Detail LInk: September 2013

Rabu, 04 September 2013

Top Indonesia policeman guilty of graft, could pave way for more arrests

"By Viriya Paramita

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian court sentenced a top police general to 10 years in jail on Tuesday for money-laundering and corruption in a major victory for the country's main anti-graft agency.

The conviction of two-star police general Djoko Susilo, who amassed a fortune worth $18 million while serving as Indonesia's top traffic policeman, is the first of an active senior police officer by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and could pave the way for a broad campaign against police corruption.

The police are viewed as one of the most corrupt institutions in Indonesia and cleaning up a culture of graft is seen as critical to improving the country's image with investors.

"This is KPK's biggest case that has been resolved so far in regards to the total value of assets," Bambang Widjojanto, the commission's deputy head, told reporters after the verdict.

"This is the first, and maybe this is not going to be the last."

Former National Traffic Police deputy Didik Purnomo has also been charged in the case but has yet to go on trial.

Susilo was found guilty of accepting kickbacks in the awarding of a contract for driving simulators while he was head of the National Police Traffic Corps.

Susilo, who denied wrongdoing, planned to appeal, his lawyer told the court.

While foreign investment pours into the resource-rich country, there is growing concern that rampant corruption and an incompetent bureaucracy could throttle growth and begin to scare off investment.

A stream of high-profile graft cases, the most recent being one involving the head of the energy regulator, has tarnished President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's final term.

During KPK's investigation of Susilo, officials found that he had amassed $18 million worth of assets including land, cars and mansions, which he tried to hide under the names of his three wives.

(Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Robert Birsel)"

Senin, 02 September 2013

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

"Here's a weekend update for you: Seth Meyers is married!

The "Saturday Night Live" funnyman and future host of "Late Night," 39, said "I do" to human rights lawyer Alexi Ashe on on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Us Weekly reports the bride wore a cap sleeve lace dress while Meyers opted for a dark colored suit.

There were plenty of famous guests in attendance...

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis, Allison Williams, Rose Byrne, Jimmy Fallon, Jack McBrayer, Bobby Cannavale, Jake Gyllenhaal and his Sports Illustrated model girlfriend Alyssa Miller, Kristen Wiig, Will Forte, and Kenan Thompson all reportedly watched Seth tie the knot!

The small island, where President Obama and the first family vacationed earlier this month, was buzzing leading up to the holiday weekend wedding, which took place at September 1. That's because guests including Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were spotted, and word spread quickly with locals and vacationers about a "'Saturday Night Live' wedding.

Ashe's parents own a home on the island and she and Meyers, who met at a wedding and dated for several years before confirming their engagement in July, have visited many times together this summer and in years past.

There is no doubt that tears were shed at the ceremony, including by the groom himself.

"I'm a crier," he told Elle in 2012. "When my girlfriend and I talk about being happy, I'll get choked up, which I think is the greatest gift you can give a girlfriend."

And earlier this month Meyers talked to Jimmy Fallon about wedding planning, which was in full swing, hinting a beach wedding was in the works.

"Every now and again, she'll throw me a courtesy question," he said. "Do you think the invitations should have seashells or lighthouses? I'll be like, 'Seashells?' And she'll be like '... Not lighthouses?'"

None of those small details matter anymore ... just the happily ever after part."

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Anatomy of a potential Syria military operation: Weapons targets defenses

"A confrontation between the U.S. and Syria appeared closer after President Barack Obama asked for congressional authority to attack the Syrian military. Administration officials said Syrian commanders loyal to President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons to kill about 1,500 Syrians and rebels on Aug. 21."

Anatomy of a potential Syria military operation: Weapons targets defenses

Nelson Mandela Released From Hospital, Still in Critical Condition

"Nelson Mandela has been discharged from the hospital, the Associated Press reports.

The former South African president, still in critical condition, was released Sunday from the Pretoria hospital where he had been hospitalized for the last nearly three months. He was taken by ambulance to his Johannesburg home where he'll receive intensive care.

Fall TV: Hot scoop!

"His home has been reconfigured to allow him to receive intensive care there," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement. "The health care personnel providing care at his home are the very same who provided care to him in hospital. If there are health conditions that warrant another admission to hospital in future, this will be done."

Mandela, 95, was admitted on June 8 for what the government described as a recurring lung infection.Few other details about his illness have been released due to Mandela's privacy and patient confidentiality. Mandela has been vulnerable to respiratory problems since he contracted tuberculosis during his 27-year imprisonment for his opposition to apartheid."

Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish Wed

"Kate Bosworth is wearing her white before Labor Day! The Blue Crush star married director Michael Polish in an outdoor ceremony in Phillipsburg, Montana on Saturday, Aug. 31, People reports.

