday's clashes. Internet and mobile communications were cut Friday across Egypt, after social-networking websites used to organize protests were blocked earlier in the week. One focus of the demonstrations has been corruption, which Mubarak vowed to curb in his Friday night speech. 'What happened during this protest supersedes chaos and puts into motion a plan to shake stability,' he said. Mubarak warned that other protests around the world have resulted in less stability. The government has long used stability as a rallying cry against calls for reform or change. 'I stand by the protection of Egypt's safety and stability,' Mubarak said. Friday's demonstrations had been planned to start after weekly prayers at mosques across the country. Security forces had tried to no avail to prevent rallies by blocking access to many mosques and potential demonstration sites. Sajjid al-Badawi, head of the liberal Wafd opposition party, gave a press conference Friday night demanding a transitional government and changes to the Egyptian constitution. World governments have weighed in heavily on the ongoing violence, urging peace and calm and calling on the Egyptian government to respect protesters' freedoms of speech and assembly. The US threatened Friday to withhold aid to Egypt if President Hosny Mubarak's regime does not immediately halt violence against protesters and move toward introducing reforms. This week's protests are the biggest in Egypt since bread riots in the 1970s.

Phone Service

Cell Phone for Service

Many households are relying exclusively on cell phone service as their only phone service. You may have even considered this option yourself.
Many times the decision to terminate landline based telephone service just makes sense financially. This may be a viable option for you if cellular reception inside your home is comparable to the service you receive from your local telephone company.
Getting rid of local landline based telephone service is attractive to consumers for a number of reasons. Many mobile phone companies offer the same features as the local phone company at a fraction of the cost. For example, many cell phone plans include free long distance, as opposed to the additional charges incurred when using the local phone service.
Also, most cell phone plans come standard with features such as voicemail and caller ID. And with cell phones, you can even have a picture of the person calling you displayed when they call. Numerous cell phone plans also offer free night and weekend calling that does not count against your minute allotment for the month.
Another benefit to getting rid of your landline based phone is that if you move, it is much easier to switch your cell phone plan than it is to disconnect or transfer your local phone service. One of the biggest advantages to keeping only your cell phone is that there is one less bill to pay each month.
Although there are many benefits to switching to a cell phone only, there are also some drawbacks. One of the drawbacks is that in some areas, cell phone reception quality is poor and inadequate.
There are no cell phone directories, so it is harder for people to find you (though this may be considered a plus for some). Another consideration is how often you use your phone. Having only a cell phone can end up costing you more than a landline based phone if you are the talkative sort.
Cell phone users pay for incoming and outgoing calls, where as with a landline phone, this is not case in many situations. Also, cell phones need to be charged regularly, which can be a nuisance if there is a power outage. In such cases, a traditional corded telephone comes in handy.
In the end, choosing to rely only on your cell phone for your telephone service is matter of comfort and convenience. As cell phone technology improves, more and more people are taking advantage of this option. And if you are fed up with paying an extra bill each month, then this may be just the solution for you.