Facebook doubles iPhone app speed by dumping HTML5 for native code

Facebook doubles iPhone app speed by dumping HTML5 for native code

Rewrite could presage mobile advertising and new version for Android as social networking company renews focus on mobile
Charles Arthur
guardian.co.uk, Friday 24 August 2012


Facebook: the speed is reckoned to have doubled for the new iOS version. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
Facebook has radically increased the speed of the iPhone and iPad versions of its app by dumping the HTML5 version it used for one written in Apple's own Objective-C code to improve the mobile experience - and, potentially, begin making money from phone users.

The move, says Facebook's Jonathan Dann, "signals a shift in how Facebook is building mobile products, with a focus on digging deep into individual platforms". The blog post hints that versions written specifically for Android and other mobile platforms are on the way.

Tropical storm Isaac heads toward Haiti, Dominican Republic

Tropical storm Isaac heads toward Haiti, Dominican Republic

Storm could beocme a hurricane when it enters the Gulf of Mexico
The Associated Press Posted: Aug 24, 2012

Tropical Storm Isaac strengthened slightly as it spun toward the Dominican Republic and Haiti, but seemed unlikely to gain enough steam early Friday to strike the island of Hispaniola as a hurricane.

The storm's failure to gain the kind of strength in the Caribbean that forecasters initially projected made it more likely that Isaac won't become a hurricane until it enters the Gulf of Mexico, said Eric Blake, a forecaster with U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

"We think it could become a hurricane on Monday," Blake said late Thursday. "It would be somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico."

Murdoch's Sun defies royals, prints naked Harry pics

Murdoch's Sun defies royals, prints naked Harry pics

By Stephen Mangan and Michael Holden
LONDON | Fri Aug 24, 2012
(Reuters) - Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid on Friday became the first British newspaper to defy the royal family by printing pictures of Prince Harry cavorting naked in Las Vegas, stoking a debate about what papers can print in the name of press freedom.

While newspapers across the globe have published the images of Queen Elizabeth's grandson naked with an unnamed woman after they appeared on a U.S. gossip website on Wednesday, the British media had decided not to do so until this point.

Instead they had agreed to comply, some more reluctantly than others, with a request from lawyers acting for the royal family to respect the privacy of the prince, who is 27 and single.

Top-Earning Towns

Top-Earning Towns

Aug 21, 2012 Money
Luxe homes, great schools and exclusive communities. It takes a big paycheck to live large in these posh patches.
1. Bethesda, MD
Population: 61,511
Median family income: $184,606
Median home price: $740,000

An easy commute from Washington D.C., Bethesda is a hotspot for the highly educated, with nearly half of its residents boasting a graduate or professional degree. That may explain the incomes -- the highest on our list this year. They enable people to afford the luxe homes here, which are more than twice as pricey as the state average.

Though Washington D.C. is a quick Metro ride away, there's no need to head to the nation's capital for culture. Bethesda's urban downtown offers its own live theater, international cuisine and a variety of events, from monthly art walks to annual juried art competitions.

Kim Kardashian's Swinging Threesome with Male Porn Star Revealed

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Kim Kardashian's Swinging Threesome with Male Porn Star Revealed

by Hope Carson
August 23, 2012
Kim Kardashian was reportedly involved in swinging back in the day when she was married to her first husband. A veteran porn star has taken a stroll down memory lane and described a meeting with the 20-year-old Kim K and her participation in a threesome.
In a recent interview, 1990s porn star Julian St. Jox revealed that he had sex with the reality T.V. star and fashion mogul a decade ago at L.A.'s Wyndham Hotel.

"It was around 11:30 p.m. when Kim showed up with a black male," Jox revealed. "As soon as Kim walked in, everyone was looking. She wasn't known at the time at all, not like today, but for everyone who frequented these parties, she was interesting because she was a new face. She was wearing a tight miniskirt and tank top and designer shoes and bag. From afar she looked gorgeous. She had a great body and seemed bright ... [she] something special about her: a je ne sais quoi. She knew what she was doing. She was very responsive to me."