Bosworth, 30, and Polish, 42, met on the set of Big Sur in 2011 shortly after the actress called it quits with True Blood heartthrob Alexander Skarsgard. "I never dated my husband-to-be," Bosworth told InStyle UK in their September issue. "He said to me after just a few weeks before we were even together, 'I'm going to marry you.' He just knew."

RELATED PICS: Must-See Star Sightings

Prior to the weekend nuptials, the actress described her wedding as "not the norm and whisky will be involved." This is the second marriage for Polish, who has a teenage daughter with makeup artist Jo Strettell, whom he divorced in 2004."

Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish Wed

Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish Wed

Britain's new chief rabbi takes office

"Ephraim Mirvis took office as the new chief rabbi of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth at a ceremony in London on Sunday.

Prince Charles joined Jewish and other faith leaders for the ceremony at St John's Wood Synagogue in north London.

Prime Minister David Cameron did not attend the ceremony but wrote on Twitter: "A warm welcome to @ChiefRabbi Mirvis and my thanks to Lord Sacks for the special contribution he made to our country as #ChiefRabbi."

South African-born Mirvis, the former chief rabbi of Ireland, takes over from Lord Jonathan Sacks who is retiring after 22 years in the post.

Mirvis, 56, has said uniting members of different branches of Judaism -- from liberals to the ultra-orthodox community -- will be one of his top priorities.

"Within our own ranks we need to build on that which unites us and not to concentrate so much on that which separates us," he said in an interview with the BBC.

"I will do my utmost to ensure that we will indeed achieve that unity."

The 2011 Census for England and Wales showed that 363,000 people identified themselves as of the Jewish faith, a rise of 3,000 over the last decade.

Around two thirds of the British Jewish community live in London. Outside the capital other major centres include Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Gateshead.

Officially, the role of chief rabbi is to represent the United Synagogue, the main wing of orthodox Judaism in Britain. But the chief rabbi is traditionally seen as a national representative for all of Britain's 260,000 Jews.

Mirvis is currently rabbi at Finchley Synagogue in north London. He was chosen to replace Sacks after a two-year search.

He worked as a rabbi in Dublin before becoming Ireland's chief rabbi in 1985, a post he held until 1992.

Stephen Pack, Honorary President of the United Synagogue who oversaw the selection process, said Mirvis "understands what makes British Jewry tick, its enormous strengths and its peculiarities and sensitivities".

"Wherever he has gone, he has won friends and admirers," Pack wrote in the Jewish Chronicle newspaper.

Pack also paid tribute to Sacks, who he said had "carried out the role with intellectual brilliance and in swashbuckling style" for more than two decades."

What is the Syrian Electronic Army?

" The Syrian Electronic Army has been in the news a lot lately — in more ways than one. But who are they, what is their motivation, and why have they had so much success thus far?

They've taken down The New York Times, hijacked the Associated Press' Twitter feed and duped many into believing the White House had been bombed (the world panicked and the stock market plummeted before the deception was discovered).

This group of hackers, which supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also appears to be responsible for hacking a number of other media websites, including NPR, The Washington Post and fake news site The Onion. In early August, the SEA hacked the blog of a contributor to Britain's Channel 4 news and posted a fake report of a nuclear strike on Syria.

MORE: 13 Security and Privacy Tips for the Truly Paranoid

In each case, the hacks seemed to come in response to an article or post that the SEA deemed anti-Assad.

The SEA's favored hacking methods include distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, in which hackers bombard a website with so many page views that they overwhelm the servers, effectively taking the website offline.

The SEA is also known to use phishing, which means sending official-seeming emails and websites to trick people into divulging login information. Once the SEA has this information, it places false or inflammatory posts on the compromised accounts.

Neither of these techniques is particularly sophisticated in terms of technical skill, but the SEA has been able to use them to great effect.

The most high-profile attack came on Aug. 27, when the SEA (or an organization claiming to be the SEA) effectively knocked The New York Times' website offline.

This time the SEA used a domain name system (DNS) attack, which is when attackers cause a url (in this case "www.nytimes.com") to be associated with a different webpage. In this case, visitors to "www.nytimes.com" instead found themselves on a website emblazoned with the banner "hacked by Syrian Electronic Army."

In terms of technical savvy, a DNS attack is only slightly more sophisticated than the SEA's previous attacks. However, given the prestige of its target and the amount of control — however brief — the SEA gained over The New York Times' Web domain, it appears the SEA is upping the ante of its attacks.
Who are the Syrian Hackers?

Knowing what the SEA has done and how they did it is one thing. But it's still unclear exactly who and what this group is.

