Pratibha Murthy murder case: Cab driver sentenced to life

BANGALORE – A fast track court on Friday sentenced cab driver Shiva Kumar to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of Pratibha Murthy, an employee of the Hewlett-Packard run business process outsourcing arm.

The accused will serve in jail until his death.

Shiva Kumar had first confessed to the crime, but later backtracked and denied … Read more : Pratibha Murthy murder case: Cab driver sentenced to life.

Vodafone buys 2 telecom expense management firms for $9.7 million total

Vodafone buys 2 telecom expense management firms

LONDON – Vodafone is spending $9.7 million to buy two firms specializing in managing telecom expenses.
Vodafone said Friday that it is buying Australia-based Quickcomm for $6.9 million and U.S.-based based TnT Expense Management for $2.8 million.
Quickcomm has offices in the United States, Britain and Singapore, while TnT has offices … Read more : Vodafone buys 2 telecom expense management firms for $9.7 million total.

Female student’s private sex life thesis makes waves in cyber space

LONDON – A female student in the US has been left devastated after a sex list, in which she ranked the university men she had slept with, became an Internet sensation.

Karen Owen had created the “unofficial senior thesis” on her sex life with athletes at Duke University …. Read the original article  : Female student’s private sex life thesis makes waves in cyber space.

UAE state news agency says Gulf state won’t go ahead with BlackBerry service ban on Monday

UAE, BlackBerry resolve dispute, averting ban

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates backed off a threat to cut key services on BlackBerry smart phones Friday, just days before the ban was set to take effect.
The Gulf federation, home to the region’s business hub and largest airport in Dubai, was planning to shut off … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : UAE state news agency says Gulf state won’t go ahead with BlackBerry service ban on Monday.

Senate report: US hires Afghan warlords and thugs, military defends hiring locally

US spending on Afghan security contractors slammed

WASHINGTON – U.S. reliance on private security in Afghanistan that is poorly monitored and often results in the hiring of Afghan warlords is profiting the Taliban and could endanger coalition troops, according to a Senate report. Military officials warn, however, that ending the practice of hiring local guards could … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Senate report: US hires Afghan warlords and thugs, military defends hiring locally.

BPO employee rape case: Quantum of sentence to be pronounced today

BANGALORE – The sentencing of cab driver Shiva Kumar, who was declared guilty for the rape and murder of Pratibha Murthy, an employee of the Hewlett-Packard run business process outsourcing arm, will take place today.

A fast track court on Wednesday had held …. Source article  : BPO employee rape case: Quantum of sentence to be pronounced today.

Synopsys buys software and engineering firm Optical Research Associates for undisclosed amount

Synopsys buys software firm Optical Research

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Synopsys Inc. on Thursday said it has acquired Optical Research Associates, a privately held optical design software and optical engineering services company.
It is the fifth acquisition announced this year by Synopsys, which makes chip testing and development software. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal closed [..] Read the original article: here.

PayPal iPhone app lets you add checks to PayPal account by snapping photos of them

PayPal iPhone app lets you scan checks to deposit

SAN FRANCISCO – Betting you wouldn’t trek to your bank or the closest ATM if you didn’t have to, PayPal has added a feature to its free iPhone application that lets users deposit checks into their PayPal accounts by taking a picture of them.
The online payment service … Read more >>.

Adobe shares soar on report of possible Microsoft bid, Microsoft declines to comment

Adobe soars on report of possible Microsoft bid

NEW YORK – Shares of Adobe soared in heavy trading Thursday on a report that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discussed a possible buyout of the company.
A report posted in the “Bits” blog of The New York Times said Ballmer recently met with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to talk … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Adobe shares soar on report of possible Microsoft bid, Microsoft declines to comment.

A look at what will be hot for holiday 2010

A glance at the expected hot holiday gifts

As Americans scrutinize every purchase, merchants are making sure to stock up on holiday gifts that are either practical or offer an affordable way to splurge. Here are some of the hot trends for Christmas 2010:
FASHION: Fur vests – real or fake – and sweaters with Nordic patterns …. Original source  : A look at what will be hot for holiday 2010.

Microsoft search engine Bing signs deal for access to France’s national library

Microsoft’s Bing gains access to France’s archives

PARIS – Microsoft Corp. says it has signed an deal that will give its Bing search engine access to the digital archives of France’s National Library.
The agreement signed Thursday will permit Bing to index and search the library’s Gallica online archive of 1.25 million books and documents, from Moliere …. Original source  : Microsoft search engine Bing signs deal for access to France’s national library.

Motorola Sues against Apple for its Patent Violation

Motorola Mobility has filed patent violation complaints against Apple in the in the Northern District of Illinois and the Southern District of Florida.

Motorola has accused Apple of infringing 18 patents developed by Motorola during their early stages based on their vital technological areas.
The official statement of Motorola is as follows:
Overall, Motorola Mobility’s three complaints include … Original article on : Motorola Sues against Apple for its Patent Violation.

Christmas shoppers’ skittishness likely to have retailers rolling out the discounts

Shoppers may have the upper hand this Christmas

NEW YORK – The Christmas shopping season doesn’t kick off for another six weeks, but retailers already are signaling they’re prepared to discount aggressively to entice shoppers still skittish about spending.
Gift buyers are likely to scrutinize every purchase, from $20 toys to $1,000 designer jackets, do their homework …. Source  : Gaea News Network.