At the time, Kim, now 31, was married to Damon Thomas. The loquacious Mr. St. Jox didn't go into what kind of three-way they had, and whether the third party was male or female. If the third person was the "black male" who, according to St. Jox, escorted La Kardashian to the party, he might very well have been her husband. Furthermore, the party, as described by Julian Jox sounds like a swing party. Yikes. What will

Angelina Jolie's daughter to make acting debut in "Maleficent"

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Angelina Jolie's daughter to make acting debut in "Maleficent"

August 23, 2012
(CBS/AP) Four-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt is making her movie debut alongside her famous mom.
Pictures: Angelina Jolie
Pictures: Jolie, Pitt in Japan and Vietnam
Read more: Jolie's "Maleficent" gets a 2014 release
Walt Disney Studios says Angelina Jolie's youngest daughter will play a "minor role" in "Maleficent," in which Jolie plays the title character. Vivienne is set to play a young Princess Aurora, who grows up to be evil Maleficent's target in the live-action "Sleeping Beauty" tale.

Elle Fanning will portray the older teen version of Princess Aurora.

Avril Lavigne Engaged to Nickelback's Chad Kroeger

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Avril Lavigne Engaged to Nickelback's Chad Kroeger

By MARISA LAUDADIO
08/21/2012

Whoa, Canada!

Avril Lavigne and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger's relationship has been so quiet that few even knew they were dating. Now, after a six-month courtship, the Canadian rockers are engaged to be married, Lavigne's rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.

New Kaspersky appeals to your cash sense

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New Kaspersky appeals to your cash sense

A new way to lock down your financial transactions called Safe Money is a big part of Kaspersky's plan to make bank in its 2013 security suites.

by Seth Rosenblatt August 23, 2012

Kaspersky's new Safe Money feature automatically detects when you go to a banking site -- no need to go through the program interface anymore.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)
A safer way to conduct online transactions and a new exploit blocker are the keystones to Kaspersky Lab's 2013 security suites, the company announced today.
The major new feature that's in both Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 (download exclusively from Download.com today) and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 (download) is the exploit blocking engine called

Jobless claims rise, labor market healing very slowly

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Jobless claims rise, labor market healing very slowly

WASHINGTON | Thu Aug 23, 2012
(Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week, suggesting the labor market is healing too slowly to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. That was the highest level in five weeks.

The data keeps pressure on President Barack Obama ahead of his November re-election bid. His Republican challenger is trying to focus voters' attention on a lofty unemployment rate that has dogged Obama's presidency.

'Fiscal cliff' plan will send US into recession: CBO

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'Fiscal cliff' plan will send US into recession: CBO

By Paul Handley (AFP)2012/8/23
WASHINGTON — The US Congress's budget analysts said Wednesday that current plans designed to slash the budget deficit after January 1 will plunge the country into recession and push up joblessness.
The Congressional Budget Office said the poison-pill political deal on the budget last year -- sharp cuts to spending and tax increases that will hit household finances -- will cause the economy to shrink by 0.5 percent next year.
It would also likely send the unemployment rate to 9.1 percent by the second half of 2013, from the current already-high 8.3 percent, the CBO said.
The plan -- known as the "fiscal cliff" because of the sharp return to recession widely foreseen -- would succeed in cutting some $500 billion from the budget deficit, forecast at $1.1 trillion for this fiscal year.
But the current growth trajectory of about 2.25 percent would abruptly halt under the current law, the

Number of West Nile cases has soared, CDC says

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Number of West Nile cases has soared, CDC says

August/22/2012
HOUSTON — There’s been an alarming increase in the number of West Nile cases nationwide, with more than 1,100 reported, according to officials with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest CDC figures, released Wednesday, show that the national total for West Nile infections is three times as many as usually seen at this point in the year, officials said. Seventy-five percent of those cases were reported in five states — Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Dakota and Texas — with about half in Texas.
“We are in the midst of one of the worst West Nile virus outbreaks ever seen in the U.S.,” Lyle R. Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, said at a briefing.