"The SEA is not an organization that we understand," Kevin O'Brien, an enterprise solutions architect from cloud security company Cloudlink, told Tom's Guide.

"There's not a group of actual state hackers — [the SEA] seems to be a quasi-political group of hackers who are doing certain things in the name of a political conflict happening around the world," he wrote.

The SEA first appeared in May 2011 when its first website, Syrian-es.com, went live.

At first, this website described the SEA as a group of young Syrians with no official ties to the Syrian government who wished to "fight back" against the country's enemies. However, two weeks after the website went live, the part claiming that the group was unofficial was removed.
The SEA's ties to al-Assad

Most of the SEA's websites were registered by the Syrian Computer Society, which serves as a registry for Syrian-based websites. The Syrian Computer Society was founded by Bashar al-Assad's brother Bassel al-Assad in 1989, and Bashar al-Assad later headed it before becoming president.

The Syrian Computer Society even gave the SEA a domain name ending in ".sy" (as opposed to ".com" or ".org"), which is usually reserved for official Syrian Computer Society websites. This is the SEA's only confirmed government connection.

In a June 2011 speech, Bashar al-Assad praised a number of Syrian citizen groups for supporting his regime, including the SEA, which he said "has been a real army in virtual reality."

The SEA posted on its website that it was honored to be acknowledged, but reiterated that it had no official ties to al-Assad's government.

MORE: 5 Free PC Security Programs Worth Downloading

In 2013, a representative of the SEA describing himself as "a (not the) leader" told The Daily Dot that "we are not supported by anyone or part of the government. We are just Syrian youths who want to defend their country against the media campaign that is full of lies and fabricated news reports."

In April 2013, a U.S. Web service provider called Web.com seized hundreds of domain names registered in Syria, citing trade sanctions against Syria as the reason for the action. Due to this action a majority of the SEA's websites offline, so the SEA moved the domains "sea.sy" and "syrianelectronicarmy.com" to a Russian Web host.

All that this background tells us is that some type of group calling itself the "Syrian Electronic Army" exists. The SEA's membership, recruitment methods and internal hierarchy are still a mystery.

Without more information about how the group makes decisions and executes attacks, it's impossible to know whether the SEA is responsible for The New York Times attack or even any of the other attacks associated with the group.

For example, just because the SEA claims responsibility for a hack doesn't necessarily mean that it's responsible; the group may be trying to increase its fame by riding on others' coattails.

Similarly, there's no way to tell whether a hacker claiming to represent the SEA actually has any ties with the organization.

And it's unclear what kind of resources or training the SEA has. They may not work directly with the Syrian government, but experts suspect that the SEA's membership includes some current and former government officials.

Thus far, the SEA has only launched unsophisticated attacks, but what the group lacks in technical finesse, they've made up for in persistence. As shown by the string of high-profile disruptions they've caused, their methods are working.

This story was provided by Tom's Guide, a sister site to LiveScience. Email jscharr@techmedianetwork.com or follow her @JillScharr. Follow us @TomsGuide, on Facebook and on Google+. "

Twins trade Morneau to Pirates

"PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are all-in as they chase the franchise's first playoff appearance in 21 years.

So is Justin Morneau.

Pittsburgh traded for the longtime Minnesota Twins first baseman Saturday, hoping the four-time All Star can give the Pirates' middling offense a jolt heading into the final month of the season.

"We felt that this move gives us a better chance to play in October, a better chance to win the division, a better chance to advance in October," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

And for Morneau, the opportunity to get back in a playoff race proved too good to pass up. It's why he hustled from Texas — where the Twins were playing the Rangers — to Pittsburgh to hang out with his new teammates for the final four innings of a 7-1 win over St. Louis that lifted the Pirates into first in the NL Central as the calendar flips to September.

"You try to get here as quick as you can because you want to be a part of this," Morneau said.

The Twins obtained outfielder Alex Presley and either a player to be named or cash in Pittsburgh's second major move in a week. The Pirates sent a pair of minor leaguers to the New York Mets on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck.

"We've got more depth, we've got more options than we had four days ago," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "We're a better team. We're a stronger team."

The Pirates have been in contention all season thanks in large part to a pitching staff currently second in the majors with a 3.17 ERA. Morneau's presence could have an immediate impact on an offense that ranks 10th in the NL in runs.

The 32-year-old Morneau hit .259 with 17 homers and 74 RBIs this season for Minnesota and is finishing off a red-hot month in which he smacked nine home runs.

"I think he's found some ways to spark some things offensively in the second half," Hurdle said.

