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17/01/2012
Wikipedia To Stage 24 Hour 'Blackout' Protest
The world's largest online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, is to shut down its site for 24 hours on Wednesday in protest against new laws against internet piracy.
Posting on its website on Tuesday, Wikipedia announced its decision to "black out" the English-language side of its site for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 5.00am on Wednesday, January 18.
According to the site, the blackout is a protest against proposed legislation in the United States - the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the US House of Representatives and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the US Senate – that Wikipedia says will seriously damage the free and open Internet, including Wikipedia.
In a statement, the site's administrators said: "It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open web."
The shut-down will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever staged a public protest of this nature.
Sue Gardner, Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation said: "My hope is that when Wikipedia shuts down on January 18, people will understand that we’re doing it for our readers. We support everyone’s right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression.
"We think everyone should have access to educational material on a wide range of subjects, even if they can’t pay for it. We believe in a free and open Internet where information can be shared without impediment.
"We believe that new proposed laws like SOPA—and PIPA, and other similar laws under discussion inside and outside the United States—don’t advance the interests of the general public."
(DW)
Posting on its website on Tuesday, Wikipedia announced its decision to "black out" the English-language side of its site for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 5.00am on Wednesday, January 18.
According to the site, the blackout is a protest against proposed legislation in the United States - the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the US House of Representatives and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the US Senate – that Wikipedia says will seriously damage the free and open Internet, including Wikipedia.
In a statement, the site's administrators said: "It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open web."
The shut-down will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever staged a public protest of this nature.
Sue Gardner, Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation said: "My hope is that when Wikipedia shuts down on January 18, people will understand that we’re doing it for our readers. We support everyone’s right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression.
"We think everyone should have access to educational material on a wide range of subjects, even if they can’t pay for it. We believe in a free and open Internet where information can be shared without impediment.
"We believe that new proposed laws like SOPA—and PIPA, and other similar laws under discussion inside and outside the United States—don’t advance the interests of the general public."
(DW)
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The main route into Swansea city has been shut down by an anti-fracking protest group who blocked access to a construction site at the city's university. Members of Reclaim the Power launched a protest at the construction site on Fabian Way – the main route into Swansea from the M4 – at 06:00 on Monday morning.
Protest Group Causing Traffic 'Chaos'
The main route into Swansea city has been shut down by an anti-fracking protest group who blocked access to a construction site at the city's university. Members of Reclaim the Power launched a protest at the construction site on Fabian Way – the main route into Swansea from the M4 – at 06:00 on Monday morning.
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Mobile Customers To Share £1m Refund
Mobile provide EE is to refund around £1m to a number of customers wrongly charged VAT between October 2012 and October 2014. It is understood that EE customers who travelled outside the EU during those dates and used internet data were affected by the charges. The company estimated it as being about 0.5% of its customers.
Mobile Customers To Share £1m Refund
Mobile provide EE is to refund around £1m to a number of customers wrongly charged VAT between October 2012 and October 2014. It is understood that EE customers who travelled outside the EU during those dates and used internet data were affected by the charges. The company estimated it as being about 0.5% of its customers.
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Police Appeal For Missing Man From Hounslow
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Police Appeal For Missing Man From Hounslow
Police are appealing for information in tracing a 39-year-old male who has been missing from Hounslow since 4 November 2013. Ian Smith is also known to frequent Internet cafes in Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kingston. He has previously travelled to Scotland, Bath, Liverpool and Leeds. Smith is a white, 5ft 9" of medium build.
07 February 2012
Safer Internet Day Links Generations
Today is Safer Internet Day, a global drive to promote safer Internet for children and young people. More than 100 events in 30 European countries will encourage children, their families and teachers, to discover the digital world together. This is the ninth annual Safer Internet Day, celebrated in more than 70 countries worldwide.
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Today is Safer Internet Day, a global drive to promote safer Internet for children and young people. More than 100 events in 30 European countries will encourage children, their families and teachers, to discover the digital world together. This is the ninth annual Safer Internet Day, celebrated in more than 70 countries worldwide.
18 November 2004
British Library boasts London's largest WiFi hotspot
The British Library has launched wireless Internet connectivity in the public areas of its building at St Pancras. The service offers wireless Internet access (WiFi) throughout the 11 reading rooms, the auditorium, the café and restaurant and the outdoor Piazza area.
British Library boasts London's largest WiFi hotspot
The British Library has launched wireless Internet connectivity in the public areas of its building at St Pancras. The service offers wireless Internet access (WiFi) throughout the 11 reading rooms, the auditorium, the café and restaurant and the outdoor Piazza area.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