Sin City's take on Prince Harry's nude Las Vegas romp? Yawn

Sin City's take on Prince Harry's nude Las Vegas romp? Yawn
By John M. Glionna August 23, 2012

LAS VEGAS — The British monarchy and many of its subjects might be aghast over published photos of playboy Prince Harry’s randy and quite naked romp with at least one nude woman in a VIP hotel suite here, but the reaction in Sin City is considerably more subdued.

Vegas is yawning.

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but this neon town is the desert mecca that never blinks. And that bunk about things happening here and staying here? Fahgettaboudit!

PHOTOS: The young Prince Harry

Justin Bieber to make cameo appearance on ‘The Simpsons’

Justin Bieber to make cameo appearance on ‘The Simpsons’

The ‘Believe’ singer will make an appearance in the Fox cartoon’s 24th season. Other cameos fans can look forward to include Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman.
BY RHEANA MURRAY / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012
Justin Bieber will get the cartoon treatment when he joins Bart and the gang in an upcoming episode of “The Simpsons.”

Taylor Swift's 'Never Ever' Sets Download Record

Taylor Swift's 'Never Ever' Sets Download Record

Swift's 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' sold 623,000 paid downloads in its first week.
By Gil Kaufma
Aug 22 2012
Taylor Swift did it. The singer who seems to reach new high points with every move set another record
 this week when her latest breakup single, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,"
 set a high-water download mark for female artists.

Billboard reported that for the week ending August 19, Swift had the biggest digital sales week ever for a song by a woman thanks to 623,000 paid downloads, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
The song will debut at #1 on Billboard's Digital Songs chart. Swift easily bested the previous top sales weeks for a woman, which was set by Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" in 2010 (610,000) and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," which notched the record for the biggest first-week sales by a woman last year with 448,000.

Donald Trump Tweets Well Wishes To Rosie O'Donnell After Heart Attack

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Donald Trump Tweets Well Wishes To Rosie O'Donnell After Heart Attack

08/22/2012
Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell, two media personalities known for their mutual disdain of one another, seemed to make peace on Tuesday.

Following news of O'Donnell's heart attack, Trump tweeted her a get well message.

".@Rosie, get better fast. I'm starting to miss you!" Trump wrote. O'Donnell quickly responded, jokingly asking if the NBC "Celebrity Apprentice" host was "trying to kill her." She thanked him and admitted his post "was a bit of a shock."

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes divorce is finalized

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes divorce is finalized

Aug 22, 2012

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY
And just like that, it's over.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' five-year marriage is done and the divorce case is closed, reports AP.

Court records filed in a New York City court indicate the divorce was rubber-stamped on Monday. Their lawyers and reps wouldn't disclose details.

Michael Strahan Rumored to Be Permanent Live! Co-Host

Michael Strahan Rumored to Be Permanent Live! Co-Host

Aug 22, 2012 By Luchina Fisher
It could be “Live! with Kelly and Michael” come Sept. 4.
Multiple news sources have reported that New York Giants Super Bowl champ and frequent “Live!” guest co-host Michael Strahan has been tapped as the permanent replacement for Regis Philbin on the daytime talk show. The show announced earlier this week that Kelly Ripa‘s permanent co-host would be named Sept. 4.

Close to Shore, Humpbacks Are Far From Safe

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Close to Shore, Humpbacks Are Far From Safe

By KELLY SLIVKA
Published: August 20, 2012
video

WOODS HOLE, Mass. — When the whale known as Touché is hungry for a school of fatty fish, he circles below them, fashioning a net of air by streaming bubbles from his blowhole. Then he corkscrews toward the surface of the Gulf of Maine, herding the fish into an ever tighter packet with the bubbles and his 30-ton body. Finally he opens his jaw wide, takes a monstrous gulp and relaxes, breathing deeply at the water’s surface.
Then he dives again. Over and over.

Touché’s feeding strategy, captured in June by an electronic tag attached to his back, is of keen interest to scientists tracking North Atlantic humpback whales off Cape Cod.

German Stocks Decline as Japanese Trade Deficit Widens

German Stocks Decline as Japanese Trade Deficit Widens

By Tom Stoukas on August 22, 2012
Bloomberg News
German stocks declined as Japan reported a wider-than-expected trade deficit and investors waited for meetings of euro-area leaders that may determine whether Greece gets any concessions on the terms of its bailout.