The Pirates will pick up the remaining portion of Morneau's $14 million salary, estimated at around $2 million. It's not an insignificant investment for an ownership group that has sometimes shied away from paying the tab for proven players.

Yet with Pittsburgh on the cusp of its first winning season since 1992, Huntington worked aggressively after the non-waiver trade deadline to give the Pirates the pieces they need to remain in a tight three-team divisional race with St. Louis and Cincinnati.

"We made Clint's job a little bit easier," Huntington said. "He's got a number of weapons at his disposal now."

While Huntington believes he'll be "mocked" for thinking the Pirates are true World Series contenders, he and Hurdle made a compelling case to Morneau, who had to OK the trade that ended a sometimes spectacular 11 seasons in Minnesota.

"It was tough saying goodbye," Morneau said. "Look on the other side of it, you're on your way to a team that is playing in front of a sold-out stadium and is playing for the playoffs and a division championship and all the other fun stuff. It's a lot of adrenaline, a lot of emotion that I haven't had in awhile."

Morneau won the 2006 AL MVP award and was one of the best hitters in the game until a concussion knocked him out of action in 2010. Still, he remained one of the cornerstones of the Twins' clubhouse. His departure is another emotional low point in a disappointing season.

"I have great respect for Morny," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was our leader. He set the table. If there was something that needed to be said, he stepped up."

While Morneau's numbers have tailed off the last three years, his power should play better at PNC Park compared to cavernous Target Field. It's just 320 feet from home plate to the right-field wall at PNC, an inviting target for left-handed sluggers.

Morneau joins a club reaching heights not seen in a generation another proven bat and more than an ounce of legitimacy. And he'll do it while taking away at-bats from longtime friend Garrett Jones.

Jones has spent most of the season platooning with Gaby Sanchez at first and broke out of a lengthy slump by going 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in Pittsburgh's 5-0 win over the Cardinals on Friday. Now he'll likely be moved to the bench or spot duty in the outfield.

Playing behind Morneau is nothing new for Jones. He was a prospect in Minnesota's farm system for years but couldn't break into the majors on a regular basis with Morneau entrenched at first. Jones called Morneau "a friend" and understands why the Pirates pursued him. Until Friday, Jones was hitting just .119 in August.

"When we're winning and we know we can get a good player, sometimes you've got to suck it up and know what's best for the team," Jones said. "Hopefully, I can still continue to get in there and play and contribute."

___

AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Minneapolis and freelance writer Larry Bump in Arlington, Texas, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Will Graves at www.twitter.com/WillGravesAP"

okedaichi.blogspot.com

Seth Meyers Gets Hitched, Has Star-Studded Wedding

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 07:48 PM PDT

Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish Wed

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 09:08 AM PDT

Minggu, 01 September 2013

Kate Middleton Makes First Post-Baby Appearance: How Does She Look?

"The Duchess of Cambridge is back and ready for action!

Kate Middleton looked fresh and fit as she accompanied her husband, Prince William, to her first event five weeks after giving birth to baby George. The couple attended the Ring O'Fire Ultra Marathon in Anglesey, Wales, to kick off the annual 135-mile coastal race, which takes place over three days.

The Duchess of Cambridge's appearance was very spur of the moment, as the new mom was not originally scheduled to make any public appearances until the Tusk Conservation Awards on September 12.

Still, Middleton looked stunningly cool and casual … and not at all mom-ish! She rocked some totally chic, snug black skinny jeans by Paige Denim, a polka-dot top from Zara, and an olive green Ralph Lauren blazer while mingling with the crowd at the event. She finished the look with LK Bennett wedges and relaxed waves in her hair.

So where was Prince George while mom and dad went on this outing?

"He's sleeping at the moment," Middleton said. The little one isn't expected to be seen again until his christening."

Hollywood’s Elaborate Birthday Cakes

"When you are a celebrity, you can expect the best of the best -- especially when it comes to cake! Liam Payne from One Direction turned 20 years old on Thursday and received a decadent, two-tiered Batman cake to mark the big day. The stunning dessert featured a Gotham City skyline and the Batman logo, and it even sported a detailed Batman cake topper.

But the boy bander isn't the only star being spoiled with an elaborate birthday sugar fix. In 2010, Snooki celebrated her 23rd birthday with a four-tiered, pink-and-white animal-print cake, complete with a replica of her face and signature hair poof on top.

And when Brody Jenner celebrated his 30th birthday in August in Las Vegas, the California boy was surprised with a surf-and-sand cake inspired by his favorite hobby, surfing.

No cake from a box for these A-listers! Check out the vid to see which one of Brody's relatives received a Hermès-themed cake for her birthday, and be sure to tune into "omg! Insider" on TV tonight for the latest in entertainment news."