Qantas makes passengers remove Dell batteries AUSSIE AIRLINE Qantas has made the first move to protect planes from problems caused by defective Dell batteries.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, passengers can still check and carry on their Dells, but only use them when batteries are removed.
However, there is confusion at some airports according to the newspaper - with some passengers finding security staff removed Dell batteries and taped up the contact points.
Last week we revealed that an international aviation body was to discuss Dell batteries at an upcoming conference in Montreal.
The Australian prohibition, where it's enforced, applies to all Dell notebooks and not just for machines the firm warned might have problems with batteries. µ
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33876Google faces $61 million fine for withholding user data Brazil threatens to down it
By INQUIRER staff: Wednesday 23 August 2006, 09:17
PROSECUTORS in Brazil have demanded that Google supply it with information for a criminal investigation, or face the consequences.
Those consequences could include a $61 million fine and the closure of its Brazilian web site, unless it supplies information about Orkut pages.
Google may also face a daily fine of over $90,000 if it doesn't comply with prosecutor requests that it discloses user information.
Google wants to appoint an expert to assess whether it's complying with legal requests but because the Orkut server is based in the United States it needn't comply with such Brazilian requests. µ
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33869US thinks of sticking RFID chips inside troops I got you under my skin
By Nick Farrell: Wednesday 23 August 2006, 06:48
THE FLORIDA outfit which makes implanted RFID chips is lobbying the US government to stick them under the skin of 1.4 million US soldiers.
According to the DC Examiner, VeriChip is hoping to convince the Pentagon to allow them to insert the chips under the skin of the right arms of military personnel instead of the traditional dog tags.
The Examiner said the outfit might get away with the idea as it has powerful political connections. Apparently the former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, on its board.
Thompson told the Examiner that the chip was safe and that no one will be forced to accept an implant against his or her will.
Others, like veterans groups, are not so happy with the idea.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33858