Daimler AG (DAI) led automakers lower, falling 1.2 percent. Commerzbank AG (CBK) lost 1.2 percent after Die Zeit reported the lender may pay costs arising from possible violations of U.S. sanctions. Paragon AG (PGN) advanced 2.8 percent after reporting a 13 percent increase in first-half revenue.

Man, 31, due in court in alleged Obama threat emailed to FBI

Man, 31, due in court in alleged Obama threat emailed to FBI

TAGS:national/world

August 22, 2012 (FEDERAL WAY, Wash.) -- A Washington state man accused of making an email threat against President Barack Obama and brandishing a shotgun at officers who came to his door is scheduled to appear in federal court.

Prince Harry snapped naked in Vegas strip-pool romp

Prince Harry snapped naked in Vegas strip-pool romp

Royal family has no comment on party pics. The photos were taken after the prince of parties 'lost' in a game of strip billiards.
BY ANTHONY BARTKEWICZ / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012




Prince Harry is letting his hair down – and everything else – as he parties in Las Vegas.
The gossip website TMZ published photos showing the playboy prince cavorting naked around a pool table with some equally uninhibited women in a game of strip billiards.
Sources told TMZ that Harry and friends invited a bevy of beauties up to his VIP suite last Friday.
A round of strip pool erupted, and apparently everyone lost.

Tropical Storm Issac better organized, still threat for South Florida

Tropical Storm Issac better organized, still threat for South Florida

Posted on Wednesday, 08/22/12
BY CURTIS MORGAN
CMORGAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Tropical Storm Isaac grew better organized overnight and continued on a track that potentially could put it some where off the South Florida coast by early Monday.

The threat to Caribbean islands was clear and more immediate, with Isaac closing in on the chain of Leeward Islands. Warnings and watches were also posted for Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, which along with Haiti could see heavy rains, flooding and mud slides.

Best Buy 2Q profit drops 90 pct, misses estimates

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Best Buy 2Q profit drops 90 pct, misses estimates

Best Buy's 2Q profit drops 90 percent, misses analyst estimates amid turmoil
 Aug 21, 2012
By Anne d'Innocenzio, AP Retail Writer | Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales. The company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
The poor report was announced a day after Best Buy name Hubert Joly, former CEO of the Carlson travel company as its new CEO and president. The chain is also waging a public fight with its former chairman and co-founder Richard Schulze, who wants to take the company private.
The company also said it is halting stock buybacks for fiscal 2013 during the CEO transition. Shares of Best Buy fell almost 10 percent, or $1.76 to $16.40 on the news, following a 10 percent decline the day before on disappointment over Best Buy's CEO choice.
The nation's largest consumer electronics chain said Tuesday that it earned $12 million, or 4 cents per share, in the quarter ended Aug. 4. That compares with $128 million, or 34 cents per share.

Michael Vick "sore" after hard preseason hit

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Michael Vick "sore" after hard preseason hit

August 21, 2012
CBSSports.com Official Partner

(AP) FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Michael Vick walked slowly off the field, shaken up for the second straight game. And he was eager to get back in the action.

Philadelphia's star quarterback was leveled on just his sixth play of the Eagles' 27-17 preseason win over the New England Patriots on Monday night. X-rays on his ribs were negative, but he was held out as a precaution.

Nicki Minaj & Enrique Iglesias in Talks to Judge American Idol

Nicki Minaj & Enrique Iglesias in Talks to Judge American Idol

Is the American Idol judges' panel filling up?
08/21/2012

"Super Bass" singer Nicki Minaj is reportedly in talks to join judge Mariah Carey on the show for its 12th season. According to an Associated Press report, "a deal is in works" for Minaj, 29.

Meanwhile, a source tells PEOPLE that Enrique Iglesias, who is currently on tour with departing judge Jennifer Lopez, is being considered for the show, which also lost Steven Tyler after season 11.

"Idol has expressed a lot of interest but no final word on either side yet," a source tells PEOPLE of the "I Like It" singer, 36.